I love this machine! I am a long time MPC user who began on the 2000XL. I also have owned a 2500 and 4000. This is by far my favorite machine of the bunch. It solves every single problem I had with the 2500 and 2000XL. Now I have virtually unlimited sample time, my samples are easier to edit and chop, and I don’t have any sample cutting out during complex programs. On the 2500 my sample would cut out if I had either a long sample or too many 1/32nd note rolls going on during my sequence. Also, I don’t have to play back my song 100 times to record 1 track. I can bounce out high quality WAV’s of each track in my song in 1 click. Don’t believe the negativity surrounding this machine. I would highly recommend using this machine with an Apple Mac Pro or Macbook Pro (which is what I use). I cannot testify to it’s integration with Windows based machines. Also, the price is right on this machine! Thank you Akai for coming through with this product. Also, their customer support is great! My beats have stepped up to another level thanks to the MPC Renaissance.

I purchased the BeatThang first and it was really easy to use, but limited interface. I have owned the Akai Pro MPC Ren for a little under a month and it is an excellent machine. I have used it to create great tunes and it’s a great addition to my digital studio. The construction is very sturdy, I love the feel of the pads. The edit functions are simple and the looping for pattern/sequence creation is excellent. There is a step mode as well, but only needed when trying to change a note. The song mode function is easy to use and can be done in multiple ways (by step selection of the sequence or tapping in the sequence during playback). The inputs are ample and instrument recognition is great, however I can’t understand why they didn’t include USB 3 inputs???. I am not crazy about the fact that it has to be used with the MPC software as opposed to directly with other software (i.e. Logic or Protools) it has to be used a a plug-in for those and other programs. There is a possibility I just haven’t figured out how to do it yet and can be wrong. This is my first product from the Akai MPC line. But I am impressed. After being away from writing music for about 10 years, this is certainly a helpful and easy to use MPC/drum machine.

Because I am a product of first/second generation digital music software (Recording Session, Studio, Cakewalk Version1.2 – 4, and Cubase v.1-3.*) I find many of the grab and edit function with notation very easy and don’t relay so much on the software short cuts. But the software compliments the device well and you can’t operate the device without it. Lastly, there are many great tutorial out there to help you get started with the MPC Ren. I recommend watching podcast on youtube by Wolf D at […] and Young Guru through Akai’s MPC University here’s a like to one […] try these if you are not sure this is for you.

I would certainly recommend to to anyone looking to upgrade. Steep price, but well worth it. Judging from the video(s) that I’ve seen, if the price is too big for you, you may want to consider looking at the Akai MPC Studio. It appears to have all the same functions and library, it’s more portable, and half the price. It’s worth looking at before buying the MPC Renaissance!

If you ever had to use a zip drive, or remember the days of 32Mb of ram, this thing is a god send!
It makes the natural jump into your computer, using the resources of your computer for its engine.
And if your like me [overclocked,liquid cooled,w/ tera bytes]
You will have a true monster under your control!

It was a work in progress when I got mine at version 1.1. But now there at 1.6, and continuously update the features and functionality.

Khim Sane The Drum Gun

Wanna hear what I made with it?
Google me 🙂