Predictions of the next MPC Hardware Release.

I hear people talking like "oh the mpc x is already 2 years old, they will probably come out with a new one soon" whats your prediction on this.

I feel like the mpc firmware is finally getting somewhere it should of been from the start. If they were to bring out a new mpc now i feel its too early since the software needs such development.

Do you think they will release a new mpc with more ram or something along those lines in the next 2-3 years or do you think they will actually focus on the mpc x in order to make it rock solid (adding automation lanes, etc, etc) or just once they get close to making it rock solid just drop another piece of hardware.

I sorta hope they dont release more hardware mpcs and focus on the softare/firmware they have got, but what do you guys think. Just Curious

I don't think see how MPC hardware solves any problems for Akai. Quite the opposite.

There are a few loud voices calling for more RAM, and arguably with the new synths and effects it becomes possible to hit the limits of the CPU. Depending on how you use the box it might be an issue, for others it's not at all.

There seem to be a lot more people requesting more features and bug fixes, and, crucially, Akai seem to be listening. Dan's on record with a todo list that covers the rest of this year, and obvs a lot has happened in just the past six months.

Making new hardware just creates problems. It doesn't fix or improve the software, it diverts resources away from that. And after release it's either more platforms to support, or a bunch of angry customers who feel let down. For what? How many people who bought a Live last year would get a new box this year? I know I wouldn't.

And honestly, look at Force: it's the same hardware and software with only the bare minimum changed to cater to a different target audience. They've got the same core board in a bunch of other InMusic products. It's a capable, stable, proven platform, and they can rinse it for a good while yet by just improving the software on it.

Im not going to predict anything. Who knows what Akai will do.

Well considering the MPC Studio, MPC Renaissance, MPC Studio Black, and MPC Touch are long in the tooth. They need to refresh the line up. So perhaps an update to the Studio/Studio Black MPC's will come.

The Live, X, and Studio Black are the only MPC's that are current being sold by most sale outlets. If you find the others, they are deeply discounted now.

They will come out with a new Mpc with more Ram for sure sooner or later but who knows, Akai is unpredictable.
Nobody was expecting Force for example.
The point is that with new features like synths and Air fx they are pushing Mpc to the limit.
So 4gb of Ram will be necessary sooner or later, maybe at the beginning of next year, with 3.0 software.
But let's see, as I said before, Akai is unpredictable

Tho interestingly I dont see air fx or plugins being too intensive on the CPU. Add disk streaming, and u further free a lot of the limitations around RAM.

I wouldn't be too fussed if they released a refreshed hardware version to keep pushing sales, as long as the current line are still fully supported

Really? Akai Force just came out expect an update to Mpc line in no sooner than 2 yeas

Force X will be their next machine with 10" screen is my prediction

Yeah, a lot of support for the existing MPCs, so I can't imagine another coming soon.

What would be nice is an option to send my Live in for a RAM & CPU upgrade.

Maybe someone could explain the difference & connection of the MPC CPU usage vs my CPU's CPU usage. For my heaviest project yet, my MPC reports 70% while my CPU reports 30-40%. This is in Controller Mode.

If they do upgrade the MPC line, they should only release a MPC X MKII. Due it's price point, it should've had double the RAM and Internal Storage as the live from the start.

CharlesRandolph wrote:If they do upgrade the MPC line, they should only release a MPC X MKII. Due it's price point, it should've had double the RAM and Internal Storage as the live from the start.

As a Live user, Akai, please no. For some, the Live & X have very different purposes. I'd never take an X on the road or attempt to use it live. Both situations would benefit from additional RAM, at least for me.

Bezo wrote:Both situations would benefit from additional RAM, at least for me.

Me too!

I think Disc Streaming Would Solve the RAM Issues

I don't have a prediction but more of a desire, which is mostly superficial, I'd like to see an MPC that's a bit smaller than the LIVE and maybe round out the edges. The corners of my LIVE is are getting worn out from carrying it in a backpack, which I know is my fault, I just recently got an appropriate case for it.

What do you guys think? Would you be interested in something even more portable? Maybe some MPC 500 sized pads. Either 12 or keep it 16 and shave off an inch of the screen.

Would a touch screen still be useable especially in grid edit if they made it even smaller?

They could possibly even save space on the hardware itself by adding more shift commands. PLAY/PLAY START could be one button. REC/OVERDUB one button. One button to cycle through pad banks, etc..