Akai MPC Live MK2

Building upon the success of the original MPC Live, the Akai Professional MPC Live II is a complete standalone music production workstation with an integrated sampler, sequencer, 7″ touchscreen, 16 velocity-sensitive RGB-backlit pads, and 4 endless encoder “Q-Link” controls.

The MPC Live II now features a built-in dual tweeter/woofer monitoring system, allowing you to work anywhere (with or without headphones), and four stereo 3.5mm TRS CV/Gate connectors are there for interfacing with your favorite analog synthesizers, drum machines, and Eurorack modules.

The MPC 2.0 software has been updated for full MIDI Multi control, providing command over all your studio equipment. Simultaneously connect and route all the MIDI gear in your studio, including class-compliant USB Keyboards, MIDI interfaces, and USB-to-CV modules. Fuse this with deep internal MIDI routing capability across tracks, comprehensive MIDI routing to any MIDI compatible synthesizer, drum machine or sound module, and even multitrack recording capability.

The MPC Live incorporates a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage to power the MPC 2.0 software without the need to connect to a host computer. What’s more, the unit can operate in Control Mode, which further expands the functionality by connecting to a computer to operate the same MPC 2.0 standalone software as a plugin in your favorite DAW. The MPC 2.0 software has powerful features including audio track recording, real-time time-stretching (audio warping), pitch-shifting, audio and MIDI drag-and-drop, clip program mode for clip launching, an updated mixer layout with advanced signal routing, and enhanced Q-Link control.

The MPC Live II features 16GB of internal MicroSD storage, includes a built-in SD card slot, and has a 2.5″ SATA drive bay for adding your own SSD or HHD drive for immediate access to your own sample libraries.

The full-color 7″ multi-touch screen offers quick and easy visual feedback and editing capabilities. View samples with pinch zooming, trim start and end times, and adjust and process samples on the fly. The XYFX allow you to control multiple effect parameters simultaneously, while the sequencer and mix page make short work of entering/deleting notes, editing values, and adjusting mix parameters.

The rear panel offers a comprehensive set of inputs and outputs including two 1/4″ inputs and two RCA inputs with a turntable ground for sampling directly from vinyl, while the six line-level 1/4″ outputs are arranged in three stereo pairs. For MIDI I/O, the unit offers two MIDI inputs and two MIDI outputs on full-sized 5-pin DIN connectors. Connect a computer via the USB Type-B connection, while two USB Type-A connectors allow for the integration of MIDI controllers to further expand your MIDI inputs, or connect thumb drives or hard-drives. A dedicated 1/4″ headphone output is available for monitoring the Master L/R outputs.

The MPC Live II is premapped for Ableton Live, allowing you to take command over Live’s clip launching, mixer, and instrument macro controls wirelessly via Wi-Fi network or by Ableton Link over Ethernet connection. Also included is a Splice integration for simplified sample browsing and auditioning of millions of high-quality, royalty-free samples, sounds, presets, and loops. The MPC Live II can be powered via the internal Lithium-ion battery for up to six hours or by the included power adapter. The unit also ships with a USB cable.

FEATURES

• Standalone MPC—no computer required
• Built-in monitor speakers
• MIDI multi-capable for extensive routing and MIDI multitrack recording
• 7″ high-resolution multi-touch display
• 16 velocity sensitive RGB Pads
• Internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Also acts as a control surface for MPC software
• Phono and line-level inputs
• Three stereo outputs (six mono)
• Two 5-pin MIDI inputs and outputs
• 2 GB RAM, 16 GB of on-board storage
• Full-size SD card slot
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive connector (SSD or HDD)
• Two USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers
• Four TRS CV/Gate jacks, eight outputs total
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
• Ableton Link for cross-platform collaboration