'MPC XL' - the next flagship MPC model?

BeatWilson wrote:HUBA if you think hes in the minority for wanting that feature, you have not been around here too long. Especially on those old Akai Forums.
People used to rant and rave for it on there before they shut it down.

Hm? Wait, what feature do you mean? I was scratching my head a bit about him NOT wanting a DAW like experience with the sequencer. And to be fair I may even have misunderstood him, meaning he may be more against the idea of using a mouse than the visuals of a DAW like sequencer. I mean I find the touch experience in Grid Edit pretty horrible, but I could see myself preferring physical knobs and buttons over a mouse if properly laid out in a useful way, but when it comes to the visuals of a DAW like sequencer there's just no question it's superior IMO.

HUBA wrote:Hm? Wait, what feature do you mean? I was scratching my head a bit about him NOT wanting a DAW like experience with the sequencer. And to be fair I may even have misunderstood him, meaning he may be more against the idea of using a mouse than the visuals of a DAW like sequencer. I could see myself preferring knobs and buttons over a mouse if properly laid out in a useful way, but when it comes to the visuals of a DAW like sequencer there's just no question it's superior IMO.

HDMI output is one of those requests that seems to linger over the years.

Personally I think Akai just need to spend some time rethinking how the grid edit page works, perhaps auto zooming etc. The reality is the thing is just too fiddly, but surely some clever types can work out a software UI solution rather than relying on HDMI and USB monitor outputs, mice, trackpads etc. Add to that USB hubs, external interfaces, battery packs etc, and I'm struggling to see the advantage over going for a laptop setup where you have cart blanche over software options, CPU/memory, screens etc.

Just doesn't sound like a 'standalone' system anymore, perhaps the definition of 'standalone' has changed? I mean as things stand with 2.11 I'm not even sure the MPC offers that famed 'stability & reliability' that once made it the superior option to a computer set up.

MPC-Tutor wrote:HDMI output is one of those requests that seems to linger over the years.

Ah I see. I didn't catch TT_Lab requesting that though. He said he thought the screen was great for all other things than Grid Edit.

MPC-Tutor wrote:Personally I think Akai just need to spend some time rethinking how the grid edit page works, perhaps auto zooming etc. The reality is the thing is just too fiddly, but surely some clever types can work out a software UI solution rather than relying on HDMI and USB monitor outputs, mice, trackpads etc. Add to that USB hubs, external interfaces, battery packs etc, and I'm struggling to see the advantage over going for a laptop setup where you have cart blanche over software options, CPU/memory, screens etc.

Just doesn't sound like a 'standalone' system anymore, perhaps the definition of 'standalone' has changed? I mean as things stand with 2.11 I'm not even sure the MPC offers that famed 'stability & reliability' that once made it the superior option to a computer set up.

All fair points. I agree. Especially about the last part. Complexity tend to breed complexity though, and I find sometimes solutions to relatively minor problems lead to overly complex setups because of limitations or quirks that one might argue shouldn't be there and because workaround solutions are available, if perhaps not overly practical.

For instance, I have this infinite project going where the idea is to both slim down my setup(s) and vastly improve ergonomics, mostly with currently available gear. Let's just say there's little progress on both ends but plenty enough complexity, which seems to be the thing that's most difficult to prevent. Eventually it will probably be a great setup, hopefully some time before I'm 90 and all the gear is bricked or "vintage".

I wrote about mouse support, meaning to connect a small trackball or touchpad and stick it in place of the Akai logo on the MPC One top right corner.
Mainly for use in Grid mode, not for navigating the system interface.

I cant see the pic,can someone reupload it please? Also i dont have facebook. Thank you in advance

HUBA wrote:... For instance, I have this infinite project going where the idea is to both slim down my setup(s) and vastly improve ergonomics, mostly with currently available gear. Let's just say there's little progress on both ends but plenty enough complexity, which seems to be the thing that's most difficult to prevent. Eventually it will probably be a great setup, hopefully some time before I'm 90 and all the gear is bricked or "vintage".

I hear you... you‘re not alone

I think something maybe has been lost in translation as english is not my mother tongue. I meant:
1/ If people want mouse. Great! Let's have mouse. Grid is a pain to use with the actual screen. So mouse would make it better.
2/ If we got mouse and hdmi output (or better for me mini-DP output) then we have a box with some ram some, cpu, a controller attached with pads and buttons and knobs with a mouse and a big screen.
3/ A box with mouse and screen is a computer in my opinion, but in the case of the MPC a lesser computer that what I already have as a computer.
4/ I enjoy more working on hardware than on the computer.
5/ None of the above is to pick any sides. Nowadays it seems that you have to pick a side, but my mind is just wondering if really is a benefit on converting the MPC to a computer, or at least what would feel as a computer to me. I feel like a some people just want that. Convert the MPC into a DAW, and again for me, it was what I was running from when I got into hardware, the computer.
Cheers

I've Been Requesting HDMI support for the X, since 2.8...maybe before that.

But I know that'll require All New Hardware.

Right now just gimme ....Making Moving Tracks/FX Slots possible. The FX Chain is very Crucial. For Some Reason they thought I meant Moving The Setup Menu Icons around

The touchscreen grid edit would definitely benefit from a mouse and to a lesser degree an HDMI line. I doubt Akai will ever add either to the current MPC lineup, to do so would be to acknowledge that touchscreen grid editing is gimmicky AF.

My Belief is....The Touchscreen eliminates the Need for a Mouse/Controlling circuitry. Keeps manufacturing costs down. Ex. Touchpad on a Laptop...opened the door to Tablet Touchscreens. Imagine hookin a Mouse up to a Tablet?

Imagine opening Grid Edit on a 70" Screen on your work area. And Touch Editing it thru HDMI


or....

Akai adding the Ability to open separate simultaneous Screens thru HDMI (standalone) for multiple monitors.

40Beatz wrote:Imagine hookin a Mouse up to a Tablet?

Don't have to imagine it - do it all of the time with my iPad.

But I'd wager that this would push the MPC into just being an experience akin to sitting in front of a desktop/laptop, albeit on a much smaller screen. And for those who say HDMI out would be a solution, well - then you might as well be sitting at your desktop/laptop with your MPC in Controller Mode, tapping in to far more CPU/RAM power than your standalone MPC could ever offer. Pretty sure Akai are aware of this, and have figured this is the opposite direction they want to go.

I'll go one step further and say: if an alleged "MPC XL" does come to market, it most certainly will not have external display or mouse support. Mark my words.

HDMI Support Is Not A Solution.....Its an Option. Its the Equivalent to having a Mouse attached to a Tablet

EnochLight wrote:

40Beatz wrote:Imagine hookin a Mouse up to a Tablet?

Don't have to imagine it - do it all of the time with my iPad.

But I'd wager that this would push the MPC into just being an experience akin to sitting in front of a desktop/laptop, albeit on a much smaller screen. And for those who say HDMI out would be a solution, well - then you might as well be sitting at your desktop/laptop with your MPC in Controller Mode, tapping in to far more CPU/RAM power than your standalone MPC could ever offer. Pretty sure Akai are aware of this, and have figured this is the opposite direction they want to go.

I'll go one step further and say: if an alleged "MPC XL" does come to market, it most certainly will not have external display or mouse support. Mark my words.

This!
But not the hooking a mouse to an iPad lol

40Beatz wrote:HDMI Support Is Not A Solution.....Its an Option. Its the Equivalent to having a Mouse attached to a Tablet

Well, you can always wish that pigs will fly, but without a hurricane or tornado, they tend to stay on the ground.