Bug reports & end-user support for Akai's MPC Software 'controllers' including the new MPC Studio 2, the MPC Touch, MPC Renaissance & original MPC Studio and MPC StudioB lack.
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By Fanu Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:53 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:
richie wrote:I however do think that the crack makes it convenient to be able to take the controller and go, without having to keep deactivating / reactivating or phoning Numark in the morning and hoping they can take care of it for you


I agree, there's bound to be a fair few legitimately licensed users who would take that route. No one wants to be waiting weeks for Akai to get back to them just to reset a clunky activation counter. I believe Maschine handles it much better, it's all completely automated via software center - when you reinstall on a new set up, your older installation is automatically de-licensed. As long as you don't try running the software again on that old installation, your new installation remains fully licensed, no human intervention ever required.


As with anything relating to software, Akai is seriously behind other companies.
By greavous420 Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:19 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:
greavous420 wrote:Yeah I reinstalled OSX on my macbook and apparently have run out of activations for the MPC software! Raised it to Akai through the support sections who surprisingly havent got back in touch for over a week now! Luckily the iMac is fine!


Try ringing them as it seems they are consistently slow to respond to email/online support requests. I still cannot believe they don't have a proper activation/deactivation system in place.

It's worth pointing out that the licence (as per the installer) makes no mention of allowing multiple activations, in fact it specifically forbids installation on multiple computers simultaneously. So in theory you having running on your iMac and Macbook is actually not allowed unless you own multiple licenses (i.e. have more than one controller).


Yeah I tried the support number but they shut at 6pm and I have work in the day time!

Also here is an Akai employee from the akai community forum saying how much better the activations are than with NI...

1
Corey S (Employee) 6 months ago
Hi guys!

You can activate MPC on up to 4 different computers at the same time. This is per MPC serial number. So if you get a second MPC, you get 4 more simultaneous activations.

And if you purchase a used MPC or run out of activations, just contact our Tech Support team directly and they'll help you clear them out or manage your activations.

From a personal standpoint, 4 simultaneous activations should be more than enough, especially considering that if you get a new computer or harddrive, you can clear the old activation so it's not lost entirely and you can start over if necessary. Compared to NI/Maschine, I'd say that MPC is just as accessible, if not more:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en...


Standard practice is if you can't reach the SLA you set out then tell people its gonna take longer! Set the expectation correctly from the first point of contact and then you are at least informing your customers accurately. Informing customers of anything doesn't seem to be a strong suit for Akai though.(or most big companies these days.... thanks Capitalism!)
By greavous420 Tue Oct 25, 2016 7:03 pm
Wayhey. Being a douche finally paid off. I put it on Akai's forum and a note on a facebook post on their page and I miraculously get an email telling me I'm good to go!

I hate being that guy as I work in customer service but sometimes you've gotta do it.
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By MPC-Tutor Tue Oct 25, 2016 8:11 pm
greavous420 wrote:You can activate MPC on up to 4 different computers at the same time. This is per MPC serial number. So if you get a second MPC, you get 4 more simultaneous activations.


I just don't get why Akai make no mention of this anywhere officially, particularly in the actual official MPC Software license contained within the installer. It's like they don;t want to put it there just in case they decide to stop offering the 4 activations at a later date. Why haven't they updated the installer with this info? How are new customers supposed to know this fact if they only ever mention it in random forum posts?
By dustymaestro Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:51 pm
That's actually pretty good, 4 computers. Waves won't even work on my laptop and desktop without having to connect to the internet and deauthorize one.

I think the info is on Akais website. In the FAQ's I think.

I've had to call Akai three times recently, twice for authorization issues and one for technical support. The authorization guy was easy to work with. The tech support was stupid.
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By MPC-Tutor Tue Oct 25, 2016 11:09 pm
It used to be on the akaimpcpro site, but when they took that site down a couple of years ago they didn't transfer that bit of the faq. Either way, the actual license itself says unlimited activations as long as it's only one computer at a time, so they're actually breaking their own license by putting in the 4 activation limit.

Why the hell don't they update the actual legal agreement that they force their customers to sign on each install? It's kind of important... :popcorn:

I think I must be the only person that reads these things :wink:
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By richie Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:20 am
@MPC-Tutor if people think getting their activations sorted is an issue, wait until you need actual repair or hardware support. I'm having a "wonderful" time dealing with them right now.

Since the REN is discontinued, I do not understand why this activation system is of any relevance to maintain by Numark.
By Thomaz Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:27 am
MPC-Tutor wrote:
I think I must be the only person that reads these things :wink:


No, I'm also wondering about that :wink:

It started when I sold my first Ren and informed their customer support that I want to sell the device and that they please should de-register the serial number.

Then I've uninstalled the software.

A few months later I bought the Studio and installed it on the same computer. Worked without any problems but when I looked in the hardware registration it's still the serial number from the first Ren...

Since then I sold and bought several used Rens / Studios and I didn't bother any longer installing the software again and again... Everytime I plugged in a "new used one" it worked. With the serial number of my beloved first Ren :lol:

To say it with the words of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: I think their "registration support" is nothing but an unorganized grabastic piece of amphibian shit! :wink:
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By Mike Boogie Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:18 pm
richie wrote:@MPC-Tutor if people think getting their activations sorted is an issue, wait until you need actual repair or hardware support. I'm having a "wonderful" time dealing with them right now.

Since the REN is discontinued, I do not understand why this activation system is of any relevance to maintain by Numark.


THIS X 1000!

Their technical systems are primitive at best and absolute garbage at worst. And the 4 PC activation is BS. The maximum I have been able to activate is 2 without having to call them.

Don't get me started on Numark Hardware support and the hoops I had to jump through only to NOT get an issue 100% resolved. NS7mkIII was having random connection issues from a firmware update and I was told by someone on the support team to use 2 USB cables at once to solve the problem. :WTF: :Sigh: (That is NOT how ANY of this works)