THE NEXT MPC

Class compliant audio so I can track multiple inputs in from instruments that support USB. At least I think I want this... until I find out how much latency it may add.

Eyalc wrote:The QuickSampler is what you need. WAAAAAAAY easier and better than the MPC. Warning, once you slice up your first sample, you won't have any reason to return to the MPC. Other than because you like to use it.

Haha I fired it up last night after posting and damn SLICES!!! The beat division is kinda weird but once I figured that out, damn that thing is quick as hell to get going!

Monotremata wrote:

Eyalc wrote:The QuickSampler is what you need. WAAAAAAAY easier and better than the MPC. Warning, once you slice up your first sample, you won't have any reason to return to the MPC. Other than because you like to use it.

Haha I fired it up last night after posting and damn SLICES!!! The beat division is kinda weird but once I figured that out, damn that thing is quick as hell to get going!

Yeah man. Logic 10.5 rendered my MPC obsolete. Haven't used it for anything serious since then. Only thing I miss sometimes is the pads, but have used a pad controller with Logic. But Logic for me, is much easier to use with keys anyway.

I use it for shaping drum hits too - it's way far ahead than the MPC IMO. Like I said - rendered my MPC obsolete for anything serious.

I wouldn't buy any MPC that didn't have a 4x4 pad layout.

My Live has been reduced to a sketch pad. I record a few sequences of drums, bass, chords and leads, then get that into Studio One. And I won't even be doing that once I get over my MPC crush.

Akai would have to cater almost exactly to my needs for me to invest in the next MPC:

-Live 2 form factor, minus the speaker, plus more buttons, knobs and/or faders.
-Modernize the workflow, aka, DAW-like functions; improved & consistent copy/paste, import midi to specific track/sequence, improved browser, improved "song mode"/arranger etc.
-Current software only functions ported to standalone, like drum program layout options, combining programs, etc.
-More global options to speed up program creation, like Discard All, Fade All, Cut All Silence, etc.
-Advanced midi selection; high/low note, invert selection, off beat notes, etc
-Solo multiple tracks
-Improved screen accuracy/sensitivity
-Tiltable screen, but this is not mandatory
-Improved time stretch
-Editable program/track order


Even then, because I'm going to end up in a DAW to mix / sound design, I still want the software improved to cover at least some DAW basics:

-Plugin delay compensation
-Multi-out routing from VIs
-MIDI out to DAW from plugin
-VCA tracks

Eyalc wrote:
Yeah man. Logic 10.5 rendered my MPC obsolete. Haven't used it for anything serious since then. Only thing I miss sometimes is the pads, but have used a pad controller with Logic. But Logic for me, is much easier to use with keys anyway.

I use it for shaping drum hits too - it's way far ahead than the MPC IMO. Like I said - rendered my MPC obsolete for anything serious.

Software DAW is destroying the MPC right now.

Bezo wrote:I wouldn't buy any MPC that didn't have a 4x4 pad layout.

While the 4X4 is standard, it is very limiting for the current techniques of real time finger drumming. Give me full size pads on a 6.6 layout with MPE.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Eyalc wrote:
Yeah man. Logic 10.5 rendered my MPC obsolete. Haven't used it for anything serious since then. Only thing I miss sometimes is the pads, but have used a pad controller with Logic. But Logic for me, is much easier to use with keys anyway.

I use it for shaping drum hits too - it's way far ahead than the MPC IMO. Like I said - rendered my MPC obsolete for anything serious.

Software DAW is destroying the MPC right now.

Yeah, anything other than sample, chop, sequence, the MPC is not keeping up. And with Logic's Ableton-like update, and Studio One's Show page, MPCs are getting crushed.

I know some MPC heads despise DAWs, but if Akai doesn't introduce a bit of DAW-like workflow into their units, and/or upgrade the software, MPCs will become even more niche than they already are. And with the Maschine+ now in the standalone arena, I think Akai is due for a major move.

Hasn't software been crushing the MPC and other hardware in most areas for over 20 years?

I mean sure, you can make a line by line list... show Total Cost of Ownership... all that... but people are still buying MPCs for a reason... even if they are inferior by software standards.

Bezo wrote:I know some MPC heads despise DAWs, but if Akai doesn't introduce a bit of DAW-like workflow into their units, and/or upgrade the software, MPCs will become even more niche than they already are. And with the Maschine+ now in the standalone arena, I think Akai is due for a major move.

The software is unfocused for sure on the MPC side and the hardware with way behind most audio interfaces.

NearTao wrote:Hasn't software been crushing the MPC and other hardware in most areas for over 20 years?

I mean sure, you can make a line by line list... show Total Cost of Ownership... all that... but people are still buying MPCs for a reason... even if they are inferior by software standards.

I would say, Habit and Nostalgia.

I always thought...Akai reverted back to concentrating on a STANDALONE product, when they dropped the new units. I dont think Akai wanted to REPLACE software for Standalone.

They made easy for us to make Music in Standalone, and we could then Import our Creations into the DAW easily. So we could Polish it up to our liking.

The Best of Both Worlds....imho

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Bezo wrote:I wouldn't buy any MPC that didn't have a 4x4 pad layout.

While the 4X4 is standard, it is very limiting for the current techniques of real time finger drumming. Give me full size pads on a 6.6 layout with MPE.

Agreed. But yes, I need full size pads. 6x6 would require a lot of space though. No way that fits on a Live sized MPC without shrinking the screen and/or removing buttons.

I need to check out a One to see if I could get used to pads that size. I know Force pads are too small for me.

40Beatz wrote:I always thought...Akai reverted back to concentrating on a STANDALONE product, when they dropped the new units. I dont think Akai wanted to REPLACE software for Standalone.

They made easy for us to make Music in Standalone, and we could then Import our Creations into the DAW easily. So we could Polish it up to our liking.

The Best of Both Worlds....imho

If the focus was on standalone, I would think that there would have more updates and direct interaction with the musicians and composers who uses these machine. Do you think they have too many products?

Bezo wrote:Agreed. But yes, I need full size pads. 6x6 would require a lot of space though. No way that fits on a Live sized MPC without shrinking the screen and/or removing buttons.

I need to check out a One to see if I could get used to pads that size. I know Force pads are too small for me.

I don't have any issues with playing the MPC ONE pads, however I mainly finger drum on my MPC 4000's

40Beatz wrote:I always thought...Akai reverted back to concentrating on a STANDALONE product, when they dropped the new units. I dont think Akai wanted to REPLACE software for Standalone.

They made easy for us to make Music in Standalone, and we could then Import our Creations into the DAW easily. So we could Polish it up to our liking.

The Best of Both Worlds....imho

I guess. Best of both for some.

But the hardware and software are a package. One is being updated, one is not. The hardware is on par with the competition, though NI stepped it up with VIs available in their standalone. The MPC software might be the worst DAW on the market.

Akai has a product line similar to NI, though much less instruments. But they are not creating the ecosystem. IMO, that would be the best of both worlds, if they could add a handful of basics to the software. Those doing all their creating on the MPC might not even need a 3rd party DAW.