The
AKAI MPC XL is the most advanced hardware sequencer that streamlines the workflow of making beat music. After playing around with this device for a few days I am simply overjoyed by the ergonomics and simplicity of the user interface bringing back fun, speed and spontaneity to the process of music making.
This flagship product from AKAI represents 38 years of refinement since the first MPC 60 was launched in 1988 designed by
Roger Linn.
If someone is thinking of exploring the world of MPC devices, I would wholeheartedly recommend the MPC XL. This is the easiest model to navigate with 105 buttons. This avoids menu diving. Every important function is right at your fingertips.
The AKAI MPC XL deserves a design award for being the easiest hardware sequencer to operate. Every button group, knob, slider and displays have been ergonomically laid out for maximum efficiency.
I could see why the form factor of the MPC XL is so much larger than my AKAI Force.
The width had to be expanded to 21.4 inches s to accommodate the 16 Q-Link knobs featuring OLED Displays arranged horizontally above a row of 16-step RGB button sequencer. By comparison the AKAI Force is 13.8 inches wide having only 8 Q-Link knobs.
The depth of the MPC XL had to be increased to 19.2 inches to accommodate the 10.1 inch Touch Screen and the 16 MPCe pads compared to the 15.3 inch depth on the AKAI Force with an 6.9 inch Touch screen and smaller buttons.
I love the 16 MPCe pads with 3D-sensing technology carried over from the MPC LIVE 3. They have kept the traditional 4x4 grid originally introduced by Roger Linn in the MPC 60. These pads are so much softer, thicker, larger and responsive than the 64 hard plastic buttons on the AKAI Force. It took me just a few hours to appreciate the value of assigning sounds to each of the 4 quadrants within an MPCe pad and freely morph between them.
I don’t see myself going back to the AKAI Force. It is the end of the line. The MPC XL with its Gen 2 8-core processor and 16GB of RAM does it all.
I am pleasantly surprised how well the MPC XL integrates with Ableton LIVE and any external MIDI keyboard like the Yamaha Genos2 and Korg Kronos3.
AKAI will be releasing an update their MPC Key 61 probably featuring the MPCe pads. I am using the Roland RD2000 as a MIDI Controller which is a better solution.
The MPC XL encapsulates everything one may desire in a hardware sequencer/sampler in an all-in-one standalone package.
There are tons of YouTube tutorials being released daily. Kudos to Daddy Long Les for creating this playlist with 74 AKAI MPC LIVE III Tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN5u0LbqLfM&list=PLA4xxYk4n3gg_RTF7P6uwMtzlRqMTlk7LIt applies to the MPC XL as well, with fewer menu diving.
Functionally, the MPC XL and MPC LIVE III are similar. They even share the same 535 page User Manual.
https://cdn.inmusicbrands.com/Software/37/MPC%20Live%20III%2C%20MPC%20XL%20-%20User%20Guide%20-%20v3.7.pdf
You can think of the MPC LIVE III as the portable version of the MPC XL with a built-in microphone and internal battery. One can save $1,200 with the much smaller, lighter and portable model.
I am 100% satisfied with the MPC XL and Sweetwater’s prompt customer service. I could see the appeal of these Music Production Center hardware boxes to the younger crowd. If you found the Koala Samper or the Abelton Note app on iOS devices to be fun and addictive, then these MPC boxes takes the enjoyment of laying down beats to a whole new level.
No one takes the instant music coming out of these MPC boxes seriously. It was never meant to be. However, it did spawn a whole generation of Rap and Hip Hop music. They are meant to sound groovy and put you in a trance. I don’t think Roger Linn ever surmised what his invention would lead to so many decades into the future! He has become a living legend. He remains so humble to this day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bhSWwf-i1kBest,
David
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