Maschine Mikro vs MPC 500

[JuliusR]

Hey everyone, I have finally saved up enough funds to afford either Native Instrument's Maschine Mikro or the Akai MPC 500. I really want a controller for drums and samples because that's how i compose my music mostly for now. Anyway, I'm currently using Logic and the sampling in Logic is a nightmare and I want to be able to have a portable sampler so I can make beats anywhere and well want to know what is a better purchase? Also for those that know that Maschine software if it is better than Logic for what i want to accomplish?

So yeah pretty much which is better and why? Thanks !

[mikebailey92]

I use maschine a fair bit, and it's great for sampling, and mapping to pads. I also use logic, and most of the time if I'm doing something using maschine, I'll get all my sampling done, drums programmed etc. then export all the separate parts as audio into Logic or Pro Tools for mixing. While in Logic I might add some soft synths or something... I much prefer logic for software instruments - Maschine is pretty much drums and sampling for me.

For Portability, I'd say the MPC is better, because even with a Maschine Mikro, you're attached to a laptop, so it's 2 things you have to carry with you all the time, whereas the MPC is standalone, so no need to carry a laptop around with you.

Maschine does have more pads, than the MPC, which might or might not be important to you.

I've never used the 500, so I can't tell you anything about the build quality, the sound quality or anything like that. But the pads are very comfortable and responsive on Maschine. It's built pretty well too, I've had mine over a year, nothing's malfunctioned, no buttons or knobs have fallen off or anything.

[JuliusR]

Alright yeah, thanks man i mean the Mikro is cheaper and it comes with its own software is it easy to learn? And idk i mean how do you chop your samples with it? is it easy to get decent slices or tedious like in Logic

[mikebailey92]

Yeah, if you watch a couple of tutorials and just mess about with it for a day or two, you'll pretty much have the hang of it. Yeah, you can set it to slice samples automatically, so it'll separate the sample into 16 equal slices, and then you can go in and fine-tune it. Slice points are controlled by knobs, so you can adjust the point, while hitting the pads, so you can hear when you get the slice exactly right. and if you sample a couple of seconds too long, you can use audio truncate to trim samples. To be fair, I've never had any problems slicing samples in logic. I used to slice in the arrange window and then drag the slices into exs24... there might be another way of doing it though. I set up a shortcut, so I could chop on the fly in Logic too... like this:

[JuliusR]

Yeah that's the same method i use to chop samples but it's hard to fine tune them and make them flow without sounding choppy idk maybe I'm just still new at it

[G. Kaye]

Consider a used mpc 1000. Probably better unit than both, and goes for about the same price. I know you said you want portability, but the 1000 is just as lightweight/portable, you just need an outlet to plug it into. And if you think about it, where would you be going with it that there isn't electricity available?

[JuliusR]

Originally Posted by G. Kaye

Consider a used mpc 1000. Probably better unit than both, and goes for about the same price. I know you said you want portability, but the 1000 is just as lightweight/portable, you just need an outlet to plug it into. And if you think about it, where would you be going with it that there isn't electricity available?

What is the main difference from an MPC 500 vs 1000 though?

[kaydigi]

Originally Posted by JuliusR

What is the main difference from an MPC 500 vs 1000 though?

MPC 500
12 Pads
2 Outs
Numbered Chopping instead of visual/traditional wav slicing. (I may be wrong on this, but I remember that being an issue with some other forum members on MPC-Forums).
Battery Capable
Cheap Ebay Ram $20 or less.

MPC 1000
16 Pads (Blue-Red version have bad pads, add almost $180 to cost to replace those)
Pre Chop Shop Akai OS is decent for learning.
JJOS Free and Paid version OS is a workflow enhancer
6 Outs
Can add an HDD (have to pay for cradle)
Can also add large Compact flash card as an internal SSD instead of a laptop HDD.
Can take large size Compact Flash cards
Light weight machine, used mine in the car during lunch breaks plugged in an outlet.
Really cheap on craigslist.
USB 1.1 transfers are slow as hell.
Cheap Ebay Ram $20 or less.

[RonGherkins]

the mpc500 is kind of a crippled mpc compared to the others unless you need battery power. If you have an alright computer already mikro might be the way to go (or a used 1k if you want an mpc and jjos)

[JuliusR]

But with the MPC's sampling will more or less still have to be dependent on my Daw in this case: Logic. I'd still have to chop them up and then send them over and then play a sequence correct?

Whereas the Mikro has its own interface that looks like it really compliments itself ....

Idk someone guide me in the right direction I don't want to make a terrible purchase -___-

[kaydigi]

Originally Posted by JuliusR

But with the MPC's sampling will more or less still have to be dependent on my Daw in this case: Logic. I'd still have to chop them up and then send them over and then play a sequence correct?

Whereas the Mikro has its own interface that looks like it really compliments itself ....

Idk someone guide me in the right direction I don't want to make a terrible purchase -___-

In the MPC you can do all the chopping in the MPC without a PC.

1st vid that comes up on youtube
MPC 1000 Chopping samples and beats 101 (tutorial) - YouTube

[JuliusR]

But the software for maschine looks so clean... and it comes with sounds idk 350 sounds like such a good deal.... like does anyone know what the MPC 500 can do that the mikro cannot?

[MrMeek]

you'll get tired of stock sounds in a few weeks. if you wanna good sampler go get a used mpc 1000 like ppl mentioned.

[JuliusR]

Originally Posted by MrMeek

you'll get tired of stock sounds in a few weeks. if you wanna good sampler go get a used mpc 1000 like ppl mentioned.

I just don't get what the 1000 can do that the mikro cannot lol idk and do you know where i can find good sounds btw? Logic's presets are horrible and i know "google is my best friend" but if you know where i can get good quality drums please help a brother out!

[mikebailey92]

There's not much that one can do that the other can not really. The main thing with the 1000 is that you've got more pads than the 500, and as people have already said - it's not as limited, and you can get JJOS on the 1000, but not the 500. The main benefit of the MPC is not being tied to a computer at all times, sometimes it's good to be able to do stuff and get away from a computer screen.

With Maschine, you can do almost everything on the controller itself. you rarely even have to look at the screen... but at the end of the day, you've still got that usb cable going to the laptop/computer. If you're not bothered by always having to be connected to a computer, then Maschine is probably the way to go. Even with the MPC 1000, you'll have to be plugged into a mains connection somewhere, so it's not as though the MPC holds a distinct advantage over the Maschine for portability, and being able to make music on the go.

I really like the Goldbaby drum samples... check them out. Battery also has a pretty good library.

[JuliusR]

Originally Posted by mikebailey92

There's not much that one can do that the other can not really. The main thing with the 1000 is that you've got more pads than the 500, and as people have already said - it's not as limited, and you can get JJOS on the 1000, but not the 500. The main benefit of the MPC is not being tied to a computer at all times, sometimes it's good to be able to do stuff and get away from a computer screen.

With Maschine, you can do almost everything on the controller itself. you rarely even have to look at the screen... but at the end of the day, you've still got that usb cable going to the laptop/computer. If you're not bothered by always having to be connected to a computer, then Maschine is probably the way to go. Even with the MPC 1000, you'll have to be plugged into a mains connection somewhere, so it's not as though the MPC holds a distinct advantage over the Maschine for portability, and being able to make music on the go.

I really like the Goldbaby drum samples... check them out. Battery also has a pretty good library.

This is true, and honestly the reason i even want a sampler is to be like on the beach and become inspired there or in a park etc., I can only get this with the mpC500 but everyone is so against it so might as well get the mikro since it has it's own software...

[Retrofreak]

Get the Mikro or wait for the MPC Studio

[ASICE]

Originally Posted by Retrofreak

Get the Mikro or wait for the MPC Studio

C/S..........

[0t0b0t]

The MPC 500 is workable and not as limited as some people make it seem.

Chopping is a bitch on it because of the tiny display and only a numeric representation (legacy MPCs aren't any better in this regard). But with a creative approach like assigning pad velocity to sample start and using 12 (velocity) levels you can do nice sample flips.

I have a MPC 5000 and an Octatrack too in the studio.. the 500 is IMO a great unit for on the road, outside in the park, etc.
I prefer it to another solution where I need to have a controller connected to laptop (that has lower battery life than a 500 loaded with eneloop XX).

See the set in my sig. All beats started outside in parks on sunny days.

[JuliusR]

Originally Posted by 0t0b0t

The MPC 500 is workable and not as limited as some people make it seem.

Chopping is a bitch on it because of the tiny display and only a numeric representation (legacy MPCs aren't any better in this regard). But with a creative approach like assigning pad velocity to sample start and using 12 (velocity) levels you can do nice sample flips.

I have a MPC 5000 and an Octatrack too in the studio.. the 500 is IMO a great unit for on the road, outside in the park, etc.
I prefer it to another solution where I need to have a controller connected to laptop (that has lower battery life than a 500 loaded with eneloop XX).

See the set in my sig. All beats started outside in parks on sunny days.

Thanks for pointing that out, and yeah I feel like I'd still be doing my chops on the software anyway because out of my workflow that's what takes the longest, making sure the chop loops smoothly and it's never a perfect 1/16 chop idk how people do that cause BPMs usually change.

But yeah i mean would you say that the MPC 500 will be good for let's say after i load my samples onto the pads and drum kits are installed taking it somewhere with headphones and making an entire beat? then uploading it to my DAW to mix it afterward? I'm using Logic btw

[0t0b0t]

Originally Posted by JuliusR

Thanks for pointing that out, and yeah I feel like I'd still be doing my chops on the software anyway because out of my workflow that's what takes the longest, making sure the chop loops smoothly and it's never a perfect 1/16 chop idk how people do that cause BPMs usually change.

But yeah i mean would you say that the MPC 500 will be good for let's say after i load my samples onto the pads and drum kits are installed taking it somewhere with headphones and making an entire beat? then uploading it to my DAW to mix it afterward? I'm using Logic btw

If you plan to chop the samples on the computer anyway, I see no problem, really. The 500 is way more capable than people say.. in many aspects it's more capable than those legacy MPCs people swear by and still use.

Yes, if you get into the 500 you'll be able to do complete and fully arranged beats with it. Tracking it out into the DAW is a pain though since it has no single outs, only one Stereo out. You have to sync it with your DAW and track out one by one, stem by stem.
What I do is track out the tracks of the main sequence (4 bar loops) one by one into Pro Tools and arrange the track from there using those building blocks. You could do the same in Logic.

[JuliusR]

Originally Posted by 0t0b0t

If you plan to chop the samples on the computer anyway, I see no problem, really. The 500 is way more capable than people say.. in many aspects it's more capable than those legacy MPCs people swear by and still use.

Yes, if you get into the 500 you'll be able to do complete and fully arranged beats with it. Tracking it out into the DAW is a pain though since it has no single outs, only one Stereo out. You have to sync it with your DAW and track out one by one, stem by stem.
What I do is track out the tracks of the main sequence (4 bar loops) one by one into Pro Tools and arrange the track from there using those building blocks. You could do the same in Logic.

Okay, you lost me to syncing it with my DAW and tracking it out one by one....lol i've never had any sampler so i'm still confused by the terminology?

You mean i can save different 4 bar loops and then upload them ...? or idk can you explain?

[0t0b0t]

Originally Posted by JuliusR

Okay, you lost me to syncing it with my DAW and tracking it out one by one....lol i've never had any sampler so i'm still confused by the terminology?
?

Not every sampler has to be synced, one with a sequencer can/should be synced if you use it along a DAW. So the DAW's sequencer and the outboard sequencer (MPC) will start at the same time with one button press and run along at the same tempo and keep in sync. That way you can record different runs from the MPC (one that has only a Stereo out) one after the other into the DAW without having to reallign the recorded patterns. All recorded patterns will/should be on the same starting point.

Sync between sequencers can be achieved by SMPTE Timecode or nowadays more commonly by MIDI Time Code (MTC) or MIDI Beat Clock.

Read this on how to sync an MPC with Logic 8 (shouldn't be too different in Logic 9) :
Synchronizing your MPC with Logic Pro 8

[damien907]

get a mpc 1000 and jjos 2xl, you can use the free one in the meantime; although i would save up for the paid version if i were you.

teh reason i wouldnt get a maschine micro is; well theres 3.

1. no global choke groups
maschine will only mute 16 pads at a time, so group A, will never mute group B, C, D, E or anything else for that matter. this means that you can only have 16 pads mute eachother out at once. i usually have at least 20 usable chops per song. i usually have about 50 to 60 chops in each one, i just end up using about 20 of them. with the mpc, bank A can mute bank, B,C,or D, this is great and IMO, how all samplers should be set up. with maschine you can only mute the pads that are in teh group you have selected, even if you have the same choke group for Group A or group B.
while there is workarounds for this,you need an external midi keyboard to make them work. if you do have a keyboard, you go into keyboard mode (instead of pad mode) and from there you can set each pad to have 16 different samples (or something similar) and map them out across the keyboard.

2. theres no stop button on the maschine. this is a workflow killler. if you have a long sample, creating a seperate choke group (and one for each group) is gonna be a pain. especially if your laying down your drums/samples for gropu C, and you need to go back to group A to mute it. this requires, first using up a pad (so now you have only 15 samples per group) then 2 button clicks to just mute aa sound. not to mention remembering which sound is looping and going to the correct group. if you have alot of samples playing at once this can get annoying very fast.
3. midi import. maschine cant do it. althoug they are going to put it in in the future. as of 1.7 its still a no go.

you get all these features out of the box in an mpc, if you can live without a computer then i think this is the way to go.

later on you can always midi your mpc up to your daw as well.

it will be interesting to see if the new mpc studio will cause maschine to step their game up soon, so that may be worth waiting for as well.

if your set on getting something now though, go with an mpc 1k.

[JuliusR]

^^ Wow, that's really insightful bro I really do appreciate that time you put into that response lol, and yeah I think for the sake of convenience and affordability, as well as ease i think the Maschine Mikro is my best option. I want a new and easier way to chop slices and play them out so I think i'm leaning towards that for now. I still am confused by the whole bringing tracks over to the DAW to be honest, can I ask you more questions like via e-mail or something ? Cause there's still a lot that I'm curious about, thanks!

[JuliusR]

still so confused, damn i really feel stupid lol

Like i guess I'd have to see it in front of me to understand exactly what I'm doing or what i'm even trying to say, you make a beat in the maschine by adding samples / drums to the pads in their respective groups, then you record on the hardware but how do you know what sequence you are in and that's where my brain shuts off I'd have to see someone record something fully to get it

[JuliusR]

Yeah I'm aware it's hardware/software i was referring to the controller itself. And do you have any stuff up made with your maschine i'm curious? like beats or anything i can hear

[JuliusR]

alright thanks man! I appreciate the help and patience, is it ok if i e-mail you more questions I don't want to spam the forums lol

[damien907]

Originally Posted by blastbeat

Actually, because Maschine chops samples non-destructively, you can have thousands of pads per group. So let's say for example, I had 16 different drum breaks and they were all 8 bars each and I loaded each one to a pad in group A. Now, I chop each one, non-destructively, into quarter note chops, so each break is now made up of 64 slices. That's 1024 different samples you have in group A alone. You don't have to do any crazy mapping, just chop just like an MPC, and press apply. Done and on to the next break to chop.

And if you select a pad and set it to keyboard mode, you access your 64 slices for that one break, which you can sequence, exit keyboard mode for that pad, select another pad/break, enter keyboard mode for that one, and add on, and so on. And you can set the pads to mute each other through chokes. Plus the non-destructive slices already mute each other by setting pad polyphony to 1. So that's 1024 slices in the same group that can mute each other. I think you can have up 108 slices to a single pad/sample, which if you used all 108 on each pad in a group, gives you 1728 slices in a single group.

this is what i was trying to explain, but you do need a keyboard to do this.

if you dont have a keyboard, your still limited to 16 pads per group. this is why i didnt like maschine.

did you copy and paste this from a different forum? its almost word for word what someone else told me about maschine.

[G. Kaye]

I'd say dont rush into getting anything yet, do all your research on each and make sure you know what you're buying. I get you want portability to jam outside, but I assume you're probably going to spend more time inside with it, so if I were you I wouldn't put too much stock in the portability thing, and I'd just choose the best quality instrument, which imo is the 1000. There's a reason it costs $999 new and the others only like half that. Because its a better instrument. But you can get them used for like 400-500 nowdays because of the software boom and everyone selling theirs. Cant go wrong with the 1000, imo.

When I had mine, I worked like you described, by editing my samples in a DAW and then you just drag/drop via usb, load onto the pads and your ready to rock. The sequencer timing is better than maschine too.

Like I said, do your research of specs, listen to demos on youtube, etc, and decide for yourself, but most ppl will tell you the 1000 is the best quality/sound instrument over the other two.