The Official MPC Element Thread

More I look at it, I'll get it, as long it'll load my current REN projects, does anyone know if it will? Currently my ren software has dongle, anyone know if this controller has to be attached or what?

MPC-Tutor wrote:

bearhead wrote:Wow, what a letdown. I was expecting something huge. Not something rebranded. They could've just said "We're bringing you the MPC Fly for the software." This is not some "whole new element". Now 1.5 with audio tracks and a better mixer... THAT would be a whole new element.

That's the problem with running one of these teaser campaigns, people's imaginations start going wild and inevitably it ends in disappointment.

But regardless IMO it's potentially a good product, and the price is definitely going to win people over.

Another problem is that one of the major hype Elements is missing: Flows Like Water.
Without any knobs or display the workflow will not be too fluid.

Whagi wrote: Is that it!!! What a load of hype for nothing.

MPC-Tutor wrote:20 months since the Fly was announced, still not released, not sure why it's taking so long to change the charging port. Obviously iPad 5 will be out soon, apparently new form factor this time. IMO sounds like a nightmare to keep up with compatibility, especially as it has to pass Apple's 'Made For iPad' requirements. In reality they'd need to be simultaneously offering Fly versions for iPad 3, 4 and 5 if they want to sell many units.

I think they were always fighting a losing battle with the Fly. This IMO is a lot better product.

I always thought the Ren/Studio was a bit clunky in terms of ergonomics. With this at least you can have your mouse/trackpad on the right, qwerty keyboard in the middle and the Element on the left, allowing for perfect triangulation with your monitor in a small footprint. The software will never outgrow the controller because you know from day one that the mouse/trackpad is essential to its operation. I'm almost impressed.

I still think their marketing department is terrible though.

not an ipad compatible piece but not the fly. more like a stripped further down studio / mpd with MPC Software Essentials (sort of like an express version - new point of entry to gain market share I guess)

well... ok. not for me. I still have hopes that the Fly will be improved and live up to its promise.

Agreed, this is actually a nice product,and I'm sure this is going to sell like hotcakes, I don't expect the pads to be all that great, I mean for 150 bucks but who knows maybe they will be.

I'm impressed the more I look at it, it will allow you to do mostly everything that the REN's software does now.

I can take this little guy anywhere,seems like it.I just hope there's no restrictions with loading my ren projects.

They could get around the connector nonsense if they found a way to do a bluetooth FLY sort of like Zaggs keyboard thing. Wouldn't matter much then because the ipad (2,3,4 etc - until body totally changes) would work fine

inflict3 wrote:and some of us actually thought they were gonna drop a new standalone hardware.. hahahhah,. not gonna lie, a lil part of me thought they were gonna drop a thin mpc that had its own OS

This is what doesn't make sense with Nukai. I'm sure I got an email from them the other day (unless I dreamt it) advertising a new DJ sampler. I've seen it before and knew it was a little bit gimped, but it's still got drag and drop editing, CF card storage, battery power, a little LCD etc... and it's only £99!

They should seriously consider making an MPC500XL. How much more can it cost to slap in the 'iconic' MPC sequencer and a few internal extras?

Interested. Will have it in the living room with the laptop.

What is this, I don't even...

Imo mpd32 with ren support would've rocked. But even the software's stripped-down here.

Well at least they wont have to bury all the manufactured fly controllers to some desert. Saves a bit of earth right there.

I was hoping that they would release a controller just like the Ren without the audio interface. But, it seems like they decided to go lower in respect to tiered product placement. Looks like a pretty cool product especially for those new to music production.

dccarson wrote:I was hoping that they would release a controller just like the Ren without the audio interface. But, it seems like they decided to go lower in respect to tiered product placement. Looks like a pretty cool product especially for those new to music production.

Yes I am sure this will sell fora lot of people looking at an inexpensive start to trying their own production, and will be attractive to the pockets of those looking at small machine

Frankly I am shocked by some your responses my friends! Are we not of the AKAI community? Think about the portability and what this means for the future of music production!

Have you forgotten who are the pioneers of beat making? It is AKAI MPC, without them there is no us. Without them there is no "super-producer" in any genre of electronically induced music.

This is a new beginning my friends, let's congratulate AKAI on sensing our future needs.

bearhead wrote:

MPC-Tutor wrote:
That's the problem with running one of these teaser campaigns, people's imaginations start going wild and inevitably it ends in disappointment.

But regardless IMO it's potentially a good product, and the price is definitely going to win people over.

I guess so. I just wish that they would spend more time and focus on the current software and the integration problems with the Ren/Studio. But I don't know. Maybe they are and they just haven't said anything yet...

coolderb wrote:Agreed. That was a pretty big build up for basically a recycled controller. I understand the necessity of marketing and hype, but it can also backfire.

On the other hand, I guess they had to do something with the materials from the unsuccessful MPC Fly project. Why not..

Hahah. Here's a whole new - unfortunately previously economically unsuccessful but now rebranded into something else - element. But I guess it's a good idea for the price. It really didn't deserve all the hype it was getting though.

I have to give Akai credit for trying though. They may not always get it right but at least they are trying different ideas. Choice is good. Many other music hardware companies are not even trying anymore.

According to Akai's facebook, this isn't the only surprise they've got coming today...