By illiac
Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:11 am
The more I think about this machine, the more I think that I would buy an MV8800 instead, if I were seriously considering it. My reasoning is that when it comes to the meat and potatoes (sequencing and sampling), the MV is very similar in specs and capabilities to this unit. But Roland has a much better track record concerning stability and product support. Whenever I buy something from Roland -- I have 6 keyboards and modules from them -- I think that I'm not buying the most cutting edge technology, but I'm getting something rock solid and reliable. If I were buying the MPC5000, I would think, gee, I'm not getting any cutting edge technology, and I'm getting Akai's legendary support for OS upgrades (cough).
In reality, I think a MacBook Pro (and/or peripherals to make it a complete system, like audio interface, etc.) is a much better investment for any musician these days. Pick up an MPD32 or other controller for making beats.
The only reason I'm all worked up about the MPC5000 (perhaps there are other MPC4000 owners who feel the way I do) is that the MPC4000 has a really important place in the center of my studio and workflow, and there's no product on the horizon to replace it and carry it into the future. ak.sys is great, but without ongoing support it's getting very wobbly. I have all kinds of problems doing backups through it. This kind of software and hardware, that interacts with computers through USB, etc., needs ongoing support, or, failing that, an upgrade path into the future.
*sigh*
-illiac
In reality, I think a MacBook Pro (and/or peripherals to make it a complete system, like audio interface, etc.) is a much better investment for any musician these days. Pick up an MPD32 or other controller for making beats.
The only reason I'm all worked up about the MPC5000 (perhaps there are other MPC4000 owners who feel the way I do) is that the MPC4000 has a really important place in the center of my studio and workflow, and there's no product on the horizon to replace it and carry it into the future. ak.sys is great, but without ongoing support it's getting very wobbly. I have all kinds of problems doing backups through it. This kind of software and hardware, that interacts with computers through USB, etc., needs ongoing support, or, failing that, an upgrade path into the future.
*sigh*
-illiac
