New to MPC world

Hi peeps.
I feel I need to have a hands on experience as working on daw alone can be a little unstimulating
The MPC sample caught my interest, then I was advised to get a live 2, and now the live 3 is out and it looks fantastic (though an expensive option).
I'm trying get some advice or list of what the live 2 can't do,

and if I need the extras that the live 3 has,

and if buying secondhand live 3 is worth the extra 300 quid off?

I'm just very excited on the embankment of this journey and seeing if I can get some friendly advice, and hope 1 day to be a contributer to this forum.
If this question has already been asked please point me in the direction as I am a proud noob.
Protect those behind you, respect thought beside you....peace2all.

The 3.xx software isnt really made to fit the live ii. it operates on the units but not well

Major differences spec wise. The current line if mpc has a larger emmc, more ram, a 64bit cpu and a proper 64bit compiled build of the mpc software.

The 32bit units do not have pad quadrants either so all the pads are just regular touch sensitive drum pads.

I recommend running the older 2.xx firmware on the 32bit mpc units. x, xl, live, live 2, one, plus, key37 and 60-whatever. It will leave more system resources open to the user and the project and have a more fluid or stable feeling on these units.

you *can* use 3.xx on the older hardware but its basically a demo mode to sell you on new hardware.

If you're only saving $300, get a new one. There is more crap to list but i dont have the energy to list all the differences or the pros and cons. youtube will show you all that.

If you buy a used one, dont be fooled into thinking its garbage because its not the latest toy, its still a really good device and worth owning / learning to use.

There are alot of egotisical goons who use the mpc and think they're fancy cus they could afford a toy people who don't live in the slums can buy on any given weekend.. dont listen to anything they have to say and just enjoy.

I'm on the Force but I would get one of the gen2 MPCs or a used Force that designed to run 3.0 better than currently all MPCs unless you need the extra things gen2 brings.

While an MPC has obviously a more hands-on feeling than a DAW, the 3.x OS leans very much into a DAW like experience (for good and bad).

Maybe you can get a used MPC One ideally with 3.x and the Pro Pack installed for cheap, so you can see if the workflow is for you.

Note that only gen2 hardware comes with the clip matrix.

Masi wrote:Note that only gen2 hardware comes with the clip matrix.

The Force had the clip-matrix since 2019, but yes only gen2 MPCs comes with it & is one my reasons I said to pick one of those.

Piggybacking on this thread since I’m in a similar spot to OP. I already have the original Live 1 and keep it in the studio - I don’t take it out of the house, so portability isn’t a factor. I’m mainly comparing the Live 1 against the Live 3 and the XL to figure out if either would be a meaningful standalone upgrade for hands-on MPC workflow away from DAW-only work.

I hear what you’re saying about 3.xx feeling like demo mode on older hardware like Live 1/2, but I want to know from people who’ve actually used both: does the Live 3 or XL genuinely feel faster/more fluid day-to-day in standalone, or is the Live 1 still plenty capable if I stick with 2.xx firmware? What specific limitations do you hit on Live 1 that the newer sort.

OP if you’re eyeing secondhand Live 3, I’d love to hear if the spec jumps (RAM, CPU, pads, etc.) actually translate to better real-world standalone experience over Live 2. Thanks for any advice from folks who’ve been there!

I used a Live 1 for 7 years as the primary sequence/drums in my writing and performing set up.

Got the Live 3, and the advances in chipset, additional memory and synthesis for samples makes it a generational game changer for me. Pretty much better (stronger faster) in every way.

Plenty of the 2.x OS versions were buggy as, but it eventually became a rock solid set up. Expecting the same for 3.x.

Peace
Cx