Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By dmacto Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:51 am
I understand that the MPC X has a built in Pre-amp and Mic/instrument inputs.

But what about doing the same on the MPC Live? Has anyone tried hooking up a pre-amp and recording directly into the MPC?

I am sure that this is something a lot of people are looking to do, and I'm surprised that I have seen so little about it.

There was a beta tester Standalone challenge video were they recorded some guitar and female vocal onto the MPC. This sounded quite decent, but there was no comment on the users thoughts on this function, or how exactly they went about doing it.

There was also another beta tester who was using it for sound design, recording sounds outside with a mic. My assumption would be that he had a pre-amp of some kind with him too.

I want to know if the Live would be capable of recording quality vocals and instrument tracks to create songs with the other functions. If not I will have to spend a hell of a lot more on the MPC X....when it eventually comes out.
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By MPC-Tutor Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:42 am
Yes you can record quality vocals and instruments, but you'll need a pre-amp of some description as the Live doesn't have phantom power (needed for condenser mics).The MPC X apparently has phantom power built in, but we'll have to take their word for that as currently the MPC X doesn't appear to exist beyond a few pre-production units.
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By zangetsu01 Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:47 am
dmacto wrote:I understand that the MPC X has a built in Pre-amp and Mic/instrument inputs.

But what about doing the same on the MPC Live? Has anyone tried hooking up a pre-amp and recording directly into the MPC?

I am sure that this is something a lot of people are looking to do, and I'm surprised that I have seen so little about it.

There was a beta tester Standalone challenge video were they recorded some guitar and female vocal onto the MPC. This sounded quite decent, but there was no comment on the users thoughts on this function, or how exactly they went about doing it.

There was also another beta tester who was using it for sound design, recording sounds outside with a mic. My assumption would be that he had a pre-amp of some kind with him too.

I want to know if the Live would be capable of recording quality vocals and instrument tracks to create songs with the other functions. If not I will have to spend a hell of a lot more on the MPC X....when it eventually comes out.


Those videos were both from the same beta tester.
By marctronixx Tue Jun 27, 2017 1:46 pm
I have an Arturia Audiofuse for such things. Clean PREs and overall nice build quality. Small enough to fit in the UDG gear bag with everything else.
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By Icepulse Tue Jun 27, 2017 3:29 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:Yes you can record quality vocals and instruments, but you'll need a pre-amp of some description as the Live doesn't have phantom power (needed for condenser mics).The MPC X apparently has phantom power built in, but we'll have to take their word for that as currently the MPC X doesn't appear to exist beyond a few pre-production units.


Would a dynamic mic work in this scenario?

I've actually used a good USB mic, into iPhone (w/ a little AUFX: Space Reverb) into line in.... very nice solution.
By Pb21 Tue Jun 27, 2017 4:11 pm
I connected up my Tascam dr40 to my rode NT1A and then connected the tascam to my mpc live and works a treat it was just weird holding the mic screen in this config but the combo was fine.
By cmackg Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:17 pm
marctronixx wrote:I have an Arturia Audiofuse for such things. Clean PREs and overall nice build quality. Small enough to fit in the UDG gear bag with everything else.

How's that Audiofuse work for you? I was interested in it when announced, but gave up after two years missed deadlines. They delivered worse than Akai. MCP Live and audioFuse, you are living on the bleeding edge....
By marctronixx Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:24 pm
yes I have been watching the audiofuse since it as announced as well.

the unit is a beast. clean PREs, low noise, very much a high end device. worth the cost as you can use this anywhere with usb or mains power. 24db gain that's clean!


cmackg wrote:
marctronixx wrote:I have an Arturia Audiofuse for such things. Clean PREs and overall nice build quality. Small enough to fit in the UDG gear bag with everything else.

How's that Audiofuse work for you? I was interested in it when announced, but gave up after two years missed deadlines. They delivered worse than Akai. MCP Live and audioFuse, you are living on the bleeding edge....