Giving up the mpc!

[bezo]

I love the mpc to the death but its time to let go....
I am thinking if I should sell my mpc/motif es, but what software should I replace it with. I already have a macbook running protools M-powered but i am thinking Cubase or Logic to replace the MP. I am also looking for a box for comp/eq to heat the software instruments please advise on that as well.

Thanks much

[gsilbers]

get the maudio or akai triga finger typa controller and use battery 3.

and if u want pitch samples/intrument then get kontakt 2. that will have drum sound that are ever exapndable and instrument samples.

[P. Rene]

watch the just blaze interview below it'll cheer you up.

[bezo]

thanks fellas...the main deciding factor is what sequencer should I pick...Logic, Cubase etc....

[AON]

Why is it time to let it go if you love it to death?

[bezo]

Originally Posted by AON

Why is it time to let it go if you love it to death?

I want to streamline my setup to the bare minimum, basically a laptop with access to plenty of software instruments and a nice pre-amp/comp.

[electric]

carefull.....dont be surprised if you end up going back to it.

i did just what you are doing. after 3 years i was back to mpc (but still kept computer setup).

i still prefer mpc for creating/arranging music. just me though.

many prefer the software setup over mpc. much more options. (but also more distractions). also you run into issues like computer freezing, spending nights installing software, and upgrades. all wastes energy NOT MAKING MUSIC.

computer are incredible for editing and mixing. for creating i dont feel em.

best of luck. if you can swing the $$$ keep the mpc until you are sure you dont need it.

regards,
electric

[electric]

as far as sequencers go they will all get it done. logic, cubase, dp, protools etc. you have a big learning curve to get really good with any of them. pick one and stick with it.

good luck
electric

[derker]

Stick with your MPC man, and get some VST instruments that you can sequence with it. The best setup in the world (IMO) is a cross between the 2....the MPC as your MIDI and drum sequencer, and a PC running a virtual rack of VSTs for everything else. I use a PC running Brainspawn Forte, which is a host for VSTs. IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, Applied Acoustics, etc all make VST instruments that easily rival any keyboard, with way more flexibility and (IMO) superior sound quality. Even a Muse Receptor would be better than keyboards, IMO.

Talk about streamlined- the only controls I worry about are the MPC, MIDI controller, and mouse. With Forte all your instruments are right there, and MIDI control is rediculously easy. Plus you get the better MPC clock...and don't be mistaken! The MPC clock IS better than working in your DAW! There's nothing like the rock solid feel of the MPC.

[bezo]

Originally Posted by derker

Stick with your MPC man, and get some VST instruments that you can sequence with it. The best setup in the world (IMO) is a cross between the 2....the MPC as your MIDI and drum sequencer, and a PC running a virtual rack of VSTs for everything else. I use a PC running Brainspawn Forte, which is a host for VSTs. IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, Applied Acoustics, etc all make VST instruments that easily rival any keyboard, with way more flexibility and (IMO) superior sound quality. Even a Muse Receptor would be better than keyboards, IMO.

Talk about streamlined- the only controls I worry about are the MPC, MIDI controller, and mouse. With Forte all your instruments are right there, and MIDI control is rediculously easy. Plus you get the better MPC clock...and don't be mistaken! The MPC clock IS better than working in your DAW! There's nothing like the rock solid feel of the MPC.

Thanks for the tips.....I am just jealous of all the vsts, softwares intruments that I am lacking right now. I think I am going to keep my mpc and work Vst's into system. Not sure how though. Can someone please explain how I can sequence Vsts into my mpc and record them into protools.

[derker]

I prefer to have a stand-alone PC for the VSTs, separate from my ProTools computer. With that method the chain goes as follows-

MIDI

Controller -> MPC -> PC

Audio

MPC -> ProTools
VST PC -> ProTools

The application I use to run my VSTs is called Brainspawn Forte. I does have Rewire features, so you could probably run it on the same computer as your ProTools, but I've never tried it, nor would I want to put all that strain on the same computer. My VSTs are on a Sony Vaio, and the ProTools is on a Mac, to separate everything. I also prefer a Keyboard/mouse switch so I can use the same ones for both computers.

To elaborate a little- This is how the bigwigs are doing it nowadays. Keyboards do still have a place, especially the specialtly ones; nords, microkorg, evolver, etc. I know that Dre is doing it that way. When I was out in LA thats how we set up shop - MPC 4k w/a Mac running Plogie Bidule (same kind of program running VSTs), and an MPC 2kXL with a Motif for me and a second keys player. I also hooked up my laptop with an mbox via SPDIF to record my guitar/bass running NIGRig into the board.

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by bezo

I love the mpc to the death but its time to let go....
I am thinking if I should sell my mpc/motif es, but what software should I replace it with. I already have a macbook running protools M-powered but i am thinking Cubase or Logic to replace the MP. I am also looking for a box for comp/eq to heat the software instruments please advise on that as well.

Thanks much

I did it a few months back and I'm very glad I did it. It was just a very expensive midi controller. I HAVE NOT REGRETTED IT ONCE!!!!!!!

[Dor]

Keep in mind that most of the people here giving advice live on their computers. I'd try going all software & see how you like it before selilng your gear off.


D

[bezo]

Originally Posted by derker

I prefer to have a stand-alone PC for the VSTs, separate from my ProTools computer. With that method the chain goes as follows-

MIDI

Controller -> MPC -> PC

Audio

MPC -> ProTools
VST PC -> ProTools

The application I use to run my VSTs is called Brainspawn Forte. I does have Rewire features, so you could probably run it on the same computer as your ProTools, but I've never tried it, nor would I want to put all that strain on the same computer. My VSTs are on a Sony Vaio, and the ProTools is on a Mac, to separate everything. I also prefer a Keyboard/mouse switch so I can use the same ones for both computers.

To elaborate a little- This is how the bigwigs are doing it nowadays. Keyboards do still have a place, especially the specialtly ones; nords, microkorg, evolver, etc. I know that Dre is doing it that way. When I was out in LA thats how we set up shop - MPC 4k w/a Mac running Plogie Bidule (same kind of program running VSTs), and an MPC 2kXL with a Motif for me and a second keys player. I also hooked up my laptop with an mbox via SPDIF to record my guitar/bass running NIGRig into the board.

I have decided to keep the MPC, I am thinking about picking up the KORE+KOMPLETE bundle. The reviews sound pretty good and I will have access to plenty of sounds which is i what wanted. Just need to figure out how to run KORE and protools on my macbook pro.

[PhonoquO]

the staple of many hip hop producers usually includes an mpc, or another hardware device that can provide the timing you need to make your ideas bounce. Even an old atari st computer sequencing vst's on your daw will get you those results, but that's the only computer i have ever tried/used that gave me that "aahhhh" feeling for timing.

[Dr.Wu]

one of the major advantages of using VST instruments is their sample accurate timing when you use them inside a hostsequencer.
The minute you trigger them over MIDI from an external sequencer you will loose this great feature and will suffer from the sloppy timing of serial data transfer that MIDI is based upon.
Thats probably the exact same reason why the timing of the MPC is so great when it triggers its internal samples-there is no MIDI involved!

[coolout]

Whatever you do...don't sell it. You'll want it back someday.

I'm at the point where I'm trying to get all the stuff that worked well for me but was sold or stopped working properly BACK IN MY HANDS...just for a change of pace.

Multiple setups inspire creativity IMHO. I've even moved my MPC into a different room with just turntables and records.

No fancy plugins, synths, or anything...it's almost like making chopping records a recreational activity.

Last week I also copped a mint version of the exact same sampler I used for 10 years (Korg) on ebay for only 35 bucks. I remember it costing a least a grand back in the day. Plus, I finally have an Atari ST emulator (STEEM) working perfectly in XP (midi and all!!!).

I now have my old setup complete with none of the hardware issues and of course no learning curve. On the first day I found 40-50 beats I totally forgot about.

[AON]

Originally Posted by derker

Stick with your MPC man, and get some VST instruments that you can sequence with it. The best setup in the world (IMO) is a cross between the 2....the MPC as your MIDI and drum sequencer, and a PC running a virtual rack of VSTs for everything else. I use a PC running Brainspawn Forte, which is a host for VSTs. IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, Applied Acoustics, etc all make VST instruments that easily rival any keyboard, with way more flexibility and (IMO) superior sound quality. Even a Muse Receptor would be better than keyboards, IMO.

Talk about streamlined- the only controls I worry about are the MPC, MIDI controller, and mouse. With Forte all your instruments are right there, and MIDI control is rediculously easy. Plus you get the better MPC clock...and don't be mistaken! The MPC clock IS better than working in your DAW! There's nothing like the rock solid feel of the MPC.

I agree!

[bezo]

Since I decided to keep the mpc, my dilemna now..., is it wise to trade my Motif for a Laptop with Komplete 4 + Kore, if bought before the end of the year the will throw in Massive. I mean this over 12000 presets out the gate, i heard some of the presets on Ni website and they sound ridiculous, probably doesnt sound that good when it gets home though. Anyway, is this a good trade, please advise...

[PhonoquO]

unless you are good at making your own patches on the motif, i'd do the trade, cause the motif sounds-as great as they are, have been used to death. Fresh sounds can always help matters.

[Dr.Wu]

There are some real highlights in Komplete 4 like FM8 and Kontakt2 but Massive isnt one of them.
It does sound great but it will eat your laptop for breakfast.
Even on a G5 with dual processors running at 2 Ghz it will use about 35% of the CPU for one voice.
When i play a three note chord it will hit the ceiling!
Also be prepared to invest in additional sample libs because the stock library that comes with Komplete 4 isnt that great at all.
The Romsounds in the Motif are a lot better IMHO.
Presets for the FM8 are really great though.
Some of the stuff for the other synth like Absynth and Pro53 are cool too and the B4 is pretty nice as well.
I dont really care for the electric and acoustic pianos in Komplete because i think that the Scarbee Rhodes and Ivory sound better for the job but as always YMMW.

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by Dr.Wu

There are some real highlights in Komplete 4 like FM8 and Kontakt2 but Massive isnt one of them.
It does sound great but it will eat your laptop for breakfast.
Even on a G5 with dual processors running at 2 Ghz it will use about 35% of the CPU for one voice.
When i play a three note chord it will hit the ceiling!
Also be prepared to invest in additional sample libs because the stock library that comes with Komplete 4 isnt that great at all.
The Romsounds in the Motif are a lot better IMHO.
Presets for the FM8 are really great though.
Some of the stuff for the other synth like Absynth and Pro53 are cool too and the B4 is pretty nice as well.
I dont really care for the electric and acoustic pianos in Komplete because i think that the Scarbee Rhodes and Ivory sound better for the job but as always YMMW.

Battery 3 and FM8 are very nice. I wouldn't count on them for everything. The only plug that I can do just about everything in is Plugsound Pro, that's the one to buy for 299.00.

I just downloaded the new kontakt demo and it's crashing on me, and I would really like to see intakt come back, that's the mnfn plugin!

[bezo]

Originally Posted by Dr.Wu

There are some real highlights in Komplete 4 like FM8 and Kontakt2 but Massive isnt one of them.
It does sound great but it will eat your laptop for breakfast.
Even on a G5 with dual processors running at 2 Ghz it will use about 35% of the CPU for one voice.
When i play a three note chord it will hit the ceiling!
Also be prepared to invest in additional sample libs because the stock library that comes with Komplete 4 isnt that great at all.
The Romsounds in the Motif are a lot better IMHO.
Presets for the FM8 are really great though.
Some of the stuff for the other synth like Absynth and Pro53 are cool too and the B4 is pretty nice as well.
I dont really care for the electric and acoustic pianos in Komplete because i think that the Scarbee Rhodes and Ivory sound better for the job but as always YMMW.

Interesting, thanks for the pointers....ultimately i just need to work in soft synth into my setup. I m still thinking, battery 3 sounds like a must buy so far.