Damn you REN

You keep pushing up the prices of REAL MPC's now that everyone know there is never going to be a real MPC again.

The prodigal beat makers are coming back in droves.

There's no mistaking the real!

R.I.P. MPC

Well tell me this... What makes an MPC a real MPC? That it's a standalone machine? That wouldn't be fair. Your computer can be as much a sampler as a sampler, in general. Sure, the new line of MPCs are controllers to their own software, but if you think about it, aren't "original" MPCs controllers to their own software, but the software lies within the sampler? I realize that some samplers have a certain "sound" that can't be emulated, but I find it unfair to call the new line of MPCs not "real" MPCs. I might get a lot of shit for this, but this is how I feel about it.

Me personally I feel the same on this, remember the limitations the first MPC's had but how everyone
Who used one managed to get past the limitations and still make great music I've been a user since the 3000 and started using it in '95 and if you ask me the renaissance is right on point it still has the limitations that still inspire great music a lot of you might disagree but the music is in you not the machine.

64padzzx3 wrote:the music is in you not the machine.

MPD Renaissance?

64padzzx3 wrote: I've been a user since the 3000 and started using it in '95 and if you ask me the renaissance is right on point.

So does the Ren sound like a 3000 to you since it has the same circuitry supposedly??

bearhead wrote:Well tell me this... What makes an MPC a real MPC? That it's a standalone machine? That wouldn't be fair. Your computer can be as much a sampler as a sampler, in general. Sure, the new line of MPCs are controllers to their own software, but if you think about it, aren't "original" MPCs controllers to their own software, but the software lies within the sampler? I realize that some samplers have a certain "sound" that can't be emulated, but I find it unfair to call the new line of MPCs not "real" MPCs. I might get a lot of shit for this, but this is how I feel about it.

Isn't the Ren your first "MPC"?

clint246clint wrote:MPD Renaissance?

Seriously though they have a hard enough time getting $250 for an MPD32. A "D" in the product name would not have made $1299 seem cheap

Truthfully for me a "real" MPC is a standalone box with no computer as that's why I always liked MPC's and that is still the main reason. Now that in no way means I feel Ren owners have a "less real" MPC, just a newer take on the production environment/style. Really I shouldn't even use the word real even with quotes as classic MPC might be more appropriate and get across it's just the MPC I personally want at the moment.

What bearhead wrote is totally valid to me, but at the same time I know Clint, Illgreen and myself simply prefer a standalone box. And those MPC's do have a 25 year history of being something they aren't going to be in the present and future.

Truthfully if it had been maybe $1699 and had standalone, maybe let the user pick his RAM from 512MB-2GB for internal use and then in computer mode it's whatever you have available, I'd have likely bought one.

But if other users don't need the standalone I wouldn't fault their choice. I hope they get the VST fixes, 64 bit, NDC improvements, step edit, and audio tracks before year's end. In spite of all the issues so far that would be pretty solid for just over a year on the market.

sensei wrote:You keep pushing up the prices of REAL MPC's

I haven't noticed this yet but I can see it happening in time for some models. Vintage mode won't have anyone selling their MPC60/3000 or SP12/1200 in a hurry. Still, the Ren/Studio is a different kind of production tool with great potential.

The price of the MPC4000 has dropped noticeably over here, despite being a surefire future classic. Pick one up while they are cheap...

Edit: just to clarify, I do prefer working with the hardware models but I also embrace the new direction of the controller/ software concept. For me legacy file compatibility is an absolute must due to the models I currently own and intend to keep. I've used the software so I'm aware of the workflow and other issues which have frustrated so many.

Same in the US on the 4000 prices. $800 is now $600-$650 for units with FX but no extra outs board.

2500's seem to have gone down a $100 on average, but no real reduction on 3000's or 60's.

No offense to anyone, but I've never cared to define these machines as real or not. I just care if what I made with them sounded real. If it didn't, I usually blamed myself.

Really, I just don't want to be tethered to big brother...

...even though my stand alone samplers are under FCC regulations, so they can zap my gear from space and render ME useless.

I think the whole "real MPC" argument is flawed.

MPC = Midi Production Center
MPC = Music Production Center
MPC = Music Production Controller

They are all MPCs, but with different roles which have had to evolve with the way music is being made. Evolve or die is what businesses must do, and Akai had to do to survive.

Ill-Green wrote:...even though my stand alone samplers are under FCC regulations, so they can zap my gear from space and render ME useless.

That is literally what the fine print in electronic manuals says though. The PS3 EULA has you agree to not use it to control WMD's. Seriously.