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.

MPC Live I or MPC Live II

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By Basics Fri Aug 27, 2021 5:39 pm
A standard question, I got the MPC Live when it first came out. I use it standalone (of course, it needs monitors - which I already have).

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Live I to the Live II - purely for the built in monitors.

The question is - is there anything else that makes this a sensible switch.
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By NearTao Fri Aug 27, 2021 6:01 pm
Live II is worth it for:
* CV
* Extra buttons
* New (battery, pads, etc...)
* Ethernet

I mean... if you're really looking for a more "all in one box" that has a speaker and you're going to be jamming at the park or something... sure I guess. But by itself I don't see it as a terribly compelling reason to upgrade. The speaker is fine for just messing around, but you should know it isn't great at reproducing low end, so you're going to either not hear the bass... or be artificially bumping up bass/kick drums and then have to fix them later.

Definitely not saying "don't do it"... but just for a speaker is a kind of weak reason to sell off your current MPC Live for $600-$800 max, and then buy a new one for $1200-$1300, putting you out $400+ if you just wanted a speaker. You could definitely get a much better portable speaker (or two) for the price difference.
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By justineastwick Fri Aug 27, 2021 6:07 pm
Basics wrote:A standard question, I got the MPC Live when it first came out. I use it standalone (of course, it needs monitors - which I already have).

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Live I to the Live II - purely for the built in monitors.

The question is - is there anything else that makes this a sensible switch.

In my opinion, it’s a maybe that’s leaning towards a yes.

I have the MPC Live and was thinking about getting the MPC Live 2. It makes sense to want to get it for the built-in monitors, but that’s all you’re really spending the $1200 for (and maybe the CV outs).

My rationale in getting the MPC Live 2 was that I believed that they’re going to probably make the MPC Live models something special. Think about it: they made it with a rechargeable battery for the MK1 and then the MK2 has monitors… LOL, what’s the MK3 going to have?
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By justineastwick Fri Aug 27, 2021 6:08 pm
NearTao wrote:Definitely not saying "don't do it"... but just for a speaker is a kind of weak reason to sell off your current MPC Live for $600-$800 max, and then buy a new one for $1200-$1300, putting you out $400+ if you just wanted a speaker. You could definitely get a much better portable speaker (or two) for the price difference.

Agreed. You can get a good pair of studio monitors for $400.
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By Crumb$ Fri Aug 27, 2021 8:32 pm
justineastwick wrote:
Basics wrote: they’re going to probably make the MPC Live models something special. Think about it: they made it with a rechargeable battery for the MK1 and then the MK2 has monitors… LOL, what’s the MK3 going to have?


...a fold out table and chair. It's coming...
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By Bezo Fri Aug 27, 2021 8:47 pm
justineastwick wrote:… LOL, what’s the MK3 going to have?

With the popularity of the speaker, I doubt it, but I hope a speakerless version with more buttons/knobs using that extra space.
By Basics Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:23 pm
Bezo wrote:
justineastwick wrote:… LOL, what’s the MK3 going to have?

With the popularity of the speaker, I doubt it, but I hope a speakerless version with more buttons/knobs using that extra space.


Now that might be something to hold out for.