Akai MPC5000's gone? (NOT OFFICIAL, JUST SPECUALTION)

ritec wrote:I hope this is not true!

+1

Not because I have an mpc 5000 (I don't) or think its any better than a 2500 with JJOS (it isnt).

I just think that if it is true - then there's every chance that they won't bring out anything particularly special in its place.
We're looking at this from an mpc enthusiasts point of view but if its poor sales that have led to the 5000 going then you have to ask how much profit AKAI thinks it will make with another 'top-range' machine. Maybe the software/hardware combination is getting to the hardware market quicker than we thought.

ritec wrote:We're looking at this from an mpc enthusiasts point of view but if its poor sales that have led to the 5000 going then you have to ask how much profit AKAI thinks it will make with another 'top-range' machine.

There were too many missteps with the 5000 from it inception. Akai is going to push the 2500SE starting January so even if it's dropped the MPC isn't dead as line.

what is this 2500se you talk about?

ritec wrote:what is this 2500se you talk about?

Same as the 2500LE with different badge and blue screen.

This is another internet rumor. God, don't people have anything better to do?

1-0ne

why do people think that hardware is dead?

i personally think that the only effect software has had on hardware, is to drag down the cost/feature ratio, as well as force hardware companies to change what exactly their niche products do or are capable of.

why would i ever want to change my all hardware setup for a computer, when i know from experience how computers tend to slow up over time, ... must get replaced almost every 2 years if not more, ... and have many different facets that must all work together to make the impossible, possible.

but i can buy a used piece of hardware that's 10 years old, and you know what? its probably going to work.

or i can buy a new piece of hardware, and i can probably count on it working pretty damn good 8 to 10 years down the road.

we gave up the akai dps24 mkII for pro tools when the best affordable offering is the digi 003, ... with only 8 faders or the projectmix or a different one.

yes, i understand the benefits of having all the software effects, and the track count, and the visual display, .... but you lose all the ins and outs and the motorized faders and all the other stuff.

maybe things "are going" software/hardware combination, ... but if we are just talking about the audio ins and outs and the interface itself alone, ... how can something like the 5000 ever be remotely compared to something like the maschine?

its like not in the same ball park.

maybe that open labs thing is the closest yet, ... but its only a 'mask', or an outer shell with an empty conglomeration of spare parts in software form lying in a big pile.

look at its in's and outs, and how everything must first be manually routed to the motherboard before it can be properly configured.

the acoustic guitar and the acoustic piano are pretty well done. they can last for decades, and they always work with minimal maintenance.

shouldn't the future of instruments try to at least be as good as this? if not better? i thought the future is supposed to be better than the past, not the other way around?

oneday2one wrote:why do people think that hardware is dead?

i personally think that the only effect software has had on hardware, is to drag down the cost/feature ratio, as well as force hardware companies to change what exactly their niche products do or are capable of.

why would i ever want to change my all hardware setup for a computer, when i know from experience how computers tend to slow up over time, ... must get replaced almost every 2 years if not more, ... and have many different facets that must all work together to make the impossible, possible.

but i can buy a used piece of hardware that's 10 years old, and you know what? its probably going to work.

or i can buy a new piece of hardware, and i can probably count on it working pretty damn good 8 to 10 years down the road.

we gave up the akai dps24 mkII for pro tools when the best affordable offering is the digi 003, ... with only 8 faders or the projectmix or a different one.

yes, i understand the benefits of having all the software effects, and the track count, and the visual display, .... but you lose all the ins and outs and the motorized faders and all the other stuff.

maybe things "are going" software/hardware combination, ... but if we are just talking about the audio ins and outs and the interface itself alone, ... how can something like the 5000 ever be remotely compared to something like the maschine?

its like not in the same ball park.

maybe that open labs thing is the closest yet, ... but its only a 'mask', or an outer shell with an empty conglomeration of spare parts in software form lying in a big pile.

look at its in's and outs, and how everything must first be manually routed to the motherboard before it can be properly configured.

the acoustic guitar and the acoustic piano are pretty well done. they can last for decades, and they always work with minimal maintenance.

shouldn't the future of instruments try to at least be as good as this? if not better? i thought the future is supposed to be better than the past, not the other way around?

Agreed...I've been using software for a long time now...and making a move back to hardware...especially for sequencer...cuz no matter what the software sequencer will not have the feel of a hardware sequencer like the MPC...

I share the sentiments of the responses above. Hardware has a feel that software doesn't. But the gap is closing with these software hardware hybrids hitting the market (the Beat Thang is an interesting standalone unit with a software complement).

I'm going to rant now.. you can ignore the rest of this post if you don't want to hear another lame forum user speculate on how AKAI can improve the situation.

If Akai wants to stay in the game they need to do two things:

1) Provide more transparency about their software updates by listing upcoming bug fixes/features on their website with approximate release dates. Why not start a beta forum or hold an online survey for registered users to vote on the next OS features? I'm sure AKAI could put its large user base to work for it by testing out beta OS stability and doing its customer research. Think of it as cheap labor like those Chinese workers you pay to assemble your machines

2) Provide a better way to communicate with software using USB... maybe some kind of streaming function to get your tracks into your chosen DAW that can sync with more timing accuracy than MIDI? Or how about a VST application that plays back MPC sequences and sample packs?

As a side note, AKAI could become a leader in the industry by venturing into uncharted territory. OSC protocol is stable and more efficient than MIDI and is already widely used in a number of software applications. It would be pretty amazing to apply the MPC's strength in sequencing to send/receive OSC messages that can be used in audio/video applications. It would open the MPC to a whole new generation of electronic musicians. ok I am dreaming

The apparent decline in hardware is due to the amount of choices out there but regardless of this flux in the market AKAI will still maintain a huge user base. If AKAI was smart they would try to capitalize on these older machines that users refuse to replace. How about re-purposing some of this hardware with a (free/paid) software update? Or releasing the code as open source? There are smart guys out there like JJ who can add features or create different applications for the unit and AKAI won't have to do a thing after the initial release. It would be easy to go open source and could restore some trust in AKAI with the community of electronic musicians. Best of all AKAI would not have to deal with complaints as they could just say "fix it yourself" which is better than their recent harsher tone of "deal with it!". At least there would be hope to get the machine closer to being bug free. AKAI, we already love the components and build quality so just give us control over our machines!

I was looking into the MPC 5000 but my biggest issue (as a longtime MPC 2000XL user) was always AKAI's lack of support. I love the work flow of the MPC but no matter how great of a programmer I was.. I still needed to get my sh*t into a DAW. Since I am already accustom to using other tools in the process, I'd rather find a solution that integrates well into my DAW. Sorry AKAI but it is the truth. Stand alone units can only go so far on their own in 2009. Let's find a better way of integrating the MPC into the PC world.

I'm personally waiting until NAMM to see what is going to happen before I make a purchase decision. There are a lot of things set to drop this January like the Linn Drum II, Beat Thang, Maschine OS update (that will include MPC program import), and hopefully something more from AKAI than a pimped out MPC 2500.

1-0ne

You guys make some very good points. I was all hardware for ages, but now I am really into software. It was hard to embrace it at first, but it's not all bad, and there are some advantages. The thing about software is that there are so many options. You really have to do a lot of research and experimentation until you find a setup that works for YOU. You really can't go by what other people say and do. You really need to do you!!!!!



I don't own a MPC 5000, but I do own a 3000. I was seriously considering getting a 5000, but I wanted to see what Akai was doing with the bug fixes and O.S. updates. I'm use to bugs in software now. The last thing that I need is a piece of hardware that also has bugs and doesn't get updated frequently. My reason for wanting a 5000 was so that I could just turn that on without a computer and make beats. No mouse. No Windows O.S. No DAW crashes, and no midi controller conflicts.


I really hope that this whole thread is just an internet rumor and that Akai will continue to develop the 5000. I also hope that there are new and more powerful MPC's in Akai's future. In the meantime, I'll continue to become more and more of a software guy.

-PEACE!-

I assure you this is a rumor...As I mentioned, there was a recent hoax on Audioslutz that spread rumors that Technics 1200 turntables will no longer be produced...Many people ran out and bought them just to find out it was a hoax...

There was some truth to the 1200's story. Technics makes 3 different models. The mkII's are the classic models both 1200 and 1210. Then there was a mk5 model both 1200 and 1210. Those are the ones that are being discontinued. The high end model mk5g is also still in production.

Here is a link:

http://www.skratchworx.com/news3/comments.php?id=603

sorry, but no software update for 10 months or so in the 'software world' means about the same like 'we don't care anymore'
I assume that, because of it's price tag and the not-always-positive-news about it, MPC5000 hasn't sold that much and AKAI does not want/have the money to give it a proper update.

babar141 wrote:OK, it's 'official'.

The MPC5000 is no longer on Akai's dealer pricelists.

It's gone brothas and once all the stock in stores are gone, we'll neva see that sucka again!

Akai for the present has implemented the flagship status the the 2500-model.

yayyyyy eee yayyy eeeee



only reason makes me kinda happy is cause maybe will make price drop so i can buy one to get that 8 track to disk recording feature on an mpc

Don't know whether this rumour is true or not, doubt it. I don't think the 5000 is a bad product I just think they failed to do anything innovative. The built in VA was a surprise and is interesting but it's not innovative. The Roland MV's effects engine doubles up as a virtual monosynth for example, an idea first seen in the SP808 in fact. The hard disk recorder is cool but as I understand it poorly implemented and again the Roland MV can do direct to memory multi-tracking. It's good to see the return of keygroups to an MPC but again this was available in the 4000. Speaking of which, they alienated so many existing users by not expanding on the 4000, many long term users were disappointed. Incidentally, for those who don't know, it's worth repeating the fact that Akai wanted to continue manufacturing the 4000 but key parts were no longer available. I have that from a source very close to Akai.

The hardware market is not dead by any means as people like Elektron and DSI will testify, but it has become highly specialised. Akai need to innovate the MPC range and I think they may have the last laugh. Who saw the APC40 coming? I certainly didn't! Somebody is thinking big at Akai, with any luck they'll turn their attention to the MPC.

Hey .. here's a really good rumour ... you heard it here first

AKAI AND LINN TEAM UP TO RESUME STALLED LINN DRUM II PROJECT

the fact that old baba did not detail his source of infomation(where are these pricelists actually?anybody confim the <pricelists>?)and the classic "its official nonesense".like front page news......and then nothing.sensationalism??bored??by the way,the 5k really cuts through the mix.noticed?no?maybe in afew years whwn its popular.ha ha.cheers