Official: 'Akai MPC Touch' - The New MPC

People are buying more controllers because there really isn't much of a choice now. I went to Guitar Center not too long ago and was overwhelmed at how many controller keyboards were on display. Midi controllers are great but they shouldn't be the only option. Its funny how people say get with modern technology. Well a Windows Embedded standalone MPC is modern technology too.

Seriously. People aren't crying standalone because they want another 3000. We want a diesel new standalone mpc with a beast built-in operating system. Way more modern than some flashy light, stock loop-triggering current standard.

funkycoldmedina wrote:Seriously. People aren't crying standalone because they want another 3000. We want a diesel new standalone mpc with a beast built-in operating system. Way more modern than some flashy light, stock loop-triggering current standard.

I love standalone, but I cannot understand why would I need that instead of my own choice computer that I can update whenever I want, I have to be stuck with the shitty computer akai throws in the next gen standalone.
At the end of the day it is a computer too. Maybe is the fact that you have to double click in the mpc software icon. Or maybe the thing is not to carry 2 pieces of hardware.
And an old school standalone unit I would not buy because I don't want to suffer the same that 5k owners have been suffering . I am not all in for the MPC touch. I don't think this is the piece to update my ren to, but I like the touch screen idea. I have to try it though because I want to know if it is as responsive as an ipad or similar. if so, touch the screen(instead of going all arounf with the cursor) and twist the q-link is good enough for me, and I can see it as a step forward in my workflow. And I love the MPC software more and more every day as it is without audio tracks LOL(I want audio tracks too! please AKAI hahaha).

And an old school standalone unit I would not buy because I don't want to suffer the same that 5k owners have been suffering . I am not all in for the MPC touch. I don't think this is the piece to update my ren to, but I like the touch screen idea. I have to try it though because I want to know if it is as responsive as an ipad or similar.

+1
Two key points here:

1. 5000 owners got the shit end of the stick.
2. That had better be one kick ass touchscreen.

it all comes down to the bond that is created between the musician and his or her instrument, put it like this there are still people who could run you on a 2000. It's not about technology it's about instrumentation and workflow. when you look at an instrument like looking at a new laptop you're planning to buy you do your own musicianship a disservice. Computers from 20 years ago have no value, but beat machines from 20 years ago still have allot of value, that's because they're instruments and people and their skills grow with them. my old mpcs run on a 286 or 386 processor and it doesn't mean a thing they are still very capable instruments.
The most valuable thing about them is that even though there is a computer chip inside them you can take them somewhere and plug them into a wall and they don't feel like a computer, they feel closer to a drumset, a bass, or some other instrument. A midi controller attached to a desktop or laptop does not provide the same kind of bond for everyone.

kaydigi wrote:http://www.noterepeat.com/products/akai-professional/mpc-series/669-akai-pro-mpc-touch-frequently-asked-questions

Some details I didn't see posted before. Is this wording correct, the touch will have it's own Mpc Software?

Will the included MPC Software work with my MPC Studio or MPC Renaissance?

The software included with MPC Touch is very similar to the MPC Software you may already be used to, but it will NOT recognize or function with the MPC Studio or MPC Renaissance. If you're an existing MPC user and are eager to update to v1.9 of the MPC Software, please stand by - more info will be released soon!

What the f*** is up with that? Didn't we get the info before that the software is the same, just some features are not available for the Ren/Studio as it involves touch functions? If this is true and there are 2 softwares, it could very well be that after 1.9 we do not see any new update for the Ren. At least it could be that way, if Akai has the same business politics as some other companies out there. What do you all think?

Will the included MPC Software work with my MPC Studio or MPC Renaissance?

The software included with MPC Touch is very similar to the MPC Software you may already be used to, but it will NOT recognize or function with the MPC Studio or MPC Renaissance. If you're an existing MPC user and are eager to update to v1.9 of the MPC Software, please stand by - more info will be released soon!

TBH I'm a little surprised that there's to be a separate MPC Touch version of the MPC Software. I would have thought any additional features exclusive to the Touch could have just been incorporated into the standard MPC Software and simply 'unlocked' when connecting a Touch. Seems very inefficient for them to now be effectively developing three different forks of the MPC Software simultaneously.

Depends on the Touch software. May very well be easier to maintain separate versions (forks) rather than unlocking features based on the hardware plugged in. I'm not surprised by it actually. Especially if you plan to sunset one of them (ahem, current Ren) at some point in the future. That last statement is just my speculation of course. But I can't see the current Ren / Studio sticking around for long if the Touch capabilities are a success.

Eyalc wrote:
+1...

I just don't understand why folks are talking about standalone isn't necessary, or it's antiquated, or people need to get modern. It's a preference people. Arguing against standalone is annoying. If they release a standalone, there are going to be way more people invest in this thing, which is going to generate more revenue, which is going to have a positive effect on the continuity of this thing. Just take a look at their facebook page... people are ready to pay for a standalone. Because of that, I can't understand why people wouldn't want a standalone version to be released, even if they themselves want to stick with the controller. It's arguing for the sake of arguing, and senseless posturing that because they want a controller they are more modern than someone else , because in the end, the economics of a standalone is going to benefit them as well.

think peeps say the cost is prohibitive and that without the power of the PC it would not have the same level of vst capability.

but if they can maintain the ren feature-set in standalone (and not have it be 2G's) then peeps will be up for it.

but those saying that the mpc500 is better than the ren or the studio is silly because the 500 cannot do many of the things that the studio or the ren can do.

the fact that the 500 is standalone does not trump all of those features; also most users will be using the mpc in a studio as opposed to at the beach or in a park, so the stand alone gripes are immaterial whining for no reason.

the distinction of a controller ala mpc ren vs a so called real mpc ala 2500 is a false distinction; caused by an old skool mentality, and an inability to change with the times with regards to music tech.

but no one is against standalone but its is not the be all end all, also the point about updating the the ren software of course they are cos the ren is only 3 years old.

while the 4000 is about 10 years old so why would they continue to update that? like Microsoft dont still support win xp or vista; so its logical to not expect the 5k not to be update after a period of time.

Roland MV8000/8800 was a beast. Something like that running MPC software features and touch screen would be a great option for those who prefer to be disconnected from a computer.

pspsounds wrote:Roland MV8000/8800 was a beast. Something like that running MPC software features and touch screen would be a great option for those who prefer to be disconnected from a computer.

why do u think Roland discontinued the MV series?

How many of those Elektron hardware units have sold vs the Maschine studio? how many MV units do u think were sold vs the Maschine Studio?

As stated in one of the vids I posted the standalone hardware sampling workstations have become a niche market, and those crying about standalone will not accept that fact.

Yes there is a demand but it may not be great enuff to justify the investment of Akai.

As surely akai must realize alot of the peeps complaining are not entirely rational; when u heart statements like the Ren is not an real MPC its a controller.

Akai reading those statements and knowing that the components used in the Ren are similar to the components used in the so called 'real MPC's', so they can rightly so dismiss the argument as nonsensical.

Probably didn't sell well because it wasn't glossy and light up enough. Not because it wasn't a good unit. Again, IMO standalone should be an option even if it's for a small group. And I think that group is not as small as we think. I've seen many post on social media saying "Is it standalone?"

pspsounds wrote:Probably didn't sell well because it wasn't glossy and light up enough. Not because it wasn't a good unit. Again, IMO standalone should be an option even if it's for a small group. And I think that group is not as small as we think. I've seen many post on social media saying "Is it standalone?"

that aint it bruh, come on son (ed lover voice)

most of us dont even like all the bright colours on the maschine pads.

people aint **** with them aforementioned units cos they was expensive; and u could not run ur vsts off it, and the integration with the DAW was poor, peeps did not wanna spend time tracking out anymore.

lets keep it 100, it aint nothing to do with the mv not having flashing lights.

If we do ever get a standalone, people will still complain, no doubt the same complaints they had about the previous standalones (poor computer integration, high cost, limited features compared to software solutions, doesn't sound as good as the 3000, doesn't have the same 'swing', etc).

There's clearly 'a' market there for standalone MPCs, but as jpeg says, it's very niche (a niche within an already small niche!), and I do wonder how many of those people will simply prefer to stick with their legacy MPCs regardless of what Akai may or may not put out.

I've seen many post on social media saying "Is it standalone?"

I wouldn't take much notice of that, complainers are more likely to complain. And out of those 30 facebook commenters asking for a standalone, you can bet only 3 or less of them will actually buy it if it ever did come out (trust me, I know this from making products based on forum requests, MPC Stuff will tell you the same).

Akai will have done the numbers, they won't base product development on social media requests. There might only be 500 people out there who would consider buying a new standalone MPC. You do have to wonder how many people even notice or care about the MPC market (in the general scheme of things) - it's certainly nowhere near as popular as it was 10 years ago.

kaydigi wrote:http://www.noterepeat.com/products/akai-professional/mpc-series/669-akai-pro-mpc-touch-frequently-asked-questions

I notice they've tried to clean up the concerns about the wobbly 'stand' we saw in the promo video:

If the stand is made out of plastic, won't the MPC Touch wobble when I hit the pads?

The optional stand raises the MPC Touch enough to provide a desirable angle for viewing the screen and performing on the pads. It's low enough and wide enough that the hardware won't bounce around at all during play. The stand also has rubber feet on the bottom to improve stability. As long as your MPC Touch is resting on a solid service, it won't bounce or slide around.

So I guess they're suggesting that in promo video, he's put the Touch on a surface that is not 'solid'.