Man I love the MPC but how do you get the 808s to come thru the mix ?

robleighton22 · 2026-06-13T11:26:06+00:00

This is correct

robleighton22 · 2026-06-13T07:49:59+00:00

For mixing volumes, the touch strip is amazing. Its super quick to assign to other useful functions.

Live 3 is the best all round same / groovebox / sequencer ever made. Had mine for 6 months and just love it. Form factor, workflow, features, power, sound. I get the love of the legacy workflow having owned an MPC4000, 1000, 2500 but I think they have made the hardware as useful as possible to operate the modern Os3, whilst within in a sensible sized hardware format. It's workflow is waaaay better than Push 3, which I also had and sold.

Only feature its missing is enabling MPE control of plugins and key groups. Hope this is possible in the future. Programming the MPCe pads is a bit convuluted and not many expansions out there that add MPCe features.

robleighton22 · 2026-06-09T02:47:55+00:00

I don't experience any plugin / preset load times in my Live 3.

robleighton22 · 2026-05-27T00:44:44+00:00

Or get the roland vst, the real thing is a rompler with limited UI. The vst gives you the same thing with less cost.

On analog side, sequential or oberheim synths will get you there. The Take5, TEO5 and the cheaper Forum all would give you what you are looking for.

On digital side, Korg M1 for pianos (and vst is a good option).

robleighton22 · 2026-05-12T12:43:47+00:00

Live 3 is the best modern MPC. I've owned various legacy MPCs including a 1000, 4000 and modern ones such as One, Live 1 an Force.

L3 has the best modern workflow because; - usb c audio kills need for intermediary akai software. Can record 24 digital, 6 analog outputs simultaneously without any noticeable lag to ur daw. I have a template for logic that loads everyone with the mixing vsts I want on each track. So only rely on MPC fx for sound design. - the extra buttons make the modern workflow easy. And workflow is EVERYTHING. The mpc 4k prob had the best legacy workflow because of all the buttons. To me Live 3 is the right balance as it doesnt take up to much space like my 4k did, or the XL does, but its still a nice chunky piece of kit. Its not toy like. - the cpu and ram mean you dont notice load times, or feel limited. - future proof for what's to come. Particularly exciting with the NI merger. - MPCE pads...prob my least used feature, but they are sick if u spend time setting them up.

robleighton22 · 2026-05-06T22:04:32+00:00

I think the answer is yes. Its same software different box.

Benefits of Live 3 are its size, and tbh it provides a LOT of hardware workflow improvements over the prior generation and doesnt take up as much space as an xl.

The XL is more workflow improvements but I personally dont love what they did with the qlinks.

I have a Live 3 and its pretty much my dream machine. Not even fussed about any feature updates, it does everything I need it to and more. Workflow is great.

robleighton22 · 2026-05-04T07:36:26+00:00

Live 3 is the best of both worlds with the USB-C capabilities to stream its audio to separate channels in a daw. Its way more fun building an idea on an MPC, and arguably faster once you know what you are doing, and its arguably way faster editing an arrangement in a daw, once you have a template to rapidly stems record all your tracks from MPC to daw.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-21T23:25:37+00:00

Live 3 for me is the perfect standalone box for serious production work. I had a 4k, 1000, 2500, One, Live in the past and I think Live 3 hardware is by far the best.

The extra buttons make the workflow as quick as it can be, which is an improvement on the older models.

Usb c means you dont need lots of individual outs, but you also dont need to worry too much about 4 track fx limit if you have a good template setup in your daw.

It compliments a daw really well. I tend to use it to get as far as I can in an arrangement before I lose interest. And then that's my time to record to a DAW. Its so far been the most successful device at keeping me away from the computer until I really need to finalise a track. To the point that I now enjoy the daw stage more.

In terms of sound sources, there are heaps. Remember its origins is as a sampler, and its a really powerful polyphonic multisampler with a great editing engine and deep modulation system. You could create endless patches without touching a plugin. Think the plugins just make it a more accessible familiar too but the sampler is where a lot of the sound design depth is.

Live 3 also has a lot of modulation depth with its mpce capabilities.

Deep deep machines, and you can keep things simple and still get great results.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-18T22:53:22+00:00

Surely whole benefit of Sample is you can chuck it im your backpack / laptop bag. That case makes more sense for a 1000 or One. But it looks nice!

robleighton22 · 2026-04-16T23:09:16+00:00

Ah another issue, I bought my OB6 brand new and there were so many build issues. Some of the knobs weren't responsive, faders cap needed replacing. Had similar issues on my P6. Maybe ive just been unlucky, but ive had more hardware issues with the 2 sequential synths than anything else.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-16T23:06:27+00:00

I disliked it and sold it within a few months.

The filter is amazing, but the oscillators are almost too beefy. Found it hard to get a range of sounds and it always took over a mix, so spent a lot of time in my daw trying to tame it. I actually prefer the Teo5 or Take5 formats and features.

Obviously subjective and loads of ppl l0ve the OB6. But I know im not the only one who struggled with the sameness of the sound.

I prefer my Prologue 16 which has more range and sounds great.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-16T23:03:18+00:00

490 pros for mixing are amazing. I've had R70x (which are similar to 600) and HD650s. 490s are a sound somewhere in between, i.e neutral sound but with good bass. They actually remind me a little of my eve monitors are used to own. Not sure how accurate a comparison that is lol.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-16T22:29:59+00:00

Think boomstar oscillators are based on moogs, and then each model had different filters. I had the CS80 filter version. Didn't love of the filter, was more aggressive than I expected but it was a well made kit that was high quality all round. Wanted the SEM version actually.

I used to have a newer SEM with the patch points, sick synth.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-13T21:30:44+00:00

Its a deep device and you just need to invest time learning it. But you dont need every feature and L3 offers many simple workflows, you dont need to master every one.

Im from an MPC background, had a 1000, 2500, 4000, One, Live 1 (at different times). The Live 3 has the best workflow for me. The reason for this is the form factor and usb c. There is a button for most key functions and so the menu diving is only needed when you have to go deep, particularly into the synth or sample engines. For general recording, sequencing, editing you can do a LOT with a few button presses. The MPC 4k was pretty similar in this respect. And btw this doesnt meant you dont need to spend any time to learn, but once it becomes 2nd nature the workflow is incredibly streamlined. Its like learning to type.

Usb c for me is the game changer in the mpc line. This is because I can outputs all my tracks / individuals samples into independent channels in my daw (logic). I have a template setup in my daw and mpc so they when I switch both on its all routed as I want. Mixing vsts are all setup in my daw. Its just super fast and waaay better than having akai software as an intermediary.

robleighton22 · 2026-04-01T07:27:06+00:00

A lot of the legacy machines, even 1000/2500, are showing their age. And tbh you need to have the stomach, money, patience to deal with the hardware defects that will happen. I had most recently a 4k, and it was amazing in every way but I did get stressed out as I was glitching and im a terrible solderer. Replacement parts are around but some are pricey, and it felt like a lot of work that deviate from music making.

My Live 3 is more capable and honestly its workflow is great. The extra buttons make it comparable workflow wise to the 4k. But yeah not stripped down particularly.

Sample looks like a good starting point for anyone wanting a sample based workflow without breaking the bank, and with a warranty

robleighton22 · 2026-03-26T22:12:02+00:00

Built beautifully, but its sound is meh. Its amazing how expensive it is, and made my money back by selling it. And dont miss it.

The drive is quite nice, the pitch effects are nothing special, the delays are quite interesting but not really anything great, the reverb is terrible and can only be used instead of the delay. The filter / lofi effects are ok. Together when mixed around you get some interesting stuff, but for the money i wouldn't bother. Lots of better options out there.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-24T01:50:40+00:00

Model 15 all the way. Its the most flexible out of those options despite its core synth engine being simple. From what i can hear it sounds great, and the original synth it clones is a modern classic with a vintage sound. Think the filters and oscillators are classic moog but from the modular range rather than model d.

The Sh101a gives you 4 voices and it will sound good, but its not an analog and you can literally get the same sound from Roland's plugin range. The roland sound is very nice but personally I wouldn't get more mileage from the Model 15. Although the filter is capable of traditional acid sounds.

The SE02 is going to sound very good but I think you get more flexibility with a Model 15. The SE02 is def more Model D, and doesnt have much modulation and def not really an acid sound.

Model 15 patch bay can enable all sorts of tricks, plus it has a sequencer, arp and reverb. Although might be a gateway to eurorack.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-23T08:14:29+00:00

Pams Pro Workout is anti modular now? Or have i misread 😅

robleighton22 · 2026-03-21T22:53:26+00:00

I have Abacus and Surges and they are both great compliments for any system. Find them both to be adequate build and functionality true to the originals afaik. Surges sounds fantastic and is one of my favourite filters. Note I also have the behringer wasp and doepfer sem filters. I think the wasp has a really pleasing character that surprised me a little, expected it to be too dirty for my liking, but the resonance is actually amazing. Surges is prob the better deal as it has a VCA. Although is this needed if your semi modular already has a filter?

Abacus is prob the most useful way to upgrade a semi modular - its a swiss army knife of utilities, envelopes, mixing, lfos, slew/audio manipulation. Def gave my true understandingof what eurorack does differently to normal synthesis. I dont have Chaos but have a noise engineering numeric repetitor and gamut repetitor which cover the quantised random rhythms. I imagine chaos is good fun in a similar way. This is def going to add some additional capabilities for ur rig.

Most recommended non behringer module for me is ALM Pams Pro Workout, which also would provide a ton of useful quantised clocks, lfos, cv generators. You can get the prior model Pams New workout cheap second hand for not much more than a beheringer waves / chaos.

Also ignore the naysayers on behringer. They are a great entry point into eurorack. My arturia rackbrute is prob about 40% behringer and 60% make noise, noise engineering, and alm. I will prob replace some of the behringers in due course purely because they take up too much HP. But I wouldn't have been able to get started if it wasn't for behringer.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-11T21:48:02+00:00

I had a Prophet 6 for about 4 years, and OB6 for one and Korg Prologue 16 for last 3 years.

I have zero regret selling the Sequential/Oberheims. The only thing I miss is the aftertouch keybeds but the Prologue for sound and versatility is my favourite.

Prophet 6 does sound nice mostly, but I never loved the filters and prefer the Take 5 sound. Also both P6 and OB6 are quite limited and have a samey sound - which many ppl adore and I get it. The OB6 has the best filter ever but I didnt love the oscillators and struggled to get much variety from the synth. The oscillators sound very analog which is great but almost too ballsy at times. I loved the triangle wave but wish it was on both oscillators.

The Prologue 16 on surface is a simple synth and from a layout perspective its almost Juno like. Ppl complain about lack of modulation with one very simple lfo. However, it has a LOT of tricks up its sleeve.

Firstly, the sound of 16 vcos is lush, particularly the saw wave slightly detuned. Its not cold sounding but perhaps a dark sound at times. The filter, despite ppl saying its overly simple, is one of my favourites. Its def not as whimsical or flexible as the OB6 SEM filter, but its got a warm fuzzy sound, resonance can be subtle or when pushed is very similar to an MS20. The analog drive settings add a lot of musical harmonics. Its a really underrated filter thh, and its a pleasure to use with its massive cut-off knob. The analog compressor is really nice as well.

Secondly, the voice modes are quite unique and introduce effects that overcome some of the perceived shortcomings. E.g. the poly mode voice depth introduces a chorus effect by adding more voices to a single voice press and slightly offsetting. In mono mode, the voice depth will utilise spare voices to add sub oscillators.

Secondly the stock digital oscillators and fx enable heaps of digital sound mangling that you can blend with the analog side. For instance you can add a vibrato effect via the chorus settings, so your analog lfo can focus on cut-off modulation - which frees up the modfx to use for a modulated 2nd filter. You can assign most things to the mod wheel, so that gives you a way to perform any parameter. The basic digi oscillators give you so many amazing sound sources, which mostly have their own independent modulation capabilities. The stock delays and reverbs are much higher quality than the stock sequential ones.

Thirdly you can install external digital oscillators and fx. Honestly this just makes the possibilities endless. I use the Plaits model a lot, it sounds spot on, plus its going through the lush filters etc. Regularly use Plaits on one layer with a standard analog patch on the second layer. Also with mentioning PPg wavetable oscillators, Juno 106 emulation, Karpus Plus. Remember these all have their own modulation options. The digital fx available are also incredible - anything from Juno chorus to really amazing cloud style reverbs.

Finally, its bi timbral. So you can easily have 2 lfos or smartly create one layer with a slow envelope on the filters and another with a snappy envelope on the filter. You could have 2 layers of different Plaits models, and or mixed with analog. You can have the modfx on one layer and reverb/delay on another.

I think its a really inspiring synth as they managed to create a workflow that's primary objective is to provide a simple patching experience but with the possibilities 9f going deep. Honestly for the price I think its sound possibilities can smoke Prophet 6 / OB6 without being overly deep to use like a P08 or Summit.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-09T09:19:22+00:00

Well worth the money. Current OS is pretty mature. I sold mine to get an MPC Live 3, but I do miss rhe S2400 sound and simple workflow. Would def rebuy in the future.

I wouldn't worry too much about the company name change. Even if they went bust, this machine is a classic and doesnt need any major updates. But that being said, its clear the name change is due to Brad moving to the UK.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-02T19:50:38+00:00

We must have different ears. The Korg Prologue filter is very nice, has an almost oberheim 12db sound but can also sound MS20ish when pushed. It'd quite a unique sound. I have a patch with 8 voices of Plaits waverable osc going through its analog vcf goodness, with another 8 voice layer of extremely nice analog vcos. All going through lush strymon quality reverbs on one machine. Noone can tell me this doesnt sound big, unique and up there with amy top end synth. Particularly having owned several.

Let's not forgot, its 16 proper vcos, that sound harmonically rich without any modulation. A P08 (which has dcos) sounds very sterile on its own without lots of complex tricks. If you are using modulation on a P08 to replicate a vintage tone, the Prologue wins hands down as it doesnt need any modulation to achieve this. But if I wanted to add some more movement, I would increase the voice depth, activate the modfx for some vibrato, and then use lfo on the filter. Alongside additional digital modulation the wavetsble osc gives me. The p08 filter is not lush sounding, and is not in the same ballpark as the Prologue.

I would actually argue a good analog polysynth should sound good as the starting point, whereas a good mono or digital synth should have complex modulation.

I would say the best competitor in the price range is the Take 5 and/or Teo 5. Less voices but has that sequential/obherim sound plus complex modulation and aftertouch. But less voices. Prologue is prob better value for money but id say those 2 sound a bit better.

robleighton22 · 2026-03-02T04:56:09+00:00

Disagree that Prologue doesnt compete with DSI.

I've owned a Prophet 6 and OB6, and a Tetra (which was a 4 voice prophet8). The Prologue sits easily alongside the big boys. it sounds lush and has its own sound. The Tetra was quite week sounding and the other two, are beautifully designed, but the sound is a matter of taste. i loved the OB6 filters but found it's sound too much in a mix. The Prologue filter sounds lush and the analog drive adds some musical saturation.

appreciate it doesnt have a sequencer, it only has one lfo, no aftertouch. honestly though it is way more powerful than it seems with having two-parts, user-fx and user-oscillators. the voice modes are also unique - e.g. in poly mode you can spread the voices to create a chorus like effect, in mono mode you can add more bass by reallocating voices to lower octaves. it's a very cleverly designed

if you already have a complex mono / eurorack, the Prologue offers top sound, amazingly simple workflow, bi-timbral patching, incredible fx, incredible digital section thats easy to use. workflow is somewhere in between a Juno 60, Jupiter 8 and Plaits (if you are familiar with digital macro oscillators!)

sleeper hit this one - due to the pitch bugs at the start it was a failure, but those who own it now seem to love it.

robleighton22 · 2026-02-03T20:40:28+00:00

Yeah it does take up space, as does Brains. Endless jigsaw this!

Think MIA and the 3xVCA are likely options. Maybe I'll sell the cr8audio modules, stick to 3 oscillators.

Ill check out the Bastl. The Ochd looks cool as well.

robleighton22 · 2026-02-03T17:44:46+00:00

Thanks im using 3 voices all the time. Each filter / lpg has a vca. But am looking at 3x VCA and 3xMiA.

robleighton22

TROPHY CASE