Do you plan on purchasing one of the new Akai MPC models?

I voted no I plan on keeping my 4000.

What I have learned/noticed over the years. Music seemed to reach its peak in quality at some point in the 80's. "Thriller" was an amazing album it had musical perfection, technological perfection, engineering perfection and artistic performance perfection in that Michael Jackson was great enough to pull the whole thing off. So many great albums came out in the 80's and the artists were great as well....hip-hop included.
Then something changed...the 90's was good, but it did not have the WOW factor. Hip-Hop went more mainstream and a few groundbreaking artists emerged. The production process was getting easier. I witnessed it first hand, as guys I knew were in their basements making music and then getting signed easily. RnB was, in my opinion, not as deep as it was in the 80's or 70's when it was called soul music. Case in point Boyz to Men one of the top groups in the 90's to me does not move me like Luther Vandross, or Stephanie Mills. The production if you remember was getting very digital at this point.
Now we are in a time when everyone can buy three items and they are able to make music without any quality checks. Sure enough the quality is lacking, money can be obtained for ones effort but the musical landscape is paying the price. Artists are not perfecting their chops on an instrument, and many producers are not making new sounds...some can't even play an instrument, or understand the theory.
Why do I write this? Simple because when the greatest selling album of all time (Thriller) was made Qunicy Jones stated that he wanted to "resurrect the music industry". That album was made in 8 weeks he used live musicians, drum machines like the Roland TR's, 2 inch tape, engineers with experience, experimented with rock guitarists, and painstakingly went over every second of every sound.
Instead of worrying about what else needs to be purchased, do you have the vision, the desire or the "openmindedness" to resurrect the genre you are involved in?
I challenge you to focus on uniqueness, strive for quality, perfect your playing chops and shun the marketing.
Cheers,
Ian

Wow....you wrote a novel. Who are you trying to convince?

Its funny.....it seems like the people that say they have no plans on buying the Ren...are the same ones that spend the most time in this forum.

@ JAH...just challenging/thinking out loud. I answered the POLL...never mentioned another MPC other than my 4000. I am always glad when new products come along. There is no need for me to be upset by new things. Hopefully people will learn how to perfect their chops and put out quality regardless of what they own.

Cheers,
Ian

It's all good.

What's up guys? I've been away for a while. I've been busy. Stopped by to check out the site to see what was going on, since my Guitar Center sales rep called me today and asked if I wanted an MPC Renaissance because they have started coming in. I said no. I'm cool. I use a 4000, 3000 and a 60II. I'm not positive, but I think it will be a flop like the MPC5000. Just my 2 cents.

Jerome, I see you're up to the same thing, using a different name. If I remember correctly you were a big fan of the MPC5000. I guess not anymore? Now, you are done with the 4000 & 3000! You dogged both of those units and praised the MPC 5000. I'm confused!!! Now, you are jocking the Renaissance. Hope it works out. Don't put too much faith into this new Akai.

On my second day with MPC Renaissance and I do like it very much, I know it will get better with software upgrades. I planned on purchasing the Studio as well, but I must say that there are certain aspects that I miss from my Maschine (2 year user). I know I just started with Ren, but I have had MPC's in the past so I am not new to the general workflow.

So, to answer the question--I may actually reconsider the Studio that I have on pre-order.

Ian Canefire wrote:I voted no I plan on keeping my 4000.

What I have learned/noticed over the years. Music seemed to reach its peak in quality at some point in the 80's. "Thriller" was an amazing album it had musical perfection, technological perfection, engineering perfection and artistic performance perfection in that Michael Jackson was great enough to pull the whole thing off. So many great albums came out in the 80's and the artists were great as well....hip-hop included.
Then something changed...the 90's was good, but it did not have the WOW factor. Hip-Hop went more mainstream and a few groundbreaking artists emerged. The production process was getting easier. I witnessed it first hand, as guys I knew were in their basements making music and then getting signed easily. RnB was, in my opinion, not as deep as it was in the 80's or 70's when it was called soul music. Case in point Boyz to Men one of the top groups in the 90's to me does not move me like Luther Vandross, or Stephanie Mills. The production if you remember was getting very digital at this point.
Now we are in a time when everyone can buy three items and they are able to make music without any quality checks. Sure enough the quality is lacking, money can be obtained for ones effort but the musical landscape is paying the price. Artists are not perfecting their chops on an instrument, and many producers are not making new sounds...some can't even play an instrument, or understand the theory.
Why do I write this? Simple because when the greatest selling album of all time (Thriller) was made Qunicy Jones stated that he wanted to "resurrect the music industry". That album was made in 8 weeks he used live musicians, drum machines like the Roland TR's, 2 inch tape, engineers with experience, experimented with rock guitarists, and painstakingly went over every second of every sound.
Instead of worrying about what else needs to be purchased, do you have the vision, the desire or the "openmindedness" to resurrect the genre you are involved in?
I challenge you to focus on uniqueness, strive for quality, perfect your playing chops and shun the marketing.
Cheers,
Ian

maybe if everyone had a bunch of musicians and engineers hanging around in a big studio we wouldent need MPCs at all?

BlackC7 wrote:If I remember correctly.....

If you remember correctly then you know I am an MPC user and always buy the latest flagship. And while we humorously discuss MPCs and which is the best.....in reality (outside of these forums) it doesn't matter which one you choose or whether you choose an MPC at all.

I no longer own an MPC 5000. That has nothing to do with the quality of that MPC. (I'll tell you the complete story if you are interested). Today, I have an MPC 4000, 3000, and 2500...as well as the Ren in my studio. The MPC 4000 has never been my favorite MPC. My primary focus now is learning my away around the OS to see what MPC 4000 users like about it and channeling that info up to see if those features can be added to the Ren.

@LMSW
If you have any good ideas, add it to the feature request thread, if you haven't done so already. There are aspects of Maschine's sampling mode that I want to see added to the Ren.

BlackC7 wrote:Jerome, I see you're up to the same thing

Ian Canefire wrote: Why do I write this? Simple because when the greatest selling album of all time (Thriller) was made Qunicy Jones stated that he wanted to "resurrect the music industry". That album was made in 8 weeks he used live musicians, drum machines like the Roland TR's, 2 inch tape, engineers with experience, experimented with rock guitarists, and painstakingly went over every second of every sound.
Instead of worrying about what else needs to be purchased, do you have the vision, the desire or the "openmindedness" to resurrect the genre you are involved in?
I challenge you to focus on uniqueness, strive for quality, perfect your playing chops and shun the marketing.
Cheers,
Ian

Good points, difference is good music was able to make alot of money back then.
Another thing Quincy did care about what kind of gear to purchase, they spent over 500k on just a synclavier from what I recall. If I or many others had the kind of backing Quincy had, and a talent like MJ on our side we would gladly take up the same kind of challenge.

JAH wrote:

BlackC7 wrote:If I remember correctly.....

If you remember correctly then you know I am an MPC user and always buy the latest flagship. And while we humorously discuss MPCs and which is the best.....in reality (outside of these forums) it doesn't matter which one you choose or whether you choose an MPC at all.

I no longer own an MPC 5000. That has nothing to do with the quality of that MPC. (I'll tell you the complete story if you are interested). Today, I have an MPC 4000, 3000, and 2500...as well as the Ren in my studio. The MPC 4000 has never been my favorite MPC. My primary focus now is learning my away around the OS to see what MPC 4000 users like about it and channeling that info up to see if those features can be added to the Ren.

@LMSW
If you have any good ideas, add it to the feature request thread, if you haven't done so already. There are aspects of Maschine's sampling mode that I want to see added to the Ren.

Yes, I did add a couple but I have many more (some have already been covered). However, sometimes I wonder if people develop a bias based on using other equipment (like Maschine for me). Is is fair that I want the Renaissance to be all of what Maschine is and more? They are two different units. Is it silly or selfish for me to recommend that all of the best features in Maschine get implemented in Ren?

Ian Canefire wrote:I voted no I plan on keeping my 4000.

What I have learned/noticed over the years. Music seemed to reach its peak in quality at some point in the 80's. "Thriller" was an amazing album it had musical perfection, technological perfection, engineering perfection and artistic performance perfection in that Michael Jackson was great enough to pull the whole thing off. So many great albums came out in the 80's and the artists were great as well....hip-hop included.
Then something changed...the 90's was good, but it did not have the WOW factor. Hip-Hop went more mainstream and a few groundbreaking artists emerged. The production process was getting easier. I witnessed it first hand, as guys I knew were in their basements making music and then getting signed easily. RnB was, in my opinion, not as deep as it was in the 80's or 70's when it was called soul music. Case in point Boyz to Men one of the top groups in the 90's to me does not move me like Luther Vandross, or Stephanie Mills. The production if you remember was getting very digital at this point.
Now we are in a time when everyone can buy three items and they are able to make music without any quality checks. Sure enough the quality is lacking, money can be obtained for ones effort but the musical landscape is paying the price. Artists are not perfecting their chops on an instrument, and many producers are not making new sounds...some can't even play an instrument, or understand the theory.
Why do I write this? Simple because when the greatest selling album of all time (Thriller) was made Qunicy Jones stated that he wanted to "resurrect the music industry". That album was made in 8 weeks he used live musicians, drum machines like the Roland TR's, 2 inch tape, engineers with experience, experimented with rock guitarists, and painstakingly went over every second of every sound.
Instead of worrying about what else needs to be purchased, do you have the vision, the desire or the "openmindedness" to resurrect the genre you are involved in?
I challenge you to focus on uniqueness, strive for quality, perfect your playing chops and shun the marketing.
Cheers,
Ian

I agree with everything in this post, very well said.

Edit: except that Im getting a Ren.

Mpcs are about having fun , mastered chops or not . Some people collect MPCs . I hope the next girl I meet , is waiting on the next mpc to come out like its Mike Jordan shoe where would HIP HOP be with out mpcs ? I would have got sick of sp 12 00 all day the whole nine had one at 18, 42 I now. its not hiphop to say Don't get the next adidas till you master your head spins and res. Don't get the best skateboard until you master the kick flip on this one . Harry Potter got a new broom every year remember the nimbus 2000 it worked for Harrylol:nod: I've had the60300020004000 and soon Ren , Have Fun that's what its all about. The Ren is made for hiphop ,dubstep rejoice ren culture rejoice this one is for you.

After seeing some of the new Ren videos I've decided to get one, instead of the Studio I said I'd be interested in.

Gonna have to sell my Maschine and maybe my 500 (although I do like the idea of keeping my first sampler even if I don't use it).

Will wait til at least the first couple of updates probably as I get on alright with Maschine so I'm in no rush