MPC MAJOR MIDI ISSUE : "multichannel Note off" midi bug

Yeah, I feel your pain. My workflow is to write the midi in my DAW, as it plays the MPC. Making use of midi tools like Scaler and a range or step sequencer and Arp style tools. Avoiding clashes with 2 parts isn't so bad, but 3 or more I have to think about it and start omitting parts to the MPCs sequencer, one by one.

Unhelpful salt posts because I just woke up, it's hot, and didn't drink coffee yet.

40Beatz wrote:2.xx was Never Fully Stable lol.

We gotta learn to put that Spaghetti in a Bowl and add somethin to it, to make Delicious Beats.
I don't know of ANY Software that is 100% Bug Free. At some point we have to learn to Navigate thru the Wilderness. Figure out Workarounds. I remember when AKAI put out ONE, maybe TWO Updates Per Machine lol. Now we're spoiled lol

I'm usually on board with this mentality in creative field, and I love the MPC -- I'm heavily invested in it's use and workflow and have performed concerts all over the world using it, even in the absolute STATE it's in ..

.. but in this case this is just an embarrassing and game breaking bug of completely unacceptable proportion, which excludes what is almost certainly an objective MAJORITY of real world use cases (ANY multitimbral setup using external controllers). The only reason that we don't hear more distaste over this bug is because there are other options available, so rather than complaining, the majority of people simply opt out, or get warned and never opt in. I could never recommend the MPC to a colleague -- imagine if this bug kills their workflow while I had talked them into dropping THAT MUCH cash on it and known about the bug the entire time.

Until this bug gets fixed, the MPC is NOT a professional tool. Myself, I'm not looking for a toy to play with and make cool beats -- I need a tool that does a job reliably in high pressure environments. Until this bug gets fixed, it's a joke instrument and an expensive toy. Yes I know about the hardware workarounds and implement them, but this adds weight and complexity which is problem when it comes to flying and performing live.

No distaste for those whose flow this bug doesn't affect, I'm glad that it works for your workflow and that there are some pros out there in the flow of things, but lets not get into apologizing for AKAIs behaviour just because 'you got yours' in a workflow sense.

Couple of pictures from events with MPC because I mentioned performances:


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Neurone wrote:Let’s just remember this bug has been around for four years and Akai knew.
That’s gross incompetence.
In that time they’ve ignored it all whilst using considerable dev resources to sell us new plugins.
Akai will have to suck it up and fix it.

I noticed that they mentioned it specifically in a recent patch note, so I do have hope. But I've been burned before..

Neodymium wrote:From my understanding, I hope I have this right. Is that when 2 synths need to used the same note say C4, The first midi CC to cut off C4 will effect both synths. So they both get a duration to that point in time. So it's not editing not offs, but editing note length. Taking the note that cut off prematurely and extending it to it's intended length. Depending on how this bug effects you're workflow, it could be a fix, rather than a workaround.

I think a general work around would be stopping synths playing in a the same range. Compositionally (is that the right word) unless you are looking for unison notes this is probably not bad practice. But if you have two musicians playing away, that's easier said than done. If a bass synth player is say triggering the MiniD, telling a keyboard player to stay in his lane and watch out for left hand work is probably not a bad idea, unless you are that keyboard player. Alternatively, transposing the midi out from the bass synths trigger keyboard down an octave, whist shifting the bass synths oscillators up and octave, results in the same frequency output. reducing the chance both playing the same note. At the same to shifting the keyboard player midi trigger keyboard up an octave, whilst transposing the their synth oscillators down an octave creates even more space between both synths and their midi Notes.

I appreciate the craftiness and helpful approach. But no.. this bug is a dead end problem and not a limitation. If you use the MPC as a multitimbral instrument and have any external controllers, then the only viable fixes are:

#1 using another piece of hardware instead of an MPC (optimal)
#2 complicated hardware extensions to isolate MIDI ports (why do I continue to subject myself to this)
#3 kill the whole project and start again in a way that theoretically works (£1000 creativity killer machine)

Oscar South wrote: If you use the MPC as a multitimbral instrument and have any external controllers, then the only viable fixes are:

#1 using another piece of hardware instead of an MPC (optimal)
#2 complicated hardware extensions to isolate MIDI ports (why do I continue to subject myself to this)
#3 kill the whole project and start again in a way that theoretically works (£1000 creativity killer machine)

#2 all the way. A CME H4 (or U6) will at least give you a 4 (or 3) part multi timbral MPC, and by far the better option of the three if the MPC is your only choice....

I've given up with Akai ever fixing this. I'm sticking with MPC2 also, so I have no hope of this ever getting fixed for me.

submo wrote:

Oscar South wrote: If you use the MPC as a multitimbral instrument and have any external controllers, then the only viable fixes are:

#1 using another piece of hardware instead of an MPC (optimal)
#2 complicated hardware extensions to isolate MIDI ports (why do I continue to subject myself to this)
#3 kill the whole project and start again in a way that theoretically works (£1000 creativity killer machine)

#2 all the way. A CME H4 ($50) will at least give you a 4 part multi timbral MPC, and by far the better option of the three if the MPC is your only choice....

I've given up with Akai ever fixing this. I'm sticking with MPC2 also, so I have no hope of this ever getting fixed for me.

I use a C6MIDI pro box, which when combining with the 2 DIN midi ports gives 5 part multitimbrality. This is is a partial solution, and not enough.

Worse -- for live performance (especially overseas) it adds weight and complexity. Baggage weight is a zero sum game where everything is a trade off, and any extra setup/complexity introduces new vectors for things to fail or go wrong in a live situation.

There is no benefit to any of this -- its all downsides, all of which could instantly evaporate with a software update.

I actually want to side-grade over to the MPC One for reduced weight and size, but losing the 1 extra DIN port will kill 20% of my multitimbrality. To fix this I'll need to have to spend more money on a larger MIDI interface with more software ports, which is heavier or more complicated than the overcomplicated setup I already have. MPC devices are already oversize and overweight for their practical functionality, so these factors are major issues.

Is this a viable 'pro' consumer product?

These are completely arbitrary and absolutely unnecessary problems, all of which could instantly evaporate with a software update.

Oscar South wrote:These are completely arbitrary and absolutely unnecessary problems, all of which could instantly evaporate with a software update.

True.... but my confidence in Akai these days is next to none, which is why I built my own Midi interface to get round this.... It's a 16 port device, so essentially gives you 16 part multi timbral....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcEhxKz ... qNVtLKxxP4

I have some spare if you want one.. They come in at a whopping 150g, and use a rubbish USB micro connector, but it's the best I could do until Akai pull their finger out.

So, there are not one but multiple workarounds ---> no need to fix

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:So, there are not one but multiple workarounds ---> no need to fix

can't tell if you're being seriously foolish or foolishly serious

either way

Oscar South wrote:

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:So, there are not one but multiple workarounds ---> no need to fix

can't tell if you're being seriously foolish or foolishly serious

either way

I think he's quoting InMusic's mindset

renegadebliss wrote:
I think he's quoting InMusic's mindset

In that case it's pretty funny

No Disrespect. But If I were on the Level of Performing Concerts on a Global Scale....I would NEVER put all my Eggs in the MPC Basket lol. If I have Multiple Hardware instruments with different Musicians, I would Tie Everything into a Wild Crazy Mixing Board, Integrating Good Ole Fashion MIDI Patchbays, into Some kind of Hardware Arranger.... INSTEAD of a $1000 Box, that May Not Even Start up, let alone perform MIDI duties Properly lol.

MPC is a Professional Unit In most cases, but not to Level of Performing Global Concert Level Performances with MIDI connections. That's just me.
I figure the Money that me and my team are generating, would be invested into Analog Equipment. I believe AKAI /InMusic are banking on the "Semi Professional" Market. Targeting Pre-made Sounds/Effects, and Recording/Arrangement Type Customers. To Me...they're winning in that Department.

Synopsis....I would do it the Old Fashion way....MIDI Patchbay routed into Analog Equipment..Versus...An MPC LIVE lol

Again...No Disrespect. I wish I could be on that level if I didn't have a Family and a lil younger lol

40Beatz wrote:No Disrespect. But If I were on the Level of Performing Concerts on a Global Scale....I would NEVER put all my Eggs in the MPC Basket lol. If I have Multiple Hardware instruments with different Musicians, I would Tie Everything into a Wild Crazy Mixing Board, Integrating Good Ole Fashion MIDI Patchbays, into Some kind of Hardware Arranger.... INSTEAD of a $1000 Box, that May Not Even Start up, let alone perform MIDI duties Properly lol.

MPC is a Professional Unit In most cases, but not to Level of Performing Global Concert Level Performances with MIDI connections. That's just me.
I figure the Money that me and my team are generating, would be invested into Analog Equipment. I believe AKAI /InMusic are banking on the "Semi Professional" Market. Targeting Pre-made Sounds/Effects, and Recording/Arrangement Type Customers. To Me...they're winning in that Department.

Synopsis....I would do it the Old Fashion way....MIDI Patchbay routed into Analog Equipment..Versus...An MPC LIVE lol

Again...No Disrespect. I wish I could be on that level if I didn't have a Family and a lil younger lol

Unless you have a rig build/tear down crew (which I don't and assume I never will) then in my view you want the most integrated and robust setup possible for travel gigs. As a brain for connecting various sources, hosting plugins and providing a very controllable and performance friendly interface with a lot of i/o that can be set up and torn down in seconds, the MPC is a pretty unique and well fitting product. Enough so that it's been worth working around the rough edges.

A big thought out rig with routing and mixers is a lot of work, weight and expense transporting, complex to set up/tear down and plenty of things that can go wrong and need debugging when it'd be better to be getting into the groove and warming up on instruments. I have gone down this route before and I managed to make that rig pretty compact for what it was, but never close to the plug, load and play workhorse utility of an MPC.

Oscar South wrote:Unless you have a rig build/tear down crew (which I don't and assume I never will) then in my view you want the most integrated and robust setup possible for travel gigs. As a brain for connecting various sources, hosting plugins and providing a very controllable and performance friendly interface with a lot of i/o that can be set up and torn down in seconds, the MPC is a pretty unique and well fitting product. Enough so that it's been worth working around the rough edges.

A big thought out rig with routing and mixers is a lot of work, weight and expense transporting, complex to set up/tear down and plenty of things that can go wrong and need debugging when it'd be better to be getting into the groove and warming up on instruments. I have gone down this route before and I managed to make that rig pretty compact for what it was, but never close to the plug, load and play workhorse utility of an MPC.

Depends on what you bring with you, and how organized/quick you are. Learn to be efficient and you don't need 'tear down' people with you. I used to drag two 10 space SKB roto racks, a 12 channel Mackie, and a blue and white G3 Macintosh with a 17" CRT monitor to gigs around 2001/2002. And I was driving a 1971 VW Super Beetle at the time too hah. Had no trouble being setup in time, but I also didn't half ass it and had my shit together too.

Monotremata wrote:

Oscar South wrote:Unless you have a rig build/tear down crew (which I don't and assume I never will) then in my view you want the most integrated and robust setup possible for travel gigs. As a brain for connecting various sources, hosting plugins and providing a very controllable and performance friendly interface with a lot of i/o that can be set up and torn down in seconds, the MPC is a pretty unique and well fitting product. Enough so that it's been worth working around the rough edges.

A big thought out rig with routing and mixers is a lot of work, weight and expense transporting, complex to set up/tear down and plenty of things that can go wrong and need debugging when it'd be better to be getting into the groove and warming up on instruments. I have gone down this route before and I managed to make that rig pretty compact for what it was, but never close to the plug, load and play workhorse utility of an MPC.

Depends on what you bring with you, and how organized/quick you are. Learn to be efficient and you don't need 'tear down' people with you. I used to drag two 10 space SKB roto racks, a 12 channel Mackie, and a blue and white G3 Macintosh with a 17" CRT monitor to gigs around 2001/2002. And I was driving a 1971 VW Super Beetle at the time too hah. Had no trouble being setup in time, but I also didn't half ass it and had my shit together too.

It's possible but getting that stuff in a carry on and through gate security ain't fun, let alone moving it around on foot in unfamiliar locations. A custom rig has very specific components too so I wouldn't trust it in the hold, where things get lost or damaged regularly. If the MPC that's jammed in a case with a bunch of clothes and my collaborators costumes goes missing (it has happened) then I have replica SD cards that I can insert into any stock MPC.

The MIDI protocol was created in 1983. The first multitimbral synth was the Casio CZ101 in 1985, which allowed 4 voices. You'd struggle to send 4 parts to the MPC without hitting the midi note off bug. The MPC isn't able to keep up with 40 year old tech, and fails to meet the MIDI protocol over 4 decades old.