I am confused about MPC 2 Software - do we need it?

As a Akai Force owner, do we need or require the MPC 2 software? Are we missing out if we don't own it? Is there a discount for Akai Force users? It seems like we just plunked down a chunk of money and now they want us to pony up another $200???

It's just that I keep reading/hearing that to do this or that on our Force we need to do it through the MPC 2 software. MIDI import/export is definitely one of them.

If anyone in the know could clarify this for us non-MPC users, that would be fantastic!

Mike

karmacomposer wrote:As a Akai Force owner, do we need or require the MPC 2 software? Are we missing out if we don't own it? Is there a discount for Akai Force users? It seems like we just plunked down a chunk of money and now they want us to pony up another $200???

It's just that I keep reading/hearing that to do this or that on our Force we need to do it through the MPC 2 software. MIDI import/export is definitely one of them.

If anyone in the know could clarify this for us non-MPC users, that would be fantastic!

Mike

I use the MPC software to Autosample VST instruments. I still use Serum for a plethora of my sound design. Aside from that, it's useless for the average user.

Akai don't expect you to pay another $200 for the MPC Software as the MPC Software is not designed for the Force.

There are some 'utility' functions that you definitely could find useful, such as autosampling VSTs, editing MIDI notes assigned to pads, arguably quicker program building, but the project files are not compatible, and the 'song' structure is different, for example MPCs use sequences as their building block, the Force doesn't, so as a song building tool it would be next to useless for a Force user.

If you think that the MPC Software might be useful to your workflow then the software is there to purchase. But remember the MPCs were always advertised as 'hybrid' solutions, i.e. standalone with the option of also controlling the MPC Software, which is why the MPCs are bundled with the Software. The Force was never advertised this way, it's a standalone product.

OK. That does clear things up. I can already auto-sample VST instruments with other software I own, so other than that, no need to buy it.

I am confused, still, about MIDI export/conversion to the Force. How do we take existing MIDI files and use them in the Force?

Mike