Will JJ ever bless us xl users?

happyhour wrote:After just seeing the Sounds4samplers, I think it was a 500, youtube tutorial on mutes groups, that's the only hack, if it's even possible, that I wish someone would come through with on the 2k. Of course there are other features that would be dope but that's at the top of my "need" list. That and really needing a high pass filter.

What's stopping some genius from doing what JJ or Mansell have done? Someone break that down for me. I know ****'s scientific and all. haha

I think its something to do with JJ having access to the source code of the Operating System used on 1000 and 2500 models. Because the hardware is proprietary I suspect it would be nigh on impossible to write another operating system from scratch.

Even if JJ wanted to he'd need a starting point to create operating systems for other models - and having the source code to any 'professional' product (even Akai's godawful OS) gives you the ability to do some serious stuff.

I know I'm a newbie here, but something about this baffles me.

Without knowing the full story behind the JJos I have to wonder tho. Why woul Akai allow one person access to the source code for their sampler, specially if that said person is making money of it. Why not make the alternative OS's themselves, why this particualr person why only these OS's and so on.

This is not to accuse anyone of anything it just is tad weird that's all. I mean there are really not that many scenarios for this.

a.) the source code was given to him by Akai, for some reason we will never know.
b.) He got his hands on the source code in a less than legal way. If so, why is Akai allowing it to go on?
c.) He reverse engineered the code to a degree where he could gain access to change certain functions in a low level programming enviroment.

I cannot really come up with more ways it is possible right now. so, incase of

a.) Why did AKai supply only him with the source code and why not for all machines?
b.) Alright, this would explain the lack of JJos for other members of the family, but how on earth is he getting away with in that case.
c.) If this is the case then the same could be done to other OS's. Unless the code is somehow REALLY different and cannot be reverse engineered as easily.

Anyone with more knowledge about the background of it all, is free to educate me on this.

The best way to do anything about this would be to get AKAI to relese the source code to the open. (under the proper licence ofcourse, so no one is getting rich of their code). And then ruffle up some harcore programmers to do their thing.
Which in turn could lead into other lovely discoveries. Such as lifting the 32mb memory limit to say 64mb. The hardware itself should be able to support this. I did not have the patience to dig out all the specs sheets for the motherboard chipsets to confirm this. However it's my gut feeling that the limit is imposed by the OS and not the hardware. Again feel free to correct me on this point if you know better

If Akai really doesn't want to further develop the OS for legacy gear, then let the users do it. I would not get my hopes up for it, but unless we/someone tries, we will never know.

Oh yeah, greets to everyone on these boards

EDIT:
As I predicted I got schooled via PM. I did some reading and backtracking on the subject and to make the long story short, it seems that the following took place in a galaxy not far from you.

Akai JPN contracted a firm to do their OS software development for them. JJ was a employe in this company and worked on some of the OS's, mainly the 1000 and the 2500. AKAI JPN went belly up and the contract was terminated. AKai US, re-instated the contract, but after a short while of development they also stopped paying for the dev work. So the Japanese software developer said goodbye to Akai.

Now this is my speculation: Since the software company in Japan never was fully paid for the 1000 and the 2500 OS's, they are still in control of parts of the code (and which is propably why no legal action is taken either). Also since JJ was working on those said programs, he knows the machine inside out and can code his own.

The good and the bad news then?
Well the good news are that the same company also developed the OS on MPC2000, MPC2000XL, and the MPC4000.
The bad news: Either JJ was not working on those projects and does not know enough about the code and the machines for it to be worth while (since he has said there will be no 2k JJos). Or it is the fact that AKAI actually paid for all that work and owns the said source code.

In any case, the two options for obtaining the source code for the 2k/XL is the japanese company that wrote it (mainly JJ's boss) and AKAI who also has the source code.

So, if the there is no miracle in form of a AKAI update or them relesing the code to the public (which I doubt since there would be a mass of hacked OS versions, and that would lead to a lot of complaining again). I see no viable way to "easily" add features to it.

You are missing one crucial point here Sabotage:

If AKAI releases the source code for the XL, and let's say that we get 64MB of RAM, global edit controls and other blessings, believe me, this will immediately mean the death of all NUKAI's, i.e. 1k, 2.5k and the 5k.

Nobody will want to buy a NUKAI. They will all go after the XL, because it will be the only AKAI machine that will have features of both worlds, i.e. nice sound and groove of the legacy Linn models, superb built quality and functions of the 2.5k. And since they will not manufacture any new pieces to sell, all the revenue from the hype will go to the second market, which means zero profits for NUKAI.

That is the main reason why the source code of the XL (and also the 4K - rival to any future products of NUKAI like the 5k), is kept and secured as the most treasured asset of NUKAI.

I`m waiting for ronan....

Who the fcuk is ronan?

that marvel guy below... hope he annihilates this thread.

kebzer wrote:
If AKAI releases the source code for the XL, and let's say that we get 64MB of RAM, global edit controls and other blessings, believe me, this will immediately mean the death of all NUKAI's, i.e. 1k, 2.5k and the 5k.

Not at all!

I sold my XL earlier this year after owning it for 10 years, and there's no way I would go back to it after using the 2500. It's in a different league to the XL in almost every department.

I have the 2000xl and the 2500 with JJOS 2 and don't plan to get rid of either.

T7 wrote:I have the 2000xl and the 2500 with JJOS 2 and don't plan to get rid of either.

knock on wood! !! !!

While it seems tempting to believe the evil marketing schemes (which to a extent are true and a common part of many hardware business models, mobile phones for example. The tech is there but, there is no phone that has it all.)

I'm willing to bet that the amount of good will generated by such a act would out weigh the potential loss of revenue. The amount of used units in circulation is limited, Even if people would want one, there simply are no more of them than the originally produced amount, that Akai already has made their money on. And if the demand sky rockets, so will the prices, and eventually supply will go down. Just look at the SP1200 or the almighty 808. It's not that we would not like one, just that the price and supply keep them out of the average Joe's hands. Besides, if the demand is high enough what is stopping Akai from starting production again? (other than the eventual lack of components).

Even if Akai would relese the source, the stuff you can make the XL do is limited by it's now antique hardware. Sure there are things that could be fixed, but the reason Akai did not do this was that they had a new model in the pipeline and would not spend money on developing few new features for the old one. It simply does not make sense from a business point of view. This is also (like you said) to further give the customer a push to move to the next model.

For example, the RAM limit I spoke of is purely speculation. It may or may not be OS related. Even if that neat trick would be possible, it's still shy from what todays models offer. And even more so for the next generation of MPC's. I fully understand your point about moving product. Why should one buy a new sampler if the old one is doing just fine. Well the new hardware features for one and you forget the gearlust we producers often fall victims to. Then there are those that don't even want a new sampler, they are happy with their gear, untill it eventually dies or your kids spill soda on it or...

At that point the good will and brand loyalty comes to play. If the company did what they could and made sure that your experience with your past hardware was the best possible. Then you are more likely to buy their gear again, no? Todays global market place offers us so many alternatives that it is now more important than ever to keep your loyal customer base happy. And that often boils down to the small things, like a good experience with support rep. etc.

I'm not saying that this would be solely dependant on releasing the source code of a old OS to the user base. But I think it would do Akai more good than harm in the long run.

Sabotage wrote:I'm willing to bet that the amount of good will generated by such a act would out weigh the potential loss of revenue.

agreed! if only akai saw it this way...

Fatt Laced wrote:

T7 wrote:I have the 2000xl and the 2500 with JJOS 2 and don't plan to get rid of either.

knock on wood! !! !!

A mint condition 3000 is the only thing that will make me part with the 2000xl.

Maxillaa wrote:I`m waiting for ronan....

I think you meant Rohan!

T7 wrote:A mint condition 3000 is the only thing that will make me part with the 2000xl.

I still wouldn't part with my XL. Even for the black 3000LE which i have always wanted.

Sabotage, your thoughts are on point but NUKAI has more than once proven to all of us that they simply don't give a **** about reputation anymore. Just look at the mess caused with the faulty 1k and the crippled 5k.

kebzer wrote:Sabotage, your thoughts are on point but NUKAI has more than once proven to all of us that they simply don't give a **** about reputation anymore. Just look at the mess caused with the faulty 1k and the crippled 5k.

You forgot the buggy 500 too....but thats why u just gotta keep your eyes on the used market for parts and just for a total replacement. The 2000xl w/ card reader mod + Live 8 is all i need to get the job done.

Worst case scenario if the 2000xl became extinct, i would cop a 2500 for a reasonable price and use that. But for the price 2000xls are getting dropped down to with the used market and bad economy....you can pick up one for about 300 now.

Everything else nukai I would stay away from..