Can the MPC Key/One replace a DAW for live performance?

Hi, new user here!

Being somewhat a veteran of traditional digital audio workstations, lately I've been getting interested in the MPC workflow, especially for live performance.
Before pulling the trigger on one, I'd like to understand a few things:

- let's say I have some backing tracks; I'd like to organize them in a way that I can change the arrangement of a song during the show (repeat a section, jump to another section, ect...) like you would do with Ableton. Can I?

- let's say I want to create an arrangement on the spot (eg. keyboards + percussions or electronic kit), and play over it with an entire live band, am I stuck with the 4 bars loop form?

- as long as I connect an external audio interface, can I send a click track with cues to a dedicated output?

- I mean, can it replace Ableton Live?

Any opinion is much appreciated!

The Pro pack gives you access to the Clip Matrix view where you can use the MPC like Ableton Live Session view

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbgag56Gvi0

https://www.akaipro.com/mpcpropack/

The pro pack is free with the MPC XL, MPC Live 3 and the AKAI Force, but you'll have to pay $200 if you acquire an MPC Gen1. It's my understanding that the Pro Pack is half priced with the MPC Key 37 G2 or the MPC One Plus G2.

Thanks!

Actually I don't know if the clip launcher would let me do exactly what I'm trying to do, but I guess I won't know until I try it. That's the closest thing to Ableton Live for sure, although video tutorials are usually targeted to 4 bars beat-making mostly.

For 1k is it worth trying or one would be better investing in a traditional laptop + audio interface + Ableton combo?

Wont be better than getting a laptop for that use

I did a show with the X supporting a live band couple of weeks ago. Had a click track coming out of one of the outputs feeding the drummers in ear. Had sequences of the backing tracks in one project, and cycled through different parts of the arrangement by switching sequences or triggering loops manually. For most tracks I only had drums and chords playing on loop, which happens automatically when playing a sequence with the MPC. Had some params I wanted to control assigned to the Q-links. Worked perfectly for me.

Things might by different for you coming from Ableton. Depending on your demands I think Ableton is in essence more suitable for playing and triggering live backing tracks than the MPC. In my case I really can not work with Ableton. Tried many times, just can't click with it. I've been an avid MPC user for nearly 20 years, so forcing this type of workflow into the MPC environment was a better option than trying to fumble around with Ableton.

Doing live performances supporting a live band with an MPC is definitely doable, but whether it's the best solution depends on the user I think. Best way to find out is to try out if it's possible.

Menco wrote:I did a show with the X supporting a live band couple of weeks ago. Had a click track coming out of one of the outputs feeding the drummers in ear. Had sequences of the backing tracks in one project, and cycled through different parts of the arrangement by switching sequences or triggering loops manually. For most tracks I only had drums and chords playing on loop, which happens automatically when playing a sequence with the MPC. Had some params I wanted to control assigned to the Q-links. Worked perfectly for me.

Things might by different for you coming from Ableton. Depending on your demands I think Ableton is in essence more suitable for playing and triggering live backing tracks than the MPC. In my case I really can not work with Ableton. Tried many times, just can't click with it. I've been an avid MPC user for nearly 20 years, so forcing this type of workflow into the MPC environment was a better option than trying to fumble around with Ableton.

Doing live performances supporting a live band with an MPC is definitely doable, but whether it's the best solution depends on the user I think. Best way to find out is to try out if it's possible.

I come from Cubase actually, learning the MPC or Ableton ecosystem would be something new for me anyway!

What did you use for that show?

MPC X for the backbone of the arrangements with an SP404MKII for additional FX and sample triggering.

Just get a used Force. It's the closest Akai unit to Ableton. It's 8x8 64 pad matrix is still currently the best device designed to run the matrix as it was literally made for that back in 2019 & It's still being updated. Next best for clips is the XL then the Live3. The Force still is only one to have 8 Launch Buttons & a Navigation view that let's you see the whole project Row & clips at once & jump to anywhere in the matrix. Also it can copy/delete clips via the pads fast & easy, but all MPC have to use the slow pop-up menu.

Here the deepest video on the matrix I've seen. It's for the L3 but the concepts is the same:

DaddyLongLes
Clip Matrix Deep Dive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9BOHc ... DDnpMulSQl
Here some extra old but gold

3 levels of clip launching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oADLhI ... dcLm7hL3kN

-Legato clip mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09s0nW ... GgUMHpqCer