If somebody's looking for an MPC to buy here's the simple answer of why the MPC live 2 is the best: The one, 61 key You're basically stuck in the studio because you need to plug it in. What's the point in that You might as well usually your computer You got more versatility more power and why spend the extra money when your computer can do 300 times more. The MPC Live 2 you can take anywhere You can put in a two terabyte hard drive in it if you want, lots of room for storage beyond the two terabytes. The 5hr or more battery is amazing not to mention the speaker is so nice and it sounds amazing almost unbelievable how good the speaker sounds honestly. If you want to master on the go just bring some headphones. You can basically record vocals right into it as well It's like a portable Studio and you can use it in the studio that way you can take it anywhere why would you not buy a live 2 If you like portability and have the atudio option otherwise there's no point in buying one.
Great review fam, and I love your channel homie. This is my 2nd go round with the Live 2 Retro Edition, after experimenting with Maschine Plus. I love everything about it, and as a Dawless sample based beat maker, it's perfect for me. Great video bro, keep doing your thing!🙏🏾✊🏾💚
@DaBlackMic TV The first time was when it was first released. I was over my Son's house, and he was cooking on the Maschine MK3, and I was always intrigued by the workflow, and once the Plus came out, I got the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome lol), and traded it in for a year, until I finally came back to my senses. The Plus is cool, but the Live fits what I do, and I learned my lesson 🙏🏾✊🏾💚
Whew...I was a little nervous (title threw me off..Lol). Mainly because Santa has the Live 2 under my X-mas tree! I have the X and I love it but man...mobility sucks! But I'm still keeping the X (This thing is a monster!). I crossed over to Akai last year (I rocked with Rolands Mv-8800 for a hot minute). I'm getting the retro as well. The only learning curve I may have to get adjust is the menu diving. The X, like you mentioned has BUTTONS galore, which make finding and navigating menus very easy. There's also a Tascam model 12 under the tree! What are your thoughts on XLR cables verse the 1/4 jacks? Are you mixing and mastering all within the Live2? ..Great content man!
I have nothing but great things to say about Akai. It’s a bit of a learning curve but you would easily adapt to having the Live II coming from the X. In regards to the Model 12… I can’t say much as I have 0 experience with it. I mix alittle in the MPC but I end up tracking into Ableton and finish the mixing and master within my DAW…. But all & all it sounds like the X has been to you to make Santa wanna spin the block wit another one lol. Happy Holidays
@@Dreckabeatz it ain’t really comparable… it’s it’s own beast, but definitely dope. If you looking for a template to track into Ableton I’ve got a video that shows you how and I’ve got a template on my website
I own a Live 2 (regular black version because I prefer the onboard LEDs and screen to contrast more, also it's less vulnerable to stains) and I've never experienced my SSD locking up on it. What makes this device truly stand out is that this is literally the only mobile DAW-in-a-box out there. If you want to step away from your computer and professionally produce tracks standalone anywhere then look no further. This is it, there are no alternatives.
Yes this has truly been the ultimate mobile production center. What’s size is your SSD, I’ve led myself to believe the delay is the system loading all my expansions
@@DaBlackMicTV I have a 256 GB SSD (more than enough space for me) which can be bought from respectable brands for as less as 30 bucks nowadays. So if I were you I would definitely switch up your SSD with a new one and see if that fixes your problem. When the MPC OS starts up, it's not loading any expansions so that's not the problem. It only loads from the factory drive. Expansions are just content data sitting on your drive. Btw I do assume that you store all your stuff (projects, programs, expansions, samples, presets, etc.) on your SSD and not on the factory internal drive. It's highly recommended to use that drive for factory data only.
I've contacted Akai support a couple of times, and while I'm not impressed at all about the timeliness of their support ticket management, their live chat is a great resource and I've had several issues (almost exclusively my own fault) quickly resolved that way. It's weird, though, to get responses a month later from someone asking if they've resolved this issue yet when it was handled quickly via chat.
I swear. It was easier, at least for me, during the summer but now the live chat is probably the BEST channel for trying to get in touch with somebody. I don’t prefer the automated route or non verbal communication (chats & email). But ultimately it worked out, but not without dedication. Would you say they took care of you once you actually got in contact with someone?
*This thing looks amazing but I often wonder how much work you still do on P.C. in tandem with work on this device.* I'm a huge proponent of stand alone equipment with embedded computer systems in a broad range of technologies, but for music production, I think they can run circles around a ton of the work involved in doing the same on a PC.
I would say run circles around but if I did NOT have a computer this would be more than adequate. But I often use my computer in tandem with the MPC in the grand scheme of my process… for additional sounds and effects and definitely the finalize mixes
Yur! I'm looking to get an MPC Live II soon because my MPD32 that i've been rockin' w/ for 10 years+ no longer works. I wanted to know if I can use the MPC Live II as a plug n' play midi controller just like my MPD32 or my Impulse 25. Of course i'm interested in the MPC's one features but i'd also really like something that i can simply just plug in USB and control everything on Ableton like a MIDI controller does. Please get back to me whenever you can, Thank you so much! Big help
1: sorry to hear that ur gear gave out but u got more than enough value out of that old trusty piece of gear. 2: welcome to the MPC club… I’m not sure from person experience to use the Live II as a midi control but so versatile I wouldn’t be surprised. If I find that to be the case I’ll definitely make a video about it. 👌🏿
I’d say go with what feels right, something that fits best with your current workflow but also my compliment it… Versatility, Potability are also great things to consider. But u won’t go wrong on a LIVE II
At this point I’ve had 3 different MPC Live II’s and they all take some time after startup, for whatever reason, before I can do anything on it. Only thing I can attribute it to is, it’s probably being read.
Akai beauties, sold his touch and reset the account in 30 minutes to a new user, when the ssd was new and not clogged, it didn’t slow down at all. Buy Live 2
@@DaBlackMicTV Hello, you misunderstood, on the contrary, it is better to have a small unloaded SSD of about 256 GB, often the memory is spent on loading extensions, delete them and use samples in folders, also there should not be many samples in folders, everything became clogged with me anyway, but maybe this is also connected with the firmware, although on 2.11.4 it began to appear gradually
If somebody's looking for an MPC to buy here's the simple answer of why the MPC live 2 is the best: The one, 61 key You're basically stuck in the studio because you need to plug it in. What's the point in that You might as well usually your computer You got more versatility more power and why spend the extra money when your computer can do 300 times more. The MPC Live 2 you can take anywhere You can put in a two terabyte hard drive in it if you want, lots of room for storage beyond the two terabytes. The 5hr or more battery is amazing not to mention the speaker is so nice and it sounds amazing almost unbelievable how good the speaker sounds honestly. If you want to master on the go just bring some headphones. You can basically record vocals right into it as well It's like a portable Studio and you can use it in the studio that way you can take it anywhere why would you not buy a live 2 If you like portability and have the atudio option otherwise there's no point in buying one.
I agree with this message 👌🏿
Great review fam, and I love your channel homie. This is my 2nd go round with the Live 2 Retro Edition, after experimenting with Maschine Plus. I love everything about it, and as a Dawless sample based beat maker, it's perfect for me. Great video bro, keep doing your thing!🙏🏾✊🏾💚
Thanks I really appreciate it and I will… how long have you had ur retro?
@DaBlackMic TV The first time was when it was first released. I was over my Son's house, and he was cooking on the Maschine MK3, and I was always intrigued by the workflow, and once the Plus came out, I got the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome lol), and traded it in for a year, until I finally came back to my senses. The Plus is cool, but the Live fits what I do, and I learned my lesson 🙏🏾✊🏾💚
@@lindasson Understood. I could never get into the Maschine’s workflow / UI. But welcome back 👏🏿
Whew...I was a little nervous (title threw me off..Lol). Mainly because Santa has the Live 2 under my X-mas tree! I have the X and I love it but man...mobility sucks! But I'm still keeping the X (This thing is a monster!). I crossed over to Akai last year (I rocked with Rolands Mv-8800 for a hot minute). I'm getting the retro as well. The only learning curve I may have to get adjust is the menu diving. The X, like you mentioned has BUTTONS galore, which make finding and navigating menus very easy. There's also a Tascam model 12 under the tree! What are your thoughts on XLR cables verse the 1/4 jacks? Are you mixing and mastering all within the Live2? ..Great content man!
I have nothing but great things to say about Akai. It’s a bit of a learning curve but you would easily adapt to having the Live II coming from the X. In regards to the Model 12… I can’t say much as I have 0 experience with it. I mix alittle in the MPC but I end up tracking into Ableton and finish the mixing and master within my DAW…. But all & all it sounds like the X has been to you to make Santa wanna spin the block wit another one lol. Happy Holidays
@@DaBlackMicTV I have Ableton as well…still learning this program (came from Reason).
@@Dreckabeatz it ain’t really comparable… it’s it’s own beast, but definitely dope. If you looking for a template to track into Ableton I’ve got a video that shows you how and I’ve got a template on my website
@@Dreckabeatz ruclips.net/video/aqareGRwxT0/видео.html
@@DaBlackMicTV yea Imma need some time with this live2 …menu diving is slowing down my workflow. But I like the portability!
I own a Live 2 (regular black version because I prefer the onboard LEDs and screen to contrast more, also it's less vulnerable to stains) and I've never experienced my SSD locking up on it.
What makes this device truly stand out is that this is literally the only mobile DAW-in-a-box out there. If you want to step away from your computer and professionally produce tracks standalone anywhere then look no further. This is it, there are no alternatives.
Yes this has truly been the ultimate mobile production center. What’s size is your SSD, I’ve led myself to believe the delay is the system loading all my expansions
@@DaBlackMicTV I have a 256 GB SSD (more than enough space for me) which can be bought from respectable brands for as less as 30 bucks nowadays. So if I were you I would definitely switch up your SSD with a new one and see if that fixes your problem. When the MPC OS starts up, it's not loading any expansions so that's not the problem. It only loads from the factory drive. Expansions are just content data sitting on your drive.
Btw I do assume that you store all your stuff (projects, programs, expansions, samples, presets, etc.) on your SSD and not on the factory internal drive. It's highly recommended to use that drive for factory data only.
I've contacted Akai support a couple of times, and while I'm not impressed at all about the timeliness of their support ticket management, their live chat is a great resource and I've had several issues (almost exclusively my own fault) quickly resolved that way. It's weird, though, to get responses a month later from someone asking if they've resolved this issue yet when it was handled quickly via chat.
I swear. It was easier, at least for me, during the summer but now the live chat is probably the BEST channel for trying to get in touch with somebody. I don’t prefer the automated route or non verbal communication (chats & email). But ultimately it worked out, but not without dedication. Would you say they took care of you once you actually got in contact with someone?
@@DaBlackMicTV Oh, absolutely, once I got a real person on either the phone or the chat, things were fixed nearly instantly.
@@HeavyListeningMusic that’s honestly why I rock with AKAI… dope Customer Service
*This thing looks amazing but I often wonder how much work you still do on P.C. in tandem with work on this device.* I'm a huge proponent of stand alone equipment with embedded computer systems in a broad range of technologies, but for music production, I think they can run circles around a ton of the work involved in doing the same on a PC.
I would say run circles around but if I did NOT have a computer this would be more than adequate. But I often use my computer in tandem with the MPC in the grand scheme of my process… for additional sounds and effects and definitely the finalize mixes
Yur! I'm looking to get an MPC Live II soon because my MPD32 that i've been rockin' w/ for 10 years+ no longer works. I wanted to know if I can use the MPC Live II as a plug n' play midi controller just like my MPD32 or my Impulse 25. Of course i'm interested in the MPC's one features but i'd also really like something that i can simply just plug in USB and control everything on Ableton like a MIDI controller does. Please get back to me whenever you can, Thank you so much! Big help
1: sorry to hear that ur gear gave out but u got more than enough value out of that old trusty piece of gear. 2: welcome to the MPC club… I’m not sure from person experience to use the Live II as a midi control but so versatile I wouldn’t be surprised. If I find that to be the case I’ll definitely make a video about it. 👌🏿
@@DaBlackMicTV bless, lmk!
it's so hard to decide what to get. I want to be able to finger drum, else I had bought the Elektron Syntakt
I’d say go with what feels right, something that fits best with your current workflow but also my compliment it… Versatility, Potability are also great things to consider. But u won’t go wrong on a LIVE II
The internal drive should not cause your MPC to stall. It should be no different than before. I have one also.
At this point I’ve had 3 different MPC Live II’s and they all take some time after startup, for whatever reason, before I can do anything on it. Only thing I can attribute it to is, it’s probably being read.
Great Review!
Thanks a lot 🙏🏿… are you an MPC owner or looking to be?
@@DaBlackMicTV I am an MPC owner.
@@CDMESD how have you been enjoying it. Is it an active piece you use or has the allure run it’s course?
Background music too loud.
Damn, thanks for the feedback. I’ll work on it moving forward
mpc touch is the best
I suppose you can call this the current evolution of the MPC Touch…. And yes it, lol
Akai beauties, sold his touch and reset the account in 30 minutes to a new user, when the ssd was new and not clogged, it didn’t slow down at all. Buy Live 2
Sooo are you saying I should buy a bigger ssd for my MPC for it to not pause or slow during startup?
@@DaBlackMicTV Hello, you misunderstood, on the contrary, it is better to have a small unloaded SSD of about 256 GB, often the memory is spent on loading extensions, delete them and use samples in folders, also there should not be many samples in folders, everything became clogged with me anyway, but maybe this is also connected with the firmware, although on 2.11.4 it began to appear gradually
@@denkron3032 OOOOOOKKKKK! I get it now!