The Official MPC Element Thread

I really want to cop this....but I'm very skeptical about how my CPU would be hit across 16-20 instances. It seems to me like inside my DAW is the only logical way to use it.

I like the idea of it as an instrument on a channel...I can do all my sample chopping with it, I can use the note repeat, swing (maybe) and the 16-levels. But again, the big question is how efficient it will run?

As far as working in standalone, I am hoping there might be a workaround like the Boss SP's and the "resample" method. If you can play your drum sequence out then record it to a pad and copy that pad then delete the current sequence, start a new one, hit the drum sequence pad and overdub with the next instrument/part...wash rinse repeat.

Then you can take each sequence and copy it to a pad and build your song that way and export it as a single WAV.

AKAI has also said on their FB page that the unit will be compatible with the MPC software after the 1.5 revision is released...BUT...the only way to GET the MPC software is by buying a REN or Studio...so this tells me that not only are they trying to nudge entry consumers into the flagship product...but they are also trying to nudge REN users into "supplementing" their portability issues witht he Element.

Cool is the proper implementation of the MIDI...I can also daisychain my other hardware. Sounds good to me...

Big issue is the pad sensitivity...this is nothing more than a rehoused FLY. And if you look @ Fluxs video on YouTube, he shows the shittiness of the Flys pads.

@ $149 it's very intriguing...I'm not going to lie. But jeez man....would 8-16 tracks of sequencing KILLED them? Blah

JAH wrote:4. Having more virtual outputs in the Ren...reasonable request. But...while you are tracking the long way using the virtual outs, a user can export 128 MPC tracks then import the tracks inside a DAW in a fraction of the time.

Only problem with this is it only exports in stereo files which doubles the file sizes of unneeded tracks, such as drums, bass, etc!

All i can say is WTF!... Akai is dead!.... Happy i own a 2500....And the real beat makers and producers know this is the end of a once power house company!....oh yeah I bet 1.5 MPC Software is going to be out around Thanksgiving and 1.6 dont count on that until summer 2014 at the earliest.... WOW!...

TT_Lab wrote:Is really 1 track only?

In this picture I see a track up and down buttons so it should be more than 1 track...

I'm gonna have to go with one of two things. 1. This is a repackaged Fly as someone mentioned or 2. This thing is able to control the full Ren Software. Why? In addition to track up and down buttons, there is also a Mute Track and Solo Track button. No need to mute or sole a one track application. I doubt these buttons will be able to control/mute/solo actual DAW tracks.

According to whoever is posting on the AKAI Pro FB page...the Up/Down track buttons can control scrolling thru the instances in a DAW...but I am very skeptical of that.

So it hasn't even been a full year yet and the Fly has already been discontinued and it's remains butchered and repackaged. That doesn't look good for Akai.

They should've just released a vst plugin and called it a day.

If this joint can be opened up and the pads swapped out....I'm coppin'

DJ Hellfire wrote:

JAH wrote:4. Having more virtual outputs in the Ren...reasonable request. But...while you are tracking the long way using the virtual outs, a user can export 128 MPC tracks then import the tracks inside a DAW in a fraction of the time.

Only problem with this is it only exports in stereo files which doubles the file sizes of unneeded tracks, such as drums, bass, etc!

True. But I know a solution for that while we wait for MONO export.

Hobbs wrote:According to whoever is posting on the AKAI Pro FB page...the Up/Down track buttons can control scrolling thru the instances in a DAW...but I am very skeptical of that.

It someone in the know told you that the Up/Doawn track buttons can scroll through instances in a DAW, why would you be skeptical? Rest assured.....

DJ Hellfire wrote:I doubt these buttons will be able to control/mute/solo actual DAW tracks.

It is a general MIDI controller. Does your DAW support mapping its mute/solo/etc functions to external MIDI?

JAH wrote:

InspectahEX wrote:Mpc Element with Mpc Essentials software? So it's like a stripped down controller with a stripped down version of the software?

I am getting a little worried about Akai's priorities and where they are directing their development resources. Can we get more focus on the Ren/Studio?

All the specifics are not out there yet. The questions are:
1. What features of the MPC Software was left out of the Essentials?
2. Are the products compatible?
3. How many Essentials VSTs can be inserted into your DAW?
4. Does the Essentials software have any features that are not currently in 1.4?
5. Can the MPC Ren/Studio controllers work with the Essentials software?

word!

1. Track Mix and Track Mute Modes.
2. Yes.
3. Unlimited depending on your DAW and CPU
4. MIDI icon, multiple stances of the plugin inside your DAW
5. Yes.

6. can the essentials hardware run the ren/studio software? (should be #1)

es-k wrote:6. can the essentials hardware run the ren/studio software? (should be #1)

Jahrome answered that it does.

I wonder if Akai is ever going to produce a standalone unit again. The market has evolved to almost exclusively ITB. I wouldn't hold my breath.

So I cannot use my 900€ neither my 500€ mpcs to control my DAW but I can get this 100€ repacked Fly thing or whatever with striped down features to be asumed...and can do what everybody in this forum have been askinbg for a year...to do as maschine does and work as a **** control surface....I love my babies (Ren and Studio)but S H I T!!! WTF???

Maschine has been out for 5 years now and is still missing several functions the Ren and hardware MPCs have. Visit the NI Forum and you will be greeted with several threads pointing this out.