Researching a book on the MPC60 - Thoughts?

clint246clint wrote:I tried there also Simon, French shipping addresses only

I am guessing there is no way to get some sort of PO box type of thing in france?

I think the book should include the MPC3000, as it is the continuation and refinement of the same design, so all the MPC60 stuff leading up to it is relevant.

It should include a section on the other drum machines around at the time, and previously, to put it's design into context for the time.

It should also include a section on post-Roger Linn MPCs, where the design has gone since.

Thanks for the input so far guys, much appreciated.

Final bump for 2012, just in case you never saw this thread.

Im all ears people, throw some ideas out there...

it might help if we saw some sort of bullet point list of ideas for inclusions or section ideas... etc..

I forget if it was mentioned... but maybe some mention of the HXC emulator since that seems to be one of the more recent hardware additions that didn't really exist before... but is pretty significant.

Love the idea

I would like to know who did what.

What input did Roger actually have to the design and build of the MPC.

I think I read that Akai showed him the ADR15 prototype, and he didn't like the fixed screen, so they put in the tilting screen.

This suggests that he wasn't actually involved in the hands on design and building of the prototype, that Akai was building it, then showing it to Roger for feedback.

Just wondering exactly what he brought to the partnership, did he actually design any of it, or just provide ideas for Akai engineers to implement?

Did Akai take any of the design/code from the previous Linn products to use in the MPC, or did they start from scratch using Akai designs/code, based on Roger's concept/ideas?

Similarly at Linn, before they went out of business, which was one of the precursors to Akai making the MPC, how much hands on design/building did Roger do?

I read that the Linn 9000 design was no good, and the chief engineer at the time was brought on to redesign it, before they went under. Am wondering how much hands on design/building Roger did back then as well, or was he the ideas man, and employed others to actually design/build products from his ideas?

mr_debauch wrote:it might help if we saw some sort of bullet point list of ideas for inclusions or section.

Loosely similar to the SP1200 book contents which are listed earlier in this thread. Some say it had too much 'filler', but I haven't seen it yet.

@simon some interesting questions that probably deserve answers, appreciate the feedback mate.

No probs Clint, would be good to see the book cover it as comprehensively as possible.


The MPC60 side panels, and a similar pad at the front of the faceplate, were also used on the MG614 multitrack recorder. Based on the prototype/fixed screen situation, where Akai are taking the prototype ADR15 to Roger for comment, are these Akai designed components, or do they originate from Roger's concept/design?


When you think of the MPC60, you think that Roger Linn made it, it would be interesting to know exactly what sort of input, and how much input, he had to the MPC60 concept/specs/design/prototyping/build/etc.


Also, could interview Tom Oberheim, to ask about the Marion Systems MPC-SCSI interface, how it came about, why it was made, who wanted it, who designed it, was it in collaboration with Roger/Akai, etc.

ASQ10...

Similar model name to the ADR15, how did they come up with those model names.

Since the model name is so similar, were they developed together from the start, why did they decide to make both, whose idea was it, why the different case design, etc.?

Roger Linn MPC60 version 3 OS...

Why did he create it, what was the situation with that and Akai, was it in collaboration with Akai, were Akai happy he was selling an aftermarket OS, etc.?

Some of those answers are in the bag already. It would be a lot of work to cover all the Linn/Akai machines comprehensively but none will be left out in the cold.

clint246clint wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:it might help if we saw some sort of bullet point list of ideas for inclusions or section.

Loosely similar to the SP1200 book contents which are listed earlier in this thread. Some say it had too much 'filler', but I haven't seen it yet.

ah I didn't mean like the TOC of the book itself.. I meant so we can see what suggestions or ideas are on the list for the book that way it might inspire more ideas or we would know what has been taken into account on your end already.

Ah I see, what I can say is that most ideas that I had have been repeated in this thread by others of similar thinking. It's too early to say exactly what would be included. I think most obvious areas for suggestion have been covered, perhaps there's a few leftfield ideas still out there?

I plan to start this project in earnest on January 1st, so it definately has the green light so far as writing it is concerned. Will need some help from you guys to nail some 'underground' producer interviews. Not meaning just hip-hop producers, but those who may not be well known globally and create any type of music based around the MPC60, ASQ-10, MPC3000 (in order of preference).

More details on this to follow soon, but if you have any musician/ producer contacts who'd be interested in submitting a short interview and some pics let me know...only need a few from each continent BTW.

It would be cool if the book started off with an introduction, much like a brochure or an ad for a brand new product.. you could even have the first page display one of the vintage magazine ads from keyboard magazine or something. . i have the 88 issue of keyboard mag with the review of the 60.. there are no ads for the 60 though.

You could even list the specs.. as originally stated.. list price 4999.. upgrades.. etc.

this could add a massive cost to the production, but it might also be cool to have a flexidisc or a floppy in the book with mpc 60 drum sounds on it..

not sure if this has been mentioned but quantize specs.. ie what exact placement notes are put in all swing settings.. sort of like a chart.

Keyboard mag 88 mpc 60 by R6King, on Flickr


Keyboard mag 88 mpc 60 by R6King, on Flickr