I’ve had my AR MK2 for a couple years now. i generally make techno/house but also Hip-Hop and Lofi stuff.
The lack of time-stretching in the AR really slows my process and i end up doing everything on ableton instead. Yes, it sounds amazing and the dual VCO is sick.
Thing is, i’ve been making a techno live set but i find myself tweaking too many knobs and changing patterns mainly on my AR and i want to be able to play other stuff in the meantime like my Subsequent37 and Mother32, not just stuck to my AR.
I’ve also been wanting to use less Ableton to produce.
But i’ve been thinking of getting an MPC live mk2 since it came out with CV/gate outs/ins to improve my workflow, and it’s 1200 USD. the AR is about 1600USD and i could easily sell it for that amount, but
What else would you get in my situation?
I could start a small eurorack with those extra 400, or maybe get a 303 clone or another small drum machine.
I’ve used the MPC live mk1 and absolutely loved it.
I get what you’re saying with not finishing tracks. I feel like the AR is too
“menu diving” and if i go modular it could go that way. But i really love that Analog feel.
Instead of a MPC Live 2 I’d buy a MPC One. If you don’t need extra audio outputs, wifi & bluetooth and the speaker go for a MPC one, it’s cheaper and it has cv outputs too.
The MPC is at least as much menu diving as the AR. For my taste it‘s a much slower workflow than the elektron way.
But if you’re looking for a DAW replacement MPC live or deluge will probably your best options
I kind of agree with the MPC One suggestion. Save a bunch of cash, and then definitely get some kind of rhythm machine–the MPC is fine, but maybe something analog? You could get wild with a DFAM (since you already have a Mother), or classic with a TR8 or 8S, or one of the Arturias, even a Volca. It seems like you want another, immediate drum machine if you want to get away from the DAW, though.
Deluge sounds nice! haven’t tried one personally but the videos look really good.
And well, at least the MPC live has a more clear screen where i can see everything that’s going on, not like the elektron way where you have to remember way too many combinations and such things.
True! i could build up a Moog rack and control it with the MPC, or a TR8S sounds good. I used to have a TR-8 and it was just so easy to use out-of-the-box.
And yes, i’ve been trying to get away from the DAW and only use it to mix/master/record at the end.
the ARMK2 is now my main box, and feel like the MPC could be a better centerpiece.
makes you more dependent on the screen in the general. Too many parameters to remember, while I know most parameters of my elektrons by heart.
But that was just my impression.
Elektrons feel like all needed parameters are just a button click away while the live feels like parameters that belong together are distributed all over the place
But I don’t want to talk you out of the MPC. As a all in one solution or centerpiece it‘s much better suited than a AR. Just referring to your comment that AR has too much menu diving for you
Comparing the “menu-diving” on MPC and Elektron, I would say it’s quite similar. I wouldn’t even call it “diving”, because there are dedicated knobs to switch from “menu” to “menu” and for the workflow to create music it’s … AFAIK … one level only. There are some deeper menus, but this is more for setting up the gear and housekeeping.
IMO the main difference between creating music on Elektrons or MPCs is, whether we want the approach of “programming” 16-64 events using a step sequencer (Elektron) or “playing” on soft pads using a linear sequencer (MPC).
If I work on a “techno” piece, I go Elektron. If I work on “hip-hop” or groovy stuff, I go MPC. We can do both on both machines, but I feel more comfortable to use both for different styles.
Comparing the knobs of the Elektrons with the screen of the MPC, I prefer for techno-like programming the knobs. It’s much quicker and much more reliable. IMO playing and recording parameter locks is smoother on the Elektrons.
Isn’t this the purpose of a live set in the first place?
There will be no big difference on the MPC, if you are performing beats. Many play via track-muting and using the Q-Links on a MPC, but if you want to solo on the synths you might consider a playback approach. This can be done on AR and MPC as well.
S2400 is like 1500 hifi dollars (or dilla’rs ?) to make lofi hiphop, cats love it
It was about the struggle, make it work with what you have and build your sound and style with the tools at hand (many designed for other purposes) Creativity gets lost in the flashing gearhubs of our time.
