mpc 2.5 lets talk about it

CharlesRandolph wrote:

MagiLox wrote:While it's not a traditional "MPC", let's not count out the Akai Force. I think it falls in-between the "MPC Live/X" and the "next MPC". I think the Force is the signal from Akai that they are moving everything back inside the device for more intimate workflows. When you look at Akai's product line, they literally cover all the bases. They have a DAW...they have the controllers; studio, ren...the hybrid; Live\X....and now the "New" standalone; The Force.

So I wouldn't be surprised if the next new device is a larger "Force," something the size of the X, that works like the force that also supports MPC 3.0. In essence, you'd have a standalone workstation that you could write entire songs in and then go post production in their MPC software environment without leaving the workstation. Alleviating the need for a 3rd party DAW.

The Force is built more as a live performance/DJ pieces. It's an updated version of the long forgotten. Akai Remix 16. LOL Personally, it would be a suicide mission to try and put everything in the box. Desktop and Laptop computers have more power, capability and they're much cheaper.

Akai best bet, is to create a fully integrated system. Where all their gear fully talks to each other. Until then, their just release random pieces of gear. If the MPC X is the flagship device, all the gear they release show connect to it, and the MPC X should be able to control them all.

Akai Remix 16, my goodness the sequencer on this was horrible. LOL

You may be right, but I just get the feeling that Akai is onto something with the Force. Yes, it does have performance tool written all over it, but I'm sure Akai could make the OS easily more adaptable for studio production while shoving it in a MPC X housing.

Desktops\Laptops are more powerful indeed, but there isn't a single 1:1 experience on such a device. Everyone needs some 3rd party controller, midi translation software, and all other forms of magic to tame that world.

The Force just seems like the smart move because the hardware is one to one with the software. Will it have limits? Of coarse! But, still the concept of this device is so good that I can't imagine them not releasing a more "studio," iteration of the Force

MagiLox wrote:You may be right, but I just get the feeling that Akai is onto something with the Force. Yes, it does have performance tool written all over it, but I'm sure Akai could make the OS easily more adaptable for studio production while shoving it in a MPC X housing.

Desktops\Laptops are more powerful indeed, but there isn't a single 1:1 experience on such a device. Everyone needs some 3rd party controller, midi translation software, and all other forms of magic to tame that world.

The Force just seems like the smart move because the hardware is one to one with the software. Will it have limits? Of coarse! But, still the concept of this device is so good that I can't imagine them not releasing a more "studio," iteration of the Force

The software, cpu, ram, and storage inside the Force, is the same inside the Live and X. The only difference is the UI. In the next couple of updates for the LIve/X. We'll see where they are going. These updates will be the building block for the next MPC Hardware.

the remix 16 is one of my favorite akai samplers.. i use it all the time (even with the live) .... what sequencer? oh.. right that button press recorder .. that was total crap. I am not even sure what they thought that would do. It makes the boss roland SP sequencers seem amazing.

I really like the s20 as well, but it doesn't have the two pitch faders.

mr_debauch wrote:the remix 16 is one of my favorite akai samplers.. i use it all the time (even with the live) .... what sequencer? oh.. right that button press recorder .. that was total ****. I am not even sure what they thought that would do. It makes the boss roland SP sequencers seem amazing.

I really like the s20 as well, but it doesn't have the two pitch faders.

That Four-track sequencer.

CharlesRandolph wrote:The software, cpu, ram, and storage inside the Force, is the same inside the Live and X. The only difference is the UI. In the next couple of updates for the LIve/X. We'll see where they are going. These updates will be the building block for the next MPC Hardware.

Yeah, I do agree that what we see now and in the near future will setup the next MPC. I really want to pickup the X, but it's already almost 2 years old and software always makes the hardware obsolete. So I'm worried about getting it and they drop something comparable early 2020.

As much as I like working with the Live, especially it's sequencer, I'm just about tired of working in multiple softwares. If the MPC software is not on par or beyond Logic, I won't be making the jump to Live's version 2. Though there are only a handful of shortfalls, I'm worried they may be more difficult & take longer to implement than I can wait for.

My dream instrument is still a Live with the power, speed & ability to run virtual instruments (including multi-output drum VIs). I can't imagine it happening, but a Live with the equivalent of a top end Mac Mini inside... I'd pay for that.

Bezo wrote:As much as I like working with the Live, especially it's sequencer, I'm just about tired of working in multiple softwares. If the MPC software is not on par or beyond Logic, I won't be making the jump to Live's version 2. Though there are only a handful of shortfalls, I'm worried they may be more difficult & take longer to implement than I can wait for.

My dream instrument is still a Live with the power, speed & ability to run virtual instruments (including multi-output drum VIs). I can't imagine it happening, but a Live with the equivalent of a top end Mac Mini inside... I'd pay for that.

I have a very similar view. I like my Live but looking at the road with it so far and where I arrived now, I think I'd still be happy to swap out the MPC for another Octatrack because the Live, with all its possibilities, only sees occasional use due to workflow-slowing issues: excessive menu diving (at least for me) with loads of lost space on many screens, the Q-Link debacle in 2.4 or the HDD mount problem in 2.2, to name only a few. In fact, owning a Live has taught me that I don't trust Akai Pro to deliver what I consider quality software except by chance. Hell, I have more faith in Elektron delivering Overbridge than Akai delivering a great MPC
My dream instrument is something between the Live and the Force with a much cleaner workflow, made by another company more focused on quality and UX design, like NI or Ableton. I'd pay a hefty amount for that
MPC Live MKII by Akai ? No thanks.

toodee wrote:

Bezo wrote:As much as I like working with the Live, especially it's sequencer, I'm just about tired of working in multiple softwares. If the MPC software is not on par or beyond Logic, I won't be making the jump to Live's version 2. Though there are only a handful of shortfalls, I'm worried they may be more difficult & take longer to implement than I can wait for.

My dream instrument is still a Live with the power, speed & ability to run virtual instruments (including multi-output drum VIs). I can't imagine it happening, but a Live with the equivalent of a top end Mac Mini inside... I'd pay for that.

I have a very similar view. I like my Live but looking at the road with it so far and where I arrived now, I think I'd still be happy to swap out the MPC for another Octatrack because the Live, with all its possibilities, only sees occasional use due to workflow-slowing issues: excessive menu diving (at least for me) with loads of lost space on many screens, the Q-Link debacle in 2.4 or the HDD mount problem in 2.2, to name only a few. In fact, owning a Live has taught me that I don't trust Akai Pro to deliver what I consider quality software except by chance. Hell, I have more faith in Elektron delivering Overbridge than Akai delivering a great MPC
My dream instrument is something between the Live and the Force with a much cleaner workflow, made by another company more focused on quality and UX design, like NI or Ableton. I'd pay a hefty amount for that
MPC Live MKII by Akai ? No thanks.

I love that Akai is actively & frequently supporting this last round of products. I just wish they'd released a more modern feature set initially. I'm surprised they didn't up the ante with the Force, but I assume it's more profitable to release products sooner and update or release a better version later.

Maybe because I use the Live differently than many here, I haven't come across the issues I've heard about. My issue is the absence of desired, more modern features. But I recognize I'm usually comparing the Live & software to more specialized products. The combo is a unique, feature rich one with no comparables.

I'd be torn feeling they could've done similar the 1st time, but I'd likely jump on a Live MK2 if it were as I described.

I agree with you. I would never use the Software Akai DAW because I don't feel its up to par. I will Continue to use Reason 10 for my Music making DAW and secondary Studio One 3.5.6, that's all I need. I know how to use the Akai Software, but it doesn't open my plugins but I don't worry nor complain, I just won't use it.

Bezo wrote:As much as I like working with the Live, especially it's sequencer, I'm just about tired of working in multiple softwares. If the MPC software is not on par or beyond Logic, I won't be making the jump to Live's version 2. Though there are only a handful of shortfalls, I'm worried they may be more difficult & take longer to implement than I can wait for.

My dream instrument is still a Live with the power, speed & ability to run virtual instruments (including multi-output drum VIs). I can't imagine it happening, but a Live with the equivalent of a top end Mac Mini inside... I'd pay for that.

What I love about Akai right now is they are doing something! Not just sitting around, they are actually making moves. I said this a while back,

Danoc wrote:...but it doesn't open my plugins but I don't worry nor complain, I just won't use it.

I've seen you say that before. Odd. Did you set the locations of your plugins in the Plugin section of the Preferences and scan for them? Be sure to locate AU & VST versions, and any external drives with related samples just in case.

Not fussed about cramming every daw like feature. The current wish list that has been discussed as in the development roadmap sounds good to me....

1. Disk streaming
2. Automation lanes
3. Multi midi timbirality
4. Arranger mode.

Do the above well and this is my dream machine. I have a deluge as well...so the combination is amazing. Deluge being my sketchpad for the mpc, only missing feature for this combo to perfect is the multi midi stuff.

Bezo wrote:

Danoc wrote:...but it doesn't open my plugins but I don't worry nor complain, I just won't use it.

I've seen you say that before. Odd. Did you set the locations of your plugins in the Plugin section of the Preferences and scan for them? Be sure to locate AU & VST versions, and any external drives with related samples just in case.

Yes sir! But when I get a chance Ima try again.

CharlesRandolph wrote:Yeah I have same feeling.
I was surprised by Force, I expected a Live2 with more Ram and a different buttons organization.
I guess in a year they will come out with a new Mpc, maybe with 3.0 software.

[/quote]

Yes, and the MPC Live and X are really the MKII version of Touch and Renaissance. At this point they are not even manufacturing the LIVE/X any more. What the Akai Force did was help use up back-stock parts. The goal should be to, continue to update the software.

Also get new customers to buy it for $200 US and have existing customers to update for $99 US. I wouldn't be surprised when the next MPC drops, that they charge current live/X users to upgrade. Just like Touch/Renaissance users had to.[/quote]

How do you know that "At this point they are not even manufacturing the LIVE/X any more"

robleighton22 wrote:Not fussed about cramming every daw like feature

This...
I've said it before and I'll say it again, 2.3 was what I needed, the built in synths. At this point, there is very little that I think is "needed", and I don't want them to worry about going too far down the DAW rabbit hole. we are working with limited horsepower, we don't need everything, AND the box that we are working in forces various levels of creativity. I'd look at the Digitakt for possible growth/options, but I wouldn't approach Ableton with lusty eyes.

With that said, I would be interested in the future, there being an upgrade *hardware* that is designed to incorporate recording vocals, and has a more Ableton like view *option* for looking at the Tracks/lanes of a song. And that's not me complaining about how it is now.
- Unreall