Akai Professional MPC Live III: Step Sequencing Unpacked

The video opens with a direct introduction to the MPC Live III, positioning it as a powerful standalone tool for beat creation. Akai Professional’s approach is immediately hands-on, reflecting their reputation for practical, workflow-driven tutorials. The focus is set on the step sequencer, a core feature for anyone looking to build beats from the ground up without external software.

The demonstration begins with programming hi-hats, showing how users can select the hi-hat pad and enter notes directly into the step sequencer grid. The workflow is tactile: after choosing the drum sequence mode and adjusting timing to eighth notes, the hi-hats are filled in across the pattern, providing a rhythmic backbone.

Next, the kick drum is introduced by selecting the appropriate pad and placing kicks on specific steps—one, seven, fourteen, and sixteen—without playback, highlighting the sequencer’s visual and step-based editing. Snares are then layered in, rounding out a classic drum pattern and showcasing the speed and clarity of the MPC’s step sequencing interface.

With the core drum pattern established, the video shifts to advanced step sequencer functions. The presenter demonstrates how to add ratchets—rapid repeated hits—on selected hi-hat steps, injecting movement and complexity into the groove. This is achieved through the step edit mode, where users can also access pitch and probability parameters for further sonic variation.

Pitch modifications are shown in action, with individual hi-hat steps tuned up or down to create melodic interest within the rhythm. The new touch strip is then introduced as a tool for adjusting velocity: by holding a step and using the touch pad, users can easily set different velocities, allowing for dynamic, humanized drum patterns. The workflow encourages experimentation, with upbeats softened for groove and feel.