MPC Software 2.0 Audio Tracks, which features are essential?

Please stick to audio tracks related stuff in this topic please - anything else can go in the dedicated feature requests sub forum.

I want scratch tracks, and the ability to save down performances on my external synth in to the MPC Software. In theory, the plug-in in my DAW (Logic) would do all that, but the plugin sucks, and overall, I'm much freer working native on the MPC. The plugin window is too small, and it's always jumping around, so I prefer working as far as I can on a project in the MPC.

As a bass player, I'm lousy on keyboards, so the latest MPC update that gave us chords, notes, etc on the pads is a blast to use, so I do a lot of synth playing on that interface. Hacked, yes, but I like it. I love forcing the pads to my key, and I've created a number of chord templates for different voicings. Very cool, to me.

So -- let me press record, pull that synth performance back in, and then later take everything out to Logic for better FX treatment, that's my plan.

Personally I think they should keep the functions on audio tracks quite basic, simply because there's only a limited number of buttons on the old controllers and the redesigned studio. On the Touch they could easily add dedicated buttons for specific new functions to the screen, but on the older models you would have to use unlabeled button combinations. That's why I think workflowwise it what be best if they add the functions that are already included in sample edit: cut, copy, paste, normalize, fade in/out, timestretch etc.

What I would like to see for audio tracks is an option to convert audio tracks to drum programs (including the midi track) even if the audio track is recorded across several sequences. So if you record a bassline on an audiotrack that's 16 bars long (and maybe cut to pieces, silence deleted etc.) and it's played across 4 sequences of 4 bars (chained in song mode) it should create 4 drumprograms + miditracks of the bassline and add them to the relating sequences. That way you could afterwards add all your effects and stuff with the workflow you already know.

Resampling tracks/sequences to audio tracks would also be nice for those who use alot of cpu-heavy effects.

And for those who need more options/functionality in audio editing: possibility to easily open any audio track in the favorite audio editing software.


On another note: I'm still hoping they redesign the song mode. I just like to clearly see where tracks and sequences are changing throughout an arrangement.

Elmar Jestro wrote:And for those who need more options/functionality in audio editing: possibility to easily open any audio track in the favorite audio editing software.

I agree, that's a great idea (should be possible for any audio file).

Good ideas, I like the realtime stretch being controlled by markers and tempo. So you can adjust tempo on the whole project. Hopefully it doesn't sound like Ableton. Freeze tracks and the ability to turn off the stretching algorithm. The plugin delay compensation is good one as well.

option for audio tracks to snap in to the tempo of the song while recording

peelnpuff wrote:yo,
ok Just to make it clear i m not on the MPC DAW team =)

.. but you should be brother because you nailed it.
100% + for all your notes and suggestions!


now my 2 cents regarding to the "pluginscanner" component. and a rebuild of some codelines..

because i am no native i will try to keep it with an "example" so you guys can get me right...

Waves plugins ! although it is possible to use Waves plugins in MPC Software, we all know it´s a pain in the ass. Since last Waveshell updates in 9.7 it´s even not possible anymore to downgrade software to 1.6 , 1.5, 1.3.1 scan plugins and update MPC Software to latest again..
So the only way to get them working again for now is wrapping up the shell to single vsts to get them recognized. not cool !
But i don´t want to hate here and also no need to wag the finger at AKAI because it´s the same pain for Adobe Audition, Cantabile Performer or other Software.

So here maybe a hint for the developers that may help to find the problem and finally fix this!

-The pluginscanner Versions in 1.2 and 1.3.1 DO properly recognize newest Waveshells and in 1.2 and 1.3.1 you can use Waves plugins without any issue
-BUT it´s not possible to upgarde older versions anymore and keep that plugs because they get lost! (the "why" you can see below)

Maybe you guys that coded it now already got the point now but i try to place a hint in my shi++y english..

it has to do something with the "additional" plugin information that are gathered since software version 1.4+

-Manufacturer and plugin type

because Waves plugins information for all Plugins are stored in that one Waveshell "maybe" waves does not propperly tag all information for each single plug and this crashes your pluginscanner routine because scanner can´t gather/place the information

OR

-your pluginscanner has an "timeout" option implanted since 1.5+ that has to be raised up... (because of the scanning time for the Waveshell)

OR
- it is because of the fact that Waves plugins comprise of 2 components now.. WaveShell-VST 9.6 AND WaveShell-VST 9.7 and your pluginscanner is not able to integrate further information to an already exiting plugin information tree that is stored in scanner cache
+possible that information of scanned 9.6 has to keep stored in cache for scanning 9.7 and that´s the issue there

cheers

also .. i already tried to hand out this (and technically more deeper) information via official support forum 2 times . i didn´t even got a proper response. it was totally clear that the guys that answered my posts has never touched any MPC Software. and i doubt the information was pushed to right directions. and that´s not the way support can work!
AKAI has to implent a routine that mails are directed to the proper place and then get´s answered.

hopefully Mpc-Tutor is able to push this information in the right directions because it seems that i am not


aarmSiggar

I just need (for asking something) a way to arm various tracks to record all the external hw at a time.

TT_Lab wrote:I just need (for asking something) a way to arm various tracks to record all the external hw at a time.

Very important observation!

It is something that Dan mentioned in Namm as being a feature so it will be included.

Ability to convert Audio to MIDI. MV can do this but its a crude hack than an actual feature. Would love to convert some piano sounds into electric guitar straight off vinyl.

Ill-Green wrote:Ability to convert Audio to MIDI. MV can do this but its a crude hack than an actual feature. Would love to convert some piano sounds into electric guitar straight off vinyl.

Akai's sister company Sonnivox is making Pitch2Midi it would be good if it could be packed in the mpc software like the air music stuff.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/product-alerts-older-than-2-months/1057168-namm-2016-sonivox-pitch2midi-real-time-audio-midi-synth-converter-software.html

Routing and side-chaining, a selection of automation shapes

I'm very excited about audio tracks in the MPC software.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't use it to record and mix vocals (essentially doing a whole song)... at least not in what I think will be the 2.0 abilities. I'd be setting myself up for disappointment.
But what I would think are essential features are what I consider 2016 basic:
(Outside of Time Stretch and Pitch Correction in real time, which has been confirmed)

1. Recording mono/stereo audio
2. Ability to cut, copy, paste, with and without a time snap (1/16th, 1/4th, etc)
3. Fading audio in and out
4. Inserts/Sends on Tracks



Honorable Mentions:
1.Internal Sidechaining
I currently sidechain in the MPC software via DB Sidechain Compressor VST, but it'd be nice to do that without that.
2. Some sort of tape stop/vari-fi esque manipulation.
3. Audiosuite-like destructive plugin use (being able to select an audio clip and with a plugin transform the actual wave form... like using x-click to remove clicks from audio or basic editing in Sound Forge)

MPC-Tutor wrote:

Elmar Jestro wrote:And for those who need more options/functionality in audio editing: possibility to easily open any audio track in the favorite audio editing software.

I agree, that's a great idea (should be possible for any audio file).

I like this as well.

next scenes legato mode (recording too)
groove quantize in inspector per pad and track and bank
realtime swing in inspector
vst instruments in pads in drum mode
16 submixes
16 links per pad
midi export with 16 level tune (pitch cc)
non destructive automation (parameter reset on startpoint sequence )
step automation