AKAI MPC Live II: Standalone Beatmaking with Built-in Monitors
· re:union Radio editorial · 3 min read
AKAI MPC Live II combines battery power, a 6.9-inch touch display, and built-in studio monitors into a self-contained production system.
The AKAI MPC Live II is a standalone music production controller that operates entirely without a connected computer. Akai Professional describes it as “the complete MPC experience without a single missing step” – featuring battery operation, full-size pads, and, new for this second generation, built-in studio monitors.
At a glance
- Standalone operation – no computer needed
- 16 full-size, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads
- 6.9-inch (176 mm) touch display
- Up to 5 hours of battery life
- First-ever built-in full-range stereo monitors directly on the device
The Battery Makes the Difference
The central argument for the Live II is its independence from the studio. According to the manufacturer: “A rechargeable lithium-ion battery means you can work for hours anywhere.” If you're used to carrying a laptop, power supply, and interface, you get a self-contained system here that you can turn on and start playing immediately – with up to 5 hours of battery life according to the technical specifications, recharged via the included 19 V, 3.42 A power adapter.
Complementing this are the 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive, RGB-backlit pads with eight banks accessible via the pad bank buttons, as well as 27 specially labeled function buttons for quick editing during your workflow.
Built-in Monitors Instead of Headphone Dependency
New compared to the original MPC Live are the built-in stereo monitors. Akai boasts: “For the first time ever, you have studio-grade monitors built right into your MPC. No more time-consuming searching for headphones, no more cable clutter, no more booting up external speakers.” For quick ideas on the go, this eliminates the need for headphones – practical for spontaneously sketching out techno or hip-hop patterns.
Connections and Processing Power
Despite its mobile focus, the Live II remains studio-ready for connectivity: a quad-core ARM processor with 2 GB of RAM drives the engine, and 16 GB of internal storage can be expanded via a SATA connection. According to the datasheet, connections include two TRS inputs, six TRS outputs (three stereo pairs), a stereo headphone output, two RCA inputs, two 5-pin MIDI in and out ports each, four TRS CV/Gate jacks with eight outputs in total, an Ethernet port, two USB Type-A and one USB Type-B port, and an SD card slot. WLAN and Bluetooth enable, according to the manufacturer, “a completely wireless workflow,” including Ableton Link synchronization. Also included is the MPC2 desktop software with tools from recording to mastering, as well as over 100 plug-ins from AIR Music Tech.
| Display | 6.9" / 176 mm, Touch, LED-backlit |
|---|---|
| Pads | 16 × velocity- and pressure-sensitive, RGB-backlit, 8 banks |
| Processor / RAM | Quad-core ARM processor, 2 GB RAM |
| Storage | 16 GB, expandable via SATA |
| Battery | Up to 5 hours, power adapter 19 V / 3.42 A |
| Dimensions / Weight | 411.5 × 243.8 × 45.7 mm / 3.38 kg |
| Connectivity | 2× USB-A, 1× USB-B, Ethernet, 2× MIDI In/Out, 4× CV/Gate, SD slot, WLAN/Bluetooth |
FAQ
Do you need a computer for the MPC Live II?
No. The device operates completely standalone – Akai explicitly calls it “Standalone MPC – no computer required.” The included MPC2 software for Mac and PC is optional and not necessary for operation.
What does the built-in Ableton integration offer?
According to the manufacturer, the Live II is “Ableton integration-ready”: WLAN provides synchronized Ableton Link, an ALS export simplifies project sharing, and “Ableton Control” enables seamless clip launching and parameter control directly from the device.
If you're interested in portable production hardware, you can also find the introduction to the AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X and the overview of the Denon DJ SC6000 Prime on reunion-radio.com.
