switch from maschine mk3 to akai live

Hi.

I am used to the maschine mk3 but I am thinking about to switch to the Akai live.
I would just have a couple of question for the Akai Live, which I couldn`t figure out so far.

What other file formats exept wav (mp3?) are supported? Is there a file format for libraries, like the kontakt library in maschine?
I was basically wondering if there is a good orchestra library out there for Akai which would support different samples based on velocity or release, which means a bit more complex then just one sample per note.
Or does it already comes with an orchestra library?

Is there actually an overview of the factory library and what's in there?

How much of a difference would be the workflow in comparison to the maschine?
Did anyone made the experience with both and could tell me what I would miss when coming from a maschine workflow?

Thank you very much in advance

The library that comes with the MPC is very much hip hop/trap/edm orientated. This is why I created 'MPC Orchestral', it's the only orchestral expansion available for the MPC. https://www.mpc-samples.com/product.php ... o-edition/ - this features velocity switching or round robins (in the MPC it's 'either-or').

As for switching, what has prompted you to consider switching? What do you think the MPC is going to give you that Maschine doesn't? What specifically are you looking for?

Wow. That came quiet unexpected. I thought there are tons of orchestra sample packs out there. Even for hip hop, an orchestra library I thought could be quiet helpful.

To read sample packs it has to come in the akai format I guess. Is that correct?

The biggest akai live selling point to me is the stand alone feature. I can still take a laptop and my maschine but its quiet not the same. I just want one piece and not tied to a computer as I am working on a computer all day long

Apart from that it looks editing notes and operating in general seems bit easier with the akai live then the maschine. Especially moving notes with the touchscreen is so much easier.

I am not a vst junkie by collecting millions of plugins, so I thought I wouldnt miss much. And with the new 2.3-update I would have at least a good standart synthesizer.

The akai force seemed the real deal at first but its probably not portable anymore.

janshao wrote:Wow. That came quiet unexpected. I thought there are tons of orchestra sample packs out there. Even for hip hop, an orchestra library I thought could be quiet helpful.

To read sample packs it has to come in the akai format I guess. Is that correct?

The biggest akai live selling point to me is the stand alone feature. I can still take a laptop and my maschine but its quiet not the same. I just want one piece and not tied to a computer as I am working on a computer all day long

Apart from that it looks editing notes and operating in general seems bit easier with the akai live then the maschine. Especially moving notes with the touchscreen is so much easier.

I am not a vst junkie by collecting millions of plugins, so I thought I wouldnt miss much. And with the new 2.3-update I would have at least a good standart synthesizer.

Outside of the stuff already mentioned. The browser on the mpc is terrible compared to the Maschine.

The tagging is very basic, like it was made for windows 95 or something if the sort.

When I’m on the pc machine mk3 and mpc Touch are my daily combo. When I use the Live I use the Maschine expansions as samples in the live.

Ah great. Thanks, I think I need to have a closer look at the browsing then.
Do you know if they changed that in the akai force?

Or are there any plans to make this browsing a bit more userfriendly in the future?

janshao wrote:Ah great. Thanks, I think I need to have a closer look at the browsing then.
Do you know if they changed that in the akai force?

Or are there any plans to make this browsing a bit more userfriendly in the future?

The browser looks the same on Akai Force so who knows. The lackluster browser was mentioned to Akai numerous times so they know. I only mention the browser to you because you are maschine user, I don’t want you to be fully disgusted you when you try it out.

Akai also makes Akai vip/advance, so hopefully we can get that browser in the mpc. That browser is on par with maschine.

I am glad at least some of you are realistic. This is not like Toyota Vs. Rolls Royce. More like Toyota Vs. a different Toyota. There is more than one way to skin a cat. If you know the equipment and have skills I would say go with whatever has the workflow you enjoy. MPC X falls short of "standalone" IMO. With only 200 or some sounds. It's best use will still be realized via DAW IMO. I used to be all in hardware. Been doing this a long time. Now for me at least VSTI's opened a whole new door. Yes, I prefer hardware as do most. AKAI apparently tapped into that notion as well.

The issue is all of todays hardware falls short of good VSTI's. I would not say Maschine is worse or better. It is "similar" when factoring in a DAW. Figure this, The computing power of MPC X VCs. I9/64MB with SSD's. Simply cannot compete. Unfortunately that is the sad state of things now. You are comparing a few hundred megabytes to a few hundred gigabytes of sounds.

See when computers and synths were a few megabytes the hardware synths were more powerful. Now a PC walks all over any synth. I say spend the money on a computer. If you gig live a 3 pound laptop should not be an issue. Both crash anyways but neither often.

I was looking for a new keyboard workstation. I quickly realized the likes of Kronos, Genos cannot touch a PC. So I just saved my money. I think in the future there will be no more standalone units. I just hook up my wonderful Epiano via midi to many old synths and VSTI's. You cannot match the sound palette. Certain old synths did things no VSTI does but not because of computing power. You can pick them up dirt cheap now.

The X in standalone is crippled by comparison IMO. I am not sure if I would trade for MPC Touch or Maschine. I feel at the price of the X it is a waste of money. It is way outpriced IMO. Remember it is also in fact a computer. With 1/1000th the power of I9. I think to get what allows the best workflow for you. Although skills can be applied to anything. Kanye made many recent hits with an ASR10. If I wanted hardware I would look for a used 4000, 5000. The X just fell flat on it's face for me.

That is just my opinion. YMMV. I feel our real friend is still midi. Old format but I feel it is where it is at. I can control anything with a great quality graded hammer 88 with wood keys. As far as a beat box if I had it to do again I would not purchase the X. I got a huge deal on it but otherwise it is simply too expensive for what it does and cannot touch certain VSTI's. I have used it 100% with pc so to me at least it is a waste.

I was wondering in my case if you guy's would consider Maschine MKIII or Touch? I can work either just fine. I simply value your input as to which I would get more mileage out of. I have no interest in "today's" standalone offerings including keyboard workstations. The era of standalone hardware has been far surpassed IMO. If you must have standalone X and Live are where it is at but I think you are selling yourself short. In that case I would get an old "real" MPC. That is my personal feelings and your needs may greatly vary. Right now personally I am just torn between Maschine and Touch. Push is out because I do not wish to be locked into one DAW. Not sure what I would do?

I do not mean to derail this thread but I think what I point out may be of great use to many. Just because X is more money does not mean it is better. Especially lacking in the soundset and ultimately being forced to use the DAW anyways the way I see it. All it is is a very low power computing platform. Look at it that way. Like it or not eventually everything will be DAW. I think in the future even AKAI will not follow the standalone route. It simply cannot compete. I fully agree hardware is king but perhaps no longer.

Hmm...you made a good point there. If you see it this way, a Laptop or even an iPad is already capable of so much more then the mpc live can do in my opinion. I mean what do you actually can`t do with a Laptop which you can with the mpc x or live? I know that its probably not fair saying this but in comparison I feel like all the mpc live can do is chop samples and arranging them. I have even heard the reverb effect is mono?
And it comes with 2GB RAM. I mean to be honest that feels like stone-age to me.

But this is the technical part. Something I just don't understand. You could say, hey what comes out of the mpc x or mpc live has the mpc sound and feeling, but I honestly wonder if you can really tell the difference especially nowadays when vst instruments and plugins got to such a high quality level.

So why even consider buying the mpc live, the Maschine seems to be a much smarter way in this case. You have the power of a computer but the feeling of an actual hardware, which is indeed great.

But here is the thing. And I think I can just speak for myself in this case.
Call me old, but I am just getting overwhelmed by all the options you have nowadays on a computer. I feel like I am more collecting plugins and instruments instead of actually making music. \
So I am at this point wanting to limit myself with options and being more creative instead.

Apart from that and I think that's why hardware is still selling well. Its a feeling thing....are you sitting in front of a Laptop making beats or are you sitting in front of a nice piece of Hardware, something you can actually touch and not just watching a screen.
And as weird as it is, even with the Maschine, I still feel like I am sitting on a computer. I am already sitting there the whole day at work, the same when I come home and in between I am staring at my phone
That's why I thought getting the mpc live, I can keep my computer turned off. I can sit wherever I want and just making beats.

I think as long as you approach the MPC with an open mind and a willingness to unlearn some of the stuff that you will most likely now take for granted with maschine that you will be pleasantly surprised by what the live has to offer, I converted only recently and am thoroughly enjoying it so far, of course there are shortcomings but maschine had many also..
Admittedly the nks and native browsers are fantastic but they could also be a hindrance sometimes leading me down the path of preset browsing for hours on end and losing focus on what I was trying to achieve..

I agree. Hardware is always better. The problem is all these things are not up to 2019. Plus at regular price the X is obscene. The Live is just the touch with the standalone engine. However that engine is archaic. I would personally save your money and keep Maschine. It is just a hardware front end to a much more powerful computing device. It is like high end digital mixers. They are more software than hardware. Who cares where the sound is actually generated. You do not need to browse thousands of sounds. They are in groups. You can mostly turn off monitor with Maschine. You will need a DAW to mixdown/master in the end anyways. I am kind of liking Maschine now. The issue is on the one hand you have too many sounds on the other you do not have enough. I doubt AKAI wanted it to be really old school. They simply could not factor in the storage and computing power. It would another 3 grand to the thing. On the other hand keyboard work stations are supposed to be full blown. Now they simply cannot compete with VSTI's. 200 or so sounds is enough but you are limited to that. Does it have the sounds you want. I say just demo it for an hour. Go to GC at 9am no one is there. I feel VIP is much better than MPC.

jeff lick wrote:I am glad at least some of you are realistic.

Hopefully more than a few of us are realistic, and nice write up

I am glad no one got defensive! I appreciate I can voice my opinion without being bashed here. It is just my opinion really, it is what works for you. I was just disappointed AKAI did not bring more to the table for over 2 grand. Try go in a car forum and diss a car LOL. You guy's are good.

Haha yeah. I actually thought i crossed the border as well a bit.

I would have actually one more question.
When connecting the Akai Live to ableton, is there a chance connecting it via usb to get midi and audio data transfered?
So for example i am using an vst instrument in ableton, which i can then bounce to audio into the mpc live.
What kind of connections do i need for that? Midi and audio in? Or would that work with usb?

Also, the ableton link via wifi, if I understood correctly its basically just syncing ableton and mpc live? so iIcan`t transfer any midi or audio data between ableton and the mpc live via wifi? (audio would be probably to heavy anyway i guess)

Thank you very much in advance for your help

I am not sure but I think you can just use line in and usb. It has a soundcard in it.

I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure the Audio and MIDI on the MPC Live/X is class compliant, so you should be able to use the Live/X as a sound card and midi interface without the software... probably worth a google search or two