Must we say goodbye to stand alone units?

If Roland would bring the MV line back I would pre-order no questions asked.....they just released a new keyboard workstation....why not an MV??

peace

I don't get this analogy:

... The thought of purchasing something that someone else beat up turns my stomach. Kind of like dating a girl after you know your friend has been with her. ...

I like used units and repairing them.
But it is you who broke up with your MPC1000...
I've never used MPC Ren, but I hope you'll be able to iron out the issue. I thought that audio interface compatibility issue is uncommon with MPC Ren, because Ren comes with audio interface integrated on the controller.
I like standalone unit, I feel that I can focus more (and there is no web browser to make me sidetracked.)
There's rumor that NI is developing standalone Maschine-type (should I say MPC type?) device, but I think hardware sequencer is niche market stuff now.

No doubt that computers offer a crazy amount of creative power but I will always have faith in these smaller companies (Elektron, etc) to make up where some of these bigger companies are lacking. At this point in time - that is just solid hardware (it seems).

On another note, the new sequencer from Arturia (BeatStep) keeps all the hardware people in mind. It's really cool to see such a small piece of gear interface with CV synths right out of it's 21st century box.

If anything, I think we're in a strange lul as far as music hardware goes. Everyone is chasing the dollar and since people are addicted to gadgets more than ever now, well, you start seeing more music-making shite made & placed on said gadgets. Of course recording to a computer is f*cking awesome but everything else that goes with it can be a headache.

Be brave, my brother. We've entered a strange consumer/market phase.

SukhDee wrote:Will MPC develop another stand alone unit that's worth getting?

Don't concern yourself with what Nukai are doing, because obviously them and all their affiliated network are pumping out shite controllers to try and put a stamp on the industry. It's all just landfill technology.

If you want something that caters to your needs, you need to scratch beneath the surface. Don't write off other manufacturers who are making hardware sequencers, and don't pass up on used MPCs in mint condition. If you get a bit germophobic about used gear, just change the pads and give the unit a thorough clean when you get it.

As we speak I am looking to sell my Ren so I can jump back to a mv8800 or 4000. For the simple fact that this software based mpc just doesn't come near to any hardware sampler/sequencer. I would of agreed with you 2 years ago but I think akai proved that software is not the answer to everything. Hardware will always be relevant.

InspectahEX wrote:As we speak I am looking to sell my Ren so I can jump back to a mv8800 or 4000. For the simple fact that this software based mpc just doesn't come near to any hardware sampler/sequencer. I would of agreed with you 2 years ago but I think akai proved that software is not the answer to everything. Hardware will always be relevant.

Yea you damn right its still relevant! HOPE Akai realizes this eventually. Would you ever hear someone say "I'm going to trade in my guitar for a MIDI guitar, and my sax for EWI," Hell NO!! Those things are nice options to play around with, but would hardly ever be considered replacements. I'd like to think of the MPC in the same way.

If we where to ever see another hardware MPC made, what types of features would you all want to see?

I'd like to see another portable MPC slim like the 500 but as big as the 1000

With a built in rechargeable lithium battery. Why not? The folks at BKE did it with the beat thang.

yea, i wouldn't even count on akai to put shit out anymore… if u wanna stand-alone go with the old shit, or bke, as much as i hate to say it, thats the only options.. if roland dropped a portable mv i would totally be down, i just don't think i could support a company with a bad track record again..

Ill-Green wrote:Don't believe the brain damaged cocksuckers that its an all software world now. Because hardware is steady climbing in demand. Thank Akai for their beta product that hardware will make a comeback.

Amen +1! I'd take a octatrack/hardware synth over any software. I see more and more people playing live with hardware around here. analog hardware synths are making a hell of a comeback

[quote="JVC"]I don't get this analogy:
[quote]... The thought of purchasing something that someone else beat up turns my stomach. Kind of like dating a girl after you know your friend has been with her. ...[/quote]
I like used units and repairing them.
But it is you who broke up with your MPC1000...
[/quote]

I tried replacing the pads on my unit and now the jog wheel is messed up. So I've just had a bad experience with repairing units. If the wheel was never messed up I would never have gotten something new. Although, I wish I got something used or a stand lone units sometimes. Other times I'm loving my Ren. The bugs still need to be worked out of this unit and I honestly think that there will always be issues when trying to digitally integrate hardware with software.

I just put my deposit down on an Elektron RYTM. I let my money do the talking and I like seeing companies like elektron still being faithful to the hardware users. If this works out I may get an analog 4 later on.

elektron is some good stuff. nobody will be happy with everything however. my monomachine is one that takes a while to get used to... no presets and not overly intuitive. still learning it after 9 months or so.

Computers will continue to get smaller and more constantly cloud integrated. Pretty soon you will be playing in a virtual reality band with others over the internet using holographic instruments.

godxbOmb wrote:Computers will continue to get smaller and more constantly cloud integrated. Pretty soon you will be playing in a virtual reality band with others over the internet using holographic instruments.

Haven't people been saying that for 20 years?

It's high time that internet speeds and allowed bandwidth was boosted.
Having my audio projects saved in the cloud? Nah. My ISP would hate my data usage, it would take hours to save my stuff... Not happening.

Security in the cloud? Nah. Every month I hear of a breach and everyone having to change their passwords or something.
If your data is online it is vunerable. No getting round that.

Jamming online?
Better make sure you're not trying to do it at peak times or when your neighbours decide to download or upload summat large, like their cloud data.

Dunno man.... This cloud revolution seems to be a long, long way away to me. Maybe in 20 years will the infrastructure be ready... But still no getting away from security issues.