New standalone flagship MPC called Eclipse comes in 3 weeks!

[svene]

+++ BREAKING NEWS +++

Scoop at MPC Forums: New standalone flagship Akai MPC called Eclipse will be announced in 3 weeks

The new unit as well as 2.0 is being released the week of Thanksgiving/Black Friday! I just got the confirmation from multiple GC stores nationwide, (Cali, La, Ga, Al, and NY). What I did is I started calling Guitar Centers in all of the major cities like L.A., Miami, New Orleans, New York, etc..and only 2 guys actually new about it. One of the guys here in Alabama initially told me about it back in July because an Akai rep stopped by the store and showed them a video of the Unit they were working on and at that time they were shooting for a Sept release date. But it didn’t happen, (of course),. I’ve also spoken with a guy that was on the design team and he said one of the problems they were having was with “Time warping/time stretching features’. He claimed that it kept causing major crashes in different DAWs. But anyway, I called a store in Cali and one of GC’s Pro Audio Reps literally thought I was tripping but when I called back 2 weeks later he had a whole different attitude towards me because the Akai Rep had stopped by and confirmed it was coming this month. The new unit is called, “MPC ECLIPSE” !!!

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... 3#p1709013
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... &start=300

[The MPC Eclipse] is in a black stainless steel casing, it has touch screen capabilities, the new encoders feel much better, the built in audio interface has a preamp and it has a duality mode, meaning that the two stereo outs will allow you to perform live without a laptop or tablet if you wish. It was attached and then unattached after they explained the duality mode feature. The idea is you can perform live sets on stage without a laptop getting in the way between you and the audience.

https://www.native-instruments.com/foru ... st-1535971

I called around to a few Guitar Centers regarding this alleged MPC Eclipse. One of the employees mentioned that an Akai rep had brought in a video 2 weeks ago that showed a new mpc, and that they did want to release it by the end of november.

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... 2#p1709052

New features of MPC Software update 2.0:
– New graphical interface
– Audio track recording and disc based audio streaming
– New, ehanced streamlined MPC workflow
– Audio and MIDI drag and drop
– Enhanced Q-link control
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... 005#p17090

The new Eclipse has Windows Embedded under the hood. What is that? Andy Avgousti a.k.a. MPC-Tutor and founder of MPC Forums explains:

Windows Embedded is simply an OS created with the sole purpose of allowing manufacturers to integrate a ready-made functioning OS to any hardware. It just saves them the hassle of creating their own propriatory OS. Once Windows Embedded is integrated into the hardware, the hardware developers develop an application to run seamlessly within it (the MPC application) and then it is CLOSED to any further software installations. It becomes a self contained system. At this point, it does not matter one bit that the underlying OS is Windows, as basically as far as the end user is concerned, they only ever see the MPC application installed in it. This is no different to any EPOS or ATM machine you might use – most of them run Windows, but you are completely unaware of it as you only ever interact with the ATM software installed on top of it. So it does not matter if you run Mac OS, Linux or Windows on your own computer. It’s no different to using an MPC1000 with your computer – the MPC will communicate with your computer via the universal methods (e.g USB, MIDI etc). As an end user, it’s unlikely that this MPC will allow you to install any additional software. The Windows OS is simply a ready-made host that allows the developers a quick way to roll out hardware. So mac users are not screwed, in the same way that they are not screwed that an MPC1000 uses ‘Akai OS’, not Mac OS.

http://de-bug.de/musiktechnik/kommt-die ... -embedded/

[Sharp]

I wouldn't be an MPC user, but it's great to see the legacy living on.
I live in hope that someday they will release a new AKAI S7000 (still use my S5000 all the time). Bought a EWI 5000 a few months back and it's been a pure joy to play.

Regards
Sharp.

[Kevin Nolan]

Agree, but perhaps (surely?) too late. This feels like those Roland VS studios with exquisite features but released too late because DAWs were taking off.

Surely with Push 2 and NI Maschine, and now the like of Roli Blocks among others offering better user interfacing on the front end and far greater features sets on the back end, this kind of standalone solution had no chance, except with it's already established user base.

[Sharp]

It will be interesting to see what this turns out to be, if anything at all.

One thing is for sure, the image above is a complete fake.

Regards
Sharp.

[svene]

@Sharp: You seem to have no clue at all. Why was Nick Batt--the most trusted man when it comes to gear news--talking about it then when it´s all fiction, according to you?

Watch the specific excerpt here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKEO47XKdU#t=9m47s

[Kontrol49]

I do hope this is real,Been waiting for a new MPC or Roland MV for some years now,After the Renaissance fiasco I'd kind of lost hope for a Standalone MPC update.

I'm a longtime MPC4K user,and would like to see a more featured and updated MPC,the 5K was a step backwards from the 4K and the Ren was a complete and utter waste of time and resources for Akai and against the whole concept of a standalone Hardware Machine,there are those of us who don't want to be tied to a computer for Composing,whatever were Akai thinking on that one making it essentially a fancy Controllor in a MPC shell?

I'd welcome a touchscreen on this new model,I can see this being even better and easier to use than the 4K,there is no better Hardware Midi sequencers than the MPC,I'd always hoped that Maybe Korg would update the Sequencer in the Kronos to be on a similar spec to an MPC,but I guess that will never see the light of day.
Although this new MPC has got to be exceptionally good to persuade me to upgrade from the MPC4000.

[jimknopf]

Nick Batt actually said it's got a touch screen.

A standalone device always is something really useful, significantly beyond these computer-controller setups. The critical point will be the price. I expect it to be rather around 2000 bucks than an easy buy.

[Kontrol49]

Looking forward to seeing the specs on this if its true.

[Jan1]

The poster with the name Tha Knoq also reported seeing a Roland sampling workstation, so now that the Akai rumor seems to materialize this year, I think Roland (if they go ahead with the release) will not trail behind for long.
I don't think it is too late at all, the demand for standalones is very strong, and should Roland ever come out with a MV-9000 type of workstation I sure will get one.
And BTW, I am a DAW user, but the argument of DAW vs. hardware standalone is non-existent for me because both have their specific roles in the music production process.

[Kevin Nolan]

Hope you're right - it looks like a fine device and I'm all on for standalone too.

I'm just thinking about the 16 pads - is that enough these days - and - I genuinely suspect (but have no evidence) that the next Push and Maschine will follow the lead of the likes of Linninstrument and Roli Blocks and do away with individual pads, opting instead for a continuous surface over which pad areas are defined; allowing for both pad-type operation but also smooth and continuous performance control when needed (not just MIDI note control but also sample time-stretching control; and then fader mixing, .....) - surely the way this is heading. So it's the notion of 16 pads as much as the standalone model (where I do believe AKAI will struggle to keep up feature wise too) that makes me wonder.

Nevertheless there are a lot of MPC users out there so there's surely more than a viable market for this too.It has a rich legacy, it's a quality brand with great respect and there's surely a place for it for sure.

[Kontrol49]

And BTW, I am a DAW user, but the argument of DAW vs. hardware standalone is non-existent for me because both have their specific roles in the music production process.

Standalones are only lagging due to the lack of Audio Editing options,nobody has really addressed the crossover point between Midi and Audio into a single unit,Kronos comes close with its audio/Midi integration buts its rather cumbersome and awkward to do basic editing functions both in Audio and Midi so doesn't give you a real sense of Workflow,plus not everybody requires a workstation and all the other stuff that comes with such.

When you've used something like a MPC The sequencer inside the Kronos is really only useful for Demos or ideas,there is too much back and forth of pages and its misses even basic editing functions that MPCs make light work of,as far as Workstation go,the Roland Fantom G came really close to the perfect environment but fell short as a decent sound source and the sequencer was left to suffer,the Sequencer,even with its quirks and omissions was at Least a step in the right direction.

The Problem with the MPC is it's overlooked by many others because of its Hiphop/Rap image Other than a Roland MV you won't find any other Hardware Sequencer that has ever come close,I don't make any of those Genres but run loads of hardware synths,I've used so many software Platforms nothing has ever been the same or as rock solid for Midi Timing as using an MPC/MV the only thing lacking is greater Audio expansion recording and manipulation, an unlimited Audio Track count would be very useful,Bolt the MV8800 and VS2480 user interfaces together and your getting warm.

Most of us have access to a computer of some sorts so the vast majority just gravitate towards Software DAW options because you don't really need to kit yourself out with all the peripherals that a Hardware setup brings being ITB brings its productivity but so does OTB if you prefer the tactile approach,In my experience there is something lost between a computer and the Human Interaction of making music that you don't get with Hardware its almost immediate and less frustrating.

There are plenty of standalone Hard disk recorders that rival software but because of preference to software and development costs no manufacturer has really addressed the Hardware Audio/Midi all in one option,with more and more younger generations becoming interested and curious of hardware I feel it will come full circle again,with the availability of SSD's there is no reason why a full on Audio/Midi device done right cannot be conceived to replace a Laptop for Live use

I do wish this newer MPC takes full advantage of Audio rather than a compromise of Track count,and not reliant on clips or snippets of Audio which is basically only an extension of the sample facilities I would also like to see a revamp of the Roland MV Line,I'm a fan and user of the MV8800 too.

[Kevin Nolan]

Thanks for the very interesting post. I'm a fan of hardware sequencers too actually - I use the QY700 still (connected up to one keyboard rig) and just love it. Alas gets less and less use these days (but I did compose for several documentaries using it synced to an ADAT some years back, so definitely no slouch).

Out of curiosity, any features of the MPC range, and Fantom G sequencers you particularly like?

Back on subject - this does look like a quality hardware unit - they look to be targeting their experienced, loyal MPC user base - to me a very laudable reason to release a new unit like this - wish more companies did it. I'm currently learning the BeatStepPro and Push2 so trying to get more into current DAWs and beat making devices, and thanks to your post will check this MOC out should it ever materialise.

[Sharp]

@Sharp: You seem to have no clue at all. Why was Nick Batt--the most trusted man when it comes to gear news--talking about it then when it´s all fiction, according to you?

Yeah well, I generally don't believe everything I read on the net. Especially when someone new posts an image that looks identical to the current model.

Regards
Sharp.