It's official: Akai have no plans to fix MPD32 firmware bug

chris_in_london · Post by **chris_in_london** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:29 pm

Just received this:

"At this time there are no immediate plans for an update to the MPD32.

Best Regards,
Justin Baro"

Meef Chaloin · Post by **Meef Chaloin** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:32 pm

I guess they won't mind everyone asking for a refund then for a product that doesn't do what it is meant to do

chris_in_london · Post by **chris_in_london** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:42 pm

This is the support message I sent:

Can you let me know if there is a firmware update for the MPD32 on the way?
Several of the Global settings are not saved after power-off, which is not
good.

It's been almost a year since i bought the unit, and would like to know if
an update can be expected. Please support your customers and fix these bugs.

Thanks

Illum · Post by **Illum** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:59 pm

Akai is famous for this.

chris_in_london · Post by **chris_in_london** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:02 pm

Meef Chaloin wrote:I guess they won't mind everyone asking for a refund then for a product that doesn't do what it is meant to do

Innit! I just spoke to the shop where I bought it regarding a refund. They put me in touch with the area rep who supplies them with Akai gear. He called me and is going to find out wtf is going on. Seemed genuinely concerned, is going to get speak to Akai head office in the states, and get back to me in a couple of days.

I'll keep posting as stuff happens (or doesn't).

... hardware faults excepted, this is such a simple fix. why can't they just do it?

LoopStationZebra · Post by **LoopStationZebra** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:43 pm

APC fun here we come.

Wonder if Ableton has written something into their contract with Akai that compels them to fix their gear...?

Willyum · Post by **Willyum** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:52 pm

I just sent them this.....

"I just read on the Ableton forums, that you guys have no intentions on fixing the many problems with the MPD32, including loss of global control settings on shut down and non functioning incremental-decremental endless encoders.

Is this true?

If not, I will not be supporting the Akai/Ableton APC40, or any of your newer products.

My Akai MPD32 serial # is (**)***************

I will send this letter to all departments."

But I only actually sent to 3 different departments... Press, Tech, and General. I should have sent it to sales too.

chris_in_london · Post by **chris_in_london** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:34 pm

just got this message from Akai support:

"Good news! I was able to confirm that there is an update in the works and
will be released soon. Keep an eye on the website as things can change
quickly."

starving student · Post by **starving student** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:53 pm

on the mpc forums they call them Wakai

for just this sort of thing but I loves me some mpc

creature · Post by **creature** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:10 pm

Get your self a padkontrol instead. Mine turned up the other day and it is great

kb420 · Post by **kb420** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:14 pm

Wow!

I never realized there was a problem with this, but then again, I just leave my MPD and my computer on all the time.

bodhi71 · Post by **bodhi71** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:55 pm

I just read on the Ableton forums, that you guys have no intentions on fixing the many problems with the MPD32, including loss of global control settings on shut down and non functioning incremental-decremental endless encoders.

Is this true?

If not, I will not be supporting the Akai/Ableton APC40, or any of your newer products

Totally agree

Allan A.Live · Post by **Allan A.Live** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:57 pm

john doe by choice · Post by **john doe by choice** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:11 pm

For those who don't know (I'm betting a bunch of you do already), Akai Pro is now under the Numark umbrella, same as Alesis (another company that went in the shitter once sold) - if you don't care for Akai's present R&D/customer service, try reading reviews on Numark gear and service...eerily similar.

Akai, much like Alesis, had a heyday, where they were overcharging for products but were making killer stuff (everything they made up until the MPC4000/2000xl was solid and worth keeping); now they just overcharge.

Akai just isn't profitable anymore, and have been behind the curve for years now - until they throw everything out, come up with a great new innovation and make it better than anything else with killer support, they're headed for a dumpster, while Numark slaps their name on the next MPC, the final nail in the coffin.

jonny72 · Post by **jonny72** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:16 pm

john doe by choice wrote:For those who don't know (I'm betting a bunch of you do already), Akai Pro is now under the Numark umbrella, same as Alesis (another company that went in the shitter once sold) - if you don't care for Akai's present R&D/customer service, try reading reviews on Numark gear and service...eerily similar.

I sold Numark DJ equipment for a number of years in my shop, never had any problems with the quality or service - completely the opposite. I haven't had any dealings with them for a number of years now though, so things could have changed.

Numark owning Akai and Alesis isn't a new thing either, they've owned them for years though they seem to run Akai at an arms length.