The MPC-V: A Virtual Akai MPC

Upright wrote:

Yeah Maschines start and end point editing process is extremely straightforward. Also I don't see RAM being as much of an issue on the pc. It's definitely an issue in mpcs and work station devices where ram is limited.

I am not really talking about RAM being an issue. ASR's method of spreading a single sample across all the keys was implemented as a way to save memory since it only has 16 MB. Hip-hop producers (being the innovators they are) used what was intended as a memory saver and turned it into a way of chopping samples. In simpler terms, "nondestructive chopping" is a method of "flipping" your samples and not used to save memory.

JJ OS running MPCs are the only current workstations that can do this...and it is a nice function. Of course Maschine's work-around is to duplicate a sound to multiple pads to chop. MPCs work around is to use the Extract function or to simplay record ea slice individually. I am familar with several types of methods to achieve this. But the JJ OS is ultimately the best as you can you all these methods mentioned above.

Coz wrote:As a huge Akai fan I'm almost saddened to say this, but the pad sensitivity on Maschine KILLS Akai. I've had an identical drum program loaded on my 2500 and Maschine and the difference is night and day. The build quality of the controller isn't exactly world beating, so I agree with you there.

you gotta try the fat pads on your 2500...they improve sensivity so much I had to dial it down in the settings after installation...and that's without using the material felt they come with

The Fat Pads have even turned my 1000 into a very playable musical instrument compared to what it was. It's definitely more up to par with other MPCs as far as sensitivity and performance reliability. MPC-Stuff got it right with the Fat Pads!

Sorry for the threadjack!

distortedtekno wrote:The Fat Pads have even turned my 1000 into a very playable musical instrument compared to what it was. It's definitely more up to par with other MPCs as far as sensitivity and performance reliability. MPC-Stuff got it right with the Fat Pads!

Sorry for the threadjack!

I couldn't agree more... I have the fat pads on my MPD32 absolutely wouldn't want to do without them .

Its a threadjack But yeah...you guys got me ordering those pads as well. I ordered them Tuesday so I should have them next week sometime.....installing them inside my MPD32.

The stock MPD32 pads are not like my MPC 2000. The MPD32 pads don't protrude through the faceplate as much as the MPC 2000.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Its a threadjack But yeah...you guys got me ordering those pads as well. I ordered them Tuesday so I should have them next week sometime.....installing them inside my MPD32.

You'll be very pleased. If I recall you'll have to do them from the bottom, it's less screws and removal than trying to take the lid off like an MPC. It's tiny little clips on the PCB perimeter that you have to be careful with. Maybe you already saw it if you did tape squares or a colored sticker mod. Myself included, Fat Pads are 100% thumbs up from those here who copped them.

I too apologize for the thread jackin', but the thread's about something that doesn't exist anyway.

There are plenty of threads about the mpcstuff fat pads elsewhere if thats what you want to talk about.

This was intended to be about both virtual and modular MPC concepts so please take it elsewhere if you must...

Cheers guys.

Getting back on track....Maschine has issues with running multiple instances of VSTs. So the top feature request at the moment is multi-core support. So a new MPC that supports VSTs, should mos def approve upon Maschine's performance.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Getting back on track....Maschine has issues with running multiple instances of VSTs. So the top feature request at the moment is multi-core support. So a new MPC that supports VSTs, should mos def approve upon Maschine's performance.

Yeah true but by the time Akai or whomever else brings something to the table this request will probably have already been implemented in Maschine. It's no secret that they're working on multi-core support...the question is- when will it be ready?

Upright wrote:

Askia Shaheed wrote:Getting back on track....Maschine has issues with running multiple instances of VSTs. So the top feature request at the moment is multi-core support. So a new MPC that supports VSTs, should mos def approve upon Maschine's performance.

Yeah true but by the time Akai or whomever else brings something to the table this request will probably have already been implemented in Maschine. It's no secret that they're working on multi-core support...the question is- when will it be ready?

NI claims they are working on multicore support. They also say the same thing regarding realtime implementation of timestretching and pitching. But there is still a laundry list of other simpler functions Maschine lacks that other hardware and software samplers have. So we could still be talking about this 1 year from now.

As a gear slut, I have been keeping an eye on new developments in these types of products for years. While new products coming out are exciting, I wish to see more colaborations. NI is a software company. So is Arturia. They should have outsourced the design of their hardware as their controllers are not that great. Akai being a hardware company, I would like to see more colaborations like they have done in the past to bring products like the APC40 and MPC 60/3000 to the masses. An Akai MPC with analog synthesis and physical modeling? Arturia and Akai should be on speed dial...meaning scrap the Spark. Spark's software has a nice GUI and the analog synthesis/physical modeling is waisted in a cheap little controller. I would just use it as a plugin and not standalone.

And where is Roland? I remember how the MV Nation was claiming the MV-8800 was selling like hot cakes...then poof....MV discontinued with no product to replace it. Roland even stopped development of the Fantom G. Roland has the technology to bring a hybrid MV in the same lane as Maschine as they ar both a hardware and software company. The could probably..easily corner the market if they actually listened to what their consumer base wants...no dancing pixels, corny D-beam tricks, or expensive add-ons (R-buss technology anyone? ).

Askia Shaheed wrote:And where is Roland?

I think you hit something here. Roland is the one company that I think may be poised to bring something to this market. I didn't know they stopped production on the MV but now that you mention it I haven't been seeing it advertised at any of the music stores I visit and it's currently set as a clearance item at Guitar Center. This could mean that they are working on something. A Maschine type product from Roland would be a natural evolution of the MV series.

Askia Shaheed wrote:

Upright wrote:

Yeah Maschines start and end point editing process is extremely straightforward. Also I don't see RAM being as much of an issue on the pc. It's definitely an issue in mpcs and work station devices where ram is limited.

I am not really talking about RAM being an issue. ASR's method of spreading a single sample across all the keys was implemented as a way to save memory since it only has 16 MB. Hip-hop producers (being the innovators they are) used what was intended as a memory saver and turned it into a way of chopping samples. In simpler terms, "nondestructive chopping" is a method of "flipping" your samples and not used to save memory.

JJ OS running MPCs are the only current workstations that can do this...and it is a nice function. Of course Maschine's work-around is to duplicate a sound to multiple pads to chop. MPCs work around is to use the Extract function or to simplay record ea slice individually. I am familar with several types of methods to achieve this. But the JJ OS is ultimately the best as you can you all these methods mentioned above.

this, is why jjos rocks and is why I'm so interested in maschine. I've done the classic mpc chopping for many years and i think these features are a must (extract,discard,normalize,etc.) however,nothing compares to the speed i have on NDC chop. its just fast. and for me, and i think most classic hiphop sampling style producers, like that about maschine. you copy a pad and just tweak start and end points, and you have dedicated knobs to do so. that is awesome in my opinion and why i think alot of mpc users even consider going to maschine.

right now my current frustration with mpc + jjos is:

now I have alot of my samples on my HD. I am buying less vinyl, and the vinyl I do buy, gets ripped to my HD. now i have gigs and gigs of samples- transfering all those samples from my HD to the mpc is the bottle neck of my workflow. If i preview a sample on my HD and get inspired to do something, my natural response is to start chopping right away. since I have to transfer it to mpc via slow usb 1, that inspiration can get lost. But, where i see the strength of maschine, is that I could just drag that sample directly from my harddrive to a maschine pad and get chopping right away. that is the strength of maschine. the ability to chop like an mpc (without a mouse) but drag that shit onto a pad for instant gratification and no workflow inturuption.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Besides nondestructive-chopping what specific JJ OS feature is a must have? I know exactly what I want in an MPC. But very little what I desire is in the JJ OS or any other product on the market...at least not in one product.

as far as what else jjos offers, imo, nothing spectacular- except very non obvious things that you learn to appreciate. there is no one feature (other than NDC), but more the workflow. things like shortcuts. the revamped main screen and ability to do most everything from that screen (like step sequencing, sample assignment to pad) I also think GPE (global program editing) is also awesome. I can apply changes to the entire pgm at once. that is a huge workflow enhancement comming from mpc2xl.

also, on jjos and other mpcs, I really like the midi control and stability. the ability for the mpc to act as a sound module, or control other gear, etc. and i think that is where maschine lacks. typically most mpc users use t hier mpc as the hub for all thier other gear (keyboards, samplers, sound modules, vsts, etc.) the mpc is the sequencer hub and it rocks at that. maschine is lacking in that arena. imagine if maschine had 4 more midi ports?! and was setup to sequence external gear really well? and was rock solid?

anywasy, just some thoughts.
peace

If i could implement this on a current mpc, i would be in heaven:

non menu dependent knobs that are entirely dedicated to start and end points, and envelop adjustment of a sample.

-1 knob dedicated to sample start
-1 knob dedicated to sample end
-1 knob dedicated to each envelop param (or knob matrix-button that changes what the knobs do similar to emu mophatt knobs)

1.hit a pad in any menu with or without sequencer playing.
2.turn knob 1 or knob 2 and the start or end point of that sample (on selected pad) is automatically adjusted realtime. the actual param is adjusted, not some midi cc or whatever. needs to be realtime adjustment of actual sample param.
3.doesnt matter what mode/menu/screen you are in, the sample on that pad will get adjusted. no sub menus, no nothing, just hitting a pad and whatever is on that pad gets adjusted.
4.same applies to sample envelop. it doesnt matter what menu/mode/screen you are in.
5.no wierd qlink turning on or off, or recording changes into sequencer. its realtime change of actual parameters.
6.bare minimum, start an end points need dedicated knobs. envelop params could have knob matrix (button that changes what the knobs do similar to emu mophatt knobs).

i could see jjos currently implementing this on qlinks. i go to qlink menu, assign each qlink to a given parameter, and no matter where i was at, those assignments would stick, and realtime adjust my chosen params - but not classic qlink style. they would be decicated and realtime and actually change the sample params, pgm parames, or whatever i assigned, no matter what i was currently doing. if i had sequencer stopped, started, in record mode, in trim mode, any mode, they would be dedicated and unchanging.

cyrus wrote:
this, is why jjos rocks and is why I'm so interested in maschine. I've done the classic mpc chopping for many years and i think these features are a must (extract,discard,normalize,etc.) however,nothing compares to the speed i have on NDC chop. its just fast. and for me, and i think most classic hiphop sampling style producers, like that about maschine. you copy a pad and just tweak start and end points, and you have dedicated knobs to do so. that is awesome in my opinion and why i think alot of mpc users even consider going to maschine.

Definitely. It would seem that JJ would be a touch faster at chopping only because you don't have to duplicate the pad first like you do on Maschine. But honestly duplicating the pad before setting the start and end points really is a fast process so I'd say chopping on both devices is extremely fast.

cyrus wrote:now I have alot of my samples on my HD. I am buying less vinyl, and the vinyl I do buy, gets ripped to my HD. now i have gigs and gigs of samples- transfering all those samples from my HD to the mpc is the bottle neck of my workflow. If i preview a sample on my HD and get inspired to do something, my natural response is to start chopping right away. since I have to transfer it to mpc via slow usb 1, that inspiration can get lost. But, where i see the strength of maschine, is that I could just drag that sample directly from my harddrive to a maschine pad and get chopping right away. that is the strength of maschine. the ability to chop like an mpc (without a mouse) but drag that **** onto a pad for instant gratification and no workflow inturuption.

Yeah....I went through this same scenario with my 2500. It got to the point where I would just move samples over via CF card and avoid the USB altogether. Also Maschine's tagging system works quite well for finding samples for specific situations. For example I tagged a bunch of drum breaks under Samples>Drums>Vinyl so when I want to access those breaks I literal twist three knobs and all the files are ready to load. It works out really nice.

And do you record all your vinyl to HD? As in the stuff you sample from? WOW! I'd love to do this but I have so much vinyl it seems like it would be a headache.

Upright wrote:

cyrus wrote:
this, is why jjos rocks and is why I'm so interested in maschine. I've done the classic mpc chopping for many years and i think these features are a must (extract,discard,normalize,etc.) however,nothing compares to the speed i have on NDC chop. its just fast. and for me, and i think most classic hiphop sampling style producers, like that about maschine. you copy a pad and just tweak start and end points, and you have dedicated knobs to do so. that is awesome in my opinion and why i think alot of mpc users even consider going to maschine.

Definitely. It would seem that JJ would be a touch faster at chopping only because you don't have to duplicate the pad first like you do on Maschine. But honestly duplicating the pad before setting the start and end points really is a fast process so I'd say chopping on both devices is extremely fast.

cyrus wrote:now I have alot of my samples on my HD. I am buying less vinyl, and the vinyl I do buy, gets ripped to my HD. now i have gigs and gigs of samples- transfering all those samples from my HD to the mpc is the bottle neck of my workflow. If i preview a sample on my HD and get inspired to do something, my natural response is to start chopping right away. since I have to transfer it to mpc via slow usb 1, that inspiration can get lost. But, where i see the strength of maschine, is that I could just drag that sample directly from my harddrive to a maschine pad and get chopping right away. that is the strength of maschine. the ability to chop like an mpc (without a mouse) but drag that **** onto a pad for instant gratification and no workflow inturuption.

Yeah....I went through this same scenario with my 2500. It got to the point where I would just move samples over via CF card and avoid the USB altogether. Also Maschine's tagging system works quite well for finding samples for specific situations. For example I tagged a bunch of drum breaks under Samples>Drums>Vinyl so when I want to access those breaks I literal twist three knobs and all the files are ready to load. It works out really nice.

And do you record all your vinyl to HD? As in the stuff you sample from? WOW! I'd love to do this but I have so much vinyl it seems like it would be a headache.

I record as much as possible. sometimes its hard to do it because I have a hard time getting past a sample. if i find something ill, i want to start making a beat right away. but usually its the quality albums i want in my collection. so technically not everything, just everything i think is good. plus i also have friends who do similar things so that helps me build up my collection. not to mention there is alot of good free stuff out there too.

the reason i like copy pad, is because when i chop a sample, when you copy a pad it copies the start point too. so usually, the next pad will be the next chop which is easier to get at when you start from the previous start point as opposed to the start of the sample. see what im saying? for example, say i load up a full song on a pad. i might start the first chop 2 bars in, the second chop would be 2.25 bars in. if i copied that first pad, i just have to move the start point .25 as opposed to 2.25. this is faster and more accurate if you get what im saying...

the prob with jjos is the setup time of the pgm (its actually not that bad). say i load up a sample, i have to go to trim, turn ndc for the sample on, then go to pgm mode, select all pads using shift + fkey, then highlight the sample field, then scroll t hrough my sample list. then once its assigned, i can go back into pgm mode and go about my NDC chopping. thats not all that bad, maybe handful of button presses to get there. however, with maschine (with my limited experience with it), you get sample to a pad, then just copy pad, thats its. less presses. and when you are adjusting start and end points, you have dedicated knobs as opposed to crappy mpc2500 scroll wheel.