The MPC One has less inputs/outputs than the MPC X and MPC Live.

The MPC One has less onboard storage than the MPC Live and X (2GB VS 16GB).

The MPC One does not have built in speakers (although I could argue this is more of a positive than a negative).

The MPC One is not battery powered so it is not as portable as the MPC Live 2.

Obviously Akai have had to cut some corners to make the MPC One smaller and signficantly cheaper than its siblings although the compromises are not as drastic as you might fear. we all know very few things in life are perfect so before I declare the MPC One the greatest invention since Penicillin, let me not shy away from mentioning a few of its more obvious failings.

Everthing beginners need to get started in one box – the MPC One comes with a useful selection of sounds, synths and effects.

Excellent build quality – the MPC One comes with a fantastic 7 inch, full colour screen and 16 best in class velocity sensitive pads.

Powerful and versatile – the MPC One is a capable and fully featured studio production tool.

Great value for money – the MPC One is the cheapest of the current MPC range.

Sequence, mix and master beats and complete tracks without a computer.

If you’re looking to purchase your very first MPC then the MPC One has everything beginners need to start producing beats and complete tracks at a significantly cheaper price than the MPC X and MPC Live 2.

Under attack from new kids on the block such as Native Instruments Maschine range, Akai’s MPCs were in danger of falling behind the fashionable crowd, however in recent years Akai have revamped their MPC range and focused on a streamlined range of standalone MPCs (starting with the MPC X in 2017) that more than hold their own against any competition.Īt the time of writing (June 2021) AKAI have 3 different models of MPC in production: the flagship MPC X, the MPC Live 2 and the MPC One.

Retro mpc live 2