MPC LIVE Hard Drive Install and Format (SSD)

In this video a do a MPC LIVE hard drive install with a Samsung 500 GB SSD ( amzn.to/2LCCfLI ). After I install the SSD I use windows disk management to format the SS Drive to exFAT so that I can use the SSD on both Windows OS and Mac OS if needed.
Samsung Solid State Drive:
amzn.to/2LCCfLI
Screws to mount SSD:
amzn.to/2CBp7na
Screwdriver Set:
amzn.to/2RgSm78
Click Here for Free MPC Expansion: freempcsounds.com
Click Here for Free MPC Jump Start Guide: mpcjumpstart.com
Links for Audio Gear I use in this video:
Akai MPC LIVE:
amzn.to/2MocRsE
Video gear for this video:
Lumix G7:
amzn.to/2DqBxAN
Rode NT1:
amzn.to/2VbvxAX
Fovitec Light:
amzn.to/2ReQw6R
Social Media
Instagram: / matthewcrea. .
Twitter: / matthewcreating
Facebook: / matthewcreating
Bandcamp: matthewstratto...
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

[@lordshiva83]

I formatted an old PS4 hard drive that I had laying around, installed it in my Live 2 and it worked like a charm!! thanks to your video now i have free 465GB of storage space

[@craigdaubbeats-rapinstrume9185]

Just got my MPC X yesterday. Putting a 1TB SSD in it now. Man all of those downloads when you buy a new MPC is crazy. There should just be a way to install all the necessary stuff and plugins all at once. I guess because Akai doesn't actually own those plugins they can't do that. But those plugin companies could put the bundles all in one download and install. You only need one licence for all the plugins in the bundles so I don't get why they can't pack them all into one download/install. Sheesh. Took me like 5 hours to do it all. Lol Definitely worth every bit of it. Comes with a lot of cool stuff. Thank you so much for all the tutorial you put out. You're definitely a major asset to us newbie MPC Users.

[@gregphillips3806]

Craig Daub Beats - Rap Instrumentals Inbox me I need plugins

[@JuliusDeBerryJr]

1 Tb.... That seems super overkill... Doesn't it. Lol

[@craigdaubbeats-rapinstrume9185]

@@JuliusDeBerryJr That ain't shit. Lol I have a 6 TB external drive as well. When you make music all day every day and need to keep stems for every single song, it takes a lot of space. I'd rather have one big drive than have to keep buying a bunch of SD cards. To be fair tho if you're just starting out and don't know if you're going to stick with it it may be overkill. But I been doing this several years now and accumulated a lot of stuff that takes up space. Every song by the time I make a vid, save all the stem and song files I need and whatnot can sometimes take half a gig and there's only 1000 gigs in a TB. As of right now I'm exporting and saving six songs a week which is probably going to double soon. So yeah it adds up. And I'm far from the only person that put a TB drive in their MPC.

[@lazaruslaser]

@@craigdaubbeats-rapinstrume9185 thank you for your service...bahaha But Seriously... I hope I become that dedicated..

[@FromanEngineer]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. I was trying to install the same exact Samsung SSD today, and was so annoyed when it was not showing up - not knowing that I needed to format it on my computer. Thanks so much man.

[@MatthewStratton]

You are welcome!

[@simon_esse896]

​@@MatthewStrattonI've got a ssd with windows on it. Can I simply follow the steps in the video and it will it format the used ssd?

[@DoctorNemmo]

That moment when your drum machine has more expandability, inputs and outputs than your average macbook.

[@themastersurgeon5676]

a good day

[@jonnymids]

Lmaoooo

[@SynthD]

And a touch screen

[@zealforhumnity]

right?

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

I just dropped a 1TB SSD into my Live. I used the Amazon links you provided for the drive and the screws. Thank you so much for the help!

[@MatthewStratton]

Nice. 🙂 Glad it was helpful and worked for you.

[@weaponofvoice]

Thanks man, helped me out a lot. I’m an Akai MPC noob and I hadn’t realised yet you could format and also access the data drive from a computer. That’s going to me my way to transfer my own samples moving forward.

[@googlerep366]

Thank you sooo much for making this video and spending the time to show everything step by step ans not go to fast thats important in these types of videos 🙏

[@craigdaubbeats-rapinstrume9185]

Just tried screwing it in first. Definitely made it easier for future reference. Edit: Also another thing that makes it easier if you still have it is the styrofoam on the edges that comes with the MPC in the box. Just gotta be very careful when you flip it.

[@OmuNikoro]

Can’t thank you enough for the step by step guide! Managed to cope a og live and today I wanted to put in a 500gb hdd in but would recognize it. Only thing I had to figure out was deleting the assigned volumes of the disk before creating a new one because aparently there was still data on the drive. Much apreciated, all love and health! 🍻

[@bestsample3744]

Super helpful. I would've never guessed how to format the drive.

[@skaterjz67]

THANK YOU! I’ve been searching everywhere to figure out how to transfer files to and from my MPC live 2. Not really a huge fan of SD cards so I think the SSD is going to be the way to go for me. Thanks again!

[@creeptheplanet9668]

Update for anyone curious: the new MPC Live 2 units come with extra screws in the box. 👌🏼

[@SynthD]

I didn’t see any in my box

[@LFiers]

Weird. Didn't get any in my box.

[@LFiers]

@@SynthD Same here.

[@Sibz]

Got mine yesterday. Came with screws.

[@SynthD]

@@Sibz I found them in a tiny bag with the manual

[@dragonheatbeats9944]

Just added the MPC X to my Arsenal to accompany my MPC One, and added an SSD to it.. came back to this video to get it right.. thanks again sir 😂

[@Mspinello]

Great video, I have been working on this for over a week on a new MPC Key 61 You solved my issue in 8 minutes Bravo my man! Have a great weekend

[@MatthewStratton]

Awesome! Have a great weekend!

[@ianbaker710]

Thank you. This helped me install a 250GB ssd in a live 2. Was struggling to get the MPC to recognise the drive and even in controller mode, my laptop still didn't seem to find the MPC. The steps in windows to locate the drive and to format helped. Cheers.

[@channelz3363]

You so much - I bought an ssd from another manufacturer which I had seen on MPC forums should work fine however it was unrecognised and still needed formatting. I was getting nowhere with it for some time until I checked your video out and sorted it out immediately! Thank you

[@mumionebeats2415]

Just installed my SSD into the MPC Live with your help. Thank you 🙏

[@MatthewStratton]

Glad to help!

[@havenautart]

Some 3m strips work great didn’t need any extra screws.

[@krazywabbit]

I read an article that you could not access the SSD unless hooked up to a computer. Thanks for showing that piece was wrong.

[@dtrelzmusic]

Dope! I will be doing this asap especially considering the 2.8 update is coming!

[@MatthewStratton]

Nice!

[@BladeTheMotovlogger]

Great video!!! It’s a gift that keeps giving! I just bought a MPC X and put a 1TB in it with the help of this video. One difference I noticed is you have an ejection option next to the internal drive you just put in and mines don’t have that.

[@MatthewStratton]

Mine doesn't have that anymore either. Akai probably changed it in an update.

[@DJRayLegend]

You’ve help me more than once with my mpc. This helped tremendously. Thank you!

[@MatthewStratton]

Right on, good to here. Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@xvirgomoonx]

This is one of the most helpful videos on all of youtube. Thanks, man!

[@MatthewStratton]

Glad you found value in it!

[@falschnehmung]

tnx soooo much. I found screws ... eventually ... that matched - from an old HD - never throw things away ... ! At some point your video is a bit hard to follow when the SSD install is the first thing to do with baby ... but I succeeded - when I understood, that the formatting has to be done on / from the PC ... !

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome. Glad you got it set up 👍

[@Year_21]

Have any vids for file organization for your own samples? Naming, folders and sample accessibility for workflow etc.

[@MatthewStratton]

Not yet. Maybe in the future.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

@@MatthewStratton It's now the future. Waiting.....

[@tmk7573]

is there a way to transfer all of your samples, expansions and projects to your new SSD? just to clear up space on the internal. Thanks and very helpful videos, all of them.

[@marvinbennett8384]

Let me know if u find out lol

[@tmk7573]

@@marvinbennett8384 i gave up lol. I just save everything on my ssd now and left the internal as it was.

[@marvinbennett8384]

@@tmk7573 damn 4real ? that's why I didn't even try lol, I'm going to take my mpc to this computer repair shop; thank goodness I know woman who works there she's pretty good with them.

[@tmk7573]

@@marvinbennett8384 i wish it had a 'move to' option or a drag and drop like windows does.

[@geoffwidmier3714]

I had the exact same issue. I followed these steps and it worked!

[@yetcop]

Amazing tutorial, very concise. Thanks Matthew!

[@MatthewStratton]

Right on, thanks for the comment, glad it helped.

[@calvinvalentine5126]

dude. you are a life saver .

[@MatthewStratton]

Glad to help.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Thanks man. I just ordered the screws and a 1TB version of this drive for my Live.

[@drizzl8899]

Watching this video earlier would have saved me a headache. I thought I bought a faulty ssd first 1 hour later I finally got it to work. I don't know if thats a special case with the Samsung evos or in general. I'm definitely not a pc tech guy

[@BenGaudi]

Thank dude, you saved my life with windows :) :) :) No new folder option for me in standalone with the disk, neither with the usb card.

[@dragonheatbeats9944]

Quick Question: when formatting an SD card. do you need to create all the folders for "projects", "Expansions" etc of as you add expansions to it does it automatically create those folders for you? I remember in another one of your videos you showed up what folders were necessary, what were they again?

[@TranceCore3]

I decided to pick up my first MPC. I always kinda saw them as toy-like or just too retro (green lcd screens), but man they're far from it. Seriously been missing out.

[@MatthewStratton]

It does a lot. It is an awesome toy! LOL

[@lazaruslaser]

Thanks... a little nervous about doing the firmware and plug-in updates... seems folks are having some trouble... Plenty of video's so I should be ok

[@josephharris4437]

Thanks so much man, my drive wasn't showing up. This fixed it! :)

[@MatthewStratton]

Glad I could help!

[@squairbenizrecords2668]

I just copped a new Mpc x and i also purchased a 1tb samsung 870 qvo and it would not show in standalone mode only in controller mode I was baffled of course went and bought another hard drive (wd Blue 1tb) to the same problem......the solution was to save something on the new drive while in controller mode and then only then the drive finally shows in standalone hope this helps some confused beatmaker....been there not fun

[@oakridge1]

if anyone is looking for Metric screws... I found the M3x5 at ACE Hardware strore...

[@Sinosure]

I just bought an MPC Live & it had the screws in the box!!👍🏿

[@christiankanika2039]

@@Sinosure lucky 😅

[@craigpatchett3508]

Great video, thanks. But…put a towel on the table first to protect the front of the MPC!

[@GarryFibbs]

Thanks for the content 🙏. I assume all parts are the same for MPC live 2? If so, I'll order everything from the links you provided. Thanks again

[@StrosB4Hos]

Lazy design, I remember my 1000 and 2500 requiring a kit to install an HDD and it had a removable front plate. The back hole was to upgrade the ram. This is a SATA cable hanging out to a latch cover with 4 screw holes in it? Wondering why this wasn’t possible in the One?

[@GamingAuthorityVideo]

Do you need the ssd drive if you have a sound card? Or flash drive?

[@agustinbernal2760]

Hi, great video! Thanks! Is it possible to transfer the expansions to this new drive?

[@Unders]

Great video sir.

[@MatthewStratton]

Thanks for the comment my friend.

[@whereisko]

Thanks for this video! I found it really helpful especially with the driver set. I'm not sure which hard drive to cop though as I was going to get the Kingston 960gb but I'm seeing a lot of Samsung purchases

[@salvalast]

beautiful video and excellent explanation, with your help I installed a 1 Tb barracuda seagate on an akai force ... but what are the maximum dimensions supported by the akai force?

[@skinjob2]

Just mount the drive to the lid first, then connect it, then screw the lid shut. Don't make it so complicated, dude! ;)

[@MatthewStratton]

Oh, is that how it’s done?

[@Petsublak]

Many thanks for video and links. Great help! Appreciated.

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome. Glad to help!

[@TheSaxDragon]

Thank you so much for this video! It's just what I needed!

[@Mspinello]

I have another question, it seems like when I load expansions I purchased and load them, the expansion volumes are consistent but when I go add a track and try to add a built in plug in , those volumes are way too low. Any advice on equaling out the volumes, I tried to do it with the volume slider but I can't seem to get the built in plug ins up to the volume I need even when I max them out on the volume control

[@GrimeyJ]

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated 🙏

[@MatthewStratton]

No problem 👍

[@DL-1]

I have an internal drive installed into my mpc live 2. How do i access the splice samples, drum kits, and mpc expansions from that internal drive... to be able to drag and drop them into the mpc software? How can i do that?

[@DL-1]

Does it have to be an ssd,or a regular hdd? And what is the maximum size that a person can put in the live 2? Thank you.

[@prueph]

Thanks Matt!

[@labland6633]

How did you get that wide red cord out of the way? I'm worried about bending it.

[@LiftedNoise]

Nice, very helpful. I need to do this soon. I'm still using the internal default location to save my projects. With nothing backed up smh what am I thinking. I do have my samples on SD though. Have you looked into changing the default file path so your projects save automatically to your new drive rather than the internal stock drive?

[@MatthewStratton]

I haven't gotten as far as to make a default path yet, but I did create all the folders in the new SSD. I think it will be a good option to save the projects on the SD card and SSD to have redundancy.

[@labland6633]

Great channel by the way! I should have said that first!

[@madhouse7643]

Simple and quick tip! Thanks :)

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome!!! Thanks for the comment.

[@azlanahmad6647]

I added a SanDisk but nothing comes up, actually there was no ssd drive in the thing as I opened it so what's the next step?

[@gerardorodriguez3527]

What if your ssd is installed and formatted but won't pop up in either laptop desktop and the mpc??

[@roberthedrock5106]

Hi, May i ask you some questions please ? I've formated on my PC, the "V-NAND SSD disk Samsung 860PRO (1To)" in Ex-Fat format, via an adapter. I inserted it in my MPC live 2, as shown in your video (using the 4 extra screws that were into the MPC Live 2 box). Problem : the disk doesn't shows up in the MPC live 2 Menu with its different locations. So here are the only 2 probable issues that i can think about and i wanted to know if they were actually real issues : 1 - As i've formated the SSD in ExFat, i renamed it. Could it be the problem ? Does it have to not be renamed to be detected ? 2 - the cables in the MPC are inverted for this type of SSD (screws holes are on one specific side). Means if i don't cross the cables, then i can't "stick" the SSD to the metallic opening board. > So i've crossed the cables delicately and put the SSD in it's bay, then I put the last 4 screws. So far so good i'd say. if you have any idea or suggestion i would be grateful. Thank you very much.

[@jmkeybass760]

Please Help!! My computer accept the controller mode but I cant see the ssd drive activate on my pc. Im running Windows

[@joeyxl3456]

Top man for making this video. Thanks bro.

[@tom22333]

Thx Matthew!

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome.

[@bigflx_]

5 years later you value is still valued 🫡🤞🏾

[@ThomasGeffroyd]

Thanks a bunch!!!!

[@dragonheatbeats9944]

Thank you sir..!!!

[@thembasmuts9386]

Thanks for this video.

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome.

[@Tolivar]

Hey Mathew! First of all thank you so much for your videos :D I’ve followed all the steps you showed on the video and ssd works just fine. The thing is that now when connecting the mpc to the computer, the browser just shows me the internal disk of my computer and the ssd but it doesn’t show anymore the Internal disk of the MPC. Any clue how to solve this? Thank you so much

[@thomasreza4576]

Hi! Great video. I followed your instructions and now my iMac wont read my mpc live when I used the USB pluggin. I tried posting my problem on MPC forums but no one has replied. Can you help me? or do a video with a iMac. Sorry if this comes off as strange

[@kensey1973]

Not everyone has a computer. I have an iPad and a smart phone. So how am I supposed to format an SSD drive??

[@yungshinto7224]

I have a kinda noob question. I’m about to install my ssd thanks to your video much appreciated! But I’m unsure what to do about the files on my SD card. When I did the update I put the (sounds) folder on the SD card. Is it possible to move this to the SSD so I can take out the SD card?

[@yungshinto7224]

Update* figured this out but it almost seems as if the screws have been glued in to the bottom of my MPC :( . Looks like I'm "screwed" lol

[@ProdbyAdwerdz]

Thank You

[@terrencecollins1893]

I see you use windows. I have an mpc x and my laptop won’t let me download the driver for it. I also have windows. Any suggestions?

[@thahomie773]

Is 2Tb of ssd too much for the Mpc live

[@SirDuTcH-HarrY]

Hi man, Thanks for this video man....! I aLmost send back a working SSD to the shop i boughT iT from. Cause i thoughT iT was'nT working. Dumb arses @ Akai didn"t puT this in their 524 pages manUaL, wTf righT...? BuT thanks again man. GreeTings frOm thA NeTherLands...! 🐺🙏🐺

[@JayInTheLab1989]

Top man 👍🏻 thank you.

[@luigiavila6102]

Do you have to format using the computer or can you just find a hard drive thats already ex fat? My computer is broken and apple stores in cali are closed

[@MATTHEWSTONE74]

You cleared my doubts, goo tuto ! Liked & subsribed

[@MatthewStratton]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Beatz-Pocket]

Is it possible to have Accsess to the internal MPC drive to transfer the Akai samples and projects? It’s full and I wanna delete all Akai content. Well not all but some of them. Thank you Sir 🙋🏽‍♂️

[@MatthewStratton]

No, you cannot access the internal drive when connected to computer. I don't recommend deleting anything off of the internal drive that was preinstalled. I read too many stories about people running into issues when they delete the factory content. I wouldn't fill up the internal drive to max either. External storage is the way to go.

[@Beatz-Pocket]

@@MatthewStratton Ok. Thank you 😊

[@thomasleguenne8817]

Is SSD better than SD card?

[@LFiers]

Hey Andrew, great videos, I like your work. How's storage space working for you? I'm thinking of getting a 2TB for some decent future proofing.

[@MatthewStratton]

500 GB is fine for me right now. I doesn't hurt to have more if you do a lot of sampling and acquire a lot of sample packs online and if you make a lot of projects to with large samples loaded onto it.

[@LFiers]

@@MatthewStratton Appreciate the reply. I'm leaning towards a 1TB Samsung 870 EVO for now. Idy prefer a 2TB as I always like to go a step larger than what I think I'd need for future proofing, but I think that should do nicely, hopefully. Keeo up the good work on your videos too. I've used a few for learning my MPC already. Also, where can I check out your beats? Wouldn't mind hearing a few. Thanks. - L

[@LFiers]

@@MatthewStratton Oh I forgot to ask, I have an MPC Live 2. The process would be the same right? Someone said it should come with the screws but they weren't in my box. What size screws do I need? I'm in Australia so I can't really buy the ones in your link.

[@fighterz9995]

Can I do this to the MPC one

[@ukylele7510]

Thank you very much !

[@MatthewStratton]

You are welcome!

[@TheTeekayes]

My man. Good looking out. 🤜🤛

[@MatthewStratton]

😎

[@DjFuNkysara]

How much TB max can I put inside ? 2 TB ?

[@julianocorrea6137]

great video man! thanks a lot!

[@MatthewStratton]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@dahnic69]

Could you please produce a MPC X, Live, One, Live II Video to Delete and uninstall all non factory data (Factory Re-Boot) Prior to selling a Used MPC Standalone.

[@samuelzavaleta451]

Hi Matthew, Question my MPC is showing a message that wasn’t turning off properly. All started after I installed my Samsung card:( Any ideas thanks! Sam

[@MatthewStratton]

Don't know, haven't heard of that happening before. If you disconnect the Samsung SSD does it still do it? What did Akai Pro support say about it?

[@samuelzavaleta451]

Thanks Matthew! Is not found it anymore... although now I’m using a as card more frequently to save my stuff. Question regarding the guitar recording. I can’t hear the whole recording. I hear half bar of my guitar recording. Any ideas again thanks Matthew!!!

[@MatthewStratton]

Do you have the bpm set to master? There is a huge bug that I reported in audio tracks where it will not play the last two beats of the audio track. I was told to keep the bpm set to sequence instead of master by Akai.

[@samuelzavaleta451]

Matthew Stratton you’re the best!!!

[@LFiers]

Damn it was quite hard to put the SSD in. Had to kind of force and bend the cable for the SSD to get it in there. Is this normal? Didn't feel right. Didn't go in as easy as this one. Mines an MPC Live 2

[@o2b312]

Hi there, got one question maybe you can help, I bought a second hand MPC Live II, and Im missing the "Startscreen" where you can choose the Progamm, do you know maybe a way how I can put my gear to the status like "Factory-Delivery" Appicate your time and work ;- ) Cheers

[@MatthewStratton]

If you go into the settings (got to menu and press the cog at the top) there is a RESET PREFERENCES button at the bottom of the screen. This will reset all the preferences. If you want the start screen with the demos go to your settings and then go to PROJECT DEFAULTS then where it says NEW PROJECT DIALOG select Demo/Template/Recent. Hope this helps!

[@o2b312]

@@MatthewStratton Thanks for the fast response!!! Will try it ASAP, there’s is one question more is it possible to communicate via email? How can I reach you, I have real problem with the mpc software on my Mac Pro…;-(( kind regards

[@andrewgervacio8008]

Thanks man

[@thomasusheriii971]

I can successfully get them on my SD card to run on my MPC Live 2 but when I try to export them to the ssd installed on my MPC Live 2 it trys and then fails. I've tried 2 different ssds. Why is that? Also the SSD seems to transfer and load a lot slower than the SD card. I know the SSD is installed correctly cuz I can use it but just not to properly store the expansions . It is formatted exFat. Any suggestions?

[@oO5Dynasty]

You make really good videos!

[@MatthewStratton]

Thanks!

[@gregomaan6934]

Hello, is there a way to have the projects sorted not by name, but by date of change? Would help a lot, tried to do it in pc, but in mpc it’s still sorted by name

[@MatthewStratton]

I believe it is just alphabetical in standalone mode. I don’t know of a way to change it

[@TheOneJPtv]

Good Stuff thanks

[@TheOneJPtv]

NOw I'm stuck in "Looking for Computer"Mode. Help.

[@ZenMountain]

I wonder how you managed to get the cable back in and still have room to fit the ssd. My Live2 has a long cable and there’s no room once you connected the ssd. Any advice? Thanks!

[@DrawingExercises-q2d]

I have a Live II and I installed an SSD using this method and I was able to insert the cable gently backwards, into the hole from which it emerges into the casing, as I pulled the SSD gently back, and when the SSD fit into the casing, and the cable was sufficiently tucked back in, I closed the case lid and screwed it on. Of course, I had to dispense with screwing the SSD onto the MPC casing. But it fits, and it doesn't jiggle. It's snug as a bug in a rug in there, tightly. You might try my technique, to see if it works for you. Don't give up, I'm sure other people have gotten it to work screwed on and with the cable placed in the right place. You might ask again on the Akai forum.

[@FilippoMidali]

Hi man, I installed an ssd in the mpc Live, but I dont know how yo move all the files from internal to ssd!! Can you help me? Thanks I have High CPU issues with dropouts and I would like to improve performance movieng all my live sets to the SSD

[@cheodelpino581]

I have the same hard drive but it says not readable

[@brokenpoolhall]

Hi Matt, Off topic, but I just purchased an mpc live 2, powered it up, and tried to make a vst track. When I tried using any of the presets on tubesynth or bassline, all I was getting, was a really distorted sound no matter the preset. I even tried to initialize the patch, but it was the same distorted noise. Tried using some of the onboard samples, and they worked fine. I thought it might be the speakers, but I used headphones, And then hooked up my monitors, with the same result. Any idea? Has anyone else had this issue?

[@MatthewStratton]

Not sure. Did you find anything else about this?