Feedback on future Akai Pad Controllers a' la MPC 5000

As software companies continue to make strides in adding MPC-like sampling, chopping, and sequencing into their products, I think Akai should take their Pad Controllers to another level. I believe they should partner with the leading companies that produce DAW software (Apple, Avid, Steinberg, etc) similar to what they did with Ableton/Live and create a product that would incorporate more MPC-like functions.

Ideas to be considered:
1. Data shuttle wheel (with nudge function)
2. Assignable function buttons (similar to keyboard short-cuts: Cut, copy, paste, delete, slice, etc)
3. Full MPC transport/Locate buttons (Rec, Overdub, Play, Play Start, Stop, punch in/out, etc)
4. Cursor buttons
5. MPC pads (current MPD pads are not identical to an MPC)
6. MPC-like Adjustable LCD
7. Track Mutes
8. Master Volume knob
9. Numeric keypads
10. Erase button
11. Mode Button (perhaps to open up different modes in the software such a grid or piano roll edit, Live's session/arrangement views, etc)
12. Q-link Channel Strip (configured using Q-link slider, knobs, buttons, etc) to access all parameters of a DAW channel strip (volume, pan, EQ, solo, mute, record, etc)


One of the best features of MPCs and MV-8800 is having the ability to use the data wheel to edit samples. Combine this with assignable function buttons (add/delete warp markers, slice points, cut, copy, paste, etc) would be awesome in bringing an MPC-like workflow to software environments.

yeah I dont know what it is about the MPDs... the pads dont feel the same as the mpc. sure it still works fine but they are just different. however the rubber itself is the same as on the mpcs... I am not sure what makes them feel different.

cool idea, however I dont see those products being very affordable.

I just got back home from Akihabara..went to go pick up that MJ DVD and check out the latest in music production gear.

I found that every controller I tested had something I liked yet none was a complete solution.

1. Steinberg's CC121 ($430). I wished this item had MPC pads. It's AI knob is nice but not exactly an MPC data wheel. However the user assignable section can be beefed up a little to include more than 4 function buttons. *Not sure if this works with DAWs other than Cubase.

2. Euphonix MC Transport ($400). This item is very promising. I love the data wheel and the assignable soft keys and numeric pads. However this item lacks the knobs and sliders of the CC121. Regardless...I am so tempted in picking this up.

Now if there was a product on the market that combined the MPD, CC121, and MC transport....I would be all over it....with a $999 price tag.

since they're slacking on the MPC dept
Akai should make a controller that's basically an MPC without the sequencer(basically a replica). License something like Novation's Automap so it can integrate nicely with current software or collab with MOTU and make a version of BPM that's basically that MPC controller in software
every button/knob/slider/Q Link, etc mapped to every software button/knob/slider/Q Link, etc

my half a cent

temetrepo wrote:since they're slacking on the MPC dept
Akai should make a controller that's basically an MPC without the sequencer(basically a replica). License something like Novation's Automap so it can integrate nicely with current software or collab with MOTU and make a version of BPM that's basically that MPC controller in software
every button/knob/slider/Q Link, etc mapped to every software button/knob/slider/Q Link, etc

my half a cent

yeah but the auto map is because some novation controllers dont send midi notes on their own... it needs to connect to automap and automap acts sort of like a server that sends the midi notes to the DAW... where most controllers including the mpd series can send those midi notes on their own. Automap just has some presets so you dont manually have to assign buttons to certain midi notes.

You don't have to use Automap on the Novation controllers.

Doglamp wrote:You don't have to use Automap on the Novation controllers.

well for the nocturn you need the novation program running, I believe it is called automap server or something like that

that sucks.

didn't know that about the novation controllers

hmm why do you post this in the mpc 5000 section?

temetrepo wrote:didn't know that about the novation controllers

yeah even when plugged in with the USB... the lights on the controller dont come on at all untill the app is launched.

Too bad the pads suck.

Doglamp wrote:Too bad the pads suck.

on which thing?

All i want is a software controller that has a trackpad /buttons

a midi controller that COMPLETELY eliminates any need to use the reg mouse


you can replace mpd pads with reg mpc pads ive heard as the stock ones are thinner

This is just my plug to get an MPC 5000-like pad controller like what they did with the APC units. If Akai decides to focus on pad and keyboard controllers...they should consider building something like this.