MPC STRESS TEST! CPU and RAM Powerful Enough? - One/Live/X

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

A few of my take aways from this experiment: -Use Stereo only when absolutely necessary (this also makes mixing easier) -Remember to purge samples and kits you’re not using -Use fx sparingly when in standalone -It’s always a good idea to bounce midi tracks to audio so you can free up CPU usage (applies to daws as well) Please add your own tips down below and let’s make this list way longer! Cheers!

[@rebelkleff6250]

Another great cpu saver is the flatten pad feature, which can render all fx down to the pad to free up the processor. One of the best and maybe sometimes overlooked feature on these machines 🙌🏼

[@benrobinson7931]

@@rebelkleff6250 This is really helpful, i never use it but will experiment with this!

[@JUNO-69]

The power of my mpc simply has never crossed my mind because it has never been an issue. Not even once. Quite honestly I feel like you would have to be using it “wrong” or not as intended to get it to max out like that in real world circumstances. And any upper limit is actually a good incentive to get creative and work within the limitations of the device.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I couldn’t agree more! I feel that if you can’t make a song work with the available resources on the MPC, the machine ain’t the problem🤣 thanks for posting my friend! Cheers!

[@ChristopherOrth]

Same! When I had an Octatrack I would run out of capability with it literally on every song. Really easy to bump into the edges on that box. But never once has that been an issue for me with the Live 2

[@ToyKeeper]

The only real-world scenario I can think of where it might run out of RAM is when using a bunch of instruments created with the auto-multisample function. But even that would require an unusual amount of large multisamples... or user error. Meanwhile, instead of ~1130 MiB of sample RAM, the Digitakt has only 64 MiB.

[@malefiz6150]

I make sample based hip hop instrumentals with a very limited use of plug ins, but I use sooo many effects at the same time and could never reach the CPU or Ram limit. I love this device and in my opinion it fits me so much. I use it in combination with a SP808 as an additional fx box. Turntable to SP808 to Mpc Live. If you should overwhelm the device, you simply can export edited samples out of your project and re-import them to remove the used fx Plug-Ins on your sample. Sorry for my bad english. It‘s not my native language. I hope you could understand me. If you have the same needs as me in music production, I definitly recommend this device!

[@classymotiv2097]

Yeah, I use standalone if I'm creating ideal samples and tracks, I use it as a controller with a PC using the Akai MPC and/or Ableton 11 interface to tune and master whole songs.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Thanks for making this! I've never had a problem with the processing power personally, and it's good to see where the limits actually are.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks Gabe! Same here! In practical use I think hitting these limits is actually pretty hard and one would have to be using the MPC “wrong” for lack of a better word. Thanks for stopping by man, see you on the ‘tube!

[@CRLFNKL]

The MPC live is a device I had been dreaming of for a very long time. I've had one now for three years and never run into any power or performance related problems. Coming from a korg es2 sampler I am loving every second of it! I am on the other hand, continually amazed by the power and the capabilities of the device, it is absolutely amazing in every sense of the word. The sound quality you can get out of the samples, plugins and fx is simply stunning!

[@Jazman342]

Thanks for a great video. Had mine a few weeks and feel like a kid in a candy store with unlimited pocket money. Have installed SSD so now saving everything I do and I am doing heaps. Yet to come anywhere near thinking in terms of hardware limitations but now have somewhere to review once I start reaching them. Yet to go beyond 1/2 dozen tracks, a mix of sample based and VST.

[@MilesKvndra]

The Midlife Scientist! 😁 Appreciate the scientific approach my dude, very insightful!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks brother! How ‘s the new job!?

[@MilesKvndra]

@@MidlifeSynthesist really nice, getting more and more into it and the insights are just great! :) How are you doing?

[@paulmurray5338]

Excellent video, very interesting and I think summed up with the option of "if you need more horsepower you can hook it up to a PC" I think that pretty much makes for a comprehensive conclusion!

[@thomasm8077]

Mpc Live 2 is my favorite music creation tool. Its work flow is super fast and super easy. The Splice sync is Awesome.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I’m in love as well! Been a long time user of the MPC X and recently took the plunge on an MPC LIVE 2 (100% gas, I know), and it just keeps getting better with each update! Thanks for stopping by my friend!

[@Maochan81]

I appreciate you taking this on. But i really don't get all the people who complain that a new MPC has only so much memory, but in reality never bump into the limits. I barely scratched any limitations on the MPC. For example on the Deluge i don't even have to try hard to slow down the system. It's enough to load a couple of heavy patches or multisamples. Still love to use it, but it's definitely not limitless as they say :)

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you my friend! I’ve had a similar experience with the Deluge when I wasn’t really looking to “push it”. As a sequencer and drum machine I love it though. As far as the MPC, in real use I’ve never even made a dent on the cpu or ram, so this was pretty much just for the lols haha. Thanks for commenting, see you next time!

[@traitortotheliving]

Just FYI.. To get around the strain on the cpu of adding lots of effects just flatten after you have it how you want. You won’t be able to back and change the settings (so make sure you are happy with it first) but you can keep adding effects if desired and flattening as much as you’d like.

[@skdamico13]

Thanks for this, but I have never even been close to the limits somehow on my live 2. They did a fantastic job optimizing the OS and plugins. I’m thoroughly impressed as a software engineer myself. Love this instrument more everyday.

[@teabreakbeats]

I've never worried about running out of CPU or RAM on my LIVE. Sample based productions are generally lighter on the CPU unless you are overloading with FX - at this point you are probably mixing down rather than beat making, so can move into the DAW.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Same here! That’s why I wanted to do this for all the people who had their doubts, but I think actual MPC users will agree that there is more than enough power for its purpose. Cheers!

[@EnochLight]

Fantastic video - nice job!!! Just a note on file conversion when importing any samples into the MPC: it actually coverts everything to 44.1 KHz 32-bit FLOATING POINT, which results in larger files than regular 32-bit. Otherwise, great comparison!

[@astroidroach1873]

I’ve had this but there’s ways around that I’ve learned over the last 4/5 years

[@miekwavesoundlab]

It would be great if can user could upgrade 32GB SODIMM user upgrade and Akai partner with NI and EWQL to use epic sample packs and orchestra libraries. Maybe MPC XL? DDR3 SODIM up to 64GB Dual Qualcomm or Dual Motorola for stem and audio sample processing (up to 1024 voices at 44k/16) dedicated discrete DSP chip like 56321 to handle 32-bit oversampling eq/dynamics/reverb/modulation/delay across 32 channels (mostly for effects). A dedicated IO slot for external DSP acceleration. HDMI / USB-C Display connector. Open source platform for Plug-in developers. IO breakout box (Like Presonus, Behringer or Maidas) for up to 32 XLR inputs and 32 XLR outputs IO. That would be a monster machine and would make Mac and PC users very jelly.

[@gwsound]

So some more space and cpu power is welcome. But I would love the support of the Uad external processing. This would solve it in a different way and adding more plugins.

[@rbgeluidservice1179]

I’m using my MPC Live2 in standalone as well as controller mode with a M1 MacBook Air. The MPC2 software is running fine on this machine (allbeit with Rosetta, but I don’t notice any negative effects, delays overload etc on this) Give it a try!

[@SURCOlive]

Thanks again for the great content!

[@dmoracze]

Never had an issue. Re: your point about using effects sparingly, one option you help this is once you've landed on effects / automation then you can bounce the track/pad.

[@lundsweden]

Lets see what you can make your MPC do! I'm imagining frantically spinning fans and possibly even a freeze/crash!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🤣🤣 I managed to make the CPU cry For help!

[@gwsound]

Yes, sometimes it runs out of memory in standalone. I make full songs on the mpc. And indeed I go to laptop mode in that case.

[@willievaughn6474]

Haaaahaaa I love it, thank you. Back to the future is a classic. Great creativity, keep it up, awesome personality

[@ltnjones1714]

What ? So I’m in the Doc Brown team as well. Thanks for the video

[@THEKINGOCAESAR]

Bro my mpc live is working with my m1 Mac mini it works

[@zirismusic]

Thanks a lot for this video. We had issues as we're running a 1h15 dawless live, and using a lot the MPC for kicks, drums, long samples, triggering external midi etc... Every track is built with a succession of sequences. The pb was CPU, after 20 to 40 min of playing without pressing stop, a jitter was happening every single time a sequence was looping back to its beginning. And as we use a lot of effects on each sounds of the live, and I'm pretty sure it comes from here. The CPU was 99% when the bug was happening. Will try to solve this thanks to you, many thanks again !

[@rossalexandertechno]

This is my problem as well. Project size is small, fx usage should be limited enough but the cpu climbs and climbs until it starts spluttering

[@fainst]

@@rossalexandertechno since we lowered the fx usage and cleaned unused samples etc, it never reaches 100% now. The project is still big so it’s cool

[@midi-ocher]

I use the MPC Live just to trigger midi notes and Program changes, no samples , no Fx, and when playing chords on the performance pads it the bpm jumps all over the place, it will speed up from 125 to 139 and then will slow down. I’ve tried different routing midi ports (5 pin ) and still have these issue. Anyone else has experience this?

[@trautman3375]

Thanks for this vid man... I was thinking to let my DAW workflow/platform go and buy an MPC but this is quite a let down. I suck the 'mouse/screen' method up and stick to my computer instead. You saved me a lot of case bro .. thanks!

[@yvesbajulaz]

I runs just fine in mac mini m1. You can put it on its knees with 3 tracks of synths plug in and some real time automations… otherwise it has all the power needed for just about anything…

[@ericwells7209]

The MPC is now compatible with the M1 chip as I have the retro live 2 and X the X is running in controller mode.

[@sinewaymusic]

I did not know about the 8 vst/plugin limit, that's a little surprising given that a project I'm currently working on uses 7 already and only uses about 40% of the CPU. Luckily there isn't much more to add to the project at this point, so it's getting ready to be mixed in the DAW. 😊

[@leoopokat8235]

audio 8 track limit on all mpc in standalone

[@sinewaymusic]

@@leoopokat8235 But he said vst, not audio tracks?

[@tybaker8092]

MPC 2.10 is M1 compatible. I have a M1 Mac mini and it works great

[@EnochLight]

It uses Rosetta though pretty sure - it’s not native M1 compatible yet.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Not useful, since I don’t have an MPC anymore, but definitely entertaining.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🤣LOL! Thank you for sticking with me my friend! Promise I’ll be talking about other gear next time ✌🏻cheers!

[@unrulysoldier2140]

In this day and age, and at this price point, having such issues with available cpu and space is a poor show. Not good enough akai.

[@Iredidv]

I would like a comparison with maschine plus. I have one and an mpc one. My 1st impression was that the mpc was alot more powerfull (m+ uses an intel atom, don´t know what idiot decided that but anyways...) BUT if you look at a maschine group almost every sound has between 1 and 5 fx...maybe load identical drum groups, each with a similar fx chain, like filter>compressor>delay>revers. Imo it´s gonna be a close tie. Regarding instruments i don´t think m+ will even be able to load 8 plugins. Maybe simple massive patches, but plugins like monark, wich is even monophonic ranges between 30 to 60 percent... i wonder for a device that is 1300 euros, why such a weak processor... i have a legion 5 with a 4800h amd benchmarking 20000 points, and i payed 999 euros...with a screen, separate gpu, tons more cpu and ram and an nvme ssd... they should´ve used such a processor, and even throttle it down so no fans are necessary (on the legion you can press fn and q, wich switches between silent, balanced, full performance. Even on silent, no fans, i get 15000...wich is more than enough, my old z420 with 8 xeon cores from 2013 hits 12000, as long i dont use cpu hungry plugins, everything is fine. ) Ps the m1 is benchmarked at 15000, but you get the faster speed because of the paging to a fast nvme, and the fact everything is on one chip. Downside is, jf anything breaks, it´s immediately a full new motherboard, and out of warranty that could be almost the same as a new one, and i never buy first gen, around new year the m1x will come out with 8,16, or 32 cores so they will also come to the mac pro or the 16 inch macbook pro, i think i will get one then. Most programs will be compatible then., i know reason will have full support in december, reaper also has a beta.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I would love to make that comparison as well! Unfortunately I’m self financed at the moment and don’t have the budget for a maschine +😓. Maybe somewhere down the line someone will sponsor or loan me one and we’ll see! Thanks for stopping by, cheers!

[@stevekirkby6570]

I hit the CPU limit on my key 61 today on a complex track.... I just wish it wouldn't start stuttering at 75% cpu useage. C'mon Akai. I do have a ton of fx running though and a lot of sounds - but the key 61 has double the ram... but not double the processing. So, now I need to think about bouncing down sections of removing things. I love the MPC but think it needs a bit more grunt considering its capabilities.

[@okinawa1312]

I would never bring out a Machine that doesn´t have enough Power for it´s own Fuctions. Makes no Sense to me. Was that also the Case with the Old Skool MPC´s?

[@jasuribrohimov5005]

whether the internal memory can be made larger

[@ndguardian]

MPC may not be officially compatible with M1 Macs, but anecdotally I have been able to connect mine just fine. No issues I have noticed. I'd give it a try if I were you.

[@ChristopherOrth]

Another dimension to "power" of this device is... outboard! It already can handle more tracks and fx internally than any other box on the market, but you can also use the relatively super low demand internal MIDI tracks to sequence external devices, either via MIDI or CV. So... one could argue that it's track count is actually much higher than even your great tests showed.

[@raven-jz6cv]

Im torn apart between this and octatrack. I kinda like elektron workflow the how fast it is and seems solid in matters of live dj sets. But on the other hand mpc is equal capable for all the mention above ...

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I think that in this case, BOTH! I have them and they fulfill very different roles without much significant overlap👍🏼 You will be happy and able to make amazing music with either one, but as a team they are unstoppable

[@CraftWon]

I’m not sure why this is a topic. I didn’t know running low on the Mpc ram was even a thing. Maybe for a very small percentage of people. Very small.

[@matthewgaines10]

I can load 4 key group programs and a drum kit and start getting to the limit on the MPC One. If you're making beats, you shouldn't have problems but if you're using it for composition, you may have a problem.

[@4LF-Tube]

I love my MPC live, but I always run into problems with CPU and sometimes memory as I use lots of effect and built in synths. It's a major bummer.

[@trukrerette]

might you be willing to do a video comparing MPC One's button count (31 buttons) to MPC Live 2's button count (27 buttons but actually doing the work of 29 buttons) to finally dispel untrue rumors that MPC One has "so many more buttons"? ... in reality there are only 2 buttons missing ... 2 functions you can still easily get to ... I constantly hear KZbinrs make this "so many more buttons" claim but they've clearly never done a button comparison ... perhaps show the 2 devices side-by-side and X out each matching button until there are only 2 buttons left without an X? ... thanks! ... p.s. I own both and love both ... just standing up for my beloved Live 2 who is often a victim of misinformation :)

[@timklitsch9815]

Great channel , my MPC X constantly restarts when loading kits and displays the error message your MPC has recovered from a fatal internal error. What gives with that ?

[@EverettVinzant]

Good argument. I’m gonna use Jigabyte from here on in ;) And while I’m at it, I’ll call it a jif instead of a gif.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

😅#jigabytegang!

[@EverettVinzant]

@@MidlifeSynthesist #jigabytegang

[@ManCalledMif]

🙌🏼 interesting video. Very interested to find out what the best sequencer is for a 16 voice hardware set up

[@micindir4213]

Rockchip CPU inside, same as ASUS tinkerboard 1st gen. Some might think, that AKAI just bought a tinkerboard and ported their software to the system.

[@gertumlauf5471]

There are people who like discuss about specs, and there are people who like to make music.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Why not both?✌🏻

[@erwintuijl6342]

I had an MPCLive II for a month or two, and managed to fry the CPU on the first show. Crackles, pops, dropouts. And that without using the FX, and without using plugins, and only consolidated one shot audio. Short samples, mind you. And not even 200mb of samples loaded. How? The true Achilles heel of the MPC is not the FX, but controlling it with a Midi controller. It just can't handle it. Even simple patterns, after 20 minutes or so sending it simple MIDI it just craps out.

[@johnpixelblockbytes3693]

at least I know why my set is glitching now, FX overloading standalone 😭

[@classymotiv2097]

I use oneshots instead of samples, you get a more clear sound.

[@endoflevelboss]

Oneshots are samples 🤨

[@classymotiv2097]

How so?

[@endoflevelboss]

@@classymotiv2097 A sample is any digital recording. Oneshot or loop just describes the type of sample.

[@classymotiv2097]

@@endoflevelbossSorry, I meant loops.

[@endoflevelboss]

@@classymotiv2097 Makes no sense. You use loops instead of samples? As I said, one-shots and loops *are* samples. So neither gives you a "more clear sound" than samples 🤨

[@carstensorensen154]

Not a MPC user but interesting nonetheless.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you! Don’t worry, next week we’re taking a little break from MPCs and talking about something else, happy you enjoyed though!

[@MrDebauch]

the audio tracks probably eat up some resource too... and the thing i found odd is how even on the desktop software, the audiotracks are limited to around 20 minutes (with nothing specifying that... it just stops when it hits some invisible wall) .. found that out when i decided to try tracking in a beat tape made on my hardware..

[@EverettVinzant]

You said it took up to 8 mins to save a project…. Save a project to what? An HD, an SD Card, internally, an SSD?

[@nickdedidis7589]

So if i understand this correctly , on the second half of the test , you got 20 keygroup programs , with 4 effects each AND 8 plugin synths running all at the same time? Nobody should be using low cpu power as an excuse for not producing their artistic vision in this little box . In the past 3 decades people have produced amazing albums with way less processing power and more limitations that the mpc .

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

100%!

[@PetrolMediaInc]

I’ll never understand peoples complaint about Rams space in an MPC. If you’re getting 53 minutes of sample space and you can’t get a record done with all of that, that speaks more about your ability than the equipment. And this is not to be mean, but the facts are the older units had significantly less space, and we all made similar quality, music, sonically, and sample size wise, with way less space. My 5000 can do about 30 minutes of sample time out of 192mb. My 1000 has similar sample time and when I had a 2000 XL, I never had more than three minutes of sample time and was still able to create records that were placed in TV and film with just that machine. I enjoyed watching your test of the machine, but I still don’t understand why this is an issue in the first place.

[@DoctorBlankenstein]

My new DNB set crippled my MPCLive2. Memory only half loaded, no plugins on. Very disappointing performance imo

[@timweiler4095]

The CPU is a quad core arm with 2 gigs ram. That is the same as a $20 android.

[@micindir4213]

It's actually asus tinkerboard in another package. BUT, we're reaching a point where most people can enjoy powerful computing for very small price. And by your logic you could say, that Stradivari's violin is made of wood, therefore why the cost? Being an instrument adds a lot to the price. And I had that mentality for longest time. Take behringer vs moog. With behringer you get the raw synthesis, but somehow it's uninspiring to play these synths. Whereas with moog you get instruments, that you develop connection with. It's really non-verbal. I think we're getting to the point where "pc in a box" could be called instruments

[@jasuribrohimov5005]

I have a problem too .help me

[@Diamond-Des]

We are in the future Akai is in the past. My phone have more GB RAM like mpc.

[@poxipaul]

You say "purge samples" and the question if a newbie, how can I do it? Regards

[@fleximarvellous]

Yes, 2.10 is very buggy. I cannot create/save new projects with customized naming and folder. I would be lucky if I can create an “untitled” project. Unwanted mute/automation happen occasionally. Samples will not play back if you save them in different tracks order (per sequence), example sequence #1 Track #1, Sequence #2 track #1 (must be also in track #1)

[@leoopokat8235]

I selling my mpc after this video buh bye

[@sinewaymusic]

Curious: was the 9 minute save time only for that first save? What about subsequent saves, assuming it won't rewrite unaltered samples? And what about loading that project?

[@EnochLight]

Once you save that initial project once, subsequent saves are virtually instant assuming you don’t add/edit/change samples or recorded audio.

[@sinewaymusic]

@@EnochLight I'd say that "virtually instant" is a bit of a stretch. Even my normal projects that don't have more than maybe 5 seconds of samples and a few plugin tracks takes about 5-10 seconds to save on my MPC One. I had to immediately turn off auto save because it kept interrupting my flow.

[@drenolynbeats]

Stand alone mode worked until I upgrade my M1 to the new beta Monterey

[@googlerep366]

I have the MPC Live 2 and every so often when I go into choose an option in my browser in standalone mode it will shut down and say your mpc Recovered from an Internal error. This started happening after I downloaded 2.10.1. I also noticed sense loading more exspantion packs that it gos bery slow loading searced options it stops then starts loading stops and starts loading for a long time and I have a crusial 2TB SSD Drive in my MPC Live 2. Another problem I am having is the drum pads seem to be not sensitive now and even adjusting thrm in the settings it seems to make no difference in how sensitive they become and theres a lot of drum double or trippining when hitting pads and that happends a lot. Another issue is going from main screen to browser by hitting shift menu it somtimes takes a min. All thise issues any ideas how to fix them?

[@TheOwlHead]

The new MPCs are more stable than granite let alone a MacBook

[@Narinorth2]

I don't have those issues ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 😂 People problems.

[@leoopokat8235]

2gb is not enough btw 16gb should be prior 2022 wtf overload should not be a word in 2021 since we have technology now 👎