Akai MPC 5000 Q/A

**jahrome** · 05-12-2008

Hello Future Producers,

I am an actual MPC 5000 owner/user. This thread was created so I can answer any questions you have about the MPC 5000. I am not here to debate whether it is the best sampler on the market nor will I try to convince you to purchase it (or not purchase it).

There is too much BS in these forums about this unit from people that don't have a clue about this unit. So to start things off, I will address the reported "52 bugs".

Akai just recently released the MPC 5000. Some retailers will only have 1 or 2 units. Others won't receive them for a month or so.

Akai released the first MPC 5000s to beta testers. OS 1.0 was presented 7 March 2008 (nearly two months before the MPC 5000 shipped to stores). The beta testers found approx 52 bugs. OS 1.01released 30 April, corrected these bugs. The MPC 5000 started to ship the first week of May. If you happen to find a retailer that actually have one in stock, it will most likely have OS 1.01 installed. If it doesn't, simply download OS 1.01 at www.akaipro.com. In the MPC 5000s Reference Manual, it clearly states to register your MPC at Akai's Website and to check for the most recent OS.

Now that I got that out of the way, please let me know if you have any questions about the MPC 5000. I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.

Jahrome
aka MPC Kang!

**Fort Apache** · 05-12-2008

Does it have a piano roll so that you can edit midi graphically instead of using numbers?

**jahrome** · 05-12-2008

Originally Posted by Fort Apache

Does it have a piano roll so that you can edit midi graphically instead of using numbers?

Yes. It has a Piano Roll style editor for MIDI tracks, and a Graphic Matrix (Grid) Editor for DRUM tracks. It still contains the step sequence edit which displays note numbers and various other settings.

You can download the Reference Manul for the MPC 5000 at http://www.akaipro.com/mpc5000 . It will give you all the basics and specs of the latest MPC.

**lvngdead** · 05-12-2008

Pad responsiveness. Have you been able to fix this problem?

**vman603** · 05-12-2008

hmmm i love the mpc... but i am a mv user right now. the reason i got the mv was because of the sequencer. when will akai have a unit similiar to the mv when it comes to sequencer?
www.myspace.com/vmanwarner

**jahrome** · 05-12-2008

Originally Posted by lvngdead

Pad responsiveness. Have you been able to fix this problem?

My MPC 5000s pads are not as responsive as my MPC 2500. But this could be my particular unit. I returned to GC and played with the DEMO unit. It's pads were more responsive. I am not sure if that is because they were broken in. But I have no intentions on sending my unit back to Akai just yet....30 day money back guarantee or 1 year warranty still in effect.

Originally Posted by vman603

hmmm i love the mpc... but i am a mv user right now. the reason i got the mv was because of the sequencer. when will akai have a unit similiar to the mv when it comes to sequencer?

This Q/A is about the MPC 5000. You will have to ask Akai if they plan on making an MPC with a sequencer like the MV.

**3D Beats** · 05-13-2008

I may sound like i'm hating but i'm interested to hear. How is the workflow, with so many features, is it harder to work with than other mpcs? Or harder to concentrated with so many options? Second, it the synth actually worth using compared to a lower model mpc and a rack? Would you be blow away by any features over other mpcs? lastly, would you recommend it as an upgrade to someone who is already content with their model mpc?

You don't have to go too indepth here, i'm not looking to buy one, i just haven't been able to touch one and i'm just curious. More of a theoretical question than really wanting to know from a realistic one.

**jahrome** · 05-14-2008

Originally Posted by 3D Beats

I may sound like i'm hating but i'm interested to hear. How is the workflow, with so many features, is it harder to work with than other mpcs? Or harder to concentrated with so many options? Second, it the synth actually worth using compared to a lower model mpc and a rack? Would you be blow away by any features over other mpcs? lastly, would you recommend it as an upgrade to someone who is already content with their model mpc?

You don't have to go too indepth here, i'm not looking to buy one, i just haven't been able to touch one and i'm just curious. More of a theoretical question than really wanting to know from a realistic one.

If you are an MPC 2500 or 1000 user, you will feel very much at home on the MPC 5000. Most of the menus are very similar. You will probably not need the manual to operate the unit. The learning curve isn't steep so users of olders MPCs will be ok after a week of use. The MPC 5000 does have some additional functions, but you don't to use them to operate the unit. Since I have been a long time MPC user, I am not blown away by any MPC. They are just tools that serve a specific function...nothing more. The onboard synth is great because it is integrated in the MPC. There is no need for an external module.

If you are happy with what you are using, then there is no reason to upgrade. But if you visit www.akaipro.com and like what you see in the additional features...than maybe the MPC 5000 is for you.

My advice to you is wait for a few months before buying the unit. I would like other people test out the unit and facilitate bug fixes with the OS.

**moyphee** · 05-14-2008

OS 1.0 was presented 7 March 2008....

That date merely states when 1.0 was designated as the actual release to released to the public. It is the same 1.0 used by beta testers. For two months this has been what they gave the public. For two months this OS was "good enough" for the consumer.

If you happen to find a retailer that actually have one in stock, it will most likely have OS 1.01 installed. If it doesn't, simply download OS 1.01 at www.akaipro.com. In the MPC 5000s Reference Manual, it clearly states to register your MPC at Akai's Website and to check for the most recent OS.

"Most likely...." that's comforting. Thanks for at least conceding that buggy units were shipped.The fact is, you had no idea of what OS you were getting when you preodered or purchased . Your chances were just as good of getting 1.0 as 1.01. Being the first at register does not give you an inside track and does not release you from being bound by the facts and set chronology.

Now that we have that out of the way...