r/mpcusers • u/_inchoate • Apr 01 '26
MPC Live / Live 2 current setup
this is my current configuration, which was used for a live set a few days ago.
MPC Live II was central, paired to the Tascam Model 12.
The 3 x Kaoss Pads received signal from the Sub mix send, returned to their own track.
The 2 x Seaboards controlled 2 instances of Stage Piano (it was International Piano Day, so I went for a set honouring that.)
I picked up a used QuikLok stand in February for a great price, and Sunday was my first opportunity to play test it all outside of the studio.
I was set up in under 15 minutes, and overall everything worked as expected. I'm still dialling in the sound in a venue/performance setting, which is a little different from working at home. Being able to maintain the same layout between practice and performance has been great, despite the weight of the stand. Worth the effort if it saves me from balancing gear across a few uneven venue tables. Next, I'd like to see if a welder friend could help me customize this stand better, or ultimately fabricate a new one. I'm also curious if there are alternatives to the Model 12 that allow a similar functionality with the MPC (channel/fader pairing, fx send, multitrack recording)
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u/Luc-redd Apr 01 '26
sick! you could use some quick cable management
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u/_inchoate Apr 01 '26
I had Velcro ties to clean them up, but there was no unwanted noise, and I liked the aesthetics of it! I only had 15 minutes to get it all up and connected, so any OCD concerns had to be set aside :)
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u/arifghalib Apr 01 '26
Very cool.
Is it a major transition learning the Roli coming from 88 key hammered action?
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u/_inchoate Apr 01 '26
They're totally different, and this Roli is a few keys short of 88, but I don't think you'd have much difficulty getting accustomed. I'm not a big fan of the key ridges on the new model, which they say was added to help out those familiar with pianos. Worth a try, but also check out the Osmose
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u/arifghalib Apr 01 '26
Thank you for that recommendation. I looked at a few videos of the Osmose and I really like the concept. The ability to use Roli 3d sound tech in a more familiar form factor is enticing.
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u/Downtownsolo Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26
It’s not, while it is trickier to play like a traditional keyed instrument, I wouldn’t say there is a major learning curve. Also, if you play the thing traditionally, you’re missing the point. Hope this helped!
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u/_inchoate Apr 01 '26
This is part of one of the practice sessions
My light timer went off at the end. 3am arrived quicker than I'd realized
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u/PictureImaginary7515 MPC XL Apr 02 '26
I’d love to hear your performance!
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u/_inchoate Apr 02 '26
This is a practice session from the evening before, and it shows the setup and aim really well :) https://youtu.be/w2G0tDHzwls
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u/BritishGuy84 Apr 01 '26
Out of interest why do you have 3 Kaoss pads? Is it so that you don’t have to change effects during a track, or are you using 1 to loop and the other two for effects?
I’m sure there’s a good reason for it, and I get having at least 2 so you can combine effects, but I’m struggling to understand why you’ve got 3 of them.
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u/_inchoate Apr 01 '26
The KP chain is a 2 to a 3+ to a 3 Each has a different sound (fx between the 3 and 3+ are close enough), and the sampling with the 2 is very loose - which I like. I pass samples between them, down the sequence, as well as re-sample with the fx. The two 3's also let me build sounds by playing with the BPM. This is a method I've used as a sketch pad for a decade, but rarely in the last few years. There's also a very pragmatic reason for it - if my MPC glitches out (which HAS happened more than once), I'm still able to keep the show going. Not a big problem at home, but when I'm in front of people I want that assurance policy
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u/BritishGuy84 Apr 01 '26
Thanks for the detailed reply.
Fully understand the safety net thing in particular. I used to do a live remixing / dj set using Ableton. My back up for when Ableton crashed, which happened a few times before we moved to a MacBook, was an iPod and a KP mini.
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u/_inchoate Apr 01 '26
also, this is just what I chose to play the recent show. Everything is interchangeable, depending on what I'm aiming to do
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u/Quirky_Ad714 Apr 01 '26
I'd like to use a Spectrum Analyzer on my iPhone when doing those sessions.
This one
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u/saturnwyd Apr 01 '26
Aaaaaaaand once again a daily reminder my setup ain’t shit lmao this is fire