AKAI says they will change the way we make music forever @ m

Im dying over here!!!



Jahrome is a straight ****!!!

Never try this in the MPC Forums cuz we will catch you slipping.

He's a fully grown man, not even a kid. Has a 16 year old daughter, yet he sits online 24/7 on multiple forums holding the Akai flag. Something stinks! Looks like Akai got the boys in to keep the tension high on the big forums.

Booo. Failed. Goodnight Akai.

Wow! I'm actually shocked!

mr_debauch wrote:I may not be able to remember the exact page number in the manual like lampdog does...

Good one, thanks..........

scoobylol wrote:I'd say 99% of users looking at this have a DAW they're very happy with. They're unlikely to replace it overnight if at all.

So, exactly why do they buy an MPC, if they already have a DAW?

This is an MPC, they might buy this for the same reason they would have bought an older MPC?

scoobylol wrote:Also that in itself is very dependant on whether this new software can accomplish everything it's competition can and where possible improve on it. But obviously you've got to get the basics right first and foremost.

Why does it have to do 'everything' the competition can, and what exactly is the competition that you are talking about?

scoobylol wrote:If it is set to run as a VST, then I see no real benefit of having a DAW within a DAW. Particularly if a lot of the functions are going to overlap. We've confirmed that it will not work as true standalone so that negates the idea of being able to move away from the computer in any real sense.

It's main function appears to be as an MPC, running the MPC software. The DAW plugin does not seem to be the main function, we do not know exactly what it is.

It might be a plugin to route outputs internally from the MPC software into the DAW. It might be a plugin to automatically open a specific MPC Program/Sequence/etc. within the MPC Software so it is ready to use as a software instrument within the DAW.

We have no idea, you are making judgements based on guesses about what it will be, please tell everyone else what it actually is and how it actually works, if you know.

The idea of moving away from the computer on a standalone MPC is possibly to do with interacting with the MPC OS, and the MPC control surface/screen, to make beats without using the computer. If you can make beats on this new MPC without using the computer, by just having it plugged in, only using the MPC control surface for actually beat making, why is it any different?

Your MPC already overlaps with a DAW, it is a MIDI/audio sequencer, with 64 linear tracks, playing back audio files and MIDI data at certain/programmed positions within the sequence. Put that sequencer onto a computer screen, and it would look very similar to any other DAW.

You already have a computer inside a standalone MPC that is running the MPC OS, and on the later MPCs you already have a screen showing things like graphic waveform editing, a mixer, etc. You already have a inbuilt file system on the MPC, that you negotiate with the tiny LCD screen. Moving these functions onto an external computer/screen is not changing the functions, just making them easier to use on a larger computer screen, with the more powerful processor in the computer, and using these functions in the computer to save the costs of incorporating them into the MPC itself.

scoobylol wrote:But this I just don't get at all.

Maybe wait until all info is actually released, until the product is released, until you and other people start actually using it, to know what it really can and can't do, how it does and doesn't operate in real use, before writing it off?

If the sub-$1000 list price is true, that would mean a fully featured MPC, with better computer integration, at a street price of maybe $800-900, I can understand that, and I am sure many others will as well. I will wait and buy one second hand at maybe $500, it will be an awesome tool for that sort of money.

SimonInAustralia wrote:
If the sub-$1000 list price is true, that would mean a fully featured MPC, with better computer integration, at a street price of maybe $800-900, I can understand that, and I am sure many others will as well. I will wait and buy one second hand at maybe $500, it will be an awesome tool for that sort of money.

At $500, I will have all my little cousins making beatz.

Yo Jahrome.

So if you work or are affiliated with Akai are you able to suggest certain features?

If so can we make a list of stuff we would like and then you can send it to them???

This would be pretty cool if you could.

To all the 'jahrome/jah/askia' haters, could you stop this now please. From what I can see:

1) He is passionate about the MPC.
2) He is very knowledgeable about the MPC
3) He has helped many many members on this forum over the years (through his various usernames)
4) Yes, he is opinionated - however this appears to be quite a common trait around here these days, don't you think?

And 5) - FFS, WTF is all this giving the guy grief for being an MPC beta tester? Are you guys **** serious? I can't think of anything more positive for the MPC community than to give up your time beta testing new MPCs. How can you twist that to make out the guy is some kind of Akai shill?

It seems some people are happy to whine about MPCs but when they encounter an MPC community member who is positively working with Akai to try to help develop and mould future MPCs, you just want to jump on him and berate him.

Over they years, we've had plenty of beta testers and Akai reps try to engage with this forum, only for the majority of them to be driven away due to hostility from the 'mpc fam'. Sort it out people.

Now, I am not looking for a debate about this - let's debate the MPC Ren instead and stay 'on topic'. Anything else is not welcome, especially all this playground bullying shit.

@Simon

1. My point was, if this is being advertised as a DAW replacement it's a very hard market to break into. A more traditional MPC offers excellent MIDI control over external hardware, aswell as the option as acting as true standalone and a pretty unique workflow.

2. It has to do everything the competition can because otherwise it's foolish to advertise this as a replacement for your DAW. I'd be less inclined to give this a chance if it couldn't do what Ableton does.

3. Mate no need to get sarcastic. I'm simply trying to understand how they're promoting their product. I'm not telling people what this will or won't do, nor am I making judgements. In fact my post was just the opposite I was trying to explore the various options it has.

My point with true standalone is that while composing, not mastering, with the traditional MPC you can completely step away from the DAW environment. For me, that option is completely different than having something that MUST be chained to a computer to work. Personal preference perhaps, but something that is important to me.

4. I haven't written it off, I'm simply trying to ascertain what this product will eventually be used for when it is released. I'm also airing my concerns as to how it would fit in with my own environment while considering the things I would personally want.

scoobylol wrote:1. My point was, if this is being advertised as a DAW replacement it's a very hard market to break into. A more traditional MPC offers excellent MIDI control over external hardware, aswell as the option as acting as true standalone and a pretty unique workflow.

I don't think it is being advertised as a DAW replacement, that is my point.

You still have the MIDI ins/outs, why do you think it is going to lose any external MIDI control?

You still have the same MPC control surface/screen, why do you think the workflow is going to change?

scoobylol wrote:2. It has to do everything the competition can because otherwise it's foolish to advertise this as a replacement for your DAW. I'd be less inclined to give this a chance if it couldn't do what Ableton does.

I do not see them advertising it as a replacement for your DAW.

That is why I asked what you think the competition is, I don't see that Logic/ProTools/CuBase/etc. is what it is aiming at.

Have a look at the control surface, it is an MPC, not a DAW control surface.

Have a look at the video for it, it is an MPC, it is all about making beats on an MPC.

It is an MPC, the MPC software when translated to a computer is probably not much different to a DAW, being a MIDI/audio sequencer, which is what a DAW is.

It also has plugins, to allow integration of the MPC software with other DAWs.

It is still an MPC, just running on the computer, with different options of control surfaces (Renaissance, Studio, Fly), and plugins to probably get the MPC output into 'real' DAWs.

scoobylol wrote:3. Mate no need to get sarcastic. I'm simply trying to understand how they're promoting their product. I'm not telling people what this will or won't do, nor am I making judgements. In fact my post was just the opposite I was trying to explore the various options it has.

You seem to be stating that it is being advertised as, and trying to be, a 'real' DAW, like Logic or ProTools, I do not see that at all.

They are building up hype before NAMM, we will find out out the next MPC controller in 3 days, then the iPad MPC controller in 10 days, when it is released at NAMM.

We will probably not know much more before then, we have nothing to go on other than the video and specs on the website..

scoobylol wrote:My point with true standalone is that while composing, not mastering, with the traditional MPC you can completely step away from the DAW environment. For me, that option is completely different than having something that MUST be chained to a computer to work.

My point is that while composing, it looks like you can completely step away from the DAW environment.

Being chained to the computer does not necessarily mean that you have to work within the DAW environment. The MPC Renaissance control surface looks like it contains all the controls and functions of a normal standalone MPC, there is no reason it should not operate just like one in real use making beats, in terms of not having to actually use the computer to operate the MPC software.

scoobylol wrote:4. I haven't written it off, I'm simply trying to ascertain what this product will eventually be used for when it is released. I'm also airing my concerns as to how it would fit in with my own environment while considering the things I would personally want.

You seem to have come to the conclusion that it is trying to be a 'real' DAW replacement, rather than an MPC. You seem think that you have to use it like other computer based DAWs, as in on the computer screen. We do not know this yet, we will probably not know until NAMM.

Works alone as your main DAW or works seemlessly with your current studio as a VST/AU/RTAS plugin

^^^

That's from Akai themselves. So I'm not presuming anything.

scoobylol wrote:Works alone as your main DAW or works seemlessly with your current studio as a VST/AU/RTAS plugin

^^^
That's from Akai themselves. So I'm not presuming anything.

FFS, are you serious?

They changed that line in the MPC Software Features, that used to say something like 'works as standalone or as a plugin', because people like you latched onto the 'works as standalone' line and took it as meaning the control surface could work as a standalone MPC.

I think it means that you can run the MPC Software by itself, and produce your music inside the MPC Software, without needing a 'real DAW' running with the MPC plugin.

Now you are saying that means that it is trying to compete against 'real' DAWs such as Logic and ProTools.

It is a single line in the features list, changed to avoid the previous confusion, it is not a major selling feature as being a competing/major DAW product.


Seriously, have a look at the control surface, it is an MPC FFS, what do you think you do with this farking thing?...


...it is an MPC, you use it just like an older MPC, to make beats with, not to record and mix performers/bands/etc. like a 'real' DAW.


Look at the screenshot, look at the menu and buttons, what sort of functions are these?...


...they are all MPC type functions, because it is MPC Software, and it is an MPC, not a 'real' DAW.


Look at the video, it is an MPC, not a 'real' DAW...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkF-evh5msA


Look at the website, it is an MPC, not a 'real' DAW...
http://www.akaiprompc.com/
http://www.akaiprompc.com/mpcrenaissance.php


Read what it says on the website...
"Fusing Akai Professional’s legendary MPC layout and workflow with the power of your computer, MPC Renaissance is an unrivaled instrument for music production. The new flagship is a fully integrated hardware/software system: MPC Renaissance allows you to create using classic hardware controls and an integrated pop-up display, while it’s exclusive MPC Software empowers you with unprecedented, expandable production capabilities on your Mac or PC."

...what do you think 'legendary MPC layout and workflow' means?...it is an MPC.

...what do you think 'create using classic hardware controls and an integrated pop-up display' means?...it is an MPC.


But anyway, if you want to latch onto part of a single line of the feature list, that was changed to avoid previous confusion, taking that as meaning they are competing against Logic/ProTools/etc., and not use your brain or open your eyes to the way that they are targeting this as a next generation MPC, both on the webpages and in the video, go right ahead.

Its a MIDI sequencer. DAWs today have audio tracks. Maschine doesn't have audio tracks and the MPC Ren is not advertised to have audio tracks. Which company will put audio trracks in their product first?

Yet again getting irate Simon.

The wording in the advertising is open to interpretation, simple. You have your theories, I have mine.

If their new software is listed by them, as being able to work as my main DAW, then it is logical that I will compare it to my current solution. At least until I find out in more detail what the software is capable of.

I'm not sure how many times I have to reiterate this point but for the last time...

IF

IF IF IF

this software is being listed as a DAW... which it currently is. Then I will expect certain features. I'm not saying it will be anything because I simply don't know yet. I'm only highlighting the pitfalls of their wording.

scoobylol wrote:I'm only highlighting the pitfalls of their wording.

I'm only using my eyes and brain.

No point arguing with you any longer, you have convinced me, it is going to be a replacement for Logic/ProTools.