Essentials as a plugin?

A week or so ago I posted my experience trying to use essentials as a plugin.

Any one else trying to do the same, in any DAW? Just curious about the level of success incorporating it into their workflow. I haven't have used it since then. Just doesn't work smoothly IMO. But wondering if anyone else has success.

Also curious if anyone knows how well it's selling.

Since essentials is 1 track and can be used as unlimited instances inside a DAW while MPC Software is multiple track limited to 1 instance in a DAW...

I think using MPC Essentials is best when you start a project in a DAW and only want a few specific tracks sequenced with MPC and do the rest with DAW tools.

and MPC Software as standalone for projects started there. And When you're happy with it you bounce it in a DAW for the Master.

This is what i am trying to figure out b4 i buy Element. I want to know if when using it with a DAW can you still use the mpc software sequencer song mode together with each mpc instance. Or does using it with a DAW bypass the mpc song mode ? If i have 2 instances of MPC essentials open one with just drums and one lets say with just with samples or a vst instrument can each instance be sequenced together. If i want sequence one of the mpc just to have a drum pattern then sequence 2 to bring in the vst instruments over those drums is it possible to do this using the mpc song mode?? or does this have to be done in a linear fashion within the DAWs sequence timeline. I know this sounds confusing but i hope i explained it correctly. Thanks

I am not able to answer every question but i have read the mpc essential faq.

first, you don't need to buy mpc essentials if you are REN/Studio owner.
I have created a Akaipro.com account, registered my Ren and i downloaded MPC Essentials for free.
If you buy Element, i think you'll only have extra pads + the 3 "elements of" expansions.
Maybe you should try the free download and see what you can do there ?

You cannot open standalone mpc software + standalone MPC Essential at the same time.

I dont think you can sequence multiple instance of Essentials together, you gonna have to do it track after track.

Thanks for the info.
I dont have the ren or studio. Element would be my first. i might just save up for the studio instead.

Song mode works in Essentials just as it does in the MPC Software.

In one Essentials instance, I have multiple sequences organized by song mode. Each sequence plays correctly as the DAW plays. Hope that helps.

IMO, save for the studio and you get access to both softwares. Element, you only get Essentials.

And I agree that it's best to use in a DAW if you want a few tracks sequenced with the MPC. But having to save twice (once in Essentials, and once in the DAW), although not a huge pain, is still a pain enough, because in Logic Pro X, so far I haven't seen it work reliably.

I thought it would also be useful for splitting an MPC software project across multiple tracks in a DAW, thus allowing mixing in the DAW, and still having access to the midi to make edits. But there are challenges - see my other thread on this.

I haven't touched Essentials since I first tried, because it just didn't seem well-implemented for a DAW - although it is functional - just not optimal IMO.

I understand that in one instance of Essentials you can arrange a song in the Mpc song mode. What i am wondering if you can arrange in song mode with multiple Essentials instances open? I am so confused by all this. If i had to guess i would think it is not possible. Can someone who has the MPC element check on this? much appreciated.

Sorry dude, I'm not following what you're trying to do. I feel like I can interpret your questions in a bunch of ways, each producing a different answer.

Anyway, this is part of the challenge IMO with not just Essentials, but the MPC software as a whole when using it in plugin mode. Your confusion is not isolated to you. I'm still struggling with the absolute purpose and direction of Essentials, as I don't believe Akai has really, really defined it themselves. I'd like more, you can use it like this, you can use it like that... here is our intent, here's what it's not designed to do... Unless that exists somewhere and I'm just missing it.

Anyway, I'll stop typing now... realize I'm not helping you one bit.

Eyalc wrote:Sorry dude, I'm not following what you're trying to do. I feel like I can interpret your questions in a bunch of ways, each producing a different answer.

Anyway, this is part of the challenge IMO with not just Essentials, but the MPC software as a whole when using it in plugin mode. Your confusion is not isolated to you. I'm still struggling with the absolute purpose and direction of Essentials, as I don't believe Akai has really, really defined it themselves. I'd like more, you can use it like this, you can use it like that... here is our intent, here's what it's not designed to do... Unless that exists somewhere and I'm just missing it.

Anyway, I'll stop typing now... realize I'm not helping you one bit.

Lol nah bro its all good. I appreciate the help. Maybe i can clear it up this way - lets say you have 4 mpc essentials instances opened in logic.. Are all those instances tied to one MPC element sequencer when using song mode?

i didn't dig enough in it but i believe song mode is separated for each instance. That would make sense to me. Otherwise it would be a multitrack sequencer which is not... the multitrack sequencer is the full mpc software.