Agree with your approach to the learning curve: just start having fun with it! But then, it is also good to understand that when you inevitably run into something that *should* work like that, but doesn’t, don’t blame it on yourself or spend too much time on it. Some things just don’t work for whatever reason. Like recording track mutes on audio tracks, via the pads. Which would make it so easy to build songs from sequences, but it doesn’t work. Weirdly.
quick question - I'm llooking to get one of these - what I'd like to know is - is there the option to change the MPC's pitch center to 432Hz or 436Hz for example, instead of the standard A-440Hz ... so that drums and synths are adjusted accordingly?
11:37 - Yes you can cut and highlight “that middle piece” hit edit in the top right corner and you will see a menu item to Export as Audio or Wav. You can then load that file to the Load Pool and use it anywhere (drum track, sampler, or audio track). This is what happened when I tried it on the Force. PS use the scissor tool to cut out the section first, that allows you to select it on its own.
It makes smile when I hear others talk about the limitations of new gear. The old Akai S-series samplers and MPC’s were far more limited than the MPC One. For some reason, I have never been able to have fun and make my best tracks with a DAW. Too many options and nice graphics to distract you. Now that hardware has made a return and is far more capable and powerful than it was 25 years ago, the fun has return and my tracks are have improved a lot. What I have learnt is: it is not about having the best of everything, it is about making the best of what you’ve got. Just focus on your music.
They have improved a lot, but new comers look at it as a piece of 2020 era tech, and they know that technology right now is at a point where they could have done a lot more with it. (Not just AKAI is fallng short on this, everybody is) You could start seeing controller power music computer machines happen, just basically a computer specialized for musicians/producers. A merge between hardware and software and good design could create something like the perfect machine. Ease of use, range of things you can do. Someone could make a mixer recorder sampler DM synth VST, all in one box and have everything you need from all of them similar to DAWs except without having to access everything by mouse click, and feel 100% virtual. The main differences between them all would be something like the amount of menu diving you want. Maybe make it modular like eurorack / guitar pedals. Assemble your own studio machine. You have that now essentially by just buying different gear, but it's not portable. And the technology is there now, this can be done now, they're just not seeing the market for it.
@@SaumBodhi Manufacturers don't take full advantage of technology. They can put more power to this or Live II OR THE maschine+ or bigger screen on Studio II but they choose not. Its the same deal in the Car entertainment all crappy cpus and screens until very recently. Same goes for TVs weak cpus and small rams. Alot of different business doing this eventhough hardware is way cheaper and advanced now but its changing. People complain because a 5 years old phone can be faster than these device that has only ONE purpose. MAKE MUSIC.
For the first 12 months of owning mine, I switched it on maybe three times, I just couldn't be arsed with the learning curve. Then over the Xmas holidays, I gave it another go and it finally clicked. I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do but I absolutely love it. It's my hardware sequencing hub.
If I'm not mistaken. If you want to edit audio track samples. You can go into the "sample edit" and do your slicing and assiging or extraction there. Instead of trying to do so in the audio tab.
Regarding knob assignments: I just figured out that the program mode for q-links is tied to the “program”, not the synth preset. If you save a Hype preset with custom q-link program mapping for instance, then open a new project, create a hype track and pull up your preset, the mapping is gone. If however you save the Hype preset you’ve created as a program it will save the mappings. You have to remember to load the Mapped Program which does not exist in the synths preset list. Basically you load it like you would any other program (drum or key group) in the file browser. Once loaded though, the Mapped Program will stay mapped even if you change the synth preset (but not the synth type). I’ve created Mapped Programs for all the internal synths, and I load that “shell” Mapped Program, then start preset browsing and all my favorite q-link mappings remain. Took me almost a year to realize this was how it worked. Good luck all.
Don't sleep on the expansions! I've mostly focused on plugins until recently. Once you start digging through the expansions you'll realize how powerful the standalone MPC really is. The F9 expansion has a ton of great instruments to choose from.
Agree, i was impressed with one Volca bass sound and i was quiet sure that i need to buy the hardware and all of the sudden in F9 i've founded 100 x times better bass and along with the new plug ins no need to be equip maniac...
Fantastic video. I am six months into owning mine. The updates provided by Akai have been amazing and I hope they take your advice on audio tracks, it would truly make this device special. I have a Korg Electribe 2 and a 1010 BItBox and have to say working with samples is so much easier on the MPC One. Thanks for doing all your videos. I continue to learn a lot and get inspired by them.
I've had mine for a year now, and I've learned a great deal of tips and tricks from this channel. I still love it, and though it isn't perfect, I really enjoy being away from the computer to be creative at times. It helps so much, and the limitations stretch the ol' imagination. Cheers to you and '22!
Long term Deluge user here. But when an MPC ONE was offered to me for £350, in near mint condition, I couldn't turn it down. Now I have it, and just updated to latest firmware, and...I'm overwhelmed! Haha! Very different workflow to the immensely intuitive Deluge, but I get very excited whenever I see it in my room because I know there's so much this box can offer. When I've figured it out, I'll pair it with the Deluge. Boom.
You can record beyond the sequence length by making the sequence non-looping. It does mean that you have to set all of your tracks to a set number of bars or they won't loop, though, which might be a PITA if you have a lot of tracks going already.
I had my Retro for about a month now and the learning curve is a little steep compared other units. But I have it as my hub in my setup. The way it automatically recognizes synths in the USB hub is great and time saver. I'm still learning the ins and outs, it's a very deep unit. I was hesitant but glad I got it.
FYI...On the computer software, there is an export button in the corner on the audio page. Click it and it'll turn red and you can drag it to sample pool. For cutting clips/slices, just slide it another track and click export button.
As far as i know after i record any audio, if you look in the sample pool the audio is there and can be edited like any other sample. Just assign it to your pad. Or you can even chop it and make it a new program. Its great for sampling old records and things like that. 👍
Teft, when I got the Mpc One, it was tough going, but now it's pretty much miscle memory. One thing on my wishlist is for akai to make copy and pasting certain things (like automation and sequence names) easier Another is letting me create patchbank names for the various hardware pieces i own.
I had the One but switched to the Akai Force. And I love it. Especially these litte features like the Splice Auto-Sync over Wifi. i's so easy: mark a file 4 download in Splice, in the Force check the Splice sync 4 updates and it just syncs/downloads your new content.
Thanks for this video! Totally agree, really like you point on lenght issues. I think MPC's main advantages are the system with ~unlimited MIDI tracks, and sampling like in a daw, not the plugins and sounds on it - but they're very useful too for this money.
What bothers me the most about audio tracks is that you can't record beyond the sequence length. This rules out recording sequences with a reverb tail unless you manually extend the length of the sequence, record the audio and then bounce it into a pad program.
I agree though I’ve found the best way to overcome this is to have a long sequence length to begin with and only reduce down once the section is complete. Doesn’t work all the time though.
@@peterjessop1878 Yeah, that's what I wrote, start with a longer sequence then shorten it. However, it won't play the tail beyond the sequence length after you shorten the sequence again, the only way to make it ring out is to move it to a pad and play it as a one shot sample.
@@matthewgaines10 not sure how relevant it is whether one can live with it or not, the point is that it's not a well-thought-out interface for musicians. There are plenty of workarounds, luckily.
This was my first Akai mpc too. I'm not very technically minded but have managed to build some nice grooves on the mpc one. The 2.10 upgrade was exceptional. I like the new plug-ins & the FX are great too. As a standalone piece of kit, it's been my best buy so far at £450. I got it before the later updates. It's not often you see the price drastically increase so much on a relatively new device. I'm absolutely hooked anyhow. I rarely use anything else. It's DEEP.
Hi Thanks for the update. I'm only two months in with my ONE and really I'm happy I jumped on board with my 1st MPC. I have a lot to learn but I love taking a load of my beatstep volca etc etc recordings with me so I can mess with them when I'm working away. I love having one box instead of laptop/interface/controller setup.... Now I save DAW stuff for the studio and I make noise so much more often especially when I'm away. No wifi doesnt bother me but I would like an instrument level input and an XLR with phantom power. I am definitely on board with MPC's for the long haul. I would buy a live in the future if the next model has more audio tracks, more power and more buttons.... I love the extra buttons of the ONE.
Thank you for another great video, I really appreciate all your content on TH-cam! Have you ever had a look at the Akai Force? I myself own a MPC One and many of the issues you describe (besides the MPC One being an awesome platform) have been solved for me with the Akai Force, especially the Audio handling does not seem so separated from the rest in my opinion. It also handles more in an Ableton Live way in standalone mode, which is much more intuitive for me. Additionally, when you prefer to use Live as a DAW, the Force acts as a great controller for it. Finally, you get a second pair of stereo outs on this platform. Please keep producing such great content! Best, Michael
I rarely use the audio features, but then I too also use a DAW, very recently Logic. The MPC One is used with external synths and internal drums and some of the patches. Then like you I export it to the DAW that is where I add the vocals or guitar etc. Recently I have been eyeing the Roland SP-404 MkII it has 16 minute sampling and a host of effects and controls for looping and manipulating audio live . The idea here is to be able to take the stuff I create in my studio and use it live by not just pressing "play" but rather interacting with it. It also has a small form factor, and can be powered by battery, usb-c or included power adapter.
This helped me. Suppose audio tracks didn’t exist. Couldn’t you just record any audio as a sample and get around the durations limits and track count limits? I don’t own an MPC but I have a 1010Music Blackbox and that’s how you do audio “tracks.” Thanks in advance to anyone here who can shed light on this.
For audio clips, save them as a *.wav file in the mpc, then, load the sample just like you would any other sample. For your example with having a track longer than a sequence, this is a fundamental misunderstanding of what a sequence / track is. A sequence is a section of your song, think of it like a verse, chorus, bridge, intro, outro, etc. It contains all tracks and programs that section of your song contains. A track is a subset of your sequence, it contains the raw midi data of one instrument for that sequence, but it does NOT contain any audio. A track has for example, every note, the velocities, the modulation settings, etc for every note for one instrument. Finally, a program is literally the instrument that plays the notes for your track. Understand, the differentiation between a track and a program is similar to sheet music and an instrument. A track is the sheet music, the program is the instrument playing the notes. Just like with sheet music, you can write the notes and hand the sheet music to a clarinet player and a flute player and have them play the same thing, on two different instruments, such is the flexibility of the track and program design. If it helps to understand this more explicitly, a track is a MIDI file, a program is the virtual instrument that will play that MIDI file. You can write all the notes into a track, but until you assign a program, the notes cannot be heard (you have to have an instrument to play the notes, just like with sheet music, if I handed you sheet music and said play this without you having an instrument (including your voice), it would be impossible) This means that with a track, you can write a melody and have in one sequence, a flute play that melody, and in another section, a synth instrument play the same melody, without having to rewrite the midi data, all you have to do is simply write the melody into a track, assign an instrument to that melody, then copy the sequence to a new sequence, and change the program in the new sequence to a different instrument. It makes no sense to have a track longer than a sequence, since in the Akai universe, a track is a subset of that sequence. In other words, if my intro is 8 bars long, why on Earth would I have a track in that same sequence that is 16 bars long? You mentioned an example where you wanted to have a track that was 16 bars with a sequence that was 64 bars long. Just time stretch the sample, or, trigger the 16 bar track 4 times every 16 bars. It would make no sense to have a violin that has a 16 bar bit to play that has to be extended for 64 bars, in music terms, you would simply use a repeat to replay that bit 4 times. I have never heard anyone actually explain adequately the difference between a program and a track in the akai universe, and frankly, much of the confusion would be cleared up simply by changing program to instrument program.
great video, I got an MPC One a few weeks ago and love it so far. I'd pay the price of the Live 2 for an Mk2 with a battery + BT + Wifi + an m.2 slot + 48v XLR. I know it'll never happen, but this with just a built in battery I'd gladly pay $150 more. The Live's a little too big for me and I don't care about the speaker. Since I updated to 2.10 as soon as I plugged it in, I don't have any time with how much less this was when it released. I know they added a ton of new features since it was released. I hope Akai keeps bringing new stuff.
The force didn't have midi mapping until last update (after mpc update) with that came the bug fix that q links or in my case a novation xl are saved properly. So expect it hopefully on next update.
Do you think it can realistically replace the DAW plus comprehensive MIDI controllers like AKAI APC and MIdimix or MPC Touch? I am a hardware guy when it comes to melody synths, but for drums/samplers I have somehow done a total 180 when I realized the raw power of a DAW and just how easy it is to immediately load samples I find online and begin working with them. Not to mention a huge 27 inch touchscreen making arranging and altering samples a breeze. I thought about this a lot and my impression still remains that in order to create a hardware-based groovebox/drum machine which could truly compete with DAW plus MIDI controllers you need 1. Large, preferably touch sensitive screen, at least 14 inch. 2. Internet connection and ability to browse online videos and audio channels like Spotify/Soundcloud 3. Large memory storage, preferably at least 512 Gb. 4. An intuitive interface that is as easy to operate as a DAW. 5. Ability to have your samples output in stereo not just mono.
I totally get that same feeling where audio and midi are separated in a way that’s not …. well, audio doesn’t feel seamlessly integrated with midi and the midi clock. Akai Professional released some monster guitar looping devices recently that make me think they are embarking on a different generation of audio implementation, but I could be wrong. I’m a drumming guitar player that started to see the writing on the wall many years ago with sampling - I bought my retro version directly from AKAI for $699 in December of 2022 and don’t plan on looking back.
Did you look into an Akai Force maybe? Because it has some of the features you are missing like length per clip/track and audio is not separate from the others.
Definitely looked into it. I’ve held off from picking one up because I feel like Akai is working a new “Force” at some point. Also I feel like those limitations could easily be firmware patches for the MPC in the near future. (I could be completely wrong on this 🤣)
@@TeftyMeems I have some of the same gripes as you have with my MPC X and tried the Force for that reason. But even though I was an Ableton fan for years and instantly know how to use the force and kind of liked it I still sent it back. I am used so much to the more focused way the MPC-way works for me after 3 years of using the X. Also even though I only use the Akai Software sometimes and there are so many features missing when I used the Force I instantly missed the ease of use the SW brings when I want to do a mixdown for example. No exporting, fiddling, out-of-sync-midi-hassle. Just opening the SW, X into controller mode, loading the project and I am golden. I am even getting an MPC One to accompany my X to have something to take on trips that is small enough, lol. I too hope they bring a new Force or a new X soonish. Maybe a Force with 100% native Ableton integration? (I seriously think the Ableton integration of the Akai's is unusable) or at least with more I/O. Or maybe a new MPC with more power. Or an MPC update where they give more love to the arranger.
The MPC one is the one to get , I don’t need an internal battery that’s going to die one day, I don’t need a speaker system that’s going to sound like shit after a few years of bass running through it , the MPC one is the telecaster of the MPC line , it’s a work horse , it’s not a hipster machine that you take to a coffee shop in the hope that that someone asks you what it is , it’s a machine made for musicians
i think the audio section is kind of intended as some mastering environment, an area to take your work from midi mode and just get some of the extended engineering possibilities and in that style. a finalizer ofsortrs, it is certainly ill conceived when everything is audio bar the external and internal midi sources. bouncing down to audio is an aspect that is under used, under advised and well that is why the audio section exists in its redundancy, the tech got so good we don't need to bounce down for performance or production. i say get rid of it and extend clip functionality into the DJ territory fully.
I’m having a problem with it. I try to record on it but it doesn’t record like the way I touch the pads. The sensitivity is all the way up and still nothing
All recorded audio tracks are also listed in your project samples. If you want to use audio tracks to jam and come up with ideas you may later chop them up using sample edit like any other sample
Yup, but they’re not aligned to the tempo grid in the sample editor. You can chop by perfect subdivisions, as long as you know the sample is exactly 16/32 etc bars. It’d be significantly easier to make loops if you could directly extract from the audio track window imo.
@@TeftyMeems Yeah I guess if you don’t have your audio tracks sequenced and synced to your tempo (e.g when recording your jam playing live on a keyboard) then aligning the selected chops in midi with the rest of your track might be a pain and take way too much time. I agree the audio tracks should be improved and made an integral part of the workflow
Hopefully Akai is watching this video. Audio capabilities are very limited and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Definitely can use a revamped version for audio. Thanks for pointing that out
The MPCX has the outputs. I think you can also use another Audio Interface and get more outputs, at least I can with the Force so if it’s not on MPC it will be there soon.
Awesome I love update videos. I bought an mpc. I love it. Im at the stage between digi and octatrack and mpc, and now wanting to sell my octatrack. I think mpc is much more fun. The fact you can just plug up a turntable was a win for me. U cant really do that on octatrack.
Pls I need help !!! I just got a mpc one n I want to take my sounds from omni can’t I just record the wave in key of c then transfer the file to a card then use it on my mpc n midi ?
I would like a phono stereo in.At the moment i would have to do a workaround the line in for sampling vinyl Its one of the few things i would change or add.I am still getting my head around all of the funtions but i think sampling and beatmaking will be my main use for this device and then anything i make will then get moved to Serato Studio for further work
Any idea on how to listen to the metronome only on headphones??? Im planning my lives and it sucks that metronome is always on the speakers i have to be turn on/off all the time :(
Good constructive critique. They all sounded like valid points. I'm still slowly climbing that curve you mentioned. Playing about with the cv to my Neutron, lately. USB audio interfaces have been driving me crazy..which one? and then I order it only to have the first order cancelled, and then told by the second retailer that they are out of stock until April. Still glad though that I got it when I did.
The MPC One is currently the gold standard for what a groovebox can be. It puts everything else at or below its price range to shame. For Akai's next step forward though, what I'd really like to see is a smaller, battery-powered Akai Force. It keeps almost everything good about the MPC, while expanding on it and offering a much nicer workflow. Most of the downsides you mentioned about MPC are already fixed on the Force. Edit: Wait, MPC has a limit on audio clip length? I had no idea. I thought that part of it worked the same as a Force, which I've used to record an entire side of a tape into a single clip, while digitizing old media. Usually though, I punch in a new clip between songs or between phrases, to basically lazy-chop during recording. Anyway, if you like Ableton but also like hardware, it's basically Ableton Lite in a box. It largely eliminates the need move songs to a computer to finish them.
Once you understand it, it’s a great machine , way to many options with a DAW limitations create great music , I only record my live sessions into garage band to add compression and EQ , it sounds great before i do that , I just do it for extra polish
Thanks Tefty I love your laid back and honest view on things. I’m still quite new I’m a jd but I’ve enjoyed all your one also live videos, do wish I got the live still find the workflow weird
Great video! My biggest gripe with the MPC was the fact that everything had to be the same amount of bars. It seems like a huge oversight that there was no immediate option to mitigate this. On a separate note, I really enjoy the way you present videos. Although I don’t doubt you’ve put some sort of scripting in place, your videos always seem to flow freely and feel less ‘regimented’. More like a conversation than an actual script. It also helps that your laugh kind of reminds me of Dr Hibbert a little 😉 Keep up the great content!
New viewer, Big fan of the channel! Really enjoy the hardware and mpc content! I’m a new mpc user, you’ve helped my understanding greatly! I have used both ableton live and bitwig since they were each originally released. I highly recommend bitwig! Your knowledge of synthesis will make bitwig very powerful for you, bitwig feels like a big modular synth! The modulators!!!!!! Cv for hardware!! Voice stacking, per voice modulation! The mod matrix in general! and .als import compatibility! Very little learning curve if coming from live, a very similar workflow paradigm!
Nice review but I'm not sure if I understand your 5 min limit audio recording issue. I have no problem recording 999 bars of audio on my MPC Live 2, which is (at 120 bpm) more than the 20 min recording that the Sampler function allows. And I assume that the MPC One and MPC Live 2 are similar in this regard.
@@TeftyMeems Forget my remark. I double-checked it. It keeps recording up to 999 bars (and then switches to the next sequence) but the audio stops at 5 min. Which is a weird software limitation that I assume has to do with keeping the performance reasonable. So I think they will only stretch that limit with new upcoming MPC hardware.
as being an amateur person in my apartament room trying to learn keyboards (have several synths like Roland JDXA, Fa06, Yamaha Modx, B.Model-D, Streichfett), lately, i just got an Mpc One, and trying to learn how to combine them via MPC dawless maestro, do you have any advice or recommended video or document to do it, you already passed this path, all the stuff i find is talking afro /hiphop beat etc which irritates me, i am ambient synth, melody, orchestral guy Thanks
The software warp is far superior. I returned the Force because of it. Hopefully they introduce the newer models with this algorithm and power, 8 insert effects, linear sequencing and then they would be phenomenal
I'm telling you you need to try an akai force. Its so much better then the mpcs. The clip based workflow is so much better and I think you will like it much better. All clips can be different lengths like you want. Also they can do polymeter so easy with 12 beats 6 beats etc.
Great sequencer man. I love using MpCx triggering EMU e6400 ultra sampler. Batman and Robin duo. I owned the X for awhile now but never really checked out the packs inside. Sampling the B2600 and the Virus and layering it , my goodness. Sampling is fun. Rewarding
04:00 Battery, just get the Sony NPF-Type battery off Amazon, I think PowerExtra makes it...and Velcro it on. They’re small and light and you get a lot of time.
Great video as always! I got the MPC One like a month ago and it is my first AKAI sampler and I do agree on the steep learning curve issue but it still lots of fun! 😄 You mentioned the sends and returns, I'm there right now, haven't taken my time to look into it but every time I'm in the middle of the process and would like to use sends and returns I end up scratching my head and jumping to something else instead. 😄
Audio tracks have me scratching my head too. Say I want to record an 8 bar vocal which starts before the beginning of the 1st bar and extends beyond the end of the 8th bar, I can't see a way to do it unless you use a single sequence for the whole track, which is doable but seems a bit clumsy. Love my MPC One though, for vocals I tend to do them after I've bounced my MPC One session into my DAW.
I’d love to see what you would do with all your gear integrated into the iPad app LoopyPro… you strike me a one of those people that would find a unique way to use it with your stuff… I can’t thank you enough for your content, I really like your style and approaches.
This content is nothing short of amazing. I love the MPC One but I do wish it was a little more "Ableton Livish." 😂 I may be getting a Force in the near future.
Thanks for watching! If you’re planning on scooping a ONE, consider using our affiliate link here: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/item--AKAMPCONE
❤️🙏❤️
Agree with your approach to the learning curve: just start having fun with it! But then, it is also good to understand that when you inevitably run into something that *should* work like that, but doesn’t, don’t blame it on yourself or spend too much time on it. Some things just don’t work for whatever reason. Like recording track mutes on audio tracks, via the pads. Which would make it so easy to build songs from sequences, but it doesn’t work. Weirdly.
quick question - I'm llooking to get one of these - what I'd like to know is - is there the option to change the MPC's pitch center to 432Hz or 436Hz for example, instead of the standard A-440Hz ... so that drums and synths are adjusted accordingly?
11:37 - Yes you can cut and highlight “that middle piece” hit edit in the top right corner and you will see a menu item to Export as Audio or Wav. You can then load that file to the Load Pool and use it anywhere (drum track, sampler, or audio track). This is what happened when I tried it on the Force. PS use the scissor tool to cut out the section first, that allows you to select it on its own.
It makes smile when I hear others talk about the limitations of new gear.
The old Akai S-series samplers and MPC’s were far more limited than the MPC One.
For some reason, I have never been able to have fun and make my best tracks with a DAW. Too many options and nice graphics to distract you.
Now that hardware has made a return and is far more capable and powerful than it was 25 years ago, the fun has return and my tracks are have improved a lot.
What I have learnt is: it is not about having the best of everything, it is about making the best of what you’ve got. Just focus on your music.
They have improved a lot, but new comers look at it as a piece of 2020 era tech, and they know that technology right now is at a point where they could have done a lot more with it. (Not just AKAI is fallng short on this, everybody is) You could start seeing controller power music computer machines happen, just basically a computer specialized for musicians/producers. A merge between hardware and software and good design could create something like the perfect machine. Ease of use, range of things you can do. Someone could make a mixer recorder sampler DM synth VST, all in one box and have everything you need from all of them similar to DAWs except without having to access everything by mouse click, and feel 100% virtual. The main differences between them all would be something like the amount of menu diving you want. Maybe make it modular like eurorack / guitar pedals. Assemble your own studio machine. You have that now essentially by just buying different gear, but it's not portable. And the technology is there now, this can be done now, they're just not seeing the market for it.
@@SaumBodhi Manufacturers don't take full advantage of technology. They can put more power to this or Live II OR THE maschine+ or bigger screen on Studio II but they choose not. Its the same deal in the Car entertainment all crappy cpus and screens until very recently. Same goes for TVs weak cpus and small rams. Alot of different business doing this eventhough hardware is way cheaper and advanced now but its changing. People complain because a 5 years old phone can be faster than these device that has only ONE purpose. MAKE MUSIC.
For the first 12 months of owning mine, I switched it on maybe three times, I just couldn't be arsed with the learning curve. Then over the Xmas holidays, I gave it another go and it finally clicked. I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do but I absolutely love it. It's my hardware sequencing hub.
Yep, i have been using MPCs since the 2000 and when i got the One my first thought was ‘this is going to be very tough for a beginner’,
@@bengalinsky4300 for a noob, EVERYTHING is gonna be hard at first
This is exactly my experience!
Never give up 😈
If I'm not mistaken. If you want to edit audio track samples. You can go into the "sample edit" and do your slicing and assiging or extraction there. Instead of trying to do so in the audio tab.
This.
Regarding knob assignments: I just figured out that the program mode for q-links is tied to the “program”, not the synth preset. If you save a Hype preset with custom q-link program mapping for instance, then open a new project, create a hype track and pull up your preset, the mapping is gone. If however you save the Hype preset you’ve created as a program it will save the mappings. You have to remember to load the Mapped Program which does not exist in the synths preset list. Basically you load it like you would any other program (drum or key group) in the file browser. Once loaded though, the Mapped Program will stay mapped even if you change the synth preset (but not the synth type). I’ve created Mapped Programs for all the internal synths, and I load that “shell” Mapped Program, then start preset browsing and all my favorite q-link mappings remain. Took me almost a year to realize this was how it worked. Good luck all.
This seems to be good info
thank you for nailing the coffin in my idea of this being an intuitive
fast workflow hands on music machine.
Don't sleep on the expansions! I've mostly focused on plugins until recently. Once you start digging through the expansions you'll realize how powerful the standalone MPC really is. The F9 expansion has a ton of great instruments to choose from.
Agree, i was impressed with one Volca bass sound and i was quiet sure that i need to buy the hardware and all of the sudden in F9 i've founded 100 x times better bass and along with the new plug ins no need to be equip maniac...
That F9 will have you in the zone just off that alone
Has storage ever been an issue?!
@@ParkerCharlesGabriel maybe if you only have internal storage. I added an ssd and haven’t looked back.
Fantastic video. I am six months into owning mine. The updates provided by Akai have been amazing and I hope they take your advice on audio tracks, it would truly make this device special. I have a Korg Electribe 2 and a 1010 BItBox and have to say working with samples is so much easier on the MPC One. Thanks for doing all your videos. I continue to learn a lot and get inspired by them.
Thank you Harry! Appreciate the support on the vids 🙏
I've had mine for a year now, and I've learned a great deal of tips and tricks from this channel. I still love it, and though it isn't perfect, I really enjoy being away from the computer to be creative at times. It helps so much, and the limitations stretch the ol' imagination. Cheers to you and '22!
Long term Deluge user here. But when an MPC ONE was offered to me for £350, in near mint condition, I couldn't turn it down. Now I have it, and just updated to latest firmware, and...I'm overwhelmed! Haha! Very different workflow to the immensely intuitive Deluge, but I get very excited whenever I see it in my room because I know there's so much this box can offer. When I've figured it out, I'll pair it with the Deluge. Boom.
TH-cam vids bruh. One month and your flying!!
Where did you find that price? I'm looking for a second hand but all are expensive.
You can record beyond the sequence length by making the sequence non-looping. It does mean that you have to set all of your tracks to a set number of bars or they won't loop, though, which might be a PITA if you have a lot of tracks going already.
I had my Retro for about a month now and the learning curve is a little steep compared other units. But I have it as my hub in my setup. The way it automatically recognizes synths in the USB hub is great and time saver. I'm still learning the ins and outs, it's a very deep unit. I was hesitant but glad I got it.
Glad you stuck with it Wren 🙌 I’m still learning new things 2 years later as well.
Thanks for mentioning bugs as they drive me CRAZY!!!!!!
thanks, man
MPC ONE is a great tool. I use it a lot.👍
FYI...On the computer software, there is an export button in the corner on the audio page. Click it and it'll turn red and you can drag it to sample pool. For cutting clips/slices, just slide it another track and click export button.
As far as i know after i record any audio, if you look in the sample pool the audio is there and can be edited like any other sample. Just assign it to your pad. Or you can even chop it and make it a new program. Its great for sampling old records and things like that. 👍
Teft, when I got the Mpc One, it was tough going, but now it's pretty much miscle memory.
One thing on my wishlist is for akai to make copy and pasting certain things (like automation and sequence names) easier
Another is letting me create patchbank names for the various hardware pieces i own.
I had the One but switched to the Akai Force. And I love it. Especially these litte features like the Splice Auto-Sync over Wifi. i's so easy: mark a file 4 download in Splice, in the Force check the Splice sync 4 updates and it just syncs/downloads your new content.
The MPC One does this too! Built in splice integration.
I just now upgrade from my MPC Studio to the MPC One. Here's to some new found funkiness.
Thanks for this video! Totally agree, really like you point on lenght issues. I think MPC's main advantages are the system with ~unlimited MIDI tracks, and sampling like in a daw, not the plugins and sounds on it - but they're very useful too for this money.
As someone looking into buying the MPC One, this was certainly very helpful w/great insights.
What bothers me the most about audio tracks is that you can't record beyond the sequence length. This rules out recording sequences with a reverb tail unless you manually extend the length of the sequence, record the audio and then bounce it into a pad program.
Yup, big limitation right there. Thanks for pointing it out 👍
I agree though I’ve found the best way to overcome this is to have a long sequence length to begin with and only reduce down once the section is complete. Doesn’t work all the time though.
@@peterjessop1878 Yeah, that's what I wrote, start with a longer sequence then shorten it. However, it won't play the tail beyond the sequence length after you shorten the sequence again, the only way to make it ring out is to move it to a pad and play it as a one shot sample.
A limitation I can live with. It’s not an acoustic piano.
@@matthewgaines10 not sure how relevant it is whether one can live with it or not, the point is that it's not a well-thought-out interface for musicians. There are plenty of workarounds, luckily.
This was my first Akai mpc too. I'm not very technically minded but have managed to build some nice grooves on the mpc one. The 2.10 upgrade was exceptional. I like the new plug-ins & the FX are great too.
As a standalone piece of kit, it's been my best buy so far at £450. I got it before the later updates. It's not often you see the price drastically increase so much on a relatively new device. I'm absolutely hooked anyhow. I rarely use anything else. It's DEEP.
great video, great insight!
Hi Thanks for the update.
I'm only two months in with my ONE and really I'm happy I jumped on board with my 1st MPC. I have a lot to learn but I love taking a load of my beatstep volca etc etc recordings with me so I can mess with them when I'm working away. I love having one box instead of laptop/interface/controller setup.... Now I save DAW stuff for the studio and I make noise so much more often especially when I'm away.
No wifi doesnt bother me but I would like an instrument level input and an XLR with phantom power.
I am definitely on board with MPC's for the long haul. I would buy a live in the future if the next model has more audio tracks, more power and more buttons.... I love the extra buttons of the ONE.
Love the MPC workflow and the limitations are what I need, because it helps thwart creative decision paralysis.
Thank you for another great video, I really appreciate all your content on TH-cam! Have you ever had a look at the Akai Force? I myself own a MPC One and many of the issues you describe (besides the MPC One being an awesome platform) have been solved for me with the Akai Force, especially the Audio handling does not seem so separated from the rest in my opinion. It also handles more in an Ableton Live way in standalone mode, which is much more intuitive for me. Additionally, when you prefer to use Live as a DAW, the Force acts as a great controller for it. Finally, you get a second pair of stereo outs on this platform. Please keep producing such great content! Best, Michael
Thank you Michael! Haven’t tried a Force yet but I’ve heard a lot about it over the years. I’ll give it a shot one day 🙌
I rarely use the audio features, but then I too also use a DAW, very recently Logic. The MPC One is used with external synths and internal drums and some of the patches. Then like you I export it to the DAW that is where I add the vocals or guitar etc. Recently I have been eyeing the Roland SP-404 MkII it has 16 minute sampling and a host of effects and controls for looping and manipulating audio live . The idea here is to be able to take the stuff I create in my studio and use it live by not just pressing "play" but rather interacting with it. It also has a small form factor, and can be powered by battery, usb-c or included power adapter.
Hi Ken 👋 Logic is great! Used it for years. I still need to get one of those 404 mk2 for some fun realtime sample flipping. Cheers 🍻
This the best one to me I got the mpc one with a multi USB dongle with a portable battery so I can bring it anywhere!!
This helped me. Suppose audio tracks didn’t exist. Couldn’t you just record any audio as a sample and get around the durations limits and track count limits? I don’t own an MPC but I have a 1010Music Blackbox and that’s how you do audio “tracks.” Thanks in advance to anyone here who can shed light on this.
For audio clips, save them as a *.wav file in the mpc, then, load the sample just like you would any other sample.
For your example with having a track longer than a sequence, this is a fundamental misunderstanding of what a sequence / track is. A sequence is a section of your song, think of it like a verse, chorus, bridge, intro, outro, etc. It contains all tracks and programs that section of your song contains. A track is a subset of your sequence, it contains the raw midi data of one instrument for that sequence, but it does NOT contain any audio. A track has for example, every note, the velocities, the modulation settings, etc for every note for one instrument. Finally, a program is literally the instrument that plays the notes for your track.
Understand, the differentiation between a track and a program is similar to sheet music and an instrument. A track is the sheet music, the program is the instrument playing the notes. Just like with sheet music, you can write the notes and hand the sheet music to a clarinet player and a flute player and have them play the same thing, on two different instruments, such is the flexibility of the track and program design.
If it helps to understand this more explicitly, a track is a MIDI file, a program is the virtual instrument that will play that MIDI file. You can write all the notes into a track, but until you assign a program, the notes cannot be heard (you have to have an instrument to play the notes, just like with sheet music, if I handed you sheet music and said play this without you having an instrument (including your voice), it would be impossible)
This means that with a track, you can write a melody and have in one sequence, a flute play that melody, and in another section, a synth instrument play the same melody, without having to rewrite the midi data, all you have to do is simply write the melody into a track, assign an instrument to that melody, then copy the sequence to a new sequence, and change the program in the new sequence to a different instrument.
It makes no sense to have a track longer than a sequence, since in the Akai universe, a track is a subset of that sequence. In other words, if my intro is 8 bars long, why on Earth would I have a track in that same sequence that is 16 bars long?
You mentioned an example where you wanted to have a track that was 16 bars with a sequence that was 64 bars long. Just time stretch the sample, or, trigger the 16 bar track 4 times every 16 bars.
It would make no sense to have a violin that has a 16 bar bit to play that has to be extended for 64 bars, in music terms, you would simply use a repeat to replay that bit 4 times.
I have never heard anyone actually explain adequately the difference between a program and a track in the akai universe, and frankly, much of the confusion would be cleared up simply by changing program to instrument program.
great video, I got an MPC One a few weeks ago and love it so far. I'd pay the price of the Live 2 for an Mk2 with a battery + BT + Wifi + an m.2 slot + 48v XLR. I know it'll never happen, but this with just a built in battery I'd gladly pay $150 more. The Live's a little too big for me and I don't care about the speaker.
Since I updated to 2.10 as soon as I plugged it in, I don't have any time with how much less this was when it released. I know they added a ton of new features since it was released. I hope Akai keeps bringing new stuff.
Great video! With audio tracks I just bounce them to samples and chop assign to pads in a drum program. Not ideal but works well for my purposes.
Thank you!
The fact you still have it is a good(ish) sign.
Get the force you won’t be disappointed great video.
Good job on the video.
I wish they add a fade-out to audio tracks. You can hear the cutoff at the end when it loops
There is a fade out
@@bogdancholewa2546 there is a fade in Not out.
Now that I’m think about it I probably could automate the audio.
Absolutely agree. Sample export could be less complicated. But it is a cool gear.
I really like your content! Keep it up!
The force didn't have midi mapping until last update (after mpc update) with that came the bug fix that q links or in my case a novation xl are saved properly. So expect it hopefully on next update.
Do you think it can realistically replace the DAW plus comprehensive MIDI controllers like AKAI APC and MIdimix or MPC Touch? I am a hardware guy when it comes to melody synths, but for drums/samplers I have somehow done a total 180 when I realized the raw power of a DAW and just how easy it is to immediately load samples I find online and begin working with them. Not to mention a huge 27 inch touchscreen making arranging and altering samples a breeze. I thought about this a lot and my impression still remains that in order to create a hardware-based groovebox/drum machine which could truly compete with DAW plus MIDI controllers you need 1. Large, preferably touch sensitive screen, at least 14 inch. 2. Internet connection and ability to browse online videos and audio channels like Spotify/Soundcloud 3. Large memory storage, preferably at least 512 Gb. 4. An intuitive interface that is as easy to operate as a DAW. 5. Ability to have your samples output in stereo not just mono.
I totally get that same feeling where audio and midi are separated in a way that’s not …. well, audio doesn’t feel seamlessly integrated with midi and the midi clock. Akai Professional released some monster guitar looping devices recently that make me think they are embarking on a different generation of audio implementation, but I could be wrong.
I’m a drumming guitar player that started to see the writing on the wall many years ago with sampling - I bought my retro version directly from AKAI for $699 in December of 2022 and don’t plan on looking back.
Did you look into an Akai Force maybe? Because it has some of the features you are missing like length per clip/track and audio is not separate from the others.
Definitely looked into it. I’ve held off from picking one up because I feel like Akai is working a new “Force” at some point. Also I feel like those limitations could easily be firmware patches for the MPC in the near future. (I could be completely wrong on this 🤣)
@@TeftyMeems I have some of the same gripes as you have with my MPC X and tried the Force for that reason. But even though I was an Ableton fan for years and instantly know how to use the force and kind of liked it I still sent it back. I am used so much to the more focused way the MPC-way works for me after 3 years of using the X. Also even though I only use the Akai Software sometimes and there are so many features missing when I used the Force I instantly missed the ease of use the SW brings when I want to do a mixdown for example. No exporting, fiddling, out-of-sync-midi-hassle. Just opening the SW, X into controller mode, loading the project and I am golden. I am even getting an MPC One to accompany my X to have something to take on trips that is small enough, lol. I too hope they bring a new Force or a new X soonish. Maybe a Force with 100% native Ableton integration? (I seriously think the Ableton integration of the Akai's is unusable) or at least with more I/O. Or maybe a new MPC with more power. Or an MPC update where they give more love to the arranger.
hi, could you suggest a small sound module for travel..... my goal is to play the lead guitar and also play the keyboard accompaniment. tnx EdA
Just watched the whole review. You have good points. You're going to want to use the Akai Force or Maschine Plus
Thanks for the great vid
The MPC one is the one to get , I don’t need an internal battery that’s going to die one day, I don’t need a speaker system that’s going to sound like shit after a few years of bass running through it , the MPC one is the telecaster of the MPC line , it’s a work horse , it’s not a hipster machine that you take to a coffee shop in the hope that that someone asks you what it is , it’s a machine made for musicians
Tefty, i think you might like Akai Force too
i think the audio section is kind of intended as some mastering environment, an area to take your work from midi mode and just get some of the extended engineering possibilities and in that style. a finalizer ofsortrs, it is certainly ill conceived when everything is audio bar the external and internal midi sources. bouncing down to audio is an aspect that is under used, under advised and well that is why the audio section exists in its redundancy, the tech got so good we don't need to bounce down for performance or production. i say get rid of it and extend clip functionality into the DJ territory fully.
Hello. I think the editing and saving of qlink controls has now been fixed and works
Good vid. I'll be suggesting that for the music you do, Akai Force. Have u tried it?
I’m having a problem with it. I try to record on it but it doesn’t record like the way I touch the pads. The sensitivity is all the way up and still nothing
All recorded audio tracks are also listed in your project samples. If you want to use audio tracks to jam and come up with ideas you may later chop them up using sample edit like any other sample
Yup, but they’re not aligned to the tempo grid in the sample editor. You can chop by perfect subdivisions, as long as you know the sample is exactly 16/32 etc bars. It’d be significantly easier to make loops if you could directly extract from the audio track window imo.
@@TeftyMeems Yeah I guess if you don’t have your audio tracks sequenced and synced to your tempo (e.g when recording your jam playing live on a keyboard) then aligning the selected chops in midi with the rest of your track might be a pain and take way too much time. I agree the audio tracks should be improved and made an integral part of the workflow
Hopefully Akai is watching this video. Audio capabilities are very limited and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Definitely can use a revamped version for audio. Thanks for pointing that out
The MPCX has the outputs. I think you can also use another Audio Interface and get more outputs, at least I can with the Force so if it’s not on MPC it will be there soon.
Have you tried the akai force?? I feel most of your complaints are answered with the akai force. Highly recommend checking it out
I produce in the PC MPC software and for me the sequence length is the Midi and Audio length. 32 bar sequence = 32 Bar Midi section = 32 audio section
Very off topic here but I hear the bugs on the Maschine plus are way more prevalent than on the mpc . Just fyi for those looking
Awesome I love update videos. I bought an mpc. I love it. Im at the stage between digi and octatrack and mpc, and now wanting to sell my octatrack. I think mpc is much more fun. The fact you can just plug up a turntable was a win for me. U cant really do that on octatrack.
Pls I need help !!! I just got a mpc one n I want to take my sounds from omni can’t I just record the wave in key of c then transfer the file to a card then use it on my mpc n midi ?
Great Video.The solution is the Akai Force.
I wonder how is it in mpc x as it suppose to be the big brother
I would like a phono stereo in.At the moment i would have to do a workaround the line in for sampling vinyl Its one of the few things i would change or add.I am still getting my head around all of the funtions but i think sampling and beatmaking will be my main use for this device and then anything i make will then get moved to Serato Studio for further work
Any idea on how to listen to the metronome only on headphones??? Im planning my lives and it sucks that metronome is always on the speakers i have to be turn on/off all the time :(
I love mine. I wish looping a sample was easier, but I love it.
Yup, extract directly to a clip would be amazing.
Good constructive critique. They all sounded like valid points. I'm still slowly climbing that curve you mentioned. Playing about with the cv to my Neutron, lately. USB audio interfaces have been driving me crazy..which one? and then I order it only to have the first order cancelled, and then told by the second retailer that they are out of stock until April. Still glad though that I got it when I did.
@Tefty @7:30💭🤔 For how well the 2.10 User Interface operates in standalone, I'm perplexed with the poor design of the computer software.
The MPC One is currently the gold standard for what a groovebox can be. It puts everything else at or below its price range to shame. For Akai's next step forward though, what I'd really like to see is a smaller, battery-powered Akai Force. It keeps almost everything good about the MPC, while expanding on it and offering a much nicer workflow. Most of the downsides you mentioned about MPC are already fixed on the Force.
Edit: Wait, MPC has a limit on audio clip length? I had no idea. I thought that part of it worked the same as a Force, which I've used to record an entire side of a tape into a single clip, while digitizing old media. Usually though, I punch in a new clip between songs or between phrases, to basically lazy-chop during recording. Anyway, if you like Ableton but also like hardware, it's basically Ableton Lite in a box. It largely eliminates the need move songs to a computer to finish them.
Love auto sampling my Kontakt instruments into the mpc.
Looking forward to the year 3 review!
Once you understand it, it’s a great machine , way to many options with a DAW limitations create great music , I only record my live sessions into garage band to add compression and EQ , it sounds great before i do that , I just do it for extra polish
I am very satisfied with mine. Also using it as a hardware hq and sample machine.
I love my mpc one. I even love your mpc 2.
Thanks Tefty I love your laid back and honest view on things. I’m still quite new I’m a jd but I’ve enjoyed all your one also live videos, do wish I got the live still find the workflow weird
Great video! My biggest gripe with the MPC was the fact that everything had to be the same amount of bars. It seems like a huge oversight that there was no immediate option to mitigate this.
On a separate note, I really enjoy the way you present videos. Although I don’t doubt you’ve put some sort of scripting in place, your videos always seem to flow freely and feel less ‘regimented’. More like a conversation than an actual script.
It also helps that your laugh kind of reminds me of Dr Hibbert a little 😉
Keep up the great content!
New viewer, Big fan of the channel! Really enjoy the hardware and mpc content!
I’m a new mpc user, you’ve helped my understanding greatly!
I have used both ableton live and bitwig since they were each originally released. I highly recommend bitwig! Your knowledge of synthesis will make bitwig very powerful for you, bitwig feels like a big modular synth! The modulators!!!!!! Cv for hardware!! Voice stacking, per voice modulation! The mod matrix in general! and .als import compatibility! Very little learning curve if coming from live, a very similar workflow paradigm!
Nice review but I'm not sure if I understand your 5 min limit audio recording issue. I have no problem recording 999 bars of audio on my MPC Live 2, which is (at 120 bpm) more than the 20 min recording that the Sampler function allows. And I assume that the MPC One and MPC Live 2 are similar in this regard.
Hmmm do you have an ssd installed?
@@TeftyMeems Forget my remark. I double-checked it. It keeps recording up to 999 bars (and then switches to the next sequence) but the audio stops at 5 min. Which is a weird software limitation that I assume has to do with keeping the performance reasonable. So I think they will only stretch that limit with new upcoming MPC hardware.
I'm on an SSD btw
as being an amateur person in my apartament room trying to learn keyboards (have several synths like Roland JDXA, Fa06, Yamaha Modx, B.Model-D, Streichfett), lately, i just got an Mpc One, and trying to learn how to combine them via MPC dawless maestro, do you have any advice or recommended video or document to do it, you already passed this path, all the stuff i find is talking afro /hiphop beat etc which irritates me, i am ambient synth, melody, orchestral guy Thanks
Love how it looks gathering dust on my desk. The learning curve is just too steep!
Watch all Marrcello’s videos. I started off knowing NOTHING and being overwhelmed. Now I love it.
It’s not impossible. Go slowly and do the beats academy training series from akai and get the Mpc bible pdf for reference. Well worth it.
The software warp is far superior. I returned the Force because of it. Hopefully they introduce the newer models with this algorithm and power, 8 insert effects, linear sequencing and then they would be phenomenal
Very interesting video. Curious if you ever tried the Deluge
Not yet. Been on the radar for awhile.
I want to learn this Mpc. It has been a learning curve. Can someone help me?
Nice! I started to get into simpler synths with the MPC Studio. Have you checked out the Roland boutique series?
I'm telling you you need to try an akai force. Its so much better then the mpcs. The clip based workflow is so much better and I think you will like it much better. All clips can be different lengths like you want. Also they can do polymeter so easy with 12 beats 6 beats etc.
Great sequencer man. I love using MpCx triggering EMU e6400 ultra sampler. Batman and Robin duo. I owned the X for awhile now but never really checked out the packs inside. Sampling the B2600 and the Virus and layering it , my goodness. Sampling is fun. Rewarding
Great video. I thought the Mpc has a audio interface in it already?
I can’t help but think the Akai Force would be a much better fit for what you’re doing. Did you give it a try?
How's the quality of sampling? I kinda wanted to get one as a sample archiver that I sample friends synths and instruments with.
MPC ONE might have been my best purchase of the last 2 years
also, I love seeing that sexy ass PRO 3 on the side
This year, my sweet baby
04:00 Battery, just get the Sony NPF-Type battery off Amazon, I think PowerExtra makes it...and Velcro it on. They’re small and light and you get a lot of time.
Great video as always! I got the MPC One like a month ago and it is my first AKAI sampler and I do agree on the steep learning curve issue but it still lots of fun! 😄 You mentioned the sends and returns, I'm there right now, haven't taken my time to look into it but every time I'm in the middle of the process and would like to use sends and returns I end up scratching my head and jumping to something else instead. 😄
If you’re in sample edit you can bounce to sample, and I believe an audio track be don’t the same way..’maybe not? I’m pretty sure I’ve done this
Audio tracks have me scratching my head too. Say I want to record an 8 bar vocal which starts before the beginning of the 1st bar and extends beyond the end of the 8th bar, I can't see a way to do it unless you use a single sequence for the whole track, which is doable but seems a bit clumsy. Love my MPC One though, for vocals I tend to do them after I've bounced my MPC One session into my DAW.
I’d love to see what you would do with all your gear integrated into the iPad app LoopyPro… you strike me a one of those people that would find a unique way to use it with your stuff… I can’t thank you enough for your content, I really like your style and approaches.
Recently downloaded LoopyPro 🙌🙌 Seems incredible. Still working out what control surface I want to use with it.
Nice Video! I think the features you are missing you can find on the Akai Force. You might want to look into it. It's more like Ableton Live.
This content is nothing short of amazing. I love the MPC One but I do wish it was a little more "Ableton Livish." 😂 I may be getting a Force in the near future.
Does the MPC Live suffer with the same audio restriction problems?
Great video. Thanks
Yep. Also the mpc x as well.
You should try the Akai Force works more like Ableton
I'd solo the track you want then bounce the sequence to a sample. but i agree it would be nice to bounce individual audio track chops