The OFFICIAL Akai MPC Renaissance Thread

[Goa-Dubs]

Originally Posted by goldphinga

Of course I can accept criticism but the fact is its working well for me and it's Akai you need to bring stuff up with not me but you don't own a ren Right?? btw Akai reps are already here.

I never brought anything up with you.I just initially commented that it seemed like a overcomplicated use of samples.Cant even say that now?Anyway-roll on v 1.2

[isma]

Originally Posted by audiokid

Weird group here.

Agree, really weird...

[Goa-Dubs]

So.....went to the local music store today and they actually had the ren sitting there.Solid machine.Just missing sliders.No contrast knob but good apart from that.Only reason i could not try it out is because they had a problem with the usb connecting the sw and the controller.Hopefully they(the shop and the akai tech) will fix this shortly and ill give it a roll.

[atlpd3147]

^^^
(my guess)its probably because the software is in demo mode. They need to activate the unit.

[jjdpro]

Question: Can you sample while sequencer is playing?

[joeybanana]

Originally Posted by jjdpro

Question: Can you sample while sequencer is playing?

you mean like recording sample sounds or chopping?

you can chop samples while the sequencer is playing. record dont know

[joeybanana]

Originally Posted by joeybanana

you mean like recording sample sounds or chopping?

you can chop samples while the sequencer is playing. record dont know

i found at least one reason for a mpc OS stuck (crash) its like when i wanna export audio files and got a track implemented in my sequence in wich a maschine sound is loaded. then it always crashes and wont let me export.

no big deal since you can load the plugins like absinth kontakt solo. makes more sense either.

when the MPC Ren would increase its allround DAW integration possibilities then i would call this the king! Because the OS is nice from its idea and the controller itself is solid and sexy !

[magi115]

I gave up on Akai after mistakenly purchasing an MPD24 a few years ago. I thought it could serve as a replacement for my 2000XL and it was a huge disappointment. Wasn't hot swappable, needed midi interface software to run on Windows, and only worked on half of my VST's and RTAS.

Why can't I just purchase and run the Rennaisance software, and use an MPD24 as the controller? Why should I have to shell out $1300 for a glorified controller?

I think in my case I should just look for a slightly used 2500 or 5000 with JJ OS. The only real advantage for someone like me to move to the Ren is workflow and not having to dump tracks in to PT.

Akaipro imo.. needs to hire some quality software engineers like the guys from MOTU to get this product up to speed and integrated with OSX and Windows 7 64 bit.

[goldphinga]

Originally Posted by magi115

I gave up on Akai after mistakenly purchasing an MPD24 a few years ago. I thought it could serve as a replacement for my 2000XL and it was a huge disappointment. Wasn't hot swappable, needed midi interface software to run on Windows, and only worked on half of my VST's and RTAS.

Why can't I just purchase and run the Rennaisance software, and use an MPD24 as the controller? Why should I have to shell out $1300 for a glorified controller?

I think in my case I should just look for a slightly used 2500 or 5000 with JJ OS. The only real advantage for someone like me to move to the Ren is workflow and not having to dump tracks in to PT.

Akaipro imo.. needs to hire some quality software engineers like the guys from MOTU to get this product up to speed and integrated with OSX and Windows 7 64 bit.

You bought an Mpd thinking it was an Mpc? Enough said!! Ones a controller for software, ones a sampling midi production box.

Look- I have a ren. It's actually a killer bit of kit. There are bugs, there are features that would be great to have added but this doesn't detract from
the fact that for my workflow it already integrates far better than my 3000 and 1000. It's still early days for the software but overall it's well done just in need of some refining. I also bought my tempest with unfinished software- doesn't bother me- the core functionality of tempest and ren is there already.

[Jahrome]

Originally Posted by Goa-Dubs

The only thing weird is you cannot accept any critism of the subject matter.And to Jah-why should a modern software product be be compared to an old outdated hardware product?This copying of plugins and audio data is old and does not compete with the current software competition.Or am i missing something?LoooLAnyway seems like theres some favourable user experiences......really should be an akai professional on here to advise and explain.Like Pym on the DSITempest thead....

Criticism? Directed at the wrong people....

Obviously, I choose to use a product that you don't. Why are you obsessed with this? Chances are...I own the software competition you speak of. And what the MPC Ren brings to the table surpasses the competition when it comes to my needs. That is what you are missing. I am talking my needs not your needs. If the Ren didn''t meet my expectations...I wouldn't be using it. And to be clear...this is not to say the Ren is perfect..no product is. I have personally submitted over 200 feature requests. But I like the direction Akai is going with the Ren.

Hopefully, Akai will continue to advance the Ren's software to something you can get excited about.

[Goa-Dubs]

hopefully the boys @ the shop will have it going today and i can walk the red carpet too....

[Fish-Ra!]

The plugin integration for me is WELL below par and making very difficult to work with what is essentially a very exciting bit of kit.

[audiokid]

Originally Posted by Fish-Ra!

The plugin integration for me is WELL below par and making very difficult to work with what is essentially a very exciting bit of kit.

And why I've completely lost faith in VSTi , why I'm going back to hardware like this. If it actually works as a plug-in, the way a pro from the 80's would expect, I'd be amazed, and that would be a bonus. So far, eveything other that the MPC's have been toys compared.

The sole reason why I'm buying the Renaissance is because its looking like an MPC 60 on steroids.

Ya, hardware that worked, no latency and capable of controlling dozens of midi products without a problem. Remember those days?

[magi115]

Originally Posted by goldphinga

You bought an Mpd thinking it was an Mpc? Enough said!! Ones a controller for software, ones a sampling midi production box.

Look- I have a ren. It's actually a killer bit of kit. There are bugs, there are features that would be great to have added but this doesn't detract from
the fact that for my workflow it already integrates far better than my 3000 and 1000. It's still early days for the software but overall it's well done just in need of some refining. I also bought my tempest with unfinished software- doesn't bother me- the core functionality of tempest and ren is there already.

I think your missing the point though. Akai just keeps pumping out these software controllers in hopes that the MPC users will keep buying them. Weather or not they perform reasonably in a production studio environment.

This is not the same company it was 10 years ago. They now only seem to care about selling cheaper products with higher price tags because of the name branding. I beleive they were bought by Numark a few years back and it's been downhill ever since. I don't think that Roger Linn would ever sign off on a device like the REN.

[DirtyMan]

Originally Posted by Fish-Ra!

The plugin integration for me is WELL below par and making very difficult to work with what is essentially a very exciting bit of kit.

Whats wrong with the plugin integration?

[Jahrome]

The MPC Ren at $1300 is one of the moat reasonably priced MPCs ever made. The original MPC 2000 with all its options would set you back about $2300 back in 1997. The MPC 60, 3000, and 4000 came with a price tag of $3000-$4000.

I have been an MPC user since 1997. The Ren certainly carries on the tradition of a solid sampling workstation.

[mrfortune]

Couple bugs but I'm loving my ren, hoping I can edit kits and such without the controller connected in the future

[CharlesEdward]

Originally Posted by Jahrome

The MPC Ren at $1300 is one of the moat reasonably priced MPCs ever made. The original MPC 2000 with all its options would set you back about $2300 back in 1997. The MPC 60, 3000, and 4000 came with a price tag of $3000-$4000.

I have been an MPC user since 1997. The Ren certainly carries on the tradition of a solid sampling workstation.

Thats because its not a mpc, Its a controller for a rudimentary piece of software.

[Jahrome]

Originally Posted by CharlesEdward

Thats because its not a mpc, Its a controller for a rudimentary piece of software.

It certainly is an MPC from where I stand. Rudimentary software? The Ren's software overall is more advanced than the MPCs that have come before it:
1. 24 Bit/96Hz sampler
2. 4 GB of Ram
3. 128 Tracks/128 programs
4. 3rd party VST plugin instrument/effects (MPC best ever effects engine)
5. More advanced mixing/automation (including Track/Pad Mute automation)
6. Qlink implementation
7. Improved sample slicing, time stretching, pitch shifting engine
8. Step Sequencer
9. Use any audio interface or sound card you like
10. MP3 and Rex file support

The more I use the Ren, the more I find it hilarious to read feedback from those that haven't used the Ren side by side with another MPC and make the comparisons. I have...directly compared it with some of the best MPCs ever made to include the MPC 3000 and 4000.

Its ok if you disagree. I am prepared for the discussion. What specifics are you referring to?

[Continental]

design is great the buildquality looks good, have a phone input, spdif in / out, midi & more..its not only a controller with software.....i wanna check the ren next weeks...

[Fish-Ra!]

Originally Posted by DirtyMan

Whats wrong with the plugin integration?

ok.
When i use the mpc as a plugin in either logic or ableton the following has occurred.

I have had numerous crashes when moving midi data around the arrange page within the mpc plug.
I get noise that sounds like the machine has been put through a bit crusher after about fifteen minutes of use and have to reboot.(this happens regardless of whether i use the standalone or plug)
If i set the machine to DAW as opposed to plugin i get intermittent latency from the pads when i play them.
If i have used logics sequencer to trigger the samples from within the mpc(which i think is reasonable seeing as the mpc purports to do this) the timing is a joke and the hats sound drunk.

whether you feel the price tag is good or bad, the fact is stability and timing are hugely important to anyone that use these machines(especially live - like i intend too)
Until updates resolve these issues then i am afraid its back to the drawing board for me(thats if i can actually take it back to the shop as a faulty product lol)

ps. one final flaw, if i close logic or the standalone. intermittently the computer cannot find the machine and unless i reboot the computer (Both MACPRO and MACBOOK PRO) the software will never find the machine.

[Fish-Ra!]

Originally Posted by audiokid

And why I've completely lost faith in VSTi , why I'm going back to hardware like this. If it actually works as a plug-in, the way a pro from the 80's would expect, I'd be amazed, and that would be a bonus. So far, eveything other that the MPC's have been toys compared.

The sole reason why I'm buying the Renaissance is because its looking like an MPC 60 on steroids.

Ya, hardware that worked, no latency and capable of controlling dozens of midi products without a problem. Remember those days?

just be careful - this is not a hardware instrument and does not work without the software. it's a usb/interface controller and as such is subject to compatibility issues as any other piece of software.

[goldphinga]

Originally Posted by Fish-Ra!

ok.
When i use the mpc as a plugin in either logic or ableton the following has occurred.

I have had numerous crashes when moving midi data around the arrange page within the mpc plug.
I get noise that sounds like the machine has been put through a bit crusher after about fifteen minutes of use and have to reboot.(this happens regardless of whether i use the standalone or plug)
If i set the machine to DAW as opposed to plugin i get intermittent latency from the pads when i play them.
If i have used logics sequencer to trigger the samples from within the mpc(which i think is reasonable seeing as the mpc purports to do this) the timing is a joke and the hats sound drunk.

whether you feel the price tag is good or bad, the fact is stability and timing are hugely important to anyone that use these machines(especially live - like i intend too)
Until updates resolve these issues then i am afraid its back to the drawing board for me(thats if i can actually take it back to the shop as a faulty product lol)

Absolutely- BUT anyone buying software based systems should expect issues- I'm not justifying it but the ren is no different to many other software based products at this early stage in its release schedule. fact is even Akai can't trouble shoot all issues as there are just so many different user setups out in the field. There's always gonna be an element of the initial new userbase becoming beta testers. there's mac, Pc, thousands of 3rd part plugins, different ram, CPUs, conflicts, bit depths- anyway-

[Fish-Ra!]

Originally Posted by goldphinga

Absolutely- BUT anyone buying software based systems should expect issues- I'm not justifying it but the ren is no different to many other software based products at this early stage in its release schedule. fact is even Akai can't trouble shoot all issues as there are just so many different user setups out in the field. There's always gonna be an element of the initial new userbase becoming beta testers. there's mac, Pc, thousands of 3rd part plugins, different ram, CPUs, conflicts, bit depths- anyway-

understood. but four areas of compatibility should be tested comprehensively before even beta testing commences. Mac/Logic/Ableton/Protools.(because those are what i use )
no seriously when it works its great! Is that good enough?
I just feel there are too many glitches in the current version and so it isn't fit for purpose.
I really hope for some better DAW integration in the future.(some automation features from within logic would be good so i dont have to deal with two separate arrange pages)

[gertie]

yes, you would think so

but Numarks policy is to use Customers as Beta Testers

some of the most basic bugs have been found on the REN...clearly not tested much, if at all
with the new os release they didnt even mention the bugs they fixed

if anyone wants to see what JAH thinks of people who spent their hard earned money, and cannot make beats due to current instability...you only have to read here....sums up numarks attitude towards its customers

Akai MPC Forums - Couple of updates and it is good to go. : MPC Renaissance/Studio

Originally Posted by Fish-Ra!

understood. but four areas of compatibility should be tested comprehensively before even beta testing commences.

[Brb]

Originally Posted by Goa-Dubs

Only reason i could not try it out is because they had a problem with the usb connecting the sw and the controller.Hopefully they(the shop and the akai tech) will fix this shortly and ill give it a roll.

That's that great numark/akai/m audio quality

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by gertie

yes, you would think so

but Numarks policy is to use Customers as Beta Testers

some of the most basic bugs have been found on the REN...clearly not tested much, if at all
with the new os release they didnt even mention the bugs they fixed

if anyone wants to see what JAH thinks of people who spent their hard earned money, and cannot make beats due to current instability...you only have to read here....sums up numarks attitude towards its customers

Akai MPC Forums - Couple of updates and it is good to go. : MPC Renaissance/Studio

I went there and saw that thread.
unit has obvious issues and this Jah guy is
wow.

looks to me this unit is NOT ready for an important professional studio workflow: ala integration w/ PT Logic,etc

[Jahrome]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

...this Jah guy is
wow.

That one particular loser...I mean user..deserved those jokes.

[xanax]

Originally Posted by Goa-Dubs

So.....went to the local music store today and they actually had the ren sitting there.Solid machine.Just missing sliders.No contrast knob but good apart from that.Only reason i could not try it out is because they had a problem with the usb connecting the sw and the controller.Hopefully they(the shop and the akai tech) will fix this shortly and ill give it a roll.

same here, my local store just got it in but it was barely usable: a strange white noise sound kept creeping in every 15 seconds??! it was also impossible to monitor using the front headphone port, but i managed to get sound by selecting the imac internal output and plugging my headphones into the imac … despite this ordeal (perhaps an activation issue??) i was able to load a few kits and make a quick beat, was a beautiful thing to see your taps and note repeats materialize on screen. everything seemed really responsive & hardware felt solid especially the jog wheel.. hope the bugs get sorted as i can't wait to give it a proper go

[goldphinga]

Originally Posted by xanax

same here, my local store just got it in but it was barely usable: a strange white noise sound kept creeping in every 15 seconds??! it was also impossible to monitor using the front headphone port, but i managed to get sound by selecting the imac internal output and plugging my headphones into the imac … despite this ordeal (perhaps an activation issue??) i was able to load a few kits and make a quick beat, was a beautiful thing to see your taps and note repeats materialize on screen. everything seemed really responsive & hardware felt solid especially the jog wheel.. hope the bugs get sorted as i can't wait to give it a proper go

Idiot shops. They had it in demo mode!! unbelievable.