Inspire me Akai!

I find the MPC software and hardware so tedious in its design and feel.

I love the workflow of tracks, programs etc but the rest is long winded and uninspiring.

I want Akai to get up to date and give us a new hardware/software solution that is simple, quick and inspiring.

22/1… fingers crossed.

1st off, I love my Ren and am thankful for what it allows me to do however, thinking into the future, if Akai can build an MPC which has a better soundcard with even more ins and outs (mainly outs), larger screen and software which contains everything ppl have been screaming out for on here then I will be the 1st to part with my hard earned money because that would be, by far, the greatest MPC/sampler EVER built.

I'm not even sure it's possible, even with the great Akai programmers and developers of the late 80's and 90's but if they pulled it off I'm in like Flynn!!!

Imagine an MPC (software based) with 16 outs, 4 midi ins, 4 midi outs, large colour screen (possibly touch screen), Z8 sample engine, audio tracks and direct recording, flexible mixer with busses and full automation, incorporated fx plugs ins from someone like Waves or UAD, CV to midi to control old hardware, hi quality built in pre-amp and I could go on..

I think you get the picture though

That would be fantastic and would probably retail around the 1500-2000 dollar/euro mark, but if it did what it said on the tin it would be a bonafide classic.

Do I see that happening though? Hmnnn, not for a while yet, however I do sense a paid upgrade on the horizon (2.0?) and if that delivered what we've been asking for within the software and more then the industry and Ren/Studio naysayers would have to re-assess things quick fast.

Anyway's, I'm happy they're still dishing out free upgrades and things are certainly moving in a positive direction so let's see what the future holds..

Overall I'm quite satisfied with the software with what it is today.
It samples, chops, sequences your samples and plugins.

Off course there are still a list of things that still needs to be addressed to make it what it needs to be. It was also a big fail they released it as unstable as it was with some important functions missing.

But to say it's uninspiring I have to disagree. Indeed, some workarounds to compensate some missing functions slows down the workflow compared to other software/ controller combo's. But for me (and others) there's still enough to lay down the basics as quickly as with my MPC2500 and going through the adding VST's and postproduction fase more efficiently. Off course it also depends on your workflow and how well you can match it with your DAW.

But when it comes down to the basic things a MPC does, no. I think it's not uninspiring at all.

Imagine an MPC (software based) with 16 outs, 4 midi ins, 4 midi outs, large colour screen (possibly touch screen), Z8 sample engine, audio tracks and direct recording, flexible mixer with busses and full automation, incorporated fx plugs ins from someone like Waves or UAD, CV to midi to control old hardware, hi quality built in pre-amp and I could go on..

I think you get the picture though

Are we so sure this isn't going to happen at NAMM?

I think they will... NO they have too. They can't keep people in suspense and come out with a product that has as little of impact as the Element did

if they unveil something wack.. it just shoes that their perception of what they think is cool is totally off.

Everything needs to change from the look of the hardware to those old school heads showcasing the Ren.. music is for every one

M-Chop wrote:
Are we so sure this isn't going to happen at NAMM?

I think they will... NO they have too. They can't keep people in suspense and come out with a product that has as little of impact as the Element did

if they unveil something wack.. it just shoes that their perception of what they think is cool is totally off.

Everything needs to change from the look of the hardware to those old school heads showcasing the Ren.. music is for every one

+1

M-Chop wrote:

Imagine an MPC (software based) with 16 outs, 4 midi ins, 4 midi outs, large colour screen (possibly touch screen), Z8 sample engine, audio tracks and direct recording, flexible mixer with busses and full automation, incorporated fx plugs ins from someone like Waves or UAD, CV to midi to control old hardware, hi quality built in pre-amp and I could go on..

I think you get the picture though

Are we so sure this isn't going to happen at NAMM?

I think they will... NO they have too. They can't keep people in suspense and come out with a product that has as little of impact as the Element did

if they unveil something wack.. it just shoes that their perception of what they think is cool is totally off.

Everything needs to change from the look of the hardware to those old school heads showcasing the Ren.. music is for every one

+2
We'll said. Akai definitely has to come out swinging and I have a good feeling they are.

I think the current Ren/Studio hardware is dope. Most of the complaints have been about the software and rightfully so. I think once the software has audio tracks (hopefully soon) the Ren/Studio will be a lot more flexible in a lot of setups.

Yep Ren is solid hardware in my opinion.
Even though I understand why people are drooling for a new controller hardware after being flashed with the design of the new maschine like cats freezing in front of car lights. The thing is sexy!

you be inspired from yourself not a piece of equipment. thats number one and todays beat makers are spoiled to the core, classic songs and albums were made with less equipment and features than what we have today. its nothing wrong with the mpc software is something wrong with you, people want more features and have less talent.

I agree on the hardware part.. The ren as a hardware control unit is better...
Audio i/o
usb hub..
16 qlinks


Yes the screen on the maschine studio is very nice, and has lots of feedback, fluid and smooth, but it's the software that's the key to the whole thing...

The maschine software 2.0 is a step up..

If the akai release new software(or updates) that has similar functions or more than maschine then they are in the market again.. That's its really.

maschine 2.0
has a global mixer
is multi core
can sidechain.
has metering for pads and groups
can route pad audio to other pads..
can be a multitimbral plugin slave


Mpc software
multiple sequences with diff tempos time sigs and track/pgm settings

Help me fill out the mpcs software advantages...

you be inspired from yourself not a piece of equipment. thats number one and todays beat makers are spoiled to the core, classic songs and albums were made with less equipment and features than what we have today. its nothing wrong with the mpc software is something wrong with you, people want more features and have less talent.

True, but let's stop that old cat routine as this is NOT the 80's anymore.
Back then they had no proper computers and there was nothing else so they had to make do.
These days we have a surplus of processing power on our computers so when Akai decides to make a MPC that uses a computer they SHOULD make sure the software is top notch and nothing less !
It's not like the Ren just came out, it's been there for a while now and still there is sign of actual planned improvements from Akai itself.
The same as with Impc, the iphone/ipad software that simply has no serious support and it looks like Akai produces hardware, a couple of updates that don't address all the issues and then move on ...

Where have we seen this before ? Oh yes, the MPC 5000 was treated the same and if that JJ guy didn't make his custom OS updates the whole MPC experience wouldn't have been the same today on the 1000 and 2500.

Besides, let's be real ... Back in the days them low bit samples with hissing noises was da bomb, but i doubt that same quality and complexity would make it these days ....
Don't underestimate the power of nostalgia, it can really add a lot of kudo's to something that wasn't always that great.


As for Maschine vs MPC. I think the race is won.
The Maschine Studio looks great, operates good and the NI software isn't perfect but it's lightyears ahead of Akai.
Now, do you honestly think Akai can regain first place on both fronts ?

As for Maschine vs MPC. I think the race is won.
The Maschine Studio looks great, operates good and the NI software isn't perfect but it's lightyears ahead of Akai.
Now, do you honestly think Akai can regain first place on both fronts ?

Well.. I think Akai could produce something to put them in the same conversation as Maschine,
but I think whatever they put out won't have any effect on Maschine, it will just give people more options when they are buying.

Maschine is like the FL Studio of controllers.. in terms of popularity and resources, it's the in thing rite now.

the on thing that makes me nervous is Akai's reputation.. and will they go all out for any new product or abandon it like MPC's in the past

they can unveil something amazing during Namm.. bug fixes.. software updates, new gui etc etc.. but I am sure there is a lot of folks who would go with N.I because of their solid track record

Exactly,I'm not sure who in their **** right mind would buy a new Mpc from Akai until,they prove they can support their current design.

For those of you are new to the Mpc game, this latest bunch from Numark have had a terrible record for support,to the point they just create a new product, and completely abandon their last,ask the Mpc 5k users.

They we're promised updates,which never happened.If this is up their sleeve again, I can bet a large number of us, that gave Akai another shot, will turn our backs forever,until they go belly up n lose it n are forced to sell.

The shit is about respect for the customer, just as much as it's about supporting the product.When a company gets as deep in this trust/non trust shit as akai has,it can only mean one thing, they change their ways and start supporting their products, or there will be a ton of mp users who finally abandon them right where they may lay.

Naaah too many People own and use their ren/studio...they know that, and its software based, makes it harder just to abandon...the full hardware like mpc5000, their like, u bought it, go f*** yourself,and,figure it out...with this is different, cuz its,software based and,they (should) wanna keep the software relevant,and keep improving...yes u can,download a os for your mpc...but still its,different...only thing im scared of is that It's gonna cost me lotta money to get the functions and possibilities, I initially bough it for...although I absolutely don't regret buying it...and it does inspire me,cuz its straight to the point and easy and fast,workflow...but yes I want moooooore

I don't see why they won't abandon the current users just because it's software based.
The Ren/studio's are paid for and that's all that matters, especially knowing that software updates cost money and don't make money.

Akai isn't serious anymore as it looks like it's merely a marketin front to sell cheap hardware that still relies on the MPC hardware only hype.
Just look at the MPC minute video's on Youtube man, it's hilarious to see 'producers' that act as if the Ren/Studio or Mpc fly is the bomb but it clearly shows they are seeing it for the first (and probably last) time and get paid to be esstatic about it.
Note how they also disabled the comment section which prevents people from leaving critical notes.
They rely on the silent treatment which has been clearly shown to the 5000 community and also the new IOS users that have a poor working Impc application.

On that sidenote, the IOS community truely is a cashpig as even Native Instruments is also jacking customers and adopts the Akai technique of giving customers the silent treatment when it comes to their crappy IMaschine app which is even worse than IMPC.
Looks like this new media platform can be very profitable with low priced software that is even easier to abandon as people can not rush back to guitar center and return their product.