2.4 is here

sinik wrote:

Fanu wrote:Yeah, thanks, I know he said that. Still, baffling why they left it like that…makes me think it's some sort of oversight or a rushed release.

well, isn't that the case with every mpc update?

I don't know. I know sometimes standalone + software are updated at diff. times, but one'd expect them to be similar when they come out at the same time. I mean, the GUI *is* there. I don't know the first bit about coding, but I'd guess if GUI is activated for standalone, it'd be a piece of cake to activate it for the software version…it's the same software, we've been told.

It might’ve been nice to do something to expand the X/Y pad functionality. For a device that boasts its touch screen, AKAI stumbles on optimizing the TUI. For starters, the X/Y pad should be assignable to any FX in the machine. Also, where is a “vinyl scratch” effect? Seems like a stupendous oversight to miss something like that on an MPC touch screen.

I wouldn't wanna wait for this update... glad it dropped...

...but...

I am wow'd by the fact that they left those fx look like that in the software. I too thought something was wrong, or rushed.

ESPECIALLY because a lot of the FX, the ones that we previously had in Pro Tools already, already had GUI's developed for them. They totally could've just used the same GUI as we'd see in PT.

But this is clearly Akai's way of dealing with the PDC issue... aiming to get us a package of plugins that allow us to do basic shaping without the delay issues.

I had sidechaining already using db Audioware's SC plugin. It essentially operates the same as Mother Ducker with it's own bussing system. Still, I'm glad we now have it in standalone and there's not latency issues involved.

IMAKEMADBEATS wrote:I am wow'd by the fact that they left those fx look like that in the software. I too thought something was wrong, or rushed.

That, as well as the fact that Force first didn't even have a manual, tell me they operate in a massive rush all the time.

Hybrid now has a touchscreen UI via PROGRAM EDIT, but lots of stuff missing, e.g. Effects, common, LFO etc. Biggest ball ache is that the patches are not categorised, just not feasible to browse a big long list of 1000s of patches. Tubesynth, electric etc have categorised patches, so must be possible...

Fanu wrote:

IMAKEMADBEATS wrote:I am wow'd by the fact that they left those fx look like that in the software. I too thought something was wrong, or rushed.

That, as well as the fact that Force first didn't even have a manual, tell me they operate in a massive rush all the time.

The lack of a basic song mode is extremely baffling. Couldn’t even have a song list saying play scene 1, scene 2 etc.

Does it even include ableton lite?

kaydigi wrote:The lack of a basic song mode is extremely baffling. Couldn’t even have a song list saying play scene 1, scene 2 etc.

Force lacks song mode? Seriously? Wow.

Quick question,

I am currently running 2.1 I think. Could I upgrade directly to the 2.4 or do I ave to install 2.3 first? this new effects look dope and I wanna dig in ASAP!

Guilleonline wrote:Quick question,

I am currently running 2.1 I think. Could I upgrade directly to the 2.4 or do I ave to install 2.3 first? this new effects look dope and I wanna dig in ASAP!

Yes, you can go direct from 2.1

MPC-Tutor wrote:

Guilleonline wrote:Quick question,

I am currently running 2.1 I think. Could I upgrade directly to the 2.4 or do I ave to install 2.3 first? this new effects look dope and I wanna dig in ASAP!

Yes, you can go direct from 2.1

Woohhoo Thanks brother!

Any good practice on how to download it from a Mac? this things can be touchy and I didn't see a read me file along the download.

So I have a Question...The 2.4 Update was mainly an Effects Upgrade? Are there any Performance Updates besides The Air FX's?

Clip mode improved.
XY automation fixed.
Next sequence fixed.

40Beatz wrote:So I have a Question...The 2.4 Update was mainly an Effects Upgrade? Are there any Performance Updates besides The Air FX's?

Clip mode improved.
XY automation fixed.
Next sequence fixed.

Pros - I’m very happy with the Air Fx plugins. They sound great and if Akai were to never add anymore synths/fx to the Live/X, I would feel like I have more than enough to get on with on a stand-alone device.

Cons - Things the Live/X desperately need that were added to the Force:

Improved Warping - sounds fantastic on the Force.

Clip mode - Midi clips and clip based FX/automation. This was a feature requested over a year ago here:

https://getsatisfaction.com/akai_profes ... ogram-mode

Was responded to with a “I’m not sure what you’re trying to achieve here?” kind of reply, which I find pretty hysterical now that the Force has been launched.

Now I hear the Force doesn't have an arrangement mode yet! WTF?

Are they doing this kind of thing so we buy both? I for one am not going to be falling into that trap. I don’t want to come across as harsh but there’s no way I’m going to risk spending $1500 on another underdeveloped machine just to get features and improved gui’s that should’ve been added to X/Live in the first place (having been requested for over a year).

The Force/X/Live could all have the same/similar software features in standalone mode and all 3 would still cater to different people depending on what hardware style suits their needs best. Leaving small elements of the software that could easily be implemented “only for this product” is a surefire way to alienate people who bought a Live/X in good faith, getting behind Akai for going back into the standalone realm. It’s the kind of thing that makes me second guess if multitimbral mode is being left out on purpose.

Midi clips and cc automation per clip to control external synthesizers on the Live\X would make a huge improvement to both machines in terms of “live performance”. There’s 2 midi ports on the Live (more than the Force) afterall. Don’t leave this feature out just to differentiate. Have it on all 3. The Force can keep Hype as an exclusive if you really need it to .

Unless there’s a turnaround of events (in terms of updates and improvements etc) it’s pretty safe to say I will be looking for alternative products to create music (probably a Surface Pro with Bitwig touch).

Mukiw wrote:Pros - I’m very happy with the Air Fx plugins. They sound great and if Akai were to never add anymore synths/fx to the Live/X, I would feel like I have more than enough to get on with on a stand-alone device.

Cons - Things the Live/X desperately need that were added to the Force:

Improved Warping - sounds fantastic on the Force.

Clip mode - Midi clips and clip based FX/automation. This was a feature requested over a year ago here:

https://getsatisfaction.com/akai_profes ... ogram-mode

Was responded to with a “I’m not sure what you’re trying to achieve here?” kind of reply, which I find pretty hysterical now that the Force has been launched.

Now I hear the Force doesn't have an arrangement mode yet! WTF?

Are they doing this kind of thing so we buy both? I for one am not going to be falling into that trap. I don’t want to come across as harsh but there’s no way I’m going to risk spend $1500 on another underdeveloped machine just to get features and improved gui’s that should’ve been added to X/Live in the first place (having been requested for over a year).

Nah do you remember how Live was a year ago?
Now its almost completed, maybe one or two more updates and its done.
It will be the same with Force, they start selling devices one year before its ready and then fix all with updates.
I think it will be a mess with this Ableton integration, people will want more, something will work and something not, bugs, workaround and so on.
This is why I stay with my Live.
Its working great for me now, but it took more then a year for that.