r/mpcusers • u/BadgerBreakBeats • 2d ago
QUESTION MPC Live 3 + Torso S4 or MIDI controller?
Hello all, I’m currently using the Live 3 (and love it), and am looking to add another piece of gear for live performances. Particularly, to mangle/shape instruments launched via the clip matrix.
I primarily make electronic/pop stuff, but I also use plenty of acoustic sounds too. I’ve been mapping things to q-links and the step buttons when playing live, which has been great for some punch in effects through the flex beat player. This uses up a fair amount of q-links, as well as the touch strip.
Currently, im looking at either a Torso S4, or just a midi controller like the Launch Control XL to apply filters, delays, reverb, etc. I could use some advice from anyone that uses other gear with their MPC, particularly for live performance/DJ style fx too.
I like the idea of looping and live granular that the S-4 provides. Could make for some very interesting textures, and the loop function could be great to transition between songs.
The Launch Control seems significantly easier to implement, can still affect filters and whatnot, but does not solve my problem for transitioning between songs.
I appreciate any feedback on this! Thx 🫡
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u/raistlin65 2d ago edited 2d ago
The Launch Control seems significantly easier to implement, can still affect filters and whatnot, but does not solve my problem for transitioning between songs.
By that, are you talking about the loading time for a new project on the MPC when performing live?
If so, how many songs do you have in a live performance set? And do you already know the order of the set ahead of time?
Because you can have up to 999 rows in the clip matrix. And up to 32 instrument tracks, 16 stereo audio tracks, and 128 midi tracks if you're connecting external gear. Meanwhile, you can have longer samples set to stream from SSD to keep your memory usage down.
So if these are short sets, you might be able to run the entire set in one project.
That being said, if you can't load it all in one project, or don't want to send it up that way. Then the S4 sounds like a better choice over the launch control.
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u/BadgerBreakBeats 2d ago
I plan on having 8-10 songs, approximately 3-5mins in length. Goal is < 1hr total for this live performance. I was originally planning on 1 song per project, with a prebuilt setlist written out for project order.
But you bring up a really great point. I used a live 2 years ago before selling it, and perhaps just assumed that I needed individual projects per song. I’m definitely going to expand my projects at the very least.
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u/raistlin65 2d ago edited 2d ago
And if you haven't used it yet, be sure to look into the color coding in the clip matrix and the ability to name your scenes so you can keep track of where you are.
Also, if you don't need the faders on the Launch Control XL 3, maybe you need two Lanuch Control 3s
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LaunchCont3--novation-launch-control-3-control-surface
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u/bwestergreen 2d ago
I use an S4 with my live 3, it’s pretty great.
My default template has the S4 as a return track. One track on the S4 set to bypass to live process. The MPC can also sequence the S4s other tracks if I want to use poly tracks. I keep a keyboard plugged into my MPC… use the arp modes on the MPC to go nuts with poly on S4…. Send some of that tracks to other tracks for overdubbing and time stretching….
Route it all back in the MPC to sample if you want.
You can switch the S4 into storage mode, and the MPC will see it for saving samples directly into it…
I was unsure about their workflow as they are both samplers, but the S4 is pretty flexible.
I really wish they could match their sample rates so you could use all the S4 tracks as a usb class compliant audio interface… but no dice.