Think about it: these new MPCs are really just tablet computers with hardware built around them. Upon further consideration, I’m not really surprised that the Live has a decent battery life. No worrying or searching for a power outlet-just plug in and go! Then, during the performance itself, I just put the unit on a computer stand, plugged in the audio cables provided by the venue, started up, and jammed. On the trip up to the venue (about 5 hours away from where I live), I sat in the car as my friend drove, and got all my sounds together. Now, I didn’t set a timer, but the life span of the battery certainly falls somewhere in between five and six hours, which is great.Īlso, in the beginning of April, I used the MPC Live on stage during a DJ set to trigger samples and loops to match up with the tunes I was playing on the CDJs. Weather permitting, I could have just as easily gone and sat outside. I was very pleased when I was up there still smacking away on it about six hours later.

In order to put this to the test, I decided to head up to my living room and sit on the sofa while learning how to use this thing, sans power cord. There are two combination XLR-1/4” inputs on the back, along with two switchable 1/4”-RCA inputs, bringing the total to four inputs.Īkai has chosen to include a big sticker on the box highlighting the Live’s six hours of battery life. If you are planning on using your MPC as the backbone of your studio, and you really need a couple of mic inputs, the MPC X has got you covered. Missing is a mic input, but seeing as the target audience for this device appears to be producers on-the-go, this is not a serious omission. You get two 1/4” line inputs and two RCA phono inputs. The MPC Live has the bare necessities for recording audio into it.

Though the MPC X and MPC Live share many features, another big difference between the two units is the input/output connectivity. With each element using the same software, you (and your devices) never have to relearn anything setups always carry over completely and with ease. It is also the same as found in the provided computer software, which is great because it is extremely easy to move between each of the devices, and back into your DAW. The software of the MPC is exactly the same on both models.

Akai professional mpc live reviews