JJ OS vs MPC OS

[Castro Beats]

What's up TBC,

Looking for some thoughts/feedback from people who have used JJ OS for the MPC, in particular how they liked/disliked it in comparison to the OEM OS. If there are certain features you feel are must-have's, or even somethings you would like to have, let's talk about it.

Personally I have found that the MPC OS has been more than sufficient with some minor annoyances, one being that you cannot route FX to the individual outputs, but I do not believe that is a software issue. It's been very effective for my own uses, without the feeling of being overwhelmed with features or sub-menu's.

[faze1]

JJOS smashes the akai OS

Disclaimer!!! I hope i dont sound like an (nu)akai hater but......I am an MPC1k(jjos2xl) user....bottom line JJOS vs akai os...absolutley hands down..jjos wins!!!! PERIOD!!!!! My workflow is soooo fluent and quick with jjos. I know with jjos on my mpc, it gives it many features that are on the mpc4000...I will list the features that are on jjos and not on the akia os that are CRUCIAL TO ME:

1)global program edit: basically the choice to edit multiple parameters..One button press and I can pitch down every sample in my program as opposed to changing them one at a time...
2)Advanced quantising: Swing and quantise strength..... Dope!
3)ADSR
4)advanced grid edit mode
5)audio tracks! I can record audio right in sync with the beat
6)Tons of more sample editing features crossfade, looping, bit crusher,stereo to mono conversion etc
7)NON DESTRUCTIVE CHOPPING!!!!! this might be my favorite feature (besides quantise strength) because i can take a sample and and play my different chops while chopping so as im chopping im already getting a feel/idea of how i will put things together
8)KEYGROUPS.......KEYGROUPS!!!! lol
9)Arppegiator and chord mode
10)midi clock and Midi Time code sync as well as MMC (midi machine control)
11)Most important....DRUMROLLL!!!!!!! Efficient workflow

JJOS is the only reason I kept my 1000. I more than likely would have went with an older MPC or possibly went software. In regards to what was said about the lack of fx to the aux outs, i guess that would be nice..but for me its not a worry bcuz i never use the mpcs fx. I use my daw Reaper 4 in the same manner as a mixing console. I have all hardware components patched to my 10 input audio interface. so when i need fx i go the vst route. Ive spent the past 6-8 months on a software phase learning and trying different things. JJOS paired with my software tools equals comfortable and powerful workflow/setup. lol so yeah ...bottom line....JJOS and i only named features that are crucial to me...(and i also forgot the simult pad feature lol...could go on and on).....and automation with the qlinks...even has an option in program mode where you can choose which channel (L,R,L+R mono) plays...with jjos the mpc is multi timbral/programmable and can be controlled by other equipment....lol ok i'll stop

[Castro Beats]

Disclaimer!!! I hope i dont sound like an (nu)akai hater but......I am an MPC1k(jjos2xl) user....bottom line JJOS vs akai os...absolutley hands down..jjos wins!!!! PERIOD!!!!! My workflow is soooo fluent and quick with jjos. I know with jjos on my mpc, it gives it many features that are on the mpc4000...I will list the features that are on jjos and not on the akia os that are CRUCIAL TO ME:

1)global program edit: basically the choice to edit multiple parameters..One button press and I can pitch down every sample in my program as opposed to changing them one at a time...
2)Advanced quantising: Swing and quantise strength..... Dope!
3)ADSR
4)advanced grid edit mode
5)audio tracks! I can record audio right in sync with the beat
6)Tons of more sample editing features crossfade, looping, bit crusher,stereo to mono conversion etc
7)NON DESTRUCTIVE CHOPPING!!!!! this might be my favorite feature (besides quantise strength) because i can take a sample and and play my different chops while chopping so as im chopping im already getting a feel/idea of how i will put things together
8)KEYGROUPS.......KEYGROUPS!!!! lol
9)Arppegiator and chord mode
10)midi clock and Midi Time code sync as well as MMC (midi machine control)
11)Most important....DRUMROLLL!!!!!!! Efficient workflow

JJOS is the only reason I kept my 1000. I more than likely would have went with an older MPC or possibly went software. In regards to what was said about the lack of fx to the aux outs, i guess that would be nice..but for me its not a worry bcuz i never use the mpcs fx. I use my daw Reaper 4 in the same manner as a mixing console. I have all hardware components patched to my 10 input audio interface. so when i need fx i go the vst route. Ive spent the past 6-8 months on a software phase learning and trying different things. JJOS paired with my software tools equals comfortable and powerful workflow/setup. lol so yeah ...bottom line....JJOS and i only named features that are crucial to me...(and i also forgot the simult pad feature lol...could go on and on).....and automation with the qlinks...even has an option in program mode where you can choose which channel (L,R,L+R mono) plays...with jjos the mpc is multi timbral/programmable and can be controlled by other equipment....lol ok i'll stop

Yo faze1,

I appreciate all that info right there, that's what's up! I just had a question or two for you, some based upon your response and another based upon something I've read elsewhere.

Can you speak more about the quantizing, specifically the note value that it can go up or down to (MPC OS only reaches up to 1/32 with a swing going from 50% to 75%). I could definitely use more variation in that department.

What do you mean by ADSR, as I believe that it is currently available on the MPC OS, at least in regard to editing a sample or by going to edit your "pads", highlighting the volume section and pressing window.

What is advanced grid edit mode?

When you say, record audio tracks in sync with the beat, does that mean you can record in "real-time" without having to go to the "record" section of the MPC? And if so, how is this achieved?

Those sample editing features sound more like FX, no? And if so, those are also available on the current MPC OS.

I am confused about your statement regarding non-destructive chopping. How is that different then let's say, on the current MPC OS, recording a sample, looping it, adding slices, arranging slices and then exporting to individual pads, where you can also further edit the sounds if need be. I understand that in "chopshop" you cannot modify pitch or hear other fx/modulation for that matter, is that what you were getting at?

What are key groups?

The arppegiator and chord mode sound dope, very useful. What is the depth of the chord mode, in other words how extensive is the chord catalog, simple major and minor or more? Also, can it be used on the midi devices connected to the MPC as well?

From what I understand the MPC also already has Midi Sync, no?

What is Drumroll, note repeat?

Now some of the things I had read about was reports of failure to save, which is obviously a big deal for me, and machine failures resulting from installation, updates or in some cases just over periods of time. Have you experienced any of these issues?

[faze1]

No prob....
Quantize strength: Basically works like this? Quantize strength works to "loosen up" or even tighten up the timing of notes played......i can adjust the quantise strength to loosen up when the notes are recorded so even if i record at 1/8th quantise i could set my quantise strength to 70% which would allow for a looser feel...So if the quantise strength is set to 100% then the notes will be recorded at the exact quantise its supposed to...in reverse lets say i recorded a sequence where my playing is too loose...i could increase the quant. strength to tighten up my playing..Hope that makes sense and this is different from swing. Quant strength adds variation to all notes.

Its been a while since i used the akai os but on the 1000 i dont think it has adsr (attack, decay, sustain, release) you got to look this up cuz its too much to write but in short when using samples, u can loose certain control of sounds ...u use adsr emulate the realism of sounds u use when sampling..so for like a sampled wind instrument u could adjust the attack so that the sample doesnt play loudy the first few milisecs. Helps give samples a more realistic sound...It can also be used very creatively as well..people that chop samples where theres an up front drum sound at the start of the chop know what im talking about.. adjust that attack and ...lol..adsr can be discussed in much much much deeper detail

JJOS has audio tracks meaning: lets say i have a beat going...drums, samples, I could pick up my guitar arm an audio track and lay down my guitar (audio) in sync with my beat and it will record the audio...no sampling mode needed..its right in the main sequence view

The akai os does not have Mtc

lol AND WHEN I SAID "DRUMROLL" i was just leading up to the #1 feature of all....Efficient workflow...u know how an announcer would present a winner and ask for....drumroll And as far as freezes crashes...in 2 years my mpc froze on me twice due to a bug...but both were fixed with updated os's within days. Check out this link to compare features http://http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/chart.htm

[Castro Beats]

No prob....
Quantize strength: Basically works like this? Quantize strength works to "loosen up" or even tighten up the timing of notes played......i can adjust the quantise strength to loosen up when the notes are recorded so even if i record at 1/8th quantise i could set my quantise strength to 70% which would allow for a looser feel...So if the quantise strength is set to 100% then the notes will be recorded at the exact quantise its supposed to...in reverse lets say i recorded a sequence where my playing is too loose...i could increase the quant. strength to tighten up my playing..Hope that makes sense and this is different from swing. Quant strength adds variation to all notes.

Its been a while since i used the akai os but on the 1000 i dont think it has adsr (attack, decay, sustain, release) you got to look this up cuz its too much to write but in short when using samples, u can loose certain control of sounds ...u use adsr emulate the realism of sounds u use when sampling..so for like a sampled wind instrument u could adjust the attack so that the sample doesnt play loudy the first few milisecs. Helps give samples a more realistic sound...It can also be used very creatively as well..people that chop samples where theres an up front drum sound at the start of the chop know what im talking about.. adjust that attack and ...lol..adsr can be discussed in much much much deeper detail

JJOS has audio tracks meaning: lets say i have a beat going...drums, samples, I could pick up my guitar arm an audio track and lay down my guitar (audio) in sync with my beat and it will record the audio...no sampling mode needed..its right in the main sequence view

The akai os does not have Mtc

lol AND WHEN I SAID "DRUMROLL" i was just leading up to the #1 feature of all....Efficient workflow...u know how an announcer would present a winner and ask for....drumroll And as far as freezes crashes...in 2 years my mpc froze on me twice due to a bug...but both were fixed with updated os's within days. Check out this link to compare features http://http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/chart.htm

Thank for you the explanation on quantization, but I think you may have misunderstood my initial question. I am fully aware of what quantization is, I was just curious as to what the note values i.e 1/16, 1/32, the quantize could be set to, and how high or low the swing percentage can go, (the MPC only goes from 50-75% if I'm not mistaken).

Also, your statements regarding ADSR were somewhat confusing. Again, for MPC OS, if you go to your Program sub-menu, highlight the volume and press "WINDOW", you are allowed to adjust the attack and decay.

The audio tracks being able to be recorded in real-time is definitely a cool feature, but not something that really makes this OS a "must-have" for me personally.

In regard to the MTC, the MPC OS does have it. It's referred to as MIDI/SYNC. http://www.akaipro.com/syncprotools

Ohh, drumroll, gotcha.

[Carlreese]

Good to hear this now..