Thank you for sharing this. Finally someone covered the advanced q link stuff! It’s awesome!
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It’s basically raining MPCs on Reverb’s used market rn. LoL
The GAS is real.
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The good thing is that the 3.6 firmware actually made even the Live 1 snappier.
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But still no program changes per track per sequence…
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Still program changes are seen as automation in List Edit, meaning there will always be the unremovable program change added at 0…
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I still cannot hold notes over sequence changes… If I hold a chord it will cut out when the sequence changes.
Regarding the last one. How the heck are you all able to live with it? Do you never have notes overlapping sequences, or why is this not raged about more?
These 3 still persistent issues takes away 100% of the GAS for me personally…
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Just tested envelope follower and LFO. 16 freely assignable ones, that’s really great.
Huge downside: you can’t sync the LFO… Seriously, common. The LFO’s in their plugins can be synced, so this is a really strange omission. And one that makes the LFO not half as useful as they should be. I really hope that gets fixed soon.
Smaller issue: you can modulate about anything except for the parameters (speed eg) of another LFO.
Clip launcher is a game changer in workflow, but for now I can’t find a quick way to access it on my key61. Suggestions?
There also seems to be an A/B in the mixer section that you can use with the touchstrip as crossfader. The qlink gives you way more power to assign more parameters, but it’s a simple tool for layering tracks and changing the balance between instruments / audio tracks.
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We’ve never had a retro keys or one+
I’m not convinced that they have any mindset to release a retro [X time] after release, that may have been a one off thing.
A man can dream though.
I’m waiting for the gold version.
Don’t sell your Live II too fast: 
Andertons, Juno and Rubadub sold out in UK so guess selling well as believe all had quite high stock. Gear4Music have 10 left if anybody tempted
Found it! In the menu you can drag and drop to the shortcuts. Sounds and mix were there, but they have a dedicated button, so I replaced those with clip matrix and navigate.
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In a few days no one will be complaining about Akai adding clip matrix to the line as the workflow will be massively improved.
Also they won’t be complaining about adding step sequencer buttons now that they realize it can be used for performance macros, mutes, clip launching etc.
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If you press an hold the rec button you can set to record to clip right from the main window
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My Day 1 impressions:
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Pads feel much better than previous versions. Yes the new pad features live up to the hype. Almost overwhelming what you can do and there is even more they can add. This feels like just the start, as none of the instruments take advantage of them yet and I feel that’s the next step. It’s just expansions so far that utilize the new tech. Hoping this happens real soon, playing a synth with pre mapped xy on the pads will be awesome.
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The actual material of the Mpc in general feels better, it’s not mushy rubber like the live 2
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To say the os and plugins are more snappy is a complete understatement. It’s night and day and even that is underselling it. If you’re on the fence, let this be the main reason you jump, because the YouTubers undersold how big a jump it is from previous generations.
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Clip recording/clip launch is the new way. Arrangement is clunky in comparison for a groove box. Clip launch is what it always should have been and I can never go back. For true “arrangement” style recording, just plug in usb-c to your computer and utilize the audio over usb. For my workflow, I’ll be using the clip matrix exclusively.
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The amount of macros, performance macros, probability, and things you can tweak is legit overwhelming. Glad it’s all there, but it’s going to take to really take advantage of everything going on
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Speakers sd similar, they don’t sound better or worse, maybe slightly better - but I didn’t notice a big difference
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The simple addition of a mic adds so much fun.
Lastly, here is the reason I love the live so much : I had my kid record noises with the new mic in each pad and then added effects to her voice and she was playing the pads triggering her own voice and it was the greatest thing in the world to her, while we jammed on the couch over battery while listening on the built in speakers. It’s a full studio you can take places and just jam out with people and even if the don’t know what they are doing, it’s a fun time.
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I also recommend putting save in that modes shortcut bar… makes life much easier
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Yeah main thing I noticed on the Andertons video was how quick and snappy it is compared to my X SE.
Yeah I was thinking also how my daughter would love this. Akai have exceeded my expectations - looks like killer implementation and sounds like they have a lot of things to continue to add
I was really impressed by how the clip matrix in 3.6 allows recording fixed-length and variable-length MIDI/audio clips. On audio tracks, it’s a real breakthrough.
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For me it’s super easy. Arranger.
Seq, programs, clips, scenes in whatever DAW, maschine, MPc, Ableton, Logic, BM3, Drambo, loopy, etc are just quick sketch tools, idea gen, performance assets for me. Broad strokes, appetizers or treats if you will. When it’s time for main course or to get surgical—Arranger.
I can punch in anywhere and “overlap sequences” or add anything anywhere it needs to be very simply and quickly in the arranger. I mean it’s Dogg easy.
So, the issue you describe (if I understand correctly) could never rise to even a minor annoyance to me. When I do encounter workflow challenges or obstacles large enough to stump me I envoke the immortal words of the great Calvin Broadus aka Snoop Dogg:
“You’s a flea (workflow challenge). I’m a Big Dog. I’ll scratch you off my balls with my paws.” Pause.
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Plenty left in the US. I wonder why? Only one US retailer has sold out as far as I can see: Sweetwater. Maybe we got more supply than you guys.
For the ones who have it, how is the startup time? When turning on the device? Is it faster now?
You mean those old ass Force features… LOL, no problem. Used them well!
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Do I understand correctly that you do not play things live with a connected midi controller?
I’m using mine to prepare a live set where I play midi keys live, both internal plugins and external gear using midi tracks. The same cutting of notes happens in both cases.
For me this is a big issue since I cannot hold chords across sequence changes (sequences are parts of a song in my case, controlled by program changes from other gear). And also If my timing is a little bit off, say I play a chord a few ms before the sequence change (like can happen to anyone regardless of skill level due to human timing) the chord will register as not played basically, or I hear a super quick sound of the chord before it being cut out.
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Happy to hear that the pads feel better in general and fewer ghost notes etc - I didn’t get on with either of my MPCs pads, personally.
I’ve officially warmed up to the new Live.
Still keen to see if there will be a One-type form factor though.