MPC5000 reviews, bug reports and fellow user support on the most recent standalone, hardware MPC from Akai
By Sovereign Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:34 am
scd wrote:

There is still a 4k bugtracker that tells me there are some very nasty bugs in the 4k...

I think the 5k beats the 4k with OS2 easily. Just the very much improved user interface does that to me. The main difference that one could turn to the 4k (all to *my* opinion folks) is the 24 bits sampling capacity. I've captured that by buying a second hand Z8 for 400 euro's 8)
OK, AkSys could be a reason too for some, though that application is buggy as hell on my Mac.
But likewise, the 5k has some features the 4k has not. And I think the building quality of the 5k is as good as the 4k.


Bugs like what?
Not really asking since this is a 5k thread just a rhetorical startement.

The only problem I ever had with either the white or blue 4k's was the blue one shipped with bad ram that cause intermittent problems with 24-bit samples.
Would have never thought it was ram related.

And Ak.sys is not what I would consider buggy on a Mac, I would call it non-existent.
Just never ran, has always frozen every time tried to use it on multiple systems.

Let's hope that current financial trends don't cause them to drop the ball on the 5k. :(
By Sovereign Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:41 am
Askia Shaheed wrote:
This is just my opinion...but since Akai dropped support for Aksys years ago, it doesn't seem likely they would do another. But asking can't hurt. But..I think we should do what the MV Forum did. We can all contact Chicken Systems to see if they would be willing to create a software editor like they did for the MV:
http://www.chickensys.com/products/sw_i ... reator+Pro



Jahrome that actually came about from Chicken Systems work they did with Translator and Constructor.
In that process they learned a lot about the MV/Fantom family and saw how easy it would be to create a dedicated MV Editor.
Roland already supplies a free one for the Fantom so the MV was the target.
Now how well it works is still a big topic for discussion. :?
User avatar
By UBANKRECORDS Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:37 pm
I don't understand when people say, "how is the 5k better than the 4k, the 4k is the best". The 5k does everything the 4k does + a thousand things more. I had a 4k for 4 1/2 years before graduating to the 5k. The built in synth and the moveable LCD were genius, and after messing with them I made my choice(and thats just 2 features). I don't understand how the 4k can be better than the 5k. Yeah maybe some people think the 4k is JUST AS GOOD as the 5k, but how is it better? The 5k does what the 4k does and A LOT MORE! If I'm missing something that the 4k can do that the 5k can't please fill me in(I know this argument could go on forever). No puns at all intended. Just fun discussion.
By Sovereign Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:06 pm
UBANKRECORDS wrote:I don't understand when people say, "how is the 5k better than the 4k, the 4k is the best". The 5k does everything the 4k does + a thousand things more. I had a 4k for 4 1/2 years before graduating to the 5k. The built in synth and the moveable LCD were genius, and after messing with them I made my choice(and thats just 2 features). I don't understand how the 4k can be better than the 5k. Yeah maybe some people think the 4k is JUST AS GOOD as the 5k, but how is it better? The 5k does what the 4k does and A LOT MORE! If I'm missing something that the 4k can do that the 5k can't please fill me in(I know this argument could go on forever). No puns at all intended. Just fun discussion.


Spoken like a true NON-4k owner.
:lol:
By Sovereign Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:09 pm
Coz wrote:At 'this' point in time - Full 24bit 96k sampling capabilities with keygroups.

Don't forget cool things like
-dropping points on a sample in real time
-better audio routing
-better midi routing
User avatar
By scd Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:14 pm
Sovereign wrote:
Coz wrote:At 'this' point in time - Full 24bit 96k sampling capabilities with keygroups.

Don't forget cool things like
-dropping points on a sample in real time
-better audio routing
-better midi routing


I don't understand any of the above three. Please explain?
User avatar
By UBANKRECORDS Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:15 pm
Sovereign wrote:
UBANKRECORDS wrote:I don't understand when people say, "how is the 5k better than the 4k, the 4k is the best". The 5k does everything the 4k does + a thousand things more. I had a 4k for 4 1/2 years before graduating to the 5k. The built in synth and the moveable LCD were genius, and after messing with them I made my choice(and thats just 2 features). I don't understand how the 4k can be better than the 5k. Yeah maybe some people think the 4k is JUST AS GOOD as the 5k, but how is it better? The 5k does what the 4k does and A LOT MORE! If I'm missing something that the 4k can do that the 5k can't please fill me in(I know this argument could go on forever). No puns at all intended. Just fun discussion.


Spoken like a true NON-4k owner.
:lol:


I'm confused. If you can read you would have seen in my post that I previously owned a 4k for 4+ years. Maybe you mis-read it. I'm not trying to bash the 4k man. I'm sure your 4k is gr8 but IMO the 5k is MUCH more advanced and it's features and capabilities out do the 4k. And you gotta remember the 5k hasn't even been out a year. OS 2.0 is adding EVEN MORE features. Don't get me wrong I've made some sick ass shit on the 4k but...... the 5k was for me. The synth on it is so sick. Start with a frequency and tweak your own sound, FX, Compress, etc. That's what's up.
By b-righteous Sun Feb 08, 2009 9:10 pm
Off the top a few features the 4k has over the 5k based on what has been released about OS 2. I had to sell my 4k so this is all from memory

24 bit 96k

quick FX re sampling feature.

Bit and rate selection for re sample and sample edit for lo-fi

scrollable Track list

Mark select for sample loading/editing

saving song and sequences saves mixer parts with only programs/samples used in mixer.

purge programs not used in mixer

two LFOs per pad

Sample start offset per layer

Modulation matrix with free easy routing

Loop cross fades

sample regions rearrange

overlapping sample regions for chopping?( I think 5k region extract works)

extra freely assignable envelope per pad

512 mb memory with same load speed as 5k

multi for setting up stacked instruments/layers

each track can have two programs or a program and multi etc. Another trick is to set up one program with a scale to filter note assignments to scales for the second program.

Higher quality audio components?(maybe unless they stepped it up from the 2500)

Softer more responsive pads stock

better data wheel but not great.

more dedicated front panel function buttons like for T.C. with on/off led feedback

Audition T.C. changes in real time

midi port/channel device naming

USB keyboard for naming etc.

less bugs so far

Cheaper to buy used

I don't own a 5K so there are a couple of those that the 5k may have that I missed. If so, please correct me. Personally only about 5 of those are really important. Of course the 5k also has many features not found on the 4k and will be a good MPC on its own when it gets finished and bug fixed.
Last edited by b-righteous on Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
By Sovereign Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:06 pm
UBANKRECORDS wrote:
Sovereign wrote:
UBANKRECORDS wrote:I don't understand when people say, "how is the 5k better than the 4k, the 4k is the best". The 5k does everything the 4k does + a thousand things more. I had a 4k for 4 1/2 years before graduating to the 5k. The built in synth and the moveable LCD were genius, and after messing with them I made my choice(and thats just 2 features). I don't understand how the 4k can be better than the 5k. Yeah maybe some people think the 4k is JUST AS GOOD as the 5k, but how is it better? The 5k does what the 4k does and A LOT MORE! If I'm missing something that the 4k can do that the 5k can't please fill me in(I know this argument could go on forever). No puns at all intended. Just fun discussion.


Spoken like a true NON-4k owner.
:lol:


I'm confused. If you can read you would have seen in my post that I previously owned a 4k for 4+ years. Maybe you mis-read it. I'm not trying to bash the 4k man. I'm sure your 4k is gr8 but IMO the 5k is MUCH more advanced and it's features and capabilities out do the 4k. And you gotta remember the 5k hasn't even been out a year. OS 2.0 is adding EVEN MORE features. Don't get me wrong I've made some sick ass **** on the 4k but...... the 5k was for me. The synth on it is so sick. Start with a frequency and tweak your own sound, FX, Compress, etc. That's what's up.


It's just clear you either didn't own a 4k or didn't iunderstand it.
By Sovereign Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:07 pm
scd wrote:
Sovereign wrote:
Coz wrote:At 'this' point in time - Full 24bit 96k sampling capabilities with keygroups.

Don't forget cool things like
-dropping points on a sample in real time
-better audio routing
-better midi routing


I don't understand any of the above three. Please explain?


I take it you have never owned a 4k?
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:24 pm
b-righteous wrote:Off the top a few features the 4k has over the 5k based on what has been released about OS 2. I had to sell my 4k so this is all from memory

1. 24 bit
2. 96k
3. quick FX re sampling feature.
4. Bit and rate selection for re sample and sample edit for lo-fi
5. scrollable Track list
6. Mark select for sample loading/editing
7. saving song and sequences saves mixer parts with only samples used in mixer.
8. Purge programs not used in mixer
9. Two LFOs per pad
10. Sample start offset per layer
11. Modulation matrix with free easy routing
12. Loop cross fades
13. sample regions rearrange
14. overlapping sample regions for chopping?( I think 5k region extract works)
15. freely assignable envelope per pad
16. 512 mb memory with same load speed as 5k
17. multi for setting up stacked instruments/layers
18. Higher quality audio components?(maybe unless they stepped it up from the 2500)
19. Softer more responsive pads stock
20. better data wheel but not great.
21. more dedicated front panel function buttons like for T.C. with on/off led feedback
22. Audition T.C. changes in real time
23. midi port/channel device naming
24. USB keyboard for naming etc.
25. Less bugs so far
26. Cheaper to buy used

I don't own a 5K so there are a couple of those that the 5k may have that I missed. If so, please correct me. Personally only about 5 of those are really important. Of course the 5k also has many features not found on the 4k and will be a good MPC on its own when it gets finished and bug fixed.



Impressive list of MPC 4000 features. I won't comment on how important or insignificant any of those features are because the end user can decide for themselves. But from one MPC 5000 user's perspective (that would not sell his MPC for anything that is currently on the market:
1. 8 track Hard Disk recorder which imports/exports 16/24 bit files
2. 960 ppqn sequencer with advanced swing (2 additional swing parameters plus ability to swing triplets)
3. Ability to resample any of the MPCs 10 outputs
4. Decimator and resampler FXs inlcuded in new 4 buss effects processor (2 FXs per buss )
5. Scrollable Track list (pending)
6. Multimode (pending)
7. Mixers w/ full record/playback automation
8. Patched phrases and continuous sample tracks
9. 20 voice VA synth - (synth preview pending)
10. Simplified programs to track assignment
11. 12 Q-links for realtime modulation of internal programs and effects
12. Crossfade layers/keygroups (pending)
13. 8 pole filters per pad - (keygroups pending)
14. Chop Shop 2 automatic or equal chopping (up to 64 chops)
15. Arp for each track
16. SIMULT access of standard hard drive and CF drive via PC/USB 2.0
17. Keygroup programs with 128 stackable keygroups (pending)
18. Standard 10 analog outputs and ADAT digital output
19. Track and Pad mutes with full automation (plus instant track mute for beat juggling)
20. Improved data wheel function (pending)
21. SIMULT pad can trigger 4 additional pads
22. Can change T/C and swing while the sequencer is playing. Can undo/redo editing while the sequencer is playing.
23. Multitimbral Mode for turning 5K into 32 channel multi-timbral synth/sampler
24. More intuitive, streamlined, and fun to use
25. Less bugs at this point than the MPC 4000
26. You can buy them new and don't have to gamble on buying used off of eBay, Craig's List, flea market, etc

There are many more features but why talk about them now :P More to come......
Last edited by Askia Shaheed on Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
By b-righteous Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:59 pm
I edited that list a bit for corrections. Askia that's a nice list too. I see a few things that I wanted you show as pending.

The apply T.C. in real time. Is this new? How does it work? Can you press play from the T.C. screen and pressing do it locks in the changes without leaving the screen so you can press play again to hear?

Multimode?

BTW the 4k is multitimbral too. Lastly, q link automation to sequence I believe is still missing.

Anyway, it is early for this since the new OS is on the horizon. After it has been out and new bugs found I will redo the list.
User avatar
By sammymyman!! Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:59 am
Askia Shaheed wrote:
23. Multitimbral Mode for turning 5K into 32 channel multi-timbral synth/sampler





hey-how does that work on 5k? i cant find it anywhere in the manual, but i really miss that feature-
for instance-on the 4k, you can separate the sampler from the sequencer,giving you the ability to address the 4k sampler on different midi channels simultaneously,as well as sequencing others (this is what i did in a live band,having
2 others play the 4k sounds while i played sequences and mutes-lots of fun!)
I cant find a way to select different midi channel inputs to different tracks on the 5k.
also in the 4k Multi thing- i have an old afro-cuban sample set that loads drumkits into separate channel/insts
so you need them all available at once if you want to trigger the sampled kit using a midi drumkit-
i would also love to be able to record a midi jam using 3 or more players live into the 5k ( i think this is possible with disk record, but its fun to record all midi at once , then mess with it later)-maybe in the 2.01 OS or whatever ...
on the 4k multi, by each prog having its own exclusive midi chan (or not-put them all on whatever)-i remember pulling that off a coupla times ( tho it would bug out and freeze a bit (bugs?))

so how do you get multi timbral synth/samp going on the 5k?

d
User avatar
By Askia Shaheed Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:37 am
I made an error about T/C and corrected it.

Multi-timbral Mode for the 5K:
1. Assign your programs to each track
2. Set each track to MIDI 1A-16B
3. Press Mode + Pad 8 to enter MIDI Menu
4. Set 'Active Track Receive Channel' to Multi

Your external controller or sequencer will play back your programs according to the MIDI channels you set for each track. Note that you must have them connected to the two MIDI inputs of the 5K to get a full 32 channels. You can layer programs by setting two or more tracks to the same MIDI channel. You can even record these into the hard disk tracks if you choose.