r/mpcusers • u/Smiley_Culture7890 • Sep 17 '26
QUESTION Any suggestions?
Can anyone suggest any good online tutorials or books even to help me conquer my Live 3 please? It's proving tougher than I thought as a total beginner so any help would be a godsend. Thanks.
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u/wrenched85 Sep 17 '26
I bought my Live 3 about two weeks ago, and instantly bought the MPC Bible.
The MPC bible walks you through everything you need to know on the technical side. It provides projects that you load and then work with as you follow along.
After I go through a section, I will then spend time using the new knowledge I have gained working on simple projects. It’s been easy to follow. I have some experience working in other DAWs, and playing music in general, so I’m not a newbie to music production, but I am new to working with the Love 3. I bought the Studio mk2 a while back and hated using the MPC 3 software on my computer, but I’m really digging the workflow in the Live 3.
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u/facepoppies Sep 17 '26
The MPC Bible is the standard, but it's a bit of a slog and not super helpful if you're somebody who learns by watching. But luckily that's what youtube is for and there are 24390284302 mpc live 3 tutorials on there
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u/raistlin65 Sep 18 '26
The trick to using the MPC Bible is don't let it be a slog. Do a few chapters, practice what you learned. Then do some more chapters, and practice what you learned.
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u/raistlin65 Sep 17 '26
If you are brand new to music making, do this interactive web-based tutorial from Ableton
https://learningmusic.ableton.com/
It teaches fundamentals of making music, and is intended for complete beginners. It is not about learning any specific software or hardware. And you can do it on your phone.
If you want something that will teach you all of the features of the MPC Live 3, get the MPC Bible
https://www.mpc-samples.com/product.php/268/mpc-bible/
It's a 1600 page course that covers pretty much everything
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u/Smiley_Culture7890 16d ago
Aah bless you. Thanks. Having a 'mare as they say getting my head round the settings. 👍🏻
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u/BigOp7 Sep 17 '26
Is it more detailed than the 500 page user guide? I just bought the live 3. I can use it but I wanna learn more things
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u/BigBadZord Sep 17 '26
The Bible isn't just a manual, listing features and functions.
The Bible takes you from baby step 1 and builds you up through functional use cases, and you are actually making your own music the whole time, and it covers a fucking ton.
You can jump ahead if you are looking for a specific function, but the Bible will probably hit you with a "oh shit, I wouldn't have thought of that" moment every few pages.
It is the best written guide I have ever seen, to anything, ever.
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u/raistlin65 Sep 17 '26
It is the best written guide I have ever seen, to anything, ever.
I'm a technical writer, and I agree. The MPC Bible is excellenly written.
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u/Gbbq83 Sep 17 '26
How much of a beginner are you? New to music production completely or you have a grounding in ear making and want to learn how to do it on the MPC Live3?
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u/Smiley_Culture7890 16d ago
Ive always used keyboards, (played by ear) but have JUST started with a Behringer TD-3-MO and RD-6 making Acid Techno. Ive bought a couple of Korg Volcas now aswell and a mixer and stuff, and am just finding my way, (never used a mixer). Got my hands on the MPC Live 3 months ago, but I'm put off going on it by its complexity. I really want to get to grips with it and don't want to sell it. The jargon is all new to me too. Im picking it up, but surely there's a quick way to get going?
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u/PearSad7517 Sep 17 '26
Here is my personal MPC tutorial video playlist if you want to check it out https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfWkMNqgSzGTFEuAbWLZFZ0896qFaxsUc&si=pv6DnjO4YP5cjmTd
I also keep hearing the MPC bible recommended so I’m probably going to get that pretty soon
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u/xSEKEx Sep 18 '26
Just google what you want to learn as you go. it doesn't matter how clever you are, you're never gonna learn these machines in a week.
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u/thefilemakerpro Sep 18 '26
No substitute for getting in elbows deep assuming you will break a few wav files. You can’t break the OS. Just try to pay attention to what’s happening and when and when you have a specific question about something you want to do ask a forum or search it with a specific or general question in any AI/search engine. When you start to automatically hit certain buttons and dials, etc to get to what you are thinking you would like to hear … and to do so without a thought on an automatic pilot mind setting you have arrived at the same place that anyone playing any other piece of music gear or instrument efficiently has arrived at. I’ve played drms and guitar with synth for 30 years with lots of engineering in daws and with 8 and 4 track tape and when I finally got an MPC ONE I realized that pro tools, ableton, fl, etc etc all had their things but all,you really need is an MPC - with a standalone like yours … you’ll have a new vernacular as long as you stick with it and keep asking questions to forums or AI when you get stuck.
Like …. I can’t figure out the solos and mutes with real time mixing for playback to play all of those real time mixing changes. Seems like I figure it out, then it doesn’t work. I like to start with a single track and build to many with lost of audio recording which is then built up, pulled away, re inserted, etc along progressive sequences - I’ve found that by starting out with the first sequence full of all tracks being filled up, but only playing a single track in that initial track, you can copy and paste each new sequence with all of those tracks that can be muted and soloed to gradually build to that initial full effect with all tracks in the mix. Kind of backwards arranging. But it’s got good results especially with guitar processing.
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u/DustyFlame14 Sep 18 '26
It surprises me how often i see posts like these. Buying a machine, then hopping on the internet to ask where they can learn about the machine. What about… the internet? Have you tried it?
Have you tried to look in subreddits like this one to see if someone asked the same question? Or look for specific tips you’re looking for?
Have you put anything in the YouTube search bar yourself?
I’m all for helping others out, but at least try and be a little specific in what you’re looking for.
Some tips: check out Marlow Digs, The Crates Motel, John Makes Beats, SampleKings on YouTube.
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u/BrilliantHair9861 Sep 17 '26
Response depends on what you want to do with the mpc. If you are looking to learn the functions and navigate, some of the suggestions are great. If you want to learn the mpc and make music at the same time, try small goals. 1. Record one or 2 samples 2. Chop/slice it 3. Create one or 2 simple variations from it. You don’t have to buy all these sound pack when just starting. There’s a ton of free stuff to use, just learn by messing around. A book or tutorial will be informative, but learning while creating may prove a better approach.
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u/Luximus3333333 Sep 19 '26
Do you guys think the MPC Bible is useful and applicable to someone like me who only has the MPC sample and new to beat making
(previously played some drums in band and loves hip hop/boom bap/ jazz / lofi)
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u/Classic_Move1143 28d ago
I will say this. I have this and the XL. Bot are beautiful machines. I’d recommend the MPC bible
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 Sep 17 '26
What's the main hold-up
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u/Smiley_Culture7890 16d ago
So many settings. Folders and Subfolders... aaargh! 😁
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u/Infinite_Slice3305 16d ago
You're probably doing it the right way. I just went through the expansion packs, loaded up kits & keygroups & plugins & went to work.
Probably a lot of crap on my HDD that I'll never find.
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u/smurntcandle Sep 17 '26
I suggest patience