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.
Bymember04959388 Tue Feb 25, 2020 4:22 pm
J.O.BEATS wrote:Yes, you can absolutely get a quality mix in the mpc. Would a DAW be better easier, yes. But I’m assuming this isn’t your day job yet so the quality mix you can get out of the MPC is going to be more than adequate for you.

If people are telling you your mixes need work then study up on some basic mixing techniques. Just understanding the basics and how to apply them to your tracks will make a world of difference. Then you can start learning advanced stuff (most of which you can still do in the MPC)

Bottom line. Don’t overthink it. You have all you need now to make dope music.

There are two things missing: a phase invertion and a multiband compressor.
For the rest, it's a bundle that used to be on ProTools by default.
So you can definitely make a pro mix with Mpc.
By TheDoctor Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:43 am
You can absolutely mix on the MPC.
The Air channel strip is often the only thing I use, even with a Live you'll go quick through qlink banks. It sounds clean, enough bands and the layout is super clear.
Air compressor and maximizer are also nice.
Honestly I don't do much in my mix, I don't like those narrow EQ, compressor on everything, in fact I often have only my drums bus with a bit of compression without sidechain.
Then I auto master everything with iZotope Ozone and **** it.
If I want a "better" sounding song I export my stem and give to my mix and master engineer.
Some people might get nice results with their own mixing and mastering but I never come closer to a professional work, especially for mastering. I found extremely difficult analyse my stuff technically.
By hellnegative Wed Feb 26, 2020 1:41 pm
Frisbi wrote:
J.O.BEATS wrote:Yes, you can absolutely get a quality mix in the mpc. Would a DAW be better easier, yes. But I’m assuming this isn’t your day job yet so the quality mix you can get out of the MPC is going to be more than adequate for you.

If people are telling you your mixes need work then study up on some basic mixing techniques. Just understanding the basics and how to apply them to your tracks will make a world of difference. Then you can start learning advanced stuff (most of which you can still do in the MPC)

Bottom line. Don’t overthink it. You have all you need now to make dope music.

There are two things missing: a phase invertion and a multiband compressor.
For the rest, it's a bundle that used to be on ProTools by default.
So you can definitely make a pro mix with Mpc.



Beat me to it. Another thing I wish we had was sidechain EQ, but that can be automated.
User avatar
By DeaDeus Fri Feb 28, 2020 2:21 pm
J.O.BEATS wrote:Y...
If people are telling you your mixes need work then study up on some basic mixing techniques. Just understanding the basics and how to apply them to your tracks will make a world of difference. Then you can start learning advanced stuff (most of which you can still do in the MPC)

Bottom line. Don’t overthink it. You have all you need now to make dope music.


100% with J.O.: I was once (and to some opinions I might still be :fku: ) at the same point. Take this advance before you invest any money - the MPCX is doing an OK job.
At the time when I was getting the critic I was upset! How dare they telling me....
I went to a friend with a little more experience and he highlighted what went wrong. What a change between: "oh, sounds OK but the mix is terrible - who the hell did this" and "Show me what you have done first & what is the order of your filter. "
Bymember04959388 Fri Feb 28, 2020 3:53 pm
Black Gekko wrote:I just did this mix and master completely in the MPC with Console 1 (Controller Mode)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdG2cjSq6g

Its my first mix and master completely in the MPC Software - once you comitt to it, its awesome. UAD Plugins help to get load of the MPC software so you don`t run into the plugin delay issues

If you make the mix into Mpc software using UAD plugins, you are not making all the mix inside Mpc.
You are mixing with UAD.
I think the question was if it's possible to mix all inside the box, meaning using only MpC internal effects on standalone.
Anyway my answer is yes, you can do it if you have the skill, the internal effects are more then enough and are at a pro level when it comes to mixing tools like eq, compressors and so on.
Some people even say they can do a mastering with it but I don't agree, at least not a pro one since there is no multiband compressor and the limiter is not at the level of pro mastering ones.
But I think Mpc is not intended to be a mastering box anyway.
By DokBrown Fri Feb 28, 2020 7:40 pm
TO CLARIFY, I meant using the MPC in standalone mode by itself so no plugins / mixers / etc.
I am coming from a roland MV & that was designed with mixing & mastering in mind.
I have never done mastering on the MV, I leave that to audio engineers. I just mentioned mastering b/c it is the next step after mixing.


I honestly hope AKAI focuses on refinement/polish in further updates instead of expanded functionality.
If I want more power/options, I’ll turn my laptop on with ableton. I returned to the MPC this year b/c I wanted an smooth experience. The AIR FX look promising so far, I think I will dedicate myself to learning/utilizing them this year; so come 2022, ABLETON/PUSH will only be for DJing.

If anyone is really doing MPC mixing in LA / ATL / Baltimore/DC / MIA let me know.
I could use a lesson or 2 & I am willing to pay $$$
Lorenzo 310-708-0104
Bymember04959388 Fri Feb 28, 2020 7:50 pm
DokBrown wrote:TO CLARIFY, I meant using the MPC in standalone mode by itself so no plugins / mixers / etc.
I am coming from a roland MV & that was designed with mixing & mastering in mind.
I have never done mastering on the MV, I leave that to audio engineers. I just mentioned mastering b/c it is the next step after mixing.


I honestly hope AKAI focuses on refinement/polish in further updates instead of expanded functionality.
If I want more power/options, I’ll turn my laptop on with ableton. I returned to the MPC this year b/c I wanted an smooth experience. The AIR FX look promising so far, I think I will dedicate myself to learning/utilizing them this year; so come 2022, ABLETON/PUSH will only be for DJing.

If anyone is really doing MPC mixing in LA / ATL / Baltimore/DC / MIA let me know.
I could use a lesson or 2 & I am willing to pay $$$
Lorenzo 310-708-0104

You don"t need lessons if you know how to mix.
Air fx are the same that used to come with ProTools, they are basic but professionals as they were with protools.
The Air channel fx has eq, compressor and gate in a single interface, this is a great starting point.
They work like this, they are basic and if you want more complicated fx, you chain them and they are optimised for that.
Just try them all, play with them and learn what each one can make.
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By bees80 Sun Mar 08, 2020 8:43 pm
That's one of the reasons i left my 1k for the live; You can use so much more effects, and the effects are pretty decent. IMHO decent enough to make a mix.

I'm more of a jam kind of guy, so i make sure everything sounds good and i report a long jam in just a stereo audio channel. Makes finishing music more easier instead of flowing over to a DAW with endless possibilities. Just personal preference.
By DokBrown Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:56 pm
Now, that we are stuck on lockdown. I’m focusing on my MPC LIVE.
I’m willing to pay $$$$,