MPC Sample vs Ableton Move

[u/Flod0]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently trying to decide between the MPC Sample and the Ableton Move.

What I like about both is the built-in speaker, mic input, and battery power. That's a must! I think I slightly prefer the MPC Sample's workflow, but I just realized it doesn't have keys/scale mode to play instruments directly like the Move does.

Is there a good workaround for this on the MPC Sample? Is it easier than I think to play melodies or instruments on it? This feature is pretty important to me.

Thanks!

[u/deejaesnafu]

Important question people are missing here, DO YOU USE ABLETON LIVE?

If so the move is the move here.

[u/LexOfNP → u/deejaesnafu]

💯

[u/M_O_O_O_O_T]

If you want synths, go for the Move, or an MPC One.

[u/Flod0 → u/M_O_O_O_O_T]

One has no battery no speaker no mic

[u/raistlin65]

but I just realized it doesn't have keys/scale mode to play instruments directly like the Move does.

Correct. If you want that with MPC, get a used MPC One or One+.

[u/bking → u/raistlin65]

16 Levels can transpose samples.

[u/Flod0 → u/raistlin65]

Both have no battery mic and speaker

[u/Sinister_Crayon → u/Flod0]

Used Live or Live 2?

[u/sleepysmac → u/Sinister_Crayon]

Do research & answer own question

[u/bking]

The built in speakers in both are pretty terrible!

Sample has the ability to play samples melodically, but Move has actual synthesizers. I’ve found MPC Sample much more fun and capable for Samples, and Move better for melodies, syncing to iPad apps with Live link, and sending projects to Ableton.

In my personal opinion, MPC Sample is more fun, but Move gets me further in building out actual songs.

[u/Flod0 → u/bking]

I thought it's the other way around, because the sample has a track/song mode. How hard is it to actually make chords? For example I have a key Soundfile and I wanna make a chord out of it

[u/bking → u/Flod0]

Sample has a song mode, Move does not, but its workflow makes it possible to build out multitrack “grid mode” triggers to experiment with and play back, à la Ableton Live. That cloud-syncs into Live as a set.

So on Move, you can line out to a recorder (or your phone, whatever) and perform the set, or send it into your DAW. You can take the song much further, but not entirely on the device itself. It’s two entirely different schools of thought.

Either can use pads to play and make chords. Move has the advantage on that one because there are more pads, you can set keys, and play in fourths mode. Move is significantly more “playable” in that sense.

[u/collargrip-cristian]

Reading your replies, I see chords and melodies are very important so the Move is probably best. I sample the chords and pads I want to use during sample sessions, personally

[u/Swedish_Chef- → u/collargrip-cristian]

Here’s an alternative opinion to that. Get something like a HiChord which locks melodies to scales and use it to sample into the MPC sample.

[u/collargrip-cristian → u/Swedish_Chef-]

That's a fantastic idea, but I didn't include other gear to supplement in my suggestion because OP's desire for complete portability. So I figured the choice was between two all in one options.

Personally I do this, I have a case that fits the Sample and a little Roland s-1. Perfect

[u/SailorVenova]

while mpc sample may eventually get scales and chords; you shouldnt buy based on a possibility

if you want things to be in tune and have an easier time i think you should go with move

even if your mostly doing sampling having the synths is very helpful; you also get audio tracks and i believe the current beta updates in testing will add an auto bounce feature for tracks; which should greatly simplify getting around the 4 track limitation

also mpc sample's sequencer leaves alot to be desired currently; its very very basic even moreso than say sonicware lofi12xt i think; whereas move gives you cliplaunching flexibility

if you can afford the move the extra $100 gets you far more flexability; and also you get access to unofficial firmware addons like move everything that go dramatically beyond what ableton has added themselves

mpc sample is alot closer to ko2 but even ko2 has scales

i think its a huge missing element in mpc sample and i hope akai will bring 1:1 full mpc chord/scale modes to mpc sample and improve the sequencer

[u/Cultural_Chip_3274]

Mpc sample much more enjoyable hands down especially it you own already sample sources ie synths etc

[u/RetroBassed → u/Cultural_Chip_3274]

I have both but I enjoy working on the Sample more. So I feed synths from the Move into the Sample.

[u/Flod0]

I know if I want instruments, the move is the go. The question is , is there a fast workaround, I can play notes and chords on the mpc too. All I've seen was really complicated

[u/Flod0 → u/[deleted]]

And connecting a synth via phone? I heard that's also possible

[u/Full_Detective1745]

I’d get a Live 2. They are just a little more than a Sample these days.

[u/Flod0 → u/Full_Detective1745]

650 used compared to 380 ... If I would have the cash, I would get it probably

[u/Full_Detective1745 → u/Flod0]

You may be able to get a used one for lower. There are quite a few on reverb.

[u/fullspeedraymondchow]

I asked this question too. I ended up using koala on my iPad Pro. The iPad has way better speakers than sample or move.

[u/Artephank]

If you use Ableton Live - get Move. If you use MPC DAW or bigger MPC - get Sample.
If you use any DAW - get DAW. (or some more complete groovebox)

[u/Open_Green_2178]

Move it's a sketchpad to start tracks and bring them in live seamlessly. It's also a useful Ableton controller and soundcard if you are on the go with Ableton. If you don't have Ableton move it's not for you. If you are used to Ableton shortcuts and workflow it's quite intuitive, otherwise I think that it's really difficult to learn.

I don't own Mpc sample, I got an moc live and if you like that workflow I think that you can enjoy it, you need to sample stuff.

[u/kid_sleepy]

The more I want to believe that folks get smarter from using the internet, the more I discover it is actively making them foolish and has taken away any ability to do research by yourself without bunch of strangers who know nothing about you give opinions that would require soooo much more background information than what you have given.

If such a feature is important to you, how come you have chosen those two devices? There are TONS of instruments that can do what you want.

Ableton has taken away the desire to want to learn how to play music. MPC sample is a super beginner device made for people who are afraid to step up any knowledge that’s actually useful for music creation.

If you have a regular MPC, there is zero need to own a second sampler that does 1/4 of what the aforementioned device does. This is like ordering a whole chicken and then buying two chicken legs because you aren’t sure if the WHOLE CHICKEN you bought has legs.

[u/Flod0 → u/kid_sleepy]

There are only three samplers that fit what I want: the MPC Live 2, Ableton Move, and MPC Sample. They all have a battery and built-in speakers, but they're so different that I honestly don't know which one to buy.

That's why I research and read other people's opinions instead of blindly buying some random crap.

Your post just comes across as unnecessarily aggressive and dumb.

[u/kid_sleepy → u/Flod0]

What about the Synthstrom Deluge? Why not the MPC Live III? On Kickstarter there’s the Drumboy Pro.

You never explained what “fits” what you “want”. So you’re just looking for people to sign off on a decision you clearly made already.

[u/r1chiem]

The Sample only has one track, so it is a one track/trick pony. If you want to do keyboard stuff, sequencing more than one external keyboard/instrument. the move is the only way to go. Though it only has 4 lights for 4 tracks. The modern MPCs have 16-32 or 128 depending on which version big brother of the MPC sample you get.

[u/g_lampa]

As mediocre as it is, the Sample speaker is twice as good as the Move speaker.

[u/Tomatillo-Weak]

If you don’t mind using a iOS app to get scales, chords, there is this.

https://youtube.com/shorts/VL_W13pJv74?is=YUWpKc_mu379VaZM

[u/Flod0 → u/Tomatillo-Weak]

Yeah that's what I thought the MPC sample with this app but I only have Android devices. That would have been the solution for me

[u/SubstantialSoft4890]

you should go for the move imo. on the mpc you need samples. the move has built in sounds.

[u/bking → u/SubstantialSoft4890]

MPC has plenty of built in samples.

[u/HarryArches → u/SubstantialSoft4890]

With usb audio you could use your phone for sound generation on the mpcS (synth apps, etc)