MPC 4000-like Flagship

Agreed! The price of the 5000 is right. They could add most of the stuff people want with OS upgrades as long as it is stable. I think it would be impractical to raise the price and don't feel it would be necessary. I really like the 5k basic design and love the 4k as well. My idea of the dream MPC would be somewhere in between. I don't mind the pads being used as function buttons. That was a smart move to save space and cut down on the size. I do think they could have squeezed 8 more dedicated functions like T.C. upfront. 24 bit jj chopping etc. Don't see how this would drive the price up significantly. How much for a better data wheel? How much for another adat port? Not much. $2500.00 this should all be there since these type of upgrades are peanuts compared to the overall price. These companies really try to get away with too much and dumb down the product. They will seriously degrade the functionality and quality for relatively small savings. Then when it does not sell they will say no one wants MPC's anymore. Numark just has to come stronger. When you pay that much for a flagship it has to be the bomb. With computers around you just can't come weak anymore. Stop being so cheap and short sighted.

I have heard other manufacturers talk about what happened to the 4k and samplers in general. Saying it was to advanced etc. Maybe it was ahead of it's time when released but that has changed. Another problem was that it was very buggy at first. The other thing is computers were getting popular for music at that time. People were leaving hardware for software. Many of those people found out that the software simply is not the same. Many issues and generally does not work as promised. The MPC was more intuitive to work with. To this day there is no software that can quite replace the MPC workflow. Many of the people who tried software and saw it could not replace an MPC are now looking for a modern MPC with some of the software advantages. It does not seem to be a solution and I feel the 5k just barely misses the mark. With all the bad rep from the past it has also got to be stable.

then why not the >>OPTION<< for 20 anaqouge outs

That many analog outs would take a lot of back panel space and if they actually used quality 24 bit converters would be expensive. Firewire also has its issues and complication/drivers etc. Adat is an established digital standard and a cheap space friendly way to add outputs.

b-righteous wrote:

then why not the >>OPTION<< for 20 anaqouge outs

That many analog outs would take a lot of back panel space and if they actually used quality 24 bit converters would be expensive. Firewire also has its issues and complication/drivers etc. Adat is an established digital standard and a cheap space friendly way to add outputs.

Well put...exactly what I was trying to say. I have to add that people seem to forget the core feature of MPCs. That is it's MIDI sequencer. It sequences external sound modules/keyboards just as well as it sequences it's internal sampler.

I don't know how much it would cost adding another ADAT port. But if it is cheap and easy to add, you have to wonder why it isn't included as standard with all new sound modules and keyboards. No standard ADAT ports for the Fantom G, MV, Motif XS/Rack, M3, MPC 4000/2500. Is there any new sound module or workstation with ADAT I/O ports a standard feature? Things that make you go hmmm.

Blue Haze wrote:In essence the current unit could be upgraded with an revamped O.S. who knows without spending $4000 ha, ha.

Who knows...we may just see a revamped or improved OS. But what if Akai adds keygroup programs and 24 bit sample recording? Will forums members be happy? What if they added most of the features in this thread (viewtopic.php?f=29&t=99857&start=0)? Will we be living in MPC-bliss? More things that make you go hmmm.

PS- I really hated that song.

fellas.. the unit would be designed to take 2 outboard expansion cards instead of 1, thats all!!.. Why not a flagship that can meet high standards!? ... And thats about all I have left on this dreamy topic..,as I just took a look at the Linn Drum 2 and it looks like the UI I was trying to hint to you has already been designed.... So go argue with Roger lol...

Last I heard Linn had changed the name of the unit again.
This time he's calling it the Unicorn, since they don't exist either.

If you look at the last rendered pics it seems unlikely the unit could cost less than the 5k or MV, unless they are willing to take a loss on it.

Personally I think they are in over there heads and trying to find a cost effective way to now pull off building the unit.

Seems sad that 24 years later Linn could create another improbable machine like he did with the Linn 9000.
Dave Smith has done a really great job bringing his new visions to life, so maybe he can save the project
Hopefully they will at least get past the graphic stage and show a working unit.

LinnDrum II won't go over $1999.

A while back they stated that the price range they were going for is $1500 for the analog version and $1000 for the digital version.

Seriously though, if they don't show something concrete by summer namm, then I'm buying the 5000.

LvngDead wrote:LinnDrum II won't go over $1999.

A while back they stated that the price range they were going for is $1500 for the analog version and $1000 for the digital version.

Seriously though, if they don't show something concrete by summer namm, then I'm buying the 5000.

If you look at the original Boom and what they are showing now in the rendered pictures they are way over budget without a doubt.
I think they simply jumped into a war without the proper Intell and can't pull out.
I guess Linn started to believe all the hype about himself that people post in forums without taking a serious look at his actual situation.
Who knows maybe by 2010 they will finally have a prototype for people to see.

Sovereign wrote:what they are showing now in the rendered pictures they are way over budget without a doubt.

Mass electronic manufacturing is mad cheap overseas...
And some of those pics that are up are the old design ideas, which I know have some on the forum confused as to which is the right one. I highly doubt they go over budget.

kneebone77 wrote:

Sovereign wrote:what they are showing now in the rendered pictures they are way over budget without a doubt.

Mass electronic manufacturing is mad cheap overseas...
And some of those pics that are up are the old design ideas, which I know have some on the forum confused as to which is the right one. I highly doubt they go over budget.

It's pretty easy to tell the latest render.
I'm glad you have such great faith in the project and their ability to keep it cost effective.
Actually it's not really funny but I laugh at Linn every chance I get.

Sovereign wrote:

kneebone77 wrote:

Sovereign wrote:what they are showing now in the rendered pictures they are way over budget without a doubt.

Mass electronic manufacturing is mad cheap overseas...
And some of those pics that are up are the old design ideas, which I know have some on the forum confused as to which is the right one. I highly doubt they go over budget.

It's pretty easy to tell the latest render.
I'm glad you have such great faith in the project and their ability to keep it cost effective.
Actually it's not really funny but I laugh at Linn every chance I get.

It's your prerogative...

Like I stated before…..
It’s been at least 11 years since Linn had anything to do with a sampling drum machine. Akai/Numark/Alesis and Roland have been continually improving the operating systems for samplers and drum machines during Linn’s absence from the game. I seriously doubt he has the resources to compete with these companies. And even if Linn and Smith do pull it off, there is no way they can sell a product that boasts to be the next level pad oriented workstationsfor under $2000. $1000-$1500 is not a realistic price range. I really do believe Linn has been reading too many blogs and getting caught up in his own hype.

maybe, we'll see, if, who knows...





the 4k is still the only true flagship of the mpc range.

Eemo1 wrote:the 4k is still the only true flagship of the mpc range.

I think I will leave that up to the company that produces these machines.

I guess Linn started to believe all the hype about himself that people post in forums without taking a serious look at his actual situation.

Roger Linn has got to be well into his 60s so I doubt he's hanging around forums reading the bullshit that people write! Maybe they have both bitten off more than they can chew, but with the right design team those rendered images probably cost peanuts to create, so lets not assume he has had to re-mortgage the house for the LD2.

It is all still 'vapour-ware' as some put it, but Linn and Smith have an enviable reputation as independent hardware producers, and in very recent history they have both created class 'A' effects and analogue synth units that leave the mainstream manufacturers wanting. All they have to do is get the sampling side of things sorted and they will have a guaranteed hit.

And in reference to the current issue of Sound On Sound's review of the 5K... there is a limit to the creative and useable possibilities of a 4x4 pad layout hardware box before extra options become tedious to implement. If the LD2 becomes too complex I think it could die a quick death!

Askia Shaheed wrote:

Eemo1 wrote:the 4k is still the only true flagship of the mpc range.

I think I will leave that up to the company that produces these machines.

business 101... customer survey. the company can make a superb unit in THEIR opinion... it's the customers opinion that matters.