Machinedrum updates?

Astrolab · 2014-01-22T15:43:33.000Z

Nice and interesting comparison!

agehherst · 2014-01-22T15:45:37.000Z

Hi, Daffydub,
well, that’s why I never got the Spectralis or the Tempest (although I was tempted) but rather non-OS gear like Cwejman S1, GRP A4, modules and an analogue sequencer, and software like Live for complex and reproducible sequencing and digital stuff.
Elektron on the other hand, with its OS-dependent gear lives (or at least lived) on its (so far well-earned) reputation of good and loving care even for old and senile machines

arsecrack · 2014-01-22T15:49:10.000Z

""agehherst"":

Second an update urgently!

Bought the (MD uw+ and MnM) not so long ago and one of the main reasons was my trust in Elektron’s continuous care for older products.

But with this plethora of new products in ever increasing rates (yes, I got 2 OTs and an AF myself, and I do like them, especially in combination with modules and other stuff) I’m gradually getting second thoughts about current Elektron policies. Seems like they don’t care for their older products any more and have started churning out lucrative new products at a fast pace instead of consolidating and keeping old products current. Pity!

Makes me also think twice about getting more Elektron stuff, although AK and AR look interesting enough, but how to be sure that updates like the great AF OS 1.1(c) will keep getting published once there is a market saturation in a year or 2 or 3?

As for the MD: had I known about the new AR I definitely would have saved about 500 EUR on the UW+ feature. One more reason now to sweeten the pill for recent MD buyers with a great new update including many feature wishes from over at elektron-users over the years and some new features from the current products, esp. from the OT.

Go for it, Elektron, and remember the value of a stable and faithful customer base, instead of just appealing to Elektron fan boys!

What? The MD is a finished and fully functional machine. They don’t have to keep adding stuff because they have bettered their technology in more recent machines. It is what it is, if it does not suit you then get something else.

Old_Dub_Dude · 2014-01-22T15:50:53.000Z

Compared to MD… I feel senile

teevee · 2014-01-22T15:53:22.000Z

""arsecrack"":

What? The MD is a finished and fully functional machine. They don’t have to keep adding stuff because they have bettered their technology in more recent machines. It is what it is, if it does not suit you then get something else.

Then it is false marketing on their page:
“Enjoy continuous OS updates”

They should replace it with:
“Enjoy continuous OS updates for only….”

arsecrack · 2014-01-22T16:00:49.000Z

Yeah, but it has to be what, 12 years old now? If there was something wrong with it then I would understand. I do wish that Waldorf be half as forward as Elektron.

teevee · 2014-01-22T16:08:23.000Z

""arsecrack"":

Yeah, but it has to be what, 12 years old now? If there was something wrong with it then I would understand. I do wish that Waldorf be half as forward as Elektron.

Maybe old, yes?

Akai Mpc-1000 is about that age too, latest OS (JJOS) update was 1 week ago and there will probably come a new one with new features next month again………

arsecrack · 2014-01-22T16:12:44.000Z

JJOS is not from the Manufacturer though.

Old_Dub_Dude · 2014-01-22T16:12:45.000Z

JJOS is third party software…Akai has nothing to do with it

cosmosuave · 2014-01-22T16:17:59.000Z

What if they discontinue the MD and then make the OS open source?

arsecrack · 2014-01-22T16:18:31.000Z

Then it’s fair game.

void · 2014-01-22T16:36:24.000Z

that would be so awesome.

smais · 2014-01-22T17:40:41.000Z

Surely at some point the Machinedrum becomes full. You can’t expect big updates forever as they have limited storage space, especially in the non+drive versions. Sure they could do tweaks and small back end changes, but a whole new machine could take more space than they have.

tasmansea · 2014-01-22T18:07:46.000Z

'spose microtiming is all it needs no?

poonti · 2014-01-22T18:24:24.000Z

Chances of any further significant OS updates on the MD are slim to none…it’s a 12 year old machine, with a 12 year old DSP…fahgit aboot it

FreeFall · 2014-01-22T18:39:53.000Z

There has to be a limit to peoples expectations.

I would rather Elektron focus on fixing bugs and creating better manuals and tutorial content.

808 and 909 haven’t been updated, ever, and people are still using them and loving them, and not bummed about them not having every feature under the sun …because people understand that the machine is complete as it is.

Perhaps the expectation of always getting something new creates disappointment when the well runs dry.

switchbox · 2014-01-22T19:22:12.000Z

microtiming and the possibility to share drumsetting between different kits would be killer…anything else is fine already.

lu_ce71 · 2014-01-22T19:29:32.000Z

""arsecrack"":

It has it’s own quirky Perf modes though with Ctrl machines etc. Leave it be I say. We don’t want too much overlap of machines, they have their own character.
I was playing around with Ctrl al again last night and again getting blown away by this machine. Everytime I use it it suprises me. Old tricks on new samples and sequences can make this seem like a new machine every time.

+1 … AND YES: AMEN!

lu_ce71 · 2014-01-22T19:30:13.000Z

""arsecrack"":

I love the machine as it is and it’s sound is what it is. All I would dream of is non quantised live recording and separate track lengths.
The AR will have these I would have thought so the two would work amazingly together if you like vast complex Rhythms.

+1

lu_ce71 · 2014-01-22T19:37:16.000Z

MD is a Classic Drum Machine,with tons of features and creative possibilities!
It has a distinct character also because of its limitations.
Nobody’s blaming Roland for not updating 808s and such!
The MD don’t even have an USB port.
I think they pushed the onboard technology far enough with even the +Drive upgrade.
I would love to have micro timing and polyrithms, but (on the bright side) it has MULTIPLE OUTPUTS!! nobody’s getting those anymore
Just let it be what it is… perfect!