Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
🎛️ Is an Akai MPC Live III actually better for your workflow than a standard amp modeler? For a lot of guitar players, stepping outside traditional modelers like Helix or Quad Cortex and moving into a sampler/standalone unit opens up unreal effects, DAW-less music creation, and complete MIDI automation. In this video, I break down how I use the MPC Live III for guitar—from recording direct and chopping samples to MIDI-controlling gear like the Chase Bliss CXM 1978.
Huge thanks to @Sweetwater for sponsoring this video!
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Intro
2:57 – Two years in the sampler world
3:32 – The MPC Live III (and what this video is really about)
4:00 – Recording guitar straight into the MPC
4:53 – AIR Flavor Pro: A pedalboard in one plugin
5:49 – The amp sims aren't there yet (Akai, fix this)
7:46 – Chopping and mangling guitar samples
9:59 – Ether & Sprite: Built-in effects that beat most modelers
11:01 – Thanks Sweetwater!
11:56 – A complete DAW in a box
13:18 – Where samplers and amp modelers overlap
13:49 – Controlling the Chase Bliss CXM 1978 via MIDI Q-Links
17:33 – Hearing automated reverb in action
19:01 – Who is this setup actually for?
20:12 – Is it ready to replace your amp modeler?
20:55 – The honest drawbacks for guitarists
22:35 – Why more guitar players should try this
23:11 – Outro
🧰 GEAR IN THIS VIDEO (Sweetwater Affiliate Links)
🎛️ Akai MPC Live III: sweetwater.sjv.io/L0gDmY
🎛️ Akai MPC X / XL: sweetwater.sjv.io/xJOn5v
🎚️ Chase Bliss CXM 1978 Reverb: chasebliss.com/cxm-1978
🔗 COMMUNITY & COURSES
💬 Join the Discord (Groovebox & Sampler Channel): discord.gg/dCBwHafACa
🎓 Master the Fretboard (Guitar Courses): rhettshullguitarcourses.com
🎸 Amp Presets & IR Packs: rhettshull.com
🎙️ Dipped In Tone Podcast: @dippedintone
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/rhettshull
#guitar #guitarrig #ampmodeler #MPC #AKAI #sampler #guitargear #homestudio #DAWless
🎛️ Is an Akai MPC Live III actually better for your workflow than a standard amp modeler? For a lot of guitar players, stepping outside traditional modelers like Helix or Quad Cortex and moving into a sampler/standalone unit opens up unreal effects, DAW-less music creation, and complete MIDI automation. In this video, I break down how I use the MPC Live III for guitar—from recording direct and chopping samples to MIDI-controlling gear like the Chase Bliss CXM 1978.
Huge thanks to @Sweetwater for sponsoring this video!
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Intro
2:57 – Two years in the sampler world
3:32 – The MPC Live III (and what this video is really about)
4:00 – Recording guitar straight into the MPC
4:53 – AIR Flavor Pro: A pedalboard in one plugin
5:49 – The amp sims aren't there yet (Akai, fix this)
7:46 – Chopping and mangling guitar samples
9:59 – Ether & Sprite: Built-in effects that beat most modelers
11:01 – Thanks Sweetwater!
11:56 – A complete DAW in a box
13:18 – Where samplers and amp modelers overlap
13:49 – Controlling the Chase Bliss CXM 1978 via MIDI Q-Links
17:33 – Hearing automated reverb in action
19:01 – Who is this setup actually for?
20:12 – Is it ready to replace your amp modeler?
20:55 – The honest drawbacks for guitarists
22:35 – Why more guitar players should try this
23:11 – Outro
🧰 GEAR IN THIS VIDEO (Sweetwater Affiliate Links)
🎛️ Akai MPC Live III: sweetwater.sjv.io/L0gDmY
🎛️ Akai MPC X / XL: sweetwater.sjv.io/xJOn5v
🎚️ Chase Bliss CXM 1978 Reverb: chasebliss.com/cxm-1978
🔗 COMMUNITY & COURSES
💬 Join the Discord (Groovebox & Sampler Channel): discord.gg/dCBwHafACa
🎓 Master the Fretboard (Guitar Courses): rhettshullguitarcourses.com
🎸 Amp Presets & IR Packs: rhettshull.com
🎙️ Dipped In Tone Podcast: @dippedintone
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/rhettshull
#guitar #guitarrig #ampmodeler #MPC #AKAI #sampler #guitargear #homestudio #DAWless
