What key features are still missing for LIVE use of the MPC

Hey everyone,

I’ve been using the MPC Live for performing and improvising, and with the newer updates (Clip Launcher, performance tools, etc.) it’s getting really close to being a true live powerhouse. But there are still two things I seriously miss that would push it over the edge:

1 Real-time pattern launching for fills/variations (Maschine-style)
On NI Maschine you can trigger an alternate pattern instantly or quantized *within* the bar — even mid-measure. It’s super fluid for live fills and improvisation. On the MPC, Next Sequence and clip launching don’t offer that same direct “drop-in” feel, unless you wait for the bar or use workarounds. A lot of performers would benefit from proper pattern-per-pad triggering with selectable quantization (1/16, 1/8, 1/4, etc.).

2 The old ability to use different programs per sequence
In older MPC workflows, you could assign different programs per sequence, which made live sets much more flexible without duplicating tracks. Now programs are locked to tracks across all sequences, which limits creative switching during performance. Having the option to assign programs per sequence again would massively expand what's possible live.

If these two features were added, the MPC would honestly become the absolute top-tier live performance machine for many of us.

Is anyone else missing these? Have you found solid workarounds? Would you like to see this in a future update?

Curious to hear how other live users feel about this!

1. Being able to switch the f**cking sequence without the audio/midi dropping out. This wasn't an issue before.

2. Being able to manually play notes when the track is muted. This also wasn't an issue before.

does this need its own thread?

The things mentioned above. And an option for being able to hold chords over sequence changes...
For risers it's good that the note cuts out, but for playing keys live it is not good at all.

So an option to enable/disable "cut off notes on sequence change" per track is truly needed.

You can already do the instant switching of clips. You just need to turn on legato mode and turn the launch quantize to off.

Don't know if its already been said but.. mic-preamps, and the ability to squeeze arrangement view to small enough to view the whole track and see and overview of the overall form of a track. I could've missed this.

SuperKonquer wrote:You can already do the instant switching of clips. You just need to turn on legato mode and turn the launch quantize to off.

So you can change clip at the end of bar two and bar 3 of the next clip starts playing?

eLuSiVeMiTe wrote:

SuperKonquer wrote:You can already do the instant switching of clips. You just need to turn on legato mode and turn the launch quantize to off.

So you can change clip at the end of bar two and bar 3 of the next clip starts playing?

Yes, but depending on how you have the clip launch settings you don't have to wait for the bar to end. You can switch between clip as soon as you press them. Great for playing live into the arranger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09s0nWyCWU&t=247s

full project streaming from disk, i.e., seamless load time between two different projects

B-Wise wrote:[quote="eLuSiVeMiTe"

So you can change clip at the end of bar two and bar 3 of the next clip starts playing?

Yes, but depending on how you have the clip launch settings you don't have to wait for the bar to end. You can switch between clip as soon as you press them. Great for playing live into the arranger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09s0nWyCWU&t=247s[/quote]

Cheers. Been bugging me. That certainly helps.

What's sorely needed is midi implementation for APCS and launchpad etc for clip launching.

Button to co

Hold a button to copy /paste button then touch clipped to edit
Easy launching of clips from any window

Having spent a few weeks on 3.6 coming from 2.15 it feels less like an instrument as I'm constantly attacking the touchscreen

make double tapping main bring up the matrix. One of the most used pages but double tapping main brings up the track view currently on the x

eLuSiVeMiTe wrote:What's sorely needed is midi implementation for APCS and launchpad etc for clip launching.

Button to co

Hold a button to copy /paste button then touch clipped to edit
Easy launching of clips from any window

Having spent a few weeks on 3.6 coming from 2.15 it feels less like an instrument as I'm constantly attacking the touchscreen

make double tapping main bring up the matrix. One of the most used pages but double tapping main brings up the track view currently on the x

This was tuff to read, but on the MPC you customize the main page you can just press main & a pad to go to what set up in that spot. So set matrix mode to pad 1, then hold main+pad1=matrix. I the Force could do that, but there many buttons shortcuts that it does really need it, tho it be nice & easier.

B-Wise wrote:

eLuSiVeMiTe wrote:What's sorely needed is midi implementation for APCS and launchpad etc for clip launching.

Button to co

Hold a button to copy /paste button then touch clipped to edit
Easy launching of clips from any window

Having spent a few weeks on 3.6 coming from 2.15 it feels less like an instrument as I'm constantly attacking the touchscreen

make double tapping main bring up the matrix. One of the most used pages but double tapping main brings up the track view currently on the x

This was tuff to read, but on the MPC you customize the main page you can just press main & a pad to go to what set up in that spot. So set matrix mode to pad 1, then hold main+pad1=matrix. I the Force could do that, but there many buttons shortcuts that it does really need it, tho it be nice & easier.

Sorry. Was late and my charging port on the phone is playing up. Trying to type with it on the arm of the sofa

Il revisit it later.

Re main. Holding down main brings up track select.
Holding down menu brings up the shortcuts. Given menu is right by the touchscreen on the x it's just as easy to hit menu and use the shortcut I have on the left of the screen. But hitting main is so deeply ingrained in my muscle memory it's a struggle.

eLuSiVeMiTe wrote:Re main. Holding down main brings up track select.
Holding down menu brings up the shortcuts. Given menu is right by the touchscreen on the x it's just as easy to hit menu and use the shortcut I have on the left of the screen. But hitting main is so deeply ingrained in my muscle memory it's a struggle.

My bad. I was going off memory.

I don't know which device you are on but if you are not on the live 3 , you need to switch to it. It'll solve those problems minus the external clip launching. The 16 buttons at top are way better than I expected for launching clips. The ergonomic layout feels right and is lighting fast. You may find the 16 step buttons eliminates the need for external triggers. And the screen just seems way more responsive than all previous iterations. Touching it is no longer such a chore.

As far as different programs in a sequence, you can emulate this better with the live 3 due to the upgraded memory and processing power. Instead of multiple programs assigned to one sequence, you would have duplicate rows with the same audio, sequencing, automation etc. etc... but with different programs or plugins on alternate tracks. And in legato mode, you can switch between these different rows seamlessly. I think the biggest restriction here is per project tempo instead of per row. But you can automate tempo, so it is feasible to do tempo changes with some preparations.

Using this wisely, you could easily build transition rows into entirely new songs. You only need to be conservative about audio tracks and plug ins. But you still have 32 plugin spots and 24 audio tracks. Live 3 is the live device because it is built different.