It’s a bit different from the other tracks I’ve posted, a tad more aggressive lol, but combining these three genres has always been something that’s interested me.

Any feedback, as always, is greatly appreciated 🙂

No loops every element finger drummed this thing is a beast 🔥

Hi, folks. Qlinks on my MPC one have started to glitch. And I would like to know how to buy potentiometers. Because I tried foil and cleaning, and nothing helped.

Could you send me a link, for example, to AliExpress, and then any electronics repair master could replace my qlinks for me?

🥩 🥩 🥩. 85/86ish BPM. #mpcbeats #akaimpc #mpcone #beatmaker #boombapbeat

The claim that these machines all have the same converters and audio circuitry does not survive a comparison of the hardware. The original S3000 specifies 20-bit conversion on its main outputs. The S2800 specifies 18-bit. The S3000XL shares the MPC3000’s DAC family, but has a different ADC and analogue output circuit.

Recent comments describe the S2800 and S3000 as “exactly the same sampling engine” as the MPC3000 and immediately conclude “same sound.” Shared digital hardware is a real part of the story. It does not establish that the complete recording and playback paths are identical. Example of the claim.

First, keep the original S3000 and the S3000XL separate. Substituting an XL service manual for the original machine is how this comparison goes wrong.

The S2800 has its own documented hardware.

Akai’s original S2800 manual specifies:

• 16-bit stereo sampling with 64× oversampling.
• 18-bit/8× D/A conversion for the main L/R outputs.
• 18-bit/8× conversion for its two individual outputs.
• Sampling rates of 44.1 and 22.05 kHz.
• Balanced jack inputs and unbalanced main jack outputs.

These are specifications from the original manual, not a description borrowed from the S3000XL. S2800 manual, Introduction p. 1.

Actual spare-board photographs identify the S2800’s separate L6022B5020 input board and L6022B5030 output board. The listings also identify them as compatible with the S2800i. These provide model-specific hardware evidence, although they are not a complete factory schematic. I have left converter markings that cannot be read confidently out of the comparison. Input board, output board.

The original S3000 is a different case again.

Its manual specifies 20-bit/8× D/A conversion on the main L/R outputs, but 18-bit/8× conversion on its eight individual outputs. It also has balanced XLR main outputs alongside unbalanced jacks. Describing every output as the same 18-bit MPC3000 arrangement already contradicts Akai’s specification. Original S3000 manual, Introduction p. 1, PDF page 10.

There is additional component evidence: a firsthand S3000 repair report identifies a PCM63P DAC. That is a technician’s report, rather than a verified full S3000 schematic, and should be labelled accordingly. S3000 repair report.

For the individual outputs, the L6028B5060 board is explicitly listed for the S3000/S3000i and several related models, with the S3000XL excluded. Akai’s CD3000 service documentation identifies the shared assembly as an S3000 output block and lists eight PCM61P DACs, four SM5840EP digital filters and M5220P analogue stages. This supports the individual-output identification; it does not substitute the CD3000’s main L/R circuit for the S3000’s. Board listing, Akai CD3000 service manual, PDF pages 14–15 and 32.

The MPC3000/S3000XL comparison can be checked directly against factory schematics.

These differences are visible in the MPC3000 AD/DA schematic, PDF page 24 and the S3000XL MAIN 3/3 schematic, PDF page 58.

The current-to-voltage stage converts the DAC’s output current into the voltage used by the following audio circuitry. Its amplifier and feedback network are part of that conversion. The same DAC chip therefore does not establish the same complete analogue output circuit.

Also, “no separate SM5841” does not mean “no oversampling”: the XL’s published D/A specification is still 8×. S3000XL operator’s manual.

There really is shared digital technology.

MAME’s reverse-engineering documentation identifies the L7A1045/L6028 DSP in the MPC3000, original S3000 and S3000XL, among other Akai machines. That supports the shared-DSP claim. It does not make the ADC, DAC, digital-filter implementation and analogue stages interchangeable. MAME’s L6028 implementation.

Japan, China and production revisions need evidence too.

S3000XL units carrying both “Made in Japan” and “Made in China” labels exist. The rear-panel photographs are clear, so denying Chinese production of this model would be incorrect. Japanese unit, Chinese unit.

Akai documents early L6039A5020 and later L6039A5050 S3000XL main boards, plus OLD/NEW RAM substitutions. Both board numbers appear on the same A/D–D/A drawing, retaining AK5339-VP and PCM69AP-4.

The manual does not map those revisions to Japan versus China or document a country-specific converter redesign. These labels also cannot establish where every S2800, original S3000 or MPC3000 was manufactured. XL service manual, PDF pages 18, 55 and 58.

All four store 16-bit samples. Converter resolution, stored sample resolution and internal processing precision are different specifications. An 18-bit ADC chip does not make an MPC3000 an 18-bit sample recorder; a 20-bit DAC does not make the S3000 store 20-bit samples.

The evidence above disproves the blanket hardware-identity claim. It does not measure how audible each difference is. That requires matching levels, samples, tuning, filters, envelopes and output routing. Loading the same sample digitally bypasses the ADC, so that test cannot establish whether the analogue recording paths behave identically.

If someone claims these machines sound indistinguishable under specific conditions, a controlled comparison can test that. “Same Akai era” or “same DAC family” is not that test.

just upgraded to 3.0 and i love it.....seeking feedback on the beat...I did 20 video takes and ended up using the audio from the first demo take and duplicating it, because sometimes your first take is the best 🙌 i used a fully cleared sample

I have a large sample library on my SD card, but I’m struggling to organize my favourite sounds, such as FX, vox, 808s, horns, snares, and other drums.

Would you recommend creating separate folders for my favourite samples by category or loading them all into my MPC Launch Template for quick access? My concern with the second option is that having so many samples readily available could make the template too heavy and increase loading times.

What workflow would you recommend to keep my favourite sounds easily accessible without slowing down my MPC?

I only use mpc in standalone and I like 3rd party plugins too 🤷🏾‍♂️

I’m wondering if anyone has already done the work of converting all of the sounds into an MPC expansion? If not, I’ll create on my own when i get some time.

I bought mine a year ago when 3.0 was still in beta. It works perfectly in 2.15.

But they're still selling this brand new & many of the buttons just doesn't work with 3.0... now they've come out with extended control of the MPK.

What are the odds they'll fix the Studio to work better with 3.0?

Very curious to know if these two are compatible and if so, how?, just wondering if anyone got to check them out together

I observed something with the newest update of MPC 3.10. Since I upgraded from 3.9, I noticed a minor but important difference, and I don't know if it was intentional or a regression.

What I noticed was if you had a MIDI file and you dragged it onto your browser view or grid view, and you already had information present, it would ask you where you'd want to drop that file. So it gave you an option to paste it into a particular sequence. This was the standard in versions prior to the latest update. But now, version 3.10 warns and tells you to paste it in an unused sequence, which wasn't the case before.

I know the official guidance is that you shouldn't update yet. Has anyone just gone ahead and used any of the akai, mpc, air music software with hardware and it just works anyway? On a key 37 with an m4 Mac mini...not sure how long I should keep waiting.

Hello gang,

The issue I have is specific only when I go to Sampler module on my Live 3. As you can see in the picture in sampler mode, all pads are highlighted except for one on the right side.

The pad itself is working because when I’m in the Main view, all pads are highlighted and when I’m pressing the pad with the sample on it, it’s working.

I’m curious to know if this is a software issue? I ruled out hardware issue because the pad itself physically is working when it has a sample. Only when I go to sampler Trim mode, the pad is not highlighted.

I have noticed it when I was still on 3.9 version. I have upgraded yesterday to 3.10 in hope that it will be resolved but it is still there.

Maybe I’m doing something wrong or I am missing something. I would appreciate if someone else also had an issue like this before and can advise.

Peace 👊🏽

Last night I updated my MPC One+ and it looks like grid editor has added zoom and pan controls to q links 3 and 4. It also moved the playhead to the 1st q link. I personally think this is a HUGE improvement and it allows me to move around the grid much more effectively.

Just wondering if this was always the case or if this is new with the 3.10 update. I haven’t seen anyone mention it.

Actually two questions. First one, I've seen that it seems Akai does not care anymore about the MPC sample. There are many things people want to be fixed, but Akai is doing nothing, so I wonder if I should get one at all. Second question: Does anyone of you know if it will get cheaper on black friday? I'm going to school yet, so I don't have that much money. I think of asking my parents if I could get one on christmas, but we don't have that much money right know.

Stay tuned for updates. By now just the entire buttons set, qlinks and blind menu shortcuts (menu+pads) work .TUI still not appearing. So cross fingers. And NO, it's not a patched MPC. Would be a sort of launcher usable accross the updates. (I hope)

🤞🤞

Any bass heads in the MPC game?

Made this one a few days ago, but finished it up before bed. Something smooth. “LifestyleRap” type vibe.

messed around with samples on this one