I've been strictly ITB for a long time now, and lately have been frustrated with my workflow. So I've turned my attention to hardware, something I thought I'd never do again.. I want the spontaneity of playing back into my setup!
So, have been looking at the MPC samplebox line, and the machines seem pretty interesting. But I am unable to test one before I buy, so I'd appreciate some intel regarding certain aspects of the machines..
1) the size & portability of the MPC's vs. pad size/IO
I'd like to have a unit that is "portable" ie. something that I can reasonably lug into a backpack. The MPC1000 seems to fit this bill a lot better than the MPC2500, but the drumpads are smaller from what I heard. How much do you value the bigger drumpads, are they way superior to the smaller ones? Also, the 2500 has a lot more IO, which would certainly come in handy in the future.. But all that is for naught if the 2500 is impossible to carry around. Thoughts?
2) working without stopping playback
What I have grown to love in ITB, namely live, is that I rarely (if ever) have to stop playback to perform certain actions (copying clips, inserting plugs, loading stuff etc). Now I've heard that the MPC's have a lot of functions that require one to stop playback, like changing swing etc. Is this true?
3) setting up complex layers to the pads
I'd like to be able to use the MPC pads in a "controllerist" fashion, so that I could trigger synths etc with the pads as well as samples from the MPC itself. Is it possible to set up the pads to that pad #1 triggers a specific MIDInote on port1, pad #2 triggers a sample from the MPC, pad #3 triggers a patch change to my FX rig, pad #4 triggers a sample from the MPC and so on? Or do I need to use separate pad banks to achieve this?
4) CPU limits of an MPC?!
I read from somewhere that an MPC can run out of CPU(?!) if utilizing a lot of controls & functions simultaneously (mutes etc), causing the unit to temporarily fall out of time.. Any truth in this?
I'd appreciate any insights on these matters.
Cheers
I've been strictly ITB for a long time now, and lately have been frustrated with my workflow. So I've turned my attention to hardware, something I thought I'd never do again.. I want the spontaneity of playing back into my setup!
So, have been looking at the MPC samplebox line, and the machines seem pretty interesting. But I am unable to test one before I buy, so I'd appreciate some intel regarding certain aspects of the machines..
1) the size & portability of the MPC's vs. pad size/IO
I'd like to have a unit that is "portable" ie. something that I can reasonably lug into a backpack. The MPC1000 seems to fit this bill a lot better than the MPC2500, but the drumpads are smaller from what I heard. How much do you value the bigger drumpads, are they way superior to the smaller ones? Also, the 2500 has a lot more IO, which would certainly come in handy in the future.. But all that is for naught if the 2500 is impossible to carry around. Thoughts?
2) working without stopping playback
What I have grown to love in ITB, namely live, is that I rarely (if ever) have to stop playback to perform certain actions (copying clips, inserting plugs, loading stuff etc). Now I've heard that the MPC's have a lot of functions that require one to stop playback, like changing swing etc. Is this true?
3) setting up complex layers to the pads
I'd like to be able to use the MPC pads in a "controllerist" fashion, so that I could trigger synths etc with the pads as well as samples from the MPC itself. Is it possible to set up the pads to that pad #1 triggers a specific MIDInote on port1, pad #2 triggers a sample from the MPC, pad #3 triggers a patch change to my FX rig, pad #4 triggers a sample from the MPC and so on? Or do I need to use separate pad banks to achieve this?
4) CPU limits of an MPC?!
I read from somewhere that an MPC can run out of CPU(?!) if utilizing a lot of controls & functions simultaneously (mutes etc), causing the unit to temporarily fall out of time.. Any truth in this?
I'd appreciate any insights on these matters.
Cheers
Depends what mpc
Older models have limited play/ record ability but you could certainly create a tune without stopping play if you dont need to micro-edit
Older models have mem limitations, its not about cpu, its more sample size restrictions
Pad layering is possible and all mpcs are portable
Sounds like you would wantvthe features of the newer models as the newer models are portable, allow layering but also have better mem sizes and i hear have better play/record facilities
Does it have to be OTB though? Would a Maschine be better?
There could be a thread hijack now from peeps who love the mpc and hate maschine and vice versa - if that happens ignore them
Older models have limited play/ record ability but you could certainly create a tune without stopping play if you dont need to micro-edit
So, micro-editing requires one to stop playback? I hope this is only with the older models..
Quote:
Originally Posted by dubmunkey
Older models have mem limitations, its not about cpu, its more sample size restrictions
I see.. I read this about the 2500 though?! Sample size restricitions do not frighten me much, I was thinking of getting a 128MB RAM upgrade upon purchase anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dubmunkey
Pad layering is possible and all mpcs are portable
So, You'd recommend the 2500 instead of the 1000?
Quote:
Originally Posted by dubmunkey
Sounds like you would wantvthe features of the newer models as the newer models are portable, allow layering but also have better mem sizes and i hear have better play/record facilities
Yes, ATM I am only considering the MPC1000 or the MPC2500. I want the 3 year warranty, just to be sure..
Quote:
Originally Posted by dubmunkey
Does it have to be OTB though? Would a Maschine be better?
The way I see it, hybrid machines are the future. I want to only invest in hardware that allows standalone as well as controller use. I lost faith in putting all my eggs in a laptop-based basket a while ago.. So Machine fanbois, sorry, but until that box does something useful without being tethered to a computer, I won't be buying.. The same reason stands against the MPC ren (if they'd include limited standalone functionality however... )
So, micro-editing requires one to stop playback? I hope this is only with the older models..
I see.. I read this about the 2500 though?! Sample size restricitions do not frighten me much, I was thinking of getting a 128MB RAM upgrade upon purchase anyway.
So, You'd recommend the 2500 instead of the 1000?
Yes, ATM I am only considering the MPC1000 or the MPC2500. I want the 3 year warranty, just to be sure..
The way I see it, hybrid machines are the future. I want to only invest in hardware that allows standalone as well as controller use. I lost faith in putting all my eggs in a laptop-based basket a while ago.. So Machine fanbois, sorry, but until that box does something useful without being tethered to a computer, I won't be buying.. The same reason stands against the MPC ren (if they'd include limited standalone functionality however... )
Thanks for chiming in!
On the older models you cant go into event viewer while its playing... Think the newer ones do.. By old i mean 2000xl and earlier
I dont know enough about the later models as i bought a maschine.. I prefer my mpc2kl but thats just because of my workflow - hopefully someone can expand on the newer models
I dont know enough about the later models as i bought a maschine.. I prefer my mpc2kl but thats just because of my workflow - hopefully someone can expand on the newer models
me too turn it on bang out a beat track into my daw. All the extras I can do inside my daw. reverbs and filters I can throw a plug in on itb. However, i don't sample I just make drum loops and rolls on my mpc. You might want to look at the mv8800 I prefer that to my mpc2000 just on sound and groove. Feature wise its unbeatable just because of the mouse and monitor you can hook up to it and use it like a DAW
MPC-1000 with JJos2 the paid JJos.
1.) Love the sounds ( I sampled all my old drum machine instruments) through a good audio interface Motu 828 MK3 hybrid.
2.) Individual outputs are nice, or you could use stereo or SPDIF outs a total of 6 outs.
3.) You can record in (audio or midi) record in your DAW and also midi sync your DAW to your MPC, It locks well.
4.) The size is small and compact and will not take up desk space like much bigger drum machines like MV's or some other MPC's.
Pads are nice when you upgrade to ''MPC Parts'' and exchange from the stock pads.
5.) I can also use my MPC-1000 as a pad controller for my other VST drum programs in my DAW's
All positive in IMO, hope this helps. & blessings.
Thanks for your input. I think I am leaning towards the 2500 with JJOS.. Saving up cash!
Cheers
I have this, and it is a great tool. i think it is a great compliment to any DAW. At some point you may want to break from mouse / monitor / computer. This gives you the freedom to do so. I go back and forthe between MPC and computer. Best of both worlds at the moment.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsowa
What it sounds like is Rick Rubin is sorta like The Dude from Big Lebowski. He's just this harmless large stoner who happens to kind of wander into certain places where important shit is going on, and he unwittingly gets tagged with all the responsibility for it. And now all of a sudden these other labels and bands are chasing after him and meanwhile all he's looking to do is find a nice comfy place to lay down and snack.
Get the 2500 and upgrade to JJ OS. And call it a day. The Akai OS no longer gets support and updates. But JJ OS is always getting updated with modern features.
MPC-1000 with JJos2 the paid JJos.
1.) Love the sounds ( I sampled all my old drum machine instruments) through a good audio interface Motu 828 MK3 hybrid.
2.) Individual outputs are nice, or you could use stereo or SPDIF outs a total of 8 outs.
3.) You can record in (audio or midi) record in your DAW and also midi sync your DAW to your MPC, It locks well.
4.) The size is small and compact and will not take up desk space like much bigger drum machines like MV's or some other MPC's.
Pads are nice when you upgrade to ''MPC Parts'' and exchange from the stock pads.
5.) I can also use my MPC-1000 as a pad controller for my other VST drum programs in my DAW's
All positive in IMO, hope this helps. & blessings.
Isn't only 6 outs? The Spdif is a clone of the Stereo outs or is this different on JJOS2.
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& blessings.
