MPC 2.8 worth the wait

Half hour to go let's see how long it takes before the site crashes..lol!

tsutek wrote:2.8 will be a culmination of everything I wanted from the new MPC's when I sold my 1k and bought the live. Multi mode will get me my old workflow back (minus the overdub pedal! Still missing that one) where I can record multitrack MIDI into the sequencer in realtime. Good times ahead!

The multi mode introduces a mindblowing amount of new tricks you can do with the MPC. Combine custom pad maps with layered MIDI, madness abound! You will be able to create custom stacks, chords, throw in a few melody-line-progressing cycle pads, freaky stuff.. Only thing thats keeping the universe from collapsing is that you cant make "MIDI controller programs" (yet) where you could bind MIDI control messages like CC & pgm chng to the pads - If that ever comes to the MPC its game ov

Yeah, I bought the MPC X to replace my DAW (Cubase/BitWiig) because I was sick and tired of managing the software components on the computer. Updates, upgrades, incompatibilities, dongles, this and that. I want to make sounds and music, not diddle around with the computer system.

Anyways, 2.8 is basically what I've been wanting since I bought the X. I've been a big nagger about the MIDI implementation and USB MIDI for well over two years. So even though it should've been there from the beginning, from my perspective, Akai has restored itself.

There are still some glaring omissions, which I still need to nag about, but nowhere near as important as the MIDI implementation. If fixing them will result in more "v2.8" solutions, Akai is totally DAWesome, and will soon be "off my hook",

I'm downloading it now...

Updated to 2.8! Getting ready to hook my gear up. Here goes!

Downloaded and installed both software and 2.8 firmware. Upgrades went through flawlessly. Next I need to reconnect all my MIDI gear to the live and start sussing out all this goodness! Might as well try link syncing and sending MIDI to my iPad while I'm at it.

Thanks Akai!

Me too..

Just briefly tested the "Pro ten" warp algo. Seems to do nothing more than the default algo with an old project. Anyone also has this trouble? Did you test with a new project?

I've loaded a break and tried playing it with the original vs pro ten... and I'm not hearing a difference. Will have to play around with it to see if it works better on specific content. I wonder if you need to reboot for the changes to take effect?

NearTao wrote:I've loaded a break and tried playing it with the original vs pro ten... and I'm not hearing a difference. Will have to play around with it to see if it works better on specific content. I wonder if you need to reboot for the changes to take effect?

Thanks, it's good to read that I'm not alone. Any other feedback/comment on this feature would be welcome, users

c-real wrote:

NearTao wrote:I've loaded a break and tried playing it with the original vs pro ten... and I'm not hearing a difference. Will have to play around with it to see if it works better on specific content. I wonder if you need to reboot for the changes to take effect?

Thanks, it's good to read that I'm not alone. Any other feedback/comment on this feature would be welcome, users

The problem with these time stretching algorithms is that they are usually tuned for different types of sound... which is why Ableton Live has Beats, Tones, Texture, Re-Pitch, Complex, and Complex Pro... per clip. EDIT: Plus each type has different controls to tune the sample... which can lead to some new sounds.

Hopefully Akai will give us a few more options on a per sample basis at some point.

NearTao wrote:The problem with these time stretching algorithms is that they are usually tuned for different types of sound... which is why Ableton Live has Beats, Tones, Texture, Re-Pitch, Complex, and Complex Pro... per clip. EDIT: Plus each type has different controls to tune the sample... which can lead to some new sounds.

Hopefully Akai will give us a few more options on a per sample basis at some point.

Totally agree, we need different algos and options. I can easily imagine that the difference may be subtle but, sincerely, I have the impression that the new algo behaves exactly as the old one. Nothing like the video that demonstrated both algos last week.

On plus side, midi is now working great for me. My Deluge is working as a step sequencer for every individual track. This really opens up my ability to sequence outside of a traditional grid edit. Will get a USB hub and see what happens when I add all my synths to the connection. So far great update. Also swear the touch screen seems more responsive....the qlink overlay is also very welcome.

c-real wrote:Just briefly tested the "Pro ten" warp algo. Seems to do nothing more than the default algo with an old project. Anyone also has this trouble? Did you test with a new project?

NearTao wrote:I've loaded a break and tried playing it with the original vs pro ten... and I'm not hearing a difference. ?

I just tested it on a vocal take. I'm finding with Pro Ten algo, the "bubbling" is far less pronounced compared to the old Basic/Least CPU. On Pro Ten, I can slow down or speed up my tempo roughly +/- 14 BPM before the "bubbling" starts. With Basic/Least CPU, the "bubbling" starts at almost +/- 3-4 BPM. So, not a dramatic improvement IMHO, but a noticeable improvement.

EnochLight wrote:I just tested it on a vocal take. I'm finding with Pro Ten algo, the "bubbling" is far less pronounced compared to the old Basic/Least CPU. On Pro Ten, I can slow down or speed up my tempo roughly +/- 14 BPM before the "bubbling" starts. With Basic/Least CPU, the "bubbling" starts at almost +/- 3-4 BPM. So, not a dramatic improvement IMHO, but a noticeable improvement.

Thanks for your feedback. I just tested on a clip program. Maybe this is the reason why the "bubling" still started at +/- 3-4 BPM for me. I will take a closer look and come back.

EDIT : after testing it for a certain amout of time, finally it's okay. The difference is way more audible when lowering BPM. My two examples were just not so appropriate to compare the warp algos.

c-real wrote:Thanks for your feedback. I just tested on a clip program. Maybe this is the reason why the "bubling" still started at +/- 3-4 BPM for me. I will take a closer look and come back.

EDIT : after testing it for a certain amout of time, finally it's okay. The difference is way more audible when lowering BPM. My two examples were just not so appropriate to compare the warp algos.

I hear you. I think it also has a lot to do with the content - I tested it on a mono vocal take with little effects, so not a lot of harmonic content. Many Clip programs tend to have a lot more harmonic content and will definitely put it through its paces.