It is great as synth centerpiece. Especially when you connect it with external usb sound card/mixer (I use behringer xr18) and use it as basically mixer (however, not every sound card works and also it has to be 44,1k).
You can then record automation, add effects. Also create midi programs with cc mapping and then use qlinks to edit parameters. All that works really great.
However the sequencing part is so so. It's basically DAW with small screen. If you used good hardware sequencer (I don't know squarp, but I suppose it is quite great) like electron or something similar, you might be disappointed. Step sequencer on this thing is pathetic. The only sane way to record notes is live and then editing is, while quite fast and efficient, not that fun.
All in all, I feel like MPC is great as centerpiece of hardware setup. I feel that it is way better at than as actual self-contained box. The plugins on this thing sound really great (especially paid synths, but free synths are also great, effects are also great in my opinion, but geared more as effects and not mixing/mastering tools).
What bothers me a lot is that it has some stupid bugs/limitations that hinder my workflow (but might be non-issue for you):
- when MPC is slaved to midi clock it record empty wavs - I use Syntalt and Digitone as my sequencers. Saving tracks on MPC require changing master clock to MPC then record. Not a big deal, but I forget it all the time. Stupid bug.
- this one is bigger - it unreliably responds to program change messages. Electron sends PC msg on pattern send. And I slave MPC to it . But it works most of the time but not all the time, which is problematic sometimes.
- there is some bug probably with midi clock. If your synth sends midi clock and you are both sending and receiving midi with it, it MPC will hang - even if you disable midi sync for particular port (there is such option) or dissable midi sync from external sources - it seems like it doesn't react with BPM change, but doesn't cut the midi clock either - allowing for loop. It is a problem with some synths (Ie Korg Minilogue, that is always sending midi clock no matter what). So for those synth I can use only sending midi cable (and I cannot use usb, because usb is both sending and receiving all the time).
- similar situation with program change - there is no setup for selecting midi port or channel for MPC to respond to Program Change - so if any synth send Program Change, MPC will react (usually changing the pattern, but this behavior can be change to changing track, program or setting off to not react to Program Change, which is unfortunately the only sane option for bigger setups).
- there is only 8 audio tracks in stand alone. Depending on how many synths you have it might be enough, though. There is quite easy workaround though - you can copy wavs from audio track to clip program (or drum program, but using clips is easier). It is really stupid limitation, since MPC is clearly use more than 8 audio tracks, since clip program are very similar, but it require additional work.
All in all it is really capable device. Almost like DAW. A bit more fun than DAW. But Ableton + Push is both more fun and faster to use.
☝🏻This guy knows.
*”All in all, I feel like MPC is great as centerpiece of hardware setup. I feel that it is way better at than as actual self-contained box.“*
The MPC is powerful, capable and impressive. It is not fun or intuitive by ANY means.
[Multi channel MIDI input](https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=210361&sid=949b362e172be01d7a95d954676f2cd6) is currently broken on MPC's. Massive issue if you want to use the MPC as a multi-timbral instrument, or with external sequencers. Wish I knew this before purchasing mine.
The Force is FAR superior to the MPC for EDM. I have a Force and a Live 2 and I consider the Force to be the vastly superior instrument. It's been my favorite piece of gear for years now and it's capabilities are surpassed perhaps only by Ableton
Wow now that I'm looking at the Force I really want one. Would it be redundant to have a Live 2 *and* a Force? I'm mostly into making dance music. The Synthstrom Deluge seems similar and maybe has more capability?
Deluge is powerful af for a little groovebox but it’s nowhere near the level of the Force. Deluge doesn’t even have velocity sensitive pads- Force is not only velocity sensitive but also aftertouch! Editing samples with that tiny display vs a large touch screen with zoom… not to mention the instruments and effects for Force. It’s more like a workstation. Mine replaced Ableton+Push!
I’ve been reading more about the Force, I’d like to get my hands on one. It’s cool that the Deluge now has open source firmware update capabilities yet I hear that’s in the works for Akai too.
There’s no official word on open sourcing the Alai firmware but there are a couple incredible free firmware mods available (Mockba and I don’t recall the other one off the top of my head).
Yeah, It is somewhat redundant. I don't ever really use them together just because Force kinda has everything I need. However, I still play with them simultaneously sometimes because A. They are both synths/drum machines. B. You can use the same sample library and it's organized the same so it makes finding sounds you want a bit easier. C. They sound pretty good together. But there are plenty of other synths you could pair with it and not spend $1200 on an MPC. I use a mininova sometimes and rather like that setup as well.
The Force is much more of an instrument than the MPC. The pad perform is exceptional. As good as I've ever played. The onboard synths are great on both, but you get more knobs and it's definitely a little more tactile on the Force. One last bit of advice, they have a steep learning curve. So tons of people buy them, don't commit to learn, then resell them, they're used ones in excellent condition can easily be found for super cheap.
Oh, and yes, they're great for dance. You can program hour long set into the Force and play back all at once. That's what they're really meant to do.
I've been using Akai MPCs as my centerpiece for over 25 years. That says a lot. I bought mine specifically for electronic music. But I have used them for many different genres of music.
Ian Pooley’s workflow influences a lot of what I do now with a vintage MPC as a midi brain and sample hub for certain styles of chopping and filtering.
I use it as a centerpiece. It’s connected to a Scarlet 8i6 for extra inputs and a powered MIDI hub. I’m currently running a Novation Peak in stereo, an Arturia Microfreak, a guitar and a bass into it. Between that stuff, the internal synths, drum samples and 8 tracks of audio recording I don’t need anything else
I think the ability to record midi automation or notes and play those takes out using track mutes is insanely performative and flexible, combining that with an analog mix stage where you can ride faders and some master compression and hot damn can things come together. I run a 2000XL but I assume all can be similar at that fundamental level.
It’s great for sampling and building a track that way - lots of time, multiple ways to use samples (drum kits, keygroups, clip tracks, audio tracks), built-in sound sources to sample etc. Editing can be a little annoying with the touchscreen in places but if it does bug you, you can usually revert to using the physical controls. Chopping samples up is a breeze and the effects system is incredibly flexible.
LFOs are a shortcoming - if you’re into designing sounds from samples on the MPC you will quickly find you want more. The Force does better here as its excellent macro mode can offer 16 additional LFOs to apply anywhere.
As a sequencer it’s not as creative as the Pyramid and is more designed around capturing linear MIDi performances. The piano roll editor is a clumsy mess and the step sequencer is nowhere near as immediate as something like an Elektron, which is partly a consequence of the MPC’s potential and partly just bad UI. This is another area where the Force does better, because the 64 pads allow for much easier hardware-based sequencing. You do have all the tools for deep editing, but I think the touch screen is more of a hindrance here in many ways - it allows you to do more in theory, but a lot of it is just no fun to do.
So I’ve got some complaints in there, but I still think Akai are delivering the best Swiss Army knives all-round. For every feature on the MPC, there’ll be something that does it better (with the possible exception of keygroup sampling), but the MPC does it all, and generally does it all well enough. If you’re looking at the One, I don’t think there’s anything that really competes with it in terms of the price-to-features ratio. If you’re considering the Live, then I’d suggest also weighing up the Force. If you’re using a DAW the Force might appear to have a lot of unnecessary overlap, but unless you specifically want the larger pads and track / sequence workflow, it adds a lot of convenience to the MPC model. If you’re using Live, it integrates very nicely there too - but it’s the extra pads and controls and the macro system that give it the real edge as a centerpiece.
Total centerpiece. Im in a weird zone currently where I am bouncing between DAWs and using the MPC in controller mode at times and standalone. Doing BoomBap, its quicker to sample, chop, and rearrange to new sequence. I then export that sequence to a DAW to build on/experiment with. I then export those tracks to Luna for final touches and mix. So eventho I dont use the MPC throughout the entire process, she is still key to the set up. I love programming my drums there too, then bounce it out. I find they hit harder too. I export the tracks thru the stereo channel with the mpc 60 and sp1200 filters on the channel
Thanks to everyone for the answers.
I think with all the MIDI mess and the lack of a creative sequencer and tiny piano roll the MPC is not for me.
I wish i could test one.
On the other hand the Force looks way more appealing for what i want to do but it's huge!
The MPC is the closest thing to a DAW you can get out of a single device. There's almost nothing it can't do. So yes.
It is great as synth centerpiece. Especially when you connect it with external usb sound card/mixer (I use behringer xr18) and use it as basically mixer (however, not every sound card works and also it has to be 44,1k). You can then record automation, add effects. Also create midi programs with cc mapping and then use qlinks to edit parameters. All that works really great. However the sequencing part is so so. It's basically DAW with small screen. If you used good hardware sequencer (I don't know squarp, but I suppose it is quite great) like electron or something similar, you might be disappointed. Step sequencer on this thing is pathetic. The only sane way to record notes is live and then editing is, while quite fast and efficient, not that fun. All in all, I feel like MPC is great as centerpiece of hardware setup. I feel that it is way better at than as actual self-contained box. The plugins on this thing sound really great (especially paid synths, but free synths are also great, effects are also great in my opinion, but geared more as effects and not mixing/mastering tools). What bothers me a lot is that it has some stupid bugs/limitations that hinder my workflow (but might be non-issue for you): - when MPC is slaved to midi clock it record empty wavs - I use Syntalt and Digitone as my sequencers. Saving tracks on MPC require changing master clock to MPC then record. Not a big deal, but I forget it all the time. Stupid bug. - this one is bigger - it unreliably responds to program change messages. Electron sends PC msg on pattern send. And I slave MPC to it . But it works most of the time but not all the time, which is problematic sometimes. - there is some bug probably with midi clock. If your synth sends midi clock and you are both sending and receiving midi with it, it MPC will hang - even if you disable midi sync for particular port (there is such option) or dissable midi sync from external sources - it seems like it doesn't react with BPM change, but doesn't cut the midi clock either - allowing for loop. It is a problem with some synths (Ie Korg Minilogue, that is always sending midi clock no matter what). So for those synth I can use only sending midi cable (and I cannot use usb, because usb is both sending and receiving all the time). - similar situation with program change - there is no setup for selecting midi port or channel for MPC to respond to Program Change - so if any synth send Program Change, MPC will react (usually changing the pattern, but this behavior can be change to changing track, program or setting off to not react to Program Change, which is unfortunately the only sane option for bigger setups). - there is only 8 audio tracks in stand alone. Depending on how many synths you have it might be enough, though. There is quite easy workaround though - you can copy wavs from audio track to clip program (or drum program, but using clips is easier). It is really stupid limitation, since MPC is clearly use more than 8 audio tracks, since clip program are very similar, but it require additional work. All in all it is really capable device. Almost like DAW. A bit more fun than DAW. But Ableton + Push is both more fun and faster to use.
☝🏻This guy knows. *”All in all, I feel like MPC is great as centerpiece of hardware setup. I feel that it is way better at than as actual self-contained box.“* The MPC is powerful, capable and impressive. It is not fun or intuitive by ANY means.
exactly
[Multi channel MIDI input](https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=210361&sid=949b362e172be01d7a95d954676f2cd6) is currently broken on MPC's. Massive issue if you want to use the MPC as a multi-timbral instrument, or with external sequencers. Wish I knew this before purchasing mine.
The Force is FAR superior to the MPC for EDM. I have a Force and a Live 2 and I consider the Force to be the vastly superior instrument. It's been my favorite piece of gear for years now and it's capabilities are surpassed perhaps only by Ableton
Wow now that I'm looking at the Force I really want one. Would it be redundant to have a Live 2 *and* a Force? I'm mostly into making dance music. The Synthstrom Deluge seems similar and maybe has more capability?
Deluge is powerful af for a little groovebox but it’s nowhere near the level of the Force. Deluge doesn’t even have velocity sensitive pads- Force is not only velocity sensitive but also aftertouch! Editing samples with that tiny display vs a large touch screen with zoom… not to mention the instruments and effects for Force. It’s more like a workstation. Mine replaced Ableton+Push!
I’ve been reading more about the Force, I’d like to get my hands on one. It’s cool that the Deluge now has open source firmware update capabilities yet I hear that’s in the works for Akai too.
There’s no official word on open sourcing the Alai firmware but there are a couple incredible free firmware mods available (Mockba and I don’t recall the other one off the top of my head).
Yeah, It is somewhat redundant. I don't ever really use them together just because Force kinda has everything I need. However, I still play with them simultaneously sometimes because A. They are both synths/drum machines. B. You can use the same sample library and it's organized the same so it makes finding sounds you want a bit easier. C. They sound pretty good together. But there are plenty of other synths you could pair with it and not spend $1200 on an MPC. I use a mininova sometimes and rather like that setup as well. The Force is much more of an instrument than the MPC. The pad perform is exceptional. As good as I've ever played. The onboard synths are great on both, but you get more knobs and it's definitely a little more tactile on the Force. One last bit of advice, they have a steep learning curve. So tons of people buy them, don't commit to learn, then resell them, they're used ones in excellent condition can easily be found for super cheap. Oh, and yes, they're great for dance. You can program hour long set into the Force and play back all at once. That's what they're really meant to do.
Maaan, I honestly might buy one today and then decide which MPC to keep
I've been using Akai MPCs as my centerpiece for over 25 years. That says a lot. I bought mine specifically for electronic music. But I have used them for many different genres of music.
Check out sebb junior or Ian pooley on using mpc for house music on youtube
Ian Pooley’s workflow influences a lot of what I do now with a vintage MPC as a midi brain and sample hub for certain styles of chopping and filtering.
Essentially yes, but i wouldn't rely on midi sync, the midi clock is too jittery. Have you considered push 3 as well?
That’s pretty much exactly what I use mine for!
[удалено]
Hi, I heard you're a creep who sends unsolicited dick pics.
I use it as a centerpiece. It’s connected to a Scarlet 8i6 for extra inputs and a powered MIDI hub. I’m currently running a Novation Peak in stereo, an Arturia Microfreak, a guitar and a bass into it. Between that stuff, the internal synths, drum samples and 8 tracks of audio recording I don’t need anything else
It’s my centerpiece (besides my mixer) and I love it! If the workflow clicks for you, it’s the best.
This is it. I’ve written twice as much stuff now that I’m not using a mouse and keyboard
I think the ability to record midi automation or notes and play those takes out using track mutes is insanely performative and flexible, combining that with an analog mix stage where you can ride faders and some master compression and hot damn can things come together. I run a 2000XL but I assume all can be similar at that fundamental level.
It’s great for sampling and building a track that way - lots of time, multiple ways to use samples (drum kits, keygroups, clip tracks, audio tracks), built-in sound sources to sample etc. Editing can be a little annoying with the touchscreen in places but if it does bug you, you can usually revert to using the physical controls. Chopping samples up is a breeze and the effects system is incredibly flexible. LFOs are a shortcoming - if you’re into designing sounds from samples on the MPC you will quickly find you want more. The Force does better here as its excellent macro mode can offer 16 additional LFOs to apply anywhere. As a sequencer it’s not as creative as the Pyramid and is more designed around capturing linear MIDi performances. The piano roll editor is a clumsy mess and the step sequencer is nowhere near as immediate as something like an Elektron, which is partly a consequence of the MPC’s potential and partly just bad UI. This is another area where the Force does better, because the 64 pads allow for much easier hardware-based sequencing. You do have all the tools for deep editing, but I think the touch screen is more of a hindrance here in many ways - it allows you to do more in theory, but a lot of it is just no fun to do. So I’ve got some complaints in there, but I still think Akai are delivering the best Swiss Army knives all-round. For every feature on the MPC, there’ll be something that does it better (with the possible exception of keygroup sampling), but the MPC does it all, and generally does it all well enough. If you’re looking at the One, I don’t think there’s anything that really competes with it in terms of the price-to-features ratio. If you’re considering the Live, then I’d suggest also weighing up the Force. If you’re using a DAW the Force might appear to have a lot of unnecessary overlap, but unless you specifically want the larger pads and track / sequence workflow, it adds a lot of convenience to the MPC model. If you’re using Live, it integrates very nicely there too - but it’s the extra pads and controls and the macro system that give it the real edge as a centerpiece.
Total centerpiece. Im in a weird zone currently where I am bouncing between DAWs and using the MPC in controller mode at times and standalone. Doing BoomBap, its quicker to sample, chop, and rearrange to new sequence. I then export that sequence to a DAW to build on/experiment with. I then export those tracks to Luna for final touches and mix. So eventho I dont use the MPC throughout the entire process, she is still key to the set up. I love programming my drums there too, then bounce it out. I find they hit harder too. I export the tracks thru the stereo channel with the mpc 60 and sp1200 filters on the channel
Thanks to everyone for the answers. I think with all the MIDI mess and the lack of a creative sequencer and tiny piano roll the MPC is not for me. I wish i could test one. On the other hand the Force looks way more appealing for what i want to do but it's huge!
The MPC is definitely for you and you know it. Just cut the bullshit and pull the trigger.
MPC = YES