Chris Laps’ MPC Live 3: Funky Preset Paradise

25. October 2025

RILEY

Chris Laps’ MPC Live 3: Funky Preset Paradise

Chris Laps takes us on a wild ride through the Akai MPC Live 3, showing off its killer instrument plugins and presets. Perfect for anyone tired of boring sound design and eager to get creative without the techy hassle.

Meet Your New Beat Buddy

Hey there, groove chasers! Chris Laps is diving headfirst into the Akai MPC Live 3 in his latest video. This sleek device ain’t just a pretty face; it’s packing powerful instrument plugins and a massive collection of presets that could make even the pickiest of beatmakers drool. With these goodies, you’re not just splicing sounds; you’re sculpting entire musical worlds. Chris makes it clear that he’s all about ease – the MPC Live 3 is as simple to use as flipping a vinyl. No more twiddling knobs aimlessly; this box does half the work for you. Perfect for those of us who want to vibe without a PhD in synthesis.

it also has really great instrument plugins so you can pull up keyboards and synthesizers and bass sounds

© Screenshot/Quote: Chris Laps (YouTube)

Diving Into the Sound Pool

In a style that’s pure Chris Laps, he digs into a bevy of plugins packed into the MPC Live 3. First up are the pianos. Fabric Piano kicks things off with a rich and authentic tone that could bring tears to a stone-cold hip-hop head. This sound doesn’t need much tweaking, but the options are there if you’re that kind of geek. Next, he rolls into the Stage Piano, which Chris admits might even edge out its Fabric sibling in versatility.

Moving along, bassline plugins roll in with thump-worthy presets that make sure you feel every ounce of bass in your bones. Chris demos how easily the sound moves between thumping basslines perfect for EDM shakers to more subtle grooves you’d find in smoky jazz clubs. Then, it’s the electric keys’ turn. With three plugins at your disposal, Chris walks us through sounds that span from the classic Wurlitzer to decks with synthy vibes.

Every one of these demos comes hand-in-hand with Chris’s commentary—a stream of insightful tips that sound even sweeter than the samples. Whether you’re into gritty street rhythms or soft ballads, Chris shows that this machine’s arsenal has something for every musician out there.


The Power of Presets

having a lot of presets to choose from and being able to tweak them easily is really important to me

© Screenshot/Quote: Chris Laps (YouTube)

If you’re anything like me, presets aren’t just a time saver; they’re your best studio homies. Chris Laps hits this point home, emphasizing how presets can streamline the music-making process. The MPC Live 3’s library is bursting with sonic gems that let you skip the science class and get straight to the groove.

Chris reminds us that while creating settings from scratch is an art form, presets offer a shortcut to finding perfect fits for your track in a pinch. The flexibility in tweaking these presets means you can still put your personal signature on a sound without the heavy lifting.

In Chris’s demo, it’s clear that this device caters to both the quick-starters and the detail-orientated. Whether you’re a producer on a deadline or just vibing out in the studio, the MPC Live 3’s presets keep your creative flow moving at top speed.

Soundshow: Pianos To Plucks

Get your headphones ready, because Chris Laps is about to roll out a sonic smorgasbord courtesy of the MPC Live 3. For starters, the Fabric Piano and Stage Piano both get their time in the spotlight, showcasing what Chris refers to as jaw-dropping sound quality. Even a seasoned synth head has to tip their hat to these tones. He spins through presets, switching effortlessly from velvety ballads to soundscapes drenched in effects.

Chris then takes a detour into bass territory, exploring sounds with rich textures and deep resonance. Each pluck and pulse is more than audible; it’s palpable. The seamless transition between bass presets ensures you get versatility right out of the box. Moving on, Chris unpacks the electric keys, displaying a range of timbres that can swing from sunny pop to brooding downbeat within seconds.

The video doesn’t just talk the talk; Chris walks us through soundscapes that prove the MPC Live 3 is like a full band within reach. He revels in the variety and depth, urging viewers to listen to how each tweak and adjustment opens new creative avenues. It’s not just sound; it’s texture, feel, and vibe all rolled into one.

let's check out the regular fabric compared to this XL

© Screenshot/Quote: Chris Laps (YouTube)

Unexpected Allies: Mellotron and Friends

Mellotron is a really underrated sound.

© Screenshot/Quote: Chris Laps (YouTube)

Trust Chris Laps to uncover hidden gems. As he navigates through the MPC Live 3’s rich palette, there comes a moment of sheer revelation with the Mellotron plugin. A sound as classic as your grandma’s record collection, it opens up a world of retro tones ready to be sampled into your beat tapestry. Chris dives into this plugin, showcasing how its flute and choir presets can transform a track into an atmospheric masterpiece.

Next up, he ventures into synthesis territories with intriguing plugins like OPx-4 and Odyssey, proving that these tools aren’t just for synth purists. Chris highlights how their varied sounds can fuse seamlessly into any project, making them indispensable.

Of course, no Chris Laps video would be complete without a practical review. He wraps up his plugin exploration with a nod to how these tools can be allied with the MPC’s built-in samples and effects for endless creativity. For Chris and his viewers, these plugins aren’t just fancy add-ons; they’re valuable partners in music creation.

Unlocking Endless Possibilities

Chris wraps up by highlighting familiar street-hack vibes. He predicts that the real potential of the MPC Live 3 lies in how its plugins partner with samples to craft uniquely textured tracks. For beatmakers ready to experiment, this device offers an intricate sunset of options, where sampling meets synthetic precision.

Chris doesn’t forget to mention the ease with which these plugins can be blended—layered sounds can evolve into complex tracks faster than you can say “MPC Live 3 rocks!” It’s a curator for the creative process, letting users build worlds with every note and beat.

As the video demonstrates, the possibilities are as expansive as a Chicago skyline during a summer sunset, with each plugin and sample combination revealing a new horizon. This ain’t just gear; it’s a toolbox, a playground for sonic exploration.


The King of Portability

In his sign-off, Chris Laps reminds us of the MPC Live 3’s crown jewel: its portability. With built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery, this piece doesn’t just sit pretty in the studio; it roams. Whether you’re on stage or jamming in your kitchen, it’s got you covered.

This flexibility amplifies its value—it’s like having a tour bus full of gear in one compact box. Chris points out how this mobility makes it a killer option for just about any setting you can think of—an essential for the modern nomadic producer.

The takeaway? With its rogues’ gallery of features crammed into its sleek frame, the MPC Live 3 isn’t just another tool; it’s a revolution in how and where we craft our beats. It’s the Swiss Army Knife of music production, as Chris cheekily puts it.


This article is also available in German. Read it here: https://synthmagazin.at/chris-laps-mpc-live-3-funky-preset-paradies/