Bottom end of the newer MPCs.... really sucks....

in this case, might i recommend either the hardware or the software version, (they both cost about the same) of the BBE Sonic Maximizer

mp3 wrote:I wouldn't be surprised to see them follow NI's lead with Maschine in a year or two, (especially if Maschine is a market success) given that its an obvious rip of the Akai paradigm.

Maschine is far more than just a rip of the MPC. It takes the most useful features from the MPC, Electribes (step sequencer with visual feedback, automation recording), and the MaschineDrum (parameter step lock) and integrates it with an pattern sequencer that improves on Ableton Live's session view, with direct hands-on control from the hardware.

dmarz45 wrote:

jacey714 wrote:Is it even possible to fix the actual sound of the unit with a firmware update?

no definitely not... it has to do with the converters inside the unit... I was just saying that Akai should really try to make their future MPCs have a similar sound to the classic MPCs... Which they should have been doing all along...

I agree, Akai uses cheap substandard components to keep production costs down. The sound suffers because of this.

oneday2one wrote:in this case, might i recommend either the hardware or the software version, (they both cost about the same) of the BBE Sonic Maximizer

Interesting, I have a sonic maximizer for my bass amp and never thought to use it with my MPC. I wonder if I should filter my samples through it or if I should filter my outputs when recording. Time to experiment. Excellent idea! If this does sound good, then tracking out will soon become a problem.

Edit:
After trying to filter sounds with the hardware sonic maximizer, in my experience it didn't add anything worthwhile to the sound. While it didn't degrade the quality, it made no justifiable difference.

I wouldnt use the maximizer to run samples thru. However if you ran your drums out of an assignable out, then into the maximizer and back into the MPC, your drums would benefit.