Any news on 2.3 update?

I agree; when you buy something, you need to accept it for what it is.
If you buy it and already have improvement expectations, that may have a bitter end (I've been there, heh!).

In my case, the purpose of the MPCX was to replace my computer (Cubase/BitWig and a boatload of hardware), so I bought the MPCX basically for the following bullets on the Akai site:

• The X is truly a studio centerpiece
• Standalone MPC – no computer required
• 10.1” full-color multi-touch display
• 16 Touch-capacitive Q-Link controls with OLED displays
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive bay (SSD or HDD)
• 2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI Outputs
• 8 configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear, such as classic synths
• 2 USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers

+ A variety of Akai screen shots

(The implication of the above, to me, is that all can be used for the purpose they were invented.)

I also watched most videos (lots with Andy Mac, because he show how to use it) available on the MPCX at the time before I bought mine, which was like 8 months ago. Now there are TONS of videos around, wasn't so back then.

I think I did decent research prior to buying an MPCX. So I will say this, after 8 months of using one and having participated in the Akai community support forum and some others as well, the status of the MPC X/Live is: it was not finished by launch, or by the time I purchased one, nor is it not finished now.

Unfortunately, this is a common practice in both the software world and for hardware anymore. I don't mind updates per se, but I bought all those computers and all that software for making music. I definitely did not buy it all because I have an interest in trouble shooting and manage the settings on and the connectivity between the computer, the software and the hardware connected to it. That is total BS.

Anyways, quite a few people tend to diss MIDI nowadays, it's old and all that. But the point of it is that it just works. Oh right, there *can* be hanging notes, but that almost never happens anymore, and so on. There is a reason MIDI is still around (e.g. 2 + 4 on the MPCX), simple as that.

The MIDI ports on the MPCX are obviously important to me (I have a lot of MIDI equipment), and so the hardware is there, but the MIDI software implementation? Two MIDI input ports, two USB MIDI input ports, each with 16 channels, that is 64 channels implying communication with a lot of external machines, and I cannot use ANY of them, OTHER than for the current track. I totally missed this before I bought it, because I wasn't in the MPC forums back then. But it is also not common practice with multiple MIDI ports, anywhere.

Four MIDI output ports, and all 64 channels available for communication with external synthesizers. I've heard that at least some of the older MPC's could channel inputs? Anyways, the most recent one cannot do it? That is just a deliberate way to cut development time (or worse thoughts). How can I say this? Well, they are working on multi-mode now, so there is little to be said.

Ok, enough ranting... it is obvious that a lot of things are being and will be implemented and expanded on, which means that, eventually, I will have my standalone centerpiece with all the things working as they should.

So in conclusion, and in my opinion, the MPC X is the most comprehensive standalone DAW-like tool available. I like the it very much.

(I am not interested in a discussion or argument whether the MPC X is a DAW, because the purpose of the MPC X is obvious, so if someone still wants to engage, Wikipedia works 24/7 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation. Enjoy!)

CharlesRandolph wrote:Did you buy the machine for what was promised or for what it currently can do? I always suggest never buy based on promises, it always ends with disappointment. At this point all anyone can do is wait or move on.

Eh... I purchased it (Ren) knowing what it was in the past, when it was new machine on the market. But later company promised something to user base so I'm happy they delivered MPC Software 2. Now, after paying for this upgrade I would be disappointed if they no longer support it with next updates and it's no mystery for Akai probably that I'm not only one. Your ideas for dropping support for those machines aren't best ones probably for Akai from business perspective and they understand it. They are going now in exact opposite direction, offers software also for non-mpc users.

Please try to understand that the machine does work but there are bugs that need to be ironed out before they come with flashy new things. I expect Akai to deliver those new things but I won't hold my breath for it.

Their roadmap should be:

1) Fix the current software;

2) Deliver the new features;

3) Fix the bugs of those new features.

FACTS!

Micromanaging those guys is not going to get things done faster. I'd rather be quiet let them do what they do and keep it breezy!

For me l know Akai don't have the best effects so l dealt with it buy getting what l need. But they did step their effects game up a lil bit. I knowbthey sre not in the big business of making geat effects. So l won't bother them about it. They nrver been about effects.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Danoc wrote:Since 2.3 is suppose to be coming I can just wait patiently. I have all the tools I need to make music and do all the tricks I want. If I don't understand something, I just use Tutor's Book and my other great sources. No time to worry about Dan, Pete, Redditt or Andy or the developers. It is what it is.

I agree. Let those guys do their job. The less people breathing down their neck, the faster things can roll out. Plus as a musician, shouldn't all our focus and energy be in creating music and working on projects.

Exactly. But the unit should absolutely work when buy it.

Fanu wrote:I agree; when you buy something, you need to accept it for what it is.
If you buy it and already have improvement expectations, that may have a bitter end (I've been there, heh!).

monkiusz wrote:Eh... I purchased it (Ren) knowing what it was in the past, when it was new machine on the market. But later company promised something to user base so I'm happy they delivered MPC Software 2. Now, after paying for this upgrade I would be disappointed if they no longer support it with next updates and it's no mystery for Akai probably that I'm not only one. Your ideas for dropping support for those machines aren't best ones probably for Akai from business perspective and they understand it. They are going now in exact opposite direction, offers software also for non-mpc users.

They have too many products on the market, but if you look at their MPC Series page out of 12 items listed, 6 are software based, 4 are controller based that must be used in conjunction with software. It's not hard to see their direction.

I give the REN two years max, before it's moved to the Legacy area.
http://www.akaipro.com/products/mpc-series

Out of 7 products here 5 are made to work with personal computers or tablets/ipads.
http://www.akaipro.com/products/new-products

They want that mobile money!

Danoc wrote:FACTS!

Micromanaging those guys is not going to get things done faster. I'd rather be quiet let them do what they do and keep it breezy!

For me l know Akai don't have the best effects so l dealt with it buy getting what l need. But they did step their effects game up a lil bit. I know they are not in the big business of making great effects. So l won't bother them about it. They never been about effects.

You did the right thing to make sure you're not without your tools. We can't sit around waiting on a company, if we did that, we'll be broke. The music will be made no matter what.

Bam! And that's the profound key to all this. DON'T SIT AROUND WAITING FOR AKAI!

They haven't gotten the midi slave/master thingy right.

I'm a loyal buyer of Akai, but how loyal are they to us? You know it's serious when l thought about selling my MPC live last week. that should of never came cross my mind. I can make music without the Live.

Turtor bust his ass for us more, and its Akai's dam product. Where l am now is l don't see me buying another machine.

Why spend energy and money with Akai if they come weak when l can use dope DAWs and hot plugins?

I don't wanna hear nothing from Dan, Andy or Pete l would like to see results.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Danoc wrote:FACTS!

Micromanaging those guys is not going to get things done faster. I'd rather be quiet let them do what they do and keep it breezy!

For me l know Akai don't have the best effects so l dealt with it buy getting what l need. But they did step their effects game up a lil bit. I know they are not in the big business of making great effects. So l won't bother them about it. They never been about effects.

You did the right thing to make sure you're not without your tools. We can't sit around waiting on a company, if we did that, we'll be broke. The music will be made no matter what.

Danoc wrote: it's serious when l thought about selling my MPC live last week. that should of never came cross my mind.

I never thought i would read that on here.

CharlesRandolph wrote:They have too many products on the market, but if you look at their MPC Series page out of 12 items listed, 6 are software based, 4 are controller based that must be used in conjunction with software. It's not hard to see their direction.

I give the REN two years max, before it's moved to the Legacy area.
http://www.akaipro.com/products/mpc-series

2 more years of support wouldn't be a problem for me. But that's only a controller. So there is probably no reason to drop it when they just started to support other manufactures controllers, don't you think? Not sure if they need even develop new firmwares for it with change of OS on PC/MAC.

And there was a lot opinions like this before MPC Software 2.0 for Ren in the past (that it wouldn't be released for Ren).

On REN / STUDIO there is no longer a workflow possible without using big screen so it's not like you don't get features on Live / X because old hardware, so I'm not sure why you want Akai to drop support for those devices. You want to feel better because you bought some new toy which is capable of doing magic we cannot, or what?

I'm just as confused as you are. Like l said it should of never crossed my mind. Maybe l seen a glimpse of a negative future for these new MPCs. I wanna be wrong on this. Akai needs to get on theur job.
CharlesRandolph said one thing that stood out, you can see where Akai is headed and l see it like the back of my hand. I'm not asking for features anymore. They can do what the hell they wanna. Bet that lma keep it pushing.

When the standalone is glitching up that's a problem.
I understand the software but the hardware doing that? Unacceptable!
Thing is l am never going to be solely dependent on these new MPCs. Not going to happen. From 2012 until 2017 l had no MPC and l did my thing. So now l'm thinking a new way.

What's pissing me off is Tutor bust his ass bringing us instructions and Akai doesn't. Yeah Tutor sales it but its not he became a dam millionaire off the ish.

dryad-66 wrote:

Danoc wrote: it's serious when l thought about selling my MPC live last week. that should of never came cross my mind.

I never thought i would read that on here.

Danoc wrote:I'm a loyal buyer of Akai, but how loyal are they to us? You know it's serious when l thought about selling my MPC live last week. that should of never came cross my mind. I can make music without the Live.

Turtor bust his ass for us more, and its Akai's dam product. Where l am now is l don't see me buying another machine.

Why spend energy and money with Akai if they come weak when l can use dope DAWs and hot plugins?

I don't wanna hear nothing from Dan, Andy or Pete l would like to see results.

Yeah honestly I've had thoughts about selling my live recently too. Thats why I'm hoping 2.3 can deliver some solid improvements. I got the MPC Live for the standalone mode, but its missing some pretty major things, and I keep ending up back on my computer. If im gonna use a DAW and controller I don't really need the live, so I'm really anxious to see what Akai has planned for the next big update.

I think you would miss the portability of computerless beat making.If you look at it like a glorified MPC1000 it makes sense.But as a center of your whole setup maybe not.Thats as long as its stable of course.

monkiusz wrote:2 more years of support wouldn't be a problem for me. But that's only a controller. So there is probably no reason to drop it when they just started to support other manufactures controllers, don't you think? Not sure if they need even develop new firmwares for it with change of OS on PC/MAC.

And there was a lot opinions like this before MPC Software 2.0 for Ren in the past (that it wouldn't be released for Ren).

On REN / STUDIO there is no longer a workflow possible without using big screen so it's not like you don't get features on Live / X because old hardware, so I'm not sure why you want Akai to drop support for those devices. You want to feel better because you bought some new toy which is capable of doing magic we cannot, or what?

Drop support is just the harsh reality of modern equipment. Most production cycles go like this: Introduction, Growth, Maturity, and Decline. As of now, the MPC Ren is in the decline/legacy period, considering it came out in 2012. For us end user we do not look at it that way, but for companies they have to move on.

The MPC LIVE and X are currently in the Growth cycle and has about another year to mature. Until Akai is ready to introduce another unit. The good thing is, if the MPC Live or X is a good seller, that can extend it's growth period, because many units will remain under warranty. As for the REN, I'm sure there are no new units that are under Akai's replacement warranty.

I do hope that they keep up the firmware support for MPC REN and Studio but the last update was Feb 2016 based off of Akai's release notes. The Studio Black and Touch are still being sold new, so they are current.