Yea sorry dac that UI is really ugly. I do like the 16 qlink controls. Also I really like the solid transport buttons. This is something I have always liked about real MPC's, you get that huge clunky transport that just feels great to hit. My concerns about this product are #1 the Pads, Akai can say it is the classic MPC pads but EVERYONE knows that after the MPC2000xl the pads got pretty bad. I have not used an MPD/MPC where the pads are as good as the older MPC 60/3000/2000. #2 Akai also has a horrible track record in software, they have proven terrible at it time and time again. #3 Akai is still the horrible asshole filled company they always where, so tech support will be terrible.
That being said, I can't freaking wait to try it out. It does look really cool. The reality is that if Akai can't make this a success then the MPC will lose the battle. Personally I still think Maschine has already won. But getting a real competitor is a good thing.
Also I will have to laugh at all the hardware heads, I wonder if they will stay with the claim that this MPC doesn't sounds as good, blah, blah.....