Possible MPC5000 update mentioned at NAMM...

So here we are, Dan Gill is again suggesting that an MPC5000 update is still on the cards (around 6:20)



Been 4 years now since the last update.

Thoughts?

That would be awesome. Hope they find a way to free up the resource. Would like to not only see bug fixes though. Enhancements would be nice too. Time to start a list of feature requests and get it to akai fast!!!

Gotta dash, but will be back to this thread and list my requests in a few.

Feature requests would be at the bottom of my list. Fix all the bugs is the priority. TBH, I know the Ren is now the flagship so I'm not looking nor expecting Akai to start going down the road of adding new features to the 5000, and I don't think that's what Dan is suggesting. I think the best you could hope for are that some of the obvious bugs are corrected.

Yeah I can agree with that. Bugs are certainly higher priority. But still would like to see a few things added here and there. But if I were in their shoes with low resources, bug fixes is all I'd be concerned about too.

is... akai.... on a path to redemption?

4 software engineers and only 1 hardware engineer? No wonder they can't get things done. I'm guessing they are struggling with QA resources too.

It shows how out of touch Dan is with older Akai users (and how unprofessionally Akai is run) given that he keeps suggesting there will be a release that is not-commited. What if that hardware engineer leaves or is hit by a bus? What then? And its been 4 years for godsakes!

It's just naive or PR bullshit.

If they don't get more engineers (sw&hw) nothing will happen towards fixing 5k bugs. I wonder why they're so underresourced group of people.

If you Renniassance users stop bitching for a minute and let the engineer work on the 5000, I see this happen very soon:).

Fixing the timing bug should be priority.

I know why in the past they wouldnt release source code to someone say, like jj to mess with, but the 5k is no longer stocked for the most part anymore, and looks to be the last hardware stand alone mpc, releasing the code would revive, resolve and please the market they were aimed at with no cost from the company, and help move what ever little inventory they have left of the 5k. unfortunately untill that day, which will likely never come, I don't believe or see any updates or bug fixes coming from akai that isn't for a Ren, or studio.

Why was MPC5000 OS development was stopped at OS 2.0 in the first place? This was the flagship MPC, they'd put all that effort into OS 2.0, and within days of it being released, many of us were submitting bug reports directly to Akai. It needed a 2.1 update to finish it off.

It seems odd that 4 years later they'd decide to fix the bugs on a machine that, by the looks of things, is no longer being manufactured. If customer satisfaction is the reason, that would have been better addressed back in March 2009 with a 2.1 update.

But if it happens, then better late than never!

And yes, releasing the source code would be a great idea for us, but I can't see Akai going for that.

I've been studying the series Lie To Me. When asked if the 5000 will get the update he hestitates a bit, then he looks up to his left and then scratches his nose. There will not be an update for the 5000. Dude is lying!

One bug that irritates me is the zero length event issue. Every once in a while, when reloading a project, random events are zero length.

I haven't reviewed formal bug lists, so maybe someone has a solution to it. But this one bugs the heck out of me.

And hope his answer isn't just lip service, but its definitely strange to update an OS on a discontinued piece of hardware. Though not 100% unheard of.

When asked about the 5000, he mentioned "resources". That pretty much says it all. If the 5000 were a priority, it would have already received an update. It's been 4 years, and in that time, they have researched, developed, manufactured, and already updated the Renaissance, and to add insult to injury, it's getting another update next month.

I simply can't endorse the Akai MPC line anymore. The 5000's O.S. 2.0 bugs should have been addressed before any future product was even considered for development. I truly believe that the loyal consumers and fan base deserved a working fully functional product along with continued support, and Akai simply didn't do that.

In my opinion, the Renaissance is more of a "computer software baby DAW with a dedicated midi controller" than a true MPC. The minute they said it will host vst's changed everything. Veteran DAW companies struggle with compatibility with 3rd party plugins. If Akai's failure to support the 5000 is any indication of future support for the Renaissance, then I would advise against anyone purchasing it. They are releasing a 1.3 update for it, but there are still bugs in that software that haven't been addressed. How long before they abandon support for the Renaissance like they did with the 5000? If "resources" are really an issue, then how will the Renaissance software continue to be developed without charging the users for updates like all other DAW companies do?

Great to hear that there may be updates, I know there are a lot of 5K users out there looking for fixes and expanded capabilities on their machines. From a business development perspective, I wouldn't be surprised if updates to the 5K are related to making it compatible with the new AKAI software platform. I could see AKAI creating compatability to use the 5K as a hardware/controller hybrid, then offering the software for sale to 5K owners. (new revenue from existing customers in the hardware sector). If this ever was true, I would seriously hope that 5K owners could get the software for free since they already invested in the hardware. AKAI would really be able to boost its rep and recapture some of the marketshare from all of the controller competition.

Regardless, I really hope that the hardware MPCs are supported somewhat in the future! I like being able to do most production and live playing on a self contained sampler. For my use, its great to just be able to connect the power cord, pop in the L/R main output to a mixer, and PLAY! Computer latency what? Says who!