Product: Akai MPC5000
Price Paid: skr 16000
Submitted
09/13/2009
at
01:20pm
by
jocks
Ease of Use
:
8
OS v2.0
first I moved away from software sequencers that were too crowded with windows and drop down menu's to a MPC1k.
I recently moved on to my MPC5k, to get more knobs, sliders, and to load Akai keygroup multisampled instruments. I also got a slimmed down version of Alesis ION synth in the package! the sound library was focused on Hip Hop composers, but it got expanded with the introduction of OS v2.0.
Features
:
8
64 voices for sampler programs, and 20 voices to the VA synth. pads are larger and with much better touch response than the mpc1k. 4 FX busses with 2 fx's in each, and a master EQ+compressor.that's a lot! but the reverb isn't very good. you get 8 outs (tele+ADAT), stereo in mic/line (no phantom power), but there's an input for turntable! 64MB memory and a noisy 80MB Harddisk is included. 128MB memory expansion is available.
the sequencer is pattern/sequence based paired with a song arranger mode. It's fast in able hands :-)64 tracks/sequence. there are 2 MIDI in and 4 out! you should really get the memory expansion. but forget their overpriced "custom" DVD-burner!
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
8
It's a sampler, so you should really to load it with your own sounds.
but you get a decent set of sounds to download with OS v2.0
the VA synth is very good. the sound import of older Akai sampler library isn't fully functional yet.
Reliability
:
7
I have no problem working with the machine. but it has a few bugs as of OS v2.0: parameters are sometimes sluggish in response. the synth has parameters with weird response to changes and filter model1 crackles at cutoff values under 50. I replaced the noisy hard disk with a faster, larger and silent Seagate IDE drive.
Customer Support
:
7
I'm waiting for Akai to update the OS since April 2009. many bugs have been known since long. but software/firmware updates is so typical in this computer era. Akai is not alone, has anybody had problem with software/hardware in their Windows PC lately...?
Overall Rating
:
9
I see no reason to replace me MPC5k with something else. I had the Roland MV8800 in mind for a while, but some function turned me off.
a music shop had by mistake reserved the same second hand MPC5k to two customers, so they let me buy a new one Very cheap!! :-)
I started composing with old step sequencers like sh-101 and MIDI sequencers in the early eighties. the last ten years was lost time with buggy PC software sequencers and glitchy plugins and graphical information overload! now I just press REC+PLAY and start recording again.
