Elektrobolt wrote:Yeah, that seems to me like such an object is called multi for the reason that it contains multiple programs. Meaning, it's not a MIDI concept per se, but more an MPC type of object. It's like a rack module or DAW plugin (e.g. a VST) that can play multiple sounds at the same time.
If you've seen the conversations from the Program manager from Akai on Gearslutz... he's indicated there are 2 issue when it comes to MultTimberal Midi on the Akai.
You have routing.. and then you have to have each individual track able to receive and handle that route.
Yes, it's an MPC object, but it's an MPC Object that has been programmed what to do when Midi comes in.
Elektrobolt wrote:You say the multi-program is assigned a port and then the underlying units can fight for the channels? So I would classify this as a multi-timbral concoction.
I would as well, that's why it's not implemented like that. Nothing fights for anything. What the Multi Says is Midi Channel 1. Responds on Midi Channel 1. Doesn't matter if that is Track 1 or Track 10 or Track 99, or ALL of them. What Midi Channel that you select on your Track, is actually changing it on the Multi and Reading it from Mulit. The track is programmed to use Multi midi assignment for what Midi channel it responds on.
Your Sequence WILL NOT play anything unless you already have a Multi w/ program. It's completely integrated into everything. If you are on the "Main" screen:
In the Track Selection part, right below where it says Drum Program and Mute, you'll see the 2 Output's. Meaning that I can have 1 Track going to my internal Program and at the exact same time going to any of my external Midi ports that I select, so it can be playing 2 thing at the same time if wanted. And to the right of that you see Part: Program. - When you change what Program is selected on that track, it's actually changing the Part on the Multi. The Multi is fully integrated and required by the Sequencer and between the Multi and Sequencer Track sections you choose how to Route any specific individual track.
So for example, I can have my Controller coming in Midi Port In A going to my Track 1.
And then from my MPC 4k Main/Sequencer/Track screen I can route that specific input to ANY of my internal programs, or to ANY of my Midi Channels 1-16 on Midi Out's A --> D. Or both. So essentially I can choose my midi route's for any specific track on a per track basis. This requires the Multi for the internal routing to parts and sampler.
Then I can do the same thing to any of my 128 tracks in my sequence. I can also have Multiple Multi's and be able to embed a Program Change sequence to switch to a different Multi, so when I go to the Next Seq page (doesn't exist in the current One/Live/ZX product) and switch from Seq 1 (my song 1) to Seq 2 (my song 2), all the correct routings, program layout, Mixer settings, FX Settings, QLink Sequencer (another great concept that needs to be implemented in the One/Live/X line) are all exactly as I want them. Whether that be exactly the same as Seq 1 (don't change the Multi) or completely different by having it select a different Multi with different Mix/FX/Qlink/etc..
A very creative tool actually. Allowed on to be able to "play" in your track different instant FX & Mixer setting along with Qlink Step Sequences. Great for breakdowns and buildups and transitions. Sort of like the same concept at the I/F Variation on the TR 808 but on Steroids.
It was above most people's heads which turned a lot of people off of the 4k originally but can provide for some great flexibility never before seen in an MPC or MV or any other hardware sequencer. It helped for it to be a great Midi Hub. But that was because of the tight integration between the Multi , the Sequencer Track and the Midi Routing that is on the Global level.
Elektrobolt wrote:I sincerely hope that "multi-mode" is not "just" that. Multi-mode is the word that is used by Akai to address the concerns about the current and lacking MIDI implementation.
Akai hasn't been talking about Multi Mode at all. I have but Akai haven't. They've been talking about providing Multi Timbral Midi input. Whether they do that by adding a concept of a Multi or through some other method is yet to be seen. But I don't think the current NuKai developers even know what a Multi is, but I certainly wish they would.
Elektrobolt wrote:However, they also spoke of needing to implement a different underlying "core" and the 1-to-1 tracks prior to implementing multi-mode. I assume 1-to-1 means the need for more of a DAW concepts in terms of tracks. The core may be the concept of keeping track of watching ports and some other goodies. (I believe Akai said this core was mostly in place.)
I'm not sure about that. Here is what Dan the program manager indicated on GearSlutz about it:
disk streaming is going to be a 3.0 thing, because in 2.x there's no concept of a 1 to 1 track model, so it's a pile of confusion. for instance, seq 1 can be drums on track 3, then on seq 2 it could be on track 10, or completely different programs entirely.
3.0 will be a 1 to 1 model (like force is now). track 1, when you add a drum kit or plugin will then be on track 1 in all sequences. this is probably our #1 request, actually
Most DAW's don't require that the drum kit has to on track 1 and my minmoog bass HAS to be on track 2. That's what 1 to 1 track mode means. It actually removes some of the flexibility that is in the MPC products that people relied on, but also provides other nice features and benefits.
I'm not 100% convinced that I'm going to like the 1 to 1 track mode concept but we'll have to see how they actually implement it. If you're making only 1 song at a time on the MPC, I can only see benefits.
But if you use the MPC to play multiple songs in a row, that use completely different kits & track structures, I'm not sure how or even if it will be able to used like that.
For example on my Song 1 (Sequence 1), my first track is my bd, and my second track is the rest of my drum. kit and track 3 I have a bass and track 4 i have my lead
But the second Song (Sequence2) that I play, it has Track's 1-12 all playing each individual sound from a TR808. BD on 1, SD on 2, Clap on 3, etc... and track 14 is my bass and 15 is my lead.
With 1 to 1 Track Mode this isn't going to be possible.
I guess, all they are ensuring is that I can't sell my MP4k for a Live, it's just going to have to sit next to it.
You plugin concept is a good idea. Then they can also make a Sampler program and actually put some of features that the S5000/6000/Z4/Z8 have for a fully robust sampler to be implemented on the new product.