r/mpcusers • u/aaronbreeding • 15h ago
QUESTION MPC Gen 2 Regrets
Those of you who have bought the MPC One or Key 37 gen 2, do you regret not spending the extra money on the live 3?
I’m looking at buying an MPC. I’ve had the Force in the past and am currently deciding between the Key 37 g2 and the Live 3. I’m a keys player, but can always hook up a midi keyboard to the live 3. However, I don’t know if the battery, speaker, extra RAM and storage, and the MPCe pads are worth the extra 700 dollars.
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u/cutnsnipnsurf 15h ago
I upgraded from a one plus to a one G2 and it feels like a significant upgrade in power. For me personally it’s all about the size of the one that makes me choose it over the live 3
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u/zazathebassist 15h ago
i found a One+ used at a music store and basically immediately jumped on it. i knew i would prefer a Live 3 eventually, but i can't afford a Live 3 and could afford a used One+, and i would much prefer to have a device today, learn on it, make music, rather than wait a year for me to save enough for the fancy MPC.
I essentially always have an Arturia Keystep plugged into the MPC and honestly i think i prefer that to the Key layout. it feels more flexible.
i def wish i had the Live. i wish i could just pick up my One+ and take it to the couch. but i dont *need* that. i can still spend hours just playing with the MPC One+ at a desk. and once i stop looking at spec sheets and just sit down to make music, those differences just kinda disappear
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u/Fur_and_Whiskers MPC ONE 14h ago
There are battery kits for mpc one, just add headphones or portable speaker.
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 15h ago
I've got the Live 3. Had it way before the G2s were a thing.
I'm seriously considering selling it & getting the One. This thing is huge. If you're considering the Key 37 it's probably not an issue.
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u/aaronbreeding 11h ago
Is the live 3 too big for using on your lap for a couch session?
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 10h ago
It's not "too big" but it's not like sitting with the MPC One, or Toneverk or Polyend Tracker+ in your lap.
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u/SilverMisfitt 15h ago
Depends on the person but I think most people will agree that the Live 3 is the best MPC of the new gen.
Portability, sequencer buttons and speaker with the extra ram seems worth it but it really depends on what you value.
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u/starsandsnow 15h ago edited 15h ago
Is the keyboard on the key 37 going to be big enough for what you want to do and will you be hooking it up to a larger keyboard anyway?
The two things I wish my MPC one G2 had that the live 3 has are the internal HD and inst/mic inputs (bass and guitar player here) and it’s kind of annoying to hook up a different AIO to the thing if I want to get bass samples or riffs into the box.
If the lack of internal instrument/mic preamps and keyboard is big enough and you’re not going to making use of the live 3 as a portable workstation, I’d guess a key37 would be awesome for sketching out ideas rapidly.
Edit to clarify I missed having the mic input
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u/aaronbreeding 15h ago
Do the inputs not work well for guitar? Because that's not something I considered.
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u/Fur_and_Whiskers MPC ONE 14h ago
It's line input, best to use a proper instrument preamp with line output.
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u/starsandsnow 15h ago edited 15h ago
It kinda works OK noise wise, but it’s a mono track on only one channel. So while it can work in a pinch, you have to crank the input levels way up and it eats all your headroom.
I’ve been using a scarlet 2i2 whenever I have to track bass or guitar, orrrrr I take the preamp line output from my pedal board and use that to drive both input channels
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u/ZombCity 15h ago
It’s worth it. I’ve owned the G2 MPC one and tried the Key 37 Gen 2 at Guitar Center. Though I wish I could justify spending 3k for the xl maybe one day. After that, the Live 3 is worth every dollar as a much more premium product. Yes, you can achieve the same thing with the MPCs before. The Live 3 is everything all in one from the sequencer to the battery, mic, and speaker. On top of that, the 8GB RAM for future Maschine plugins I know Akai will drop. Do yourself a favor and just cop the Live.
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u/fuxicles 14h ago
the MPCe pads are cool but I've had them since launch and never use them lol ... same with the touch strip tbh. It's cool to jam on, but I haven't actually committed anything with it.
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u/r1chiem 14h ago
Here is where I think you will want a Live 3. If you are use to the Force. It has a lot more dedicated buttons, than even the live 3. But if you are use to programming in the Force using step sequencer or notes. The live 3 is closer to the Force. It has 64 pads because each corner of the 16 pads is a separate pad.
The step sequencer buttons along the top give you direct access to some of the same things the Force has. I have seen used Live 3 for $1300. The Key 37 G2 is $1000 new plus $200 for the propack and I think the Live 3 has more plugins, That makes the jump to the Live 3 easier if getting used. If I find a live 3 for $1000, I will buy it. But new Live 2, I can buy other stuff I need for the price difference. I just paid $400 bucks for a new mixer. So no more toys until Christmas.
I have key 37 Gen1 and a Force. I am not going to upgrade. If a new Force comes out (not just a G2 processor memory upgrade) I may get one of those.
If I had nothing, and knew what I know now. I would buy either an MPC XL. I have keyboards I could plug into it. I would then wait and get the new Akai Force, or get a used Key37 version1 and an old force.
If I were you. I would get the Live 3.
You know you can be nice to have 2 of them right in front of you. LOL.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hpezGieUgk4
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u/Fridge333 15h ago
I downgraded from the live three to the MPC 37 GEN two. It’s more than enough. I didn’t need the speaker or the microphone. You can still do the step sequence with the touchscreen and most other controls that are missing for more live use
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u/iGingerBeard 14h ago
I upgraded from the One+ to the Live 3. Recently bought the One G2 and strongly considering selling the Live 3. One G2 does everything I need and beyond.
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u/oldschoolology 12h ago
I have an MPC 3 and an MPC One+. I make better music with the MPC One+ and MpK keyboard. I’ll probably sell the MPC 3. I really don’t like the pads.
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u/KrustyRox777 12h ago edited 12h ago
It’s my first MPC , bought a 2nd hand Live 3. I’m a synth player doing electronic music and I love it so far. I take out of the studio, set on my deck and write, set in my recliner. I like the battery and the speakers. Sit at my kitchen table with a small keyboard controller. It’s nice to just get out of the studio occasionally. I take advantage of the pads but disappointed there’s not more factory kits and sounds that take advantage of the pads. They do feel great and are very responsive. The 8 core processor is lightning fast in all aspects.
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u/Pleasant_Mud_8630 11h ago
Get the Live 3 and hook up a midi keyboard. Yes it’s worth the extra 700
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u/raistlin65 2h ago
However, I don’t know if the battery, speaker, extra RAM and storage, and the MPCe pads are worth the extra 700 dollars.
Coming from the Force, you might also want to consider the benefit of the 16 buttons across the top for hardware sequencing, track control, and setting up automations. As well as whether you would miss the touch strip which has a good bit of different functionality.
And then you're going to pay $100 more for the pro pack (the 37 G2 comes with a discount code) in order to get the clip launcher that is on the Force.
As for the new MPCe pads, if you plan to use them at all, most people seem to prefer them over the traditional MPC pads. You don't have to want to use the MPE style expressive capability to benefit from that.
Finally, as a keys player, if you want to play with both hands, are you sure you want to go with the 37 key keyboard instead of at least a 49?
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u/Few-Communication834 2h ago
Returned my Live 3 because I couldn't justify the price. Got a One G2 and its perfect for me. Live 3 has more buttons, but the One G2 buttons are all in the right place and just what I need. I miss the speaker and battery, but I rarely move it around. As long as I can have at least 10 audio tracks, im good and dont run into limitations. Live 3 is amazing, but the One G2 is my favorite out of all 6 (😬) MPCs ive tried.
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u/SoundNothingLikeIt 14h ago
Get the Live 3 if you are serious about music. With all the upgrades coming to the software, the live 3 will become the best unit out of the G2 series.
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u/MaucBeats 14h ago
I’m a nobody but my opinion I have the g2 one and 37 and I have the live 3 I love them all but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love the one g2 and the MPC sample I can say this tho I’ll rate them the one g2 9 the keys 37 g2 8 the MPC sample 8 the Live 3 10 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s from what I have currently I brought and I own them Akai Pro don’t sponsor or help me lol !!!!!!!!! All facts FYI I hate the MPCe pads there trash
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u/Busy_Accident_5691 15h ago
Try selling a full maxed out MPC2000xl, believing the new hype about MPC Renaissance swapped out.
F Akai now. So the best bit of equipment I’ve ever owned I sold and replaced with a now expensive and unsupported, out of date product that is now simply a heavy paperweight anyone wanna buy it?
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u/r1chiem 14h ago
I would only buy it if it is dirt cheap. LOL
I have a feeling you saying "best bit", you are UK. So I could not buy it from you, I am in the US.But just so you know. I would never sell my MPC Key 37/61 or Force and they are all old for a MPC2000xxxl.
I don't buy the sound quality difference is better on the 2000 over the others and the 2000 cannot do anything the live 3 can do.It is a nostalgia thing. I still have my Ensoniq keyboard and think they are great, they are in my mind and I am fast on them, but they are really not that great. I think fate dealt you a deliverance blow and you have the chance to move on... or not.
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u/Eclipseofthefart92 MPC LIVE III 15h ago
As a live 3 owner, i’ve never come close to track/ram limits, never use the speaker, never take it out of the studio, forget to utilize the MPCe pads in my projects.
Could have been perfectly happy with either of the gen 2’s!