So I put a support ticket in on the SP-16 a few weeks ago showing that the Toriaz SP-16 is not properly calculating tempo/beat length about 80% of the time. Pioneer was nice enough to listen and asked me to send in a video demonstrating the issue so I made a video and sent it to them. Their support engineers agreed there is an issue but they told me it's a pretty big fix so it's not something they can fix quickly. They did tell me they are going to release a firmware update to fix this issue. I have no idea if they are going to add any further features into the firmware.
I am very impressed that Pioneer was willing to listen to my issue and acknowledged the issue once I sent the video. Many companies would have just ignored me. I am really impressed with Pioneer and their support! I don't know if anyone has noticed but when you pick a sample, it often will double the tempo so if it's suppose to be 80 BPM it sets it at 160 BPM and you have to fix the length from 8 to 4 bars to set the tempo properly. Then you have to save the sample and it's fixed. Doing this on every sample is time consuming and the machine should get it right in 90% of cases given technology and the ability of programming, hardware etc. these days.
Anyway, I absolutely LOVE the Toriaz SP-16 and it's the only piece of equipment I have bought since owning my Ensoniq EPS-16+ that has really inspired me to enjoy making music. It just makes the entire process fun again. I think Pioneer has an amazing piece of equipment here. The sound quality is just unreal. It sounds so much better then output of Ableton, my MPC and Teenage Engineering samplers. Pioneer has something special here.
I know it's probably not selling as well as they want but they need to keep in mind they are going directly at Akai MPC and they need to show everyone they are serious about staying dedicated to this device. I think many people are reluctant to make the jump because they can just go MPC and it's a safe bet Akai is going to support it long term and continue to add features. I think if Pioneer continues to support the product and release firmware and show they are going to stay dedicated to this product, more and more people are going to take the chance and move over to the Toriaz products.
I don't even use my MPC or OP-1 anymore because I enjoy using the SP-16 so much and I can't get the MPC or OP-1 to output the same quality of sound as the SP-16. I truly hope Pioneer continues to support this product - and not only support it - but really stay dedicated to it and release regular updates. Pioneer, keep in mind it's going to take time for word to spread around that this device is amazing and then people want to see the company continue to support it long-term.
I think the SP-16 is starting to hit critical mass with more people looking at it and purchasing it. More people are starting to realize what a great device it is so I think it can seriously challenge the MPC long-term. It has all the features I need to produce and the great thing about it is that it doesn't get loaded down with complex features and workflows you don't need.
And MAN - the step sequencer on the front is the BEST!
Anyway, Pioneer great product and I hope you continue to support it!
I thank you all for the conversation, but will close it and leave you with this last thought...
The SP-16 has received more updates and new features than any similar product in its class.
Post is closed for comments.
Dude you are giving a lot of praise to a product that is severly under powered with lots of bugs. How can you be happy about something that can't even get tempo right for you? the most basic thing.
Anyone that happens to see this post, I personally would not recco buying the toraiz. Updates are very infrequent and the device is fundamentally underpowered which is probably causing most of the headaches for the devs(in my opinion). Device is light on FX. Some other fundamental features are missing as well, midi is sketch.
You are going to be waiting a long time for your bugfix! Last firmware update was Oct 2019. And they'll probably just release a big update as a new product, so dont' get your hopes up.
The road map link doesn't even work anymore.If anyone has an updated link, please post.
I would love to feel as good as you about the money I dropped for this device but i don't...... yet. Am I hopeful, nope.
"Time will tell. If they do provide updates soon and support the products, I think they are going to be fantastic products."
This device came out in 2016, time has already told that they don't care about the product. Shouldn't have to wait years for bug fixes.
Pandemic has nothing to do with it. They weren't making frequent updates beforehand.
I’m with Scott McCarthy. I love the SP-16, and I paid the original price. Pioneer is slacking on the update, but I’ve had a lot of samplers and I keep this, and the Octatrack. If the SP-16 had slightly better sample editing facilities I’d ditch the Octatrack.
The SP-16 sounds great because Pioneer didn’t skimp on the converters, the analog filter is awesome, analog limiter on the input was genius, flexible and robust output routing, the UI is very simple and straightforward, the only effects that suck in my opinion are the distortion (because digital) and the reverb which is always much better in a dedicated unit, and its built like a piece of furniture.
The SP-16 has a fast and fun workflow.
I have a couple other posts that are feature requests myself, but I still really love the SP-16. Optimally I hope pioneer would implement all the features that were shown in the original documentation, but I still like what I get out of it when I use it.
Ironically, the SP-16 is more MPC to me than what the MPC has become.
Well, if Pioneer gives up on the SP-16 they are brain dead and the company is doomed to fail. The sound you get out of this unit is like nothing else. If they can't see that, then sell it off to another company and let someone who gets it develop it.
They are literally sitting on one of the best samplers ever developed and they just have to make an effort to make the fixes and changes people are asking for. Also, how difficult can it be to upgrade the processor or release an updated hardware version as well to refresh the line.
This thing has the same sound as the Ensoniq line which is something I haven't heard in a long time. Products like these take years to build a market and if they keep pushing forward with it, they can really get a good base of customers. Many people are realizing DAWs are not the end all to music production.
I really hope they don't give up on it because it's an amazing machine.
Wow, how do I get PDJ to address the firmware bug I reported to them nearly 3 years ago?
See my original post...
I have videos of my reported issue too!
I put a ticket in and worked with the person who took the ticket.
I do understand your frustration with the infrequent updates. I have personally made some of my best songs on the SP-16 so I am not that upset about it as you are. With that said, I do agree that I would like to see Pioneer put more resources into the updates into the unit. This is why MPC still rules because Akai puts nonstop attention into the MPC. Do keep in mind that we are going through a pandemic and it has really hit companies and there resources - especially companies like Pioneer. Now that things are improving, let's see if Pioneer provides more updates, etc.
Maybe you are right but I hope Pioneer stands behind these products and starts updating more frequently. They really put a lot of time into my issue so that's really encouraging. If the product was dead, they wouldn't have bothered with it.
Time will tell. If they do provide updates soon and support the products, I think they are going to be fantastic products. However, if nothing comes out and Pioneer abandons these products or gives them the minimum attention, then I am going to buy an MPC and am not looking back and it will be a long time if ever I will ever consider buying a Pioneer product again.
I want to give them the benefit of the doubt given the pandemic situation.
I like your enthusiasm but im afraid you will be disappointed very soon. "Engineers are working hard" on updates and bugs day 'n' night is classic marketing phrase from Pioneer... Reality and final product is what you see and get now. They stopped everything on As-1 in 2017 and two years later on Sp-16.