Same here. No brainer. Always very organized in depth quality vids. I am every time impressed how one can know so much about all these gear, make many quality vids and find time to live also. 🤣 #Respect
Still some beautiful things about the 1000 that the newer ones dont have. Since they come out I argued that the 1000 were the best all-rounder MPC for its excellent comprehensive feature set AND portability while the 4000 was the flagship ultimate daddy. These new ones are insanely packed with everything I could have asked for although I do miss some of the really simple and effective flows I’d use on the 1000. The inclusion of Spdif AND wav import opens it up so much as well… essentially u can bypass it’s converters entirely 🤫 But yeah, I’d say the Live or One is a worthy successor that deserves to be heralded as one of the if not THE best beat machine that covers the most ground and serves the widest range of production styles/workflows to date. After 7 years I still pause mid process to say to myself how much I LOVE the Mpc Live
Thanks for the video, Q-Links with dedicated OLED screens are a true difference and that's why I think the Force is an excellent alternative between the other MPCs and the X (with a specific Ableton Live-like workflow but not always). ❤
I recently connected external controllers and only now I understand how having more qlinks is that important for mpc workflow. 8 is better than 4, but 16 is even better. This alone is worth getting X (or Force) over One/Live. (I am live owner)
I had the MPC X for a year and there were a lot of things I liked about it. The timing and feel was quite good when being used stand-alone. This changed whenever the MPC X was using an external clock. I used the 60, the 3000, and the Linn9000 for many years-- all of which could be clocked externally and had extremely low jitter while being externally clocked. I couldn't recreate this with the MPC X and ultimately ended up selling it.
I've never tried clocking my MPC One using straight MIDI, but when I use Ableton Link it's absolutely rock solid. The same cannot be said for my polyend tracker 😔.
Exactly, after going to an x after using a live or live 2, there's no going back. The 16 q-links are a huge time saver. I'm using my mpcx to sequence external synths and ggd from my laptop.
I wish they went all out, instead of just releasing a relatively minor update. 8gb ram, audio streaming, external monitor connection with mouse support, way faster CPU, and every possible plug in bundled in. I'd rather buy the original X on a blow out sale now.
10:05 one thing to note is that the mpc one is able to run off of a portable battery and i have mine velcroed to the side so it makes it the smallest portable form factor. and another pro is that you can have multiple portable batteries charged and switch them out as needed unlike the live which has the built in battery and would eventually deteriorate. there's other videos online about it if you want to look into it. ive been running my mpc one with a portable batteries for about 2-3 years now and have had no issues with it
Getting my first MPC this month! Wish my experience luck! I’ve been using Maschine + for a while and looking for more workflows to adapt too just because ❤
Excellent breakdown man. You really covered all the hits, and quickly. I’ve never had an X. I can easily see how the 16 encoders would top your list of pros there. But I’ve gotten so used to using the Q Link button on my Live, you can get pretty quick with it. And touching the links for a reminder of which bank your in becomes second nature too - that is just to say that having only 4 qlinks at a time is still way superior to not using them imo. I can’t imagine them not being there on my live, especially in sample edit, but I use them in almost every way. Minor quibble - you didn’t talk about the Live 1, which has some differences (cv, face buttons) and a lot of people still use it. But I understand. Great job
Live 1 has 5 less buttons than live 2 so its not a big deal. Ins/outs: its missing CV/gate - Ethernet and volume knob is on the back and the speaker. All in all its the same so I don’t really think he missed it out anything since live 1 is considered old and left production its mostly irrelevant.
I sold my MPC live 2 today and was literally just about to buy a Key 61 online.. Luckily I saw this vid come up on my feed!! I didn't think this would happen for months...I'll standby.
I think your instinct to let go of the MPC is correct. I upgrade from the MPC One to the MPC Live II thinking it would fix my frustrations with the MPC One and it did not. For me, the faults were in the software and the software is the same across devices. I do own the Keylab Pro 61 and I love it. The keys are responsive and expressive without making you work hard for it. I go to "natural" keyboards now and they feel unnecessarily hard to use. My only complaint about the Keylab is I wish it was easier to assign CC values to knobs on the device without using the software.
I have the MPC X. Love your channel and always look forward to your reviews. Super happy AKAI reached out to you. Keep up the stellar work brother! 👊🧡👍
Damn that SE model looks sexy as hell, but I feel these MPCs are really just a DAW-in-a-box rather than a DAWless groovebox and I see no benefit over using an actual DAW. For those that love these devices keep using what works for you though
You're absolutely right. For me I use it for a lot of it's sample work and beat compositions. It was a temporary/permanent addition to my studio as a PC and DAW wasn't an option right away. It is an awesome unit and worth every penny. For me it was a great work around with the standalone features. 👊🧡👍
You can perfectly go full groove box on these though and directly import your stuff into your DAW. You can actually export your MPC projects as Ableton files.
@@Drrolfski Yeah guess it really depends on your workflow, personally this defeats the simplistic nature of DAWless setups, but if I was an Ableton power user I could see this being a great tool for actually materializing your ideas. Again if it works, it works, and my opinion should bear no weight on what works for you.
No email or youtube distractions. Plus integrated controllers, pads etc. Different than a DAW. And i seem to remember years ago people wished for Ableton in a box etc, now they are complaining...sigh
I already own a MPC Live 2, and I had no intention to buy an MPC X, but this looks so perfect for my setup, that I decided to get one. I'm not sure if I should sell my MPC Live 2 now... There's some perks like the speakers and battery, but I have a feeling that it's not going to get much attention after I get the X.
Amen to your comments about the Q links. I have an MPC Key 61, and I’d be interested in buying a separate controller simply to have the 16 Q links knobs with the OLED display like the MPC X.
Force isn't so much about the 64-pad interface... it's about whether you want an Ableton style workflow (clips + scenes + arranger) or a pattern-based workflow (a.k.a. "sequences", as MPC calls them). I find this workflow difference far more impactful than any other differences between the siblings in Akai's product family. MPC's workflow largely revolves around looping patterns with track mutes and effects, while Force's workflow is more about free-form jamming or composing a song from beginning to end (or both). Like, on MPC, the user generally builds a single pattern, complete with mixer levels and fx, until it's pretty much done... then maybe copy/pastes that pattern and alters the melody to create a variation or something. Build out the tracks, set the voicing and levels and fx, then at the end maybe copy it and try to work on the melody and note progressions. On Force, the user generally lays down several sequential clips worth of a melody or chord progressions. Once that is long enough, go back to add other tracks... bass, drums, pads, etc. Mix and match clips while jamming, record good bits, then arrange them into a song. Around the end of that process, maybe fine-tune the voicing, adjust levels and fx, then render it to a .wav. Basically, MPC is optimized for beat-making, while Force is optimized for song-writing.
I agree with you 100% and I meant that as well - I should have added two more words... ("64 pad clip launching style interface"). Subconsciously I guess the reason I didn't is that Akai could easily get over the clip-launching interface differentiation of Force with software on the screen. As is now evident from Force loading MPC projects, behind the scenes it's pretty much stored the same way, they just need to let us launch different clips from different sequences and bob's your uncle (maybe even give us a 4x4 view into the grid using the pads!)
@@loopop I hope they will merge the best of both into a single platform. MPC has slowly been getting some of Force's functions, but it is not enough yet. And Force could really use some of MPC's functions like rapid sampling to pads, one-click conversion of a sample to a keygroup, and the ability to change the tempo per scene.
This was a great breakdown. I actually had an Akai Force for about a week and didn't have any exposure to Ableton's session view. Once I found out where it came from (and that you can't change the global time out of 4/4 in Force) I got Ableton and a Push 2. I haven't found anything better than that method of making beats. I do need a standalone, though, and the Force is just too big and the time signature thing is a deal breaker unfortunately. I'm gonna try the SP404 MK2 out for a basic sketchpad. I say this because, knowing your creative flow and finding the easiest way to continue that process, FOR HOW YOU WORK, is important. I have to be honest, MPC's workflow is the most annoying I've dealt with. I wanted to like it because I was an underground hip-hop fanatic but now I play keys... but I just do not enjoy their whole sequence/song mode setup. I think the Akai Force is the closest thing to a useful clip/scene workflow, but Akai cuts corners with that. I really hope someone does this. It would be monumental.
I once asked you to edit your timeline to highlight the current part of the video. Thanks a lot for doing it. It’s the nth video where I see you did had the patience to do that.🙏🏻❤️
Hey, sorry but I don't think I did...? It's a good idea but would just take too long and now with the youtube timeline feature, I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
@@loopop 🤓funny, the bit corresponding to the current chapter looked bolder that the other. Maybe I just was lucky. Otherwise, just move a 20% translucent square on the layer below the menu and over the video when you reach a chapter. Love your work, man.🤗
Try pressing the buttons under the encoder with your thumb!🙌😄 way more comfortable and you can go back and forth browsing your folders without touching your screen.
I don't know about you but I turn the encoder with my finger and thumb - it's much faster for me to just press down than move my thumb somewhere else. You can browse into folders that way too, but you're right about back though.
Yes, I also rotate the encoder with my thumb and index finger, but then my thumb easily falls on the control buttons below without removing my index finger from the encoder.
the only thing I wish my X had was 8 ins. there would be enough room, too. Scrap the XLRs and add symmetric Jacks. If people need, then they can use adapters. Also I think the biggest opportunity they've missed is to add more touch functions to buttons of the X. Also mouse support would be nice.
Nice MPC rundown! No click encoder is crazy. That's the main workhorse on the Live to the point Im scared it'll wear out some day. Mic input with phantom power is a great win for the X also. I hope a Live 3 refresh would have xlr 1/4 combo jacks to facilitate mic + guitar direct recording.
I guess its more of a tradition. I have the MPC renaissance and it lokks 80% like the X and if you go way back to MPC 3000, 60 it still has some of it. I don’t mind it honestly and I love the look of it but adding click wouldn’t take away anything from the MPC original theme. Maybe the next generation.
Q-Links are really THE reason I'd like a MPC X instead of my MPC Live. That new Special edition is very nice, but as many other people I feel like the price difference with the normal MPC X is not justified.
Hi @loopop you seem well suited to do a performance comparison between the MPC X and the MPC X SE. There is a bunch of misinformation going around about the impact the 2GB ram update has on performance. It would be nice to actually know what difference the minor improvements make. For example are there noticeable differences in Plugin or Project load times, are you able to have "x" amount more FX plugins without any degradation to the system. I imagine a scenario where the system is maxed out for example; max track counts, plugins, samples, FX etc and compare when the OG X and X SE start to show performance issues.
Thinking about this a bit more, at this price point the upgrades (2gb more ram, 32gb onboard memory) are an insult more than an upgrade. 4gb of ram has been on phones since 2015 with the LG Flex 2 - 8 years ago. a 64gb SSD is $15 retail - so a 32gb memory module is not a real expense. A the price they're selling these things, these upgrades are terrible and akai should feel bad about seeing this as an upgrade. This is the least effort version of an upgrade.
I have a weakness for a Piano-roll view, lol, I like when I see what I'm doing, but I miss the rest of the Cubase DNA, like a linear Part View, instead of a Pattern View only. I usually use these views, it's a pity they won't think about us, linear sequencing guys, they could easily change the view. On the expensive new Roland Phantom series they implented these views nicely... Great review as usual!
@@christianthompson1473 I could only judge by what I've seen on YT, I only have Cubase on the desktop and my synths, lol. I would have liked an Akai device with a Cubase-like environment, with Piano Roll and Track View. (Where I can move the Parts) I have also a tablet (with Cub. 3)...but then they took away any kind of MIDI In-Out. (On Samsung A8, Andr. 12, no MIDI whatsoever.)
@Aetila That's not true - Cubasis, on both iOS and Android, supports MIDI In and Out. Roland is getting close to offering pattern and linear based hardware. A product that merged the features of both If the MC-707 and MV-1, along with time streatched audio, streaming from storage would do the trick. Also, Yamaha's high end Motifs and groove boxes could have had their features developed further.
Thanks for mentioning the confusing layout and function of qlinks in MPC One etc. I love the One, but this is exactly the reason I don't use qlinks as much, although they are a very powerful feature.
The "old" MPCX was my first AKAI - and the Q-links came "naturally" to me. In other words, they are a great addition to control my MIDI workflow. Not that other solutions to control parameters are bad... Q-links are good if one forgets what a certain knob or switch is about - honestly....I know my hardware, so it is nothing but a convenient thing, to my taste. AKAI: Improve the sampler functionality into one interface. Having a sampler, a sample editor, and a looper not being ONE THING is like a set of different instruments.... quite silly to my taste. I know it is based on "old" AKAI routines - but, learning to make it better has not made things worse - if planed well, this is.
...addition: as mentioned in other comments, the jitter issue is horrible - funny part of it i, that one can hear if a production was made with an AKAI ;-) often I thought to myself, why the hell is the beat drifting off and being catched up with the next sequence - the jitter became a "state of art"....
I believe there is also a Touch Strip FX plugin you can use just like the touch strip (which the touch strip uses/instantiates when using) if I'm not mistaken. You just control the strip on the screen.
It's a very limited effect similar to the XYFX - as opposed to the flexibility of the touch strip on Key 61 and Studio MK2. That said, you can double-tap almost any parameter and control it using the touch screen as a "touch strip"
I used to find that using Q links was a pain on the One but, after a couple beats I use them exactly as much as my MPC X. I got used to reaching out for the Q Link button and capacitive knobs with my pinky finger lol
Top review as usual loopop. I just was wondering when the hell will he finally review the MPC X cause the other Akai devices always seemed rather inferior to me but anyways, finally a review on this important device ;) Pls send it to me after you've done reviewing it, Akai will never know I promise ;)
I have an MPCX. It’s a very cool device and occasionally I get all excited about it and make some good music with it, but for the most part I find it cumbersome to use, especially compared to a DAW. Others are more suited to its workflow I guess.
It might be the sheer size - I have the Live II and love that I can take it out of my studio and sit on my couch with it for hours, no problem. I will say, the touchscreen sequencer isn't great on the platform.
I won't buy it right off the bat because opening day prices are for noobs. But, I will buy one some day. Already love my MPC One, would love the added real estate and the q link knobs with oled labels makes it one hell of a virtual synth.
15:09 yup that is a big keyboard. I use the MPC1. My MPCX Pros: Would love the extra encoders & bigger screen. Cons: Would miss not being able to click the big knob, the extra table space, & the extra cash I would have to spend.
Not enough of a difference to upgrade from my X. I wonder if they improved the quality of the Q-link knobs cuz they aren't always so responsive on the X.
This product is marketed for those who dont already have a MPC X, people with a different MPC or just midi controllers or those with old MPCs. This X literally looks exactly the same as the MPC Renaissance with the only visual difference being the screan.
Great stuff. And even more great that my mpc live ii with a beatstep pro and launch kontrol xl attached is still the best portable workstation money can buy . I am relieved
@@MGoolas yeah, I knownwhat you mean, but still, I rather just Chuck a laptop in the go back and have Access to some real power...I mean, when it comes down to weight/size differences...but that new polyend tracker mini is looking mighty tempting....wish more companies would compete with the like of the op-1/field and m8 size devices.
I would pay a handsome fee for a separate, add-on q-link controller i could connect via USB to my Live 2. Actually, i would prefer to just be able to midi map to a general q-link control scheme, but Akai locks that away in standalone (likely to drive sales to the X).
I just came back from vacations with the Live and I have to say it is not as portable as you think it is.. Also the screen is super reflective and hard to read outdoors. But i always love the X , i might look for the black one now this is out... And yes, the hardware is six years old now.. Most of those new and very well done plugins will max out this thing in 4-5 tracks... that IS a problem as some of use make music with instruments and not samples. I'd love to se an updated main board, but that is wishful thinking. That also is the reasoe the encoder does not click... The PCBs are made and will not change
Good review. It should be pointed out that *you can customize your Qlinks*! So even if your MPC has just 4 Qlink knobs they can be assigned to what you want: start sample point, end sample point, attack, filter cutoff, etc... You only have 2 hands so having 16 vs 4 doesn't mean much when you can have your top 4 most used readily available. Even without that, I don't mind taking an extra 5 seconds to switch banks. Once you know what each bank has it's not hard to remember with daily use. ✌️
Thanks, but I do say and show that you can customize the Q-links to control various parameters (all the knobs I turn in the intro/outro are custom mapped), however, to my knowledge you can't have them control sample start, end and zoom on the same Q-link bank for use when editing samples. How do you do that?
@@loopop I never said you could put sample start, end and zoom on the same Qlink bank. I was talking about things like this video shows: th-cam.com/video/9UQUCsZq4gg/w-d-xo.html I've never used Qlinks for zooming. The only time I ever zoom is in grid mode with my fingers but everyone is going to use their gear a little differently.
Damn, this makes me want the live ii. Have the studio and that's more than enough for me at home. The X would be amazing but I couldn't justify the price. I'd get the keys instead of not the live ii
The MPC one also seems like the one to get if you don't have anything else. The standalone aspect is neat. But I like using my computer so the studio was good enough for me
The live 2 with the Mpk mini plus is a nice combination. I have a project studio setup, but sometimes just feel like getting creative in a different room. While the speakers have their limitations, they are definitely good enough to work out an idea, or to just get a break from headphones, and not have to worry about external speakers.
I love my MPC Live 2, but the 1010Music BlackBox is so portable that I use it on most of my gigs. Im triggering percussion and one man band melodics so I just plug a BopPad into the USB input on the BlackBox and Im set to go. The MPC has 4 alternating sounds per pad, the BBox allows you to slice up a loop and and trigger 128 events in a row.
I have drooled over the BlackBox for sometime. Hearing you are having success in live sets is a great vote of confidence. I spent a lot of time trying to work the MPC Live II into my workflow and there is always one or two things that are basic to most devices where the MPC misses the mark for me. The MPC Live is pretty, well built, but for me, impossible to use.
It’s an X. The extra RAM is meh, the extra storage is unnecessary, and throwing in all the sounds feels like desperation to entice because there is nothing of substance here. Huge misstep to celebrate 35 years. Really odd decisions going on at Akai.
I love my MPC Live. NEVER needed a reason to get the live II. It's really annoying that Akai needs to scatter their features throughout their products. The keys seems to be a waste due to lack of features on everything else (just show boating their mediocre plugins). Boiling it down to price, I think the MPC Live is still king. The used market has them as much if not cheaper then the ONE. Would have loved all the connectivity and 10" screen on the force.
See here's what's great about these videos. I've a force and a Live 2. It's hard to keep up with all the updates. I never realised until after this vid I could import the Live 2 projects into the Force now. That's a lightbulb moment! The MPC and the Live together will be phenomenal. I can now take my projects and apply all the live performance features of the Force. Honestly you should do a video of this. This is a total game changer! Also you mentioned only 8 outs but you just attach the MPC to any USB class compliant device - XR18 etc - and can have as many outs as you want! The only thing you don't mention about the MPC is the steep learning curve to maximise all the features. 3 years and I'm still learning! 😂
I was wondering when they were going to put out an updated version of the X. Looks really cool, and if I was getting into this right now, I'd be tempted to go that route as the 'brain' of my home studio. As it is, I'm happy with my Live 2.
As owner of the Akai MPC X and the original Live(Thanks to your videos), still have both, the issue I found which I don't think is fixed in this edition are the audio converters, sending audio on 8 outs on MPC X or 6 on Live, just does not sound good(there is a difference on the output 3 and onwards), it would be great, when you have time down the line for you to really check it out, and as you said using the USB audio in standalone mode with another converter does introduce pops and clicks, its a shame because as you said the workflow is great, the Q links on X and SE are very important and midi sequencing with X and SE is tight, probably tighter on SE with a faster processor. Maybe you can mention that privately to them. Love all your videos and your comparisons are incredible.
pops and clicks in the interface kind of depends on the company, but i also believe the latest 2.11.8 fw update smoothed out some issues. I was getting intermittent digital distortion on the Tascam Model 12 and a focusrite interface i tried was nearly unusable due to constant click, but that was before the firmware upgrade that specifically was supposed to address external usb interfaces. I've been virtually problem free using an older RME Babyface Pro in class compliant mode though - to the extent that i probably won't buy an interface that's not RME for my MPC Live 2 moving forward (have my sights set on a UCX). It also seems lower latency using the RME card than even the internal MPC card.
@@terencetso1025 RME has the lowest latency, I use the AES stuff for the big studio from them, and for a small rig I use UCX II, its is pretty good, and Babyface is awesome as well, but it is unacceptable that we are paying $2200+ and still have to find a converter that addresses the needs of proper conversion. One other aspect that most people dont realize, is that, once you connect another converter to the MPC your sounds are not native , the reason RME is top notch in latency and conversion, is because they write their own specific driver, that is the biggest and single most important thing that sets them apart. Class Compliant is just the baseline and also lot of people dont print audio into the DAW, they work Dawless and committing to 8 audio out from MPC never mixes well with other pro gear, I have tried it out for 2 years, The X is basically a really really good sequencer and the workflow is great. They should have made the anniversary issue thicker box, with option to swap out the converter, put a nice analog filter or give us the option to upgrade.
Not sure why but everyone seems to ignore the fact that the MPC X is a direct design copy of the MPC Renaissance, same size, same knobs, slidders, buttons, the only visual difference is the screan.
No Coax Digital I/O is an upset for another Flagship Akai MPC.... I'm glad I bought that 2nd MPC Ren & it should be compatible with 3.0 when it drops...🥳🤩🥳 Great Job Akai, do you think you can add a updated version for the Digital Patchbay Mastering Recording Studios? We would really appreciate it...🙏🏼😇🙏🏼 #GreatVidBro...🎥🎬🎥
@@909Thumper909 More Mastering Studio's own Digital Patchbays also we Sample In Digital to repeat the hooks on songs easier, especially if a DJ (Over Lap) scratches at the end of a hook... Take a trip down History lane & find out when the Coax Digital I/O disappeared from the Flagship MPC's. MPC X is the 1st Flagship MPC in all these yrs to not have Digital In's or Out's... Believe me your already paying for it to be there & it's just not...🤬🤯🤬
As an MPC user I am feeling free to disagree with you below, as you invited me to do. I get a lot of use out of the q-links. I'm aware that an MPC is a DAW in a box, but I find the tactile controls and resulting muscle memory to be really beneficial. As you observed, it takes a bit of getting used to understanding what the q-links do in different sections, but I've become very fast at navigating critical functions. I wonder if it's case of needing more dedicated time - you obviously need to work with many different pieces of hardware, whereas the MPC is my only sampler (until tomorrow morning when I'm planning to go pick up an SP 404 mk2 😂). But yes, the expanded q-link section on the X is the only feature that would actually tempt me - looks powerful.
A laptop doesn't have a dedicated music-making control layout nor the IO that this does. Ableton Live (my favorite DAW) is more complex but more powerful than the MPC. Indeed MPC OS is a simplified form of DAW
@@loopop Actually it does if you make your laptop a dedicated device for music production and set it up to use the shortcut keys. My laptop is only for music production and file management of music production projects.
Correct the MPC software is a DAW, the major difference between a MPC and a Laptop is that most peoples laptop is not just used for music production VS the MPC which is a dedicated music device. However My music production laptop is only used for music production and with a MPK midi keyboard or MPD or MPC studio 2 it has identical functions to a MPC.
Such a beautiful machine. I've watched a few videos and it's obvious this isn't a money grab for funds and it's actually worth considering or at least purchasing considering I still have my Maschine mk3 from 2018 lol. I'm just a tad bit concerned about the learning curve but I'm sure the workflow is WAY better than Maschine.
@@Noise-Conductor yeah that true but for $200 more that increase in RAM and strorage alone is worth it. I make a lot of beats. I’ve gotten to the point where I try not to save them.
Finally out, looks cool, especially for those who would like (or prefer) the option to be running DAW-less. You mention that adding an interface adds latency, is that latency manageable? I wonder these devices play together with other devices that are also USB class compliant (like a MODX or Roland J-6).
The MPX X software is a DAW (Digital) and the Hardware part is a PAW (Physical) however the physical aspect of the device can not function independently from the software. There for any device like this are not DAWless.
Does anyone know what hardware this is running on? Arm CPU or intel/amd? Probably Arm, right? Not that it makes a real difference to the user but I'm curious.
I believe it’s a Rockchip RK3288 compute module just like the rest of InMusic’s Akai and Denon DJ hardware. There definitely needs to be more teardown and documentation of these designs. Seems like these are actually Android apps running on this embedded ARM computing platforms, just like with Rigol’s digital oscilloscopes.
Still missing the two basic and easy to implement changes that would make such a huge difference to workflow - i) being able to fold the piano roll so it only shows a chosen key and ii) being able to reorder the FX chain. In the hope that Akai read the comments, seriously, why haven't they done this yet? While you're at it, sort out the sequencer as well. It's terrible and there's just no need for it to be.
I love the MPC hardware. I hate how I can't seem to get it to sync clock to any other devices or sync devices to its clock and control. I had troubles with the MPC One and the MPC Live II (which I currently own and sits on my shelf). The MPC2 software is not very good in my opinion. The hardware is well built but the pads tend to be unresponsive and have a tendency to hit twice. The software is overly complicated for simple tasks. My Verselab MV-1 on the hardware side is worse in every way. To many menus, plastic but solid body, and it feels kind of cheap for its $1000+ price tag. But, the drivers work great for USB audio, it easily sinks to external clock and external control, and the sounds it makes are just premium to me. Yes, I did invest in the Roland cloud that greatly improved the sound choices. The Verselab MV-1 is the one my desk being used. Akai should stop adding features and work on streamlining their workflow and making basic tasks simpler.
Thank goodness, I just bought the Mini D and Flavor Pro a few weeks ago for my Live then I heard they came with the SE and it felt like a waste. Just gotta transfer them to the SE now!
you really need the extra ram to make the most of those plugins. its a bit chonky for my setup though and kind of expensive if u have the One and already bought the plugins.
Sorry this is related to the MPC video. But you did a video on a micro synth that was in a mall wooden box and I for the life of me cannot find the video! Do you remember the name of the synth??
I've been in software-development and IT for over 3 decades. I recently switched to MPC standalone to get away from the PC and be more focused on making music. It's really fun but I was not prepared for the avalanche of issues and bugs comming over me bringing 10000x more distraction and frustration than working on a PC. going back to Elektron boxes exactelly right now. 😢
It really looks like Akai is wanting to finish what it started years ago. This would be the brains for many, and it looks like the workflow is really good. Great upload, thx Loop.
This video is such a help for me to navigate which one i need. i will use my Arturia Keylab with it (your demo helped me immensely there also).... so when you say you can get halfway there by using an additional MIDI controller with the Cheaper MPCs, could i simply map the controls that the MPC X has over the MPCLive onto my Artuia MIDI keyboard? like i could with the MC 707 (also bought because of your demo :) )
Thanks! You can't currently map the Q-links to MIDI controllers when you're in standalone mode. You can map the Q-links if you're using the MPC software, and you can map parameters directly using the standalone.
Hi Loopop, can you give us a short note about a very much wanted improvement: The late MPCX can only stream/record around 5 minutes of live sample in an Audio program. It samples into the RAM of the MPCX, as hard disk streaming is not possible (why-ever this is...). So key question: has the live recording just improved from 5 mins to 10 mins, or do we have hard disk recording and can we record as long as we like....? Thanks in advance
The color is what makes it the Special Edition. It will be available in this color for a limited time. I guess it will revert to black afterwards and get a MkII designation or something similar.
You can imagine it is right around the corner. Beware of initial bugs though. Last update... I definitely did not jump on it right away and thankful I did not. 👊🧡👍
They literally look identical with the colour scheme. Your correct if your using either device as a midi controller only then they are functionality is very similar.
Great review! The big encoder not being a push encoder is such a weird decision by Akai, especially on something as expensive as this that people buy for "better workflow".
Does the original MPC X have a quad core ARM processor? The MPC X SE does. I will be upgrading from the MPC ONE to the MPC X SE. I have loved the MPC ONE. I am very excited about this upgrade.
I'd pay more than $2500 for an updated song mode! GREAT overview as always.
Yea song mode is glitchy and trash lol
What's wrong with the song mode? I ask Because I'm interested in getting an mpc
@@leftovernoise the song mode is fine too me
MPC one is still the better option price to value. MPC X line is for certain people for sure. great review as always
Akai is wild (genius?) for getting all these channels to newly-review essentially their flagship from 2017. brilliant, actually
I'm a simple man, I see loopop, I click.
Same here. No brainer. Always very organized in depth quality vids. I am every time impressed how one can know so much about all these gear, make many quality vids and find time to live also. 🤣 #Respect
We all do
This is the Way
It’s basically a reflex at this point
That's a comment a lot of other people also use.
This might be my MPC1000 upgrade right here! Been living vintage for SO LONG!
Still some beautiful things about the 1000 that the newer ones dont have. Since they come out I argued that the 1000 were the best all-rounder MPC for its excellent comprehensive feature set AND portability while the 4000 was the flagship ultimate daddy.
These new ones are insanely packed with everything I could have asked for although I do miss some of the really simple and effective flows I’d use on the 1000.
The inclusion of Spdif AND wav import opens it up so much as well… essentially u can bypass it’s converters entirely 🤫
But yeah, I’d say the Live or One is a worthy successor that deserves to be heralded as one of the if not THE best beat machine that covers the most ground and serves the widest range of production styles/workflows to date.
After 7 years I still pause mid process to say to myself how much I LOVE the Mpc Live
I want this machine Jesus .. Mpc x special edition is a must have !!
Thanks for the video, Q-Links with dedicated OLED screens are a true difference and that's why I think the Force is an excellent alternative between the other MPCs and the X (with a specific Ableton Live-like workflow but not always). ❤
Force is king 😎
I recently connected external controllers and only now I understand how having more qlinks is that important for mpc workflow. 8 is better than 4, but 16 is even better. This alone is worth getting X (or Force) over One/Live. (I am live owner)
I had the MPC X for a year and there were a lot of things I liked about it. The timing and feel was quite good when being used stand-alone. This changed whenever the MPC X was using an external clock. I used the 60, the 3000, and the Linn9000 for many years-- all of which could be clocked externally and had extremely low jitter while being externally clocked. I couldn't recreate this with the MPC X and ultimately ended up selling it.
I've never tried clocking my MPC One using straight MIDI, but when I use Ableton Link it's absolutely rock solid. The same cannot be said for my polyend tracker 😔.
You might be able to resolve this using a MIDI router to filter out un-needed MIDI data in the master MIDI signal
Exactly, after going to an x after using a live or live 2, there's no going back. The 16 q-links are a huge time saver. I'm using my mpcx to sequence external synths and ggd from my laptop.
I wish they went all out, instead of just releasing a relatively minor update. 8gb ram, audio streaming, external monitor connection with mouse support, way faster CPU, and every possible plug in bundled in. I'd rather buy the original X on a blow out sale now.
10:05 one thing to note is that the mpc one is able to run off of a portable battery and i have mine velcroed to the side so it makes it the smallest portable form factor. and another pro is that you can have multiple portable batteries charged and switch them out as needed unlike the live which has the built in battery and would eventually deteriorate. there's other videos online about it if you want to look into it. ive been running my mpc one with a portable batteries for about 2-3 years now and have had no issues with it
interesting
Getting my first MPC this month! Wish my experience luck! I’ve been using Maschine + for a while and looking for more workflows to adapt too just because ❤
Excellent breakdown man. You really covered all the hits, and quickly. I’ve never had an X. I can easily see how the 16 encoders would top your list of pros there. But I’ve gotten so used to using the Q Link button on my Live, you can get pretty quick with it. And touching the links for a reminder of which bank your in becomes second nature too - that is just to say that having only 4 qlinks at a time is still way superior to not using them imo. I can’t imagine them not being there on my live, especially in sample edit, but I use them in almost every way. Minor quibble - you didn’t talk about the Live 1, which has some differences (cv, face buttons) and a lot of people still use it. But I understand. Great job
Live 1 has 5 less buttons than live 2 so its not a big deal.
Ins/outs: its missing CV/gate - Ethernet and volume knob is on the back and the speaker. All in all its the same so I don’t really think he missed it out anything since live 1 is considered old and left production its mostly irrelevant.
@@MS7.7 Oh word? Thanks for the clarification big dog
I sold my MPC live 2 today and was literally just about to buy a Key 61 online.. Luckily I saw this vid come up on my feed!! I didn't think this would happen for months...I'll standby.
I think your instinct to let go of the MPC is correct. I upgrade from the MPC One to the MPC Live II thinking it would fix my frustrations with the MPC One and it did not. For me, the faults were in the software and the software is the same across devices. I do own the Keylab Pro 61 and I love it. The keys are responsive and expressive without making you work hard for it. I go to "natural" keyboards now and they feel unnecessarily hard to use. My only complaint about the Keylab is I wish it was easier to assign CC values to knobs on the device without using the software.
Keys got the extras, Touchstrip. I love my keysssssss
I have the MPC X. Love your channel and always look forward to your reviews. Super happy AKAI reached out to you. Keep up the stellar work brother! 👊🧡👍
Thanks very much!
Damn that SE model looks sexy as hell, but I feel these MPCs are really just a DAW-in-a-box rather than a DAWless groovebox and I see no benefit over using an actual DAW.
For those that love these devices keep using what works for you though
You're absolutely right. For me I use it for a lot of it's sample work and beat compositions. It was a temporary/permanent addition to my studio as a PC and DAW wasn't an option right away. It is an awesome unit and worth every penny. For me it was a great work around with the standalone features. 👊🧡👍
You can perfectly go full groove box on these though and directly import your stuff into your DAW. You can actually export your MPC projects as Ableton files.
@@drindy5166 Oh yeah that makes a lot of sense actually. Keep it going man! 💪
@@Drrolfski Yeah guess it really depends on your workflow, personally this defeats the simplistic nature of DAWless setups, but if I was an Ableton power user I could see this being a great tool for actually materializing your ideas. Again if it works, it works, and my opinion should bear no weight on what works for you.
No email or youtube distractions. Plus integrated controllers, pads etc. Different than a DAW. And i seem to remember years ago people wished for Ableton in a box etc, now they are complaining...sigh
Great video! covers all I need to know. Am sticking with my Live II.
I already own a MPC Live 2, and I had no intention to buy an MPC X, but this looks so perfect for my setup, that I decided to get one. I'm not sure if I should sell my MPC Live 2 now... There's some perks like the speakers and battery, but I have a feeling that it's not going to get much attention after I get the X.
I have a MPC One in retro. Whilst I'd love the X-SE, it essentially does the same thing as my One, but costs three times more.
Amen to your comments about the Q links. I have an MPC Key 61, and I’d be interested in buying a separate controller simply to have the 16 Q links knobs with the OLED display like the MPC X.
Force isn't so much about the 64-pad interface... it's about whether you want an Ableton style workflow (clips + scenes + arranger) or a pattern-based workflow (a.k.a. "sequences", as MPC calls them). I find this workflow difference far more impactful than any other differences between the siblings in Akai's product family. MPC's workflow largely revolves around looping patterns with track mutes and effects, while Force's workflow is more about free-form jamming or composing a song from beginning to end (or both).
Like, on MPC, the user generally builds a single pattern, complete with mixer levels and fx, until it's pretty much done... then maybe copy/pastes that pattern and alters the melody to create a variation or something. Build out the tracks, set the voicing and levels and fx, then at the end maybe copy it and try to work on the melody and note progressions.
On Force, the user generally lays down several sequential clips worth of a melody or chord progressions. Once that is long enough, go back to add other tracks... bass, drums, pads, etc. Mix and match clips while jamming, record good bits, then arrange them into a song. Around the end of that process, maybe fine-tune the voicing, adjust levels and fx, then render it to a .wav.
Basically, MPC is optimized for beat-making, while Force is optimized for song-writing.
I agree with you 100% and I meant that as well - I should have added two more words... ("64 pad clip launching style interface"). Subconsciously I guess the reason I didn't is that Akai could easily get over the clip-launching interface differentiation of Force with software on the screen. As is now evident from Force loading MPC projects, behind the scenes it's pretty much stored the same way, they just need to let us launch different clips from different sequences and bob's your uncle (maybe even give us a 4x4 view into the grid using the pads!)
@@loopop I hope they will merge the best of both into a single platform. MPC has slowly been getting some of Force's functions, but it is not enough yet. And Force could really use some of MPC's functions like rapid sampling to pads, one-click conversion of a sample to a keygroup, and the ability to change the tempo per scene.
@@ToyKeeper for sure that would be great
This was a great breakdown.
I actually had an Akai Force for about a week and didn't have any exposure to Ableton's session view. Once I found out where it came from (and that you can't change the global time out of 4/4 in Force) I got Ableton and a Push 2. I haven't found anything better than that method of making beats. I do need a standalone, though, and the Force is just too big and the time signature thing is a deal breaker unfortunately. I'm gonna try the SP404 MK2 out for a basic sketchpad.
I say this because, knowing your creative flow and finding the easiest way to continue that process, FOR HOW YOU WORK, is important. I have to be honest, MPC's workflow is the most annoying I've dealt with. I wanted to like it because I was an underground hip-hop fanatic but now I play keys... but I just do not enjoy their whole sequence/song mode setup.
I think the Akai Force is the closest thing to a useful clip/scene workflow, but Akai cuts corners with that. I really hope someone does this. It would be monumental.
I once asked you to edit your timeline to highlight the current part of the video. Thanks a lot for doing it. It’s the nth video where I see you did had the patience to do that.🙏🏻❤️
Hey, sorry but I don't think I did...? It's a good idea but would just take too long and now with the youtube timeline feature, I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
@@loopop 🤓funny, the bit corresponding to the current chapter looked bolder that the other. Maybe I just was lucky. Otherwise, just move a 20% translucent square on the layer below the menu and over the video when you reach a chapter. Love your work, man.🤗
Thanks yes - it’s not that I don’t know how to do it, it’s about doing it a way that I like visually and doesn’t take too much time
Try pressing the buttons under the encoder with your thumb!🙌😄 way more comfortable and you can go back and forth browsing your folders without touching your screen.
I don't know about you but I turn the encoder with my finger and thumb - it's much faster for me to just press down than move my thumb somewhere else. You can browse into folders that way too, but you're right about back though.
Yes, I also rotate the encoder with my thumb and index finger, but then my thumb easily falls on the control buttons below without removing my index finger from the encoder.
the only thing I wish my X had was 8 ins. there would be enough room, too. Scrap the XLRs and add symmetric Jacks. If people need, then they can use adapters. Also I think the biggest opportunity they've missed is to add more touch functions to buttons of the X. Also mouse support would be nice.
Mouse support 💯 should be easy and still nothing.. been requested!
Nice MPC rundown! No click encoder is crazy. That's the main workhorse on the Live to the point Im scared it'll wear out some day. Mic input with phantom power is a great win for the X also. I hope a Live 3 refresh would have xlr 1/4 combo jacks to facilitate mic + guitar direct recording.
I guess its more of a tradition. I have the MPC renaissance and it lokks 80% like the X and if you go way back to MPC 3000, 60 it still has some of it. I don’t mind it honestly and I love the look of it but adding click wouldn’t take away anything from the MPC original theme. Maybe the next generation.
Q-Links are really THE reason I'd like a MPC X instead of my MPC Live.
That new Special edition is very nice, but as many other people I feel like the price difference with the normal MPC X is not justified.
Do you know if the MPC XSE comes with all of the MPC Expansions?
the keyboard version does when i called Akai so you should ask them
I had no idea the X didn't have a push encoder. That is essential to my workflow. Thanks for the info.
I was shocked too…I use that all the time on the FORCE.
@@digitaldiezel5870 Me to. & the Force & the MPC's just got new os updates today!
I wish the Force had usable directional keys near the bottom of the control surface somehow.
@@inthefade Maybe on the Force XL. What's more doable on the current Force is to able to somehow use the arrow buttons on the top left.
Hi @loopop you seem well suited to do a performance comparison between the MPC X and the MPC X SE. There is a bunch of misinformation going around about the impact the 2GB ram update has on performance. It would be nice to actually know what difference the minor improvements make. For example are there noticeable differences in Plugin or Project load times, are you able to have "x" amount more FX plugins without any degradation to the system. I imagine a scenario where the system is maxed out for example; max track counts, plugins, samples, FX etc and compare when the OG X and X SE start to show performance issues.
Noted! I don't have an X but I'm guessing the One is the same, I might try that
The opening track is epic! ❤
Akai don't need to put out new products, they need to put out new software (updated, fixed UX, streamlined UI, more intuitive, etc)
THIIISSSS!!
Yeah, more audio editing tools, a better looper, being able to rearrange plugins without have to delete. To name a few…
All i want is the Force's arrangement view feature on my MPC Live
Please @akai
All of the machine are the same nothing different ask yourself who needs more Ram?
Thinking about this a bit more, at this price point the upgrades (2gb more ram, 32gb onboard memory) are an insult more than an upgrade. 4gb of ram has been on phones since 2015 with the LG Flex 2 - 8 years ago. a 64gb SSD is $15 retail - so a 32gb memory module is not a real expense. A the price they're selling these things, these upgrades are terrible and akai should feel bad about seeing this as an upgrade.
This is the least effort version of an upgrade.
I have a weakness for a Piano-roll view, lol, I like when I see what I'm doing, but I miss the rest of the Cubase DNA, like a linear Part View, instead of a Pattern View only. I usually use these views, it's a pity they won't think about us, linear sequencing guys, they could easily change the view. On the expensive new Roland Phantom series they implented these views nicely...
Great review as usual!
I am completely agree
Perhaps it’s worth looking at the Force….
I sold fantom 6 and bought the Force. Its in a different league. On the Force you really can produce a track like a daw
@@christianthompson1473
I could only judge by what I've seen on YT, I only have Cubase on the desktop and my synths, lol. I would have liked an Akai device with a Cubase-like environment, with Piano Roll and Track View. (Where I can move the Parts)
I have also a tablet (with Cub. 3)...but then they took away any kind of MIDI In-Out. (On Samsung A8, Andr. 12, no MIDI whatsoever.)
@Aetila That's not true - Cubasis, on both iOS and Android, supports MIDI In and Out. Roland is getting close to offering pattern and linear based hardware. A product that merged the features of both If the MC-707 and MV-1, along with time streatched audio, streaming from storage would do the trick. Also, Yamaha's high end Motifs and groove boxes could have had their features developed further.
Thanks for mentioning the confusing layout and function of qlinks in MPC One etc. I love the One, but this is exactly the reason I don't use qlinks as much, although they are a very powerful feature.
The "old" MPCX was my first AKAI - and the Q-links came "naturally" to me. In other words, they are a great addition to control my MIDI workflow.
Not that other solutions to control parameters are bad... Q-links are good if one forgets what a certain knob or switch is about - honestly....I know my hardware, so it is nothing but a convenient thing, to my taste.
AKAI: Improve the sampler functionality into one interface. Having a sampler, a sample editor, and a looper not being ONE THING is like a set of different instruments.... quite silly to my taste.
I know it is based on "old" AKAI routines - but, learning to make it better has not made things worse - if planed well, this is.
...addition: as mentioned in other comments, the jitter issue is horrible - funny part of it i, that one can hear if a production was made with an AKAI ;-)
often I thought to myself, why the hell is the beat drifting off and being catched up with the next sequence - the jitter became a "state of art"....
I believe there is also a Touch Strip FX plugin you can use just like the touch strip (which the touch strip uses/instantiates when using) if I'm not mistaken. You just control the strip on the screen.
It's a very limited effect similar to the XYFX - as opposed to the flexibility of the touch strip on Key 61 and Studio MK2. That said, you can double-tap almost any parameter and control it using the touch screen as a "touch strip"
@@loopop Thanks for this clarification.
I used to find that using Q links was a pain on the One but, after a couple beats I use them exactly as much as my MPC X. I got used to reaching out for the Q Link button and capacitive knobs with my pinky finger lol
Odd question - does the arrow keys or any of the buttons let you move notes in Grid View?
Not as far as I tried
Im a simple horse, when I see loopsoup I go to sauna.❤
Top review as usual loopop. I just was wondering when the hell will he finally review the MPC X cause the other Akai devices always seemed rather inferior to me but anyways, finally a review on this important device ;)
Pls send it to me after you've done reviewing it, Akai will never know I promise ;)
I wish Akai would release the 16 q-link part of the MPC X as a standalone Midicontroller.
I have an MPCX. It’s a very cool device and occasionally I get all excited about it and make some good music with it, but for the most part I find it cumbersome to use, especially compared to a DAW. Others are more suited to its workflow I guess.
It might be the sheer size - I have the Live II and love that I can take it out of my studio and sit on my couch with it for hours, no problem. I will say, the touchscreen sequencer isn't great on the platform.
I start to realize more and more that it’s impossible to replace a daw. I want a controller like this for my DAW though 😃☀️🎶
Thanks for the review l wish you would do one for the force.
I won't buy it right off the bat because opening day prices are for noobs. But, I will buy one some day. Already love my MPC One, would love the added real estate and the q link knobs with oled labels makes it one hell of a virtual synth.
Couldn't find it, what's the estimated price?
Always good content, nice review
15:09 yup that is a big keyboard. I use the MPC1. My MPCX Pros: Would love the extra encoders & bigger screen. Cons: Would miss not being able to click the big knob, the extra table space, & the extra cash I would have to spend.
Not enough of a difference to upgrade from my X. I wonder if they improved the quality of the Q-link knobs cuz they aren't always so responsive on the X.
Try buying new metallic knobs. I changed them out on my Live I and it works sooo much better now
This product is marketed for those who dont already have a MPC X, people with a different MPC or just midi controllers or those with old MPCs. This X literally looks exactly the same as the MPC Renaissance with the only visual difference being the screan.
Great stuff. And even more great that my mpc live ii with a beatstep pro and launch kontrol xl attached is still the best portable workstation money can buy . I am relieved
You need to rethink what portable means 😂
@@va941 lol true. Even live ii is on the brink of not being portable. But at least you can disconnect all peripherals and take it w you
@@MGoolas yeah, I knownwhat you mean, but still, I rather just Chuck a laptop in the go back and have Access to some real power...I mean, when it comes down to weight/size differences...but that new polyend tracker mini is looking mighty tempting....wish more companies would compete with the like of the op-1/field and m8 size devices.
I would pay a handsome fee for a separate, add-on q-link controller i could connect via USB to my Live 2.
Actually, i would prefer to just be able to midi map to a general q-link control scheme, but Akai locks that away in standalone (likely to drive sales to the X).
I just came back from vacations with the Live and I have to say it is not as portable as you think it is..
Also the screen is super reflective and hard to read outdoors.
But i always love the X , i might look for the black one now this is out...
And yes, the hardware is six years old now..
Most of those new and very well done plugins will max out this thing in 4-5 tracks...
that IS a problem as some of use make music with instruments and not samples.
I'd love to se an updated main board, but that is wishful thinking.
That also is the reasoe the encoder does not click...
The PCBs are made and will not change
Good review. It should be pointed out that *you can customize your Qlinks*! So even if your MPC has just 4 Qlink knobs they can be assigned to what you want: start sample point, end sample point, attack, filter cutoff, etc... You only have 2 hands so having 16 vs 4 doesn't mean much when you can have your top 4 most used readily available. Even without that, I don't mind taking an extra 5 seconds to switch banks. Once you know what each bank has it's not hard to remember with daily use. ✌️
Thanks, but I do say and show that you can customize the Q-links to control various parameters (all the knobs I turn in the intro/outro are custom mapped), however, to my knowledge you can't have them control sample start, end and zoom on the same Q-link bank for use when editing samples. How do you do that?
@@loopop I never said you could put sample start, end and zoom on the same Qlink bank. I was talking about things like this video shows: th-cam.com/video/9UQUCsZq4gg/w-d-xo.html
I've never used Qlinks for zooming. The only time I ever zoom is in grid mode with my fingers but everyone is going to use their gear a little differently.
Damn, this makes me want the live ii. Have the studio and that's more than enough for me at home. The X would be amazing but I couldn't justify the price. I'd get the keys instead of not the live ii
The MPC one also seems like the one to get if you don't have anything else. The standalone aspect is neat. But I like using my computer so the studio was good enough for me
The live 2 with the Mpk mini plus is a nice combination. I have a project studio setup, but sometimes just feel like getting creative in a different room. While the speakers have their limitations, they are definitely good enough to work out an idea, or to just get a break from headphones, and not have to worry about external speakers.
still good with my 3000. guess i'm old.
Great to see an MPC... any MPC, being used for something other than yhe usual hiphop.
I love my MPC Live 2, but the 1010Music BlackBox is so portable that I use it on most of my gigs. Im triggering percussion and one man band melodics so I just plug a BopPad into the USB input on the BlackBox and Im set to go. The MPC has 4 alternating sounds per pad, the BBox allows you to slice up a loop and and trigger 128 events in a row.
I have drooled over the BlackBox for sometime. Hearing you are having success in live sets is a great vote of confidence. I spent a lot of time trying to work the MPC Live II into my workflow and there is always one or two things that are basic to most devices where the MPC misses the mark for me. The MPC Live is pretty, well built, but for me, impossible to use.
Nice setup 🔥💯
Great review always! I’ll stick with my MPC One!
MPC one is an amazing value for sure!
It’s an X. The extra RAM is meh, the extra storage is unnecessary, and throwing in all the sounds feels like desperation to entice because there is nothing of substance here. Huge misstep to celebrate 35 years. Really odd decisions going on at Akai.
Very nice !
The new FW 3.0 has me intersted in the MPC X SE for sure
I love my MPC Live. NEVER needed a reason to get the live II. It's really annoying that Akai needs to scatter their features throughout their products. The keys seems to be a waste due to lack of features on everything else (just show boating their mediocre plugins). Boiling it down to price, I think the MPC Live is still king. The used market has them as much if not cheaper then the ONE. Would have loved all the connectivity and 10" screen on the force.
About time Loopey!
See here's what's great about these videos. I've a force and a Live 2. It's hard to keep up with all the updates. I never realised until after this vid I could import the Live 2 projects into the Force now. That's a lightbulb moment!
The MPC and the Live together will be phenomenal. I can now take my projects and apply all the live performance features of the Force. Honestly you should do a video of this. This is a total game changer!
Also you mentioned only 8 outs but you just attach the MPC to any USB class compliant device - XR18 etc - and can have as many outs as you want!
The only thing you don't mention about the MPC is the steep learning curve to maximise all the features. 3 years and I'm still learning! 😂
Happy to help. Beware some MPC track configurations may cause Force to crash. Steep, learning curve indeed, I’m still learning too.
I was wondering when they were going to put out an updated version of the X. Looks really cool, and if I was getting into this right now, I'd be tempted to go that route as the 'brain' of my home studio. As it is, I'm happy with my Live 2.
Looks exactly like the MPC Renaissance with that coloure screan.
Will there be a black one with 4GB RAM? That grey is a huge miss for me.
The main encoder not having push is a real head scratcher.
Moving from the One to the X and I found not having the click able encoder a pain.
Hmm... I was hoping we'd see audio streaming from storage like Force.
As owner of the Akai MPC X and the original Live(Thanks to your videos), still have both, the issue I found which I don't think is fixed in this edition are the audio converters, sending audio on 8 outs on MPC X or 6 on Live, just does not sound good(there is a difference on the output 3 and onwards), it would be great, when you have time down the line for you to really check it out, and as you said using the USB audio in standalone mode with another converter does introduce pops and clicks, its a shame because as you said the workflow is great, the Q links on X and SE are very important and midi sequencing with X and SE is tight, probably tighter on SE with a faster processor. Maybe you can mention that privately to them. Love all your videos and your comparisons are incredible.
pops and clicks in the interface kind of depends on the company, but i also believe the latest 2.11.8 fw update smoothed out some issues. I was getting intermittent digital distortion on the Tascam Model 12 and a focusrite interface i tried was nearly unusable due to constant click, but that was before the firmware upgrade that specifically was supposed to address external usb interfaces.
I've been virtually problem free using an older RME Babyface Pro in class compliant mode though - to the extent that i probably won't buy an interface that's not RME for my MPC Live 2 moving forward (have my sights set on a UCX). It also seems lower latency using the RME card than even the internal MPC card.
@@terencetso1025 RME has the lowest latency, I use the AES stuff for the big studio from them, and for a small rig I use UCX II, its is pretty good, and Babyface is awesome as well, but it is unacceptable that we are paying $2200+ and still have to find a converter that addresses the needs of proper conversion. One other aspect that most people dont realize, is that, once you connect another converter to the MPC your sounds are not native , the reason RME is top notch in latency and conversion, is because they write their own specific driver, that is the biggest and single most important thing that sets them apart. Class Compliant is just the baseline and also lot of people dont print audio into the DAW, they work Dawless and committing to 8 audio out from MPC never mixes well with other pro gear, I have tried it out for 2 years, The X is basically a really really good sequencer and the workflow is great. They should have made the anniversary issue thicker box, with option to swap out the converter, put a nice analog filter or give us the option to upgrade.
Very informative and to the point.
Not sure why but everyone seems to ignore the fact that the MPC X is a direct design copy of the MPC Renaissance, same size, same knobs, slidders, buttons, the only visual difference is the screan.
Renaissance dont have the q link displays!
Thats what I've been saying
No Coax Digital I/O is an upset for another Flagship Akai MPC.... I'm glad I bought that 2nd MPC Ren & it should be compatible with 3.0 when it drops...🥳🤩🥳 Great Job Akai, do you think you can add a updated version for the Digital Patchbay Mastering Recording Studios? We would really appreciate it...🙏🏼😇🙏🏼 #GreatVidBro...🎥🎬🎥
The MPC X physical designe is directly taken from the MPC Renaissance and with this new colour scheme they look almost identical.
They DO have multitrack over USB so thatll get it into your daw
@@909Thumper909 More Mastering Studio's own Digital Patchbays also we Sample In Digital to repeat the hooks on songs easier, especially if a DJ (Over Lap) scratches at the end of a hook... Take a trip down History lane & find out when the Coax Digital I/O disappeared from the Flagship MPC's. MPC X is the 1st Flagship MPC in all these yrs to not have Digital In's or Out's... Believe me your already paying for it to be there & it's just not...🤬🤯🤬
I feel like the mpc x could be upgraded to include the extra memory. if anyone does a breakdown comparison of the internals lmk.....
As an MPC user I am feeling free to disagree with you below, as you invited me to do.
I get a lot of use out of the q-links. I'm aware that an MPC is a DAW in a box, but I find the tactile controls and resulting muscle memory to be really beneficial. As you observed, it takes a bit of getting used to understanding what the q-links do in different sections, but I've become very fast at navigating critical functions. I wonder if it's case of needing more dedicated time - you obviously need to work with many different pieces of hardware, whereas the MPC is my only sampler (until tomorrow morning when I'm planning to go pick up an SP 404 mk2 😂).
But yes, the expanded q-link section on the X is the only feature that would actually tempt me - looks powerful.
What's the benefit to using this over Ableton Live on a small laptop? With the screen it basically it looks like a DAW anyway.
A laptop doesn't have a dedicated music-making control layout nor the IO that this does. Ableton Live (my favorite DAW) is more complex but more powerful than the MPC. Indeed MPC OS is a simplified form of DAW
@@loopop Thank you for the response.
@@loopop Actually it does if you make your laptop a dedicated device for music production and set it up to use the shortcut keys. My laptop is only for music production and file management of music production projects.
Correct the MPC software is a DAW, the major difference between a MPC and a Laptop is that most peoples laptop is not just used for music production VS the MPC which is a dedicated music device. However My music production laptop is only used for music production and with a MPK midi keyboard or MPD or MPC studio 2 it has identical functions to a MPC.
@@HOLLASOUNDS It's pretty different in practice though isn't it. A laptop is a laptop, yknow
This is nice!
Such a beautiful machine. I've watched a few videos and it's obvious this isn't a money grab for funds and it's actually worth considering or at least purchasing considering I still have my Maschine mk3 from 2018 lol. I'm just a tad bit concerned about the learning curve but I'm sure the workflow is WAY better than Maschine.
Idk, most of this came be done on the OG X, like he said, especially if you don't use a lot of samples & or the plugins.
@@Noise-Conductor yeah that true but for $200 more that increase in RAM and strorage alone is worth it. I make a lot of beats. I’ve gotten to the point where I try not to save them.
@@almightyyotto You save to the internal built in hd?
@@Noise-Conductor I usually don’t. But if I was away from my computer then I would
@Almightyy Otto why not install a SSD or keep SD in the front? You're not really supposed to save to Internal sd.
Will wait for the Force 2
Finally out, looks cool, especially for those who would like (or prefer) the option to be running DAW-less. You mention that adding an interface adds latency, is that latency manageable? I wonder these devices play together with other devices that are also USB class compliant (like a MODX or Roland J-6).
This is a DAW. You just don't have the niceties of the computer OS around it.
The MPX X software is a DAW (Digital) and the Hardware part is a PAW (Physical) however the physical aspect of the device can not function independently from the software. There for any device like this are not DAWless.
@@naturarum The software on the device is a DAW.
Does anyone know what hardware this is running on? Arm CPU or intel/amd? Probably Arm, right? Not that it makes a real difference to the user but I'm curious.
I believe it’s a Rockchip RK3288 compute module just like the rest of InMusic’s Akai and Denon DJ hardware. There definitely needs to be more teardown and documentation of these designs. Seems like these are actually Android apps running on this embedded ARM computing platforms, just like with Rigol’s digital oscilloscopes.
What a missed opportunity
Still missing the two basic and easy to implement changes that would make such a huge difference to workflow - i) being able to fold the piano roll so it only shows a chosen key and ii) being able to reorder the FX chain. In the hope that Akai read the comments, seriously, why haven't they done this yet?
While you're at it, sort out the sequencer as well. It's terrible and there's just no need for it to be.
I love the MPC hardware. I hate how I can't seem to get it to sync clock to any other devices or sync devices to its clock and control. I had troubles with the MPC One and the MPC Live II (which I currently own and sits on my shelf). The MPC2 software is not very good in my opinion. The hardware is well built but the pads tend to be unresponsive and have a tendency to hit twice. The software is overly complicated for simple tasks. My Verselab MV-1 on the hardware side is worse in every way. To many menus, plastic but solid body, and it feels kind of cheap for its $1000+ price tag. But, the drivers work great for USB audio, it easily sinks to external clock and external control, and the sounds it makes are just premium to me. Yes, I did invest in the Roland cloud that greatly improved the sound choices. The Verselab MV-1 is the one my desk being used. Akai should stop adding features and work on streamlining their workflow and making basic tasks simpler.
Yes the pads hit twice even when adjusting velocities and yes the software is hella unintuitive
They need more modulation and tools for mangling and sound design. A little DSI and elektron spice added. I would buy one in a heart beat.
Thank goodness, I just bought the Mini D and Flavor Pro a few weeks ago for my Live then I heard they came with the SE and it felt like a waste. Just gotta transfer them to the SE now!
Loopop going to be changing his name to MPC Daddy with all those MPCs at his house, I mean MPC museum.
Please don't say MPC Daddy
SUPER DUPER PLATFORM !!! FOR STARTER ARTIST. JUST CONNECT SPEAKERS AND YOU ARE GOOD TO GO, SIR.- BEST REGARDS TO ALL!!!
Is that a starter piece of equipment?
@@kensmechanicalaffair YES MR. PRESIDENT. THE ART OF POLITICS . IS THE BEST FOR A STARTER. IN ANY KIND OF MUSIC.-
@@johnmax5652 WORD
Love My Live 2 Retro, this looks good though
you really need the extra ram to make the most of those plugins. its a bit chonky for my setup though and kind of expensive if u have the One and already bought the plugins.
Sorry this is related to the MPC video. But you did a video on a micro synth that was in a mall wooden box and I for the life of me cannot find the video! Do you remember the name of the synth??
Gecko Loopsynth?
@@loopop YES!!! That’s it! Thanks for taking the time to help me!
I've been in software-development and IT for over 3 decades. I recently switched to MPC standalone to get away from the PC and be more focused on making music. It's really fun but I was not prepared for the avalanche of issues and bugs comming over me bringing 10000x more distraction and frustration than working on a PC. going back to Elektron boxes exactelly right now. 😢
I was thinking about upgrading to the X from the Key61 but nothing will change concerning the bugs I guess
Haha 🤣 now that I know the long press on the Q-link button maybe I'll use it more...
It really looks like Akai is wanting to finish what it started years ago.
This would be the brains for many, and it looks like the workflow is really good.
Great upload, thx Loop.
Lol? It's just an mpc x with a a lil more RAM. Nothing was finished it started here.
@@atetraxx Lol? you must be hard f reading, I said *wanting* , I never stated anything about it being *finished*
This video is such a help for me to navigate which one i need. i will use my Arturia Keylab with it (your demo helped me immensely there also).... so when you say you can get halfway there by using an additional MIDI controller with the Cheaper MPCs, could i simply map the controls that the MPC X has over the MPCLive onto my Artuia MIDI keyboard? like i could with the MC 707 (also bought because of your demo :) )
Thanks! You can't currently map the Q-links to MIDI controllers when you're in standalone mode. You can map the Q-links if you're using the MPC software, and you can map parameters directly using the standalone.
@@loopop thanks so much for that info and all your videos
Hi Loopop, can you give us a short note about a very much wanted improvement: The late MPCX can only stream/record around 5 minutes of live sample in an Audio program. It samples into the RAM of the MPCX, as hard disk streaming is not possible (why-ever this is...). So key question: has the live recording just improved from 5 mins to 10 mins, or do we have hard disk recording and can we record as long as we like....? Thanks in advance
Buying used is always a good option with music gear
I like the Black color better, I hope they come out with the Special Edition in Black.
The color is what makes it the Special Edition. It will be available in this color for a limited time. I guess it will revert to black afterwards and get a MkII designation or something similar.
@@oblitafier I hope so, thanks !
Is 3.0 coming soon?
You can imagine it is right around the corner. Beware of initial bugs though. Last update... I definitely did not jump on it right away and thankful I did not. 👊🧡👍
Would you possibly do a deep dive on the Tascam Model 12? Specifically with one of these MPCs.
LOVE my MPC One! It would be nice to have the extra qlinks though...
And if you want this form factor without the plugin the Renaissance still works as a controller, plus no touch screen to smudge!
They literally look identical with the colour scheme. Your correct if your using either device as a midi controller only then they are functionality is very similar.
Great review! The big encoder not being a push encoder is such a weird decision by Akai, especially on something as expensive as this that people buy for "better workflow".
yep that was a weird thing I noticed after buying the MPC X. It is fantastic not to have to use touch screen so much I think...
Does the original MPC X have a quad core ARM processor? The MPC X SE does. I will be upgrading from the MPC ONE to the MPC X SE. I have loved the MPC ONE. I am very excited about this upgrade.
I’m not sure if all MPC’s in the range support the ability to add an extra internal SSD but that was key to me buying Live II & Force.
MPC One doesn't support that