MPC5000 reviews, bug reports and fellow user support on the most recent standalone, hardware MPC from Akai

Do you enjoy the current features of your MPC or want more ?

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By 4dahaterz Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:53 pm
scd wrote:Ah yes, you are correct about that one. We missed that completely, admitted. But for the rest I don't think there are/were features advertised that are missing are there? (just checking :) )


Its cool... preciate all ya help you giving us SCD.... especially being the bridge between us and Akai(Numark)
By BxJaze Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:12 pm
1 - password protection @ startup - alphanumerical or pad-sequenced

2 - auto formatting (sucks to burn a CD or try to load a folder only to find out the wavs are "Invalid Format"....if they have software like Switch out, the MPC should be able to do it on its own)

3 - auto sample preview when in the Load screen so can hear the samples as you scroll (like FL Studio)....with a 4GB DVD or 2GB compact flash loaded, we shouldn't have to press F5 20,000 times

4 - something JBlaze said: automatically cueing up the next sample instead of having to scrollwheel ALL THE WAY TO THE END each time

5 - again something they should take from FL Studio - real time timestretch previewing

6 - this is a hardware thing so it can't be changed....but i wish they had a continuous knob without limits, because using a Q Link for something like the mixer, then switching to another channel using the same Q link, you're screwed when you come back to the original one because it's in a different position. This would also be helpful for other functions.

7 - some dedicated interactive software (so people don't have to wait for Mr. Bluebox Man)

8 - adding a force-home screen function to the MAIN SCREEN button. holding it down should just force you back to the main screen if it freezes......turning this thing on and off all the time is a b-i-t-you know the rest.




....more to come
By tomazzzi Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:50 pm
using a Q Link for something like the mixer, then switching to another channel using the same Q link, you're screwed when you come back to the original one because it's in a different position. This would also be helpful for other functions.


We definitly need some sort of shift + qlink controler to recall the parameters
User avatar
By scd Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:20 am
tomazzzi wrote:
using a Q Link for something like the mixer, then switching to another channel using the same Q link, you're screwed when you come back to the original one because it's in a different position. This would also be helpful for other functions.


We definitly need some sort of shift + qlink controler to recall the parameters


How about a "pick up" mode where the faders only change values after they pass they set value?
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:19 am
tomazzzi wrote:
4 : In Program mode, edit the filter, LFO, envelope with qlinks



I agree with this for sure. It seems like a waste to have so many knobs and faders but can't use them in every menu. I wish there was a global program editing menu that looks similar to the synth program menu. And just like the synth program menu, I want to be able to edit the filter, LFOs, envelopes, etc with the q-link knobs and sliders.


Additionally:

1. I want to be able to import audio CD tracks into hard disk tracks. The 5K can load audio CD tracks from the CD Drive just fine, but it can't import them to the hard drive.
2. You can't preview any file that would exceed sample memory if loaded. I feel the 5K should at least be able to sill preview a few seconds of the file.
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:49 am
scd wrote:
tomazzzi wrote:Better way for mac users is usefull, yes !

An unmount button will be cool also i agree !


The usb story about mounting/unmounting is a delicate one. Specially on the Mac. I can't recall the whole story technically, but it is about impossible to implement it different from how it is now. That's not caused by Akai's but Apple's implementation of things.

Boele


Doesn't the MPC 2500 have an unmount button?


....after reading a few posts around here.....I have determined that the MPC 5K (or next MPC) should have USB audio and come with an editor. When you open up Cubase (or your favorite DAW), it will show up as a VST instrument. When you click on that instrument, a window will open up showing you all the program parameters...something that looks like Battery 3. The 5K already has the capability to be used as a 16 channel sound module. This would be an impressive function. Every time you open up a Cubase project, it will recall all the settings/files you used with the MPC 5K!

Or better yet..forget the computer entirely. Simply make an MPC powerful enough to install VST instruments. Or an MPC that has PCI slots so you can install your favorite sound card giving you plenty of options such as ADAT, firewire, AES/EBU, MADI, etc...or even direct connection to Pro Tools....... :lol: Man...I am losing control right now.
By tomazzzi Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:05 am
Actually in mixer mode you can select tracks using the pads

If you want to select multiple tracks at once just press the shift button.

Thanks to SCD for this very usefull trick
By Gith Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:29 am
So far (I've had it about a week):

Virtual analog needs more control options

Jog Wheel should work every time

Program Amp/Filter section quick page swap function key

'Release' on the amp envelope fades down to quiet and then cuts out quickly - needs to be smooooth for loop fade outs.

* a gain reduction meter on the compressor so I can see whats going on

Remember the last type of save you did / project or 'all' file names.

different icons for different types of file on the save/load screens.
By Onkobu Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm
tomazzzi wrote:
using a Q Link for something like the mixer, then switching to another channel using the same Q link, you're screwed when you come back to the original one because it's in a different position. This would also be helpful for other functions.


We definitly need some sort of shift + qlink controler to recall the parameters

I thought about paying someone for to build some replacement with these funky knobs...like the nord lead 3 has...motorfaders and such...wheeee
By Onkobu Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:42 pm
tomazzzi wrote:Actually in mixer mode you can select tracks using the pads

If you want to select multiple tracks at once just press the shift button.

Thanks to SCD for this very usefull trick

Sounds interesting but doesn't solve the selection-problem with tracks at all. Imagine you're in Next Seq or Track Mute and want to focus on another track to access it's assigned Q-Links...you must got to main screen and dial in. (Earlier I suggested to assign Q-Links across tracks, so I can control parameters of samples of different tracks without switching track focus. Would be great to fade two tracks life while turning a third track's filter down... Could be implemented like: if current track has Q-Link assigned: operate on current track. Else find next track in program with that Q-Link assigned and operate on that track - The *else* seems to be easy realizable)

Another source of inspiration is the rather chaotic pad layout. Due to GM drum mapping notes assigned to pad don't go from C at lower left to B in top row. While playing samples tuned according to pad mapping I find tons of new melodies. Would be great to have a bunch of presets for that. So when you go to Midi/Sync->Note there ought to be not only "Reset" but some list of different presets. Add various scales to this list so one can switch from GM drum mapping to Nepalese 5 tone or F minor or user presets, too. The Korg Kaossilator feels great with this.
By Onkobu Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:33 am
While playing with my *old* MC 505 I came across a new EFX: Slicer. This effect cuts a signal with a rhythmic pattern, like cutting with a DJ mixer. There are several 1 bar 16 step patterns where a gap marks silence, a small o half the signal and a large O full signal. Patterns look like this o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_ or ooo_ooo_ooo_ooo_ or even o_o_ooo_o_o_ooo_. Right now I'd have to simulate this with mute events to avoid release cycles when simulating with 16th notes.
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:29 pm
Ok...I got more :P

1. I want to have 4 banks of Q-link sliders and knobs. That would actually give us 16 sliders and 32 knobs to assign MIDI CC parameters to. In the Q-links main page, F1 thru F4 are not in use. So these can be used to select the 4 banks of sliders/knobs. If there was an easy way to use the pad banks (A,B,C,D) to accomplish this, that would be even better.

2. I also want a slight improvement to the AMP ENVELOPES (ADSR) in the Program Mode. When using DECAY on short one shot samples, I feel the decay responds to quickly. I wish there was a way to slow down the decay. Currently, I've been having trouble trying to smooth out a click at the end of a short percussion sample.
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:28 am
I spent a lot of time with the 5K this past holiday weekend. After using it and re-reading this thread and came up with my top ten favorites of things I would like to see added in a future OS:

1. Instrument/Keygroup programs with global program editing
2. Insert effects/dynamics in the recording/sampling menu
3. 4-band EQ as a filter type per sample
4. Sample list view where you can tag/un-tag samples to be deleted or loaded
5. Auto-cue next sample when creating a sample program
6. Data compatibility: Legacy MPC formats, Akai S1000/30000, Roland, etc
7. Four Q-link banks which will give you access to 16 sliders and 32 knobs w/ control over all MPC parameters
8. Swap key to quickly switch between Program Amp/Filter sections
9. Improved preview function: synth patches and imported hard disk tracks
10. Auto assign multiple samples to a program