jahrome said:
1. This feature is great. The MV has it...the Fantom has it...Live, Cubase, Emulator X. With this technology so readily available, you don't need it in a drum machine/sequencer.
Same goes for reading samples of a DVD, you could use a PC for that inbetween as well. That's not the freaking point of having these features in the first place. So.. it's something of a non-argument to me.
2. MPCs now have audio tracks but please explain the difference how the MV treats these tracks. The MPC 5K has 8 tracks of real hard disk recording and not simply RAM based audio tracks. The MV doesn't.
Eventhough I definitely agree this is a serious weakness, you can bounce the audio tracks to free up the ram, so it's not actually an issue. It just takes a step more.
Apart from that, having 512mb of ram usually gets you far enough for 8 audio tracks anyways.
3. MV as well as the MPC 2500, 4000, and 5000 has CD burning. I love the fact that the MPC 5K can burn audio or DATA CDs. I can also load DVD Rom sample libraries.
Still... you could use a PC to burn anything you like as well.
The thing I do not like of either machines is the fact that they do not read mp3 format. Sure, I could use a PC for that and that's what I'm doing... but it would save some time (no huge wav files to process and quality isn't an issue either when you're fine tuning and mastering in a real studio anyways).
4. Less bugs? We can debate this but the fact remains is that MPCs remain the standard in spite of anything bad written about them. The user base is huge.
I think less bugs is pretty accurate, even though the MV wasn't bug free at launch either. At least it did not have any sever showstopping issues.
The MPC user base is indeed huge, however the user base of the MV is growing while I have serious doubts about whether the MPC user base is still growing as fast as it used to do. Akai is also simply better known for their MPCs than Roland for their MVs and don't forget this is a nich market we're talking about. Quite a bunch of people probably own one of the MVs also by now.
Also... when I look at some other machines of totally different kinds, like I don't know.. cars or something, I don't think popularity says much about actual quality. After all, we both know Akai made a nose dive right about after having released the 2000XL.
5. The MVs sequencer is not superior to any of the latest MPCs. It simply accomplishes things in a different manner. But when you add in the 5Ks Q-links which send MIDI CC messages to external gear, you fully see the power of its sequencer....64 separate channels of external MIDI can't be done using an MV.
True the MV doesn't have 64 channels, but some will argue that 32 midi channels is enough anyways.. Also, those Q-links are overrated. Yeah, they are somewhat neat and I do use them on my MPC5K, but it's not like you get unlimited possibilities with them.
I could easily write about why I think the sequencer on the MV is superior for hours, but I'm going to pass on that as I've got things to do. Yes they do accomplish things in different ways, but there are still reasons why at least I think that the sequencer on the MV is superior.
6. MV as well as the MPC 1000, 2500, 4000, and 5000 all have simple automation.
I do not know what your definition of 'simple' automation is, but with the MV you can do just about everything. From stutter effects, to recording effect automation, pattern muting, track muting and so on... I know the MPC series have basic automation features too, but not the same.
7. You got to love the 5Ks on-board synth.
Which is quite easily the most overrated thing when it comes to how Akai markets their product. If you're used to other synths, it's really not that good. If you compare it to the MV synth, then you'll see differences are there... but they are way too small to cover the price difference. Especially when looking at the big picture here. I find it difficult to say which build-in synth I like better actually and we both know it's only in the MPC5k now because the MV had it.
8. I can't comment that much about effects because in a studio, I wouldn't use effects in a drum machine. But please let me know what I am missing. Akai has improved the 5Ks effects by adding 4 busses of effects with two effects per buss. With the addition of a master compressor and 4 band equalizer with the ability to mix down and export your music as a 24 bit file.
I do miss 24bit export on the MV when I want to go for extremely clean stuff... but apart from that the MV has the MPC line dominated as far as the FX goes.
I can't believe you say you do not use any effects on your drums. Are you saying you do not EQ your stuff? Do you not add reverb? Do you not play around with vinyl simulator-like FXs, chorus FX, or mold samples into totally new sounds by using the power of FX?
Damn...