What new MPCs would you like to see 2014?

dazastah wrote:83dude how much do you side chain? and do you side chain things individually...
(ie you have a bass with a compressor on it which is sidechained.. you also have some pad sounds which have a comp on it which is side chained.. )

If you only sidechain a few things , you could load mpc as a plugin and use yr fav daw to side chain as all of the major daws now support sidechaining..

Let me reply with a picture:

you folks crack me up

In my opinion a new hardware MPC model will only work if the MPC model is updated from the sampling through to the sequencer. Both would need some serious 21st century updating to capture newbies. Alternatively, and much cheaper, I believe Akai should fully concentrate on the software (The Ren hardware is excellent imo). Make that sequencer the best hardware/software hybrid around and that will do an immense amount of good for Nukais Akai brand and garner them a lot of new users (people who would like to ditch their Daw sequencers for external midi for example).

Edit: And do some of you really get the implications of a new MPC hardware unit which im assuming would be their flagship model NOT being able to host VSTs? Its going to seem like a massive step backward is it not?

SimonInAustralia wrote:I don't want a new MPC in 2014.

It has taken them over a year to get MPC Software to where it is, they need to spend the next year getting it sorted, rather than concentrating on a new hardware MPC for a probable small number of MPC users/potential owners, who do not really know why they want a new hardware MPC, or what they want it to do.

I totally agree.
Work on the software. Fix, improve, enhance, make it bullet proof!

If a New MPC to replace the Ren/Studio did arrive I would simply hear a loud and clear "Nukai - we are totally flakey" and that would be it for me and this brand period.

Definitely work on the Ren till it's solid as heck.
Sure it's easier said than done but there are so many clues just on this forum regarding what would make the users happy. The Ren is pretty good already but with some improvements it would one of the dopest out there.

Still, I think there would be a demand for a standalone machine. We're all using our computers so ridiculously much, I bet there's a growing demand for a standalone unit that'd liberate the user from the laptop land.
A reasonably-sized machine with MPC-4000-like features, some up-to-date ones, all the good stuff from JJOSXL, a relatively fast CPU + the ability to export all tracks on a memory stick, and we'd have a sure hit.
I'll say whatever company's gonna drop one first will make a bit of money in the long run.

Akai could pull it off – they just need to do it and forget headphones, monitors, etc and step up with their marketing…I've been surprised how little of relevant marketing/videos featuring dope, Ren-endorsing producers there's been going on AFTER the Ren dropped (just see their FB page).
E.g., I emailed them about the pic where Q-Tip was with his Ren and MPC1000 (and Kendrick Lamar) but they didn't use that. Why? They should. Ableton did (he also has Push in the pic).

labcoats wrote:. Edit: And do some of you really get the implications of a new MPC hardware unit which im assuming would be their flagship model NOT being able to host VSTs? Its going to seem like a massive step backward is it not?

It is not a step backwards, VSTs will depend on an OS, probably a Microsoft OS , which will make the whole thing lumpen, latency ridden and expensive. Then they will also go out of date really rapidly too.

So if this is the trade off, I think life without integrated VSTs would be much better. I can imagine ppl only use 1 or 2 Vsts which are not the standard FX anyway. And you can always track thru a computer if you are really anal about Vsts.

Do you think NI will release a hardware Maschine, if they do release one, that does not host VSTs?

Maschine is a software controller, they can do whatever they like. This is about an MPC. I mean, Moog weren't getting all concerned about Vsts when they made the Subphatty. The hardware MPC is an creative music production instrument too, its not a computer.

Edit : Sorry, i misread your question. If NI does release a hardware Maschine that hosts Vsts, it'll have all the issues i mentioned above.

The rumor is out that NI might release a hardware Maschine. In my opinion, that might push Akai to compete.

NI would, also in my opinion, have to make a hardware Maschine run VSTs. That would be the competition to a new hardware MPC.

Would Akai release a hardware MPC without VSTs, in response to NI possibly having them in a hardware Maschine?

Would a hardware MPC, without VSTs, be seen as a flagship model, when the market probably now expects VSTs?

How would this happen?
Having vst in a hardware machine? I see either a windows/osx machine built in or a proprietary os with a universe of issues and compatibility problems.....I was looking at the muse receptor and even the vmachine, but after reading about the issues i just spent money on a mox6... Has anyone got any experience with either the receptor or vmachine?


I think that to concentrate on what they already have(their software) and if they do decide to release a all hardware machine, that this new machine works together with the software when a computer is involved... That way all legacy(studio/ren etc) will reap upgrades aswell...

They could avoid having a built in computer... And make the new controller house your existing computer/laptop.. (adjustable size compartment depending on what you have... ) i mean i'd assume the pro portability folks all have laptops... Of course the housing is a bonus.. meaning any computer would still work via usb/thunderbolt...

LZ Roberts wrote:

labcoats wrote:. Edit: And do some of you really get the implications of a new MPC hardware unit which im assuming would be their flagship model NOT being able to host VSTs? Its going to seem like a massive step backward is it not?

It is not a step backwards, VSTs will depend on an OS, probably a Microsoft OS , which will make the whole thing lumpen, latency ridden and expensive. Then they will also go out of date really rapidly too.

So if this is the trade off, I think life without integrated VSTs would be much better. I can imagine ppl only use 1 or 2 Vsts which are not the standard FX anyway. And you can always track thru a computer if you are really anal about Vsts.

Its a massive step backwards for people who became used to the Ren/Studio. I mean their just not going to switch to a hardware unit and lose all their VST functionality as well as easy tracking etc. You sound like someone who wants to use hardware - go for it. As for me, I dont even use my Ren. Its in its box. It may come out if a couple of things are fixed.

labcoats wrote:Its a massive step backwards for people who became used to the Ren/Studio. I mean their just not going to switch to a hardware unit and lose all their VST functionality as well as easy tracking etc.

Its really, really simple. Ren users just carry on using your controllers, don't switch, just stay using your computer, just the way you like it. . What's to say that a new hardware MPC couldn't be a controller for Ren Software too.

Us hardware fans still want our hardware tho. With no laggy lumpen PC OS in the mix.

labcoats wrote:You sound like someone who wants to use hardware - go for it. As for me, I dont even use my Ren. Its in its box. It may come out if a couple of things are fixed.

But if you don't use a Ren/Studio & you don't use Hardware MPCs but you want to use VSTs, why are you on an MPC forum. Won't a Logic, Live or Cubase forum be more for you.

Also, was speaking to someone whose set up a professional studio, no VSTs. He thinks they're not that good & says DSP is the way to go in computers, Like Powercore, Avid engines etc.

SimonInAustralia wrote:I don't want a new MPC in 2014.

It has taken them over a year to get MPC Software to where it is, they need to spend the next year getting it sorted, rather than concentrating on a new hardware MPC for a probable small number of MPC users/potential owners, who do not really know why they want a new hardware MPC, or what they want it to do.

Personally, I don't see much more being able to be done on a new hardware MPC that can't already be done on any current hardware MPC! Nothing that's gonna make another $2000+ purchase worth it!

LZ Roberts wrote:Also, was speaking to someone whose set up a professional studio, no VSTs. He thinks they're not that good & says DSP is the way to go in computers, Like Powercore, Avid engines etc.

Some guy always has an opinion of what he thinks is and isn't good! Another guy with a professional studio will say the complete opposite and another will say both are good while another will say both suck! The average listener doesn't care what the music was made on if the tune is good. If you make music for yourself and not for listeners, then use what works and sounds good for you, not for what some studio guy likes!

DJ Hellfire wrote:The average listener doesn't care what the music was made on if the tune is good. If you make music for yourself and not for listeners, then use what works and sounds good for you, not for what some studio guy likes!

I'd agree with that.

But, was just saying, don't get all hung up on VSTs, there's other ways of doing music.