You rather not have mpc as the master sequencer? I’ve used it as master and its great, never as a slave but I’ve heard there are bugs and issues which is unfortunate 
I heard they listen very closely but actively do the exact opposite of what they want. Pure evil, like Chuckie or Christine.
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Imagine the following firmware release notes: 
We’ve finally gotten our grips together and released a quality-of-life upgrade that we’re really proud of. Here’s the full list of improvements:
- We’ve revamped the entire mixer section. Now you are able to see the Program, Submix and Master inserts in a neat three-column layout all at once instead of having to jump between screens via the selector. On Drum programs you even see the Pad inserts on that same screen! We’ve also added top navigation buttons for easy switching between programs/outs, inputs and return channels. The same layout is used there so you see all four return channels at once.
- Return, Submix and Main Outputs can now be renamed.
- Keygroups now automatically add an audio preview - no need to manually create them anymore
- When hitting Erase in a non-drum program while playback is stopped, the current Note layout is now retained so you can more easily erase the notes you want to erase.
- Insert effects can now be reordered. Simply drag an effect in the list to the desired location.
- Programs can now be reordered in the Mixer section. Simply drag a Program in the list to the desired location.
- Sequences can now be reordered from the Next Sequence section. Simply drag a Sequence in the list to the desired location.
- Copying of pads have improved. The short delay between holding down the Copy button and pressing the desired pads has been removed, allowing you to work faster.
- We’ve added more Copy functions. In the Mix screen, you can copy settings from one Program to another by holding the finger on a Program and pressing Copy. Then paste it by holding the finger on another Program and pressing Copy again. You then see a context menu where you can choose to paste the insert FX chain, the volume/panning settings, send amounts and/or routing.
- We’ve revamped the Copy Events screen to make it easier to understand, including adding visuals to help you see what you’re copying without having to resort to math to get things right.
- Selection of notes in the Grid has improved. You can now hold Shift and press pads to select all notes of multiple pads at the same time. You can also hold Shift and tap Select All on the screen to select all notes.
- When opening the Grid, it now intelligently zooms in on the right octave so you see the notes recorded immediately without having to pan around to search for them. You’re welcome.
- The + and - buttons can now be customizable to one of several functions including octave transpose, selection of active track or even dedicated Mute and Solo buttons. You can also define secondary features for these buttons that are accessed when holding the Shift button.
- We’ve added more customization to the Menu to add icons for Mute, Solo, Save Current Project, and many more. This means you can also access these functions with a Menu+Pad button combination of your choice.
- Ableton Live export can now export an entire song with each sequence added in a separate Session View row in Live.
- When pressing the 16 Level button in a non-drum program, the Notes screen is shown by default. No need to double click anymore!
- Fixed a bug where converting a song into a new sequence sometimes got pad and track mutes wrong.
- Removed the delay when holding down Main and pressing a pad to select active program. It now works instantly.
- Revamped Mute screen so you can pick any element you want to mute and keep it in one screen: midi tracks, pads and audio tracks. You can also reorder them freely on the screen by tapping and dragging them.
- Selecting another Next Sequence and then pressing Stop no longer cancels the switch to the next sequence. You can also press Play Start to immediately jump to the queued Sequence rather than restarting the current one.
- When in Grid view, you can now tap a small speaker icon on the screen to activate note preview when adding, transposing and changing automation of notes.
- Manually selecting notes in the Grid view no longer causes the window to immediately scroll/pan so you don’t lose orientation and curse when using it.
- We’ve completely revamped the Step Sequencer. We can’t even begin to explain how much has improved, just give it a try and we think you’ll love it.
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For my live improv setup, I have a Keystep Pro as master sequencer. The MPC supplies percussion one-shots and loops sequenced by the KSP’s drum track. I save melodic sequences on the fly with Digitone and Syntakt. They work smoothly in a live performance setting. That is my interest right now.
For normal production, the MPC sequencer is just fine, of course. If anything, it is better because it isn’t limited to 64 steps.
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Yeah it be the last thing I buy from Akai really. The MPC is a nice device, I can hold all my samples in an internal HDD, sampling is amazing, pads feel great and overall device is decent. But for me its a death by a thousands cuts, there’s one or another which adds to the frustration of using it, I’m forcing myself to use to see if it clicks. But yeah this is my third MPC from the modern line, but hoping by now it would have addressed some of the issues. But it still feels the same device when I bought it in 2022
Large part is my fault, should have asked questions and did more research, but then sometimes you have to try the device out and sometimes it just clicks like the Octa for example. Anyway I carry on grinding on it, but yeah hope it just clicks.
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It’s definitely not for everyone, sounds like selling it to a good home might solve the problem. Lots of people like me find the MPC to be just fine for music production and would love to scoop up a gently used one.
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Yeah, its for sale but I’m going to try and play around with it more before deciding. I totally forgot I even bought some synths from few years back as well and expansions.
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Where’s this from?
From his wishful thinking 
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Forgive the SP but man is ring the alarm a lot of fun! I must admit I’m a dumb dumb so just playing around with the presents and it sounds great! What a fun way to enjoy $15!
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sold!
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Amen
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For anyone interested, I just realized Ring the Alarm runs on the Mac as a standalone application! That’s awesome!
That said no luck opening the user guide from it. I get a 404 error. A quick google and all I’m getting is alarm clock manuals Ha!
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Cut werks
my goodness I almost impulse bought this mofo
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Hey guys I have been diving in to my MPC One (Eventually will be making my style content for tutorials, when I say eventually it might be a while)
Just wanted to know if I “should be” getting any of the upgrades I see it says here I can get the AIEP 3 complete for a discount from my account?
Any “mandatory” plugins that I need? Flex Beat looks awesome and fun but it looks like its 80 bucks!
Should I just play with what it comes with?
Thanks!
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Peace Ron, I loved your MC-707 series! The MPC has covered more so I don’t know if you’ll be able to offer anything new at this point, but I would focus on the plugins since we can always use some good sound design tips & tricks. Also if could show a way to make the step editor useful that would be golden. Here’s some of the best plugins:
Flavor Pro, Delay Pro, Jura, Mini-D, Opx-4, & Drumsynth.
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Play with what comes with it. What kind of music do you make?
If you make house/techno - I’d recommend Jura and the Mini D right off the bat and some of the F9 packs
I don’t make any other kind of music so can’t comment on what would be useful if you made hip-hop, ambient, pop, noise, etc…
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Hey thanks! Well are you “sure” it’s been covered fully?
I’ve heard my mc707 videos took it to places people who have owned for years told me haven’t seen! I will be playing with it for a while, thanks for the plugin recommends!
I’m going to be digging in and finding my own little quirks and stuff! (hapax tutorials coming next however)
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