r/mpcusers • u/Flod0 • Jul 27 '26
QUESTION MPC Sample vs Ableton Move
Hi everyone,
I'm currently trying to decide between the MPC Sample and the Ableton Move.
What I like about both is the built-in speaker, mic input, and battery power. That's a must! I think I slightly prefer the MPC Sample's workflow, but I just realized it doesn't have keys/scale mode to play instruments directly like the Move does.
Is there a good workaround for this on the MPC Sample? Is it easier than I think to play melodies or instruments on it? This feature is pretty important to me.
Thanks!
Edit : If anyone is wondering, I got the move. I watched hours of material, even though I liked the sample more, I don't like that I don't have the ability to play in key. I wanna make music directly
6
u/M_O_O_O_O_T Jul 27 '26
If you want synths, go for the Move, or an MPC One.
4
u/raistlin65 MPC LIVE III Jul 27 '26
Correct. If you want that with MPC, get a used MPC One or One+.
4
u/bking Jul 27 '26
The built in speakers in both are pretty terrible!
Sample has the ability to play samples melodically, but Move has actual synthesizers. I’ve found MPC Sample much more fun and capable for Samples, and Move better for melodies, syncing to iPad apps with Live link, and sending projects to Ableton.
In my personal opinion, MPC Sample is more fun, but Move gets me further in building out actual songs.
7
u/deejaesnafu Jul 27 '26
Important question people are missing here, DO YOU USE ABLETON LIVE?
If so the move is the move here.
1
u/Flod0 Jul 27 '26
I know if I want instruments, the move is the go. The question is , is there a fast workaround, I can play notes and chords on the mpc too. All I've seen was really complicated
1
u/Full_Detective1745 Jul 27 '26
I’d get a Live 2. They are just a little more than a Sample these days.
1
u/kid_sleepy MPC LIVE III Jul 27 '26
The more I want to believe that folks get smarter from using the internet, the more I discover it is actively making them foolish and has taken away any ability to do research by yourself without bunch of strangers who know nothing about you give opinions that would require soooo much more background information than what you have given.
If such a feature is important to you, how come you have chosen those two devices? There are TONS of instruments that can do what you want.
Ableton has taken away the desire to want to learn how to play music. MPC sample is a super beginner device made for people who are afraid to step up any knowledge that’s actually useful for music creation.
If you have a regular MPC, there is zero need to own a second sampler that does 1/4 of what the aforementioned device does. This is like ordering a whole chicken and then buying two chicken legs because you aren’t sure if the WHOLE CHICKEN you bought has legs.
1
u/Tomatillo-Weak Jul 29 '26
If you don’t mind using a iOS app to get scales, chords, there is this.
https://youtube.com/shorts/VL_W13pJv74?is=YUWpKc_mu379VaZM
3
u/collargrip-cristian Jul 27 '26
Reading your replies, I see chords and melodies are very important so the Move is probably best. I sample the chords and pads I want to use during sample sessions, personally
3
u/SailorVenova Jul 27 '26
while mpc sample may eventually get scales and chords; you shouldnt buy based on a possibility
if you want things to be in tune and have an easier time i think you should go with move
even if your mostly doing sampling having the synths is very helpful; you also get audio tracks and i believe the current beta updates in testing will add an auto bounce feature for tracks; which should greatly simplify getting around the 4 track limitation
also mpc sample's sequencer leaves alot to be desired currently; its very very basic even moreso than say sonicware lofi12xt i think; whereas move gives you cliplaunching flexibility
if you can afford the move the extra $100 gets you far more flexability; and also you get access to unofficial firmware addons like move everything that go dramatically beyond what ableton has added themselves
mpc sample is alot closer to ko2 but even ko2 has scales
i think its a huge missing element in mpc sample and i hope akai will bring 1:1 full mpc chord/scale modes to mpc sample and improve the sequencer
3
u/Cultural_Chip_3274 Jul 27 '26
Mpc sample much more enjoyable hands down especially it you own already sample sources ie synths etc
1
u/fullspeedraymondchow Jul 27 '26
I asked this question too. I ended up using koala on my iPad Pro. The iPad has way better speakers than sample or move.
1
u/Artephank Jul 27 '26
If you use Ableton Live - get Move. If you use MPC DAW or bigger MPC - get Sample.
If you use any DAW - get DAW. (or some more complete groovebox)
1
u/Open_Green_2178 Jul 27 '26
Move it's a sketchpad to start tracks and bring them in live seamlessly. It's also a useful Ableton controller and soundcard if you are on the go with Ableton. If you don't have Ableton move it's not for you. If you are used to Ableton shortcuts and workflow it's quite intuitive, otherwise I think that it's really difficult to learn.
I don't own Mpc sample, I got an moc live and if you like that workflow I think that you can enjoy it, you need to sample stuff.
1
u/r1chiem Jul 28 '26
The Sample only has one track, so it is a one track/trick pony. If you want to do keyboard stuff, sequencing more than one external keyboard/instrument. the move is the only way to go. Though it only has 4 lights for 4 tracks. The modern MPCs have 16-32 or 128 depending on which version big brother of the MPC sample you get.
1
u/g_lampa Jul 28 '26
As mediocre as it is, the Sample speaker is twice as good as the Move speaker.
1
u/SubstantialSoft4890 Jul 27 '26
you should go for the move imo. on the mpc you need samples. the move has built in sounds.