MPC lovers, you finally get a piece of hardware with everything in one place: touch, color displays, pads, buttons for workflow access.
There’s just one catch: you will still need the computer.
Ever looked at those beautiful color waveforms on Native Instruments’ Traktor and Maschine controller and wished you could touch the screen? Imagined pinching to zoom waveforms and navigate samples, the way you can on an iPad?
Well, Akai are the first to do groove-making hardware that combines physical pads and a touchscreen in one unit – no iPads (or Microsoft Surfaces) in sight.
Today’s MPC Touch also does something else Maschine and Ableton Push don’t do – this slim-line hardware has an audio interface built in. That means you don’t need an extra piece of kit just to hook up to a PA (don’t mention the MacBook headphone jack) or to sample sound (oh yeah, that “sampling” idea of sampling workstations).
The hardware leans really heavily on the touchscreen for a lot of functions:
browsing / sample selection
waveform start/stop
waveform stretch
MIDI event drawing
envelopes
mixing
parameter control
There’s even what they call “XYFX” — an X/Y controller for real-time effects, in the tradition of the KORG KAOSS Pad (and many other things).
Now, that isn’t a sure win. It’s actually really satisfying to reach out and grab a knob for some of these features, rather than a touchscreen, on some of the rival hardware. A big question will be how well the touchscreen itself responds.
The on-screen interface looks refined and attractive, though, if conservative – and the same can be said of the hardware.
It also means there is a really clear, compact control layout for everything else. And you’ll see the usual Akai workflow shortcuts, like Note Repeat, and quick access to features like overdub.
Behind the scenes, you still use the Akai MPC software. And I suspect that will leave some people scratching their heads and wondering why Akai didn’t simply make this standalone hardware so you can untether from the computer entirely.
But while the computer is still in the background, Akai’s appealing approach to tasks like recording and immediate control are right on the hardware. It’s too soon to judge without trying it, but I think it is the best rival to the Maschine and Push workflows – each of them distinct – with something that is unique.
Akai has a live microsite with more, but it’s struggling a bit with Web traffic. (Come on, people – scaling!)
http://www.akaipro.com/microsites/mpc-touch/
What they do have is some serious artist credibility. Hip-hop really defined the MPC and this entire category, so that is worth saying. They’re launching with videos by Needlz:
So what’s running under the hood?
I asked the folks at Akai to tell us more about what they’ve done.
The pads are all-new. Akai tells CDM the pads are…
“far superior to existing MPC hardware. They’re much more sensitive, and very playable. Akin to the new MPD line of MIDI controllers as they follow a similar lineage.”
(emphasis theirs)
And I was curious what hardware is inside. Here, CDM gets a scoop —
That’s an actual, touchable screen for your computer.
It’s a bespoke platform with a custom touch solution. The screen is a customised Display Link USB-attached screen, under some cunning control from us. This means that you have the ability to also use MPC Touch as a desktop extender, and put other software on the screen, if you so choose.
Sequencing and editing features open up some new ways to work. I’m all for traditional MPCs, but particularly with some people likely to buy this who’ve never owned such a machine, these decisions matter. They might actually lead people to their ideas in new ways. Our contacts at Akai tell us a bit more about how they’ll work:
The MPC Touch has a new independent track length feature which combined with the new step sequencer (see picture [on the site]) is something truly special.
You can set any track to a different length in realtime doing this from the step sequencer gives an MPC user the potential to work in new ways.In the Step Sequencer you can enter or remove steps with either the pads or on the TUI via the note steps beneath the velocity sliders, you can use the TUI to adjust the velocity of any step, dragging your finger across the screen allows you to draw in velocity patterns, you can nudge the pattern with the onscreen < nudge > , theres also a overall slider for trimming the velocity of all steps and section with preset shapes.
The gestural editing and tweaking via the TUI combined with the traditional pads makes the creation of drum parts way easier than your traditional drum machine step sequencer where things like tweaking velocities is a slow process.The XYFX are a range of realtime gestural effects. You can instantiate an XYFX on any drum or instrument program with one touch and get straight into using the XY pad to mangle the incoming audio. There is a full screen view and a smaller view which contains the preset menu and controls for the touch envelope which crossfades between the dry and wet signal from the effect. It has a wide range of tempo synchronised and manual effects e.g beat repeat variants and LFO modulated filters
You can have as many instances of the XYFX as you have programs! And they can be automated into the sequencer.
Pricing/availability: UK Price 499 GBP (so we’re still well under a grand in Euros and USD; I’ll get final pricing). Availability November 2015.
That’d be a cool hack, in fact.
Without question, though, this week has changed how you touch the tools you use to make music:
1. We’ve got a new Surface line from Microsoft, including a flagship laptop, that will run your favorite music apps in Windows.
2. We’ve got a new Bitwig Studio that has been redesigned with touch in mind.
3. We’ve got hardware control with a touchscreen built-in from Akai.
And, of course, you could choose to combine all three of those.
Interesting times.
oh em eff gee! Do want. I’m still on actual hardware MPCs, but this looks like all my dreams have come true… Could be pricey though, eh?
Yeah, so far no pricing/availability/specs. That said, I’m glad to see the audio interface in there, and Akai/InMusic are pretty aggressive on pricing.
I have seen around $750 US in November. You can preorder on AMS
oh em eff gee! Do want. I’m still on actual hardware MPCs, but this looks like all my dreams have come true… Could be pricey though, eh?
Yeah, so far no pricing/availability/specs. That said, I’m glad to see the audio interface in there, and Akai/InMusic are pretty aggressive on pricing.
I have seen around $750 US in November. You can preorder on AMS
oh em eff gee! Do want. I’m still on actual hardware MPCs, but this looks like all my dreams have come true… Could be pricey though, eh?
Yeah, so far no pricing/availability/specs. That said, I’m glad to see the audio interface in there, and Akai/InMusic are pretty aggressive on pricing.
I have seen around $750 US in November. You can preorder on AMS
There are hordes of people ready to give Akai money for a standalone yet they keep pushing controllers. I just went on eBay and bid on a mpc1000.
Connecting this to a Surface has some appeal, though, eh?
Let’s say you want to connect to Ableton or SONAR, etc. to finish off your track, for instance.
No. It doesn’t. I like to keep my DAW as far away from my live performance as possible.
You will pry my MPC1000 out of my COLD DEAD HANDS
I feel you bro. I’ve been holding off an MPC-1000 purchase because I was waiting on Akai to release a new standalone MPC. They were so close… I don’t get why they put up with something like this. PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE. I can’t believe NI went from underdog to the go-to for pros, only because Akai has been sleeping for so long. Pay Roger Linn what he wants and make him design a goddamn MPC-6000 already! They could built it for $300 and still sell them like hotcakes for 1500$. WAKE UP AKAI, enough crap already!
As you may hear in my posted video of Roger, this may never happen.. :-/
step away from the internet
wait NI has a standalone???? PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE.
I feel the same way, the 1000 got personality & you can play whole gigs with just it
Co-sign. Funny thing is I remember when the 1000 came out, the crowd on all the previously existing MPCs mocked it as a toy – but it’s a classic in it’s own right!
Co-sign yep !!!
Don’t get me wrong – I’m also pro-standalone, and it seems the rabid market that’s waiting for one mean there’s money left on the table.
It’s a totally different workflow and animal, but I know quite a few MPC users who went Elektron for the same reason.
My MPC1000 is sitting next to an Elektron Rytm and Octatrack.
Where the Rytm can connect to your DAW – whenever you want it to – completely integrated. Or just keep making sound on its own. That’s – in my book – the best of both worlds.
Honestly I’m meh about surface. I guess i’m old school in that i like the physicalness of buttons, knobs and faders. (same reason I won’t play mobile games)
And anyway, I would think this box could still do everything it does now AND be standalone.
Maybe though this is just the 1st phase of the product line and a standalone (for more $$) is planned.
since their first inception the mpc 1000 and 2500 have had usb connections on the back that are capable of passing audio and midi to and from a pc or mac. the mpc is class compliant and shows up on a mac or pc like an external hard drive. many people create tracks on the mpc and then just send those tracks to a folder on their computer that also is accessed by their daw of choice. Surprisingly there are allot of people out there who are not aware of this and think native instruments maschine was the first to do this. I meant someone just the other day that didn’t even know you could attach an mpc to a computer via usb. I think it’s because people just expect that the latest thing to come out will have the most features but I think allot of peoples heads would explode if they actually read an mpc manual and saw what it’s capable of.
Well, wait, that doesn’t have so much to do with Maschine, which actually runs on the host (as MPC Touch etc. here do).
But yes, there’s no reason you can’t use an MPC – or, really, any standalone drum machine – with a computer. And Elektron Overbridge is also building on the idea of how that integration might work.
I hope Maschine will support something like the Surface soon or come out with an ios version ..that would be the best of both worlds.
yes yes !!!! thats exactly what I’m doing just pre ordered the new surface 4 i7 and the MPC touch, no mouse, two touch screens side by side , thats exactly the standalone I want , i wish mac had a mac touch convertible laptop but the new surface 3 & 4 is dope !!!
You can buy my Mpc 1000 never really used it
Yea? How much? Where you located?
There are hordes of people ready to give Akai money for a standalone yet they keep pushing controllers. I just went on eBay and bid on a mpc1000.
Connecting this to a Surface has some appeal, though, eh?
Let’s say you want to connect to Ableton or SONAR, etc. to finish off your track, for instance.
No. It doesn’t. I like to keep my DAW as far away from my live performance as possible.
You will pry my MPC1000 out of my COLD DEAD HANDS
I feel you bro. I’ve been holding off an MPC-1000 purchase because I was waiting on Akai to release a new standalone MPC. They were so close… I don’t get why they put up with something like this. PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE. I can’t believe NI went from underdog to the go-to for pros, only because Akai has been sleeping for so long. Pay Roger Linn what he wants and make him design a goddamn MPC-6000 already! They could built it for $300 and still sell them like hotcakes for 1500$. WAKE UP AKAI, enough crap already!
As you may hear in my posted video of Roger, this may never happen.. :-/
step away from the internet
wait NI has a standalone???? PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE.
I feel the same way, the 1000 got personality & you can play whole gigs with just it
Co-sign. Funny thing is I remember when the 1000 came out, the crowd on all the previously existing MPCs mocked it as a toy – but it’s a classic in it’s own right!
Co-sign yep !!!
Don’t get me wrong – I’m also pro-standalone, and it seems the rabid market that’s waiting for one mean there’s money left on the table.
It’s a totally different workflow and animal, but I know quite a few MPC users who went Elektron for the same reason.
My MPC1000 is sitting next to an Elektron Rytm and Octatrack.
Where the Rytm can connect to your DAW – whenever you want it to – completely integrated. Or just keep making sound on its own. That’s – in my book – the best of both worlds.
Honestly I’m meh about surface. I guess i’m old school in that i like the physicalness of buttons, knobs and faders. (same reason I won’t play mobile games)
And anyway, I would think this box could still do everything it does now AND be standalone.
Maybe though this is just the 1st phase of the product line and a standalone (for more $$) is planned.
since their first inception the mpc 1000 and 2500 have had usb connections on the back that are capable of passing audio and midi to and from a pc or mac. the mpc is class compliant and shows up on a mac or pc like an external hard drive. many people create tracks on the mpc and then just send those tracks to a folder on their computer that also is accessed by their daw of choice. Surprisingly there are allot of people out there who are not aware of this and think native instruments maschine was the first to do this. I meant someone just the other day that didn’t even know you could attach an mpc to a computer via usb. I think it’s because people just expect that the latest thing to come out will have the most features but I think allot of peoples heads would explode if they actually read an mpc manual and saw what it’s capable of.
Well, wait, that doesn’t have so much to do with Maschine, which actually runs on the host (as MPC Touch etc. here do).
But yes, there’s no reason you can’t use an MPC – or, really, any standalone drum machine – with a computer. And Elektron Overbridge is also building on the idea of how that integration might work.
I hope Maschine will support something like the Surface soon or come out with an ios version ..that would be the best of both worlds.
yes yes !!!! thats exactly what I’m doing just pre ordered the new surface 4 i7 and the MPC touch, no mouse, two touch screens side by side , thats exactly the standalone I want , i wish mac had a mac touch convertible laptop but the new surface 3 & 4 is dope !!!
You can buy my Mpc 1000 never really used it
Yea? How much? Where you located?
There are hordes of people ready to give Akai money for a standalone yet they keep pushing controllers. I just went on eBay and bid on a mpc1000.
Connecting this to a Surface has some appeal, though, eh?
Let’s say you want to connect to Ableton or SONAR, etc. to finish off your track, for instance.
No. It doesn’t. I like to keep my DAW as far away from my live performance as possible.
You will pry my MPC1000 out of my COLD DEAD HANDS
I feel you bro. I’ve been holding off an MPC-1000 purchase because I was waiting on Akai to release a new standalone MPC. They were so close… I don’t get why they put up with something like this. PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE. I can’t believe NI went from underdog to the go-to for pros, only because Akai has been sleeping for so long. Pay Roger Linn what he wants and make him design a goddamn MPC-6000 already! They could built it for $300 and still sell them like hotcakes for 1500$. WAKE UP AKAI, enough crap already!
As you may hear in my posted video of Roger, this may never happen.. :-/
step away from the internet
wait NI has a standalone???? PROS.NEEDS.STANDALONE.
I feel the same way, the 1000 got personality & you can play whole gigs with just it
Co-sign. Funny thing is I remember when the 1000 came out, the crowd on all the previously existing MPCs mocked it as a toy – but it’s a classic in it’s own right!
Co-sign yep !!!
Don’t get me wrong – I’m also pro-standalone, and it seems the rabid market that’s waiting for one mean there’s money left on the table.
It’s a totally different workflow and animal, but I know quite a few MPC users who went Elektron for the same reason.
My MPC1000 is sitting next to an Elektron Rytm and Octatrack.
Where the Rytm can connect to your DAW – whenever you want it to – completely integrated. Or just keep making sound on its own. That’s – in my book – the best of both worlds.
Honestly I’m meh about surface. I guess i’m old school in that i like the physicalness of buttons, knobs and faders. (same reason I won’t play mobile games)
And anyway, I would think this box could still do everything it does now AND be standalone.
Maybe though this is just the 1st phase of the product line and a standalone (for more $$) is planned.
since their first inception the mpc 1000 and 2500 have had usb connections on the back that are capable of passing audio and midi to and from a pc or mac. the mpc is class compliant and shows up on a mac or pc like an external hard drive. many people create tracks on the mpc and then just send those tracks to a folder on their computer that also is accessed by their daw of choice. Surprisingly there are allot of people out there who are not aware of this and think native instruments maschine was the first to do this. I meant someone just the other day that didn’t even know you could attach an mpc to a computer via usb. I think it’s because people just expect that the latest thing to come out will have the most features but I think allot of peoples heads would explode if they actually read an mpc manual and saw what it’s capable of.
Well, wait, that doesn’t have so much to do with Maschine, which actually runs on the host (as MPC Touch etc. here do).
But yes, there’s no reason you can’t use an MPC – or, really, any standalone drum machine – with a computer. And Elektron Overbridge is also building on the idea of how that integration might work.
I hope Maschine will support something like the Surface soon or come out with an ios version ..that would be the best of both worlds.
yes yes !!!! thats exactly what I’m doing just pre ordered the new surface 4 i7 and the MPC touch, no mouse, two touch screens side by side , thats exactly the standalone I want , i wish mac had a mac touch convertible laptop but the new surface 3 & 4 is dope !!!
You can buy my Mpc 1000 never really used it
Yea? How much? Where you located?
I’m still happy with my mpc 1000. I need limitations, not more options and gimmicks.
Absolutely, I can understand that – and I suspect that is true of a lot of people ignoring the present MPC line.
Of course, not everyone owns a 1000, or likes the way it works, which means there’s still room in this market.
I’m honestly closer to buying a 1000 than I am any of the crap they’ve been showing off lately. It’s really surprising with the resurgence of standalone gear that they wouldn’t try to cater to both crowds. With the 2 outputs built in, how much more would it really cost to produce it’s own sound? I’m itching to ditch the laptop.
don’t ditch just close it !!!
the only thing i mised on the mpc1000 was battery power… other than that i loved it…
I’m still happy with my mpc 1000. I need limitations, not more options and gimmicks.
Absolutely, I can understand that – and I suspect that is true of a lot of people ignoring the present MPC line.
Of course, not everyone owns a 1000, or likes the way it works, which means there’s still room in this market.
I’m honestly closer to buying a 1000 than I am any of the crap they’ve been showing off lately. It’s really surprising with the resurgence of standalone gear that they wouldn’t try to cater to both crowds. With the 2 outputs built in, how much more would it really cost to produce it’s own sound? I’m itching to ditch the laptop.
don’t ditch it just close it !!!
the only thing i mised on the mpc1000 was battery power… other than that i loved it…
I’m still happy with my mpc 1000. I need limitations, not more options and gimmicks.
Absolutely, I can understand that – and I suspect that is true of a lot of people ignoring the present MPC line.
Of course, not everyone owns a 1000, or likes the way it works, which means there’s still room in this market.
I’m honestly closer to buying a 1000 than I am any of the crap they’ve been showing off lately. It’s really surprising with the resurgence of standalone gear that they wouldn’t try to cater to both crowds. With the 2 outputs built in, how much more would it really cost to produce it’s own sound? I’m itching to ditch the laptop.
don’t ditch it just close it !!!
the only thing i mised on the mpc1000 was battery power… other than that i loved it…
Peter, can you please find out if touch events will be forwarded to the OS (or otherwise interceptable) if using the screen as a desktop extender with other (custom) applications? Thx
Peter, can you please find out if touch events will be forwarded to the OS (or otherwise interceptable) if using the screen as a desktop extender with other (custom) applications? Thx
Peter, can you please find out if touch events will be forwarded to the OS (or otherwise interceptable) if using the screen as a desktop extender with other (custom) applications? Thx
Nice job but they missed a great opportunity to corner the market. This new device needed to be “stand alone” but works well within a DAW environment. Pre-oders for it would have sick!!! I wonder what type of R&D would it have took to do it… Maybe I should get in the music equipment biz? You can’t sell records no more… lbvs.
Well, presumably the sort of R&D that generated a prototype at Akai running Windows embedded that did just that. 😉
I expect the key is cost.
I am wondering – would it be so expensive to throw in some ARM processor and memory chips, load some kind of stripped down to the bone Linux? I suppose this would raise cost in tens of € at maximum? Of course there would be additional cost for software development but it is something you can build on for long time.
Yep…I agree! Should have made it standalone with the same legendary filters. I would have scooped this up in a minute.
Not at all! A system that integrates a computer will always be superior A bigger display in the studio, better file management, more power for mixing, plugin support for sound design and easier to upgrade..just to mention a few things. That does not mean you always have to stare at the computer…
This depends on the producer’s definition of “superior”. It comes down to longevity vs features/convenience. While there are so many more features/possibilities in Akai controllers. Akai MPC 60/2000/4000 etc.have functioned in studios 20+ years since their releases. A controller whose dependencies rely on PC OS/DAW/Driver/Akai PC Software will never be superior to a standalone in that sense. There is a shelf life for those products. The first generation MPDs haven’t had driver updates (and will never) for years. I had to break out the midi cables and provide a power supply to make it useful. The MPD16 is barely 10+ years old. But you can still use the MPC 60/2000/4000 without changing a thing. In no way is this a knock on controllers, it just depends on what the producer is looking for in the long/short term and willing to spend.
Just my thoughts, would be open to hear other opinions on this…
Couldn’t agree more – a standalone unit can be used for as long as the components continue working. A unit that has dependencies on a computer and associated drivers, OS, and other software is always at more risk of obsolescence – not to mention general bugs.
A computer is just a general appliance that get’s better every 3 years and the musical part is all about the software. I will buy a new machine regularly and use it for many other things as well. With samplers it’s all about digital audio and more processing power and also better display functions are always a plus: i sure don’t miss the sampling time and the tiny displays of my SP12 or Emulator. That is not to say that vintage instruments don’t have their strongpoints as they can teach us important lessons about good instrument design and workflow both as controllers and software instruments. Besides, now as we get bigger touch screens integrated in the hardware, we will also just look at a screen, actually even more so, since we need to touch it to control functions, so what’s the difference to looking at a computer screen? With hardware the freedon vs the computer is the fact that you can use muscle memory instead of your eyes which will makes you using your ears more and also help you comunicate better with the audience visually.
exactly
Yep! Took the text right off my finger tips! I been said the same thing since they launched the Studio. One of the main reasons they need to produce a stand alone device is for this very reason: http://akaipro.com/kb/article/1914
Nice job but they missed a great opportunity to corner the market. This new device needed to be “stand alone” but works well within a DAW environment. Pre-oders for it would have sick!!! I wonder what type of R&D would it have took to do it… Maybe I should get in the music equipment biz? You can’t sell records no more… lbvs.
Well, presumably the sort of R&D that generated a prototype at Akai running Windows embedded that did just that. 😉
I expect the key is cost.
I am wondering – would it be so expensive to throw in some ARM processor and memory chips, load some kind of stripped down to the bone Linux? I suppose this would raise cost in tens of € at maximum? Of course there would be additional cost for software development but it is something you can build on for long time.
Yep…I agree! Should have made it standalone with the same legendary filters. I would have scooped this up in a minute.
Not at all! A system that integrates a computer will always be superior A bigger display in the studio, better file management, more power for mixing, plugin support for sound design and easier to upgrade..just to mention a few things. That does not mean you always have to stare at the computer…
This depends on the producer’s definition of “superior”. It comes down to longevity vs features/convenience. While there are so many more features/possibilities in Akai controllers. Akai MPC 60/2000/4000 etc.have functioned in studios 20+ years since their releases. A controller whose dependencies rely on PC OS/DAW/Driver/Akai PC Software will never be superior to a standalone in that sense. There is a shelf life for those products. The first generation MPDs haven’t had driver updates (and will never) for years. I had to break out the midi cables and provide a power supply to make it useful. The MPD16 is barely 10+ years old. But you can still use the MPC 60/2000/4000 without changing a thing. In no way is this a knock on controllers, it just depends on what the producer is looking for in the long/short term and willing to spend.
Just my thoughts, would be open to hear other opinions on this…
Couldn’t agree more – a standalone unit can be used for as long as the components continue working. A unit that has dependencies on a computer and associated drivers, OS, and other software is always at more risk of obsolescence – not to mention general bugs.
A computer is just a general appliance that get’s better every 3 years and the musical part is all about the software. I will buy a new machine regularly and use it for many other things as well. With samplers it’s all about digital audio and more processing power and also better display functions are always a plus: i sure don’t miss the sampling time and the tiny displays of my SP12 or Emulator. That is not to say that vintage instruments don’t have their strongpoints as they can teach us important lessons about good instrument design and workflow both as controllers and software instruments. Besides, now as we get bigger touch screens integrated in the hardware, we will also just look at a screen, actually even more so, since we need to touch it to control functions, so what’s the difference to looking at a computer screen? With hardware the freedon vs the computer is the fact that you can use muscle memory instead of your eyes which will makes you using your ears more and also help you comunicate better with the audience visually.
You talk crap Pal with your always….you think you r so right.i piss on your PC
exactly
Yep! Took the text right off my finger tips! I been said the same thing since they launched the Studio. One of the main reasons they need to produce a stand alone device is for this very reason: http://akaipro.com/kb/article/1914
Nice job but they missed a great opportunity to corner the market. This new device needed to be “stand alone” but works well within a DAW environment. Pre-oders for it would have sick!!! I wonder what type of R&D would it have took to do it… Maybe I should get in the music equipment biz? You can’t sell records no more… lbvs.
Well, presumably the sort of R&D that generated a prototype at Akai running Windows embedded that did just that. 😉
I expect the key is cost.
I am wondering – would it be so expensive to throw in some ARM processor and memory chips, load some kind of stripped down to the bone Linux? I suppose this would raise cost in tens of € at maximum? Of course there would be additional cost for software development but it is something you can build on for long time.
Yep…I agree! Should have made it standalone with the same legendary filters. I would have scooped this up in a minute.
Not at all! A system that integrates a computer will always be superior A bigger display in the studio, better file management, more power for mixing, plugin support for sound design and easier to upgrade..just to mention a few things. That does not mean you always have to stare at the computer…
This depends on the producer’s definition of “superior”. It comes down to longevity vs features/convenience. While there are so many more features/possibilities in Akai controllers. Akai MPC 60/2000/4000 etc.have functioned in studios 20+ years since their releases. A controller whose dependencies rely on PC OS/DAW/Driver/Akai PC Software will never be superior to a standalone in that sense. There is a shelf life for those products. The first generation MPDs haven’t had driver updates (and will never) for years. I had to break out the midi cables and provide a power supply to make it useful. The MPD16 is barely 10+ years old. But you can still use the MPC 60/2000/4000 without changing a thing. In no way is this a knock on controllers, it just depends on what the producer is looking for in the long/short term and willing to spend.
Just my thoughts, would be open to hear other opinions on this…
Couldn’t agree more – a standalone unit can be used for as long as the components continue working. A unit that has dependencies on a computer and associated drivers, OS, and other software is always at more risk of obsolescence – not to mention general bugs.
A computer is just a general appliance that get’s better every 3 years and the musical part is all about the software. I will buy a new machine regularly and use it for many other things as well. With samplers it’s all about digital audio and more processing power and also better display functions are always a plus: i sure don’t miss the sampling time and the tiny displays of my SP12 or Emulator. That is not to say that vintage instruments don’t have their strongpoints as they can teach us important lessons about good instrument design and workflow both as controllers and software instruments. Besides, now as we get bigger touch screens integrated in the hardware, we will also just look at a screen, actually even more so, since we need to touch it to control functions, so what’s the difference to looking at a computer screen? With hardware the freedon vs the computer is the fact that you can use muscle memory instead of your eyes which will makes you using your ears more and also help you comunicate better with the audience visually.
You talk crap Pal with your always….you think you r so right.i piss on your PC
exactly
Yep! Took the text right off my finger tips! I been said the same thing since they launched the Studio. One of the main reasons they need to produce a stand alone device is for this very reason: http://akaipro.com/kb/article/1914
stand alone please. stand alone please. stand alone pleeeeeaaaasssse!!!!!!
my heart jumped when i saw this then i got super sad, I’ve been waiting for Akai to drop a new amazing standalone MPC in this size and form factor. this exact machine standalone, done. oh well, i still have my classic MPC’s and have a ton of fun with them…
stand alone please. stand alone please. stand alone pleeeeeaaaasssse!!!!!!
my heart jumped when i saw this then i got super sad, I’ve been waiting for Akai to drop a new amazing standalone MPC in this size and form factor. this exact machine standalone, done. oh well, i still have my classic MPC’s and have a ton of fun with them…
stand alone please. stand alone please. stand alone pleeeeeaaaasssse!!!!!!
my heart jumped when i saw this then i got super sad, I’ve been waiting for Akai to drop a new amazing standalone MPC in this size and form factor. this exact machine standalone, done. oh well, i still have my classic MPC’s and have a ton of fun with them…
“There’s just one catch: you will still need the computer.” COME ON!
I’ll give them credit for building in an audio interface. yet still being relatively compact.
considering how big they played it up on the MPC Ren, i’m surprised to not see a single knob on this, even a low-profile dial like the MPC Studio.
this and my laptop are infinitely lighter than my MPC 1000. I just don’t trust my laptop as I’ve had problems with my video card which causes the screen to go black gives me heartburn.
…i can see five knobs…
“There’s just one catch: you will still need the computer.” COME ON!
I’ll give them credit for building in an audio interface. yet still being relatively compact.
considering how big they played it up on the MPC Ren, i’m surprised to not see a single knob on this, even a low-profile dial like the MPC Studio.
this and my laptop are infinitely lighter than my MPC 1000. I just don’t trust my laptop as I’ve had problems with my video card which causes the screen to go black gives me heartburn.
…i can see five knobs…
“There’s just one catch: you will still need the computer.” COME ON!
I’ll give them credit for building in an audio interface. yet still being relatively compact.
considering how big they played it up on the MPC Ren, i’m surprised to not see a single knob on this, even a low-profile dial like the MPC Studio.
this and my laptop are infinitely lighter than my MPC 1000. I just don’t trust my laptop as I’ve had problems with my video card which causes the screen to go black gives me heartburn.
…i can see five knobs…
omg are you kidding me? No stand alone? Stop calling these devices MPC’s!
To be fair, this is the same company that calls unrelated MIDI controller keyboards “MPC” because they happen to have pads on them. 😉
omg are you kidding me? No stand alone? Stop calling these devices MPC’s!
To be fair, this is the same company that calls unrelated MIDI controller keyboards “MPC” because they happen to have pads on them. 😉
omg are you kidding me? No stand alone? Stop calling these devices MPC’s!
To be fair, this is the same company that calls unrelated MIDI controller keyboards “MPC” because they happen to have pads on them. 😉
Well, only one thing to say: https://www.mpcstuff.com/akai-mpc-units/
Before they run out of 1000s and 2500s!
Well, only one thing to say: https://www.mpcstuff.com/akai-mpc-units/
Before they run out of 1000s and 2500s!
Well, only one thing to say: https://www.mpcstuff.com/akai-mpc-units/
Before they run out of 1000s and 2500s!
Except the obvious lack in terms of standalone, this will keep me off their products.
🙁
Actually a shame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goKoUQSlNAE
Except the obvious lack in terms of standalone, this will keep me off their products.
🙁
Actually a shame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goKoUQSlNAE
Except the obvious lack in terms of standalone, this will keep me off their products.
🙁
Actually a shame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goKoUQSlNAE
Expensive than the combo ipad mini 2 + itrack dock + mpd. This combo is truly standalone, multiple apps and dedicated OS.
I can’t understand akai or rants about ipad after things like this.
Expensive than the combo ipad mini 2 + itrack dock + mpd. This combo is truly standalone, multiple apps and dedicated OS.
I can’t understand akai or rants about ipad after things like this.
Expensive than the combo ipad mini 2 + itrack dock + mpd. This combo is truly standalone, multiple apps and dedicated OS.
I can’t understand akai or rants about ipad after things like this.
Hello NI wake up and step up your Maschine game! I hate to say it, but AKAI clearly beat NI to the punch with this and at least an update of their MK2 controller with a touch screen would be an adequate reaponse for starters, along with an updated software that includes a proper song mode. Very disappointing how little they have done in this regard and that comes from a NI supporter.
Akai beat NI? Why is that? If I wanted to use a touch screen I’d bought an iPad. Buttons are so much easier to operate.. I’d rather use my Maschine MK1 over this new Akai. Touchscreen is a gimmick. This MPC is a joke. Only 2 outputs, one midi out port..
Maschine Studio had color screens since 2013, I wouldn’t say Akai beat Maschine to the punch, if anything they needed an update like this to replace their already dated Lcd mpc displays that they have on their Ren and Studio
Hello NI wake up and step up your Maschine game! I hate to say it, but AKAI clearly beat NI to the punch with this and at least an update of their MK2 controller with a touch screen would be an adequate reaponse for starters, along with an updated software that includes a proper song mode. Very disappointing how little they have done in this regard and that comes from a NI supporter.
Akai beat NI? Why is that? If I wanted to use a touch screen I’d bought an iPad. Buttons are so much easier to operate.. I’d rather use my Maschine MK1 over this new Akai. Touchscreen is a gimmick. This MPC is a joke. Only 2 outputs, one midi out port..
Maschine Studio had color screens since 2013, I wouldn’t say Akai beat Maschine to the punch, if anything they needed an update like this to replace their already dated Lcd mpc displays that they have on their Ren and Studio
Hello NI wake up and step up your Maschine game! I hate to say it, but AKAI clearly beat NI to the punch with this and at least an update of their MK2 controller with a touch screen would be an adequate reaponse for starters, along with an updated software that includes a proper song mode. Very disappointing how little they have done in this regard and that comes from a NI supporter.
Akai beat NI? Why is that? If I wanted to use a touch screen I’d bought an iPad. Buttons are so much easier to operate.. I’d rather use my Maschine MK1 over this new Akai. Touchscreen is a gimmick. This MPC is a joke. Only 2 outputs, one midi out port..
Maschine Studio had color screens since 2013, I wouldn’t say Akai beat Maschine to the punch, if anything they needed an update like this to replace their already dated Lcd mpc displays that they have on their Ren and Studio
Put this baby in standalone then take all my money Akai!!! It’s only a matter of time now
Put this baby in standalone then take all my money Akai!!! It’s only a matter of time now
Put this baby in standalone then take all my money Akai!!! It’s only a matter of time now
wow – that track is terrible on the promo video. is that really the best they can do? don’t they like know everyone in the industry? doesn’t even sound mixed properly… clipping side-chain horror. as someone who makes these kinds of promo tracks for a living, i can tell you this wouldn’t have made it past the first round at a non-music company!
wow – that track is terrible on the promo video. is that really the best they can do? don’t they like know everyone in the industry? doesn’t even sound mixed properly… clipping side-chain horror. as someone who makes these kinds of promo tracks for a living, i can tell you this wouldn’t have made it past the first round at a non-music company!
wow – that track is terrible on the promo video. is that really the best they can do? don’t they like know everyone in the industry? doesn’t even sound mixed properly… clipping side-chain horror. as someone who makes these kinds of promo tracks for a living, i can tell you this wouldn’t have made it past the first round at a non-music company!
Two words Akai… Stand Alone!!!!!
Two words Akai… Stand Alone!!!!!
Two words Akai… Stand Alone!!!!!
A few nano seconds of the clips seemed to show an interface like the iMPC Pro app – which is actually pretty good – aside from unfortunate bugs & export-to-MPC desktop options that never got delivered…
A few nano seconds of the clips seemed to show an interface like the iMPC Pro app – which is actually pretty good – aside from unfortunate bugs & export-to-MPC desktop options that never got delivered…
A few nano seconds of the clips seemed to show an interface like the iMPC Pro app – which is actually pretty good – aside from unfortunate bugs & export-to-MPC desktop options that never got delivered…
Garbage
Garbage
Garbage
How does one get the sounds out of the unit? Drag and drop like Maschine?
How does one get the sounds out of the unit? Drag and drop like Maschine?
How does one get the sounds out of the unit? Drag and drop like Maschine?
another “maschine” 🙁 I want standalone!!!
another “maschine” 🙁 I want standalone!!!
another “maschine” 🙁 I want standalone!!!
Another vote for a new standalone MPC. This won’t make me replace my MPC1000…
Another vote for a new standalone MPC. This won’t make me replace my MPC1000…
Another vote for a new standalone MPC. This won’t make me replace my MPC1000…
does everyone keep mentioning the 1000 because of its size? Akai released a few other MPCs that have met my sequencer/sampler/drum machine needs and then some… The 1000s keep rising in street price while the others are only incrementally more and offer so much more feature-wise.
does everyone keep mentioning the 1000 because of its size? Akai released a few other MPCs that have met my sequencer/sampler/drum machine needs and then some… The 1000s keep rising in street price while the others are only incrementally more and offer so much more feature-wise.
does everyone keep mentioning the 1000 because of its size? Akai released a few other MPCs that have met my sequencer/sampler/drum machine needs and then some… The 1000s keep rising in street price while the others are only incrementally more and offer so much more feature-wise.
Should have been stand alone and they’d have my money. Otherwise I’ll just keep my Maschine MK1 and I’m totally fine with it.
Should have been stand alone and they’d have my money. Otherwise I’ll just keep my Maschine MK1 and I’m totally fine with it.
Should have been stand alone and they’d have my money. Otherwise I’ll just keep my Maschine MK1 and I’m totally fine with it.
1.8 brought in a live looper, and now the MPC has independent track lengths? As a Maschine user, I’m really curious and envious now.
This new hw layout is intriging too. I do most of my actions on the Maschine hardware, but wow, having a touch screen to quickly nudge a stray note over and up would be awesome.
1.8 brought in a live looper, and now the MPC has independent track lengths? As a Maschine user, I’m really curious and envious now.
This new hw layout is intriging too. I do most of my actions on the Maschine hardware, but wow, having a touch screen to quickly nudge a stray note over and up would be awesome.
1.8 brought in a live looper, and now the MPC has independent track lengths? As a Maschine user, I’m really curious and envious now.
This new hw layout is intriging too. I do most of my actions on the Maschine hardware, but wow, having a touch screen to quickly nudge a stray note over and up would be awesome.
lol akai just doesn’t get it. I mean I really find it hard to believe people are sitting in some board room actually brainstorming these ideas up? … Like do they WANT! to fail in business. Tired of controllers. Controllers are got damn sophisticated mouses. I thought AKAI was famous for Drum *MACHINES* not Midi controllers. LOL they lose. hope nobody buys this ..ever…. Then they have the nerve to market it with these guys. We know DAMN! well METRO does NOT use akai MPC Nothing. The guy uses FL Studio. The best thing he said about it was that it can fit in his backpack ..LMAOOO
lol akai just doesn’t get it. I mean I really find it hard to believe people are sitting in some board room actually brainstorming these ideas up? … Like do they WANT! to fail in business. Tired of controllers. Controllers are got damn sophisticated mouses. I thought AKAI was famous for Drum *MACHINES* not Midi controllers. LOL they lose. hope nobody buys this ..ever…. Then they have the nerve to market it with these guys. We know DAMN! well METRO does NOT use akai MPC Nothing. The guy uses FL Studio. The best thing he said about it was that it can fit in his backpack ..LMAOOO
lol akai just doesn’t get it. I mean I really find it hard to believe people are sitting in some board room actually brainstorming these ideas up? … Like do they WANT! to fail in business. Tired of controllers. Controllers are got damn sophisticated mouses. I thought AKAI was famous for Drum *MACHINES* not Midi controllers. LOL they lose. hope nobody buys this ..ever…. Then they have the nerve to market it with these guys. We know DAMN! well METRO does NOT use akai MPC Nothing. The guy uses FL Studio. The best thing he said about it was that it can fit in his backpack ..LMAOOO
the long debt regarding standalone vs. computer based is waste of time. New kids starting to use the Computer Based systems while people who has been using the Standalone is still going to look for that freedom. But one thing for sure.. that Native Instruments has took over the gab that AKAI left since last 5 years and they have not developed any Standalone because future is Computer + Controller not Standalone.
Live or Not.. Its always complement of Controllers and Computer.
why not use both? I trigger NI synths with my MPC….. and it sounds sick…computers can do the whole job by them selves for sure but once you have heard the load spread out you will likely want to use – more then one computer and other hardware together…. ( putting everything in one box causes the computers timing to lag… even really powerful computers and for me that’s a major vibe killer – i don’t wont to hear it. ) real keyboard players have real hardware…. it makes things sounds better and happen faster.
the long debt regarding standalone vs. computer based is waste of time. New kids starting to use the Computer Based systems while people who has been using the Standalone is still going to look for that freedom. But one thing for sure.. that Native Instruments has took over the gab that AKAI left since last 5 years and they have not developed any Standalone because future is Computer + Controller not Standalone.
Live or Not.. Its always complement of Controllers and Computer.
why not use both? I trigger NI synths with my MPC….. and it sounds sick…computers can do the whole job by them selves for sure but once you have heard the load spread out you will likely want to use – more then one computer and other hardware together…. ( putting everything in one box causes the computers timing to lag… even really powerful computers and for me that’s a major vibe killer – i don’t wont to hear it. ) real keyboard players have real hardware…. it makes things sounds better and happen faster.
the long debt regarding standalone vs. computer based is waste of time. New kids starting to use the Computer Based systems while people who has been using the Standalone is still going to look for that freedom. But one thing for sure.. that Native Instruments has took over the gab that AKAI left since last 5 years and they have not developed any Standalone because future is Computer + Controller not Standalone.
Live or Not.. Its always complement of Controllers and Computer.
why not use both? I trigger NI synths with my MPC….. and it sounds sick…computers can do the whole job by them selves for sure but once you have heard the load spread out you will likely want to use – more then one computer and other hardware together…. ( putting everything in one box causes the computers timing to lag… even really powerful computers and for me that’s a major vibe killer – i don’t wont to hear it. ) real keyboard players have real hardware…. it makes things sounds better and happen faster.
I fully agree – should have made it Standalone AKAI.. very
disappointing. Computers have too many things to do and aren’t able to
keep as accurate timing to as the older MPC’s these decisions are purely
based on profit… and on that note – just use a real MPC or Abelton. I
would love to hear feedback as i go back and forth – really i prefer
the timing on the MPC above anything ells its just so solid – never
hesitates ( i have a 2000xl and have owned 1000’s and 2000/3000 ) —
computers drop the pocket when they are under load…. even If i use
the MPC just to sequence a midi connected PC loaded with soft synths (
PC would be MIDI slaved ) its just so much better than a computer
sequencer… I have a good sense of pocket and when a computer looses
the pocket ( which as i said it does often ) its really really a vibe
killer. ( like a drummer that cant keep a beat… ) terrible AKAI i
hope you read this – plenty of companies are adjusting their approach
and trying to deliver good hardware – as should you. even if the stupid
trendy toys are the best sellers you should try to keep something
available for the professionals that know what they are doing.
I fully agree – should have made it Standalone AKAI.. very
disappointing. Computers have too many things to do and aren’t able to
keep as accurate timing to as the older MPC’s these decisions are purely
based on profit… and on that note – just use a real MPC or Abelton. I
would love to hear feedback as i go back and forth – really i prefer
the timing on the MPC above anything ells its just so solid – never
hesitates ( i have a 2000xl and have owned 1000’s and 2000/3000 ) —
computers drop the pocket when they are under load…. even If i use
the MPC just to sequence a midi connected PC loaded with soft synths (
PC would be MIDI slaved ) its just so much better than a computer
sequencer… I have a good sense of pocket and when a computer looses
the pocket ( which as i said it does often ) its really really a vibe
killer. ( like a drummer that cant keep a beat… ) terrible AKAI i
hope you read this – plenty of companies are adjusting their approach
and trying to deliver good hardware – as should you. even if the stupid
trendy toys are the best sellers you should try to keep something
available for the professionals that know what they are doing.
I fully agree – should have made it Standalone AKAI.. very
disappointing. Computers have too many things to do and aren’t able to
keep as accurate timing to as the older MPC’s these decisions are purely
based on profit… and on that note – just use a real MPC or Abelton. I
would love to hear feedback as i go back and forth – really i prefer
the timing on the MPC above anything ells its just so solid – never
hesitates ( i have a 2000xl and have owned 1000’s and 2000/3000 ) —
computers drop the pocket when they are under load…. even If i use
the MPC just to sequence a midi connected PC loaded with soft synths (
PC would be MIDI slaved ) its just so much better than a computer
sequencer… I have a good sense of pocket and when a computer looses
the pocket ( which as i said it does often ) its really really a vibe
killer. ( like a drummer that cant keep a beat… ) terrible AKAI i
hope you read this – plenty of companies are adjusting their approach
and trying to deliver good hardware – as should you. even if the stupid
trendy toys are the best sellers you should try to keep something
available for the professionals that know what they are doing.
Got excited, then realised it wasn’t standalone 🙁
Got excited, then realised it wasn’t standalone 🙁
Got excited, then realised it wasn’t standalone 🙁
The “THINGS” that’s holding these companies to build controllers and not Standalone music generating devices is because it’ll Cost More…Just think about it! If these controllers becomes standalone then they would charge you more for the Extra RAM, CPU, Internal Storage, OS, Program software, audio ports… and each project saved on hardware and you can’t do automation and more complex things. Now, we can save samples directly to the computer, mix it with other samples on a DAW or VST or vst inside a daw without Destroying the original samples. Point being is that Controllers are used to aid workflow just like Maschine and Push.
In the end, whether you have a high-grade SSD that lasts for 300yrs for your samples or MPC machine that still works, you’ll only have 70-90yrs to live in this world and with that age your fingers will crack when finger-drumming’… Hehehe! 😀
The “THINGS” that’s holding these companies to build controllers and not Standalone music generating devices is because it’ll Cost More…Just think about it! If these controllers becomes standalone then they would charge you more for the Extra RAM, CPU, Internal Storage, OS, Program software, audio ports… and each project saved on hardware and you can’t do automation and more complex things. Now, we can save samples directly to the computer, mix it with other samples on a DAW or VST or vst inside a daw without Destroying the original samples. Point being is that Controllers are used to aid workflow just like Maschine and Push.
In the end, whether you have a high-grade SSD that lasts for 300yrs for your samples or MPC machine that still works, you’ll only have 70-90yrs to live in this world and with that age your fingers will crack when finger-drumming’… Hehehe! 😀
The “THINGS” that’s holding these companies to build controllers and not Standalone music generating devices is because it’ll Cost More…Just think about it! If these controllers becomes standalone then they would charge you more for the Extra RAM, CPU, Internal Storage, OS, Program software, audio ports… and each project saved on hardware and you can’t do automation and more complex things. Now, we can save samples directly to the computer, mix it with other samples on a DAW or VST or vst inside a daw without Destroying the original samples. Point being is that Controllers are used to aid workflow just like Maschine and Push.
In the end, whether you have a high-grade SSD that lasts for 300yrs for your samples or MPC machine that still works, you’ll only have 70-90yrs to live in this world and with that age your fingers will crack when finger-drumming’… Hehehe! 😀
I agree with the need for standalone. If this had done both I would have been really interested
I agree with the need for standalone. If this had done both I would have been really interested
I agree with the need for standalone. If this had done both I would have been really interested