The convenience of the MPC Live II really is irresistible. You don’t need cables and you don’t need headphones. If the battery is fully charged, you don’t need a mains plug either. Most of our time with this review model was conducted cable-free, and it’s an enormously enjoyable way to work. We even took it outside, to a local park, to remove the model from the studio context, and it proved easily loud enough to irritate passers-by. Updated Project Saving: XYFX location and Arp parameters are now saved and recalled with the MPC project. It lags behind some rivals on the sampling front, but on the whole, the MC-707 is powerful, well-designed and a lot of fun. Five years ago Akai Professional took the bold decision to move their MPC range to the hybrid software-plus-controller model that was proving a runaway success for Native Instruments’ Maschine. While this would appeal to a new group of beat-makers more comfortable with laptops than traditional drum machines, it left much of the existing user base yearning for a next-gen stand-alone solution. This demand never died away, in fact there’s a renewed interest in self-contained drum machines, grooveboxes, and mobile music devices in general. Akai have evidently been listening and are returning to stand-alone in a seriously ambitious way, launching two new MPCs that offer uncompromising computer-free operation, as well as a hybrid controller mode, and project transition between the two. The unit is integrated with an extensive range of preloaded samples and can be connected with an external hard drive to help you access various sounds. It is less than 6lbs, which means it can be carried around for your music gigs.

A wide array of connections, including a SATA port to have your samples library and project everywhere. Absolutely! MPC 2.0 will be fully compatible with projects, programs and sequences from previous MPC versions and even legacy hardware MPC's like the MPC5000 and MPC2500. MPC 2.0 will support the following file types: .AKP, .ALL, .IPT, .PGM, .PRJ, .SND, .MID, .SEQ, .APS, .50k, and .50s. Separate Looper and Step Sequencer windows offer additional ways to play and tweak sounds. There’s also a Pad Performance mode, which allows the 16 pads to be configured to set scales, chords and progressions - which is particularly handy for playing and sequencing external MIDI gear. On the recordAs you might expect, the more expensive the MPC, the better the audio input and output options. The MPC X SE is by far away the winner here, with eight individual audio outs, two standard inputs, dedicated mic inputs (with phantom power), instrument level inputs (to directly connect guitars, Rhodes etc) and phono/turntable input (with grounding). Definitely the most studio ready MPC for recording vocals and instruments.

For me, while MPC Sequences have great potential for live sets, they still don't provide a fluid scene system for combining song ideas and building arrangements. This is where it would be great to see some of the Force's ideas bleed over into the MPCs. On the hardware side, Live II would have hit perfection if it had had a mic/instrument input as well as line ins. As it is, you'll need a separate preamp or mixer if you want to plug in a microphone. ConclusionIf the display layout of the MPC Live II ever feels cramped, you can simply transpose your project into the MPC software and view it via a computer display, which is an awesome ace in the hole. Though Akai received many requests to feature a monitor output on this new model, for now, this is as good as it gets. Software version 2.8’s new retrospective-record feature is as welcome as Capture was to Ableton Live 10, and a brilliant bit of insurance if you ever forget to hit record or didn’t expect yourself to play so well. All you have to do is press Shift+Rec to print the last MIDI part you played in. If you want to continue working on a project started in stand-alone mode it’s simple, as both the hardware and the MPC software use the same project file format (and MPC projects always keep copies of all their referenced samples). When connected in controller mode, all the MPC’s connected storage devices (except the built-in system drive) mount on your computer. You can then copy a project over, or even just open it directly. A new suite of AIR vocal effects: Tuner to make your vocals sound perfect, Vocal Harmonizer, a four-part vocal-harmonizer effect and Doubler, to add presence to your vocal line or create realistic double effects. New AIR insert effects If you use it in studio with lots of midi devices, you can make it the brain for midi too, no need to buy stuff like Bome box or MRCC. ( of cuz they are great if you need one in your setup ). There are full level, tape stop effects, sixteen levels, and note repeat features to help you play the 808s. The users can add effects like half speed, diode clipper, diffuser delay, limiter, stutter, and sample delay.