The MPC2500 INDEX SUCKS Thread

Yep. Here we go. I said it and I wonder who will agree. I have plenty of experience working with old school hardware sequencers (roland mc500) to today's DAW systems including Cakewalk, Digital Performer etc... So, using the MPC was a fairly easy learning curve BUT there were still a few moments that I had to refer to the manual and find the answer. AND during these times I have found the manual not to be the most useful solution because - honestly, the manual sucks.

I am going to list some examples that hopefully (not aure if akai surfs through here or not but) will help Akai get their shizit together on the manual and/or make users realize they aren't crazy for not finding the answer.



Here we go:

1 - For starters, Why isn't "DELETE' in the index? I mean, it's all over the manual but if you want to find a quick answer and refer to the index, there is no listing at all???

2 - No listing for "Create a Program"???

3 - OR how about, the listing "Program" and it refers to page 8 instead of pointing you to the more useful page 78 - "Program"???

4 - Um, I know there is more.... let's see - how about a MAJOR mone such as "Sync"? Where is that in the index? Hmmm... Let's see... I want to learn how to sync my MPC. Look in the index for Sync and there is nothing? Well, that doesn't make much sense. Oh, I have an idea... what about "External Devices?" - Nope that's not in there either? Funny too because the title on page 52 "Using the MPC2500 with External Devices"???

Ok, these are just a few examples that I personally damn near retarded. What's the sens of an index if it's not accurate or atleast helpful? Who uses a TOC when you can find the exact bit of information and where it's located through an index? Come on Akai... hook a brother up.

Anyone else have anything to contribute to this thread?

I opened the 2500 pdf manual, in the search bar I typed "delete". That showed me Chp 12. I found a few different types of delete in there. What "type" of delete you never specified but I DID find a "delete" in that chapter nonetheless..

Chapter 12: Editing a sample 63
Setting the start / end points for the samples .................................................. 63
Deleting an unnecessary part from a sample (DISCARD) .............................. 64
Deleting a selected range from sample and moving the data
after the end point towards the start point (DELETE) ....................... 64

I opened up the 2500 pdf manual and in the search bar I typed "program". The first result was not what I was looking for so I searched for the next instance of "program" by pressing F3, again, not what I was looking for, so, again, I pressed F3 to find the next instance of "program" and wouldn't you know, third times a charm as some people say, I came across the Chp 13. PROGRAM, pretty easy going so far.

Chapter 13: Program 78
Creating a Program ..........................................................................................78

I opened up the 2500 pdf manual and in the search bar I typed "sync". The first result took me to what looked like what I might be needing.

Chapter 10: Using the MPC2500
with External devices 52
Sync with the MPC2500 as the master ........................................................... 52
Sync with the MPC2500 as the slave .............................................................. 52
Connecting the MPC2500 to the MIDI keyboard
with the sound module ................................. 53
Setting the MIDI input ..................................................................................... 53
Cutting off the internal sound from a pad (Setting Local Control) .................... 54
Changing sequence by Program Change from an external devices ..................... 54

Seems that it all boils down to my subject title.. Have fun..

AND, yes I did read through those chapters, IF I had a MPC2500, IF it wasn't broken or anything, IF it worked like it was supposed to, I would have been able to accomplish all of this with no problem.

Lampdog wrote:I opened the 2500 pdf manual, in the search bar I typed "delete". That showed me Chp 12. I found a few different types of delete in there. What "type" of delete you never specified but I DID find a "delete" in that chapter nonetheless..

This is where we got confused, you are using the SEARCH featured provided by Adobe Acrobat (or similar program) to find information not listed in the index of the AKAI manual.

I am not questioning the power of "search" within Acrobat, but instead I am questioning the uselessness of the INDEX within the AKAI manual that is packaged with the product they sell.

Also, think about how many people that buy an MPC may not even have a computer or internet access? The manual should be the end all to all problems and it should also be the quickest and most easiest way to find your answer.

All of my above scenarios are found in the manual, but why have an index if it is not correct? I still hold my statement... The AKAI INDEX still SUCKS

ShaneFontane wrote:

Lampdog wrote:I opened the 2500 pdf manual, in the search bar I typed "delete". That showed me Chp 12. I found a few different types of delete in there. What "type" of delete you never specified but I DID find a "delete" in that chapter nonetheless..

This is where we got confused, you are using the SEARCH featured provided by Adobe Acrobat (or similar program) to find information not listed in the index of the AKAI manual.

I am not questioning the power of "search" within Acrobat, but instead I am questioning the uselessness of the INDEX within the AKAI manual that is packaged with the product they sell.

Also, think about how many people that buy an MPC may not even have a computer or internet access? The manual should be the end all to all problems and it should also be the quickest and most easiest way to find your answer.

All of my above scenarios are found in the manual, but why have an index if it is not correct? I still hold my statement... The AKAI INDEX still SUCKS

just more of a reason to read this thing cover to cover then, huh?

I agree with you Shane. I have had some of the exact same problems that you listed here. The index does feel very vague at times.

On the other hand thanks to Lamp I now know that the search in the pdf manual is the place to go instead of the packaged manual.

episode wrote:just more of a reason to read this thing cover to cover then, huh?

Not really.

I think manuals are really only suppose to be used as a reference not as a book. This is why a proper index is so important.

Based on your suggestion I would have had to spend killer time reading my 500+ paged Digital Performer manual instead of using their trusty index

I don't think I am asking Akai to do something so unheard of. I mean, if you prefer spending your time reading manuals vs playing your instrument that's fine (I prefer doing this on off hours now production hours). But personally, I rather start workin' it out and refer to a page or two as I get stumped. Then continue playing.

To each his own, but I still think AKAI should make a proper index. Other companies can do it, why can't AKAI?

I guess I was always so determined to do things "by the book." I'm crazy like that. Like when assembling things, people just go into it and start building, but I've always been one to go through the manual and do things step by step. But I agree with you on one thing, AKAI's manual isn't anything compared to alot of other encyclopedia-like product manuals.

episode wrote:I guess I was always so determined to do things "by the book." I'm crazy like that. Like when assembling things, people just go into it and start building, but I've always been one to go through the manual and do things step by step.

haha... very cool

ShaneFontane wrote:

episode wrote:I guess I was always so determined to do things "by the book." I'm crazy like that. Like when assembling things, people just go into it and start building, but I've always been one to go through the manual and do things step by step.

haha... very cool

It's alright, I guess. Sometimes I wish I wasn't built this way... I'm too much of a perfectionist for my own good.

episode wrote:It's alright, I guess. Sometimes I wish I wasn't built this way... I'm too much of a perfectionist for my own good.

just keep shit rockin man