So I'm selling my Live

Yooooo

I feel ya man. I entered the MPC market at the 1k, so I definitely don't have the nostalgia for the real Akai products that others on here do. JJOS absolutely did two things for me, it made me appreciate what the MPC workflow could be, and what it should be. So for me, I totally get the interest in older MPCs but I also see what is missing from a lot of them that JJ was able to add or build upon for ideas. I've pretty much just rocked the 1k the entire time until the Live came out. I'd consider going back in time to check out the 4k, but the 5k and the PC connected iterations just never grabbed my attention.

As much as I liked the Live, it did always feel a bit lacking. I spent a *lot* of time lookin into the X (but prices out here were pretty dumb as well), and looking backwards at the 2kxl, 2.5k, and 4k. Ultimately I went for a used X, because I figured I could flip it if I hated it. I think 2.3 had just dropped too, so it was kind of like a playground of new synths being added, as well as having 16 q-links for what felt like full on master control. I know you griped about the size of the screen, but I will say, it also helps a boat load if you feel like you are fat fingering on the Live.

Anyway man, keep rolling, and as I think I said earlier in the thread you do you. I just hope you get something at a reasonable price... a lot of MPC prices are through the roof right now... the pandemic is making people crazy.

The things that keep my 4000's around are.

1. The stability and timing of the Sequencer
2. Word Clock and Digital in
3. All the MIDI Functions
4. The built in Z4/Z8 Sampler

It's a deep study machine and still to this day, I learn something new. My only disappointments with the machine, was not being able to route every output, which would give me 20 direct out. Also not being able to monitor the input source, without being on the sampler screen.

I had and returned both the X and Live, because at the time they didn't functions the way I wanted it to. I did end up buying the MPC ONE for an incredible price. The best features on these new MPC'S is the Auto Sampler and the ability to export stem. They still need to streamline these machines, there are just too many nickle and dime software features, that doesn't improve the workflow and more importantly the music.

JeriKo Jackson wrote:
Im good with my JJOS 2500. But back in the days, beginning in like 96, I started on a 2000 and later 2kxl... no you tube, nobody I knew used one and I was just starting out I used to annoy this one guy at Sam Ash until I met a dude at one of my jobs who made wack beats but knew the machine better than me. Anyway, long story short, around 2004, I moved to Australia and met this guy out here who had also just moved and had the new 4k. I was blown away. He got lucky and got the 4k for like 1200, a shop demo, right before he left. When he told me that I couldnt help but be jealous. I love the 2kxl but the 4k was next level at that time. But you guys remember those days. It was kind of hard to be up on all the new ish and when it was coming out and blah blah. I mean future producer, sound on sound and a few others. But I only bought the odd one and would just read them at that newsstand most of the time Some people forget that beat making was just a small niche of music production... crazy to think that now.

So thats the personal interest of the 4k. I just remember gear that felt REAL. I know you are partial to DAWs, and at some point during your development that workflow and enviroment hooked you. That's where JJOS comes in for me. Flash to 2008. Im still living in Australia. Had a 1000 fully upgraded running stock Akai OS l and by then transitioned to Pro Tools and later Cubase. I lurked these forums on occasion and started hearing about this hacked OS. Then one of my boys from back home put me on. Once I tapped into the original versions of JJ and all those additions plus the classic workflow... track building and sequence building to song mode and convert I was hooked.

OK so the 4k, and I hope others feel free to chime in (im looking at you lampdog and schizo), to me seems like an upgrade 2kxl. Its spec'd up in ram and qlinks plus the OS is far more robust. I alluded to possible ports of 4k to JJ, but I didn't mean code. I just meant in terms of features. JJOS makes calculated sacrifices in order to implement certain things. The 4k just has the OS that was developed for it by Akai as far as I know. Its the last Akai MPC and thats an important distinction from the 1k and 2500. That's because Nukai/Alesis, or whatever, never delivered a finished OS for those machines (again, my opinion). Im not saying the 4k didnt have bugs or manufacturing defects. I never owned one and to my knowledge they didn't manufacture alot of them. I don't how hard they are to service or anything. 2500 is very accessible for upgrades and repairs.

I've disparaged the Live enough, so I'll can that because I could go on and on. The 4k looks like workflow porn to me The 2500 with JJOS is a performance beast. So flexible depending which of the OS you use. The 4k has to be a studio juggernaut. I could see how lampdog might not be able to justify having an X AND a 4K. But I thinks its to early to make that call. The X definitely enhances the workflow with the xtra links and dedicated buttons. But its also quite an investment for something that, even the X, feels disposable I can't really describe it. The Live, that cheap chassis, gawdy splash screen, funky qlinks, laptop charger, lithium battery will NOT hold its value. You can't open the Live for quick repairs. The video to open a live is like 5 hours long Oh yeah I said I would NOT do that

Seriously why do the friggin pads get sooo dusty. Like I said to Lamp, my Live has to wear a diaper all the time or be encased in glass... it's ridiculous. My 2000xl NEVER had dusty A$$ pads like that and I treated it like a wh0re (I was young) Maybe Im old and uptight now I just could never accept the build of the LIVE and that dust... Aside from some brilliant features the whole thing is fugazi.... and Akai using smoke and mirrors. I keep an open mind. I swore off akai after the 1k and those crappy pad cells I had to upgrade myself and the way they abandoned the OS. I'll never forget that ish. But these new MPCs looked alright. I would have gone flagship right away but I was wary of Akai and prices were stupid out here. Akai SHOULD have had the ONE and the X. The Live looked wrong to me from jump street. But I figured I could test it out and see what was what, same OS and all.

In the end my verdict is the joints feels like using a prosumer device. It doesnt feel polished. It also feels very utilitarian to use which is fine and all. But in my experience, it isn't the smoothest to perform with in comparison to a JJ machine. The X would be better for this, for sure, but that enormous screen is just too much I know you want the HDMI blowout and all but I can't do it like that

Sorry for the long post but I got on a roll feel me

Wow. I worked on the 4k when it first came out. I didn't notice any glitches. I was going to get one but it was to bulky.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Danoc wrote:I didn't know it had glitches. What type you know of?

If you record a track, you have to press stop on the playback, in order to switch to different sequences. There are other things, but I've learned to avoid them or just mentally block them.

JeriKo Jackson wrote:It was the last true Akai MPC
and I'll get my hands on one inevitably..

Whoooaaa Watch it dudes are sensitive about thangs being said like that.
Why do you feel that way?

Danoc wrote:

hansjbs wrote: That’s what I’ve done and keep it pushing. Find what fits your workflow and continue to make music. It’s always the same 5-10 people that sold their MPCs that are still coming in here talking bad about Akai, it’s like a bad breakup and instead of moving on you’re still talking about that ex every chance you get because deep down you still want him/her

You sound like the guy who wanted the other guys ex but never ever could get her.
Im one of the 10 people you speak of. YOU really don't have to say nothing but l see you can't move on so you speak!

Dude move oooooonnnnn! It's not that serious.

Its not like lm lying about Akai cause no one has tried to prove me wrong they keep regurgitating the same wretched rhetoric you're spewing. Its all good.

As soon as I posted this i was like watch this bum try to make this post about him just like he does every other post. I still have my MPC X and my renaissance so what you said makes no sense. I had the MPC5000, sold it and even tho I was still a member of this forum I didn't come here to talk about how I didn't like it. I bought maschine and moved on while i was still coming here from time to time Just to see what's new.

Just ignore my posts like i do yours from now on my guy. I don't reply to your flip floping comments. One day you love akai one day you don't. When it first came out you were the biggest cheerleader and said you would never sell the live. Now you flip flopped and sold it. GTFO

JeriKo Jackson wrote:

hansjbs wrote:Good luck with selling your MPC. Now is the best time to do so.

I can see some here have their issues with Akai And what they don’t do right but for whatever reason in all my years looking for used MPCs maybe I’ve seen their prices dip 2 or 3 times. Do a search for the MPC touch and you will see that it’s still selling pretty high. Renaissance, still selling, Live and One prices are thru the roof. So they must be doing something right because people keep buying MPCs, young and old.

If a product is not for you, sell it. That’s what I’ve done and keep it pushing. Find what fits your workflow and continue to make music. It’s always the same 5-10 people that sold their MPCs that are still coming in here talking bad about Akai, it’s like a bad breakup and instead of moving on you’re still talking about that ex every chance you get because deep down you still want him/her

JJOS is the one that I let go of that had me buggin. But you can be sure I will be chiming in from time to time on the MPC OS development. I def wont regret not seeing the Live in my studio anymore. It does some VERY dope things VERY well but where it fails is not worth the effort to try to compensate... for ME. Im interested to see if and how they make it better. Id pick up a ONE on the cheap but its made of the same cheap garbage the Live is so I probably won't.

That's cool, i wasn't saying your decision was wrong. That's how You feel and it's cool. I would have done the same. No need for the middle finger emoji The rest of my post was not about you .

My statement does not only apply to this forum it's everywhere but since I'm writing here I talked about what I see here.

Danoc wrote:

JeriKo Jackson wrote:It was the last true Akai MPC
and I'll get my hands on one inevitably..

Whoooaaa Watch it dudes are sensitive about thangs being said like that.
Why do you feel that way?

Cuz, it was. After the 4k, Akai was bought out by its competitors. IIRC 1k and 2500 were in development during that period. By the time the 5k came out you can see Alesis fingerprints on it. The qlink knobs were a pretty clear tell. Speaking of which no more sliders It took JJ to unleash the potential and make the 1k and 2500 what they are. The 5k... does anyone still use it? I don't what the OS on that was like but the 2 people I know that had them flipped them pretty quick and had harsh words for it. There were no other standalones after the 5k.

JeriKo Jackson wrote:Speaking of which no more sliders

I said it before and will continue to say it, that the worst decision they ever made.

The 4000 was great. I would still have mine if it wasn't defective after a while. Bought a 5000 and regretted it, sold it and bought a 2500 with JJOS. It broke by accident (kids lol) . I think I shed a tear that day

hansjbs wrote:The 4000 was great. I would still have mine if it wasn't defective after a while. Bought a 5000 and regretted it, sold it and bought a 2500 with JJOS. It broke by accident (kids lol) . I think I shed a tear that day

My kids have always been good around my equipment. That said I would not have felt comfortable with them around the Live when they were small... especially the way todays kids treat ipads and phones and such. The 5k had so much going for it. Im pretty sure they abandoned the OS on that one too.

sorry missed your post about the
just jokes my dude

Im agreeing with Charles on EVERYTHING he's said in this thread

JeriKo Jackson wrote:My kids have always been good around my equipment. That said I would not have felt comfortable with them around the Live when they were small... especially the way todays kids treat ipads and phones and such. The 5k had so much going for it. Im pretty sure they abandoned the OS on that one too.

It does seem like these new MPC are based around the MPC 5000 OS. I can't say for sure, because I didn't spend much time with the 3500, sorry I mean 5000. You have any information about that? Does it seem like the OS is just pretty version of 5000 OS, with a couple things added?

CharlesRandolph wrote:

JeriKo Jackson wrote:My kids have always been good around my equipment. That said I would not have felt comfortable with them around the Live when they were small... especially the way todays kids treat ipads and phones and such. The 5k had so much going for it. Im pretty sure they abandoned the OS on that one too.

It does seem like these new MPC are based around the MPC 5000 OS. I can't say for sure, because I didn't spend much time with the 3500, sorry I mean 5000. You have any information about that? Does it seem like the OS is just pretty version of 5000 OS, with a couple things added?

Nah like I said, I never used it. Flagships were always a bit beyond what I was willing to spend and by the time it inevitably dropped in price the verdict was in and JJOS was the business. As far as lineage from 5k to now and how much DNA is shared I don't know. Maybe Tutor could chime in.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

JeriKo Jackson wrote:Speaking of which no more sliders

I said it before and will continue to say it, that the worst decision they ever made.

I would've bought the liveii if they had one giant slider going across the bottom instead of the SPKR!!!

That slider'd go for 'miles'