SamplePad Pro & Rack buyers beware!

[rhysT]

Anyone patiently waiting for the SamplePad Pro or Rack may be interested in changes made to another InMusic brand product AFTER it was released.
 
The new Akai MPX16 SD Sample Recorder & Player's User Guide (v1.1) stated that (Kit) File Loader software was included as a download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7z9qo8040xc37t5/MPX16%20UG%20contents.jpg?dl=0  This would save excessive scrolling with it's Value dial through 512 sample files (max) in a SD card's root directory for each kit's 16 pads, and with a maximum of 99 User kits per card that's a lot of knob twiddling.

I assumed it would be similar to the MPX8 Editor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWSs6bgG8JQ and feedback on the Akaipro forum indicated that it was close to being available. But in the current online MPX16 User Guide (v1.4) Akai have replaced it with a WAV File Conversion Utility instead, which is also intended to be used with the MPX8, etc. Maybe they are more concerned about protecting MPX8 sales than supporting MPX16 Users.

Regardless of how deceptive their software switch appears to be, I guess Akai will simply ignore any complaints about it with their fine print disclaimer on the User Guide last page: "Specifications are subject to change without notice".

Also FYI, the pre-release SamplePad Pro display has a similar parameter layout to a MPX16 screen layout that's been changed in it's released version: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qhtn75ogae4rs5m/SamplePadPro%20display.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b7225bzcgryeco7/MPX16%20display%20-%20Mar2014.jpg?dl=0

Alesis will probably include kit/sample file loading software with the SamplePad Pro & Rack, but just expect the unexpected as you may not get all that you are paying for. 

[ChrisK]

Hi,
    Probably because they did not released yet the editor, they updated first online recently here http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpx16#downloads, also there is bugs on the Mpx16 to fix via firmware which are Medeli Electronics inside, at the end you will see the same as MPX8  conversion utility, MP8 editor and firmware update, on both MPX8\MPX16, more concerning are the bugs not merged to the Sample Rack\Pad Pro.

about 3 weeks ago, Alesis  updated the Sample Rack interface image, click to enlarge image.

[rhysT]

Hi Chris - I was also prepared to wait for Akai to provide the MPX16 File Loader software until I noticed it had been removed from the User Guide. If and when it reappears as part the MPX16 contents I will gladly apologize to Akai for doubting their integrity. It should've been easy enough to adapt the MPX8 Kit Editor to the MPX16 so it was ready for it's release. 

The limitation of 30 kits (10 internal + 20 per SD card) in the SamplePad Pro & Rack was one reason I've considered the MPX16 with 99 User kits. The S/P Rack will also allow 512 samples (in the SD card root directory) which is a waste of up to 32GB storage capacity. Btw expect kit loading delays if any large sample files are included.

The Sample Rack display has me wondering how samples will be assigned to the 8 dual zone trigger inputs as it doesn't indicate 'A or B' zone selection. I realize the Bass/kick input will be only single zone but all should be revealed soon.

[ChrisK]

Hi Chris - I was also prepared to wait for Akai to provide the MPX16 File Loader software until I noticed it had been removed from the User Guide. If and when it reappears as part the MPX16 contents I will gladly apologize to Akai for doubting their integrity. It should've been easy enough to adapt the MPX8 Kit Editor to the MPX16 so it was ready for it's release. 

The limitation of 30 kits (10 internal + 20 per SD card) in the SamplePad Pro & Rack was one reason I've considered the MPX16 with 99 User kits. The S/P Rack will also allow 512 samples (in the SD card root directory) which is a waste of up to 32GB storage capacity. Btw expect kit loading delays if any large sample files are included.

The Sample Rack display has me wondering how samples will be assigned to the 8 dual zone trigger inputs as it doesn't indicate 'A or B' zone selection. I realize the Bass/kick input will be only single zone but all should be revealed soon.

MPX16 editor maybe not enough time to finished, because of all others buttons\option not available on the MPX8, there is alots  compare to the MPX8..they should release at least same as mpx8 but for 16 slot pad.


Sample Rack Dual trigger screen, Probably just by hiting the Head or Rim, it will change on the screen, they clearly stated they are dual zone, logical since the MPX16 have 16 pad sound, expect, 8 trigger dual 8x2 head\rim=16 sound.

Yes the 32 gig limited to 512 sample and 20 kit is low, probably related to low ram compare to  the Roland TM-2 have 99 users kits and up to 91000 wav slot go figure..

If the price is 299$ I will not buy it,  More concerning are all bug in MPX16 if merged to Sample rack\Pad Pro is issue. Will wait on namm and see new product.

[rhysT]

The Akaipro forum has some current official news about the expected MPX16 File Loader software: http://community.akaipro.com/akai_professional/topics/i-can-not-find-see-the-software-for-my-mpx16-14s6f9 - What a surprise!!
Akai obviously consider the MPX8 Editor is useful for assembling kits, and it could be easily adapted to the MPX16 if they want to fully support both products.
Btw, one of my posts (MPX16 software download change!) on the Akaipro forum has been 'merged' (removed).

The MPX16 has 64MB of sample RAM, and delays (like several minutes) to fully load it have been flagged as a major concern. At least loading kits with most percussion samples is tolerable depending on the sample rate used. I've found 22.05kB mono (16 bit) to be a good compromise for sound quality and loading times. The provided File Conversion Utiliy won't 'convert' samples at alternate sample rates so it's too limited. There's a more versatile (free) audio file converter available from NCH Software: http://www.nch.com.au/switch/  (which will also normalize sample levels in one batch process).

The reported MPX16 bugs (or limitations) mainly relate to editing samples in the unit, so there's unlikely to be similar problems with the SamplePad Pro & Rack.

[ChrisK]

The Akaipro forum has some current official news about the expected MPX16 File Loader software: http://community.akaipro.com/akai_professional/topics/i-can-not-find-see-the-software-for-my-mpx16-14s6f9 - What a surprise!!
Akai obviously consider the MPX8 Editor is useful for assembling kits, and it could be easily adapted to the MPX16 if they want to fully support both products.
Btw, one of my posts (MPX16 software download change!) on the Akaipro forum has been 'merged' (removed).

The MPX16 has 64MB of sample RAM, and delays (like several minutes) to fully load it have been flagged as a major concern. At least loading kits with most percussion samples is tolerable depending on the sample rate used. I've found 22.05kB mono (16 bit) to be a good compromise for sound quality and loading times. The provided File Conversion Utiliy won't 'convert' samples at alternate sample rates so it's too limited. There's a more versatile (free) audio file converter available from NCH Software: http://www.nch.com.au/switch/  (which will also normalize sample levels in one batch process).

The reported MPX16 bugs (or limitations) mainly relate to editing samples in the unit, so there's unlikely to be similar problems with the SamplePad Pro & Rack.

I just read the comment on the MPX16 editor, because of the new feature\sampler, not planned, maybe it is different for the Sample rack\Pad Pro editor since it is more basic...

Do you have normal  SD cards or fast SD cards? Because on the Roland TM-2, they told there is difference on speed loading with old SD cards and newest HD SD cards, about the time loading, let figure you have 3 sec sound (16bit 44hz), on each pad, how much time it take to load? On namm, they told it will load on units launch to avoid delay when changing kits...when you change kits there is delay?

Chris

[rhysT]

The SampleRack/Pad Pro should include a kit editor to compensate for having just the panel arrow buttons to load kit samples.
 
SDHC cards are cheap enough so they're a logical choice. I tend to think of sample loading times in terms of their file size as it's easy to calculate sample size reduction at a lower sample rate - EG a 44.1kHz(stereo) sample will reduce to about 25% size & loading time at 22.05kHz(mono).

[ChrisK]

Hi,
    The korg look like solid quality compare to MPX16 and more feature, cost about 399$, also you can have about 900 wav on the sd loaded, 16 pad x4 each kit, sequencer etc ..http://www.korg.com/us/products/dj/electribe_sampler/