MPC5000 reviews, bug reports and fellow user support on the most recent standalone, hardware MPC from Akai
By tomazzzi Tue May 06, 2008 7:27 am
what do you mean multi out, multi midi out ? MV got two midi outs.


MV : 2 midi out 1 midi in, stereo audio out

MPC : 4 midi out, 2 midi in, 8 mono out + 1 stereo

from what I've seen and read MV can quantinize same way mpc can, people was just using quantanization strength at 100 rather than 35-45



from what you seen .....just try it & listen
By b-righteous Tue May 06, 2008 2:13 pm
The folks at MV nation make assumptions to why some say the MV timing is off. This is because the problem goes away when you turn down the resolution of the sequencer from 480 ppqn to 120 ppqn The theory is that the higher resolution reveals more flaws in your timing while recording. This may seem like a logical assumption for someone coming from an MPC with 96 ppqn but I and others have noticed midi jitter or off timing compared to an MPC 4000 with 960 ppqn are even a motif with 480. Also, the MV has input quantize on by default so what you play may sound different because it was quantized. Again I still noticed displacement of notes when the input quantize was turned off when compared to the 4000 or Motif XS. It is easy to assume that a slight variation in timing was your own playing and not the machines. After all, computers are perfect right? NOt!

All MIDI devices have what is called jitter. That is random timing errors. This can be during the input, playback or only during recording. It is also measurable by max and average jitter. It is all in how the device handles its clock and the DSP priority given to timing. Like any clock some can keep time better than others. My theory is that the MV can not handle the 480 resolution and the 120 gives it more headroom to keep time.

The other thing is that the MPC has its own feel or groove when quantizing. It does not align the notes to a perfectly even spaced grid like other devices such as the MV. It is not random or extreme but the notes are snapped to a grid that is not perfectly even. You can export a quantized MIDI file from the MPC to a DAW like Cubase and annalize the difference in the perfect Cubase grid verses the quantized MPC. They are different regardless of trying to match the swing settings. Again it is not random because the MPC will have the same grid every time which gives it its unique feel regardless of what swing percentage.

This is why on the MV and other sequencers you have to lower the strength when you quantize because otherwise it will snap your notes to a rigid grid and sound stiff. If you play well enough you can morph your own feel against the grid with the strength parameter and still have a nice swing. The difference is the MPC still sounds good at 100% strength.
By jk81 Tue May 06, 2008 6:01 pm
b-righteous wrote:The folks at MV nation make assumptions to why some say the MV timing is off. This is because the problem goes away when you turn down the resolution of the sequencer from 480 ppqn to 120 ppqn The theory is that the higher resolution reveals more flaws in your timing while recording.

.



Your exactly right. The resolution is extremely important when recording live. It's like the resolution on a camera. If your taking pictures of a supermodel you want the high resoultion to show her beauty. If your taking pictures of someone with acne you want a low resolution to hide their flaws. The same w/ music resolution. Some ppl with little to none playing experience think a higher resolution will make them sound better, but actually just magnifies their flaws. But, for someone who is a good musician, a low resolution can make them sound terrible. I like recording straight audio because theres no hiding -what you play is what you get, which in time makes you better. Theres no short cuts, but its too expensive to buy pro quality audio recording hardware. When I'm on a sequencer with quantize off I need a really high resolution to match the audio timing I'm used to.
By MUSIII Wed May 07, 2008 10:02 pm
Yep, Nothing to be afraid of here folks. 960ppqn is your friend, and your beats won't be any less "Phat" because of it.
By MUSIII Thu May 08, 2008 8:22 am
moyphee wrote:The new firmware update is all Bug Fixes - 52 of them!

At least they're not waiting for the box to crash and burn on users before addressing the problems. It is a little scary that a new unit has 52 bugs before it even hits the streets.


All 5000's will have the newest OS by default when you purchase.
By moyphee Thu May 08, 2008 9:26 pm
MUSIII wrote:
All 5000's will have the newest OS by default when you purchase.





What confirmable information do you base this statement on?

If it ships with the latest OS why is the update even posted?
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By HoaxOne Thu May 08, 2008 10:24 pm
MUSIII wrote:All 5000's will have the newest OS by default when you purchase.

My unit had OS version 1.00 when I turned it on for the first time (5/3/08). I would think that any units leaving the factory line from 5/2/08 (the date the update was available) and going forward will have the latest OS installed.
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By Askia Shaheed Thu May 08, 2008 10:58 pm
HoaxOne wrote:
MUSIII wrote:All 5000's will have the newest OS by default when you purchase.

My unit had OS version 1.00 when I turned it on for the first time (5/3/08). I would think that any units leaving the factory line from 5/2/08 (the date the update was available) and going forward will have the latest OS installed.


My unit shipped with the 1.01 OS. Word on the street is that the models that shipped with the latest OS pre-installed have the K.I.T.T. MOD also installed. With the K.I.T.T. MOD installed, the MPC 5000 will actually co-produce your tracks with you.
By MUSIII Fri May 09, 2008 6:01 am
HoaxOne wrote:
MUSIII wrote:All 5000's will have the newest OS by default when you purchase.

My unit had OS version 1.00 when I turned it on for the first time (5/3/08). I would think that any units leaving the factory line from 5/2/08 (the date the update was available) and going forward will have the latest OS installed.


Right on.
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By mjames4208 Fri May 09, 2008 10:56 am
I just checked my order status on the internet... it said shipped, waiting for tracking#.
YEAH BOY :D :twisted: 8)
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By mjames4208 Tue May 13, 2008 2:17 pm
it has arrived :D
By 4dahaterz Tue May 13, 2008 4:06 pm
mjames4208 wrote:it has arrived :D


Thats whats up... congrats homie