Bug reports & end-user support for Akai's MPC Software 'controllers' including the new MPC Studio 2, the MPC Touch, MPC Renaissance & original MPC Studio and MPC StudioB lack.
By Keys BeMe Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:17 am
JAH wrote:
xparis001 wrote:
JAH wrote:No matter which MPC you currently use, you will most likely have to adjust to the new MPC like every other MPC before it. The workflow of every MPC is different and its impossible to cater to ever MPC user.

For MPC 2000XL users, the control surface in on the left and pads to the right. The MPC Ren is the opposite. Adjustments like these will have to be made.


strictly on a personal level, I loved the 2000xl layout, but then again, I'm left handed. I realize I'm a minority.


Yup...I still use an MPC 2000XL to this day. I honestly can't really say which MPC layout I like the best. The MPC Ren layout is a good compromise taking into all account all MPC users.

Do you have any idea of how Sonivox is going to figure into the Ren/Studio software development?

My thread about Sonivox and the MPC Ren was moved to another section of the forum :x to die a slow death. I am really thinking about the possibilities of Sonivox products influencing the development of the MPC Ren.


Yeah, jah i too noticed the thread you started was missing. Where then has the thread been moved? I'd like to keep track of responses to this 8) .
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By JAH Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:23 am
Keys BeMe wrote:
JAH wrote:My thread about Sonivox and the MPC Ren was moved to another section of the forum :x to die a slow death. I am really thinking about the possibilities of Sonivox products influencing the development of the MPC Ren.


Yeah, jah i too noticed the thread you started was missing. Where then has the thread been moved? I'd like to keep track of responses to this 8) .

It was moved to the Studio Environment section...which has nothing to do with the software development of the MPC Ren and Sonivox's impact on it.
By Keys BeMe Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:38 am
JAH wrote:
Keys BeMe wrote:
JAH wrote:My thread about Sonivox and the MPC Ren was moved to another section of the forum :x to die a slow death. I am really thinking about the possibilities of Sonivox products influencing the development of the MPC Ren.


Yeah, jah i too noticed the thread you started was missing. Where then has the thread been moved? I'd like to keep track of responses to this 8) .

It was moved to the Studio Environment section...which has nothing to do with the software development of the MPC Ren and Sonivox's impact on it.


Thanks, got it. Guess forum mods consider the topic more business and software related. s'all good 8) .
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By ceasi Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:02 am
xparis001 wrote:
JAH wrote:No matter which MPC you currently use, you will most likely have to adjust to the new MPC like every other MPC before it. The workflow of every MPC is different and its impossible to cater to ever MPC user.

For MPC 2000XL users, the control surface in on the left and pads to the right. The MPC Ren is the opposite. Adjustments like these will have to be made.


strictly on a personal level, I loved the 2000xl layout, but then again, I'm left handed. I realize I'm a minority.


Im right handed and Loved the layout on the 2kxl to, its really the only MPC I knw, I've messed around on the 3k a lil here and there. But I honestly think thw 2kxl layout was the best, everything was right there. So you guys confuse me with this number key crap, I dn't know what your talking about.
By moyphee Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:07 am
JAH wrote:It was moved to the Studio Environment section...which has nothing to do with the software development of the MPC Ren and Sonivox's impact on it.


I didn't ask anything about any thread you started.
____________________________________________________________

:?: :?: Andy , could you give us some insight as to how Sonivox figures into the new MPC's software development. Thanks
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By Blue Haze Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:44 am
I started with 2xl for a few years working mainly with the pads, 16 levels, and after slider for pitch modulation and volume changes. Since the pads were on the right and transport and keys on the lefts at the stage I seldom used the number keys for input and plus the step editor showed only one line of the sequence at a time on the 2xl. At time I knew little and I had little usage for number keys as I did very little midi note editing for my part.

Since I had a basic unit of the 2xl at that time I decided to expand to 8 outs but unfortunately the 2xl mcd was hitting and the expansion cards were few and extremely hard to get (even my akai connect couldnt help). I decided after a visit to my local music gear shop to test out the newest model that came with the 8 outs standard the 4k or try for a used 3k. A more experienced producer friend of mine a 3k and 2xl user (he used the 2xl as a sound module/sampler and the 3k as the main sequencer) advised me to go with the 4k as he stated the workflow layout was similar to the 3k.

I asked the difference and he stated several:

1) Dedicated function buttons to go exactly to the mode wanted.

2) Tranport and locate keys on the right to easily go to any point in a sequence. No more reaching over with the right and one can focus on the screen if you want.

3) Step editor really comes into its own when you are doing note shifts late or early in time, duration of sample end points, varying the velocity and pitch of hits using the number keys to tighten up the small imperfections.

4) In his mind it was more about performance with the pads on the left like the 60, 3k and the latter mode of tighten and addition with the number and data keys on the right.

I took his advise upgraded to the 4k and later got a 3k also and adjusted to the layout which is in my two cents better than the 2xl layout. But I dont do live performance like Hifana or ArabMusic and come to think of it I haven't many used the 3 or 4k for live performance.


Anyway the unit is called Akai MPC RENAISSANCE going after the mpc60 and mpc3000 look and feel. This isn't the MPC 6000 so how could you expect a 2xlish layout on a semi retro classic machine? Maybe in the next edition in 2016.
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By Coz Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:07 am
Blue Haze wrote:Anyway the unit is called Akai MPC RENAISSANCE going after the mpc60 and mpc3000 look and feel. This isn't the MPC 6000 so how could you expect a 2xlish layout on a semi retro classic machine?




I don't think anyone is arguing for a return to the XL layout, but it's a fair point to make comparisons because using the 'shift + button' way of jumping between modes hasn't been a predominant feature since the XL. The Mode button superseded it.
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By Blue Haze Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:30 am
Coz wrote:
Blue Haze wrote:Anyway the unit is called Akai MPC RENAISSANCE going after the mpc60 and mpc3000 look and feel. This isn't the MPC 6000 so how could you expect a 2xlish layout on a semi retro classic machine?




I don't think anyone is arguing for a return to the XL layout, but it's a fair point to make comparisons because using the 'shift + button' way of jumping between modes hasn't been a predominant feature since the XL. The Mode button superseded it.



I agree that it is a fair point to compare the shift+button way to jump into mode oppose to a mode button. As far as the present pad and number layout I believe that keeping it for the classic retro style at least for this neo classic addition.
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By Lampdog Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:39 am
Keys BeMe wrote:Thanks, got it. Guess forum mods consider the topic more business and software related. s'all good 8) .

It's not going to die a slow death, lmao.

I moved it for the exact reason Keys BeMe stated. I didn't move it to offend anyone.
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By DJ Hellfire Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:03 am
Coz wrote:
xparis001 wrote:strictly on a personal level, I loved the 2000xl layout, but then again, I'm left handed. I realize I'm a minority.




I loved the layout of the XL and I'm (if it wasn't already obvious) right handed.

The designers totally nailed the layout to not hinder either hand, and the concept of using the shift functions was ergonomically well though out. Every button press could be made with a combination of either index, middle or thumb. At no point did you have to use a pinkie to press a button.


JAH wrote:
xparis001 wrote:
JAH wrote:No matter which MPC you currently use, you will most likely have to adjust to the new MPC like every other MPC before it. The workflow of every MPC is different and its impossible to cater to ever MPC user.

For MPC 2000XL users, the control surface in on the left and pads to the right. The MPC Ren is the opposite. Adjustments like these will have to be made.


strictly on a personal level, I loved the 2000xl layout, but then again, I'm left handed. I realize I'm a minority.


Yup...I still use an MPC 2000XL to this day. I honestly can't really say which MPC layout I like the best. The MPC Ren layout is a good compromise taking into all account all MPC users.


Blue Haze wrote:
Coz wrote:
Blue Haze wrote:Anyway the unit is called Akai MPC RENAISSANCE going after the mpc60 and mpc3000 look and feel. This isn't the MPC 6000 so how could you expect a 2xlish layout on a semi retro classic machine?




I don't think anyone is arguing for a return to the XL layout, but it's a fair point to make comparisons because using the 'shift + button' way of jumping between modes hasn't been a predominant feature since the XL. The Mode button superseded it.



I agree that it is a fair point to compare the shift+button way to jump into mode oppose to a mode button. As far as the present pad and number layout I believe that keeping it for the classic retro style at least for this neo classic addition.


It's funny that you all mention this. I'm right handed and I can honestly say that starting on an XL then switching to a 2500 and dabbling in a 1000, the thought of the machines' layout never really crossed my mind. I mean, I noticed subconsciously that shit was switched left to right, but as far as having an impact on workflow, I never thought about that. I always felt just as comfortable on one machine as I did the others. Using the keypad or transport with my left or right hand never made any difference to me. Shocking that this affects people. Something I would have never thought of. Crazy!

The one thing that often did throw me off was the location of the Play Start button on the 1000. I was just always used to them being in a single line. But the actual placement of pads, keypad, and transport was never an aspect in my mind in regards to workflow.
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By Coz Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:42 am
DJ Hellfire wrote:the thought of the machines' layout never really crossed my mind.




Exactly... because the designers nailed it while it was still on the drawing board.

I've killed an hour of my time studying the layout and required angles of the hands/fingers to jump into sampling mode with a left hand, and I know I've got a very valid point. From a seated position especially it's gonna get old quick.

So here's the next obvious question...

Has any MPC user old or new ever wished there was 2 dedicated buttons for song mode?
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By Blue Haze Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:56 am
At first I was what is Coz on about but then you are right wtf do we need two song buttons for?


I`m still for the number keys though ha, ha, on the right. :lol:
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By Blue Haze Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:00 am
Dan or Andy right there one of the song buttons could be changed to a dedicated button for sampling or duplicate for my vote. Speaking for myself I don`t see the need for TWO SONG buttons!
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By JAH Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:13 am
The positioning of my fingers, using two hands, arthritis, etc, etc are hilarious comments to me and far from my concerns. I don't personally need two song buttons as they are less used functions for my own workflow. So my argument for giving Sample Record its own button will be based upon I use it more often. I believe in one-button access for most used functions.

Lampdog wrote:
Keys BeMe wrote:Thanks, got it. Guess forum mods consider the topic more business and software related. s'all good 8) .

It's not going to die a slow death, lmao.

I moved it for the exact reason Keys BeMe stated. I didn't move it to offend anyone.

I am not offended if you are not offended by the overzealous moderating comment. I thought Blue Haze moved it. :lol:

But that thread has nothing to do with business (which isn't a studio environment topic). And it doesn't have anything to do with using an MPC with other equipment in a studio environment..which is what that forum is for.

Its about the continued development of the OS for the MPC Ren and potential features brought over from Sonivox products. This forum, IMHO, is the most appropriate place to talk about the OS development of the MPC Ren.

"I want Sonivox technology inside the Ren." I just need clarification on where to start this thread. :P