MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

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.
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MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Observer Tue Apr 07, 2026 2:55 pm
I've had my OG Live for 9 years. I never really "connected" with it. Mostly because of the form factor and lack of hands on controls. Prior to that I had the 2500 which felt like a proper workstation, I really enjoyed my time with it.

I wanted the X back then but thought it was too expensive. And now the XL is even more expensive but I am willing to pay the premium price if it's worth it.

So, those of you who have one, is it worth it? Does it feel like a premium instrument? How's the build quality, is the case metal or plastic? Are the qlinks/screens useful?

And most importantly, is it FUN?
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VERY FUN

By Lampdog Tue Apr 07, 2026 5:47 pm
I sold my X, had it for several years, now have XL since day one.
I was excited to have X and made beats every day for hours at a time for many weeks cause it was so fun.
AGAIN, I was excited to have XL and made beats every day for hours at a time since purchase cause it's so fun.

Only thing that made me pause XL beatmaking is 'cause I purchased MPC Sample and now I've been on that constantly since purchase.

Lack of controls? The q-links are super useful though.

Build, XL feels more solid than X, heavier too, or course. Took some time to get used to the row of q-links instead of X's 4x4.

Q-link screens at an angle are ergonomically better than X's flat q-link screens, other than that, same lil screens.

All buttons except transport buttons are the same rubber with a solid click underneath like LIVE's rubber buttons.

The TRACK section up top left, you're gonna LOVE that.

The USB-C feature set, you're gonna LOVE that as well.

https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=220491&view=unread#unread

Re: VERY FUN

By Observer Tue Apr 07, 2026 5:58 pm
Lampdog wrote:I sold my X, had it for several years, now have XL since day one.
I was excited to have X and made beats every day for hours at a time for many weeks cause it was so fun.
AGAIN, I was excited to have XL and made beats every day for hours at a time since purchase cause it's so fun.

Only thing that made me pause XL beatmaking is 'cause I purchased MPC Sample and now I've been on that constantly since purchase.

Lack of controls? The q-links are super useful though.

Build, XL feels more solid than X, heavier too, or course. Took some time to get used to the row of q-links instead of X's 4x4.

Q-link screens at an angle are ergonomically better than X's flat q-link screens, other than that, same lil screens.

All buttons except transport buttons are the same rubber with a solid click underneath like LIVE's rubber buttons.

The TRACK section up top left, you're gonna LOVE that.

The USB-C feature set, you're gonna LOVE that as well.

https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=220491&view=unread#unread


Solid info, thanks, I'll probably go for it.

The lack of controls comment was about my MK1 MPC Live. I've never used the X.

Is there anything you don't like about the XL?
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Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Lampdog Tue Apr 07, 2026 7:25 pm
Coming from X to XL, q-links took some getting used to, but, everything else I've liked, I have ZERO regrets for the purchase.

I also have Key61 and I HATE having only 4 q-links! Other than that, the Key61 is very enjoyable as well.

Once you mess with 16 q-links you are spoiled for life!
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Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By NearTao Wed Apr 08, 2026 2:56 pm
I still completely dig the MPC XL... it is fast, once you get your head around the "quadrants" where buttons are laid out you can zip around... it is built for creating tracks... and is quite expansive.

For me... my main complaints are honestly quite limited... and for me were not deal breakers.
1) Editing on the touchscreen isn't a great experience, and editing automation is frankly pretty terrible on the touchscreen.
2) 16 Q-Links is amazing... the "all in a row" is a bit less so. I *kind of* get why they did this for space and alignment... but it breaks the "left hand for q-links" and "right hand for pads" workflow. I'm living with it... but... not a fan
3) I kind of wish we were given a few more inputs... the 2 stereo 4 mono is nice... but given how much of a battle tank this thing is size wise... having another pair or two would have been generous
4) USB audio interfaces require 44.1khz to work still... and a lot of the industry has moved to 48/96khz... so when it works it is great... and when it doesn't... meh
5) Root/Scale stuff is all nice if you *stay* in said root/scale... but it's all "at event time"... so there's not really a great way to transpose an existing sequence up/down...
6) Stupid nit... but *why* doesn't the data wheel have a push click like the MPC Live/One... *damn you*

Beyond that, there's a *lot* to like
1) USB-C audio/midi... this is *so* handy for working with an external DAW/phone/tablet/etc
2) MPCe pads *can* be wonky... but even just being able to play a single sample with some additional articulation is great
3) I wasn't worrying about CPU or Memory *that* often... but you can drown your project in effects and plugins now... computer obviously still wins... but you can do a *lot*
4) Akai has been supporting the older hardware for almost "beyond sanity" limits... and I suspect we've got a long road ahead of support and more interesting stuff coming
5) A lot of solid sounds from expansions/plugins... not the SP404 mk2 "push a button and blow your socks off"... but just a lot of solid and consistent building blocks that you can put together whatever you want/need

Dunno if any of that helps, but definitely worth looking into/considering in my mind.

Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Observer Wed Apr 08, 2026 4:51 pm
NearTao wrote:I still completely dig the MPC XL... it is fast, once you get your head around the "quadrants" where buttons are laid out you can zip around... it is built for creating tracks... and is quite expansive.

For me... my main complaints are honestly quite limited... and for me were not deal breakers.
1) Editing on the touchscreen isn't a great experience, and editing automation is frankly pretty terrible on the touchscreen.
2) 16 Q-Links is amazing... the "all in a row" is a bit less so. I *kind of* get why they did this for space and alignment... but it breaks the "left hand for q-links" and "right hand for pads" workflow. I'm living with it... but... not a fan
3) I kind of wish we were given a few more inputs... the 2 stereo 4 mono is nice... but given how much of a battle tank this thing is size wise... having another pair or two would have been generous
4) USB audio interfaces require 44.1khz to work still... and a lot of the industry has moved to 48/96khz... so when it works it is great... and when it doesn't... meh
5) Root/Scale stuff is all nice if you *stay* in said root/scale... but it's all "at event time"... so there's not really a great way to transpose an existing sequence up/down...
6) Stupid nit... but *why* doesn't the data wheel have a push click like the MPC Live/One... *damn you*

Beyond that, there's a *lot* to like
1) USB-C audio/midi... this is *so* handy for working with an external DAW/phone/tablet/etc
2) MPCe pads *can* be wonky... but even just being able to play a single sample with some additional articulation is great
3) I wasn't worrying about CPU or Memory *that* often... but you can drown your project in effects and plugins now... computer obviously still wins... but you can do a *lot*
4) Akai has been supporting the older hardware for almost "beyond sanity" limits... and I suspect we've got a long road ahead of support and more interesting stuff coming
5) A lot of solid sounds from expansions/plugins... not the SP404 mk2 "push a button and blow your socks off"... but just a lot of solid and consistent building blocks that you can put together whatever you want/need

Dunno if any of that helps, but definitely worth looking into/considering in my mind.


Oh it definitely helps, it's exactly the type of feedback I was hoping for.

The non clickable data wheel is such a weird decision. I thought they'd change it after the X. After spending so many years with my Live it will take me a few months to get used to it.

I suppose that with all these buttons and qlinks most things can be done without touching the screen? Not that I hate it but I prefer a more tactile experience.
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Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Lampdog Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:12 pm
NearTao wrote:2) ......breaks the "left hand for q-links" and "right hand for pads" workflow.

6) .....but *why* doesn't the data wheel have a push click like the MPC Live/One...


5. ...is the WHOLE reason I had mad skrew face at first.
6. ...feels like it would cheapen the hardware imo. I like it the way it is. the push/click was prolly done due to limited surface space..

Touch screen is more immediate most times. Some q-links, depending on screen, changes knobs (ZOOM I'm looking at you) when touch is just easier.

Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By BeatWilson Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:17 pm
I got a question for ya MpcXL owners...

How do you like the Buttons on the XL vs the X? Like the feel, click and responsiveness of em.

All I know is they they look more rubbery and the the X has the classic Clicky/Hard-Plastic feel, which a lot of us have become accustomed to.

Just Curious on peeps input on em.

Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Certified Beatz Thu Apr 09, 2026 1:40 am
Well. My take like many here that MPC OG's. Own 3000, 2000 classic sold 2500 hated it :-D . Own the X wont sell it at all love it.. Now the XL its hugh really not gonna lie do i love it? HELL YEAH! I been struggling to turn on My PC.. im serious.. XL is faster loading times are fast my only gripes so far is my Samsung ssd drive freezes on boot not sure why I have the same data on both X and XL ill probably have to move the data and reformat..

beside that USB C audio and midi, its a pain to set up but straight forward but now you add your DAW of choice into the equation its game over. now I can use cubase and track into my daw live.. then you have the desktop software.. which I rarely use but when and if arranger comes its gonna add more.. It taking alot to get use to the 16 q links but it makes sense I use my X few times a week and I like the old layout but on the XL it makes sense..

my one huge dislike is with all the ram and beefy processor stems is well it sucks bad :-D it shouldn't be that bad in standalone.. yes its better in the desktop software but I dont use that much.

its slightly better than the X with the pro pack.. but is it worth $2800 yes it is because when I turn on my mpc 3000 and my mpc 2000 which cost $3400 and $1900 respectively that I bought in 1995 and 1998. It does everything and 100 more.. I will say that the Live 3 i played around with is dope also and cheaper i would have bought it and still might because I like the look and layout..

The money spent sucks but my X i bought on release day in 2017 I still have and use without limitation. Buying the XL the next 9 years will payoff.. good luck..

Check this comparison between X SE and XL.. he did a great job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isv5cdZ ... -Kee5tDB8h
User avatar

F’n love the XL

By Lampdog Thu Apr 09, 2026 5:53 am
BeatWilson wrote:How do you like the Buttons on the XL vs the X? Like the feel, click and responsiveness of em.

I love XL’s rubber buttons better, good solid click underneath, same feel as Key61 and if I remember correctly the Live 1 buttons. Only the transport buttons are hard plastic. All rubber buttons have led’s in them. The rubber 16 step buttons have a slightly more rigid feel. Imo they 95% feel like the rubber 16 mute/solo buttons on the Isla S2400, same shape and rubber feel.
ALL buttons responsive as I expect them too.

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=220289&hilit=Transport+section&view=unread#unread


BeatWilson wrote:All I know is they they look more rubbery and the the X has the classic Clicky/Hard-Plastic feel, which a lot of us have become accustomed to.

I had X for many years, I also have Key61 which has rubber buttons and I’m GLAD the XL adopted that same rubber button feel. I much prefer these buttons over hard plastic.

16 q-link row took some getting used to since I preferred the 4x4 links on X, but, after using the row of q-links for some days it started to make sense and I’m ok with it now even though I miss the X’s left hand q-link / right hand pads approach (that was perfection imo).

Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Delphinus Sun Apr 12, 2026 11:10 pm
I use a Tascam Model 12, works perfectly. Killer combo indeed. I just got my MPC XL today and got it setup in my old QL400 stand that I've had since the 4000. I had to extend the arms down in the front 3-4 inches and open her up a little wider, but it fits perfectly. Thanks Certified Beatz for the heads up on that before purchase. Front headphone knob is close, but I gave it an extra few centimeters on the right side and we're golden. It was about the same with the X.

The XL is wild. I haven't even made a beat on it yet, but I love it. It looks much better in person and feels top quality. All these menu buttons will have me quick as a ninja once the muscle memory sets in. This feels like this might be my last MPC I need because honestly, where do we go from here? This thing can take me to the moon.

It was between this and the Live 3. I feel I made the right choice. There was a weird glitch with my preferences folder being in the wrong spot when I first turned it on, but a reset parameters and OS update fixed it.

Also, got a killer deal if anyone is in the market for an XL over at RetroGearShop out of Nashville,Tennessee. He said open box, but it's legit brand new sealed. Tax free if you don't live in the state.
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Re: MPC XL owners, how are you feeling about it so far?

By Lampdog Mon Apr 13, 2026 12:05 am
Delphinus wrote:I just got my MPC XL today and got it setup in my old QL400 stand that I've had since the 4000. I had to extend the arms down in the front 3-4 inches and open her up a little wider.


I tightened up my left front arm but slid out the right as far front as it will go so as not to interfere with the headphone volume knob. AND since its out like that it holds my headphones.

Tip #1. I use the Touch Strip as a pad level mixer fader so I don't need to jump to mixer as often.
Tip #2. Adjust/place your most used MENU icons to the left side as those will be the ones to "slide out" (Prefs, general, "Show mode shortcut panel")
Tip #3. Prefs, General, Collect Usage Statistics all the way at bottom, UNCHECK this is what I always suggest.
Tip #4. Prefs, General, Default Pads User Level Velocity defaults to 64 (50%), you can set this, this wasn't in V2.
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