Once again, Akai Professional has completely redefined the portable sampler workstation. The MPC Live II offers everything its predecessor had, plus a built-in stereo speaker system, CV/gate outputs, and a cache of user-requested features. This ultra-portable, battery-powered workstation boasts a 7-inch multitouch display, which complements 16 velocity-/pressure-sensitive pads and an array of streamlined controls. The MPC Live II runs the MPC 2.10 software platform for completely standalone operation, but you can also connect it to your computer, and thanks to MIDI Multi capability, it can easily become the centerpiece of your MIDI-based studio. You also get 16GB of internal storage, plus external hard drive support, a full-size SD card slot, and USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives. Complete with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with Splice and Ableton Live integration, the MPC Live II is Akai's most powerful portable music production center yet. So, there’s more breathing space on the 4GB models which means you can more free and easy with your plugins, and maybe more lazy with your project sample management. But of course you don’t have to use plugins like Studio Strings (‘synth’ plugins use barely any RAM), and for acoustic instruments there’s keygroup instrument alternatives such as MPC Orchestral which are more highly optimised to use minimal RAM.

Storage & ConnectivityOut the box MPC Live II Retro ships with 16GB of internal Micro SD storage. For producers looking to add a personal touch to their production, MPC Live II Retro features a built-in SD Card slot, a user-expandable 2.5-inch SATA drive bay for connecting SSD or HDD drives and USB thumb input for immediate access to your own sample libraries.Enjoy over 100 plugins from award-winning AIR Music Tech., including the AIR Vocal Insert Effects Suite, delivering the power to record and mix the perfect vocals. In addition to its stable of standard dynamic audio processors, MPC2 features numerous time-based Insert Effects for creative remixing and production like Half Speed and Stutter. A big strength of the MPCs is their ability to directly host USB MIDI devices. Now you can connect and use USB MIDI interfaces, and also connect devices via a USB hub. I connected the Retrokits RK006 interface that I have on test, and boom: 10 new MIDI output ports on my MPC! The port manager lets you name ports, choose whether they output sync, and whether they are for notes or control, or both.

That's why the Akao MPC Live II features three stereo 1/4" TRS outputs (six mono) along with phone/line-level inputs, USB, MIDI, four TRS CV/Gate Outputs and even Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. 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.

Thanks that was really helpful! I’m trying to decide between the One and Live 2 and this is my main concern: Wifi and ethernet are currently used to activate premium plugins, OTA firmware updates, syncing files with your online Splice account, Ableton Link and Ableton Live Control.

MPC desktop plugin GUIs can be resized (please note this does not apply to the legacy Akai insert effects such as Akai Reverb Large). Users of the MPC Live who don’t want speakers might not be motivated to upgrade, especially as the 2.8 software update is compatible with the original model. But if you’re enticed by a brand new battery-powered production and sampling machine, you’ll love this unit. Key FeaturesAt the time of writing no other MPC has any premium plugins pre-installed, although the MPC One Plus is advertised as including one free premium plugin of your choice, but this is apparently a time limited offer. Price With the MPC One Plus, MPC Key and the MPC Live II, there’s only 4 physical dials – to access the other 12 Q-Links you have you hit a button to select the appropriate virtual Q-link ‘bank’, This is of course nowhere near as intuitive as the MPC X and (for me at least) means that the Q-Links tend to be used a lot less on these MPCs. Akai ’s MPC Live II is a refined and improved version of the original Live, which raised the bar for truly portable production workstations. Retaining its predecessor’s stylish looks and robust build-quality, the Live II expands upon it with an even smoother workflow, additional controls on the front panel, lighter form factor, CV connections and a punchy built-in stereo speaker - the Akai Live II is a more than worthy successor to its first iteration. MPC Software 2Akai Professional's reimagined MPC 2 Software drives MPC Live II Retro in both standalone and controller modes. This is a cutting-edge production suite combining real-time time stretching, clip-launch functionality, on-board synth engines, VST compatibility in controller mode, operation as a standalone application on Mac & PC, seamless DAW integration and much more. Whether you're seeking freedom from computer-based music production or searching for the perfect controller for DAW-centric creative exploration, MPC 2 Software delivers the ultimate in adaptive creative versatility.

I use a Behringer XENYX X1832USB, but there are smaller/cheaper ones in that range With a 2nd Bus, just make sure there is a SUB button for routing as it makes it blissful to work with. Just curious, why did you buy the Live II if your already had the One? Was there anything in particular? Reply Along the way the Akai Force emerged, sharing many of the MPC's features and technology, but with a different approach to making and performing music. This latest revision of the Live hardware shows that MPCs aren't being phased out in favour of the Force; the two will run in parallel, and might hopefully cross-pollinate in cool ways. Boom Box Update Now, then tap Shut Down when prompted. The MPC will restart and proceed with the firmware update. Once complete, the MPC will reboot into normal operation.

Make Music Anywhere – No Computer Required!

So in my opinion, the size of the internal disk is generally of little importance when making a buying decision, because you really should be using an ‘attached’ disk for all your file storage needs and just let the internal factory disk be reserved for storing factory content. Attached disks are fully accessible via your computer when you connect the MPC via USB cable, they simply appear as a removable disk in your computer’s Finder/Explorer. AIR Multitap Delay is a versatile, creative delay plugin with a wide range of applications from subtle stereo delays to complex repeating patterns.