MPC Thread : MPC Live - MPC X - MPC One (Part 2)

JJOS will still be going strong long after this new generation is abandoned, prob within 5 years knowing AKAI.

I was hovering over a 2500 today that went for £410 - looked in fairly good condition too.

Other than the price, which was a bit out of my budget, I have maschine though. Does all or most of the modern MPC stuff, but it’s shit when I want to sit and make beats in bed (not the + version)

I just ordered an Electribe ES-1, for half the price of that MPC, and I can sit in bed with it :slight_smile: I know it’s not going to be as good, but the need to scratch the vintage sampler itch has been escalating for months!

Zero such issues here. Live 2 black. Pretty sure it never will happen, I think that was a problem with the Live 1.

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Was MPC X 2014 or earlier ?

Late 2017…

Cheers!

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To clarify, I meant the aesthetics of the MPC X, not the functionality.

I know aesthetics shouldn’t really matter, but they obvs do… something about black and red doesn’t sit with me, and now seems dated.
I have a Roland JDXA synth, it’s one of the most underrated synths I know of, when you get past it’s quirks and understand it it’s a beast… but its looks are a generous 2/10 at best, it’s design is just shockingly bad. (As is the screen they decided to use on it (another story)).

I don’t think the MPC X is AS bad, but every time I’ve seen one with the red side panels replaced it’s been an ā€˜oh hello’ moment.

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Agreed. The black and red aesthetic is not flattering. Honestly, it puts me off.

Cheers!

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I’m not a huge fan of the red elements of the X, and I like retro, but does this look a liiiitle bit ugly with the black q+links and screens on the light grey? They really stand out :sweat_smile:

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Logic Sampler and Quick Sampler are WAY faster and easier to do things than the MPC…but is it more fun?

No.

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Do you mean that you chop samples and make a rough beat faster with your mouse than you can do with 16 knobs/screens (or 4 knobs), RGB pads, dedicated buttons and a touch screen? :nerd_face:

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I tried to use Logic but was super annoyed with the ā€œDrum machineā€, the samples wasn’t actually tied to the pads/notes, it felt more like some kind of hack. Much prefer Ableton or Bigwig as alternatives or companions to the MPC, for one thing, the Drum Rack in Ableton is a beast.

Just ordered a live 2. ITB just presents me with too many options. I know the mpc is pretty capable but it’s no ableton live.

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Congrats!

Even though they’re seen as opposites/alternative approaches to making music, the MPC works great with Ableton.

I’ve had mine for 2 years and only recently realised how good the Controller mode is in the MPC, to just have quick control of Abletons faders, clip launch, transport, etc, it’s great.

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The Mpc has lots of options too and can feel overwhelming, especially in the first few days.
Take it easy, I’ve had mine since launch and some days I still feel like it can be too much…

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I’m well aware. With me it’s important to have a specific goal in mind otherwise I just get overwhelmed. For now I’m sticking to samples, 8 tracks and just 1 of the synths, probably the Moog clone.

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Today I tried using Ableton link to sync the MPC and the daw. Oh, undying glory! Oh immortal glee! My Reason instruments can now play in sync with my hardware instruments! The floodgates of fun I’ve uncovered!

:joy:

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Yeah, I discovered this too recently.
It’s amazing having Logic Pro and my MPC Live II in tight sync with each other.

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I did…cept, theres a M32 midi controller involved.

again, fast, not nearly as fun/flowy.

Hehe got it. Arranging is one thing that will be faster, no doubt about that. But I think it’s about whatever tool we put hours and hours into. Yeah the flowyness is not nothing. I’ve been rediscovering ITB myself the last months, there is some flow in there to discover as well ;D
Crazy how far everything has developed in the last couple of years

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its VERY cool…and somewhat disheartening.

when I look at a synth…I think, why, I can do that with my computer. takes up less space, resources. just easier. sounds better in the mix, at least in my case. when I record hardware it sounds like shit.

it makes me miss the days when the computer emulations were a novelty and the saying was, ā€œit just doesnt sound as good as the real thingā€. then it was great when it did…but that got old fast.

for someone like me, who is shit at music, it really makes more sense to use my computer. I dont merit the gear I have. for someone proficient, it makes a lot more sense. tho, do they really need it anymore? midi controller and some solid emulations and youre good. but…is it inspiring…fun? can be for some, im sure not as for many others.

whatever werks werks. but in my case, the hardware is honestly wasted on me. but again, I do miss the days of the hardware sounding better. but I do appreciate the compactness and availability of using a computer.

inner struggles

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