😬 MPC Studio - WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU BUY!!! (Review & Suggestions) 

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Thanks for the insight and the perspective. You make some good points about user interface continuity between models.

Well said, I totally agree! Nice review!!👊🏾🔥

It seems as if most people are overthinking this one. MPC Studio Mk2 is just a controller built EXCLUSIVELY for the MPC Software- period point blank! It is not trying to be, nor was it marketed to be a traditional "MPC". Ask yourself this: would you rather use the software(or ANY DAW) by clicking around with a mouse and querty keyboard or would you rather use a controller that is dedicated to that particular software? I have a MPC Live 2 and the MPC Studio MK2. When I want to go oldschool- I use the Live 2, when I have some time and want to fool around in the software- I use the Studio MK2. It's that easy. The Studio MK2 almost works flawlessly with the software. Almost all necessary screens and options used in sample based production and traditional production can be implemented from the controller. The keyword is "Almost". There is no controller that will 100% do what we want it to. I just don't see what the issue is. If you don't want the controller because you can't use it with your other DAW, then you obviously aren't as interested in making beats the MPC way as you thought you were. I here Image Line is having a sale. Lol.

I decided to buy an MPC studio to give it a try. I'm really happy with it! It's so much fun to use! It comes with all software and lots of plugins too. I highly recommend it! It's only costing $40 more than recommended advice, and you get better user experience too! I travel a lot. Carrying a MPC live 2 is going to be awkward. With the MPC studio and a laptop can both fit easily in a rucksack. The software on the laptop and stand alone system is the same. Comparing MPC one and MPC live, you get more direct controls on MPC studio. if you can't afford a very good laptop with great sound card and speakers . Then I think MPC One and Live is a good choice. If you have a great laptop already, and you need a controller light to travel with. Then choose MPC studio 😊

Thanks!! I found it very helpful

Great video! I liken this to Akai's own Fire for FL Studio. It's designed for a very specific (read: niche) purpose and customer. Someone who DOESN'T want a Daw-box like a One/Live/X and WANTS to use MPC software. Just a very small number of people who will benefit from this product IMHO. As someone who is transitioning from FL => Ableton, I'm outside looking in, but I can definitely see someone who is just wanting to get started and doesn't own one of the big name DAWs and just wants to create music or get their foot into the MPC ecosystem without shelling out the 700+ dollars going for this. EDIT: BTW, subbed!

Great advice, thank you

Good review, thanks!

100% agree w/ your statement regarding "where" this fits into the product line. It apparently has no actual "audio connections" and is not capable of "stand-alone" operation. 2 big issues that make this a hard-pass from me. I already own the AKAI MPC One - and that is hands-down the best investment I've made for my studio in more than a decade! The MPC One, LIVE, LIVE II and X are all great! Each of those are stand-alone creation systems and have gained the awesome ability (via Firmware Update 2.10) to use almost ANY ASIO Compliant Audio Interface as a front-end for audio IN and OUT via USB connection to the MPC. That was a fantastic move by AKAI in Summer 2021! Thank You for that awesome FREE Update AKAI!

Dope review

Great review and use of Pros and Cons. I just purchased the MPK Mini 3 and definitely noticed the pads aren't that responsive out the box. How do I change the sensitivity? New subscriber😊

great recommendations- has helped me

I agree with you thanks for being so real

Great video. I’m having the same struggles one how I should invest my money with Akai and the work flows of their products. Currently I have a MPK Mini 3 and use it with MPC Beats. I see benefits in all of their hardware products, the dilemma comes in needs and where does one see themselves with Akai in the future.

Agree completely about the upgrade issue.

100% agree with the layout confusion with akai… I’ve got a force and I tried a live and that took a lot of head scratching to get my head round both… and now looking at the studio it would be exactly the same … akai defo need to uniform they’re layouts more. Great review as always though.. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This was really helpful thanks

good, fair review ,nice one.

i got mine as a gift and i plan on using it from time to time, it's taking me some time to master but i think i'll have it down soon.

Good and objective review

Those extra buttons are killer. They actually make the thing more tactile and enjoyable once your samples are loaded, than the menu diving of the other MPCs. Ima use this with the laptop

Buy a used m-audio trigger finger pro, map it to the mpc software and you're ready to rock.

I don't think using a generic midi controller can compare to the integration level and dedicated functionality of certain buttons in the MPC Studio let alone the quality of Akai pads

made a good ass point about the lay out glad I watched

I know it’s a very different machine but would you say you like the feel of this more than the feel of the MPC Live 2? For a finger drummer would u say u prefer the studio?

All good Points you have for the Con List the MPC Studio Black did have, a larger Display, 4 Controller Qlink Knobs and so one. If you do a compare between the "new" MPC Studio and the MPC Studio Black the Black will clearly win. I think Akai did a better Job on the Black than for the MPC Studio as pure Controller for the MPC Studio Software.

what about Standalone mode of MPC Studio? Can I use it like external of Force .. for example?

Can the touch strip and all the relevant buttons be mapped to Midi CC? this would be a massive Pro, because you can then control plugins, transport controls, and just stay away from the Midi Control center which takes some time to set up with the DAW. Can Akai Mpc Live, X, or One work in controller mode while Mpc Studio is attached ?

The Studio is the first midi/drum machine I've had. Other than using it with Logic Pro or Ableton, I don't think I'll need to get another midi controller.

Nice diplomacy lesson here.. how-to say it’s useless without dissing AKAI too much. :) „Over-glorified midi controller“ was hard on the limit though ;)

All I wanted was a midi button pad to use with Addictive Drums in my DAW. The DAW doesn't see the MPC Studio if you just connect via USB, unless you have the MPC plugin, which then seems to do its own thing, just using your DAW as somewhere to sit. BUT, if you connect a midi cable to your audio interface, then it comes up under midi devices. The response is fast, seems to be no delay at all. Good thing about Addictive Drums is the drum mapper. Select the kit piece, tap LEARN, tap the pad on the MPC and it's done!!! Now, getting into the MPC software... I have my audio interface on the smallest buffer size possible... and I can't even keep time with the MPC metronome... it's ridiculously delayed by up to half a beat (depending on tempo) and was completely unusable. Then there is absolute ludicrous price of plugins if you want better sounds. Well, at least it does what I bought it to do, even if I can't do what it claims to do...

So do you believe the pads on this are different to the MPD218? I have the MPD218 and noticed something similar to when you played on the MPK mini.

I strictly see the MPC Studio as a controller for my rack samplers. With touch capabilities via a tablet, it brings a lot of current functions to those massive sound engines.

I love the way you broke it down and explained the pros and cons 💯👍🏽👍🏽💯 Great job

I'm surprised you didn't make a video of the new mpc 2.10 update. i got rid of my mpc live and kept my force. but now i kind of want to get another mpc. especially after the most recent update.

I have both and MPC One and Maschine mk3, they're both setup in my bedroom studio. I have horrible adhd and I barely every go in the studio so I've been debating between the mpc studio and mashchine mikro to keep near my main desktop for those time when I randomly get inspiration but can't make myself go to the studio, but they're both missing an important feature... THE KNOBS!!! The knobs on both the Maschine and MPC One are essential and keep your hands off a mouse/touch screen and prevent your workflow from being interrupted.

Very helpful...can you tell me about the MPC ONE?... can I used it with the Mac mini M1 chip?

Which is the better & the easier unit to use between the 2016 MPC Studio Blsck with the Akai software or The MPD 26 using the Abelton software? I’m a beginner so that’s why I’m asking

I’m really overwhelmed by having to make the choice between the mpc studio 2 and the NI MK3 mikro. What holds me back from buying the MK3 is the fact that it is kinda old compared to the studio 2 and the fact that you cannot treat the sample how you want directly from the device like with the MPC. On the other hand what holds me back from buying the studio is the “upgrade” problem that you mentioned and its complicated workflow with the sequences. Which of them 2 do you consider buying? I know it is not up to you to decide but I’d like to know what would be ur choice

Not sure if this has changed since this video but the MPC software right now is 199 euro and i bought the MPC live MK2 for 176 euro. You also get cool expansion packs and that are MPC live MK2 only.

Does the MPC Ren work with the free MPC BEATS software as a generic midi controller? I mean on current windows/Mac OS systems; not old operating systems? A straightforward yes or no would be greatly appreciated. Thanks…

I really was looking for either the STUDIO 2 or the 218. I want to get a actual MPC (something)?, but I’m an older producer. I love making music, but I need to get something small, because I live with other people, and I need it to not take up space. So this gave me the answers I was looking for.

good point

Very helpful and accurate now that I’ve had the MPC Studio for a few days. My daily driver is the live 2 and I agree that the work flow of the MPC Studio feels a bit clunky in comparison, and the lack of Q links is huge. I got the studio for an upcoming trip where taking my live 2 is out of the question so was stoked about the smaller design and being able to use with my laptop. I imagine it will serve its purpose but can’t imagine using this regularly

Should I still get this or save my money for the mpc one beat machine instead ???

What Shure mic are you using? Thank you for your reply!

Great review! As a consumer, when you buy software and hardware, it would be great if you just plugged it in and everything would be mapped out and working properly. I get real disappointed when it doesn't and you spend hours trying to make them work together. I know some do but just when those times they don't. 🤦‍♂

People like me use this because they want drums and swing but of an MPC but also the convenience of a DAW. Some of us want no parts of "upgrading" to an MPC. It's a downgrade for many of us who aren't fully sample based producers. If AKai puts Omnisphere, Serum, and a vintage synth emulationn such as Tal UNO on the units, I'll buy an MPC X lol

I think the important thing for me was that it isn’t class compliant. I can’t hook this up to my op-1 or op-z and use it to play the samples on them. For that reason I stuck to the mpd218

Can I use mpc studio mk2 as like normal midi controller? Because mpd 218 pads are…..

Does it have a controller mode to controller 3rd party SoftSynths? How does it work inside of a DAW!

YES FEEL IS AS IMPORTANT AS SOUND WHICH BY THE WAY HOW MANY SOUNDS DOES IT HAVE WHEN YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT

4:20 the mpc studio does have a qlinks option... it's one of the touch strip modes.

Thank you for your review. It's really a hard decision between the MPC One Plus and the MPC Studio 2. I would use both in a studio, with Logic as a DAW. I don't perform live, but I can't say I will never do it. Usually I'm a fan of standalone products, because they just work. I've doubted about the Machine MK3, but I don't feel like it is easy enough to use in DAW's like Logic. While they are amazing with the Machine software. It is a rather difficult decision.

I know the studio 2 is newer but would the Mpc touch be a better budget entry into the world of Mpc? I know it’s not stand alone but seems more like the higher up models with it having the full screen.

Is it possible to sample songs with iphone? Like with an adapter? I want to get one but i dont have a computer

I think it's worth it as the samples that come, Hydra synth for 250? Yeah I'd use it as a plugin. I like my X. It's theeee sampler.

I think the reason behind of a small screen is to push you to get a standalone MPC

How does this work in other DAWs, really just looking for good pad controller for Ableton

Hi, im new to mpc, im a stage performer, which is best for stage performance, studio1 or studio2? Anyone suggest me please

I recently purchased the studio 2 i have no regrets and recommend anyone to get one.

5:43 (first off great video and insight) You can use any one of those controllers, but the MPD218 is kinda disappointing. It works well, until you realize you can't use 16 level. You can use it in the MPC program with your mouse but not with your MPD218. I thought something was wrong so I contacted tech support, never heard back from them. Turns out you have to get one above which I believe is the MPD226 and its going for $229 with MPC Essentials. The MPC Studio is $199 and it comes with MPC 2 software (which is $99). If you're like me you see it as $100 for MPC Studio, $100 for MPC 2, sounds like a deal to me. Sorry for the rant, I saw you hover your mouse over the MPD 218 and I was like, awwww hell to the no. I gotta let my people know about them 16 levels of disappointment. Lol. Thank you for the video.

Yeah, Akai don't seem to do encoder ballistics. Very odd omission really on a few of their hardware products.

MPK mini 3 or MPC studio for a complete beginner that would like to produce hip hop beats?

Good advice! I’m a Logic/Mac guy with a Launchpad X, but I bought a used MPD218 for $50 and it’s not bad. Naturally, I played around with free MPC Beats and although I think it’s a bit tough to learn, I was thinking for a $50 controller + free software, you’re making beats for a low investment 😃

Very fair review, I knew it, I’m just gonna have to save harder and resist.

Have you tried using this with the Force yet?

Thank you for your honesty most people who do reviews don't ever say anything negative and try to persuade you to buy the product. But you gave you're honesty which I appreciate.

At the end of the day this thing is under 300 bucks how the hell can anyone complain I ordered one can’t wait for it to come 🔥🤙🏾

129.00 uk and I’ll buy it 199.00 is a bit much for a controller,plus I own the MPC one ,I’d like one to pair with my GPD pocket win 2 which runs MPC 2.10 with ease

Nice

Coudl you recommend this for impc 2 for ipad?

I own a mpc live 2 and an mpc studio black. I dont think people give the mk2 a fair shake. I actually want to get one i feel like its small enough to fit in a bag with a small laptop like the macbook air and take with me to work instead of bringing my big live 2

Can you make a review on the maschine mikro MK3 drum controller

Wish Pink Buddha Academy made a similar video about the Mikro Mk3 or the Maschine MK3

As a controller for the MPC "DAW", there are just too many other options. If you're going for cost effectiveness, the vid mentions a few other alternatives. If you are going for functionality, the Live and One win. The Akai MPC workflow is different from that of other DAWs, so if you plan to use the software/DAW you should pick a controller that you can stick with.

How about recording directly from vinyl?

What does it come with? Expansion?

I will buy it because most of the you tube mpc men hating on it. So that mean the changes irritating them so much, so stick to what pleases you. Good introduction for ITB producers to get a modern controller that is not maschine

I think the pads alone are worth the purchase price

can you make music and play without connecting to a computer?

At $200, does that change? What would be a good progressive alternative?

I’m sorry but know one is stating the fact that with all these other controllers you don’t get transport control with them just pad control so this new MPC studio transport controls work pads will work most of the controller will work unlike on their own MPD MPK series

Mpc studio2 is amazing bit of kit, everything you need to make music right away. Looks like this guy been paid to say this

I know you cant demonstrate touch but I know my akai pads very well and yeah just by looking it real quick I def see the MPK pads are not their best (but surely better than the pads they did for the first generation of MPDs...those were really bad)

Qlinks? Once you have both controllers, it’s there? Two reference screens, qlinks, joystick, extra pads, even two octave keyboard. What a setup? You can’t go wrong if you’re just starting up, even

I got mine for a hundred bucks and wanted to pair pads with my 25key APC...i can throw this, the APC 25 and my laptop in my backack in one go

MPC studio vs MPD226?

It's the same screen as the akai fire, and yeah it's hard to read 😅

3:00 many people complained that Akai pads are very inconsistent in their sensitivity. My new MPC studio has 15 great pads and one over sensitive. I had to put threshold on 11 to stop it from being triggered by neighbors and on such high threshold all rest of the pads need really hard hitting to trigger. So it's a matter of luck, you've got good pads, and I did not :(

Muscle memory is a very important issue.

They should've called it the Element 2.

The Maschine 2 Software is soooo much better than what Akai has to offer that it's not even a fair comparison. Bottom line is: you want a real MPC, buy a MPC 1000, 2000 or 3000 (if you can afford it).

I'm very interested in the MPC Studio mk2 because I primarily use FL Studio. I intend to use the MPC software inside of FL Studio mostly for the sample chopping functionality. I could care less about the small screen since I'm already used to looking at my dual monitors. I don't really see the point of owning a stand alone MPC if you're already accustomed to another DAW

Ppl are letting them go on Reverb just like the Elektrons

I honestly think the MPC touch is a better controller with the big screen, takes away from having to look up on the computer too much....haven't actually used either one though but the touch seems to be what u would want more....this seems like a over glorified MPD232 which seems a little more useful in my eyes but idk what can this do that you can't do with an MPD?

I'm going to be honest here, I don't understand why no one talks about the major differences in the software VS hardware. The hardware MPCs cannot host VSTs, and they're hopelessly clunky when working with more than one time signature. I sold the MPC Live I had because of this, and moved over to the MPC Studio, because for me the chunkiness of how you have to change a time signature is super annoying. IMO unless you need portability the Live and One are overkill compared to the Studio, or a compromise compared to the X.

To me it looks like Akai trying to be Maschine.

That’s not true I have the 249 and the only thing that’s useable is the pads