Akai Professional MPC Live 3 Overview
Hip-hop, dance music, and other genres would be unrecognizable without the advances introduced by Akai’s first MPC. The proto-DAW revolutionized the landscape of music creation and sound interaction; the Akai Professional MPC Live III is poised to do the same once more. With four times the processing power of its predecessor, the MPC Live III has the most sophisticated performance and interface tools to date, precisely crafted to bring your beat-making vision to life at the pace of your imagination. The MPC Live III introduces Akai’s cutting-edge MPCe performance pads, which extend your expressiveness beyond the confines of aftertouch—a feature enhanced by the configurable Performance Touch Strip.
Workflow improvements and a plethora of included Live III-exclusive tools join a slew of wired and wireless connectivity options (CV/Gate, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RCA, 5-pin, combo jacks, and more), while deep integration with Ableton, direct iPhone sampling, and multichannel functionality as a USB-C audio and MIDI interface make the Akai MPC Live III the most expressive, powerful, and versatile beat-making machine to date. The game has changed.
The Complete MPC Experience, Anywhere
MPC Live III is intended for beatmakers, producers, and performers who want flexibility. It delivers the entire standalone MPC experience in a portable format. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides hours of creation whenever inspiration strikes, and a brilliant 7-inch multitouch display makes control quick and easy.
Expressive pads and new performance controls.
The Live III, like the MPC Live II, has 16 full-size RGB MPC pads, but they now have MPCe 3D expressive sensing, which captures velocity, pressure, and spatial movement for richer dynamics and articulation. 16 dedicated RGB performance buttons provide step sequencing, automation, and effects control, while a new assignable touch-strip controller enables seamless real-time modulation.
Studio Tools Built-In
MPC Live III now includes functionalities that were previously only available with external hardware. A high-quality onboard microphone enables short vocal takes, instrument sampling, and field recording on the fly. Two combination inputs with mic preamps provide additional microphone and instrument connectivity. Stereo studio monitors are built in, just like on the Live II, allowing you to sketch ideas and monitor your work without the need for headphones or external speakers.
Connect and configure your creativity: audio/MIDI interfaces abound.
One look at the back of the MPC Live III reveals that Akai’s engineers prioritized inclusion, creativity, and exploration, rewarding them all equally. A quartet of 1/8-inch TRS CV/Gate jacks connect the traditional to the modern, while the 2-in/2-out 5-pin MIDI ports enable interoperability with an infinite number of MIDI-compatible instruments, controllers, effects, and other devices. Dual USB-A connections and a class-compliant USB-C connector expand the MPC Live III’s audio capabilities, with the USB-C connection offering extensive, bidirectional functionality as an audio and MIDI interface, supporting 24 and 32 channels of each, respectively.
An inbuilt SD card reader adds extra storage for data, songs, audio samples, and project management (in addition to the 128GB of internal storage), allowing for flexible usage of the three USB ports. Combination jacks for 3-pin XLR and 1/4-inch TS plugs, as well as a stereo RCA input pair, round out the six 1/4-inch audio outputs, guaranteeing that any instrument, turntable, mic, sample source, and output destination is fully supported.
Dedicated, deep Ableton integration
In addition to maintaining Ableton Link compatibility via Wi-Fi, the MPC Live III is pre-mapped for direct DAW use via Ableton Live Control mode. This turns your MPC Live III into a dedicated Ableton powerhouse, combining the MPC’s detailed controls and satisfying tactility with the full power of Ableton—clip-launching matrix, MIDI management, quantization tools, phase nudging, comprehensive arranging, in-depth mixing, and in-Ableton device control are just the beginning.
Best of all, the MPC Live III supports seamless transitions into and out of Ableton Live Control, ensuring that your workflow continues to run smoothly regardless of when and where Ableton appears on your timeline. And, to accommodate any producer’s workflow, Akai has introduced the option to export normal MPC projects as Ableton-compatible files.
Akai Professional MPC Live III Features:
- Innovative engineering enables next-gen performance and classic MPC workflow for your DAW-optional setup.
- Advanced 3D-sensing technology in MPCe performance pads allows for more expressive and detailed playback than aftertouch.
- The Performance Touch Strip enables customizable interactivity for real-time expression.
- RGB backlighting provides color-coded real-time feedback for efficient workflow management without distractions on stage or in the studio.
- XYFX mode turns the 7-inch multi-touch screen into a flexible X-Y controller for beat-synchronized and manually adjustable effects.
- With dedicated function buttons for the 16-step sequencer, you can focus on composition and performance without navigating menus.
- The clip-launching matrix increases creativity and workflow for studio compositions and spectacular performances.
- The 8-core engine and 8 GB of RAM provide 4x the processing power and speed of the previous MPC Live, enabling extended workflow and instrument compatibility.
- The MPC3 OS offers specific functionality for the MPC Live III: Pro Reverb Clip Matrix, CV Playgroup, Utility Plug, EQ, Super TS, and Professional Stem Separation
- The 128GB internal storage ensures ample capacity, while USB-A ports and an SD card reader allow for flexible project management.
- The built-in studio monitors and microphone enable high-quality sampling and playback.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections enable wireless file management, collaboration, and Ableton Link-based setups.
- Four touch-capacitive Q-Link knobs and four banks of customizable Q-Link functions provide unrivaled control and personalization for production machines.
- Direct sampling via USB-C ensures iPhones are always eligible for audio excavation.
- With 8 CV/Gate outputs, you can easily connect to synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines, Eurorack modules, and more.
- The extensive I/O suite includes 2-in/2-out 5-pin MIDI connections, twin XLR/TRS combo-jack inputs, 6 audio outputs, RCA stereo in, 2 USB-A ports, and a Class Compliant USB-C connection.
- The Ableton Live Control mode offers audio-MIDI controls and production capabilities within Ableton Live.
- The USB-C connector supports audio and MIDI interfaces with 24 and 32 bidirectional channels, respectively.
- The MPC supports multi-MIDI capabilities, allowing you to control up to 32 devices simultaneously.
- A rechargeable battery provides up to 4 hours of full-power use.