is there hope?

ok i dont know if its just me but the fx in the 4k suck big time they're terrible. even after fixing the levels in the new OS
i just had to let that out.
does anyone know if they can be replaced with an os update or r they built-in algorithms in the hardware. i got external fx racks and thats what i am using all the time. but a machine of such potential should have descent fx right?
anyway its a shame if it cant be fixed.
let me know if u know more. tnx in advance
peace

kifak scizz


I don't really know if the effects are hardware or software for sure, but I'd think they are software

we would have to ask maybe to Blue Haze (member of the forum) who knows "the great Naoya" who is an engineer at Akai Pro in Japan...

I think that most people had unrealistic expectations of the efx. In the years that I've been producing I havent seen any keyboard or drum machine that sounds anywhere close to a dedicated effects unit. Most people I now either use outboard effects or use the effects in their recording programs. Companies like Waves,TC Electronics,and Lexicon are known for their quality effects not Akai. I would just keep using my outboard effects,and say screw it.

^i guess you've never used an asr 10? a machine from 1992 beats all akai effects.... face it akai is just a half ass company that can make a good sequencer, that's about it. You would think for a $2-$3,000.00 machine you could get some decent effects. On top of that, it doesn't even load my old 2000xl beats!!! They need to upgrade the o.s. to do some better shit QUICKER than these 9 month span weak ass o.s. updates.

dj mastermind wrote:^i guess you've never used an asr 10? a machine from 1992 beats all akai effects.... face it akai is just a half **** company that can make a good sequencer, that's about it. You would think for a $2-$3,000.00 machine you could get some decent effects. On top of that, it doesn't even load my old 2000xl beats!!! They need to upgrade the o.s. to do some better **** QUICKER than these 9 month span weak **** o.s. updates.

not really fair to say since the effects on the asr-10 derive from ensoniq's own dedicated effects board.

i dont give a shit where or what they derived it from. akai can "derive" it out there asses for all i care. just put them in the mpc.

I think the FX development tends to get a backseat in the grand scheme of things. TYPICALLY, people don't buy a sampler for it's FX. Filters, yes, memory, yes, timing, sure....but FX usually are towards the end of the list. People don't expect great FX on new samplers...that's where the real problem is.

Thats rubbish dude! I want quality stuff.
What a lame excuse that is.. Just listen to yourself.. better get up and crawl into Akai's but!

THE FX ARE COOL IN MY OPINION. THE ONLY THING I WOULD HAVE LIKED IS THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO DEDITCATE A SINGLE EFFECT TO TO A CERTAIN PAD IN THE PAD MIXER INSTEAD OF DRAWING FROM THE FOUR BANKS DEAL (A,B,C,D OR AB,CD THING) THE NUMBER ONE KEY TO FX IS THAT YOU GOTTAH KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.... HOW MUCH TO PUT IN... THE WET TO DRY RATIO. IF YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO USE THE FX PROPERLY YOUR SHIT WILL ALWAYS SOUND LIKE SH!T.
QUIT BITCHIN

You know it really depends on the kind of music that you are doing.

In some genres, you really don't need these ultra lush, transparent reverbs with creamy tails and tons of eq options. In other genres, the effects are such an important element that they need to be high quality. You can't expect to get a Lexicon quality reverb out of ANYTHING other than a Lexicon unit. Even the lowly MPX-1 has a dedicated chip for reverb...and would argue that it sounds nearly identical to the reverb on the PCM series stuff (which are much more expensive).

In truth, the effects on the MPC are not awesome...but since most people are doing urban stuff...they are good enough to get through pre production.


Quaz

misterv, tamam kheii (im fine my brother)
maybe we should ask Blue Haze, it wont hurt to know if it is possible to change these shty fx or even if akai is planning to.

AWW NAWW, u still need to develop ur ears, u probably dont have outboard fx units like a lexicon or tc m-one. 4k fx suck HEAVILY.

quaznizi4, what do u mean
"but since most people are doing urban stuff...they are good enough to get through pre production."
like urban music dont need quality fx????????????????
thats such an insult.

but i think its true about ppl buying samplers not mainly for fx, and that's the problem.

i hope we can get improvements in future os updates, i know they cant get them to sound like $3000 fx but at least something i can work with and not feel guilty later cos i couldve avoided it.

peace

also, what is "Urban Music" never heard of that Genre before... ?

misterv wrote:kifak scizz


I don't really know if the effects are hardware or software for sure, but I'd think they are software

we would have to ask maybe to Blue Haze (member of the forum) who knows "the great Naoya" who is an engineer at Akai Pro in Japan...

The Great Noah?

I dont even think the 4ks fx where design for what you are trying to compare them with. I think these fx where put in for an idea of what one could do. this is a pro peice of gear wich means that more than likly people who buy them use other pro peices of gear. Im sure all of the big dogs that use it dont even truk with the fx on her unless its to get an idea like a doodle on a sketch pad. I think people just look for excuses to use for why there shit doesnt sound tight. when the reality is its them. I use to think the same thing. I thought that if I went out and bought the mpc2000 that myshit would shine like the big boys. well it did step up from my dr550 but I was still lacking and the only thing that corrected that was practice and making note of wht I did right and wrong in a song. Now I can go back to old gear and still get somethin krunk.

The only reason I step up to the 4k was 1) more sample time a whole lot more 2) the ability to use a shit load of programs all at once 3) the tilt big screen and 4) mixer automation

everything else has just been on big plus after another

well you think the fx are shitty.. I guess by now a days standard its fair to say they arn't great ;), but they are defenatly usable.. I like the: house reverb on drums, I like the very bright digital distortion, the delays are fine, the phaser&flanger are a bit trikier to get into the mix and well ok are rathar weak "note>you can create thouse fx manualy".. but yeah you are right, over all it sound no-where nearly as warm or rich as say my ensoniq DP4

look at it this way: >the option of choice< do u want "shitty-can reverb" or do u want quality reverb, do u want cristal distortion or do u want it gritty. I might use a rich reverb (DP4)on a vocal but a cheap one on say the bongos, and you know what: it sound real nice like that!.. in the mix nothing sounds out of place if you know where to place it!..

and to be fair no other range of samplers comes close to the asr fx section .. even the 4-500$ efx crad for the ultras had daft reverb.. even fx on affordable digital mixers don't compare to exsternal ones.. high end plugins sure ,but they need dsp

and more dsp jackes up the price and that's were akais research&development kicks in and finds the most logickal level between product and market target, you complaining about the fx quality is becouse in "akais resaerch report your priorities are in a minority group vs price

so yhea I agree with you I too would have payed more for quality fx, unfortunatly akai has different view ..but mate don't get all punked out about it the 4k is fantastik!! go buy an exsternal fx unit, use resample, get naked and sing: I'm alright like that..