Interview With Roger Linn

... nukai is pretty late to the party, i have a feeling ren only came to fruition because ni maschine was eating their shares...so nothing really innovative there but at least they did a better job at it.. as for a true hybrid with standalone, i agree that would be dope, although as you know nothing revolutionary there either:

it's kind of sad when you expect the future to look like 2007

daftmunk wrote: it's kind of sad when you expect the future to look like 2007

Hey! The MV is still a classic!

maybe roland will surprise everybody and pull out a MV Renaissance

MPC-Tutor wrote:The MPC4000 is the classic example of an additive evolution based on user feature requests. I remember the forums at the time, 'we want a proper sampler', 'we want a bigger screen' etc. So seemingly without question, these features were added to the MPC blueprint. The result, as you say, was an overly complicated, buggy MPC, which I would also point out was very large, heavy and incredibly costly.

I think the passage of time paints a different picture with certain gear on rare occasions. While the 4K is without a doubt an 'additive evolution' of a product line, its OS (at 1.71) is testament to the programmers of the time. It's far easier to use and way more fluid than the urban myth on this site claims of it, plus JJ has jacked huge chunks of the OS and repackaged it as his own.

The size is purely subjective. At first I thought it was pretty huge, but in reality it's not that much bigger than a turntable... just a few inches extra all around. My turntable also weighs more. As a studio piece the size is perfect for my needs, but you can't just throw it in a backpack and head to the beach to make beats like some people want to!

MPC-Tutor wrote:For example, rather than effectively bolt on a Z series sampler, they should have realised that many MPC users would find that far too complicated, so should have instead considered more creative ways to incorporate more advanced sampling features into the MPC OS that were more in-line with the MPC user's way of thinking.

MPC users shouldn't be tarred with the brush of needing simple tools for the job. When manufacturers release studio gear aimed at specific genres of music as an example (burger kangs with their over emphasis on 'urban' styles) I tend to lose interest. It just happens that Akai threw everything at the 4K and turned a simple phrase sampler into something much more capable and not overly complex to use. Even if it failed for the company, I'm glad they stuck their neck out and pumped money into the development of it because it's a ****' great machine!

daftmunk wrote:..
it's kind of sad when you expect the future to look like 2007

Or 2002

dryad-66 wrote:

daftmunk wrote:..
it's kind of sad when you expect the future to look like 2007

Or 2002

or 1983...

JAH wrote:But he doesn't get a pass today because he is legendary for what he did.... He needs to deliver what he got 'us' so hyped up for back in 2007....a new sampler that boasts to go beyond what other companies are doing.

LOL what? And Nukai dosnt? Quintessential JAH right here.

crossings wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:

daftmunk wrote:..
it's kind of sad when you expect the future to look like 2007

Or 2002

or 1983...

Or 1979...

JAH wrote:When the MPC 4000 was released...it could be argued that it was an innovative, technically advanced MPC far beyond any MPC ever-built. The sampler was equally or more powerful than any standalone sampler at the time.

When the Tempest analog drum machine was released...it could be argued that it was an innovative, technically advanced analog drum machine far beyond any analog drum machine ever-built. The drum synthesizer engine was equally or more powerful than any standalone synthesizer at the time.

JAH wrote:This applies to all companies and not just isolated to Akai. What innovations are Roger Linn bringing to the table today? Can anyone say with a straight face that the Tempest is innovative? To me it is simply a Dave Smith synth with a Roger Linn sequencer..

To me, an MPC4000 is simply an Akai Z8 rackmount sampler with a Roger Linn sequencer.

How is that any more "innovative and technologically advanced" than what the Tempest is doing?

JAH wrote:These new MPCs may never be looked at as innovative. But if they add they functions that users want...is that a bad thing? That is a good thing in my opinion.

So, if the new MPC's are not innovative, why are you not going on a similar rant about Akai not being innovative?

JAH wrote:I think he doesn't fully understand what MPC users today want as the Tempest doesn't even come close. While it may be sought after in some genres...but it really is a boring product IMO.

He makes an analog drum machine, and you are surprised that it doesn't come close to an MPC?

Do you understand the difference between an analog drum machine and an MPC, and the different markets for each?

It is a really boring product to you, because it is not an innovative new MPC (like Akai's innovative new MPC's?), yet it is sought after in some genres, you know, those that utilize analog drum machines rather than sampling drum machines.

I would see that as being successful, that he fully understands what analog drum machine users today want as the Tempest seems to come close, and as you say is sought after in the genres where that sort of instrument is used. You are obviously not it's target market, and users in those genres would most probably see it as innovative.

jah, we get it... you aren't his target market... let's move the topic along now.

Dude isn't a god, but I do have mad respect for him considering he (and others) designed a piece of hardware that allows me to produce in a way I find so creative and enthralling. Its not a 1:1 comparison, but wouldn't painters have mad love for the dude that stretched the first canvas? Can't speak for everyone, but dude gave me a tool that allows me to express myself... Something I'll always be grateful for. I don't feel like he owes me anything else right now, just like Neil Armstrong didn't owe us to land on mars after he did the moon.

I would fault him more if he made empty promises or was shooting off at the mouth a lot. But he made some dope machines I respect him for, he seems like an on the level musician trying to make stuff hes into/wants to play with. I think the mix of his practical vision of production with highly expressive instruments is what's leads to his "occult status" with some people. I'm not on dudes dick, but I dont think he is overhyped. Its not really a cult following, more of an appreciation that some people take to far IMHO.

Rather than a $600 modern sampling workstation, give me a $2k-3k one and make it worth every cent. I want solid construction, excellent electronic components, good pads, good screen, nice knobs.....the Apple approach. Make it feel like an instrument rather than a toy that has tact switches break after 6 months of daily use. Yes....I do basically want a modern day MPC 3000

A saint? well, he is a kind of a saint when we talk about business cause since the shit that happen with AKAI he resist to sell his ass to another one of the "big names" and stays true to himself. To me THIS is the main reason I really have respect for this dude.


peace

some people on these forums want a man to invent the wheel twice. respect him for his undeniable accomplishments and leave it at that. i swear... it's like some people fail to realize they wouldn't even be here on this forum if it wasn't for his invention. the irony is overwhelming.

crossings wrote:some people on these forums want a man to invent the wheel twice. respect him for his undeniable accomplishments and leave it at that. i swear... it's like some people fail to realize they wouldn't even be here on this forum if it wasn't for his invention. the irony is overwhelming.

Well put. Linn comes across as a very smart man who is not out there to please the masses. He is staying true to what I have heard COUNTLESS times on these boards, "just do you, homie.'' He is doing just that and doing it well.