Should I wait before purchase a Live??

Here's the thing... I've been eyeing the MPC Live for a couple weeks now.. I used to have a 1000 a loooonnnggg time ago but after a bit I switched to doing everything exclusively through a PC with a couple of controllers. However - I've been itching to have something that's not only portable but has the power to complete a beat (MOSTLY) using the Live (with Omnisphere 2.x as my main soundsource from my PC.)

But seeing as how the Live is a couple years old and pushing 3 and also reading some of the things on here and AKAI's getsatisfaction website, it seems like there are things that aren't implemented yet like streaming from disk and not a lot of ram and etc and I'm afraid of committing to the LIVE only to have something come out that addresses those issues after the return period is over.

Do you think AKAI would address things like stream from disk with software updates or are they more likely to add those things to an upcoming unknown MPC?

Any advice from anyone familiar with AKAI's background concerning addressing issues with firmware/software updates or holding back things for a new hardware piece would be appreciated.

Akai have been extremely good about firmware updates. I got my MPC Live two years ago. Since then I have got, for free, no synths, a massive effects update, an arpeggiator and group tracks in the mixer. And probably more that I'm forgetting. They don't make specific promises about upcoming features, but they've hinted that there'll be at least one major update to bring a more DAW-like arrangement view, among other things. The fact that the brand-new MPC One runs on the same core hardware as the Live and X tells me they'll be supporting this family for a while yet.

That said, you should buy it for what it does today if that suits you and you want it. It has some 50 minutes of stereo sampling time, if you need more than that and must have disk streaming, I'd wait.

It depends on how important those features are for you. I find the limited memory severely hampers being able to use quality keygroups but can be worked around as most other things lacking.

Right now it is what it is and it may or not be a while before we see some major features that a lot of people want. If what's lacking will hamper you and you are not into workarounds then you'll probably only be looking at buying frustration.

If you understand that it doesn't have those features and may not exist for sometime and use it for the features it does well and look at any more features as a added bonus, you'll probably find it's a good bang for your buck.

Gnome Chahmskee wrote:Here's the thing... I've been eyeing the MPC Live for a couple weeks now.. I used to have a 1000 a loooonnnggg time ago but after a bit I switched to doing everything exclusively through a PC with a couple of controllers. However - I've been itching to have something that's not only portable but has the power to complete a beat (MOSTLY) using the Live (with Omnisphere 2.x as my main soundsource from my PC.)

But seeing as how the Live is a couple years old and pushing 3 and also reading some of the things on here and AKAI's getsatisfaction website, it seems like there are things that aren't implemented yet like streaming from disk and not a lot of ram and etc and I'm afraid of committing to the LIVE only to have something come out that addresses those issues after the return period is over.

Do you think AKAI would address things like stream from disk with software updates or are they more likely to add those things to an upcoming unknown MPC?

Any advice from anyone familiar with AKAI's background concerning addressing issues with firmware/software updates or holding back things for a new hardware piece would be appreciated.

Akai has repeatedly said that disc streaming is coming to the Live/X/Force at some point, and since they just introduced the MPC One that is literally the exact same CPU, RAM, and storage, I don't think you have anything to worry about. The Live/X are destined to get continued software/firmware updates going forward just to maintain parity.

Is there a chance a new MPC may arrive at some point? Absolutely - but that's the risk you take as a consumer. The question is, do you throw your cards down now and benefit from an MPC Live now, or keep waiting endlessly for that "some day" when updated hardware will inevitably appear? You'll be missing out on a metric shit ton of creative moments, lost to time forever.

MPC Live is arguably the best Live out there right now as far as portability is concerned. I say go for it, if you've been chomping at the bit. If you're in the US, both Guitar Center and Sweetwater offer 30-days to return it. Sweetwater backs it up with a 2-year warranty.

Thanks for the replies. I decided I can't wait and let the creativity pass me by and I bought a Live. I can't wait to get it in my hands and start embracing the future of music.

All of your replies helped me realize Akai may or may not release something new but that's out of my hands and all that matters is what I do when I get the Live.
Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back on here with any questions I might have once it arrives.

It's a great system, you're going too like it. When Akai drops the new version, just remember that it took them about eighteen months to get the Live/X into a really great state... the new joint will likely be the same... so avoid GAS on the drop.

Yea even if they drop somethin new, i like to let it mature a bit. I remember when the Live 1st came out. It would take about 3 minutes to start up lol. Now that was annoying.

I would press the power button, get up, go make two Bologna Sammiches...wit Cheese, Pour some Kool-aid, sit down wit a Bag of Chips, Get back up, go turn the Kitchen Light off, sit back down......then it would start

The Live came a long way

Thanks again for the replies and being helpful. So far my experience on here has been much better than most forums I’ve been on for various things. It seems like this is a community full of good helpful people. I appreciate that.

Buy a used one. You will find some after the release of the One.
Don't spend too much if you prefer a new one.
Know that the MPC Live MK2 is in the pipe...