SP-FORUMS

Check out the latest two issues - the 555 gets glowing praise from the FM team!

Roland seems like they are finally poised to over take Akai, people are increasingly tired of the price of mpc's for what you get, they practically never update the damn thing, and the user base flames newbies for asking questions on production. Roland makes new types of musical products all the time which is sometimes hit or miss but at least it's progress, they also respond and interact with the users positively and finally it seems like everyone using an Sp doesn't want to be the next Just Blaze or Kanye but rather just make music 'cause it's a fun social activity.

DR.Sample303 wrote:Roland seems like they are finally poised to over take Akai, people are increasingly tired of the price of mpc's for what you get, they practically never update the damn thing, and the user base flames newbies for asking questions on production. Roland makes new types of musical products all the time which is sometimes hit or miss but at least it's progress, they also respond and interact with the users positively and finally it seems like everyone using an Sp doesn't want to be the next Just Blaze or Kanye but rather just make music 'cause it's a fun social activity.

and they ask the users if we want a new software for our two year old 404 sampler in stead of just forcing us to buy a new 555...

I know imagine that, a company with lots of money and power kinda takin' a mom & pop approach to customer service and support. I know I'll buy more Roland products knowing that.

You said it!

Generally Akai MPCs are simply too expensive for me, but perhaps if the MPC1000 was half of it's price I would have considered it in the past... If someone came to my door knocking selling me one for anywhere between 0$-500$ I would probably not hesitate and buy one.

But honestly from a 'brand perspective' I really do think that if money wouldn't be an issue I would still rather buy an SP 606 or even a MV8800 instead of those Akai MPCs.

Before I start to sound like a real Roland fanboy, I don't question the fact that MPCs have their qualities and that most artists will be able to use either brand to make awesome music... but the more I come to know about Roland's hardware, their features, price and overall quality the more I start to like it.

Big thumbs up for Roland there.

I played with the 555 today. Its such a mad peice of equipment. Cant say that the pads were very comfortable, seemed that they needed abit of extra pressure to get a decent velocity response. Also, seemed to have the same lack of response that the 404's pads sometimes portray.

The Lo-fi compressor is incredible! Also the d-beam was heaps fun, but couldnt see myself using it often.

There seemed to be little tweaked improvements here and there and seems extremely solid.

I definately wont be buying one anytime soon, but it seems pretty cool.

The pads probably just need adjusting to suit the user...

Yeah, it's possible they need some adjusting. Personal preference plays a big role.

I don't know how responsive the 404 pads are, but I used to own a MPD24 and I really needed to hit those extremely hard and volume scaling was pretty bad, even on the most sensitive settings... the pads on the 555 are quite excellent in my opinion compared to the MPD24.

I did not have to change the settings at all, but it did made me curious about what will happen if I do change them... I probably will experiment in a few days.

Yeah, i also had the same problem with the MPD24. Although, the pads on the axiom keyboard are actually really nice and one of my favourites. All i need to learn now is how to program that beast....

M-audio makes the best mpc style pads period, better than akai's but I'm sure it has to do with the fact that Roger Linn is now with M-Audio, but he works from his studio here in Berkeley,Ca. I actually prefer the 303 pads to an other I've ever played.

yeh me too. I was referring to midi controllers when i said the axiom has the best pads. But these 303 pads are perfect(except for the lack of velocity).

Yeah the axiom is dope it's all I would need in a midi controller, smaller octave keyboard for playing bass/synth sounds and the trigger finger pads plus knobs and shiznit.

now i want a trigger finger!
hey, question on the 555 pads;
do they have steps to the velocity, like 0-15:16-31:32-47etc... or a full 0-127 type sensitivity scale.

Yeah, I personally like the trigger finger but I recommend that you try before you buy, 'cause everyone has different preferences. Sometimes I'll buy a piece of gear and try it out in my house for like a week then I'll return it to Guitar Center and tell 'em I was short on rent so I need to return it. Just be aware they cut you a check instead of giving cash.

jbl,
i would try out the MPD, Trigger Finger and padKontrol to compare which pads you like the best

i had a good play on all of them and dug the padKontrol the most (best pads out IMO)

the MPD's pads were really quite poor i thought. good set of knobs to tweak, but shit pads