avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
You're gonna regret saying that j/k
Right, first question: how does Reason fit into your workflow (if at all)?
Right, so when I'm writing on the MPC and mostly finish, I often bring my finalized ideas into Reason as an end stage for mixing and mastering. I'll bounce to stems on my MPC (also explode all Drum Programs before that), and import my stems into Reason and use my typical go-to plugins for mixing and mastering (iZotope Neutron and Ozone). But I can't do vocals or guitar takes on the MPC how I like, so I also use Reason as the final stage for those.
But sometimes I'll run both my MPC and Reason via Ableton Link and sync both over my Wifi, just to "co-compose" using some Rack Extensions and VST that I like - as well as to get down vocal/guitar tracks. I try to keep Reason (and my computer in general) out of the whole production process, as I really prefer picking up my MPC and just getting lost on it. But the audio track length cap on MPC does present a challenge for that stage (more on that below), so Reason does still fit into the process at the end.
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
Curious to know what your take is on Tracklib & Splice, and also general tips and tidbits you've picked up in general.
I think both Tracklib and Splice are
great curated sound sources and very useful. I have a Splice sub (the cheapest tier) that I go back to every 2-3 months. My Splice catalog is fairly large (about 8000+ samples), and it does take a
LONG. ASS. TIME. to sync over WiFi if starting clean - that might be the MPC's WiFi radio, or maybe its CPU - I really don't know.
But that only happened once when I needed to wipe my Splice catalog on my MPC and start fresh "for reasons".
I will say finding content can be challenging on Splice - YMMV. I haven't tried Tracklib but would have no issue trying it if I wanted to sample something and grab a license for a release. That's pretty brilliant, IMHO.
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
For now, I've just been bouncing tracks from projects that I could use for loops. Reason could be used to create/flavour loops - leveraging its modular automation + devices to give loops some variation before bringing it to the MPC (even to loops created on the MPC). A lot of this can be done in the MPC as well, of course ...
... and then mix on the PC.
Yeah, I've imported some Reason projects into my MPC as well (as stems). But because it currently doesn't have disk streaming, you're locked to a max length of 4 minute 59 second audio tracks or it truncates the audio, so be warned. Hopefully that'll be addressed at some point.
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
Now some reporting back on my experience for others.
- The speakers are fricking amazing. I've got a pair of Mackie CR4s (small, but they pack a punch) and while not having the same range of bass, I do have to sometimes look at my CR4s to double-check I've not left them on when playing from the internal MPC Live speaker
Right now I'm playing some instrumental backing tracks on my monitors and playing keys using the internal speaker and it's not too bad (even when playing bass).
Yeah I love the built-in speaker! I mean, I'd never use it to mix on or anything, but for getting quick ideas down and using it as a monitor while sampling from my turntable or other sources it's super convenient. Sounds a lot better than I thought it would.
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
- It's a lot larger than the MPC One. Where I could fit an MPC One, Dell Micro and an audio interface (plus cables) in my rucksack, the MPC Live/Touch will need its own case. I can just about squeeze the Live in if I really had to, but I'm not sure I could fit in the micro and enough cables to justify it.
It's 3.4 kg, so I'd rather have it in a backpack.
Yeah, its size and weight is probably my biggest complaint. I've carried it on planes and taken it on vacation more than a few times, and let me tell you - it's impossible to NOT feel its weight and size LOL! I need to switch to a padded back pack because right now I still use a Propellerhead-branded laptop case that I throw over my shoulder, and it HURTS. Lol!
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
- The Live does not have a button for Program Edit (like the MPC One does) so you have to hit the Menu button, and then select Program Edit on the touch screen. It's not much of a big deal as it barely adds half a second
Just add Program Edit to your side slide-out menu. I mean, it's still 2 "taps" (or rather, a slide and a tap) but it's far less confusing to only look at 4 choices rather than 16, and it's available from all of the necessary spots.
avasopht wrote: ↑27 Dec 2022
- I can't stress enough the quality of Fabric. I'd put it above current workstations (except for Yamaha's FM in Montage/MODX) .. it's hard to compete with the XV-5080's range of sounds, but it's easy to make up for those with expansion packs, etc
Yeah I totally agree. Fabric XL is just sublime (as is Mini-D and OPx-4). Between those 3 synths (and Drum Synth), both MPC (and Force) are really well-rounded workstations. If I had any complaint, it's that none of them have built-in step sequencers so the factory presets (or even user presets) have no "press 1 key = instant inspirational pattern" type stuff. But if that's not your bag, I can see that it won't be on your radar. I've just grown so used to synths like VPS Avenger, Dune 3, DS Thorn, hell - even Reason's own Thor - having a built-in step sequencer really brings out the synth IMHO. But... that's just splitting hairs and me being lazy.
One very cool thing is - if Fabric XL (or any of the other plugins or Expansions or Keygroups, etc) don't fill a void, you can always Auto-Sample any hardware or VST and bring them onto your MPC. That's always fun!
Win 10 | Ableton Live 11 Suite | Reason 12 | i7 3770k @ 3.5 Ghz | 16 GB RAM | RME Babyface Pro | Akai MPC Live 2 & Akai Force | Roland System 8, MX1, TB3 | Dreadbox Typhon | Korg Minilogue XD