The competition - Akai

I wonder if the touch screen gestures are similar to impc pro or different?

 

I don't like the way akai is putting these things out, I think now that the majority of the info has come out on the touch that it's obvious that they are going to drop something much better in the near future, possibly more than just one additional instrument that might be much better than the touch. I think they should have put out the stand alone that they are working on first or in other words they should have put their new stuff out from the top down.... it's true that in some ways the touch is impressive but I think the touch is really the entry level of the new akai line and it is not the most expensive hybrid controller out there especially considering it's new touch screen capabilities but still they should have put the one that they know everyone is waiting for out there first, and then the touch . imho, cause people are going to spend money on the touch and then wish they had gotten one of the other ones that are coming out.

 

I have no idea. I'm on both gearslutz and mpc forum... so whatever new info I find I post here

 

from some good rumor mills I heard 2 more are on the way.

 

Same... but I felt it wasn't worth mentioning lol

 

probably right

 

This is not new territory for them. The did do the same by releasing the MPC 1000 first and then releasing the MPC 2500 which are essentially the same machine.

More recently, they dropped the MPC Ren first and the Studio second. The MPC Studio sold much more. So it is probably a good idea to release an update to your money maker which will have a more attractive price point.

Come to think of it....didn't NI do the same thing? They released a Maschine MK2 and then the Maschine Studio afterwards....

 

As I said, not a money problem.

 

yeah you're right, I just think we've come far enough with these instruments to make the dog and pony show unnecessary, we know what's going on or at least what should be going on, I just wish they would get on with it as I'm quite ready for the next release.

 

like jah said previously the ren came first than the smaller unit out sold the bigger unit so maybe they are reversing the game this time out. But have a listen to the discussion below as dude makes some compelling points as to why standalone is not a good idea.

 

Fancy saving us (me) the effort of watching the video and just summarising the opinion?

 

nope he make so many valid point I can not put it in a few words

 

...there won't be any standalone units anymore (at least no affordable ones and the companies need the "mass market"). And even the recent machines, that can run on their own like the Korg Electribe 2 or the Elektron machines, are clearly linked to computers. So why bother? I vividly remember, what a relief it was, when we were finally able to edit the samples in a computer with a big screen and a mouse, instead of having troubles doing it within the machines. And I remember, what a big marketing gag it was, when people we saying "now I can focus on the music instead of looking at the computer screen" when Maschine came out in 2009. Fast forward four years: Maschine Studio was released - with screens. Now it's touch screens, and personally, I'd like to have two of them - one for the samples, one for the mixer. And more knobs. But all of this will be redundant, once touch screens will become standard for computers and laptops. Then it'll definitely be back in the box again. OK, I've gone a bit sideways now (like parts of the instrument development), but the point is, I don't think you can't take a computer out of the equation anymore...

 

well there was a whole thread recently where people were campaigning for a standalone maschine

 

If a standalone maschine can also operate like it does at the moment as a controller (different modes) I see no disadvantage whatsoever other than weight.

 

and cost

 

Hardly.

It was a thread that asked the question (by a self confessed "computer hater"), "should there be a standalone Maschine?", where the majority of the people that responded said "No".

 

I had an Analog keys and it was a very standalone device, I wish I could have kept it, money just didn't agree.
Now a maschine like that would be very nice but I am ok with the computer, it goes everywhere with me anyway and hasn't really caused any problems. SO, for me either is fine but funny enough if it is standalone I will want computer integration to be available as well.

 

Has anyone seen a video yet of the Touch in action??

Dying to to see what the screen responsiveness is like.

 

...they should probably look for a company with a different name. Or should be fine with getting a used standalone MPC...