I’ll come right out and say it: I am not a huge fan. To drive this point home, version 2.9 was released today which includes a new drum synthesizer, adding to the list of built-in sound engines that come with the MPC Live II.īefore we get to the good stuff like onboard plugins, though, it’s worth talking about the general user interface. The MPC platform appears to be very well maintained, with regular updates and new features. Fortunately, Akai has so many years in the game, that there’s little to worry about here. SoftwareĪll the buttons, knobs and pads in the world can’t help if the software running the show isn’t up to snuff. Wireless connections are often considered inferior to their cabled counterparts (mostly due to latency) but it’s definitely a perk here, given how many things you can connect to it, the freedom of adding something wirelessly is at least one less cable to fidget with around the back of your desk. The latter lets you use Bluetooth MIDI keyboards to control the Live II itself. The former allows for wireless connectivity with Ableton Live (via Ableton’s “Link” software) along with other perks (such as hassle-free firmware updates). If all that’s not enough, the MPC Live also boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It’s not the first in the MPC family to add CV ports (both the MPC One and X have them also), but it does round out its credentials. The addition of the CV outputs just makes it even more appealing. With plenty of MIDI connectivity, the original Live was already a great hub. What really leaps out of me, compared to the Maschine for example, is how easy it would be to make the MPC Live II the center of your outboard setup. This is a great feature, and makes the non-touchscreen letterbox display on Native Instruments’ Maschine MK3 or Plus seem quaint.īy subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. Then there’s the 7-inch touchscreen where you’ll find all your menus, modes and music-making tools. They are still a delight to use, feel nice and responsive and make it easy to tap out “human-feeling” beats and melodies. First of all, there are the 16 velocity-sensitive sample/trigger pads.
That’s to say, the hardware features that carry over from the original.
But is it worth the $1,119 price tag? Hardware I’ve had one on my desk for a while now, and it’s creatively invigorating the bright lights and large touchscreen almost beg you to use it. The pitch is straightforward: It’s the same all-in-one music production device, just this time with built-in speakers, more connectivity and a slew of other tweaks. The MPC Live II is the latest member of the family, and as the name suggests, it replaces the original MPC Live in the lineup.
But it also means picking the right one for you can be a challenge.
To be clear, It’s a good problem, as there’s basically an MPC for every type of electronic musician.
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