AKAI MPC Live II vs One - my choice, and why!

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[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Ahhh I need to make new videos! Those take so much work!! :D but seeing all of your messages remind me that it's probably worth it

[@fleximarvellous]

I really appreciate the speakers of Live 2, Now I can quickly boot up and make music everywhere and no longer dependent on the mixer/speakers set up,

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey thanks you for being here! Indeed. I was the first surprised to feel like you do. Another think I forgot to mention is that although the Live II is bigger (and much heavier!) than the One, it's actually the perfect height and thickness to JUST fit in a laptop backpack, like the one seen at the end of my video. The One being more of a square does not. The sound is quite good, although I of course as good as you put in / sample. Good thing I had analog gear (TOFT console, Pultec close EQs, Eventide H3000 and of course the SP-1200 etc, and will use those to treat the sounds I sample as needed. I will mate the Live II outputs to my Toft for tracking and mixing, etc. Oh I should make a video about that!! I hope you subscribe and to "see" you again soon. Take care

[@culturemax234]

I had a hard time choosing but I decided to go with the mpc one

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

Just hooked myself a retro MPC One for $699. I could have definitely stretched for a Live II, (saw one for $900 with an SSD, and Decksaver included). And the prices on both One and Live II are very low right now cause Akai is getting ready for its new releases next year. I actually decided on this over the Live II because I didnt want an internal battery or on-board wifi. Crazy, I know. But that integrated battery on the Live, to me was more of a limitation than convenience, for my use. Besides finding proper replacements when it eventually dies, the integrated battery also adds more risk when shopping used, plus the travel/shipping restrictions to consider. And there were lots of users with battery failures and power faults out of the box. If you're not much of a flyer, and dont plan on traveling with it, this might not affect you, but I travel multiple times a year and restrictions and bans on lithium and NiMH batteries are changing all the time. While you can fly with the MPC Live easily enough, it still takes up essentially 1 entire bag and limits the number of any other lithium based electronics you are bringing as carry on. And some flights are already restricted to only one carry on bag. Then there is the Wifi component, which I dont really need as I dont plan on buying plugins or using their Splice samples. Many reported bug issues with Splice samples not working/playing after download. But even more of an issue that comes with Wifi are that their "premium" Plug-ins require a check in to their servers every 90 days. Basically making your hardware more dependent on licensed software and forcing Wifi to always be running (Sign the petition against this at Change. Org to "Stop Akai MPC Plugins requiring routine check"). So, is WIFI really a feature or another paywall limitation? Besides the fact that most electronics and cellular companies all force buyers to accept their terms and agreements that no one reads, or blatantly hides product limitations behind a paywall, there is also the issue of radiation safety from pulsed RF and microwaves when Wifi is continuously running, which I wont go into And some people even use these machines on their lap! So anyway, the Wifi is a hard pass for me. Just let me have an updated mpc daw with a nice screen for the modern day, updated memory storage formats, i/o connections, let it still be semi-portable, but lose all those "controller-esque" features that actually make you dependent on a computer or internet connection. And Akai can happily keep their OS menu diving, integrated batteries, and WIFI.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey thanks for taking the time to share your story and choices. Yeah I just finally did their big update, and it all feels like you’re signing in to a service. I get that. Still love it, and I’ll just keep using it :) but I understand where you’re coming from

[@c-row66]

Excellent . this video makes me feel im actually done thinking about this choice. Thanks.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Great review, thanks; lots of practical points to consider … Speaking of, what happens when the battery in the Live II dies … ?! Are they readily available and easily replaceable … ?! Thanks! 😎👍🏼

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

That is a GREAT point. No idea. I would imagine that it's a battery model that could be sourced. Those newer MPCs are pretty modular in there / look like computers with components

[@Olivil]

mpcstuff has them but they're $240!

[@Drrolfski]

Since last year's update, you can now assign Program Edit to Menu + Pad 4. Which means going to Program Edit is only a single handstroke now.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey thanks for the info. I’ve been scared to update the firmware as I’ve heard it changed the workflow a lot (enough to make me hesitate). Take care

[@Drrolfski]

@@ManoOne-Music-Production The workflow has changed for the better, that's why they've done it. Don't let the internet scare you, it's just bullshit from a few vocal naysayers that hate any change. The MPC is simply a better platform than it was a year ago, which was a better platform than a year before that. It's called progress.

[@mano123456]

@@Drrolfski Hey sorry for the delay seeing this and replying. I really appreciate what you said, and I'll be updating because of it! I can see how that happens

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

@@Drrolfski I'll update then! Thank you (I may have posted this twice --- juggling between multiple KZbin accounts hah)

[@andrzejkucharzyk9970]

"The buttons they just do a TUK TUK TUK TUK" XD XD XD

[@THA-REAPER]

I'm a lefty but more of a righty. The pads on the left really doesn't bother me for the live II, but pads on the left I hate doing things like note repeat. Left being the more dominant hand is not bad, but I need the right to be more dominant and quicker if I'm going to touch the screen to switch the repeat timing, while holding the pad all while holding the button in the top left corner. At least the way I like to use it. I have to rely more on latch. The one it's no problem and the X is no problem. I have all of the 3 MPC models so I really can't cry about anything. I'm just giving another perspective.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

That’s a really good point thank you

[@PaudelPK]

Thanks for comparing th e two. still not sure what to get...im interestet in the new generation . I like the dedicated buttons on the one, but having no individual outs is a downside. hard to decide for sure! keep up the good content!

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey thanks so much for being here. Do you plan to take the MPC with you outside of your studio to make music? That's the main strength of the Live II over the One. I never thought I would care so much about being mobile, until I experienced the Live II. The lack of outputs on the One isn't a huge issue when you hook it up to your computer via USB for tracking, or an interface to literally add I/Os (I have not done that yet myself though)

[@J-Hz]

The One doesn't have individual outs but you can always export tracks to individual stems if you're wanting to track to a daw. If you're looking at outputting signal to external fx, thwn you will need to go with Live/2 or use a usb class compliant audio interface

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

@@J-Hz great points yes! It's easy to export stems internally to an SD or the drive indeed. I'm very impressed.

[@dianevrules]

@@J-Hz Right!!!!!!! If you are using individual outs for tracking out to analog recorders like reel to reel, cassette, and you want to track out a lot of outputs in one pass, X has the most outputs for that job. However, individual outs are no longer necessary for exporting individual tracks to DAWs, due to the exploding tracks feature in all MPC Workstations (Live/Live II/X/One). If anything, one should prefer more individual inputs and more than 8 audio tracks. Personally, if I bought an MPC workstation, it would easily be an MPC One. Buttons feel similar to my MPC 2000 Classic. I prefer the SD card slot in the front. I prefer the 3mm headphone jack in the front. I like the smaller pads. I prefer square over rectangular shape. Plus One is portable af. Light af. I dont care for an internal battery, internal hard drive, or internal speakers. That bs is $500 more than a One. I rather buy two Ones and get an external battery pack for the 2nd one than to deal with an internal battery that will eventually loose its charge. Plus I dont think you can take that bs on a plane.

[@whendoesthisend]

how would you use the extra outs? I've been asking this and not getting any answers. I want this and I already have Octatrack mk2. Just not sure which to get and I think having this answer will help. Thanks in advance sir/ma'am.

[@KellyMeinert]

MPC Live 2 is love ❤

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey Kelly, thanks for being here! Take care

[@TheCratesMotel]

I have had the Live II black since launch and never had any "sticky" problems with the coating. Obviously some people have, maybe due to humidity, UV, or whatever, but it is not a given dude. It doesn't happen to every black MPC. Mine looks as good as new. No issues. I just wanted to point that out as you implied it happens to every black Live I and II. Cheers bro.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey i appreciate you posting that. The ones I saw seemed to have dust / gunk stuck to them. Also, close up pictures of units for sale on Reverb had that look. I had music gear in the past with a similar rubbery material and they all turned like that. I was definitely assuming, and will keep an eye out when I come across other black live units. Take care and thanks again

[@roveism]

@@ManoOne-Music-Production Seriously good point, no one talks about the finish of these devices. the rubber coating ages horribly.

[@joserivera1054]

I love my MPC Live and my MPC Live 2. I have both of them in the gold edition because the rubber coating is trash.

[@R34L17Y]

You really helped me thank you.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

You're welcome! Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I need to get back into my KZbin :)

[@sinewaymusic]

Can't believe I spent 2 minutes listening to your inner debate about the placement of the screen. 😂 Glad you found your perfect MPC, but this was a little long-winded. 🙏

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Haha! Well, I am a UX Designer in my career, and I'm passionate about ergonomics, and... That's one of the differences!

[@adfender428]

Thanks for your insights :) Do you recommend any bluetooth controlers?

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey I don’t have any experience with Bluetooth controllers unfortunately. Reminds me to keep that in mind the next time I’m on the market for a controller

[@bjh3661]

Good review.

[@nicks.8003]

Armstrong Woods? Never thought to take an MPC out there.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey there. What / who is Armstrong Woods?

[@nicks.8003]

At 4:30, it looks like you are near a giant coastal redwood tree. Armstrong Woods is a natural reserve with ancient redwood trees in a town called Guerneville California and has some trees over 1400 years old. They’re massive. The tree and the fencing look just like it.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

@@nicks.8003 Ah almost! Yes I'm not far from redwoods :)

[@dianevrules]

You shouldve kept the 2000 Classic. It's the most unique traditional non-Roger Linn MPC, ever. Only MPC with a digit/data wheel. Nothing but 16 pads on the right side. First MPC made after Roger Linn departed. Last MPC that was made by the original Akai Electric LTD company.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey Diane! Great to see you here, thank you for watching and posting this. I did not know those facts. I know that the ultimate, classic AKAI rack sampler was the S6000, which I had back in the late 90s, but I was unclear about MPCs. I agree. The preamp / sampling gain circuit had a super raw sound, when pushed hot. That's the main think I noticed. The XL knob is so flimsy, I installed a machined metal one, but I felt that was a step down. I still love my XL, but I get what you are saying. To me the 3000 is the MPC dream. One day. Thank again! I hope you subscribed. Check out my SP-1200 four parts series!

[@hip360hop]

The new mpcs shit on the legacy machines

[@JEFFMAN90]

The 2000 classic is trash compared to the XL.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

What is your favorite AKAI MPC?

[@producer21207]

Akai Force for me.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

@@producer21207 nice! I don't know how that one works at all. I hear people love it. Seems very different. I never got into the clip launching concept, so I ignored the Force. It seems heavily designed around that. Thanks for watching and for your comment! Take care

[@huntergalloway3944]

Gotta go with the Live. I have the V1 because I didn’t feel I need the CV or speakers. Plus it’s a bit smaller which is perfect for traveling. I paid 700$ and it came with a case. No regrets.

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

@@huntergalloway3944 definitely amazing value, and good choice used price wise for what you get

[@myfathersson3751]

Mpc one.i'm on it daily.my best purchase.

[@Bendy2K]

Yo what's the record at 10 mins? Got a sci fi tip to it!

[@ManoOne-Music-Production]

Hey! Thanks for being here. It might have been The Planets (Holst), one of my favorite records