MPC Element vs. MPC Fly

Hey guys,

This may be in the wrong section, but I'll try my hand here with this question.

I got the iMPC several weeks ago when it came out, and am interested in investing in a hardware controller for it.

It seems both the MPC Element and the MPC Fly are compatible with iMPC Pro. What are the differences between them?

They look almost exactly the same in pictures, with the exact same buttons (except maybe the "Tap" button) and everything! Compare: MPC Element vs. MPC Fly (<--these are hyperlinks...)

So what exactly sets them apart from each other??

.....or is the MPC Fly for the regular iMPC only, with the Element being for iMPC Pro?

Anyway, thanks!

The Element will also get you a copy of MPC Essentials which is a stripped down version of the Main MPC Software.

If you have a newer iPad with a Lightning connector, the MPC Fly will not work with it, as the currently available MPC Fly 30 uses the older 30 pin connector.

Not sure if the planned Lightning connector version of the MPC Fly is still happening and/or available as yet.


MPC Fly has an integrated iPad case, the MPC Element is more of a universal USB controller.

wtf. haha..never heard of those. but they look cool

The MPC Fly also has a built in additional rechargeable battery for the iPad.

The MPC Element is more of a generic USB controller for iPads and/or computers as well.

Okay, so for anyone following this thread in the future, a summary of the differences so far is:

- Fly is just for iMPC (what about iMPC Pro?) // Element is MPC-app-compatible, but also usable as a general MIDI controller with other things like DAWs

- Fly only compatible with older iPads that have the 30-pin charger port // Element is only compatible with newer iPads that have the lightening charger port (it appears there are adapters between the two, so this isn't a major issue)

- Fly is battery-powered // Element is USB-powered

- Fly comes with no additional software (made for iPad only, so go figure) // Element comes with MPC Essentials, which is a stripped down desktop DAW for MPC?

Anything else?

I'm also wondering about the dimensions of the pads. I've never had an MPC/APC/Maschine/any other kind of dedicated beat-making sampler hardware, but I'd like to learn and get my hands used to finger drumming. But the iMPC Pro's "pads" are a bit small and close together, surely more so than on hardware MPCs.

So I'm wondering, how do the 16 pads' dimensions compare to those of a more proper MPC?

themagicalkamja wrote: - Fly only compatible with older iPads that have the 30-pin charger port // Element is only compatible with newer iPads that have the lightening charger port (it appears there are adapters between the two, so this isn't a major issue)

The MPC Fly 30 is a case for the iPad.

Not sure how well one of those adapters is going to go with an MPC Fly 30, whether it will fit at all, whether it will hang out the side of the case, etc.

Good point :/ The Fly's design looks like complete shit too...is it just me? Like some gimmicky Made In China plastic power rangers toy...could just be the choice of that red color in all the pictures...

themagicalkamja wrote:Okay, so for anyone following this thread in the future, a summary of the differences so far is:

- Fly is just for iMPC (what about iMPC Pro?) // Element is MPC-app-compatible, but also usable as a general MIDI controller with other things like DAWs

- Fly only compatible with older iPads that have the 30-pin charger port // Element is only compatible with newer iPads that have the lightening charger port (it appears there are adapters between the two, so this isn't a major issue)

The Element uses a standard USB connector so therefore it is compatible with both the newer lightning port Ipads as well as the older 30-pin port Ipads. They both utilize the USB port provided by the Camera Connection Kit.