Any reason not to buy the MPC Live 2?

EnochLight wrote:

antic604 wrote:Yes, this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HaLwdHhUgI

Having buyer's remorse?

A bit, yes. Hopefully Akai changes my mind soon(ish)

Anyway, I'm afraid I'm gonna end up with One, M+ and Deluge anyway eventually

astral_Signal wrote:This is exactly why I don't see the MPC One as a serious option. When it was first revealed there was so many questionable design choices. What can be done with the Live 2 wireless capabilities (Bluetooth / WiFi)?

Yeah, this has always been fascinating to me about how companies structure their products.

For example - as was said - MPC One can connect to a computer via USB port to act as an MPC Software controller, but can't transfer files (only firmware update, I think) or function as Ableton controller. I'm almost SURE those features are not hardware ones and they're simply disabled in firmware. Likewise with WiFi - I wouldn't be surprised if all the necessary hardware was already on-board (you don't have to redesign logic board already used in Live and perhaps X) because it's dirt cheap (probably below $5 in bulk), but it's disabled.

Anyway, since I don't use Ableton or Splice and don't need to transfer projects & files on a daily or even weekly basis, all those "inconveniences" are inconsequential to me, but I can definitely see how some of those choices Akai made to "gimp" the One seem weird to others.

antic604 wrote:Yeah, this has always been fascinating to me about how companies structure their products.

For example - as was said - MPC One can connect to a computer via USB port to act as an MPC Software controller, but can't transfer files (only firmware update, I think) or function as Ableton controller. I'm almost SURE those features are not hardware ones and they're simply disabled in firmware. Likewise with WiFi - I wouldn't be surprised if all the necessary hardware was already on-board (you don't have to redesign logic board already used in Live and perhaps X) because it's dirt cheap (probably below $5 in bulk), but it's disabled.

Anyway, since I don't use Ableton or Splice and don't need to transfer projects & files on a daily or even weekly basis, all those "inconveniences" are inconsequential to me, but I can definitely see how some of those choices Akai made to "gimp" the One seem weird to others.

It's just an odd omittance. Honestly, based on how these updates are going, maybe they just forgot to check. I didn't need Bluetooth, splice, internal ssd, ableton, wifi, ableton link, a battery, speakers, more outputs, one extra midi in or out, another usb port, or the sound kits.

I wanted the Auto sampler, Stem Export, Stereo input and output, Midi in and out, ability to import older MPC projects, load sample sets, work as a standard MPC, and fit on top of my midi controller. As long as that stuff works, everything else is a bonus.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

antic604 wrote:I wanted the Auto sampler, Stem Export, Stereo input and output, Midi in and out, ability to import older MPC projects, load sample sets, work as a standard MPC, and fit on top of my midi controller. As long as that stuff works, everything else is a bonus.

Sure, this is also how I made my choice between One and Live Mk2, i.e. based on what I need and what I can live without.

But the potential issue is if AKAI in the future decides to withold certain features that COULD work one One like they can on Live/X, simply because it's a "budget" machine. Say Hype, FMX and Drum Synth come to Live/X in MPC Software 3.0, but are not available for One. It's not an unlikely scenario

CharlesRandolph wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:This is exactly why I don't see the MPC One as a serious option. When it was first revealed there was so many questionable design choices. What can be done with the Live 2 wireless capabilities (Bluetooth / WiFi)?

It really comes down your use case. How do you intend on using the machine and what other gear do you have that you'll pair with it?

At this stage, the most important aspect of the hardware is the I/O and in particular having the option to essentially multi-track into a DAW via my AD/DA interface. I did have a few external toys back in the day, but my setup is just the essentials now. But having that option to route audio through external processors is a massive plus. If the MPC One sacrificed the I/O but had the option of S/PDIF, then this would be a different story altogether.

antic604 wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:This is exactly why I don't see the MPC One as a serious option. When it was first revealed there was so many questionable design choices. What can be done with the Live 2 wireless capabilities (Bluetooth / WiFi)?

Yeah, this has always been fascinating to me about how companies structure their products.

For example - as was said - MPC One can connect to a computer via USB port to act as an MPC Software controller, but can't transfer files (only firmware update, I think) or function as Ableton controller. I'm almost SURE those features are not hardware ones and they're simply disabled in firmware.

That is crazy to me that you can't mount the MPC as a drive on your PC/MAC for file transfers. Even the MPC 1000 had this feature.

astral_Signal wrote:At this stage, the most important aspect of the hardware is the I/O and in particular having the option to essentially multi-track into a DAW via my AD/DA interface. I did have a few external toys back in the day, but my setup is just the essentials now. But having that option to route audio through external processors is a massive plus. If the MPC One sacrificed the I/O but had the option of S/PDIF, then this would be a different story altogether.

Then the LIVE or X is what you're looking for because of the I/O. Have you checked out the ISLA S2400?

https://www.islainstruments.com/product/s2400/

astral_Signal wrote:That is crazy to me that you can't mount the MPC [ONE] as a drive on your PC/MAC for file transfers. Even the MPC 1000 had this feature.

Indeed, but they're attempting to make the Live 2/X more of a premium selling product by crippling the One like that. Not a fan of that approach, but it is what it is...

EnochLight wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:That is crazy to me that you can't mount the MPC [ONE] as a drive on your PC/MAC for file transfers. Even the MPC 1000 had this feature.

Indeed, but they're attempting to make the Live 2/X more of a premium selling product by crippling the One like that. Not a fan of that approach, but it is what it is...

I think it's just the approach Akai have marketed the MPC One, stripped down hardware but standalone was the big selling point. I wouldn't be surprised if they simplify their range and focus on the MPC One as their template moving forward. MPC Two, MPC Three etc. It's like smartphones, each new version is exactly the same but with a few tweaks.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:At this stage, the most important aspect of the hardware is the I/O and in particular having the option to essentially multi-track into a DAW via my AD/DA interface. I did have a few external toys back in the day, but my setup is just the essentials now. But having that option to route audio through external processors is a massive plus. If the MPC One sacrificed the I/O but had the option of S/PDIF, then this would be a different story altogether.

Then the LIVE or X is what you're looking for because of the I/O. Have you checked out the ISLA S2400?

https://www.islainstruments.com/product/s2400/

Yeah I've been watching this thing take shape for years. I've never personally used an EMU system.
I like the MPC format, and I like their history. At the moment they are in a new phase and it's interesting to see where they take it.

don t under estimate the plus buttons on the one, it s more intuitive and the classic layout more like older machines. it s much better done in the one.

modulator wrote:don t under estimate the plus buttons on the one, it s more intuitive and the classic layout more like older machines. it s much better done in the one.

I'm not, in fact I'm glad Akai are bringing them back. The One reminds me a lot of the MPC 1000 in terms of appearance minus the touchscreen. But, if they are just tact switches like they were with the 1000 then they will wear out over time and need to be replaced.

astral_Signal wrote: What can be done with the Live 2 wireless capabilities (Bluetooth / WiFi)?

Sorry I didn't answer you earlier - this forum is sort of horrible as far as no sort of notification system being in place whatsoever.

Anyway, for me - the Live 2's wireless capabilities are useful for: my Splice account sync (though I have since taken a break and cancelled my sub for the time being); Ableton Link sync wirelessly (this is a huge deal for me, as I am very much a proponent of a wireless world - especially when it comes to my studio); and using a Bluetooth MIDI controller for keys/pads (I've got a Korg nanoKEY Studio that gets used quite often). The built-in Wifi's Ableton Link also allows me to easily sync my iPad/iPhone when running plugins and various music creation apps as a source for samples and jamming. I've also begun experimenting with Bluetooth MIDI, which is pretty cool as well.

EnochLight wrote:

astral_Signal wrote: What can be done with the Live 2 wireless capabilities (Bluetooth / WiFi)?

Sorry I didn't answer you earlier - this forum is sort of horrible as far as no sort of notification system being in place whatsoever.

Anyway, for me - the Live 2's wireless capabilities are useful for: my Splice account sync (though I have since taken a break and cancelled my sub for the time being); Ableton Link sync wirelessly (this is a huge deal for me, as I am very much a proponent of a wireless world - especially when it comes to my studio); and using a Bluetooth MIDI controller for keys/pads (I've got a Korg nanoKEY Studio that gets used quite often). The built-in Wifi's Ableton Link also allows me to easily sync my iPad/iPhone when running plugins and various music creation apps as a source for samples and jamming. I've also begun experimenting with Bluetooth MIDI, which is pretty cool as well.

Yeah it's weird that you don't get notifications on replies from these forums.

Sounds like it's very beneficial to your system. Can you update the hardware firmware via wireless options?

CharlesRandolph wrote:

antic604 wrote:Yeah, this has always been fascinating to me about how companies structure their products.

For example - as was said - MPC One can connect to a computer via USB port to act as an MPC Software controller, but can't transfer files (only firmware update, I think) or function as Ableton controller. I'm almost SURE those features are not hardware ones and they're simply disabled in firmware. Likewise with WiFi - I wouldn't be surprised if all the necessary hardware was already on-board (you don't have to redesign logic board already used in Live and perhaps X) because it's dirt cheap (probably below $5 in bulk), but it's disabled.

Anyway, since I don't use Ableton or Splice and don't need to transfer projects & files on a daily or even weekly basis, all those "inconveniences" are inconsequential to me, but I can definitely see how some of those choices Akai made to "gimp" the One seem weird to others.

It's just an odd omittance. Honestly, based on how these updates are going, maybe they just forgot to check. I didn't need Bluetooth, splice, internal ssd, ableton, wifi, ableton link, a battery, speakers, more outputs, one extra midi in or out, another usb port, or the sound kits.

I wanted the Auto sampler, Stem Export, Stereo input and output, Midi in and out, ability to import older MPC projects, load sample sets, work as a standard MPC, and fit on top of my midi controller. As long as that stuff works, everything else is a bonus.

Same, I come from the 4K with 8out exp. but never used the individual outs or extra midi options the 4K has to offer.