Mpc or akai mpd with Resaon

[rawtunez]

Mpds suck, every one of them. I had to mod mines to get the pads to be more responsive. I may just have bad luck with Akai products because the mpd1000s pads suck too.


on a positive not you can find mpd 16 for really cheap

[swamp]

im selling my MP 1000 if anybody is interested drop me a PM!

[deejay2x]

I use them all. MPC, Reason, PT, Logic, etc.

depends on a lot of things.
Price range..
if your working in the box and then gonna track out to a DAW... sticking to a DAW may be the future for newer producer/engineers.
Affordable, limitless on memory and storage, always upgradeable, etc. Compare price difference and bang for the buck.

Feel...
Theres a difference with MPCs rather than the smaller controllers. more so 1k & up. MPC users love the feel of the pads and the feel of them. I myself don't like the newer MPC pads or smaller pads compared to the 2kxl and older. The MPD 32 pads are same size as the older MPCS and feel is almost the same. MPC500 pads and are the same as MPK49 and I beleive the MPD24 too. I hate my MPK49 pads and never use them.. then again. I use my MPK49 keys and have grown on it since its always right in front of my face along with my laptop.

Sampling...
Yes the MPC has sampling features but so does computer based DAWs. The difference is how well can you work them. Daws are obviously have a slight advantage towards speed. You can see a lot more visually and once you get used to whatever sampling software you use... workflow is quick since you actually see the sample and know where the chops are. MPC is quite the same but your limited to that small screen.Remember... software sampling... it depends on how big your hard drives, thats how much sampling time you have. MPC has space, flash drive, and usb port but still... computers... nowadays 200+GB space built in. And a 1TB cost nearly nothing

Last is workflow...
go to guitar center and try both of them out... read up on the features before you go there. See how comfortable you are with them and if you learn quicker on one of them... that might be your decision maker.

Me personally... I don't even use my MPCs anymore just because I can take my laptop wherever I want... I don't really need a controller when I'm away. I can pull out my laptop at the airport and work completely in the box. When I want to feel that old school feel... I take out my MPC but thats once in a great while. Most MPC hard core users use them because they're comfortable with their workflow and thats it.... Yes sound quality.... you can hear a difference between digital ITB compared to hardware but not your average consumer nor a lot of up and coming producers can hear a difference and/or don't appreciate sound quality.

Hope it helps.

[3rd Degree]

An MPC and an MPD work almost exactly the same as a midi controller. The more expensive ones have a bunch of faders and knobs which I personally don't use, nor do most people who own them that I know. The MPC is basically the same thing as a controller outside of needing to load up a midi program (if you want it to be chromatic) and having a power cord. It is the same thing, you can use them the same way, and you will not know which you are using.

Then the MPC has the ability to sample and sequence.

I just don't get how people can say that an MPC is bad choice. It may not be as cost effective but can easily be used a midi controller, stand alone, and easily be used with reason as a slave through midi. You have 3 different ways to use an MPC (plus the 1k has USB/card reader which allows you to load up a bunch of stuff, chop on the computer if you like, etc). Basically, with an mpc combined with reason, you have 3 different ways to work where the mpd and reason/recycle give you one. I don't get how the mpc could be a worse idea.

[maestrothugg]

uhuh

[fooloof]

i sequence everything thru my 3k. i control 4 outboard synths plus my vsts. the mp controls everything. i don't use a laptop because i don't have time to make beats while grocery shopping or running errands. i think most people that are anti-mpc have never used one. lots of people do it all itb, too. personally, i don't like having to turn on a computer and load up programs in order to make music. i guess that's why i haven't even installed trillian and omnishpere or used my komplete 6 (installed it, but that's it). virus polar ti2 and korg ms2k, and a couple of modules. i also use my sp-1200 as a sound module now and sample drums i've had awhile. i recently got the numark portable turntable for sampling. outboard gear will always be my mainstay, while the software is to be supplemental. i actually bought logic 9 and ableton 8, but returned them unopened. i realized that i only need a daw to record and edit (pro tools).

[bruceferraudi]

Is this a bit of venting? .....yes
Is my situation unique? ....yes
Is there something to learn from what Im about to say? ....most likely

When I started I used a Korg workstation only and though I got my feet wet I would love the opportunity to go back in time and make another choice-probably an MPC2000/3000 but really almost anything besides that 1600 dollar piece of Japaneese plastic. Weak drums, cheap keys and build quality, and an annoying menu system and no realistic sounds. Made a couple of Ok tracks but was so limited with the pop-ish sounds and no sampling ability. Being self taught I had thought that was what people started with. I was wrong. Current value...$500 on a good day.

A little later I picked up my first PC mainly to use for recording as well as an Event EZBus mixer/USB interface. I struggled figuring out how to use it on my own but had very limited knowledge. Sure, the EZbus is a decent digital mixer but its worth less than a quarter of what I paid for it and is mostly unecessary for hip hop and limited to recording two tracks at once and only works with certain computers. Current value=about $100

I then picked up an MBox which crapped out in the first 6 months bc of failed hardware/connection. Ugly, cheap-feeling little plastic box too.
Current value=0

And then an EMU 1212M/Emulator soundcard/sampler/sound module. I like the sounds but latency was a problem and configuration of the mixer software difficult to understand. Use only as dedicated sound module for layering into another audio interface when Im really bored but usually have more latency than success.
Current value=less than $50

Tried using Reason by itself and boy does it suck programming everything with a mouse. And having to setup a midi controller can be a challenge-though this has become much easier-if not downright simple. With a midi controller Reason is drastically more useable but your looking at the cost of a dedicated computer, the controller and Reason. Thats going to cost you a thousand easy bc the computer you surf the net with and watch porn on is eventually going to get a virus or falter at some point with all the music you created.
Current value on current PC/Vista=0

Tried Cubase SL2 for $200 Didnt use any of its advanced features and didnt like the layout.
Current value=0 (free equivelant with many interfaces)

After that was a Digi 001 interface I bought used off a friend bc I knew it worked and which was reasonably reliable. Did the job but sound quality was noticably inferior to the middle end recording stuff made in the last couple of years. Pro Tools is great for editing audio but so are all the rest once you figure them out so dont waste your money on their overpriced, average performing interfaces. Their tech support blows too-and they charge you a dollar a minute no matter if the product is faulty or its user error. Not sure if it died for good but it eventually quit working on my aging PC.
Current value=0

I eventually picked up a Motif ES and an MPC1000BK. Guess what gear I use today that is still worth something, reliable and actually fun to make music with? The MPC and Motif.

If you add it up I spent almost $4000 on recording gear and audio interfaces and computers +$1600 on a Korg Workstation and all they do is take up space in storage now. I keep them as a sad reminder of how quickly most technology becomes obsolete-not even worth the hassle of selling. Lesson learned. If you add it all up I spent $6000 for gear that probably wouldn't even net you an used MPC25000/3000 today.

So what do I use now?
In order of use....

MPC1000 (Hardware sequencer, drum programming/playback, and sampling)

Motif ES (keys/general sound module/source)

Gateway PC (got as gift from Dad when he upgrade to IMAC) +

Presonus Firestudio Mobile +Studio One (for recording, editing and effects)

Novation K-Station-bass and some synth sounds (budget Moog with lots of knobs and not worth selling at this point)

Though I believe a hybrid is definitely ideal if I had to give up the hard or the soft it would without a doubt be the soft.

[bruceferraudi]

PC/MAC+Reason+DAW+MPD=Lots of options and really no limitations and better sample editing for sure but MPDs just dont feel right to me and your going to be dealing with some latency most likely and your looking to spend much more than an MPC will cost you. The computer and your software will be obsolete and worthless in the next few years and you'll be lucky to not get a virus on your computer. Your going to need to backup to external hard drives most definitely.

MPC1000 or better+PC+Ableton or Reason+DAW
MPC's crash occasionaly but less frequently than most of the DAWS/computers Ive owned and because compact flash cards are solid state they will save all previous work almost indefinitely. I love sequencing with hardware because it takes half the time that your average PC and DAW take to boot-those first minutes are valuable. I prefer to create first and save later and the MPC and Motif simplify this process for me drastically.

MPC1000(or better)+records/samples+Moog and/or Fantom/Motif =GOLDEN TICKET

These will likely last you 5-10 years minimum and still be reasonably relevant. These pieces are very reliable overall and have a much better workflow (with the exception of sample editing) which equals more time making music instead of downloading updates, virus software, and figuring out all the compatability and latency that plagues so many systems. Plus, most likely someone will actually want to buy them from you when your ready to upgrade or move on. Try selling someone even a 3 year old computer and get ready for either silence or laughter.

Though it took alot of time to figure out what worked for me and am pretty happy with my current setup... if I could go back in time here is what I would have got for my $5000-all of which are worth about the same now as 5 years ago.

MPC3000
MiniMoog
ASR 88 key

I would make my own samples and after I made some good material I would go find a local studio, guitarist and bassist to work with. Your results will vary however and I cant stress the importance of finding a good mentor and trying stuff out in-depth before you buy.

[poker]

I wanna thank the contributors to this thread. It's the best read on the 'debate' I've found so far. Unfortunately, I still don't know what path to take. I think I'll kind of flip a coin.

I've been borrowing a MPC1000 and have been enjoying it but I need to return it soon. If I get a used one off of Ebay in a few days, I'll live with it. If I don't get one on Ebay then I'll get a MPD26 and either Reason or Ableton.

I can't afford to buy a new MPC1000 but I hate not knowing if the used MPC1000 I'm getting will have the new pads or not. If I get it cheap, I'll try not to care and learn how to live with it.

I'll end up with either a
-used MPC1000 for $500'ish
or
-new MPD26 with Reason/Recycle for $500'ish

[Lifer]

Native Instruments Maschine kills them all..
I own Ableton, PT HD, Reason, Logic, MPC 4000 and Maschine sounds better and is fully compatable with them all.
check out some vids online and see for yourself. If your budget stretches its a no brainer.

[F Major]

Originally Posted by Lifer

Native Instruments Maschine kills them all..
I own Ableton, PT HD, Reason, Logic, MPC 4000 and Maschine sounds better and is fully compatable with them all.
check out some vids online and see for yourself. If your budget stretches its a no brainer.

Yay now prepare for the flaming that is headed for this thread.

[BOSSMAN818]

The Maschine is Nice I picked up one im amazed its the future. a total Hybrid. I have Reason 4.01 AND A MPD32 as well as MPC2500. the MASCHINE is A Different type of Beast with more updates coming soon its going to even get better.

[bruceferraudi]

The Maschine wins for features and has tons of included sounds and is easily the best/first true hybrid system for certain types of music...

but a genuine MPC (1000 and up) feel so much more solid. The pads and casing provide for a better user experience whereas the Maschines pads felt a little spongy and the unit felt a little cheap but I suppose its all relative to what you have been using. And Maschine feels way better than any of the MPD/MPK that Ive tried but still feels sorta toyish compared to a real MPC. I think the integration with the software is fantastic and I'd like to experiment with it's library some more but thats what competitors like Battery, GURU and BPM are for and these are less costly and provide similar sounds/features.

I'd spend some time-at least a couple of hours trying both...and make sure you use the MPC midi'd to some good sounds from either hardware/software for fair comparison as the MPC is primarily a sequencer/sampler. Save yourself lots of money down the road by doing some real testing at a retailer or through friends.

[bruceferraudi]

You could try an MPC1000 with some of the decent free VSTs/Samplers to use as your source of sounds beyond the limited set that comes with an MPC.

If your on XP I have a genuine copy of Reason (with box/CDS/etc.) I would be willing to sell for $100. Its a great place to start-especially with a nice unit like a 1000. As you can probably tell by now-I'm personally a bit allergic to MPDs though some people dont have any issues with them. They're just too stiff....thats what she said!

[YumYumRolex]

Originally Posted by JaeOne3345

what the hell u talkin' about?

Never heard of battlecat? LOL.

This forum is hilarious.

LMAOOOOOO!!!!

[Thysta]

Don't buy the MPD. I don't want to downtalk Akai but that product is for wannabes who want to feel like they have an mpc and show it on youtube.

on an MPD16, the pads are nothing like the mpc pads, absolutely different. I had one and now have an MPC500 so I used both.

if you want a controller, buy a m audio trigger finger, I think even that's better.

[Goa-Dubs]

Well.24 bit rate,q links,large screen,expandable,hard drive,aksys,bulletproof sequencer.tough pads(gives you a feelin of confidence) and looking good......MPC 4000..and There pretty cheap nowadays.ultimately it sounds huge.add software to spice up.done.and when you want to travel all your data is in your laptop!!!!!!! edit-and who mentioned maschine anyways???

[RTR]

wouldn't the mpd be almost the same as useing a midi keyboard controller?

[NaturalBlack]

Originally Posted by RTR

wouldn't the mpd be almost the same as useing a midi keyboard controller?

Yes. the exact same

[YumYumRolex]

MPD + Reason is only official if its a 32, I used to have a MPD32, now since Gear is being let go at unheard of prices, I got a MPC3000 and a Motif ES6....I midi everything into Reason into Pro Tools, so I would go with the MPC just to have my drum machine instead of using a program, thats kind of gay, it takes away from the whole aspect of producing...

[YumYumRolex]

Originally Posted by T Prod.

Don't buy the MPD. I don't want to downtalk Akai but that product is for wannabes who want to feel like they have an mpc and show it on youtube.

on an MPD16, the pads are nothing like the mpc pads, absolutely different. I had one and now have an MPC500 so I used both.

if you want a controller, buy a m audio trigger finger, I think even that's better.

I feel you, **** the MPD....I used to have the 32...if you go on YouTube and search MPC3000 and Motif ES6, check out that video, thats my setup...

[YumYumRolex]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

An MPC and an MPD work almost exactly the same as a midi controller. The more expensive ones have a bunch of faders and knobs which I personally don't use, nor do most people who own them that I know. The MPC is basically the same thing as a controller outside of needing to load up a midi program (if you want it to be chromatic) and having a power cord. It is the same thing, you can use them the same way, and you will not know which you are using.

Then the MPC has the ability to sample and sequence.

I just don't get how people can say that an MPC is bad choice. It may not be as cost effective but can easily be used a midi controller, stand alone, and easily be used with reason as a slave through midi. You have 3 different ways to use an MPC (plus the 1k has USB/card reader which allows you to load up a bunch of stuff, chop on the computer if you like, etc). Basically, with an mpc combined with reason, you have 3 different ways to work where the mpd and reason/recycle give you one. I don't get how the mpc could be a worse idea.

Cmon Man, thats what Ive been saying, how dare someone say you should buy a MPD over a MPC...

[YumYumRolex]

Originally Posted by bruceferraudi

Is this a bit of venting? .....yes
Is my situation unique? ....yes
Is there something to learn from what Im about to say? ....most likely

When I started I used a Korg workstation only and though I got my feet wet I would love the opportunity to go back in time and make another choice-probably an MPC2000/3000 but really almost anything besides that 1600 dollar piece of Japaneese plastic. Weak drums, cheap keys and build quality, and an annoying menu system and no realistic sounds. Made a couple of Ok tracks but was so limited with the pop-ish sounds and no sampling ability. Being self taught I had thought that was what people started with. I was wrong. Current value...$500 on a good day.

A little later I picked up my first PC mainly to use for recording as well as an Event EZBus mixer/USB interface. I struggled figuring out how to use it on my own but had very limited knowledge. Sure, the EZbus is a decent digital mixer but its worth less than a quarter of what I paid for it and is mostly unecessary for hip hop and limited to recording two tracks at once and only works with certain computers. Current value=about $100

I then picked up an MBox which crapped out in the first 6 months bc of failed hardware/connection. Ugly, cheap-feeling little plastic box too.
Current value=0

And then an EMU 1212M/Emulator soundcard/sampler/sound module. I like the sounds but latency was a problem and configuration of the mixer software difficult to understand. Use only as dedicated sound module for layering into another audio interface when Im really bored but usually have more latency than success.
Current value=less than $50

Tried using Reason by itself and boy does it suck programming everything with a mouse. And having to setup a midi controller can be a challenge-though this has become much easier-if not downright simple. With a midi controller Reason is drastically more useable but your looking at the cost of a dedicated computer, the controller and Reason. Thats going to cost you a thousand easy bc the computer you surf the net with and watch porn on is eventually going to get a virus or falter at some point with all the music you created.
Current value on current PC/Vista=0

Tried Cubase SL2 for $200 Didnt use any of its advanced features and didnt like the layout.
Current value=0 (free equivelant with many interfaces)

After that was a Digi 001 interface I bought used off a friend bc I knew it worked and which was reasonably reliable. Did the job but sound quality was noticably inferior to the middle end recording stuff made in the last couple of years. Pro Tools is great for editing audio but so are all the rest once you figure them out so dont waste your money on their overpriced, average performing interfaces. Their tech support blows too-and they charge you a dollar a minute no matter if the product is faulty or its user error. Not sure if it died for good but it eventually quit working on my aging PC.
Current value=0

I eventually picked up a Motif ES and an MPC1000BK. Guess what gear I use today that is still worth something, reliable and actually fun to make music with? The MPC and Motif.

If you add it up I spent almost $4000 on recording gear and audio interfaces and computers +$1600 on a Korg Workstation and all they do is take up space in storage now. I keep them as a sad reminder of how quickly most technology becomes obsolete-not even worth the hassle of selling. Lesson learned. If you add it all up I spent $6000 for gear that probably wouldn't even net you an used MPC25000/3000 today.

So what do I use now?
In order of use....

MPC1000 (Hardware sequencer, drum programming/playback, and sampling)

Motif ES (keys/general sound module/source)

Gateway PC (got as gift from Dad when he upgrade to IMAC) +

Presonus Firestudio Mobile +Studio One (for recording, editing and effects)

Novation K-Station-bass and some synth sounds (budget Moog with lots of knobs and not worth selling at this point)

Though I believe a hybrid is definitely ideal if I had to give up the hard or the soft it would without a doubt be the soft.

I was gonna say all your ranting was pointless...but you brought it back with the conclusion that you would give up software, how do you like the MOTIF and MPC? I have a 3000 and Motif ES...Dope combo...I midi everything into protools so basically using my hardware as software controllers and vice-versa.

[YumYumRolex]

Originally Posted by bruceferraudi

The Motif and the MPC are like peanut butter and jelly....they're not the absolute richest sounding sources (nor are they below average) but they never let you down and they sound great together.

I had considered for the first time recently possibly selling one of the two because I like how my Proteus/EmulatorX VST sounds and I had my eye on another piece of gear and could use a little extra cash.

So when I got off work today I went into my (bedroom) studio and pressed POWER on all my gear. I didn't have a particular melody or song in mind but I just felt like playing something. Ten minutes later I had laid a solid foundation for a song with just the MPC and Motif and at this point I was damn near ready to do a rough mixdown...............

AND STILL NO PROTEUS/EMULATOR X sound module...or DAW as everything was still loading. Even on a good computer it takes about 10 minutes to boot up and load the samples. On standby it takes about half as long but sometimes soundcards/interfaces need re-syncing.

This is just one of a few-but very critical reason-to always have at least one good workstation that you like the sound of and are comfortable on and why we use MPCs-because you dont HAVE to mess with computer sequencers that sometimes give trouble. It's taken many years to wrap my head around what works for me and what doesn't. Still like having software and a DAW but I wouldn't part with the Motif or MPC. PB&J. Period.

So YES-I like the sound of the Motif and MPC...and a 3000 even more though RAM/Sample time/transfer is a bit limited. Another pair of midi outs like a 3000 has would simplify things for me a little but I just use the midi thru-puts on the Motif and Novation to my other 2 modules. But I wouldn't be without Studio One or EMU sounds either.

I hope your using your 3000+Motif for more than just midi control-that would be a bit overkill but I suppose it leaves room to grow ...Peace.

Thanks Bro...see...that was a ill thing to say...but I havent used the 3000 to its fullest capabilities because I dont know if I have the correct cord for the SCSI drive...Im just learning and relearning this old and outdated technology...its fun though, but yeah man, I love my ****in setup, its easy!!!! and its killer, Im looking to get racks and a maschine once it becomes compatible with Pro Tools...but I want another keyboard too, a XS6...nasty ass keyboard, but yeah man, what kind of gear do you have?