Any reason not to buy the MPC Live 2?

astral_Signal wrote: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.

If they wanted it to be as simple as possible then ADAT, Ethernet, or audio over USB would've been the best option. They should include the standard ports. MIDI, ADAT, 1/4, XLR, SPDIF, and USB. They want a piece of that FL Studio, Ableton and the "Dawless" market.

While they're core audience and everyone who wants an MPC are leaning toward retro gear and modular. This is what happens, when a company miss whats going on. They're chasing trends, instead of making trends. So instead of making the best gear that will last, they're making disposable gear that will be replaced every 2 years. That's why in 3 years, they've released the MPC X, LIVE, LIVE 2, ONE, and Force.

Unfortunately all that does is give user too many choices. I see it here all the time. Questions like which MPC should I buy? Or like this threads title: Any reason not to buy the MPC Live 2?

So you come from the Henry Ford school of thought, that a customer should get any color car they want, as long as that color is black

NearTao wrote:So you come from the Henry Ford school of thought, that a customer should get any color car they want, as long as that color is black

Noooo. My school of thought: make the best machine possible and give the client the best service possible. Always ask what the client wants, how to improve, and be transparent with what can and can't be done. It's the little things that matter, like using aluminum end caps on the qlinks, because the aluminum is more conductive than plastic. Which is more responsive to touch. (Shout out: QuickStrike)

CharlesRandolph wrote:

astral_Signal wrote: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.

If they wanted it to be as simple as possible then ADAT, Ethernet, or audio over USB would've been the best option. They should include the standard ports. MIDI, ADAT, 1/4, XLR, SPDIF, and USB. They want a piece of that FL Studio, Ableton and the "Dawless" market.

While they're core audience and everyone who wants an MPC are leaning toward retro gear and modular. This is what happens, when a company miss whats going on. They're chasing trends, instead of making trends. So instead of making the best gear that will last, they're making disposable gear that will be replaced every 2 years. That's why in 3 years, they've released the MPC X, LIVE, LIVE 2, ONE, and Force.

Unfortunately all that does is give user too many choices. I see it here all the time. Questions like which MPC should I buy? Or like this threads title: Any reason not to buy the MPC Live 2?

There is not much difference between the Live 2 and the Live 1, it's a minor update to the hardware as opposed to a complete overhaul. An on-line reviewer recently made a comment about the similarities between the MPC range and the iPhone, a new model is revealed which is exactly the same with a few minor tweaks. Did anybody ask for a in-built speaker? Are Akai actively listening to their community for ideas? I mean what is the primary use for an MPC and what are the basic necessities for a user? For me it is the sequencing, sampling and editing capabilities, which has been the core functions from the early MPC units i.e. MPC 60/3000.

If they want to make the best machine possible, they need to re-evaluate the future of the MPC moving forward. MPC One could have been the beginning of that phase, remove the other MPC's in their range and focus on one MPC standard as the central evolution (MPC Two, MPC Three, etc).

astral_Signal wrote:Did anybody ask for a in-built speaker? Are Akai actively listening to their community for ideas?

Yes.

astral_Signal wrote:There is not much difference between the Live 2 and the Live 1, it's a minor update to the hardware as opposed to a complete overhaul. An on-line reviewer recently made a comment about the similarities between the MPC range and the iPhone, a new model is revealed which is exactly the same with a few minor tweaks.

As @Eyalc stated many times and I agree, many of these machine were created to get rid of extra parts.

astral_Signal wrote:If they want to make the best machine possible, they need to re-evaluate the future of the MPC moving forward. MPC One could have been the beginning of that phase, remove the other MPC's in their range and focus on one MPC standard as the central evolution (MPC Two, MPC Three, etc).

Exactly. The goal is should be to unite the userbase, not splinter it.

astral_Signal wrote:Did anybody ask for a in-built speaker? Are Akai actively listening to their community for ideas? I mean what is the primary use for an MPC and what are the basic necessities for a user? For me it is the sequencing, sampling and editing capabilities, which has been the core functions from the early MPC units i.e. MPC 60/3000.

I'm sure they listen, but I'm not sure how much they incorporate. When I look at the MPC, those are the same thing I look for: MIDI Sequencing, Sampling, and Editing which is the core usage of the MPC.

@OP that should of been the real question. In your setup do it calls for the MPC 2?

When l had the MPC live 1, and then sold it as many bere have done was:

1. I don't like where Akai is heading.
2. I don't need it really. I don't sample a lot and making music from scratch l don't need it. Making an extra step to get the drums to my DAW starting making no sense.

Danoc wrote:@OP that should of been the real question. In your setup do it calls for the MPC 2?

When l had the MPC live 1, and then sold it as many bere have done was:

1. I don't like where Akai is heading.
2. I don't need it really. I don't sample a lot and making music from scratch l don't need it. Making an extra step to get the drums to my DAW starting making no sense.

Disagree with both of your points.

1. I never said I don't like where Akai is heading, I just think there has been questionable design choices and minor hardware upgrades in the MPC line (MPC One / Live 2).
2. When I was producing, all my music was sample based straight from vinyl with the exception of certain drum kits for layering. Will be taking more or less the same approach with the new hardware. Multi-tracking vs. stems is another thread and discussion altogether, but for the sake of this thread and the discussion relating to the Live 2 with individual outputs, well I'm going to take advantage of them.

Cheers for your reply!

You read what l said wrong! I gave you the reason why l did what l did. 1&2 was what l did it was not saying what you did or should do.
Giving you an example of what l went through.

Only thing for you was you should ask the question i.e. is the MPC 2 good for my setup situation.

No one can really tell YOU not to buy or to buy the MPC live 2 cause they know your setup, only you can.

You find out the specs, see what it can do and see how you can utilize it.

Peace

astral_Signal wrote:
Disagree with both of your points.

1. I never said I don't like where Akai is heading, I just think there has been questionable design choices and minor hardware upgrades in the MPC line (MPC One / Live 2).
2. When I was producing, all my music was sample based straight from vinyl with the exception of certain drum kits for layering. Will be taking more or less the same approach with the new hardware. Multi-tracking vs. stems is another thread and discussion altogether, but for the sake of this thread and the discussion relating to the Live 2 with individual outputs, well I'm going to take advantage of them.

Cheers for your reply!