Should Akai charge a fee for future OS updates?

At first, I didn't like the fact that JJ was charging for his operating systems. I felt it would pave a way for Akai to charge us for future updates for our MPCs. But today, with the release of his OS2XL, JJ took that OS design even further. I am truly impressed.

So now, I have a change of heart. I think Akai should charge its users for implementing feature requests in future operating systems. We, MPC users, have been very demanding. I think Akai only owes you a solid OS for the functions initially advertised. Anything beyond that, should be paid for.

So what do you think?
OS 2 or 3 (inlcudes numerous feature requests) that you pay for or OS1 which includes just bug fixes?

Im on the fence
I mean we spend all this money for top of the line mpc`s the os upgrades should always be free.

mpc3500 wrote:Im on the fence
I mean we spend all this money for top of the line mpc`s the os upgrades should always be free.

Cosign that... Difference between JJ and Akai is JJ is not the maker of the equipment therefore its a OS Tweak not a OS Bug Fix like Akai.

When you bought the machine brand new you already did pay for the OS... do you think the hardware inside that box costs over 2 grand?

mr_debauch wrote:When you bought the machine brand new you already did pay for the OS... do you think the hardware inside that box costs over 2 grand?

I believe you paid for the hardware and a stable operating system. But I now believe an OS with additional features should be paid for. I am not talking about a bug fix. I am talking about an OS upgrade that significantly adds new features that were not part of the machine initially. Pro Tools 8, Cubase 4, etc add numerous improvements/feature requests. You have to pay $150-$250 for these upgrades. The same should be done with future MPC operating systems.

If I was running Akai, I would release two updates to the MPC 5000:
a. OS 1.03 to 2.9 (free) - Adds bug fixes and slight improvements to current functions
b. OS 3.0 and higher ($100) - Adds user feature requests

Users would have the option of using the free OS or pay for the optional feature-rich OS. This is exactly what JJ is doing....and he is now a legend in these forums.

Askia Shaheed wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:When you bought the machine brand new you already did pay for the OS... do you think the hardware inside that box costs over 2 grand?

I believe you paid for the hardware and a stable operating system. But I now believe an OS with additional features should be paid for. I am not talking about a bug fix. I am talking about an OS upgrade that significantly adds new features that were not part of the machine initially. Pro Tools 8, Cubase 4, etc add numerous improvements/feature requests. You have to pay $150-$250 for these upgrades. The same should be done with future MPC operating systems.

If I was running Akai, I would release two updates to the MPC 5000:
a. OS 1.03 to 2.9 (free) - Adds bug fixes and slight improvements to current functions
b. OS 3.0 and higher ($100) - Adds user feature requests

Users would have the option of using the free OS or pay for the optional feature-rich OS. This is exactly what JJ is doing....and he is now a legend in these forums.

Yeah in a way you are correct. However if akai wants to keep it's machine's competative edge and stay competative with other products they have to offer a response capability to new hot products. You know what would make akai a fortune? I bet they would make a killing if they charged for an autotune type feature to go on the 5k... or their own interpretation of the autotune. I personally dont like autotune but because that is popular these days I am sure a lot of people would dish out money for it.

The way I see it, the Akai updates are an attempt to correct a f*cked up OS where the JJ is an enhancement that compliments the machine nicely. So I dont think we should pay for it from Akai unless its equal to or better than what we get from the JJos....and lets be real...Akai isnt going to listen any time soon so I'd rather give the $$ to JJ. In all honestly had the JJos not been available for the 1000 I wouldnt have even purchased it.

For significant new features and further developements over years that have not been announced on the original product release, I would be willing to pay for - like I did for JJ OS of my MPC1000 (without JJOS, I wouldn't even have bought the unit). Because the developers have to be payed for their work. And payed work gives better results than unpayed

I think software and software updates nowdays get more and more imortant in hardware units!

poundaproblem wrote:The way I see it, the Akai updates are an attempt to correct a f*cked up OS where the JJ is an enhancement that compliments the machine nicely. So I dont think we should pay for it from Akai unless its equal to or better than what we get from the JJos....and lets be real...Akai isnt going to listen any time soon so I'd rather give the $$ to JJ. In all honestly had the JJos not been available for the 1000 I wouldnt have even purchased it.

Ok..so let me ask this...

JJ claimed that he did the original "Akai OS" for the 1000 and later the 2500. If this is the case, JJ is responsible for the funked up OS you are talking about. Perhaps if JJ was doing back then what he is doing now this forum would be a little different

Ok...getting a little side-tracked...So if Akai releases an OS that is better than JJ (there is no JJ OS for the 5000), than user should pay for it?

He claims that he did the original OS but it doesnt mean he had the final say as far as actually releasing it with the 1k. Akai could have simply shot it down. Think about it, had the 1k came out with the JJ os installed how would it affect the sales of its big brothers?

Ok...getting a little side-tracked...So if Akai releases an OS that is better than JJ (there is no JJ OS for the 5000), than user should pay for it?

In this case yes...key word being "BETTER".

Think of it relative to cars: An automotive manufacturer produces a sports car that claims 300 horsepower from a turbocharged 8cyl engine. The car does make the power but the turbine is prone to failure. An aftermarket company designs a turbo that is reliable but on top of that enables the engine to produce an additional 50 horsepower. Now for those parts that continuously fail WHY should the customer pay for a product that is defective? They have two choices....either deal with the dealer and risk having the same issue or go aftermarket and solve the problem AND get more performance out of their machine for a few dollars. After a while the dealer gets smart and offers the customer either a direct replacement or an "upgrade" that is better....the catch is that you would have to pay.

So bottom line, if Akai is fixing broken OS's then they shouldnt get a penny, however if they make a BETTER OS that works then fine its worth the money. But I dont feel developers deserve to get paid to make something f*cked up then paid again to fix it....

As long as bug fixers are free.

Although I'm way more in favor of the free OS, I will say that if Akai were on the ball about new features & user requests then they could justify charging for bringing new advancements to they're current machines.

Askia Shaheed wrote:So if Akai releases an OS that is better than JJ (there is no JJ OS for the 5000), than user should pay for it?

Yes.

kneebone77 wrote:As long as bug fixers are free .... I will say that if Akai were on the ball about new features & user requests then they could justify charging for bringing new advancements to they're current machines.

Agreed.

I think you'll see Akai will continue to update the OS as long as they think it will sell more product. I doubt that it has much to do with making existing customers happy unfortunately. I know I've been willing to pay for JJ to keep the MPC 1k going on all four legs (well rubber feet), but I'm not sure Akai could do much to make the 1k/2.5k have an OS worth paying for. The 5k is clearly in a different ballpark as there is no JJ (or similar) replacement for it. As others have mentioned I think they need to stabilize and finish their committed promises for 5k functionality before they could consider releasing any kind of pay OS with major updates.

Who knows though, there have to be talented resources still working at Akai, I can't imagine they kicked everybody out and burned all their bridges. It's too bad they either can't or won't get JJ back since that cat has some great ideas. Maybe we need to wait for the LinnDrum 2 to get back that "fresh" vibe from hardware again. I was hoping the Spectralis was going to capture some of that newness, but maybe the drum machine has pretty much become what it is and will take a long time for something truly inspiring to come back into the fold.

Lately though I can't stay far enough away from a computer for music production... give me any MPC and I'll be happy!

Good thread.

If the bug fixes are free and Numark made a superior OS with new features and it was also stable, then I would say it is worth paying. That is a big if though. I do not believe they have the competence or will to deliver an OS like JJ and make it stable. They would charge for a few new features along with new bugs and the support would suddenly get dropped like a hot potato.

The best thing Numark could do is get over the fear and pride and give JJ the code for the 5000. No matter how they feel about JJ he is responsible for at least a few continued sales of the 1000 and 2500. He restored hope in those products and MPC's in general. I believe he has made a positive impact on Numark profits by bringing these models up to par enough that some hold outs would purchase due to his OS. I believe this would be the same with the 5000. If JJ released a 5k OS they would receive a bump in sales.

I cant believe this thread. Why would you even suggest such a ass-backwards thing. $2,500 usd for a mpc and pay for updates? Are you kidding me? It's supposed to come updated out the box.
When you make a big purchase like that, you are supposed to get what you pay for. Cutting edge Technology running like a 2009 AMG Benz. :smh:


P.S. I told ya'll