Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Network access is becoming a larger part of the MPC experience. For example, if you wish to use any of Akai’s premium plugins you’ll have to initially log into your inMusic account from within your MPC to then activate the plugins over the internet ( note: according to Akai, once logged in and activated, there’s no requirement to remain online).
New 2023 update! In this article I’ll compare the features of all the currently produced standalone MPC models so you can hopefully make an informed decision on which model will suit your specific needs. At the time of writing, the current Akai MPC line up now consists of four distinct MPCs; the entry-level MPC One Plus, the mid-range MPC Live II, the workstation style MPC Key 61, and the MPC X SE (‘special edition’). So… which MPC is right for you? The MPC Firmware/Software Solution home Akai Pro | MPC Series MPC Series | Frequently Asked Questions Akai Pro MPC One | Frequently Asked Questions
Akai’s MPC One+ upgrade brings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a little more storage and a hot red finish. We give our verdict
If price is important to you then the MPC One Plus wins hands down. It’s currently a nearly 50% cheaper than the MPC Live II and runs the same software and the same CPU and RAM as the MPC Live 2, so you are definitely getting a lot for your money.
The pads allow convenient recording of the pattern, and you can manually input everything with the sequencer grid. You can also use the touchscreen for making deep sequence edits. Nope, just another rumour. The MPC Live 1 & 2 are the only MPCs with internal batteries. But you can of course use a suitable portable battery if you really need to use your MPC One on-the-go. Just be aware that the One Plus model uses a 12v 3.0A power supply, while the original One uses the same 19v, 3.4A PSU as all other MPC models. What about the build quality? Is this the same? MPC Drum and Keygroup Engine Enhancements such as Akai Pro Sample Tail, Dedicated Pitch Envelope, and Keygroup Portamento MPC One is a suitable choice for music producers who can handle the music theory, vocals, and instruments because this unit can help you create your own music studio and work on self-produced music projects.
Features
You’ll have to decide what type of inputs you’ll need from an MPC, but if you know you’ll be needing lots of varied I/O, you’re probably going to find life is easier grabbing an X or MPC Key. MPC One is a suitable choice for beginners who want a standalone sound production unit that’s lightweight and portable, but it doesn’t allow the musicians to re-pitch the sounds. I find it hard to justify paying roughly the same price as a brand new fully warrantied ONE for a used Live but I do like the idea of the battery and phono inputs. All four MPCs run the same ‘MPC firmware’ with the same features, but Akai have bundled each MPC with its own unique factory library (sounds, projects, kits etc) but the MPC X SE and MPC Key both include the following premium plugins; Fabric Collection, Studio Strings, OPX 4, Organs, Stage EP, Stage Piano. You should note that this is not the complete set of premium plugins, there are others that are only included as trials such as Mini D, Jura, Flavor Pro etc. Thanks that was really helpful! I’m trying to decide between the One and Live 2 and this is my main concern:
Incorporating their legendary MPC pad design, the MPC One features 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with polyphonic aftertouch for fluid playability. From chopping samples to finger-drumming and creating melodies; the 16-pad array makes it easy to input notes and control parameters. You can also take control of volume and other parameters using the four touch-capacitive Q-Links knobs. The new and revamped look now features an eye-catching red finish complete with a USB host port for thumb drives, MIDI controllers and audio interfaces. The MPC has been enjoying something of a revival recently. The MPC One has made the platform more affordable than ever, and there's a continuing swell of interest in DAW-free electronic music production. The first MPC I used was the Touch, which was the model that introduced the user interface and workflow used on all the current MPCs. As a Maschine and Live user it took me a long time to get my head around the MPC's approach and terminology. To help with this I've included a glossary, which is a good place to start. Scope The budget MPC One Plus has the tightest selection, with just two individual outputs and no mic, phono or instrument inputs.
What is the internal storage used for?
Akai Professional’s long-running MPC series is one of the most recognized sampling workstations ever made. Originally named MIDI Production Center (now Music Production Center), Akai introduced the first model, the MPC60, in 1988. Roger Linn, who developed the popular LM-1 drum machine in 1980, designed the earliest MPCs. Renowned for their influence on hip hop and electronic music, today’s workstations share DNA with their predecessors, with upgrades suited for modern digital recording. In this MPC One review, we’ll break down Akai’s affordable sequencer and sampling workstation. Akai MPC One Overview The MPC One supports USB 2.0 connections and ships with a USB 2.0 cable to connect to your computer for controller mode.
At the time of writing no other MPC has any premium plugins pre-installed, although the MPC One Plus is advertised as including one free premium plugin of your choice, but this is apparently a time limited offer. Price Finally there’s also the ‘beats on the go’ factor – whether it’s banging out a tune on the train or in the park, or lounging around chopping breaks on your couch, these smaller MPCs again have the MPC X nailed. But with its internal battery and built in speaker, the MPC Live II is of course the ‘out of the box’ winner here – just pull it out, turn it on and make beats anywhere (but you might want to use headphones if you’re sitting on a train!). There are fourteen plugins available in MPC One, including the tuner, harmonizers, and doubler effects. It has 4GB storage, but you can connect a USB or SD card to load up the audio samples. The heart and soul of the MPC One Retro is the same multi-core processor as the MPC X, skilfully combined into a compact standalone desktop unit that easily handles the most demanding tasks. MPC One Retro delivers a truly empowering hands-on experience, ready for any music production task. Edit and chop samples with hand gestures on the bright 7-inch touch screen colour display. Express your ideas effortlessly and directly with the dedicated knobs and touch keys that eliminate cumbersome drop-down menus. MPC Mainstays Absolutely! The MPC Live will be fully compatible with projects, programs, and sequences from previous MPC versions and legacy hardware MPC's such as the MPC5000, MPC4000, MPC3000, MPC2500/2500XL, MPC1000, and MPC500.It's a shame the excellent Hype synth has not made its way from the Force to the MPCs yet. I hope that will happen. Akai have also been teasing some drum synths that will bring dynamically generated sounds to the Drum Programs, which have previously been entirely sample based. Sampling
Great Deal 
New Comment