Buying my first mpc used, software question

I’ve been keeping an eye on live 2s on Guitar Center. From what I’ve seen so far, the listings state that they don’t come with the software. But I see that new units do include software. If I register a used unit, will I get the software for free?
Thanks. I’m just trying to figure out what additional money I’d need to spend on top of the used price. Do the new units come with a special usb cable to handle the audio/midi? Or would any usb cable do?
Thanks

The software comes free with the hardware - register the hardware and you should get an authorization code. In theory the previous owner should de-activate the licenses in his iLok account, and maybe also tell Akai about the change of owner. TBH I'm not sure how Akai deal with a situation where the previous owner hasn't done this, perhaps they just automatically transfer it to you when you register the hardware serial (on the assumption that you wouldn't have the serial unless you'd bought the unit).

I guess this is one of the potential pitfalls of buying these things second hand, B-stock, ex-demo etc. I cannot see any information about change of licensee on the Akai web site. But you should not have to pay for the MPC Software.

You can use any USB cable, I've used general USB 2 cables, but I believe a proper spec USB 3 cable might offer more reliability, One of these is shipped with the live 2, but it isn't unique, just a standard USB 3 cable like this one (1.8 m I think)

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/usb-cables/1828838/

MPC-Tutor wrote:In theory the previous owner should de-activate the licenses in his iLok account, and maybe also tell Akai about the change of owner. TBH I'm not sure how Akai deal with a situation where the previous owner hasn't done this, perhaps they just automatically transfer it to you when you register the hardware serial

Speaking from experience, I can say this: I sold my original MPC Touch and MPC Live (OG), and I reached out to Akai support to let them know and to remove the registration info from my account. Their response? "Thanks for letting us know, but no big deal - we'll just leave things as is and the new owner can register it blah blah blah..."

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This was about 2 years ago. Not sure if their practices have changed since then.

Bought my Live mk1 used as well, dude transferred the lic while I was testing it out, had no problems when I got it home.
Side note: I think you have to unregister it when selling to GC anyway...

Yeah I remember Eliza mentioning it on the old Get Satisfaction forum, basically the same thing Enoch said. They have 'rolling registrations', so the new owner just registers it, gets an MPC software license and download links for all the other crap, the old owner keeps it too for whatever reason. You can go steal free MPC software licenses all day if someone posts a picture of their serial number in a Craigslist ad or something. My MPC Studio was used and I got all the stuff when I registered it too. I actually registered it while it was being shipped because the guy posted the serial in one of the pics haha. Had to get that 2.0 upgrade installed right away!

Monotremata wrote:Yeah I remember Eliza mentioning it on the old Get Satisfaction forum, basically the same thing Enoch said. They have 'rolling registrations', so the new owner just registers it, gets an MPC software license and download links for all the other crap, the old owner keeps it too for whatever reason. You can go steal free MPC software licenses all day if someone posts a picture of their serial number in a Craigslist ad or something. My MPC Studio was used and I got all the stuff when I registered it too. I actually registered it while it was being shipped because the guy posted the serial in one of the pics haha. Had to get that 2.0 upgrade installed right away!

That’s great news for me. So it definitely will be a used unit for me then. I look forward to mashing some real pads for the first time in my life, as opposed to tapping a screen or keys on a controller.
BM3 on iOS is what eventually led me here. I’ve been long over due for an upgraded iPad, mini2 user here, but decided on mpc instead. I realize an mpc is limiting in some ways, and that I could buy an MPD for my iPad, but I miss the immediacy of hardware. I need less distractions and trouble shooting. An old iPad is still plenty capable for sound design using it as a stand alone synth to sample. I want to try and keep that aspect of the work flow separate from now on to see if that improves my work flow.

Thanks for the replies everybody.