The New MPC "Renaissance" for 2012

[PHeMoX]

ps
the "MPC Renaissance" means that they (akay guys) recognise that it was "dead" ?

Yes, last I heard sales for the MPC 2500 LE outdid the MPC 5000 which really is bad bad news for them.

Seems the Renaissance is going to right some wrongs there though. A lot of folks got excited.

I'm not so sure yet. It seems to me that they're running late in the game here.

I hope Roland chimes in and comes with a similar unit at some point, but they better do it right the first time.

[jetson]

I hope Roland chimes in and comes with a similar unit at some point, but they better do it right the first time.

Hmmm...they don't exactly have a history of that! I think they put way too much emphasis on reserving for future products.

[ellaguru]

I hope Roland chimes in and comes with a similar unit at some point, but they better do it right the first time.

damn, it would be enough for them to just improve 606/555 for once: those pioneeristic machines opened the way to NI and now Akai...just a better OS and some stuff more (read:pitch and internal EQ/LFO per pads) and they're done!

[PHeMoX]

Seems really corny to me...Maybe I'm a hating fool, but that vintage mode ish is kind of lame.. For some reason all I can think of is the beatkangz beat thang...Who knows though, It could be dope.

Yeah, I wasn't quite impressed with the colorscheme either. But those are really just details. It's the user interface and the dedicated-ness of the machine that counts for me. It shouldn't be a software box with software quirks, disguised as the old hardware machines. That just doesn't cut it for me.

So far, the Roland MV8800 reigns supreme here, at least in my humble opinion. I don't hate on the MPC, but so far I think they are doing a good thing looking at software, but how good is still up to debate.

[lodger]

the idea fascinates me in some ways, I've got to say that I'm pretty skeptical regarding its execution. A few things to consider:

1) In my experience Akai gear is fragile. of the 4 pieces of Akai kit i've owned (MPC 1k, MPC 16, S3000xl, and lpk 25) all but the later had parts break, wouldn't be recognized by the computer, etc. Screw something like the MPC Ren up and you're dealing with a really expensive paperweight.

2) Akai has been asleep at the wheel for a long time when it comes to product innovation. Granted they had the APC series, but with their MPC's over the last 10 years, they really havent done much to add to the capability of the unit. It took JJ to mod the living hell out of the mpc 1k, and 2500 OS before they really became worth owning.

3) If you are a first generation adopter, you're going to get a product that will soon be outdated...and if the past is any indicator, this planned obselescence will have you buying a new MPC R sooner rather than later.

4) It's tied to current technology. Consider this: when akai released the MPD 8 years ago or so, it was revolutionary because it used usb to send midi messages to the PC. since then, there have been two new versions of windows and the folks at Akai never updated the software for use with vista/win 7. In sort, aside from the ability to midi to hardware devices, its a paperweight.


So, overall I guess what i'm saying is "Akai, show me value, show me innovation, show me quality". If you will be successful, its going to involve you coming up with a vision, executing it, and following up... not just hyping your way through constant minor innovations on a product that has been out for decades.

-Lodger

[blavatsky]

damn, it would be enough for them to just improve 606/555 for once: those pioneeristic machines opened the way to NI and now Akai...just a better OS and some stuff more (read:pitch and internal EQ/LFO per pads) and they're done!

Throw in panning, and ADSR envelope too


I think the Renaissance looks ok, but I'm basically not interested in anything that has to be tethered to a PC to be used.

[ellaguru]

Throw in panning, and ADSR envelope too


I think the Renaissance looks ok, but I'm basically not interested in anything that has to be tethered to a PC to be used.

panning is ok on the 606, isn't it? (but a double mc909's dbeam+a pack of malboro more for present, could be cool )

anyway i agree with you: if renaissance is just usb powered, is not for me.

[mr16levels]

Did some sound designing for the unit. It's not bad although at this time it's not pushing past maschine...

They are set to take the market if pull their heads outta their asses as Native Instruments, Arturia and Akai (with their mpds) have done all the ground work

The market and the needs of the market are there.. Akai just needs to listen

Ps their software programming has always sucked

[Unfolding]

Did some sound designing for the unit. It's not bad although at this time it's not pushing past maschine...

They are set to take the market if pull their heads outta their asses as Native Instruments, Arturia and Akai (with their mpds) have done all the ground work

The market and the needs of the market are there.. Akai just needs to listen

Ps their software programming has always sucked

Wait... So you did some sound design for Akai? OK- so usually that kind of work comes with pay, right? Biting the hand that feeds isn't always the wisest move if you want more work...

They just dropped another video for a new device. If the Renaissence is the new 2500, then this thing's the new 1000. Still uncertain, but its a cool idea. Gotta compare it to Maschine or P606 first!

[ghost ghost ghost]

I'm not a fan of the idea behind the box in the second video. Same with the Maschine Micro. For me, the point of something like this should be great software with flawless or near flawless controller integration into the workflow. If you're going to get rid of half the pots on a controller you might as well just buy Ableton and a Korg Padkontrol or MPD.

Still interested in the Renaissance though, I know the days of one function per pot/slider/button are long gone in everything except some analog synths, but that controller looks really comprehensive.

[V-F!]

[quote="ghost ghost ghost"]I'm not a fan of the idea behind the box in the second video. Same with the Maschine Micro. For me, the point of something like this should be great software with flawless or near flawless controller integration into the workflow. If you're going to get rid of half the pots on a controller you might as well just buy Ableton and a Korg Padkontrol or MPD.
quote]

Totally agree! For some reason the new mpc's make me want Maschine really bad though. Makes you realize what a great job they did at NI.

[springwater]

http://www.akaiprompc.com/mpcstudio.php
Now they are dropping a mpc slimline along with the the bigger one. Kinda weird to have 2 options between the bigger one and the slim one at the same time. Its like going to mcdonalds and being able to choose between the quater pounder and the double quater pounder. Except they cost 400 bucks and 1 grand. Yet people are still buying 2000xl's and 1k's and selling 500's like crazy. If they were smart they would drop a re-produce 2000xl's. Just start making them again.

[ellaguru]

WE WANT THE BEATHANG RIGHT NOW!!!!

[PHeMoX]

http://www.akaiprompc.com/mpcstudio.php
Now they are dropping a mpc slimline along with the the bigger one. Kinda weird to have 2 options between the bigger one and the slim one at the same time. Its like going to mcdonalds and being able to choose between the quater pounder and the double quater pounder. Except they cost 400 bucks and 1 grand. Yet people are still buying 2000xl's and 1k's and selling 500's like crazy. If they were smart they would drop a re-produce 2000xl's. Just start making them again.

I think they realize that making things too expensive would only kill it off early. It's perhaps a good move on their part, but the more I see these things they less I like them for being Mac or PC bound.

So far it seems these units can't be used stand-alone at all, or can they?

[springwater]

I dont think they are stand along. It would be nice to see that they could do both, stand alone and integrated. Maybe be able to rock your samples offline, chop and do simple task like make a program and adjust your ADSR and stuff like that. Even sample sound sources. Then when its beatmaking time you attach it to the PC/Mac and get busy. The fact that you have to have a computer is crazy. Its an MPC. Basically the mpc's never failed in the waveform editing and chopping aspects so having software to do it is kinda dum. At this point in the game everyone probably knows how to set up a audio interface and download a free copy of cubase or logic. But times are a changing so i aint mad at em. But when i see hardware companies bringing out controller after controller, all i can think of is twitter, facebook, and all the other social media. Dont ask me why, its weird, but the more people are tethered to these machines, the more i fall back and observe the situation. Computers are great but got dam, from analog to having to have a computer to make a beat. DAYUUM!