First MPC///2500 vs Renaissance///2013/2014 Updates?

bearju wrote:Hey there! New and first post...I have been looking through the forums but couldn't find this topic with any updated information. Everything seemed to be from before 2010 ish

So I understand that the 2500 is stand alone and the Ren is slaved to the computer and aside from having the dials on the Ren instead of the 2 sliders, I can't tell much of a difference in the two... Maybe its my MPC ignorance!

Any information in making the right decision would be great!!

Have there been software updates for the Ren, since that seems to be what everybody is complaining about? Is the newest 2500 update better than the Ren newest update or is the Ren still a work in progress?

I am looking to spend between 600-900$ on used hardware.

I have a iMac and will be focusing on beat making, sampling, and creating mixes along with my own music.

Obviously we are moving to computer based music production and I just don't want to get the wrong piece of hardware when I could of spent a few more dollars to get what I needed. Thanks in advance community!!

It doesn't have to be either/or...
I use the 2500(JJOSXL) and the MPC studio together. Make the frame work of the beat on the JJOSXL with its amazing workflow.Load it up in the MPC software via USB and mix it and arrange it. It's beautiful and seemless.

JJOSXL has the superior workflow, the MPC Software has the superior effects and editing capablities. I would say use them both. A MPC 1000/2500(JJOSXL) and a Studio. Although for a 1st time MPC user that may be too much to take on at once.

I do the same as above but use reaper instead of mpc software for effects and mixing...

The ren only gets used live when i have long streaming tracks..
I've made like 5 beats on the ren not because i find it a drag to use, but becuase jjos is my main sampling/sequencing tool.. The workflow and method is too good to leave.


I find the integration with midi and your daw much better on jjos than with the mpc software vst plugin...

Nobody mentioned all these issues with the firmware update! I can't even get the Ren working properly. Such a drag!

Got it working or still in limbo? What's the issue can't finish the firmware update?

dazastah wrote:Got it working or still in limbo? What's the issue can't finish the firmware update?

Yeah still chilling in limbo. Got it downloaded and installed. Once I start the software it still says the firmware is out of date.

I read that I could call akai and they will remotely help me out but I can't get around to doing it during business hours since Im in california and they are east coast.

I would rather do it myself if you have any tips but I have tried everything I could find. except for downloading it on another computer which is not an option for me.

I have an iMac 27" running 10.8.5

The biggest culprit for the firmware update is way the USB ports are configured hardware-wise or how they share the Bus.

The ports are linked by the manufacturer in design so when you try to do something like a firmware update, the Updater can gets confused in how it sends and receives info.
Akai isn't the only vendor who suffers from this when it comes to doing a firmware update thru USB or firewire,

This is why the instructions tell you to disconnect ALL other USB devices before doing the update.
This helps to make sure that the info being sent and received is only between the MPC and the Updater.

ntalec wrote:The biggest culprit for the firmware update is way the USB ports are configured hardware-wise or how they share the Bus.

The ports are linked by the manufacturer in design so when you try to do something like a firmware update, the Updater can gets confused in how it sends and receives info.
Akai isn't the only vendor who suffers from this when it comes to doing a firmware update thru USB or firewire,

This is why the instructions tell you to disconnect ALL other USB devices before doing the update.
This helps to make sure that the info being sent and received is only between the MPC and the Updater.

Yeah I looked through all that with the AUDIO MIDI window but couldn't solve much. I have no other USB's either

bearju wrote:
Yeah I looked through all that with the AUDIO MIDI window but couldn't solve much. I have no other USB's either

Don't really get what you are saying there is nothing you can change about this on PC or Mac.
It has to do with the way the ports are physically structured not how they are configured in the O.S.
For me I couldn't update my Ren or Studio with my wireless keyboard connected.
It would go through the motions say it updated but still have the old level.

The most noticeable thing was the pads act as a progress bar when the update is actually happening.
When it was doing the false update this didn't happen.

ntalec wrote:

bearju wrote:
Yeah I looked through all that with the AUDIO MIDI window but couldn't solve much. I have no other USB's either

Don't really get what you are saying there is nothing you can change about this on PC or Mac.
It has to do with the way the ports are physically structured not how they are configured in the O.S.
For me I couldn't update my Ren or Studio with my wireless keyboard connected.
It would go through the motions say it updated but still have the old level.

The most noticeable thing was the pads act as a progress bar when the update is actually happening.
When it was doing the false update this didn't happen.

So did you ever get it updated? If so how

As ntalec mentioned I had to disconnect EVERYTHING except my MPC (just as the on screen directions said to do.) Even my USB mouse. The only item I had connected was the MPC. I started the firmware updater and it saw the MPC and went thru the process. I hooked my USB mouse, keyboard, usb hub, and usb hard drive back up and all was good...

I didn't have the issue as i had a mac book pro 13 with just the ren connected... If you follow the instructions, Especially the above tips, you should be good ... Also clean boot when you update.. (shut down your mac and boot on without anything connected to usb ports.. ) and also command q all other pgms that run so your process is smooth sailing without other apps doing shit in the background...

but if you want the 2500 you should also mention that he s gonna need and extra soundcard for recording the audio tracks and a daw for recording and that you have to pay extra for jjos...

if you know a bit about computers , 32bit & 64bit systems choose the mpc ren...

i like the hardware mpcs but the ren is much more painless and effective on my system. also to have an hands on control on my softsynths with all the knobs on the ren is greate