MPC Live II

FM VERDICT
MPC ONE
9.0
The One trims the full MPC
experience down to sit at a
more affordable price point,
making only a few, largely
acceptable, compromises
along the way
FM VERDICT
MPC LIVE II
9.5
A truly go-anywhere music
production experience – and
now better equipped than
ever. The Live II remains
the high point of the current
MPC range
VOLUME Master volume control has
moved from the rear of the unit to
a chunky top-panel rotary. A smart,
more convenient choice
SPEAKER The Live’s new speaker
can run at a decent volume level,
with a good amount of bass and a
surprisingly decent stereo image
I/O The Live’s I/O is largely unchanged
from version 1, but the inclusion
of four stereo CV outputs is a nice
addition to the mix
Q-LINK Recent software updates now
mean that the Q-Link macro controls
can be used with Ableton Live and
external hardware
are identical, running the same MPC
2 software, which has just been
updated to version 2.8. To recap, the
software is available to use in two
ways – standalone on the machine
itself, or as a desktop application
using the MPC as a controller. In
capabilities terms, the MPC app is a
DAW-level sampling, recording and
arrangement environment stocked
with a comprehensive range of tools.
When I reviewed the previous MPC
Live, I said the software – in
standalone mode, at least – felt
occasionally convoluted and
disjointed, and I stand by that
criticism now; there are a lot of
different views and menus to
navigate, and while much of the
workfl ow is intuitive, some features
end up buried amongst sub-menus.
That said though, you can’t
knock the capabilities here. There
are some restrictions when using the
software in standalone mode,
compared with the desktop version,
primarily a limit of eight audio tracks
and no access to third party plugins.
The latter of these isn’t too big a
hindrance as Akai’s own suite of
effects and synths is comprehensive
and covers most bases to a pretty
high standard. In all it doesn’t feel
like too much of a compromise in
exchange for truly self-contained,
portable music making.
Since we last reviewed the MPC
line, Ableton Live compatibility has
been added, not only allowing MPC
creations to be exported as Live
projects, but also providing mapping
to use the hardware as a wireless
Live controller. The latest software
update, version 2.8, adds a vastly
expanded set of MIDI capabilities.
This allows the MPC hardware to
connect to multiple devices
simultaneously, using an external
USB hub or MIDI interface – a handy
feature, particularly for working
around the One’s reduced number of
ports. It’s also now possible to route
MIDI internally to sequence multiple
elements from a single track. A
retrospective record tool has been
added too, effectively the same as
Ableton’s Capture, allowing users to
recall recently played MIDI parts.
All in all, the MPC range is at the
most appealing right now that it’s
been in the 21st century. In terms of
its balance of capabilities and
convenience, there isn’t anything on
the market to rival the MPC Live
when it comes to realising the dream
of wireless, go-anywhere music
production. The hardware updates
for v2 are subtle, but both speaker
and CV ports add genuine usability.
For my money, the Live remains
the pinnacle of the range, although
there’s a whole lot to like about the
MPC One – primarily its price. While
the reduced size isn’t drastic enough
to prove gamechanging, if value is
your primary factor, it offers the most
affordable route into the MPC
ecosystem while keeping the
hardware compromises at an
acceptable level.
For those who can afford it
though, the Live’s increased
connectivity and onboard battery
mean it’s still the one to go for.
updated to version 2.8. To recap, the
capabilities terms, the MPC app is a
with a comprehensive range of tools.
VOLUME
Master volume control has
moved from the rear of the unit to
a chunky top-panel rotary. A smart,
more convenient choice
SPEAKER
The Live’s new speaker
can run at a decent volume level,
with a good amount of bass and a
surprisingly decent stereo image
I/O
The Live’s I/O is largely unchanged
from version 1, but the inclusion
of four stereo CV outputs is a nice
addition to the mix
addition to the mix addition to the mix
Q-LINK
Recent software updates now
Q-LINK Recent software updates now Q-LINK
mean that the Q-Link macro controls
can be used with Ableton Live and
external hardware
standalone mode, at least – felt
occasionally convoluted and
disjointed, and I stand by that
criticism now; there are a lot of
different views and menus to
navigate, and while much of the
workfl ow is intuitive, some features
end up buried amongst sub-menus.
That said though, you can’t
knock the capabilities here. There
are some restrictions when using the
software in standalone mode,
compared with the desktop version,
primarily a limit of eight audio tracks
and no access to third party plugins.
The latter of these isn’t too big a
hindrance as Akai’s own suite of
effects and synths is comprehensive
and covers most bases to a pretty
high standard. In all it doesn’t feel
like too much of a compromise in
exchange for truly self-contained,
portable music making.
Since we last reviewed the MPC
line, Ableton Live compatibility has
been added, not only allowing MPC
creations to be exported as Live
projects, but also providing mapping
to use the hardware as a wireless
Live controller. The latest software
update, version 2.8, adds a vastly
are some restrictions when using the
primarily a limit of eight audio tracks
and no access to third party plugins.
VOLUME
Master volume control has
SPEAKER
The Live’s new speaker
I/O
The Live’s I/O is largely unchanged
Q-LINK
Recent software updates now
Q-LINK Recent software updates now Q-LINK
Akai MPC One & MPC Live II | Reviews
77
FMU358.rev_akai.indd 77 15/05/2020 13:47