Trade X for Touch?

I am not trolling. Of course I would get cash.

The thing is I am not sure I use more than the touch features. I use a DAW only, no standalone. I do not use the sound card. I do enjoy the work flow. Having 4k, 5k, Ren. The Touch is okay with me too. With the X I get more, better placed Q-links and a larger screen?

I was just wondering if the way I am using it is a waste? Is the few extra things I might benefit from worth $1,600? I know that is subjective but what do you think. I really thought it would be a better Ren but not exactly IMO. They already missed the mark on MPC 2.3 and VIP together as known and much discussed.

I am just not sure that I make use of enough of it's features to justify it? Perhaps see what the next release does?

Thank you

For me,using one of the older model mpc's (more authentic/interesting sound and feel) in conjunction with the software would be a good combo/compromise..With these new HW Mpc's i feel still locked in the box with all the complicated features too.Ive had the X and the touch twice and was not that charmed by them.

Edit-Push 2 plus Ableton is gonna be a great setup.Maybe with MPC software on the side

I would never consider trading my X for a touch. Yeah it may be a MPC Touch but the touch screen is super unresponsive..

I hear yoou. I much prefer the 4k, 5k to the X or Ren. I had another thread a couple days ago asking about a workstation. Decided not to buy now. My older equipment midi'd to a 88 key Epaino is so much nicer than todays lousy workstations IMO. It seems now they give you less for more money. I personally think the X/Live is a flop because MPC 2.3 does not talk to VIP. They must purposely leave out features to introduce a new model. I do not dig that. The older synths were so much nicer IMO. I mean Moog all the way to like 2003.

I too was thinking about the Push 2 instead of Touch. Since I use Ableton. I use Pro Tools too but would stick with Ableton. The Workflow on Push 2 is much better than MPC IMO. Still, The older hardware was so much nicer, again IMO. This is not a technology like phones. If it sounds good and you like the workflow it is better really. I do not use half the features on X. I am all about the sound first. Second the workflow/creativity.

An old codger like me could be valuable? I know how to work like 30+ old synths I have here. Mind you none of them workstations I gather. I feel the old MPC's or TR808 is so much nicer. Might cut my losses and just be done with X or get Push 2. Otherwise I think I am more partial to Touch. Bigger is not always better.

No matter what they say the old ones were much better. I actually hate DAW but now I feel it is DAW or nothing. Work inside the box don't even need to spend $$$ on controllers. Also no matter what is said the X is still a glorified controller at this point. They are trying to now capitalize on the old ones.

I think I am going to rethink things. Most synths have a sequencer. So just midi to my controller. The Advance is just midi anyways. Not so lazy I cannot look at hardware patch on another box. Did you know most stores carry now exactly zero synths and all workstations. Only thing I am interested in is roland Integra 7. I bet that is ten times easier and better sounding than omnisphere. If you can work the old hardware I say that is where it is at. Not everyone is lucky to have 4k, 5k, TR808.

So perhaps I will just get Push 2 if I must get something. The X really did not do it for me. Partially because the Advance is not hardware either! Or I could get Touch and Push 2 for the money. I feel as do others that the X fell short for a crude price.

OH, I did not know the screen is bad. It looks like Akai just keeps missing the mark for me. Why pay $$$ for half the stuff I do not use. Still does not equal 4k.

jeff lick wrote:OH, I did not know the screen is bad. It looks like Akai just keeps missing the mark for me. Why pay $$$ for half the stuff I do not use. Still does not equal 4k.

zangetsu01 isn't wrong about screen lag, but the screen isn't as super unresponsive and is really usable. I have a Live and Touch, and the Touch is my daily driver (since it's always connected).

Nothing wrong with the Touch in terms of the screen, I use it daily. If you aren't using the additional features of the X and are happy to work in 'controller' mode, then maybe a Touch would be fine. MPC X is very overpriced IMO. However if you already have it then make sure you are selling it for the right reasons.

Well I only use the features of Touch and not beyond. I feel for me the X is a waste. IMO, I agree it is way overpriced. Should be like $1,500. The good news is I can probably sell it for more than I paid! I can still make beats just fine on Touch. It is like guy that takes cheapest guitar and plays it like Vai. It is your skills. I still love 2mb samplers! X is not "really" standalone like 4k anyhow. I mostly use 4k. X, Touch are a novelty to me. Firstly, I make EDM not hip-hop. So it is not used as much anyways. Although hip-hop is certainly my favorite music. Seeing as I cannot spit rhymes I do not produce it. I have no interest in selling my beats.

The way MPC mirrors the desktop on USB is weak IMO. Desktop is only 2 feet away. Plus scrolling for sounds sucks. Going to try Maschine MKIII. VSTI is where it is at in 2019. MPC X has 16GB memory. By comparison Omnisphere is about 66GB. Other soft synths even more. If you do not embrace DAW afraid you will be left alone now. Akai's attempt at hardware this time is weak IMO. Let's either see some real hardware or I stick with VSTI. AKAI I bet catches onto this too. Why not MPC with 500GB sounds on SSD? In fact adding SSD is fruitless IMO. Will never fill it up unless use VSTI anyways. I am honestly very disappointed with this. Yes, I paid very little but at full cost Boo AKAI. VSTI based machines never obsolete. I bet AKAI has another go at this yet. Y'all going to upgrade yet again? They all blow chunks. That includes the other brands but at least more fairly priced and better thought out. VIP is much better. I am solely using DAW due to the hardware falling short. Let's see 25,000 soundsets instead of 200ish. Next time? Sick of upgrading "hardware". Midi been around 30 years and still the strongest suit. Plus old "hardware" was better to begin with. Go figure. Not trying to start a flame war just my feelings on the subject. It is barely "standalone". That is my opinion, YMMV.

jeff lick wrote:That is my opinion, YMMV.

You've got some facts in there too, not just opinions. Fortunately my milage does vary, but I get the frustration. Hopefully you find a better solution that works for you and your needs man, good luck!

If the X had synth parameters like portamento/slide,free flowing LFO s,interesting mod matrix like the 4000,more unique filters/FX and importantly more characterful sound/feel i might have kept it.But yeah sure......computer is so much more convenient for arranging everything!!!! Nice try tho : ]

Edit-The guy i sold it too whos now on this forum,was his first MPC and he was making banging house tracks with it very quickly so......to each his/her own A lot of nice new features but some great ones missing too.

Thank you guy's. I am not at all disappointed with the X. I am disappointed with the /price/performance ratio. If it were like $1,500 as I said I would be much more forgiving. For the price I expected much more. Seeing as I do not "really" need a beat box I am going to try Maschine. I guess Touch (screen) has some issues too. I think the price I can get it for is much more fair. So I would not fault it as much. Nothing does it all today except a computer! That is why I only use it with DAW. The standalone disappointed me anyways. It is no 4000. Still love my 4000 and no complaints there. I find older hardware like ASR10, Proteous is still great. If you consider when it came out computers went 500mhz or so. Today these things are just not going to beat a computer. I do not mind being tethered to computer at all. Since I would be tethered midi anyways. I will try Maschine I guess.

And that sounds like the thing for you... if you don't mind doing all the work on a computer then it is really a tough thing to beat, comparing $1500 in VSTs to $1500 in hardware is not even a competition. I know the argument "to make it fair" you need to add in the price of the computer etc... but an MPC will never help me do taxes, write emails, and all that stuff.

Even if say an MPC had a 3+ghz cpu and 64gb of ddr4 ram it would be like 10 grand. They couldn't sell it. That machine is in studio dedicated to audio so no bonus operations but still....Not a fair comparison and I know this.

I would only suggest being aware of the screen tech being different. It took Akai/Apple from OS 13.3 to 14.0 to fix screen compatibility issues. I started with a Touch, had an unrelated issue with my screen and took the opportunity to upgrade to a Live out of fear of future screen issues (Good lookin' Akai for facilitating that!).

Aside from that, the Touch did everything I needed. I was always connected to the CPU any way. The Live added some flexibility I haven't taken advantage of yet.