Akai MPC Live II
The MPC Live II is a pro-tier standalone workstation with 128 tracks, battery power, and built-in speakers. It's Akai's portable flagship for all-in-one, computer-free beatmaking anywhere. The high track count and self-contained design make it a fit for producers who want to finish tracks away from a desk, no laptop or external monitors required.
Scores
BreakdownHideOverall72±6Caliber-forward blend — tier caliber + within-tier price rank 30%, value 25%, confidence 20%, compatibility 15%, upgrade path 10% — renormalized over applicable dimensions; excluded here: compatibility (no ecosystem dimension).
Scores
BreakdownHideCaliber-forward blend — tier caliber + within-tier price rank 30%, value 25%, confidence 20%, compatibility 15%, upgrade path 10% — renormalized over applicable dimensions; excluded here: compatibility (no ecosystem dimension).
Tier 'pro', adjusted for in-class price position and source coverage.
No ecosystem requirements declared for this category.
1 independent/primary source(s), 3 cited in total; 1 field(s) flagged for verification.
Tier 'pro', adjusted for in-class price headroom, sourcing, and verification state.
Tier 'pro' baseline with 0 native ecosystem(s) carrying into higher-tier setups.
Priced in the 47th percentile of its pro-tier peers in this category.
The ± band on the overall score reflects sourcing confidence — wider when fewer specs are verified.
Specifications
| Spec | Value | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| device type | workstationFlagged | Flagged |
| tracks | 128Sourced | Sourced |
1/2 detail specs sourced · 1 flagged for verification. Amber rows are flagged for verification — we show them as reported, not confirmed.
Verdict
Best for
- battery-powered standalone production
- all-in-one with built-in speakers
- portable flagship beatmaking
Who should skip this
- Buyers wanting the cheapest entry — this is a flagship 128-track standalone, priced accordingly
- Desk-bound producers who never leave home — much of the value is its battery-powered portability
- Beginners — an all-in-one workstation this deep has a real learning curve
Where to buy
List price $1,199
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Compatibility
No platform-specific compatibility requirements — this works in any standard music production setup.
Upgrade path
Outgrow it and the Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is the natural next step up in grooveboxes. See it →