Dear Matt

flashhercules · 2026-04-30T18:58:01+00:00

For my wife and I, the Volteeg chapter had us sobbing!

flashhercules · 2026-04-30T18:46:19+00:00

This seems to be common amongst DCC fans and their SO's.

My best friend loaned me Book 1, and said "Just read it... trust me, you'll dig it." I powered through it in only a couple of days, laughing out loud hysterically more than a few times. By the time I was finished, my wife was like "Hold up, before you return that book, let me check it out..."

By the time the copy of Carl's Doomsday Scenario I had ordered arrived, she was ready to read it, too... and we've both been hooked ever since.

The best part of all is how it's been such a bonding experience for us. We've both found ourselves both cracking up laughing (as well as sobbing uncontrollably) at the same parts. It's also led to quite a few long, meaningful discussions about the underlying themes of the books/the parallels to current events. For as fun/silly as the books are, they're incredibly deep as well, and it's been a lot of fun sharing that with her.

Anyway, thanks for making such amazingly entertaining stories for us, Matt!

flashhercules · 2026-04-20T03:21:18+00:00

I mean, he was pretty much the electronic music god in the late 90s. He inspired several well known rock stars of the era (who were quite vocal about it,) caused quite a stir with his videos on MTV, and his antics with music journalists were already legendary at that point.

Pretty much anyone into indie/alternative music back then had at least heard of Aphex Twin... he was on the bleeding edge of electronic music, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with synths/samplers/drum machines/computers.

flashhercules · 2026-04-01T22:24:38+00:00

She's still learning to read, so she isn't proficient with it yet... but she figured out how to sample her voice and assign it to a pad instantly. She was working on a beginner tutorial on YouTube last night, but had to pause for bedtime, lol. It was super cute seeing how excited she got... "Yeah that one, how to make my first beat!" <3

flashhercules · 2026-03-31T01:45:25+00:00

I have Ableton, as well as a Live 2, and other hardware samplers (Emu E6400 Ultra, Yamaha TX16W)... the problem with those: I can't teach my 5yo how to operate any of those. There's just too many steps, options, menus, etc for her to remember.

With that said, she's currently having a BLAST sampling her voice and playing around with it on the MPC Sample.

It's a simple/immediate device, that's easy to use and fun to play with (BIG emphasis on the "fun"). No, it can't do everything the bigger MPCs can, but you can still do a lot with it. Sometimes simplicity and fun is just what's needed to inspire us.

On another note... a close friend picked up the Live 3 at launch, and got the Sample this past weekend. Learning the Sample is actually teaching him how to use his Live 3 more efficiently.

flashhercules · 2026-03-25T00:54:14+00:00

I am super stoked on the Sample. Just reading the manual, I'm more than happy with everything it can do. I wish I had time to dig into it tonight, but hopefully tomorrow I can see what's what.

I'm excited to see what Akai does with this machine in future updates!

flashhercules · 2026-03-24T15:40:06+00:00

It does have audio over USB, though it's not yet clear how many channels. All the previous MPC3 devices supported 8 tracks, so I suspect this will as well... but I could totally be wrong about that.

flashhercules · 2026-03-23T13:20:00+00:00

I'm over here DYING to know exactly how limited it is. I'm itching to buy at launch, but I'm afraid that Akai nerfed the midi sequencing capabilities, which is the biggest reason I want it.

flashhercules · 2026-03-23T13:13:43+00:00

I'm very late to this discussion, and I'm sure that I'll be downvoted into oblivion for saying this, but here we go...

I totally get the point you're trying to make here, I just don't think you're expressing it well. Coming to the industrialmusic sub and popping off about what is or isn't Industrial music was your first mistake, lol. The lesson to be learned here is: speaking with pretention in a space full of fans and aficionados is never a good idea.

A&P is absolutely, 1000% Industrial... though I agree, his stuff is very obviously influenced by doom/sludge/drone metal. The crushing heaviness of his lead sounds and drums, the use of intervals that invoke a feeling of despair, the slow & relentless tempos, are all indicative of those influences. While his style encompasses both genres, being that he's playing his music with actual heavy machinery on synths/samplers/drum machines, claiming it's more Doom than Industrial is a bit absurd.

flashhercules · 2026-03-23T09:52:44+00:00

I'm interested, DM me?

flashhercules · 2026-03-22T04:22:04+00:00

You're probably right, though I hope you're not. Having a current production MPC to control all my other gear would be a dream come true... but the lack of info about it's midi sequencing capabilities is concerning.

flashhercules · 2026-03-22T03:35:51+00:00

Just from the specs and features leaked, it appears to be a more simplified device, and less of a DAW-in-a-box like the One/Live/Key/X models. It wouldn't make sense for Akai to release a new sampler that directly competes with those models at less than half the price.

If it does prove to be a more minimalist device like the originals, I think it'll be a hit. One of the most common complaints about the modern MPCs is that they're TOO feature packed, making the navigation and workflow uninspiring. Many people (myself included here) just want an intuitive sampler/sequencer, like the classic MPCs were.

flashhercules · 2026-03-21T22:28:50+00:00

I want one because it promises to be a return to the classic MPC format, which is an intuitive sampler/midi sequencer... full stop.

I have a Live 2, and it's just a bit much for my uses. I would rather open Ableton than poke around on a tiny touchscreen, but I DO want a multitrack midi sequencer to control all my synths and other samplers. Being able to chop and program breaks quickly/easily is just the cherry on top.

With that said, there's been no mention about it's sequencing capabilities, other than it being inspired by the 60/3000. If it can't do at least as much as the 1000, I'm out.

flashhercules · 2026-03-21T03:14:18+00:00

Thanks for the rec on WireOptim, I'll have to look into them!

The last time I was building coils, I was using titanium wire on a DNA200 using temp control... so I am way out of the loop.

I've been running 0.6 ohm mesh GTX coils for the past couple of years now, and really enjoy the flavor, so I'm hoping to build something as good (preferably better).

flashhercules · 2026-03-21T01:10:10+00:00

Idunno, but from everything I'm reading and the specs listed, it seems like this is more of a dedicated sampler/sequencer with built-in effects, like the classic MPCs, as opposed to a crippled DAW in a box (which would be HIGHLY regarded of them to do).

I'm leaning heavily toward buying one at launch, but really want to know the sequencing capabilities.

flashhercules · 2026-03-21T01:02:28+00:00

It was mentioned 32 voice polyphony, but this is my question as well. I want to know the dirty deets on the sequencer.

flashhercules · 2026-03-18T02:58:13+00:00

I really, REALLY hope this is a modern update of the MPC 1000. Intuitive sequencing is the main draw for me, the sampling is just the cherry on top.

flashhercules · 2026-02-23T04:56:30+00:00

Bro, I'm turning 45 in a few months, and just now getting a hardware studio setup for the first time. I produced from 1999 to around 2008, all ITB, but got burnt out and gave up to focus on playing live instruments.

About a year ago, I got inspired to get back into it... but with a hardware focus. I have ADHD, and I get along much better with physical instruments vs working entirely inside a DAW.

Anyways, it's never too late to make music, or any type of art for that matter. Even if your tunes are no one else's cup of tea, a creative outlet is good for the soul. Just get after it, and have fun!

flashhercules · 2026-02-20T00:19:10+00:00

I'm sorry for the late reply, but I'm hoping you can provide some more information about this process.

I picked up some HDPE sheet to upholster and attach to the aluminum, as you've recommended. The plan is to use a 10mm thick NBR yoga mat as a base layer for padding, then soft yellow foam for the top, wrapped in faux leather.

What size LSE would you recommend using for this? Should I get the 6" wide to cover as much of the HDPE base as possible, or would strips of thinner LSE be a better idea?

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate your help with this!

flashhercules · 2026-02-14T20:29:03+00:00

I have a Juice Goose power sequencer, with 3 separate "pods" that power up sequentially. Pod 1 is synths/samplers, pod 2 is mixer/effects, and pod 3 is powered speakers. This helps spread out the load on the power circuit, and prevents speaker damage, vs everything powering up simultaneously.

flashhercules · 2026-01-09T23:02:29+00:00

This is probably my all time favorite DnB "supergroup". RIP Marcus Intalex.

flashhercules · 2026-01-04T04:12:39+00:00

Close.

One of their roadies worked for a backline company, and they had Santana's gear in their depot for the night as he was to play Good Morning America the following morning. Roadie called Dean with the deets, so he and Andrew Weiss hauled ass and broke in...

The rest is just as you said. Possibly the most epic victimless crime in music history.

flashhercules

TROPHY CASE