Any reason not to buy the MPC Live 2?

astral_Signal wrote:So the MPC software isn't a DAW in the traditional sense, it's literally a controller for the MPC? That's weird man. I use Pro Tools so I don't really need another DAW, I just thought the MPC software would allow further flexibility in tandem with the MPC hardware.

No, it's a Software DAW and it can be used independently, so it's more than just an utility program. Funny things while the MPC is in standalone, the software and the MPC does not communicate at all. So I guess it's not really a utility program at all.

Unfortunately, the MPC'S are not a true hybrid machine because Akai Pro decided to go with controller or standalone mode. Perhaps in the future, they'll release something where both controller/standalone can be used simultaneously. (I wouldn't wait for it.) Even giving these MPC's a modern networking function, would speaks volumes.

CharlesRandolph wrote:Unfortunately, the MPC'S are not a true hybrid machine because Akai Pro decided to go with controller or standalone mode. Perhaps in the future, they'll release something where both controller/standalone can be used simultaneously. (I wouldn't wait for it.) Even giving these MPC's a modern networking function, would speaks volumes.

Interesting , I'm sure we will see those functions with midi 2 spec
Example add vst, or external synths as preset tracks with all their parameters listed via ethernet connection , maybe audio too

EnochLight wrote:I mean, it's sort of this weird middle ground - it has DAW-like features as well, but at the end of the day it's a maintenance plugin that allows the MPC to run in Controller Mode in any proper DAW of your choice as well. Plenty of users use it just by itself while in Controller Mode, though. You'll get access to Elastique Pro for your Audio Warp algorithm, as well as no time limits or track count issues with your audio tracks. And of course, you can run VST plugins in the desktop software.

Yeah right. Sounds like what you're describing is similar to using something like Propellerhead's Reason in Rewire mode through a DAW. I might flip through the MPC software manual, because surely if that's the case there should be a way to multi-track from MPC hardware through software into a DAW.

SakisX wrote:Interesting , I'm sure we will see those functions with midi 2 spec
Example add vst, or external synths as preset tracks with all their parameters listed via ethernet connection , maybe audio too

I would be happy, if they allowed the Ethernet port to be used for something other than splice and ableton sync. Something like: cascade to MPC together, a daughter card, network storage attachment, Dante.

Enoch hit it on the head. Plus your mentioning Teason with Rewire l hated that crap. I never used it. Didn't have to. I was wondering if Akai could make a machine and put all what you said in it. Of course they can, do they havebthe right man power to do it. Hmmmm

astral_Signal wrote:

EnochLight wrote:I mean, it's sort of this weird middle ground - it has DAW-like features as well, but at the end of the day it's a maintenance plugin that allows the MPC to run in Controller Mode in any proper DAW of your choice as well. Plenty of users use it just by itself while in Controller Mode, though. You'll get access to Elastique Pro for your Audio Warp algorithm, as well as no time limits or track count issues with your audio tracks. And of course, you can run VST plugins in the desktop software.

Yeah right. Sounds like what you're describing is similar to using something like Propellerhead's Reason in Rewire mode through a DAW. I might flip through the MPC software manual, because surely if that's the case there should be a way to multi-track from MPC hardware through software into a DAW.

astral_Signal wrote:

EnochLight wrote:I mean, it's sort of this weird middle ground - it has DAW-like features as well, but at the end of the day it's a maintenance plugin that allows the MPC to run in Controller Mode in any proper DAW of your choice as well. Plenty of users use it just by itself while in Controller Mode, though. You'll get access to Elastique Pro for your Audio Warp algorithm, as well as no time limits or track count issues with your audio tracks. And of course, you can run VST plugins in the desktop software.

Yeah right. Sounds like what you're describing is similar to using something like Propellerhead's Reason in Rewire mode through a DAW. I might flip through the MPC software manual, because surely if that's the case there should be a way to multi-track from MPC hardware through software into a DAW.

Don't bother . In standalone you can't send multiple audio streams in a DAW
Only workaround is to export stems and import them to DAW or
work in MPC software as plugin and create ,in Reaper for example ,a multichannel track routing ,or midi too.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

SakisX wrote:Interesting , I'm sure we will see those functions with midi 2 spec
Example add vst, or external synths as preset tracks with all their parameters listed via ethernet connection , maybe audio too

I would be happy, if they allowed the Ethernet port to be used for something other than splice and ableton sync. Something like: cascade to MPC together, a daughter card, network storage attachment, Dante.

Regarding the Midi 2 spec, I meant will see those features on other gear , I doubt on MPCs, as for the ethernet they did provide midi besides splice and Link

SakisX wrote:Don't bother . In standalone you can't send multiple audio streams in a DAW
Only workaround is to export stems and import them to DAW or
work in MPC software as plugin and create ,in Reaper for example ,a multichannel track routing ,or midi too.

I'm pretty sure I can send multiple audio streams via the physical outputs, and if people are only relying on stems from their MPC to mix down in a DAW then that sounds like more work to achieve something that can be done by passing audio into a AD/DA interface. Please tell me people here are taking advantage of the physical outputs for multi-tracking?

astral_Signal wrote:I'm pretty sure I can send multiple audio streams via the physical outputs, and if people are only relying on stems from their MPC to mix down in a DAW then that sounds like more work to achieve something that can be done by passing audio into a AD/DA interface. Please tell me people here are taking advantage of the physical outputs for multi-tracking?

It depends on how your system is setup and how much outboard gear the person has. Once I'm digital, I try to stay digital all the way until the mastering. If I'm all analog, I'll stay analog up until tracking.

astral_Signal wrote:

SakisX wrote:Don't bother . In standalone you can't send multiple audio streams in a DAW
Only workaround is to export stems and import them to DAW or
work in MPC software as plugin and create ,in Reaper for example ,a multichannel track routing ,or midi too.

I'm pretty sure I can send multiple audio streams via the physical outputs, and if people are only relying on stems from their MPC to mix down in a DAW then that sounds like more work to achieve something that can be done by passing audio into a AD/DA interface. Please tell me people here are taking advantage of the physical outputs for multi-tracking?

I though you were talking about connecting the MPC via usb in standalone and stream the tracks to the DAW (via USB separate channels)

CharlesRandolph wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:I'm pretty sure I can send multiple audio streams via the physical outputs, and if people are only relying on stems from their MPC to mix down in a DAW then that sounds like more work to achieve something that can be done by passing audio into a AD/DA interface. Please tell me people here are taking advantage of the physical outputs for multi-tracking?

It depends on how your system is setup and how much outboard gear the person has. Once I'm digital, I try to stay digital all the way until the mastering. If I'm all analog, I'll stay analog up until tracking.

I respect that workflow. I'm surprised that the new MPC hardware no longer supports S/PDIF, which would be an alternative approach to keeping it digital over the analogue outputs.

SakisX wrote: I though you were talking about connecting the MPC via usb in standalone and stream the tracks to the DAW (via USB separate channels)

Sorry for the confusion. No I meant connecting the MPC via USB in controller mode and multi-tracking through the MPC software someway. But from what I've read here I don't think the MPC software is actually a DAW in the traditional sense, meaning you cannot multi-track. Correct me if I'm wrong.

astral_Signal wrote:I respect that workflow. I'm surprised that the new MPC hardware no longer supports S/PDIF, which would be an alternative approach to keeping it digital over the analogue outputs.

I'm surprised they didn't have ADAT Lightpipe, considering that In Music owns Alesis.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

astral_Signal wrote:I respect that workflow. I'm surprised that the new MPC hardware no longer supports S/PDIF, which would be an alternative approach to keeping it digital over the analogue outputs.

I'm surprised they didn't have ADAT Lightpipe, considering that In Music owns Alesis.

I think it's because Akai want to make connectivity as simple as possible, and the marketing leans more towards the younger generation. They're not expecting a large proportion of this user base to even know what ADAT means. There's been a strong trend of audio over IP for audio interfaces, surely it will only be a matter of time where this is possible for the MPC range, they do have ethernet ports now.

astral_Signal wrote:

SakisX wrote: I though you were talking about connecting the MPC via usb in standalone and stream the tracks to the DAW (via USB separate channels)

Sorry for the confusion. No I meant connecting the MPC via USB in controller mode and multi-tracking through the MPC software someway. But from what I've read here I don't think the MPC software is actually a DAW in the traditional sense, meaning you cannot multi-track. Correct me if I'm wrong.

It depends on what you mean multi track.. the software does have 32 channels. Haven't use it much but I'm sure it doesn't have audio track limitation