MPC 4000-like Flagship

Askia Shaheed wrote:

LvngDead wrote:Is there a workaround in the 5000 for not being able to route effect buses to individual sequencer tracks? I know you can route effects to HD tracks, but not sequencer tracks, correct?

You can only assign one program to each sequencer track. You can route one or more sounds of that program to an effects buss. So you are actually sending a sequencer's track to an effects buss.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the 2000xl, you are allowed to have 4 programs at once. These 4 programs can also be performed and recorded to any track, right?


dabmeister, remember this thread? viewtopic.php?f=2&t=92695&hilit=andy

That should answer your question as to why the digital inputs weren't included. TO MAKE SPACE FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL SYNTH. /sarcasm

the 5k is far far far away of being able to touch the 4k ... if thats what this thread is all about ..

one of my fav features in the 4k is the way the user can set up 4x zones with dif filter setting per zone .. also on this topic 3 filter types per pad is awesome .. the mod matrix is massif .. the pitch envelope is a must!! .. and then there are just basic things like> is there actually no duration option on the 5k !!!! what the hell is that about? usualy this is in the main screen and is a MPC feature that must be in a MPC ...its a great creative tool when working with monophonic and gliding synths and or programs ... please correct me if I'm wrong but if the 5k not does not have this basic yet standard mpc feature then Numark have drooped the ball.....

a new flag ship mpc should be the 4 k in a more portable box more dedicated buttons (we are almost '09 and the UI has is almost the same as the 60!! throw in the new tools from the newer mpc's and doubble the outs and poly and create a firewire VST with option to run 48tracks .. option to expand to 20 analouge outs ... but this might just come too late as...

I honestly think the new flagship MPC will be the Linn Drum 2 ... !!

The subject of the thread and my opening posts pretty much sums up what this thread is about. IMHO, an MPC 4000-like flagship will incorporate advanced functions without hindering the MPC workflow. Dedicated buttons are great but if there are too many, the MPC may have to be bigger. The dedicated buttons of the older MPCs (3000 and 4000) have been replaced by MODE + PAD (15 modes total). Without this function, the 5K would need 15 dedicated buttons to enter these modes. I would rather have more use of the SHIFT function and soft keys. Also, I don't believe MPCs need more than 10 analog/digital outputs. That would be overkill.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the 2000xl, you are allowed to have 4 programs at once. These 4 programs can also be performed and recorded to any track, right?

The MPC 2000XL can have 4 programs active in a sequence. Only one program can be assigned to each track. All the latest MPCs do this and more. The current models allow you to have a program for each track. So you can have 64 programs playing at the same time.

.. and then there are just basic things like> is there actually no duration option on the 5k !!!!

The MPC 4000 is the only MPC with duration displayed on the main screen. The other MPCs have this function in the SEQ edit menu.

The subject of the thread and my opening posts pretty much sums up what this thread is about. IMHO, an MPC 4000-like flagship will incorporate advanced functions without hindering the MPC workflow. Dedicated buttons are great but if there are too many, the MPC may have to be bigger. The dedicated buttons of the older MPCs (3000 and 4000) have been replaced by MODE + PAD (15 modes total). Without this function, the 5K would need 15 dedicated buttons to enter these modes. I would rather have more use of the SHIFT function and soft keys. Also, I don't believe MPCs need more than 10 analog/digital outputs. That would be overkill.

(((.. there's nothing hindering the workflow on the 4k except the know how of the user..))))

dedicated buttons... too many what the hell!! think outside the box here for a second.. think of dedicated buttons for solo/mute, track up/down, filter, zone, lfo .. hit a button and go straight to that menu, instead of pressing F keys and scrolling though the functions... think faders for multiple functions, like mixer and envelope, think calvia, yamaha su700, emu Xl stations or old roland Pg200 programmers that had a whole engine of a synth in a foot print the size of a VHS video casett.. there's a lot of improvement for the UI .. open your mind a little

Also, I don't believe MPCs need more than 10 analog/digital outputs. That would be overkill

WHAT!!! Any engineer will tell you that you can never have too many outs!!! are you kid? I might layer a pad with 4 sounds and route each layer/sound to a different outpurt for prossesing, this might be a stereo source so thats 8 outs for 1 pad!!!! are you getting it?! .. sure you can re-sample or bounce but tell that to the demanding pro while asking about a new flagship..

why do you think so many studios have a rack of multiple samplers, more outs more poly more ram ... option for 20 outs would be quite gratifying for anyone with a bunch of outboards or modulars.. virtual 48 tracks via firewire would be very welcome, also if money isn't a issue an analouge filterbank and top grade A/D D/A would be on top 10 list.. but on the flip side many producers will be fine with 10outs and work around it..

I think the problem here is that you don't realize that producer work on different levels ... anyone useing more than 50% of the 4k would consider the 5k a drastic downgrade.. dont get me wrong the 5k seams like a fantastik MPC !! really a great set of features and improvements, although it has a small hint of a sell out .. but its drum sampler.. and riddled with bugs .. by the time numark gets it straight, korg is going to have its MPC out, yamaha might have a SU7000 and Linn Drum will be banging ..

so look kid, your allright, you've with-stained allot of heat without breaking into a name calling.. so a bit of class 2you, but I really think your ambitions are pointed in the wrong direction.. as in the 4k forum your like a mosquito in the dark while we are trying to go to sleep ... so buzz away with all sales crap and let it be .. no one in here will buy it...

Whow, wish my 4K could use 16 outputs
Love to have 20 outputs on that beast.
Dedicated buttons is a must.
One thing I really hate on my 2000, the shift button.
More dedicated buttons please!

Also, I don't believe MPCs need more than 10 analog/digital outputs. That would be overkill

My Motif XS has 16 firewire outs option and so does the Korg M3. Thats only 8 stereo outs for 8 parts. That should be the minimum. I don't know about sending each layer to a separate out and all so I do think that anything over 32 outs is overkill. These would not be analog but adat. It could be a 16 channel adat option board with the 10 analog standard.

I lean more to top panel one button presses but agree that the size of the MPC starts to become an issue. I also agree that the MPC should be simple to use. However, most of the items on Askia's list plus the few I suggested would fit without making the 5k too complicated. It's more about how the GUI is design. I think the 5k is to underpowered and low spec. For a flagship it should do a bit more.

I created this thread for people to talk about what they would like to see in an MPC. If you don't like the thread, then simply go play in another thread. That is all I will say on this matter.

20 analog outs is way too much. There isn't a workstation on the market that has that. Having more digital outs..perhaps. But when it comes to firewire...I am not sold on that format. There are plenty of products with firewire and many of them has have issues with drivers and getting them to function properly with computers. That is the last thing an MPC user should want..IMHO.

As far as dedicated buttons, the current MPCs use of the pads to gain access to menus is great. I don't feel it is cumbersome process.

Another thing to take into account is the price of this unit. The MPC 4000 maxed out with options cost almost $4000 back in 2002. There will be a very small market for a $4000 drum machine. Even selling them at $3000 is a difficult task. In fact, the prices of most workstations are starting to drop.

Many people wished for firewire on a MPC and this thread is an 4000 thread whether it is upgraded or not. You could place the same thread in any other forum 5k, 2k, 1k, and so on. But it is naive to say that there is too many buttons dedicated to solo functions that makes it as easy as a 3k.


(((.. there's nothing hindering the workflow on the 4k except the know how of the user..)))) Glide is right on this.


If you are on some dreamy mpc it should be akin to the MV with a integrated sequencer that represents the 4k tracks on a computer monitor and I like what foge showed working with a touchscreen controller. Update libraries by Akai and third parties at the level of Native Instruments Konpamt would be a nice touch also. I may be mistaken but I do believe the 4k is the only mpc with a graphic editor that can be used for alot of graphic automation. I would love non destructive audio editing in the audio editor too.

All in all it is a sampler which makes it timeless as the sounds would never get out dated as long as you choose the sounds you want unlike a synth with locked in sounds.


Remember this is MPC 4000-MPC 4000 like Flagship so it should be as much as possible have all of the pluses of a 4k and more very different from a 5k or other mpcs. You have to simply reply to posts give and take.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjftuTH7Zo


Dream of a future sampling engine and library.

I would want the sampler capabilities of the very instruments that drove the other major hardware samplers out of business like comparable software sampler capabilities. On the 4k the controllers, midi sequencing and dedicated buttons are fine in my part of town. Just sampling and libraries like the software cousins.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9j5s6Ua ... re=related

I created this thread for people to talk about what they would like to see in an MPC. If you don't like the thread, then simply go play in another thread. That is all I will say on this matter.

This thread is about a new flagship .. then why not the >>OPTION<< for 20 anaqouge outs, many studios will consider that a huge assent ..regardless of what you think is right..

as for the buttons .. the design can be way way better .. just quickly .. take the misc, global and midi and sett them all under one system mode/button and use the buttons for more common use of the unit I always liked how the su700 had dedicated buttons running up the left hand side.. use led's, break away for the 20 year old design and open your mind... there is huge room for improving the UI ... if you cant see that, then way are your starting a thread about this..

Another thing to take into account is the price of this unit. The MPC 4000 maxed out with options cost almost $4000 back in 2002. There will be a very small market for a $4000 drum machine. Even selling them at $3000 is a difficult task. In fact, the prices of most workstations are starting to drop.

Yes and that why this flagship mpc will never happen .. as it's simply not be commercially viable for numark .. but just think the 5k retail was $3500!! .. ..

the 5k might be the last mpc ever ..sadly ... other companies are bringing their game, Roland going to hit hard so is Yamaha the next time around and King Korg is half way there.. look at their M3 rack .. not too far from an MPC in fact.. Numark needs to get clever if they are going to keep the MPC alive..

IMO The true Flagship MPC will com from a smaller company.. designed with heart and soul ...>> Roger Linn is coming !!!

Im out..

glide wrote:

I created this thread for people to talk about what they would like to see in an MPC. If you don't like the thread, then simply go play in another thread. That is all I will say on this matter.

This thread is about a new flagship .. then why not the >>OPTION<< for 20 anaqouge outs, many studios will consider that a huge assent ..regardless of what you think is right..

as for the buttons .. the design can be way way better .. just quickly .. take the misc, global and midi and sett them all under one system mode/button and use the buttons for more common use of the unit I always liked how the su700 had dedicated buttons running up the left hand side.. use led's, break away for the 20 year old design and open your mind... there is huge room for improving the UI ... if you cant see that, then way are your starting a thread about this..

Another thing to take into account is the price of this unit. The MPC 4000 maxed out with options cost almost $4000 back in 2002. There will be a very small market for a $4000 drum machine. Even selling them at $3000 is a difficult task. In fact, the prices of most workstations are starting to drop.

Yes and that why this flagship mpc will never happen .. as it's simply not be commercially viable for numark .. but just think the 5k retail was $3500!! .. ..

the 5k might be the last mpc ever ..sadly ... other companies are bringing their game, Roland going to hit hard so is Yamaha the next time around and King Korg is half way there.. look at their M3 rack .. not too far from an MPC in fact.. Numark needs to get clever if they are going to keep the MPC alive..

IMO The true Flagship MPC will com from a smaller company.. designed with heart and soul ...>> Roger Linn is coming !!!

Im out..

NIce post Glide

I am sorry if I overstep my bounds. You are entitled to your dream MPC. Dedicated buttons, 20 analog outs and firewire it is...on your $4000 MPC

Also...I wouldn't use the words Roger Linn and UI in the same sentence. Even the vapor-ware Linn Drum has an MPC 3000-like UI.

Askia Shaheed wrote:I am sorry if I overstep my bounds. You are entitled to your dream MPC. Dedicated buttons, 20 analog outs and firewire it is...on your $4000 MPC

Also...I wouldn't use the words Roger Linn and UI in the same sentence. Even the vapor-ware Linn Drum has an MPC 3000-like UI.

Isn`t a MPC 4000 like flagship a dream until it is created and realized same as this thread and all others before it???

Who says it has to be $4000??? Sampling isn`t about hardware anymore it is about software whether it resides in a hardware shell or desktop computer. Alot of the features asked for before and now can be done in a O.S. upgrade if the time and investment was made.


However any new MPC like flagships should have powerful processer chip to run alot of features on par like the programs on desktop computers using soft samplers.

Who says it has to be $4000? We are not simply talking about software. We are talking about a computer (aka MPC) to run the software. This dream MPC is starting to sound like an iMac, control surface, highend sound card, and a software sampler. Based upon that...$4000 sounds about right.

Askia Shaheed wrote:Who says it has to be $4000? We are not simply talking about software. We are talking about a computer (aka MPC) to run the software. This dream MPC is starting to sound like an iMac, control surface, highend sound card, and a software sampler. Based upon that...$4000 sounds about right.

We are saying the samething the MPC series greatest points are the sequencers and groove. The MPCs are hardware computers with all the controllers, sound cards and etc built in. The only difference is the processers on desktop computers are much more powerful than mpcs and the third party programmers utilize alot of functions out of the HD and processing chips.

The current MPC hardware units memory and some of the ram is on par with desktops so some of the software as be done with a skilled programmer like JJ or his caliber. It depends on the willingness of the company. In essence the current unit could be upgraded with an revamped O.S. who knows without spending $4000 ha, ha.