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What is it?
Last 12 months’s MPC Live III might be probably the most interesting MPC mannequin Akai has launched this facet of the Millenium. By rising the under-the-hood energy and hands-on management, the Live III looks like true a return to the self-contained, hands-on manufacturing ethos that made the unique MPCs so beloved, albeit now geared up with the DAW-level capabilities trendy customers have come to anticipate.
Although the MPC XL is primarily an replace to 2017’s MPC X, it’s additionally a continuation of that design ethos launched with the Live III. Like that latter mannequin, the MPC XL vastly expands on the processing energy of its direct predecessors.
The authentic MPC X had 2GB of RAM under-the-hood, later doubled to 4GB for 2023’s MPC X SE. The MPC XL has the identical 8-core processor because the Live III, however with 16GB RAM – double that of Live III – making it comfortably probably the most highly effective MPC to-date.
It additionally massively expands on the storage of its predecessor. Where the unique MPC X had a now considerably stingy-feeling 16GB, the MPC XL has a 256GB SSD, nonetheless expandable through SATA enlargement bay.
There are different options ported over from the Live III too. The MPC XL good points the identical MPCe pads, which put a finger drumming-focused spin on MPE-style expression, permitting customers to do issues equivalent to modulate sounds by shifting their fingers across the pad or set off totally different samples, expressions or repeats by enjoying totally different areas throughout the pads’ 4 quadrants.
The MPC XL additionally options each the touchstrip and step sequencer of the Live III. The former is used for a various vary of efficiency features, from pitch bends and quantity adjustments to a collection of enjoyable hands-on results. The step sequencer, alternatively, introduces a basic drum machine workflow alongside the MPC’s pad grid.
Performance
The core updates that impressed us with the MPC Live III are equally spectacular right here. Those expressive MPCe pads, mixed with the brand new touchstrip, add layers of extra potential when contemplating methods to carry out and create with the MPC.
That mentioned, this isn’t the identical expressive expertise customers have come to anticipate from MPE gear equivalent to Roli’s Seaboards or Ableton Push 3. Whereas these units are tailor-made to melodic enjoying with per-note pitchbends and expression, Akai’s MPCe pads are higher suited to making use of modulation and variation inside rhythmic enjoying. On the whole, conventional melodic ‘playing’ of synths and sampled devices stays the weakest facet of the {hardware} workflow.
The bodily step sequencer is a improbable addition to the MPC workflow. Previous iterations of the MPC had been succesful of creating step sequenced patterns, however doing so concerned utilizing a mix of the pad grid and contact display, which might contain switching between pad modes and lacked the satisfying physicality of punching in patterns on a drum machine.
The 16 step sequencer buttons now enable for that workflow to exist side-by-side with the finger drumming, pattern chopping method extra historically related to the MPC vary. It makes for a very nice pairing, significantly for customers working concurrently with samples and exterior {hardware}.
The sequencer additionally interacts properly with the brand new clip launching workflow, which brings an Ableton Live affect – through Akai’s own Force hardware – to the MPC system. Although it’s hardly a groundbreaking addition, the clip view presents a welcome new option to sequence and carry out and slots properly into the software program design with out including further confusion or rising the training curve.
Naturally, the extra processing energy may be very welcome. The enhance might be significantly noticeable for customers upgrading from the MPX X and X SE. Compared to those machines, the XL has an total quicker workflow with significantly fewer limitations on monitor and plugin counts. It’s now doable to document 16 tracks of audio and 32 plugin tracks when utilizing the MPC XL in standalone mode.
That being mentioned, these limits are the identical as these set for the MPC Live III, and it’s arguably a disappointment to not see the capabilities upped for the flagship mannequin, allowing for its extra RAM, footprint and worth.
The further energy does extra than simply up the monitor counts although. As with the Live III, the MPC XL could make use of the high-quality model of Akai’s stem separation algorithm in standalone mode, not like earlier fashions that needed to depend on an ‘efficient’ model of the tech.
Aside from its processing energy, the obvious distinction between the MPC XL and the MPC Live is its measurement. Whereas the Live is designed as a conveyable beatmaker, the XL is considerably bigger and heavier, clearly meant to be put in in a studio and left in place or, as proved a well-liked alternative for these utilizing the MPC X in bigger studios, mounted to a trolley.
The MPC XL has considerably extra inputs and outputs than the MPC Live, though its I/O providing is broadly the identical as its MPC X predecessor. This features a whole of eight inputs masking mic, line, instrument and phono choices, together with eight outputs and twin headphone ports. There’s a lot of management connectivity too, with 4 MIDI outputs, two MIDI ins, two footswitch inputs, eight stereo CV ports and a number of USB connections.
The important connectivity improve that the XL presents in comparison with the MPC X isn’t instantly apparent from wanting on the {hardware} itself. Like the most recent MPC Live, the XL can now stream a number of channels of audio over USB, permitting for twenty-four channels of audio and 32 channels of MIDI to go via a single USB-C connection.
This is a great addition. The further energy and suppleness of the MPC XL imply that, greater than ever, it features primarily as a standalone machine, somewhat than an interface to work with Akai’s desktop MPC software program, which stays the weakest half of the MPC ecosystem. Easy audio streaming signifies that, if and when customers need to transfer a mission past the MPC XL, there’s an extra possibility for getting your work right into a DAW. It additionally works within the different course too, making it doable to pattern into the MPC from a pc or good system.
Take management
The MPC XL’s chunky footprint additionally means it has house for lots of bodily controls. The interface has been rearranged and expanded considerably in comparison with that of the MPC X and SE. Those machines had the financial institution of assignable Q-Link rotaries to the left of the primary grid of pads, the MPC XL now shifts these to take a seat in a neat row throughout the highest of the interface, instantly above the step sequencer.
Of all of the adjustments made for this newest MPC, it is this that’s most definitely to divide opinion amongst current customers. Personally, I like the brand new placement of these controls, which permits them to work together with the step buttons for controlling a range of sequencing features. Those accustomed to an current Q-Link setup would possibly discover it fiddly breaking away from earlier muscle reminiscence although.
The transfer frees up an area for quite a few new buttons that present fast entry to numerous MPC features. This extra management may be very welcome, significantly because it presents fast entry to basic MPC instruments equivalent to pattern slicing, in addition to stem separation. Some would possibly argue that the additional controls make the interface really feel way more cluttered, though to me this looks like an appropriate commerce off for the extra navigational instruments.
That mentioned, there are a number of minor annoyances to how the interface has been designed, some of that are hangovers from earlier fashions. For one, there at the moment are two buttons each labelled ‘Arrange’, which do various things: the one to the left of the interface is used to entry the MPC’s association view, the one to the appropriate cycles between association and clip as recording locations. It’s pretty simple to recollect which is which when you’re up and operating, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an instance of barely muddled design.
Also, not like the MPC Live, the dial used for navigating via menus and interfaces isn’t clickable, that means that making picks requires urgent a separate button, somewhat than miserable the dial itself, which feels extra pure.
Verdict
These few minor complaints apart, the MPC XL is in any other case a convincing success. Compared on to the MPC X and MPC X SE, this newest flagship mannequin is an all spherical enchancment. The under-the-hood energy and space for storing is a large step up, making the slight soar in worth really feel largely justified. Users of these earlier fashions will instantly discover a distinction within the velocity and capabilities.
While some adjustments to the management panel structure would possibly cut up opinion, it undeniably opens up a large number of artistic prospects, from expressive finger drumming to speedier sequencing of exterior gear. While there’s extra to memorise, management sensible, the workflow is quicker and extra user-friendly than every other MPC in recent times.
It’s arguably disappointing that Akai hasn’t expanded the bodily connectivity to the extent it’s upgraded different areas of the MPC, though multichannel USB-C audio streaming definitely provides to the pliability.
Comparing the MPC XL to the – significantly cheaper – MPC Live III is rather less clear lower. The XL has extra under-the-hood energy, extra I/O, extra bodily controls and a bigger display, though in sensible phrases there’s not truly that a lot that may be finished with the MPC XL that the MPC Live III isn’t succesful of.
There are additionally a number of successful options of the Live III absent from the XL, together with its onboard battery, speaker and mic.
In actuality, evaluating these two machines instantly isn’t a good or correct option to appraise them. The MPC XL isn’t precisely a much bigger and higher model of the Live III, somewhat it’s a barely totally different tackle the MPC idea, one which trades the moveable immediacy of the Live for a machine that acts as an all-encompassing studio hub.
If you’re acting on stage, jamming with mates or just need to get away from a traditional studio atmosphere, the MPC Live III stays the one to go for. If you need one thing that may sit in pleasure of place amongst your {hardware} and sampling sources, all the time plugged in and able to create, the MPC XL is a machine worthy of building your whole workflow round.
That mentioned, I nonetheless miss the built-in speaker and mic – generally it’s simply good to throw collectively a fast beat with out turning on your screens and plugging in any exterior gear.
The MPC ecosystem has come a great distance because the ‘90s. While the roots of the unique sampling and sequencing workflow stay, the MPC XL is extra like a full-on DAW constructed right into a customized controller-come-interface. Some customers will all the time miss the simplicity of that bygone period, however these keen to purchase into the trendy age of MPCs will discover a critical quantity of depth and energy right here.
Hands-on demos
Akai
Alternatives
Specifications
Price | $2,899 / £2,499 / €2,899 |
Key options | Pads (16) velocity- and pressure-sensitive pas with 3D-sensing know-how (8) banks (selectable through Pad Bank buttons) Knobs (17) 360° touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs 1) 360° encoder with push (7) 270° knobs (achieve, combine, stage) Buttons (105) devoted buttons (36) single-color LED (43) dual-color LED (1) twin shade + purple (17) RGB LED (8) unlit Display (1) 1280×800 full-color, optically bonded, multi-touch show (10.1” / 256.5 mm) (17) monochrome 128×32 OLED shows CPU Processor: 8-core processor RAM: 16 GB Storage: 256 GB inner NVMe SSD + SATA enlargement bay Connections (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) combo XLR/TRS inputs (stereo pair) (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS line inputs (stereo pair) (2) RCA phono inputs (stereo pair) (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) instrument inputs (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS footswitch inputs (8) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS outputs (4 stereo pairs) (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo headphone output (1) 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo headphone output (4) 5-pin MIDI outputs (2) 5-pin MIDI inputs (8) stereo 1/8” (3.5 mm) CV/Gate outputs (1) USB Type-C port (3) USB Type-A ports (1) SD card slot (1) energy adapter enter (1) drive bay for two.5” SATA drive Wireless Wi-Fi Bluetooth |
Modulation | 1 digital filter per monitor/Subtrack; 2 assignable LFOs per monitor; 1 assignable modulation envelope per voice; 2 assignable FX LFOs per audio monitor; 2 assignable LFOs per impact bus, ship impact, and blend; modulation setup per monitor for pitch bend, mod wheel, breath management, aftertouch |
Dimensions | 543 × 488 × 94 mm |
Weight | 7.2kg |
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