Who has an MPC Touch?

I just got one and I'm loving it, the software is way more stable now running 1.9, the touch's workflow and simplicity is amazing. I have to give it to Akai. With the touch, I think the software can reach its full potential more than with a Ren or Studio.

I still think q-links on the Ren/studio/touch are already under utilized and sometimes laid out in a dumb way it takes getting used to. Don't mind the lack of q-links on the Touch bc when I had the Ren I rarely used all 16 q-links bc the way I make music, theres a lot of modes where most the q-links have no function at all so I felt it was a waste to have 16 q-links in some instances, a little overkill for me when you can't really get intricate with them to begin with bc of how the software maps the q-links in some modes. I think they are working on this though.

I hear people saying this doesn't replace the Ren... well it surely replaced mine, and to me it wins the battle of the software mpcs by far. Some people will still favor the Ren, or older hardware mpcs and thats cool. I love hardware mpcs too but this is the closest thing right now to the mpc of the future. Don't care if its tethered to a computer. Dudes with hardware mpcs act like their MPCS aren't tethered to a power outlet, speakers, headphones, music cables, no matter what you're tethered so thats a dumb argument.

Anyways... who has the Touch on here so far? This thing should have came out 3 years ago instead of Akai wasting resources for the last half decade working on all that other crap no one cares about. Mpds, keyboards, mpc headphones???? like this mpctouch was seriously delayed till now? bc of all that other akai junk??? Man

Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

In fact, being able to yank the cord and work on the mix and pattern arrangement, tweak effects, etc. on the sofa, or @ the kitchen table... It outweighs the "portability" factor of a standalone... Unless Akai manages to surprise everyone w/ an OP-1-style unit. And that simply isn't going to happen. Hell, drop an extra $150 on an Element, and your laptop IS an MPC standalone!

I love the pads. They're so responsive. I don't really smash them, so I'm fine with the stiffer feel. If I want it loud, that's what "Full Level" is for. The firmness makes finesse playing better than any pads I've tried.

Love it.

hey, i'm new to the forum, and the MPC in general. . . i mean 'totally' new! so hi!

Bought an MPC Touch a few weeks back and i have to say i absolutely love it. I never laid a finger on a previous MPC and the accessibility of the Touch was just so appealing since Im on the move a lot with business. I use it at home with a pc running PT12 and a macbook pro with the MPC daw. There is always gonna be the elitist few who resist change, only natural, but I cant see how the new screen could ever be a step back from the old style. Music production is a science enough without your requisite tools and mechanisms adding to the complexity and restricting your output. Correct me if im wrong but the new approach offers a lot more, intuitive options, aswell as the old means?

My only moan so far, is that, although the manual covers a lot, some of the crucial basic concepts arent explained anywhere, in the manual, forums or tutorials, it seems taken for granted that people already have SOME MPC knowledge. Seriously, I dont know shit about MPC 'tracks, programs or sequences' and the relationships and interactions between them arent explained or demonstrated in any practical sense.

E.g. Im trying to make a 'song', a 4 min jam. So ive been putting together a beat all weekend, samples are all split into separate instruments, yet nowhere does it explain specifically that to make a 'song' i needed to split each into separate sequences in order to stitch them together (dont laugh, this may be reaaaally obvious to some, but bear in mind ive never touched an MPC before). I bought some tutorials from samplekings too and they dont explain this properly either. Bit too vague

Love the MPC Touch tho.

Icepulse wrote:Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

In fact, being able to yank the cord and work on the mix and pattern arrangement, tweak effects, etc. on the sofa, or @ the kitchen table... It outweighs the "portability" factor of a standalone... Unless Akai manages to surprise everyone w/ an OP-1-style unit. And that simply isn't going to happen. Hell, drop an extra $150 on an Element, and your laptop IS an MPC standalone!

I love the pads. They're so responsive. I don't really smash them, so I'm fine with the stiffer feel. If I want it loud, that's what "Full Level" is for. The firmness makes finesse playing better than any pads I've tried.

Love it.

Lol. I saw the thread. Wouldn't exactly call it accosted. Lol. Cmon man.

Anyway, the point is, that most people that say they don't mind being tethered to a computer, often say "I can close my laptop, or not look at my laptop, and do everything from the hardware!", or like you, they remark on how productive they can be by disconnecting the two and working on just the laptop. In effect, both are working standalone. So why not just have a standalone mpc? You say it outweighs the portability of a standalone, but a standalone would allow you to do exactly what you state.

Not saying you're wrong for your opinion or desire. I get it, and hope it works for you. But the arguments folks make for being tethered, often contradict the benefit of being tethered. I think that was the only point being made. Or as you say, why you were "accosted". Lol. Cmon man. Just giving you a hard time.

Eyalc wrote:

Icepulse wrote:Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

In fact, being able to yank the cord and work on the mix and pattern arrangement, tweak effects, etc. on the sofa, or @ the kitchen table... It outweighs the "portability" factor of a standalone... Unless Akai manages to surprise everyone w/ an OP-1-style unit. And that simply isn't going to happen. Hell, drop an extra $150 on an Element, and your laptop IS an MPC standalone!

I love the pads. They're so responsive. I don't really smash them, so I'm fine with the stiffer feel. If I want it loud, that's what "Full Level" is for. The firmness makes finesse playing better than any pads I've tried.

Love it.

Lol. I saw the thread. Wouldn't exactly call it accosted. Lol. Cmon man.

Anyway, the point is, that most people that say they don't mind being tethered to a computer, often say "I can close my laptop, or not look at my laptop, and do everything from the hardware!", or like you, they remark on how productive they can be by disconnecting the two and working on just the laptop. In effect, both are working standalone. So why not just have a standalone mpc? You say it outweighs the portability of a standalone, but a standalone would allow you to do exactly what you state.

Not saying you're wrong for your opinion or desire. I get it, and hope it works for you. But the arguments folks make for being tethered, often contradict the benefit of being tethered. I think that was the only point being made. Or as you say, why you were "accosted". Lol. Cmon man. Just giving you a hard time.

If you saw the posts, you'd know that I got abused for that affirmation. I won't get into it again. When I see a standalone that weighs 6 lbs, has a 200+ GB HD, and can connect to a personal cloud for both sample & plug-in access, and has a 8-10 hr rechargeable battery, you'll have a winner. Until then, nah. You'll still have to connect SOMETHING to it.

Eyalc wrote:

Icepulse wrote:Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

In fact, being able to yank the cord and work on the mix and pattern arrangement, tweak effects, etc. on the sofa, or @ the kitchen table... It outweighs the "portability" factor of a standalone... Unless Akai manages to surprise everyone w/ an OP-1-style unit. And that simply isn't going to happen. Hell, drop an extra $150 on an Element, and your laptop IS an MPC standalone!

I love the pads. They're so responsive. I don't really smash them, so I'm fine with the stiffer feel. If I want it loud, that's what "Full Level" is for. The firmness makes finesse playing better than any pads I've tried.

Love it.

Lol. I saw the thread. Wouldn't exactly call it accosted. Lol. Cmon man.

Anyway, the point is, that most people that say they don't mind being tethered to a computer, often say "I can close my laptop, or not look at my laptop, and do everything from the hardware!", or like you, they remark on how productive they can be by disconnecting the two and working on just the laptop. In effect, both are working standalone. So why not just have a standalone mpc? You say it outweighs the portability of a standalone, but a standalone would allow you to do exactly what you state.

Not saying you're wrong for your opinion or desire. I get it, and hope it works for you. But the arguments folks make for being tethered, often contradict the benefit of being tethered. I think that was the only point being made. Or as you say, why you were "accosted". Lol. Cmon man. Just giving you a hard time.

There was no good-natured "ha ha" or "just playin', in there, troop.

I was called a lot of stuff you wouldn't dare say to someone unless you were provoking a physical altercation.

eminusx wrote:hey, i'm new to the forum, and the MPC in general. . . i mean 'totally' new! so hi!

Bought an MPC Touch a few weeks back and i have to say i absolutely love it. I never laid a finger on a previous MPC and the accessibility of the Touch was just so appealing since Im on the move a lot with business. I use it at home with a pc running PT12 and a macbook pro with the MPC daw. There is always gonna be the elitist few who resist change, only natural, but I cant see how the new screen could ever be a step back from the old style. Music production is a science enough without your requisite tools and mechanisms adding to the complexity and restricting your output. Correct me if im wrong but the new approach offers a lot more, intuitive options, aswell as the old means?

My only moan so far, is that, although the manual covers a lot, some of the crucial basic concepts arent explained anywhere, in the manual, forums or tutorials, it seems taken for granted that people already have SOME MPC knowledge. Seriously, I dont know **** about MPC 'tracks, programs or sequences' and the relationships and interactions between them arent explained or demonstrated in any practical sense.

E.g. Im trying to make a 'song', a 4 min jam. So ive been putting together a beat all weekend, samples are all split into separate instruments, yet nowhere does it explain specifically that to make a 'song' i needed to split each into separate sequences in order to stitch them together (dont laugh, this may be reaaaally obvious to some, but bear in mind ive never touched an MPC before). I bought some tutorials from samplekings too and they dont explain this properly either. Bit too vague

Love the MPC Touch tho.

Remember that tracks = "layers", like in Photoshop, and changes you make to tracks will be exclusive to the sequence you're in, but changes you make to programs (kits) will carry over through the project. Meaning if you put a reverb on a single pad or entire program, that reverb will carry over to subsequent sequences, no matter what track it's assigned to.

Icepulse wrote:Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

Love it.

Would a small notebook have the processing power to run the Touch? I think minimum recommendation is i7 cpu?

Nubian Mindz wrote:

Icepulse wrote:Couldn't agree more. I was totally accosted on another post for positing the the same thing; that a Touch and small notebook, combined, weigh 5-6 lbs. LESS than the Ren alone, and that the line has blurred between Standalone & Software / Controller configs.

Love it.

Would a small notebook have the processing power to run the Touch? I think minimum recommendation is i7 cpu?

I have a 13" MBP retina (late 2012), and it takes a ton to even register a strain on the processor. Only when I load up several Air synths does it begin to register on the meter. I maxed that model out w/ 8gb RAM, tho.

Runs like a champ.

Does the touch need a power cable like the ren?

I'm still kinda not seeing the point of the touch for the price tag.. i mean the pads look nice..
The thing i love about the ren is how sturdy it is.. if your the kind of person who likes to make beats on the couch i can see the advantage of the touch.
Functionally speaking is there any difference?

Fugazi Jones wrote:Does the touch need a power cable like the ren?

I'm still kinda not seeing the point of the touch for the price tag.. i mean the pads look nice..
The thing i love about the ren is how sturdy it is.. if your the kind of person who likes to make beats on the couch i can see the advantage of the touch.
Functionally speaking is there any difference?

Yes it needs a PSU (you have a 7" touch screen and audio interface to power). It's also pretty sturdy.

Functionally speaking, obviously there's the touch UI, so the experience/workflow is different (better IMO). There's some extra features, plus todays' 1.9.2 update fixes some existing issues (including making the Q links visually more intuitive for editing) - still some things to iron out, but IMO it's now probably the best MPC Controller as long as you are happy with the basic audio interface, but it could do with a bit of a price drop, which will no doubt happen in a few months.

Read my full MPC Touch review.

In reply to the OP, I have a touch and am a major fan!

Got the update today, and it only added to my feelings toward the touch. Great being able to set up Keygroups from the controller. I didn't realize I even missed it until the update, and it works great.

Been playing with the "lazy chop" and what a blast. I also walked away a bit (to get a shot of Evan Williams) and when i came back I noted the screensaver/dimming feature.

Great product, and great update.

I tested the MPC Touch. It's a great equipment. Inspiring. And there are plenty of good sounds.
Good job Akai !

Quick demo: https://soundcloud.com/loveinlondon/aga ... -mpc-touch

BremenCole wrote:In reply to the OP, I have a touch and am a major fan!

Got the update today, and it only added to my feelings toward the touch. Great being able to set up Keygroups from the controller. I didn't realize I even missed it until the update, and it works great.

Been playing with the "lazy chop" and what a blast. I also walked away a bit (to get a shot of Evan Williams) and when i came back I noted the screensaver/dimming feature.

Great product, and great update.

Same here, had the Ren, and Maschine Studio, Mpc Touch is killing the game right now, workflow is insane with the touch screen, every parameter is right there, just touch anything and it works, no more using the cursor to go through every parameter. It be nice to have some dedicated mode buttons, like program edit, on the Touch but I can switch modes just as fast or even faster on the Touch then I can the Ren. Where the Ren controller is quite big, and unless you are standing or seated high, you have to raise your arm and reach for the mode buttons. Since the MPC software actually has about 20 modes pressing the MENU button gives you access to all 20 modes, on the Ren I had to click around the software for some of the other modes, or shift + mode button which is a pain if you are trying to work fast and have to keep reaching away from the pads, q-links and other buttons and working on a small lcd. The Touch has everything centered and contained right there, and you barely need to look at the software, barely ever need your mouse, I mean this is what I envisioned as the MPC of the future, feels more like hardware then the REN did. I honestly LOL when I read that people are waiting for the next flagship MPC, they obviously dont realize its both the MPC Ren and now the MPC Touch. These are obviously the 2 flagship MPCs which control the flagship mpc software. Mpc Touch just gives you a more modern hardware mpc layout. While the Renaissance looks and feels like the old school MPC hardwares with the number buttons, lcd screen, plastic transport buttons, etc... Anyone with a Ren I highly suggest you check out the Touch, I think a lot of people might like it better than the Ren, which sounds crazy.

I've got one.. And there's no other hardware out there bold enough to replace it..