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 pablow6554 Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:55 pm
I wanted to ask i know the mpc live and touch have the volume knob in the back but how do i get the right volume when i got it hook up to the computer do i turn up the volume on my computer all the way up then slowly turn the volume of the mpc up ontil i get the volume i want or is it backwards?
User avatar
By Ill-Green Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:21 pm
Kinda subjective. Just know to stay off the red and you'll be good.

But you can set the volume at 9 or 10 o'clock position on the Live and use your computer's volume for the overall control. As long your computer is getting a signal, but don't distort the sound by raising the volume too high on the Live.
User avatar
By Danoc Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:55 pm
This is the best advice. Its critical not not to go into the red in the MPC live. I use my computer as overall control.

Ill-Green wrote:Kinda subjective. Just know to stay off the red and you'll be good.

But you can set the volume at 9 or 10 o'clock position on the Live and use your computer's volume for the overall control. As long your computer is getting a signal, but don't distort the sound by raising the volume too high on the Live.
By pablow6554 Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:22 am
Danoc This is the best advice. Its critical not not to go into the red in the MPC live. I use my computer as overall control.what do you mean by you use the controller on your computer detail please do you have the mpc on low volume and set the computer to a higher volume ?
By marctronixx Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:37 am
put your soundcard at unity gain. that is its sweet spot in terms of signal to noise/headroom.

upstream from that, it depends on other variables.

meaning, you can control the output of each pad, of each sample (you could normalize it, etc), you can control the output of the actual program on the mpc.

so you may end up adjusting the max volume depending on many variables.

facing the back of the mpc live, try the master volume knob to 9 or 10 o clock position, then sweeten to taste.

no one can really tell you online how to set YOUR volume because we all mix differently. trust your ears--if it sounds distorted, figure out where that may be coming from , and adjust.
User avatar
By Ill-Green Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:36 pm
pablow6554 wrote:Danoc This is the best advice. Its critical not not to go into the red in the MPC live. I use my computer as overall control.what do you mean by you use the controller on your computer detail please do you have the mpc on low volume and set the computer to a higher volume ?

He means the computer is his master volume that he controls overall.

Of course, once in a while you need to adjust the Live's volume because stuff we sample might be too loud or too quiet, so for the computer to get a good signal, we need to adjust the Live according to the sampled material. Just keep off the red, though the red should be lit occassionally if you thirst for a loud sound, but don't distort it.
User avatar
By Danoc Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:24 am
I will go into detail.

When you load a kit into the Luve/X a lot of the times the kicks and snares jump into +3 or near +6. This the extreme red level you don't want to be. Its the distorted area.

You want your Outputs 1/2 to never be in the red.

Here's what you do to stay out of the red and at 0 or -3 which is a good enough level to hear your music. If its to low you then turn up your computer volume. Don't turn it up crazy loud for this can cause ear fatigue.

Here are the steps to follow to get a nice pleasing level overall.

1. When in the main window at the left side of the touch screen window you will see a house icon. Hit that if you're not already there.

2. To the right of the house icon you should see an eye looking icon, press that.
It should expand. You sould see 4 icons.
A. Solid square B. 4 squares C. 3 lines and D. A Crown looking symbol.

3. Hit the solid square box, this will open up for every pad with a sound on it so you can fix the levels on each sound. Tap each pad to see if it bleeds into the red. If it foes tap the fader until its highlighted. Once it is you can lower the lever eithet with your finger or data wheel l prefer the Data wheel.

4. Tap the pad while turng down the fader until you get to zero or -3.and do this for ever sound that needs to come out if the red. Some sounds you may need to turn up. Its all on you.

5. When you finish go to the Crown icon and see if your levels are at 0 or -3.

Now thats just for the MPC. If the overall sound is low turn up your computer so YOU can hear it and you should be goid to go.

Also when using the data wheel for smaller increments hold shift and turn your data wheel down and you will see it.

Peace.

pablow6554 wrote:Danoc This is the best advice. Its critical not not to go into the red in the MPC live. I use my computer as overall control.what do you mean by you use the controller on your computer detail please do you have the mpc on low volume and set the computer to a higher volume ?
By Yorgos Arabatzis Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:23 am
Things are very easy...Crank Live’s hardware volume to the max and set your programs levels to -12db and a little bit of tweaking to individual pads to get your mix balanced..After that you just only have to raise your levels inside your DAW with your favorite mastering rack you have..That way you’re making sure your levels are safe..
Easy peasy!