The Official MPC Element Thread

This looks very promising for using the software and leaving sequencing and mixing to a daw. Im intrigued.

My main question...

Will the mpc essentials software run with a ren or studio plugged in? Or is this controller essential? Hope not. It'd be nice if essentials works with any of the akai controllers plugged in.

Looking forward to more info coming out.

One track is definitely NOT enough. A basic MPC essential would have to put in at least 16 tracks.

And NO WAY this thing is close to the Ren software when you can get the iPhone app for $5 and that has 4 tracks.

I think that a full fledged production mpc isn't the goal here. This seems to be about the daw community to be honest. Limiting to one track ties it to one track in a daw, 1 to 1.

People like me have been complaining about daw integration since day one. This looks like it addresses that. Just hope that I don't have to buy that hideous controller. Lol.

IMO, it doesn't need more tracks, else how is it different from the full featured software?

But agree that their marketing isn't accurate. By saying its a standalone mpc infers that it should have multiple tracks, so can understand those perspectives.

What would be cool is if you can mix and match controllers with the two software versions.

I know exactly who this product is for, its for that guy who listens to your/any beats and he's like "awww man I bet I could do that too, I want to make beats! I bet I could make beats"

You know they arent serious about music production, they have little money to spend, but they are super eager to start making music. You know they will never get deep inbto making music but you are a decent friend and be like hey, if your low on money you can buy this mpc element thing. In reality dudes like this will never go on to make music seriously and might buy something like an mpc element to mess around to see if they like making music on an mpc.

Other then that I would say its for anyone who wants a more mobile setup.... but really who wants a stripped down version of a software where the full version isnt even completely above par with features yet to begin with, now you have a stripped down version. For the friend I mentioned above, you might as well suggest him a maschine or studio in my opinion. Also this thing is still chained to your computer, its not standalone. If you want a decent mobile setup your going to have to throw in a mini midi keyboard at least also so any way I see it, this product is for pure amatuers or pure pros who own a Ren and also want a more mobile solution. Either way I'm a little irritated they are wasting their time with kiddie toys instead of their flagship mpc.

What would of been dope is if that element mpc was a standalone hardware mpc, still same size, it looks about the size of an iPad, and the cover that closes on it was actually an lcd screen

Seems like they've taken an already bland looking piece of software and bland-ified it even more.

The Essentials software looks like Live to me...simple.

If the MPC Software can't be used on multiple tracks then I would like to see Essentials included with the Ren/Studio and controllable from the Ren/Studio's hardware.

funny.. when I saw the interface, it reminded me of live as well.. one tone colors no shades or gradients.. not a fan of that.. but its better then fxpansions guru interface

but I think the element is meant to be used with a DAW.. some DAW'S lack good chopping and drum programing, this looks like it would be the proper fit for those needs

I don't like the look of it though, it's about paper size with no screen.. would have been better if they revamped the mpd line and added the same specs and features

overall though, I like the idea, I was never a fan of using a mpc ren with a daw.. to me that is just over kill, hopefully the software will get to the point where you can do everything in it

I am not sure about the 1 track limit in Standalone Mode. If Plugins or Keygroup programs can be assigned to a Pad...then pressing 16 Levels allow you to play a Plugin or Keygroup across all the pads...then that would be money. It would be similar to Maschine. But since it is not, it is more suitable to be used within a DAW.

This could be a perfect low cost resource for DAW users that want MPC-styled drum programming.

the most _________ "mpc" ever.

This could be a perfect low cost resource for DAW users that want MPC-styled drum programming.

Exactly bro
well if that's the case.. then there should be a drag and drop into your daw feature?

M-Chop wrote:

This could be a perfect low cost resource for DAW users that want MPC-styled drum programming.

Exactly bro
well if that's the case.. then there should be a drag and drop into your daw feature?

That would be cool for both software apps.

MPC Element is going to sell like hotcakes. Why?

1. Price. It's a cheap way of getting your feet wet, without paying a large sum of money. Like the attraction to the mpc500. Just like djing, every one wants to be a beat maker.

2. It's desksaver size and travel kit size.

3. Perfect for guys who do shows, finger drummers. They don't need tracks and it has 8 pad banks.

4. Maybe it will work like a controller for other software.

5. Limited function software might bring back creative music with less function, that was done on mpc60, sp1200. Which will bring shame to some who has all the function and created less.

One track is definitely NOT enough

"one track" is an artificial software limitation, an intentionally gimped product.
it takes a real sleezeball to implement intentionally gimped products, and a real sucker to pay for them.

pass.

Nym wrote:

One track is definitely NOT enough

"one track" is an artificial software limitation, an intentionally gimped product.
it takes a real sleezeball to implement intentionally gimped products, and a real sucker to pay for them.

pass.

+1