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 Mikrogenik Fri Jun 05, 2020 2:08 am
Hey everyone. I've been an MPC 2000XL user since it first came out. I used it for mostly producing techno & house. I used the 2000XL for playing live many times & it always stood up and never failed me. I sold it due to problems that started with it after installing an SD drive. Like many of us, i eventually gravitated to Maschine and was able to build my music to a much more complex level. While Maschine enabled me to use more colours so to speak, it just didn't stand up using it live. I've had constant issues with it regarding CPU usage with clipping, drifting & sync issues. I use X0X gear too so it's important to be able to keep my shit in sync seamlessly- this is something that my old 2000XL did very well. I'm now in the process of possibly buying an MPC X. I'd love to know what other people here think about it in terms of usability,workflow, build quality & dependability. In my experience, the best ideas are the ones that come together quickly. This is why i absolutely love to use MPCs. You're in the moment and feeling it, and it all comes together IF your gear is rock solid. I'm trying to be very careful with this possible purchase, so i'm open to possibly buying an MPC 4000 or a 2500, & a new Macbook that has the specs to handle Maschine well. Thanks for reading, and apologies for this post if it's a topic that comes up again & again here. Here's a few examples of what i managed to do with my MPC 2000XL and a mixer, just to give anyone an idea of the sound I'm into creating & intend to continue with :


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By bees80 Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:10 am
Hey man, for playing and using it live i personally think the X is a bit too big.. if you are okay with having a bit less buttons, you could consider the mpc live, or perhaps a mpc one? Why would you need the X perse?

Nice tunes by the way, shabomb reminds me a bit of moodymann, mood to swing, etc. Nice!
By Mikrogenik Fri Jun 05, 2020 12:28 pm
Hey man. Thanks for replying! I think I'm just so used to hovering over that classic MPC spread/layout. The 2000XL was the centerpiece of my old studio so I'm looking for that control centerpiece again that just commands "get busy time!" ;D The X layout looks a lot more engaging & fun to me. But I do agree, the X wouldn't be the most convenient piece of gear to lug around to gigs. I'm more interested in mostly producing these days, but I still want the ability to play a tight live set when ever the opportunity comes up. I just want something that will allow me to get on with the job of creating music & take me as far as my imagination can go. And thanks for listening to my tunes man! This is the second time someone's compared my music to Moodymann :) I'm a huge lover of Detroit techno/house so I'm honored. Here's another one i did using only the XL. I think you'll dig this one too man :
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By bees80 Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:58 am
Gotcha. I can recommend comparing all the specs of the mpc x/live/one and see what fits your wishes (and budget) best. If you don't need all the outputs or a battery, the one would be a good for you i think, since it does has a lot more direct buttons than the live. The outputs are not needed perse, since in the new mpc software you have the option to explode the tracks to audio loops so you can import them in your daw, or even make an ableton session in the mpc already.
By Mikrogenik Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:41 pm
So after mulling over it for some time i decided to go with a 'less is more' approach and get the MPC One. I just bought a Roland Integra-7 to use with the One so I can't wait to see what happens when these two, or should i say 'us three', get together : )
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By bees80 Fri Jun 26, 2020 7:31 am
Mikrogenik wrote:So after mulling over it for some time i decided to go with a 'less is more' approach and get the MPC One. I just bought a Roland Integra-7 to use with the One so I can't wait to see what happens when these two, or should i say 'us three', get together : )


Good lookin' out man! Let me hear some new productions if you have some :)
By mpBanga Fri Jun 26, 2020 3:26 pm
If I knew what I knew now....would of bought the One. If you do buy the X, Just pray you don't have any issues and you dont have to deal with the Akai award winning customer service. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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By MPCWeapon1 Sun Aug 09, 2020 2:38 pm
Mikrogenik wrote:Hey everyone. I've been an MPC 2000XL user since it first came out. I used it for mostly producing techno & house. I used the 2000XL for playing live many times & it always stood up and never failed me. I sold it due to problems that started with it after installing an SD drive. Like many of us, i eventually gravitated to Maschine and was able to build my music to a much more complex level. While Maschine enabled me to use more colours so to speak, it just didn't stand up using it live. I've had constant issues with it regarding CPU usage with clipping, drifting & sync issues. I use X0X gear too so it's important to be able to keep my **** in sync seamlessly- this is something that my old 2000XL did very well. I'm now in the process of possibly buying an MPC X. I'd love to know what other people here think about it in terms of usability,workflow, build quality & dependability. In my experience, the best ideas are the ones that come together quickly. This is why i absolutely love to use MPCs. You're in the moment and feeling it, and it all comes together IF your gear is rock solid. I'm trying to be very careful with this possible purchase, so i'm open to possibly buying an MPC 4000 or a 2500, & a new Macbook that has the specs to handle Maschine well. Thanks for reading, and apologies for this post if it's a topic that comes up again & again here. Here's a few examples of what i managed to do with my MPC 2000XL and a mixer, just to give anyone an idea of the sound I'm into creating & intend to continue with :


So I've had the MK3 for several months to the point where I can pretty much fly through the beat making process and have a understanding of the OS. The NI Maschine is dope. The software is rock solid compared to the MPC software. The effects are dope, the way you can arrange beats is dope. I think I would pick the MK3 over The Live. I'd pick The X over the MK3 because The X is a beast, but not the Live over the MK3. If I didn't have a good audio interface my opinion might be different.
By Mikrogenik Sat Aug 15, 2020 8:26 am
@EnochLight Unfortunately I'm still waiting for my MPC One which I ordered a couple of months ago as a back-order from DJ-CIty music store. I'm located in Australia, so shipping's been a nightmare since 'Rona' kicked the planet's ass. I'm also waiting to receive a Roland Integra-7 which I bought especially to use with the MPC One. It's currently stuck in Singapore, and hasn't moved for almost 2 months :( So I can't report on the One as of yet. But to be honest, I'm feeling a little apprehensive about actually getting it now, as I've read the usual reports of bugs and general functionality issues that seem to be the norm with current music making technology. This is why I'm considering getting an MPC 2500 or an MPC 1000. Just not sure about taking the plunge and buying one from Japan on Ebay. Maybe I should investigate this option further here on MPC-Forums :hmmm:
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By NewAkaiUser Sat Aug 15, 2020 11:36 pm
In my opinion, do not buy.
Rent for a month and see how it works.
This is not a classic MPC, just a computer with a lot of software bugs. Only Akai can fix them, but they don't do it too fast.
I am a beginner in music, and I cannot imagine taking this device seriously, e.g. on stage or in a large studio as its core.
The people in the YT tutorials show only pad tapping and basic functions (the $ 50 controller can do the same).
Try to build a whole song on it with advanced MPC features without tearing your hair out. Good luck.