I constantly come back to this video. Not so much for the Akai review, although it was great, but for his enthusiasm in music and all the great tracks heard throughout. It inspires me to do things even though I personally have no desire to use one of these devices, which is fantastic. I don't typically comment on videos, but felt as though I should considering the amount of times I've watched this video. Thank you for all the years I have graciously been able to listen to your music. Keep doing you.
I’m not that much of a creative type, but there’s something about hearing and seeing a passionate person do and talk about what they do is a great feeling.
yeah. However... you really need to spend the time to master using the hardware. its easier to get most of a song together on an MPC over a DAW but the fine tuning can take a while until you really master it. I have found a great middle ground though by using it as a digital instrument in Logic Pro. I take in on the road and record a pattern or build a drum kit then when i get home i can record with it live on my computer..
@@1anre No, the live 2 has a built in battery and speaker. 12345678 is correct, too. Also, The MPCs bread n butter is the sampler, it's been widely used as an instrument for hiphip since the 80s, specifically for sample based producers.
Can tell you're enjoying the process when you're tapping on the side of the machine! Seems almost like the hand-designing a building equivalent of the digital music world, gets you into the flow of the creative work.
I love my MPC Live 2! I've sampled most of my favorite synth sounds from my hardware and plug in synths, as well loaded up all my favorite drum samples. The portability of this thing makes it so much fun to make music anywhere - bed, couch, car, floor, kitchen, wherever. Yes, there is a bit of prep work to do if you like having your own sounds but the pay off is worth it. It brings out things/ideas in me that likely would not come out when using a computer - even though the sounds are the same. The Q links + filter/FX assignments makes this an amazing performance tool.
This has been my exact experience with my MPC Live 2 that I bought 6 weeks ago as well. 15-years on Ableton and this has been the hugest breathe of fresh air and completely rejuvenated my love of making music - something that had started waning in recent years.
I know the feeling man. And I've been wanting one for ages. But i realized that I'd be going backwards. So i got the Push 2. And I'm really happy with it. However, it's inevitable that when i get some spare cash, I'll get one of these badboys.
@@Ayo.Ajisafe honestly, i like that it does less. I was getting choice paralysis with ableton just due the sheer amount of options and just getting burnt out on the workflow in general. It's been nice to have a change and as mentioned in the video, the hands on feel and divorce from a computer/laptop has been awesome. I still plan on finishing most of my tunes in Ableton, but you are perfectly capable of finishing up a full tune from start to finish entirely on the MPC.
@@djsoo Oh I know MPC can do everything. I just wasn't ready to go backwards in the sense of completely throwing away my whole investment into Ableton. I also felt that Ableton would encourage me to use my instruments not just sample. MPC can obviously do all of that too. But its learning from Scratch. I'd prefer to get the MPC just to have fun with rather than as my main production centre.
@@Ayo.Ajisafe MPC is not only about sampling tho. It has a ton of synths and instrument's inside and live 2 has inst inputs too. Not to mention all the expansion you could buy. But I get what you mean
I started writing and producing in 1997 on an mpc 2000. 32 seconds of sampling time, no fx, just a sequencer and some sample pads and a step filter. I wrote 11 albums in the first two years. Then I bought more hardware and kept going. Then around 2001 I switched from hardware to computers and something died inside me without my notice. Then in about 2012 I started dabbling in hardware again and I remembered that it used to be fun to make music. Computers had killed the fun. Now I use a hybrid approach. Hardware is a pita in a lot of ways, but it's fun an immediate. Software is great for editing, tracking, mixing, and mastering. That's how I do it now and it works very well. Nice to see you get into hardware as well.
Honestly I'd love to see you release an album using, almost entirely, this new piece of tech you got. You look very happy using it like playing an old childhood favorite game, like you mentioned, and small things like that spark enjoyment and therefore creativity in the same vein.
Yes pogomix, I have an mpc live and would love to see / hear an album or projects you make solely on the mpc live 2. It’s always appealed to me hands on hitting pads and for creativity I can take it anywhere as you said, not feeling like an office job for creativity. The mpc is an instrument in itself because you can ‘play’ the machine as in finger drumming or routines. Thanks, you continue to inspire me musically and creatively 👍🏻
Glad I found this video again gives me hope with my mpc & with the day job how many times have I said " I'm tired of feeling like I'm making an apppointment with my creativity" & yout tracks are fly as hell !!! Will be following again
"making an appointment with your creativity" i feel like this all the time working from home as a graphic designer. the ipad with the pencil liberated my creative sense when i was able to pick it up and create stuff to an almost finished level on a couch or on the go. devices like this are evolving our creative capabilities. thanks for the awesome vid!
This is exactly the reason I bought one of these, even though I have a dedicated music pc so no email or Facebook etc, the production process slowly became uninspired and stale. This machine has opened up new doors for me, new styles of music, new workflow and a hands on interaction I never had with a PC. The PC still has its place for post, but all my ideas are generated on this remarkable machine now.
I really hope you are well. I really enjoy your content and hope you return one day. These were some of the best reviews and opinion pieces I have ever seen and the way you shared your talents were so giving. Best wishes.
I've been listenin to ya forever man- And i danced to every small bit of music in this, they're all incredible! It's really interesting to hear you talk about your past and get so in-depth to the process- It really engaged me as a viewer to learn more about you and listen. Keep being awesome!
The MPC Live 2 is a game changer for me. I feel so less inhibited as when I produced with Ableton. There are obviously some limitations, but in a way they've actually helped me not get too caught up in the subtle nuances and instead make impactful music. When I release what I've created, I'm going to use Ableton for certain FX and mastering. I may even replace a few instruments with VSTs. But generally speaking, the MPC has everything I need. I work from my laptop though so there's always that black cloud hovering over me when I try to be creative in front of it. I couldn't recommend it enough.
I just discovered your channel while I was looking for MPC videos, since I want to get away from my computer to make electronic music. This video is superb! Everything you say and show is resonating with me. I was not sure whether to buy the Live or the X, but now it’s clear and I will go for the Live. What could be better than sitting outside and make some beats! I love your video and your tracks are simply outstanding! Thanks a lot for taking your time and effort to produce this, for me the best demo/review I will ever see, and endless fun to watch!
Absolutely stellar review. Thank you Nick for taking the time to give us your thoughts. It's definitely convincing and makes me want to get one now too... I'm actually quite suprised about how well you are able to make organic sounding, full fledged music productions on the device, when you are so proficient at using a DAW.
So cool to see you got yourself an MPC Live II. I recently got an MPC One and it’s been so great to get away from the computer. It really feels like you’re just focusing in on the music and sampling and getting away from all the hundreds of options of VSTs or crazy bells and whistles you get with a traditional DAW. Limitations can spark creativity, but you can also do so much with one of these little boxes. Can’t wait to make some plunderphonics.
Definitely. That's my gripe with Omnisphere. It sounds amazing and the value for money is unbeatable, but have fun scrolling through 9000 patches when creativity hits.
New subber, this video sold me on your channel.. The way you speak about the DAW process almost becoming like an appointment for creativity really hit the nail on the head for me, as it is exactly how I feel about it at this point.. It sometimes feels very laborious to go into the studio, power up all the gear, and setup the recording environment... I NEED something more quickly accessible and tactile, but with enough power and functionality that I don't feel necessarily limited being out of the DAW space.. I have been eyeing the OP-1, Elektron products, and MPC Live units for some time, but just havent made the leap as each option is quite costly. Thanks for the insights, and I look forward to perusing more of your content!
i was scared to see what you looked like, as most people who make music don't look or sound how i expect them too. but you blew me away! you look and sound EXACTLY how I was hoping you would TwT
Thanks for not having the utter lack of musical personality that so many producer-tubers seem afflicted with (coughAndrew Huangcough) your style really shines in all these examples!
This unit has no limits of creativity back in the 90,s to have a machine like this to do remixes would have been amazing I am a much older Dj we could only dream back then to have this
Love that glitchy house sound you have, still rocking my mpc live (OG), which due to various customisations, its like no other. Its more of an instrument to me now!
I got an MPK mini as a gift recently. Having only produced with my DAW, and never using external hardware or keyboards before, even that little thing intimidates me. Watching this video definitely urges me to spend some time getting familiar with what it can do. Awesome review!
RE: Music 2000 - it’s always heart warming when people take the time to name drop the products I’ve designed in the past, especially as a touchstone on their creative journey. As for the AKAI I’ve toyed with the idea, it’s a great bit of kit and it does get you away from the desk! 😄
Hi Nick. Been a fan for many years. Sent you a message thanking you for the inspiration. My favorite piece in this is at 1:07. I make music very differently from you, but your music and work ethic inspires me. Thank you. You also have beautiful hands and a lovely speaking voice. I'm listening while drawing. Thank you!
my question: is there much prep required before hand? How much clipping, preparing, loading of samples on a PC before you're really autonomous? Or how about vst 3rd party plugin support? Especially for your particular style, I feel like there would be some drawbacks as far as connective flexibility.
I think it all depends on how disconnected you want to be from your computer. The MPC Live/X/One can record any source directly into it, so you could straight up record directly from Netflix or Disney+ with the right cables if you wanted to. Of course, the samples might not be as clean as if you threw them in Izotope or Audition beforehand, but you can absolutely work with the MPC Live in that way. It’s also pretty capable as far as Plugins go, and users have found ways to effectively sample computer software VSTs. You could also always bounce MIDI and audio tracks out of MPC to bring into your DAW of choice.
In-terms of sampling etc. The MPC is the grandaddy of all samplers so in general it has great sample editing functionality built-in no prep work needed. You can do all that on the machine. To load samples you can either sample them in, use the integrated Splice integration if that's your thing, or you can install drive into the machine or use an SD card and load in full songs or sample shots. I have a 256GB SSD in mine as well as an SD card. The machine also has hybrid mode so you can use it on a Mac/PC connected via USB running the MPC software, so you get the best of both worlds. It's a really versatile machine imo.
You don’t need to use a computer at all, although some of the free sound packs that comes with a license requires the computer software to load up on the mpc. The live and x have built in wifi and can directly connect to splice so you technically never have to connect to a computer. The browser isn’t the best tho, so having a good organization method is key and it’s not the easiest to manage your external drives on the box itself so connecting to a computer is key. That said, you can build templates, kits, instruments, whatever ahead of time to get going or you can just pick some samples, instruments, and synths and just start from scratch every time.
The warmth in your videos Pogo, Omg I can't handle how good your videos are and those beats are so incredible, please turn them into a full album in the future, I listen to your work almost everyday and you always make me feel better, just know that you helped me a lot of times, you're so awesome man
“I’ve always had a very thorough dislike of homosexuals, I’ve never liked a grown man acting like a 12-year-old girl. I’ve always found that to be quite disgusting.” - Pogo
This came at the perfect time. I've started traveling a lot and have been looking for something like this to take with me. Thanks for these videos, I really enjoy checking them out. Loved the headphone review; super clean.
I have 3 albums on Spotify that use mostly the MPC one , so it’s perfectly useable to make full tracks , it has a piano roll , virtual analogue synths and a drum machine , automsampler, audio and midi tracks , CV ,track mutes etc the list is very long, this replaced most of my gear late last year and I won’t be going back to a room of gear anytime soon
Pogomix, first time seeing one of your videos and this was thoroughly impressive. As far as the insert effects on the sampler, you were questioning why you would need that. The greatest tool you have on the MPC and Force units is the AiR Lo-Fi plug-in. Put the Lo-Fi plugin on the sampler insert, adjust the parameters (to vintage equipment specs) and you just turned the MPC Live sampler input into an SP1200, MPC60, ASR-10 sample engine (crunch and all).
Thank you for this video! So inspiring while I’m sitting here with my newly live 2. I’ve gone from logic and Maschine to the mpc because of the feel , knock in sound, and inspiration.
thanks - this was very informative and inspiring! after having played around with the mpc studio black in connection with the PC I now pulled the trigger and bought the MPC live 2. standalone, portable...we'll see now where to the voyage goes...
As a producer who started with all equipment being software, I’ve recently branched out to different hardware and hardware instruments. I truly believe that the “limiting factors” of hardware like this are the perfect conduit for creativity. I say this due to the innate nature of software being almost limitless in what you can add in, remove, chop, etc. hardware hones in on what’s important for our creative gestures and puts you into a flow state unparalleled to what a DAW offers. Not to say that software is bad but more so that experiencing hardware is a thrilling proposition.
Yes and no, for me. One of the limitations of the MPC is how painful it is to enter and edit notes. With the best will in the world, I can't see how it taking an hour and 4 thousand button presses to shift my hi-hat back one beat across my whole track adds anything to my creativity. It is very easy to get things started and get a four bar loop going on an MPC. It is not easy to finish anything because anything more than a simple four bar loop and it becomes a nightmare. Obviously, you could finish it by hooking it up to a laptop but then why not just use Ableton in the first place? This is why I'm selling mine.
All the new music you have created is soooo beautiful!!! Wow its been a while and I love anything new from you! I look forward to a future album! This machine looks amazing.
Your analogies hit hard and really resonated with me. I am considering getting the MPC One (for budget reasons) and you just pushed me a little further :) And great content by the way, subbed 👍
You mentioned NI Maschine MK3, curious how would you compare the two? do you feel the same working on it even though it still need to be connected to and dependent on the computer?
Thanks for the sub! I've only ever used the first Maschine, but I remember the pads being a lot better than this. The workflow was radically different too. I think NI's instruments are a mixed bag so I wouldn't buy into Maschine just for that. And like you say, I'm not a big fan of being strapped to my desk and computer. In that case I might as well just use my mouse and keyboard. But on the other hand, you can make your desk environment more creative and inspiring. It doesn't have to feel like an office!
@@Pogomix Thanks a lot for the reply, that confirmed my thoughts on the MK3 :) I have a Korg Electribe 2, and despite its limitation (or maybe because of that) working away from the computer and just jamming around feels so much fun. I still plan to continue working with a DAW (Ableton + Reason in that case), but I miss the fun factor which is the main reason I enjoy this hobby 😄
Hello just found your channel! Yes I got one when they first came out....then bought synths, because I was sick of DAWs...I don't even use the piano role on MPC just do and undo.... Daw is now a stereo tape machine.... never been happier!
To me, MPC has always had the upper hand on software. It is more an instrument than a production centre. The older MPC models from the 90s and early 2000s are honestly special and unique machines that help evolve ones sound and also forces you sometimes out of your comfort zone until you feel comfortable again
Have been tempted to get a MPC One or Akai Force so I can write down what's in my head and turn it into finished songs. Am leaning toward Akai Force, since it allows recording clips then arranging them on a timeline. Have been using a DAW on a notebook, and it does the job, but... it feels like work.
man, you nailed to a tee things i've been thinking about lately! thank you! So eloquent and I love your choice of metaphor throughout! I had a very similar kind of catharsis switching workflows to maschine and teenage engineering
This video almost hurts to watch, because EVERY single song you made sounds insanely good, and they are only snippets! I know I probably won't be able to listen to these tunes for a while, that is if they will even ever be released. Great review and beats! Hope to hear most of these some day.
Going DAWless is both liberating and challenging. The great thing about the MPC series is that you can use them standalone or as controllers with the bundled MPC DAW software on your Mac or PC. Lovely pieces of kit.
I’ve not heard of you before this, but I really appreciate what you’re saying about making music apart from a computer and DAW. Outcome oriented hit me really hard lol.
Same here man. I got the Mpc One. Bought a batterypack. Voila. And after making music for 20 years i feel like needing to recover before i can even fully enjoy it. As yes that feeling of being amazed by music. This will bring me ahead by going a few steps back. Music becomes a instrument again. For me its goodbye to doing it in the daw. Now i can leave my home. Have a adventure and make the music on the spot whenever i feel like it. Nice video man. It resonated 100%
Pogo dude, I’m not a musician. I’m a filmmaker. But I love all the contacts you put out. You’re so fucking gifted. Just, don’t ever stop. You’re awesome
"i want more buttons and knobs" = mpcX. i have the mpc live1, dying for more buttons and knobs. the mpcX seems like a different world with those knobs. looks amazing. akai is definitely on the right track. the live already has some bluetooth capabilities, they can update that to work with a mouse. im looking forward to the future of them
And the X isn’t portable. There’s something special about the portability of the Live and Live II with the battery in it… sitting on the couch jamming on the Live is my favorite thing about it.
The reason this machine rocks is because you know how to rock it. I love your chaotic, yet meloncholly sound! It's nice to see an MPC used in that style rather than boom bap or trap. Keep it up mate!
Great Breakdown Of The MPC Live 2... I've Had Minds for 10 Months Now, "My NEW LOVE IN LIFE" and I Love The Imperfections As Well... It Makes Me Wanna Learn It All... Combined With The MPC 2 Software and The DAW Of your Choice Makes The Inclusion of This Unit An Absolute MUST For Any Producer On The Go... Fyi... I Love Those Tracks That You Used For your Demonstrations, Keep up The Good Work👌🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I have playing Nick's music for years. An absolute genius. I have been wondering which way to go with my latest music making adventure. He just made it clear for me.
"tired making an appt to make music" so true man, seems like you can really flow with this piece. the touchscreen, battery & speaker are really selling me
I constantly come back to this video. Not so much for the Akai review, although it was great, but for his enthusiasm in music and all the great tracks heard throughout. It inspires me to do things even though I personally have no desire to use one of these devices, which is fantastic. I don't typically comment on videos, but felt as though I should considering the amount of times I've watched this video. Thank you for all the years I have graciously been able to listen to your music. Keep doing you.
That's awesome. Thanks so much man. :)
Me too!!
Well said !
I’m not that much of a creative type, but there’s something about hearing and seeing a passionate person do and talk about what they do is a great feeling.
“Appointment with your creativity” so true
"Can I make the music I want to by just using this box?" We both know you can do just about anything with sound Pogo. Love the video.
yeah. However... you really need to spend the time to master using the hardware. its easier to get most of a song together on an MPC over a DAW but the fine tuning can take a while until you really master it. I have found a great middle ground though by using it as a digital instrument in Logic Pro. I take in on the road and record a pattern or build a drum kit then when i get home i can record with it live on my computer..
@@1234-b6n Well that is your opinion.
@@1234-b6n it doesn’t need a separate power supply to power it while on the road?
@@1anre No, the live 2 has a built in battery and speaker. 12345678 is correct, too. Also, The MPCs bread n butter is the sampler, it's been widely used as an instrument for hiphip since the 80s, specifically for sample based producers.
Can tell you're enjoying the process when you're tapping on the side of the machine! Seems almost like the hand-designing a building equivalent of the digital music world, gets you into the flow of the creative work.
I love my MPC Live 2! I've sampled most of my favorite synth sounds from my hardware and plug in synths, as well loaded up all my favorite drum samples. The portability of this thing makes it so much fun to make music anywhere - bed, couch, car, floor, kitchen, wherever. Yes, there is a bit of prep work to do if you like having your own sounds but the pay off is worth it. It brings out things/ideas in me that likely would not come out when using a computer - even though the sounds are the same. The Q links + filter/FX assignments makes this an amazing performance tool.
This has been my exact experience with my MPC Live 2 that I bought 6 weeks ago as well. 15-years on Ableton and this has been the hugest breathe of fresh air and completely rejuvenated my love of making music - something that had started waning in recent years.
I know the feeling man. And I've been wanting one for ages. But i realized that I'd be going backwards. So i got the Push 2. And I'm really happy with it.
However, it's inevitable that when i get some spare cash, I'll get one of these badboys.
@@Ayo.Ajisafe honestly, i like that it does less. I was getting choice paralysis with ableton just due the sheer amount of options and just getting burnt out on the workflow in general. It's been nice to have a change and as mentioned in the video, the hands on feel and divorce from a computer/laptop has been awesome. I still plan on finishing most of my tunes in Ableton, but you are perfectly capable of finishing up a full tune from start to finish entirely on the MPC.
@@djsoo Oh I know MPC can do everything. I just wasn't ready to go backwards in the sense of completely throwing away my whole investment into Ableton. I also felt that Ableton would encourage me to use my instruments not just sample. MPC can obviously do all of that too. But its learning from Scratch. I'd prefer to get the MPC just to have fun with rather than as my main production centre.
But it's the most beautiful piece of gear I've ever seen. And super powerful.
@@Ayo.Ajisafe MPC is not only about sampling tho. It has a ton of synths and instrument's inside and live 2 has inst inputs too. Not to mention all the expansion you could buy. But I get what you mean
I started writing and producing in 1997 on an mpc 2000. 32 seconds of sampling time, no fx, just a sequencer and some sample pads and a step filter. I wrote 11 albums in the first two years. Then I bought more hardware and kept going. Then around 2001 I switched from hardware to computers and something died inside me without my notice. Then in about 2012 I started dabbling in hardware again and I remembered that it used to be fun to make music. Computers had killed the fun. Now I use a hybrid approach. Hardware is a pita in a lot of ways, but it's fun an immediate. Software is great for editing, tracking, mixing, and mastering. That's how I do it now and it works very well. Nice to see you get into hardware as well.
Honestly I'd love to see you release an album using, almost entirely, this new piece of tech you got. You look very happy using it like playing an old childhood favorite game, like you mentioned, and small things like that spark enjoyment and therefore creativity in the same vein.
Love this idea!
Yes pogomix, I have an mpc live and would love to see / hear an album or projects you make solely on the mpc live 2. It’s always appealed to me hands on hitting pads and for creativity I can take it anywhere as you said, not feeling like an office job for creativity. The mpc is an instrument in itself because you can ‘play’ the machine as in finger drumming or routines. Thanks, you continue to inspire me musically and creatively 👍🏻
Doit@@Pogomix
Glad I found this video again gives me hope with my mpc & with the day job how many times have I said " I'm tired of feeling like I'm making an apppointment with my creativity" & yout tracks are fly as hell !!! Will be following again
"making an appointment with your creativity" i feel like this all the time working from home as a graphic designer. the ipad with the pencil liberated my creative sense when i was able to pick it up and create stuff to an almost finished level on a couch or on the go. devices like this are evolving our creative capabilities. thanks for the awesome vid!
This is exactly the reason I bought one of these, even though I have a dedicated music pc so no email or Facebook etc, the production process slowly became uninspired and stale.
This machine has opened up new doors for me, new styles of music, new workflow and a hands on interaction I never had with a PC.
The PC still has its place for post, but all my ideas are generated on this remarkable machine now.
I absolutely love hearing how your mind decides to piece your music together. Very beautiful.
I always get excited when I see a Pogo notification!
MR. ANDERSOOON.
it's because all his videos are high quality productions
ME TOO x3000!!
OMG! PoGo of Crowder and cease and Desistney Fame?
I really hope you are well. I really enjoy your content and hope you return one day. These were some of the best reviews and opinion pieces I have ever seen and the way you shared your talents were so giving. Best wishes.
Highlights of my favorite beats/previews:
0:08
0:45
2:21
3:57
5:38
6:02
8:21
8:51
9:15
10:58
12:55
16:30
16:40
kisses and hugs from a long time fan of Buenos Aires :)
I've been listenin to ya forever man- And i danced to every small bit of music in this, they're all incredible! It's really interesting to hear you talk about your past and get so in-depth to the process- It really engaged me as a viewer to learn more about you and listen. Keep being awesome!
Best MPC video I’ve seen. Lots of different styles of music and a real honest insight in to workflow. Thanks!
The MPC Live 2 is a game changer for me. I feel so less inhibited as when I produced with Ableton.
There are obviously some limitations, but in a way they've actually helped me not get too caught up in the subtle nuances and instead make impactful music.
When I release what I've created, I'm going to use Ableton for certain FX and mastering. I may even replace a few instruments with VSTs. But generally speaking, the MPC has everything I need.
I work from my laptop though so there's always that black cloud hovering over me when I try to be creative in front of it.
I couldn't recommend it enough.
Real Talk
The Build in Speaker and the portability is new Definition of Performance for me
MPC Live 2 is the Best Sampler in my opinion
I never really knew how these kinds of machines work. Thanks so much for this.
I just discovered your channel while I was looking for MPC videos, since I want to get away from my computer to make electronic music. This video is superb! Everything you say and show is resonating with me. I was not sure whether to buy the Live or the X, but now it’s clear and I will go for the Live. What could be better than sitting outside and make some beats! I love your video and your tracks are simply outstanding! Thanks a lot for taking your time and effort to produce this, for me the best demo/review I will ever see, and endless fun to watch!
Absolutely stellar review. Thank you Nick for taking the time to give us your thoughts. It's definitely convincing and makes me want to get one now too...
I'm actually quite suprised about how well you are able to make organic sounding, full fledged music productions on the device, when you are so proficient at using a DAW.
So cool to see you got yourself an MPC Live II. I recently got an MPC One and it’s been so great to get away from the computer. It really feels like you’re just focusing in on the music and sampling and getting away from all the hundreds of options of VSTs or crazy bells and whistles you get with a traditional DAW. Limitations can spark creativity, but you can also do so much with one of these little boxes. Can’t wait to make some plunderphonics.
Definitely. That's my gripe with Omnisphere. It sounds amazing and the value for money is unbeatable, but have fun scrolling through 9000 patches when creativity hits.
@@Pogomix I always thought omnisphere is the thing that will make you awesome, but it's easily the least used synth for me
New subber, this video sold me on your channel.. The way you speak about the DAW process almost becoming like an appointment for creativity really hit the nail on the head for me, as it is exactly how I feel about it at this point.. It sometimes feels very laborious to go into the studio, power up all the gear, and setup the recording environment... I NEED something more quickly accessible and tactile, but with enough power and functionality that I don't feel necessarily limited being out of the DAW space.. I have been eyeing the OP-1, Elektron products, and MPC Live units for some time, but just havent made the leap as each option is quite costly. Thanks for the insights, and I look forward to perusing more of your content!
i was scared to see what you looked like, as most people who make music don't look or sound how i expect them too. but you blew me away! you look and sound EXACTLY how I was hoping you would TwT
I've never seen Pogo before, but I see a lot of love from his tribe here which is awesome. Pogo seems to vibe with positive people.
Thanks for not having the utter lack of musical personality that so many producer-tubers seem afflicted with (coughAndrew Huangcough) your style really shines in all these examples!
Great stuff! Love how fresh it all sounds with the little vocal bibs and bobs. Inspiring!
i love your music and i’m so happy i’ve found your production channel!
This unit has no limits of creativity back in the 90,s to have a machine like this to do remixes would have been amazing I am a much older Dj we could only dream back then to have this
Love that glitchy house sound you have, still rocking my mpc live (OG), which due to various customisations, its like no other. Its more of an instrument to me now!
Your music is really fun, and your review is inspiring!
Pogo giving us a Ricky Tinez moment! Two different styles but two gentle and sensitive souls.
Thank you for sharing. Love 13:05. Sounds fantastic. Great video 👍
Love gear reviews that aren't paid adverts. Thanks for the info
I got an MPK mini as a gift recently. Having only produced with my DAW, and never using external hardware or keyboards before, even that little thing intimidates me. Watching this video definitely urges me to spend some time getting familiar with what it can do.
Awesome review!
DAW's suck ass when you finally release yourself to hardware based music creation. And then when you go modular you're really off the deep end.
RE: Music 2000 - it’s always heart warming when people take the time to name drop the products I’ve designed in the past, especially as a touchstone on their creative journey. As for the AKAI I’ve toyed with the idea, it’s a great bit of kit and it does get you away from the desk! 😄
Hi Nick. Been a fan for many years. Sent you a message thanking you for the inspiration. My favorite piece in this is at 1:07. I make music very differently from you, but your music and work ethic inspires me. Thank you. You also have beautiful hands and a lovely speaking voice. I'm listening while drawing. Thank you!
my question: is there much prep required before hand? How much clipping, preparing, loading of samples on a PC before you're really autonomous? Or how about vst 3rd party plugin support? Especially for your particular style, I feel like there would be some drawbacks as far as connective flexibility.
i SECOND THIS
I think it all depends on how disconnected you want to be from your computer. The MPC Live/X/One can record any source directly into it, so you could straight up record directly from Netflix or Disney+ with the right cables if you wanted to. Of course, the samples might not be as clean as if you threw them in Izotope or Audition beforehand, but you can absolutely work with the MPC Live in that way. It’s also pretty capable as far as Plugins go, and users have found ways to effectively sample computer software VSTs. You could also always bounce MIDI and audio tracks out of MPC to bring into your DAW of choice.
Based on this video probably not much, but you can always export the stems (or at least I hope) and add effects and whatnot in your usual DAW
In-terms of sampling etc. The MPC is the grandaddy of all samplers so in general it has great sample editing functionality built-in no prep work needed. You can do all that on the machine. To load samples you can either sample them in, use the integrated Splice integration if that's your thing, or you can install drive into the machine or use an SD card and load in full songs or sample shots. I have a 256GB SSD in mine as well as an SD card. The machine also has hybrid mode so you can use it on a Mac/PC connected via USB running the MPC software, so you get the best of both worlds. It's a really versatile machine imo.
You don’t need to use a computer at all, although some of the free sound packs that comes with a license requires the computer software to load up on the mpc.
The live and x have built in wifi and can directly connect to splice so you technically never have to connect to a computer.
The browser isn’t the best tho, so having a good organization method is key and it’s not the easiest to manage your external drives on the box itself so connecting to a computer is key.
That said, you can build templates, kits, instruments, whatever ahead of time to get going or you can just pick some samples, instruments, and synths and just start from scratch every time.
Can I just say thank you for having such great consistency with your audio quality even for just when you're talking, it's so warm and welcoming 🙏😊
The warmth in your videos Pogo, Omg I can't handle how good your videos are and those beats are so incredible, please turn them into a full album in the future, I listen to your work almost everyday and you always make me feel better, just know that you helped me a lot of times, you're so awesome man
So cool Nick! Love the “behind the scenes” videos.
“I’ve always had a very thorough dislike of homosexuals, I’ve never liked a grown man acting like a 12-year-old girl. I’ve always found that to be quite disgusting.” - Pogo
@@rickardohman1165 ???? Not quite sure what that had to do with my comment but ok
@@rickardohman1165 where did you hear him saying that?
This came at the perfect time. I've started traveling a lot and have been looking for something like this to take with me. Thanks for these videos, I really enjoy checking them out. Loved the headphone review; super clean.
Such a cool, classy looking machine, love the snippets of work featured in this vid
It is! Just be sure to get it used. The RRP is a heart attack.
You speak like a poet. Describing making an appointment with creativity and the parallel of gardening and making a song. Beautiful stuff.
I have 3 albums on Spotify that use mostly the MPC one , so it’s perfectly useable to make full tracks , it has a piano roll , virtual analogue synths and a drum machine , automsampler, audio and midi tracks , CV ,track mutes etc the list is very long, this replaced most of my gear late last year and I won’t be going back to a room of gear anytime soon
Superb music man, everything so smooth and sweet with that Todd Edwards sample chop vibe. Love it.
Pogomix, first time seeing one of your videos and this was thoroughly impressive. As far as the insert effects on the sampler, you were questioning why you would need that. The greatest tool you have on the MPC and Force units is the AiR Lo-Fi plug-in. Put the Lo-Fi plugin on the sampler insert, adjust the parameters (to vintage equipment specs) and you just turned the MPC Live sampler input into an SP1200, MPC60, ASR-10 sample engine (crunch and all).
Thank you for this video! So inspiring while I’m sitting here with my newly live 2. I’ve gone from logic and Maschine to the mpc because of the feel , knock in sound, and inspiration.
"I'll see you guys in the next video, whatever that may be"
It better be the 🔥🔥🔥 you were dropping throughout this video
its so enjoyable to watch you talk about stuff you're passionate about
damn thats so cool. Im not a music artist, but I can appreciate it, and its easy to understand it when youre talking about it. Thanks Nick!
A tangible DAW. I love hearing your passion for this device.
thanks - this was very informative and inspiring! after having played around with the mpc studio black in connection with the PC I now pulled the trigger and bought the MPC live 2. standalone, portable...we'll see now where to the voyage goes...
been listening to you music for well over a decade now, still so excited anytime you upload just anything
We need this album to come out soon!!!
Hard to watch Pogo's videos when he keeps TEASING us with these beats 😭 Hopefully we get a song with'em at some point; until then, I pray 🙏
damn you aren't joking, it's rough
It’s been 2 years. With only one song of these stellar beats. How do you think I feel? 😂😭
Great video! Excellent content and production.
As a producer who started with all equipment being software, I’ve recently branched out to different hardware and hardware instruments. I truly believe that the “limiting factors” of hardware like this are the perfect conduit for creativity. I say this due to the innate nature of software being almost limitless in what you can add in, remove, chop, etc. hardware hones in on what’s important for our creative gestures and puts you into a flow state unparalleled to what a DAW offers. Not to say that software is bad but more so that experiencing hardware is a thrilling proposition.
Yes and no, for me. One of the limitations of the MPC is how painful it is to enter and edit notes. With the best will in the world, I can't see how it taking an hour and 4 thousand button presses to shift my hi-hat back one beat across my whole track adds anything to my creativity.
It is very easy to get things started and get a four bar loop going on an MPC. It is not easy to finish anything because anything more than a simple four bar loop and it becomes a nightmare. Obviously, you could finish it by hooking it up to a laptop but then why not just use Ableton in the first place?
This is why I'm selling mine.
All the new music you have created is soooo beautiful!!! Wow its been a while and I love anything new from you! I look forward to a future album! This machine looks amazing.
You inspire me to make music, Pogo. Never change.
Love the quality of your videos brosef. You're an inspiration.
Your analogies hit hard and really resonated with me. I am considering getting the MPC One (for budget reasons) and you just pushed me a little further :) And great content by the way, subbed 👍
You mentioned NI Maschine MK3, curious how would you compare the two? do you feel the same working on it even though it still need to be connected to and dependent on the computer?
Thanks for the sub! I've only ever used the first Maschine, but I remember the pads being a lot better than this. The workflow was radically different too. I think NI's instruments are a mixed bag so I wouldn't buy into Maschine just for that. And like you say, I'm not a big fan of being strapped to my desk and computer. In that case I might as well just use my mouse and keyboard. But on the other hand, you can make your desk environment more creative and inspiring. It doesn't have to feel like an office!
@@Pogomix Thanks a lot for the reply, that confirmed my thoughts on the MK3 :) I have a Korg Electribe 2, and despite its limitation (or maybe because of that) working away from the computer and just jamming around feels so much fun. I still plan to continue working with a DAW (Ableton + Reason in that case), but I miss the fun factor which is the main reason I enjoy this hobby 😄
Hello just found your channel! Yes I got one when they first came out....then bought synths, because I was sick of DAWs...I don't even use the piano role on MPC just do and undo....
Daw is now a stereo tape machine.... never been happier!
Them chops always get me in the feels
To me, MPC has always had the upper hand on software. It is more an instrument than a production centre. The older MPC models from the 90s and early 2000s are honestly special and unique machines that help evolve ones sound and also forces you sometimes out of your comfort zone until you feel comfortable again
Have been tempted to get a MPC One or Akai Force so I can write down what's in my head and turn it into finished songs. Am leaning toward Akai Force, since it allows recording clips then arranging them on a timeline. Have been using a DAW on a notebook, and it does the job, but... it feels like work.
man, you nailed to a tee things i've been thinking about lately! thank you! So eloquent and I love your choice of metaphor throughout! I had a very similar kind of catharsis switching workflows to maschine and teenage engineering
if you wrote a book about the music production process from your perspective, i think a lot of people would be very interested to read it
I love how much you enjoy this lol. It's fun to watch folks be passionate.
This tactile you keep talking about has a more precise nomenclature: Haptic feedback! it's what makes hardware synthesisers much more fun than VSTs.
Loved the sound of that song at 9:30 reminded me of a glass animals song for some reason
This was the video that convinced me to get one! Thank you!
Your skill and craft in music making is so premium 👏🏾
fingers crossed for Okeh Ska to be released! Sounded great.
Love hearing ya talk. I can see how much thought goes into your process and it is very inspiring. Cant wait for whatever it is you put out 👏
Thanks very much man!
Really nice tunes in this one
4:20 this sample is sooooo good
I hope you release this as a full song. I feel at ease listening to this beat.
Bout time I find someone else talking about this one. I find it the best and bounciest beat in the vid.
This video almost hurts to watch, because EVERY single song you made sounds insanely good, and they are only snippets! I know I probably won't be able to listen to these tunes for a while, that is if they will even ever be released.
Great review and beats! Hope to hear most of these some day.
You are amazing and I am so glad I found you on UA-cam.
it's always endearing to see someone discover the joys of hardware music production
Going DAWless is both liberating and challenging. The great thing about the MPC series is that you can use them standalone or as controllers with the bundled MPC DAW software on your Mac or PC. Lovely pieces of kit.
I’ve not heard of you before this, but I really appreciate what you’re saying about making music apart from a computer and DAW. Outcome oriented hit me really hard lol.
Same here man. I got the Mpc One. Bought a batterypack. Voila. And after making music for 20 years i feel like needing to recover before i can even fully enjoy it. As yes that feeling of being amazed by music. This will bring me ahead by going a few steps back. Music becomes a instrument again. For me its goodbye to doing it in the daw. Now i can leave my home. Have a adventure and make the music on the spot whenever i feel like it. Nice video man. It resonated 100%
10:58 was a major vibe!!!
Pogo dude, I’m not a musician. I’m a filmmaker. But I love all the contacts you put out. You’re so fucking gifted. Just, don’t ever stop. You’re awesome
"i want more buttons and knobs" = mpcX. i have the mpc live1, dying for more buttons and knobs. the mpcX seems like a different world with those knobs. looks amazing. akai is definitely on the right track. the live already has some bluetooth capabilities, they can update that to work with a mouse. im looking forward to the future of them
The X looks amazing. Just crazy expensive. 0_0
And the X isn’t portable. There’s something special about the portability of the Live and Live II with the battery in it… sitting on the couch jamming on the Live is my favorite thing about it.
The reason this machine rocks is because you know how to rock it.
I love your chaotic, yet meloncholly sound!
It's nice to see an MPC used in that style rather than boom bap or trap.
Keep it up mate!
Thank you sir!
Nick, you're a genius..thanks for sharing this
Super inspired such a big fan of you thank you
Always nice to see DAW people come around to gear.
Great Breakdown Of The MPC Live 2... I've Had Minds for 10 Months Now, "My NEW LOVE IN LIFE" and I Love The Imperfections As Well... It Makes Me Wanna Learn It All... Combined With The MPC 2 Software and The DAW Of your Choice Makes The Inclusion of This Unit An Absolute MUST For Any Producer On The Go... Fyi... I Love Those Tracks That You Used For your Demonstrations, Keep up The Good Work👌🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Pogos voice is liquid caramel.
Top notch video production and product showcase! Instant sub!
i wish so many other artists i listened to made videos like this...
You're one of the few content creators who review hardware and actually show quality music that you've made on it.
I have playing Nick's music for years. An absolute genius. I have been wondering which way to go with my latest music making adventure. He just made it clear for me.
This is super precious. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
your sampling is absolutely godlike
WARNING: Video and music may induce emotional chills and/or tears of amazement and joy.
You’re not wrong! 😂😭
"tired making an appt to make music" so true man, seems like you can really flow with this piece. the touchscreen, battery & speaker are really selling me