time stretching

do you XL users really benefit from the time stretching function? or should i just use a another program to do that.? let me know your thoughts cause i got me a classic but im thinking of upgrading to a XL. some insight will be much appreciated.

not worth it. its very slow compared to the programs on a computer. sometimes sounds can take minutes to time stretch. not cool. ive abandoned this feature exept for times when i REALLy need it but i avoid it at all costs n just chop.

Don't use it for large samples, will takes ages to stretch it, and that static message "processing..." might make you think your Akai is not respoding. I sometimes use it for one shot drums or short samples.

i NEVER use it, neither do i use the auto-chop function (why would anyone use that feature....?)

In retrospect i think the classic is the superior machine (i own and have used both: classic 2001-2006, xl 2006-present)

the only decent feature is having 4 drum programs available, although this actually does my head in when accessing Program and Mixer screens....

and the use of folders to save (although i don't really use this because i can't unlearn how i saved on the classic!)

i hate the way you can't turn the 16 levels off when in play mode on the xl.

The Classic is the better machine, there, I said it.

Ableton Live 8 is great for time stretching and warping loops and samples.

yea...the auto chop function is nice if you're talking about the 'zone' feature...but i rarely use that anymore, i just copy the sound a bunch of times and chop the sounds from there.

the XL is best because of the folder support which is great if you have a large scsi device or a cf card or zip drive.

the xl also has that ide port so that helps for installing your 2 dollar card reader you got off ebay (true story)

tilt screen is a nice feature... why they didn't include that on the classic is beyond me.



the classic is nicer looking IMO...


the time stretch is not great at all on the XL, it aint worth it. I have had files that took like 10 minutes.. I though my xl choked or lifted the finger at me time stretching... turns out it just takes a while.

Maybe you've seen it, maybe you havent'...the Akaizer.

http://akaizer.blogspot.com/

The XL's time stretch is nothing to write home about, and takes a long time. The S series though had some earlier, more artifact prone time stretch that sounds pretty good for effect. This program emulates that on a computer...and is fast!

Sounds good at extreme settings.

i use it all the goddamn time. i like the subtle glitchy effect it gives, but mostly i use it to finesse the timing of chops / loops / etc that have already been pitch shifted in tighter, to keep melodies intact. i'll time stretch by half a percent or something, keep tweaking until it sounds perfect. in those cases of minor alterations to smaller samples (really anything not both insanely long and stereo) it works pretty fast.

It can come in handy if you chop small. It's all in the way you use it.

disco technique wrote:i NEVER use it, neither do i use the auto-chop function (why would anyone use that feature....?)

In retrospect i think the classic is the superior machine (i own and have used both: classic 2001-2006, xl 2006-present)

the only decent feature is having 4 drum programs available, although this actually does my head in when accessing Program and Mixer screens....

and the use of folders to save (although i don't really use this because i can't unlearn how i saved on the classic!)

i hate the way you can't turn the 16 levels off when in play mode on the xl.

The Classic is the better machine, there, I said it.

Ableton Live 8 is great for time stretching and warping loops and samples.

I don't disagree, as I still haven't got used to XL's jog dial. To me, if XL had classic's jog dial, would've been a dream machine.

mr_debauch wrote:the XL is best because of the folder support which is great if you have a large scsi device or a cf card or zip drive.

the xl also has that ide port so that helps for installing your 2 dollar card reader you got off ebay (true story)

tilt screen is a nice feature... why they didn't include that on the classic is beyond me.

the classic is nicer looking IMO...

the time stretch is not great at all on the XL, it aint worth it. I have had files that took like 10 minutes.. I though my xl choked or lifted the finger at me time stretching... turns out it just takes a while.

I agree with all of the above!

starcrusher wrote: i like the subtle glitchy effect it gives,

man it's crazy the kind of audio degradation you can get from these old time stretches by stretching it by a good amount and then back again to the original amount... it almost ruins samples.. haha...

so I have been doing that on the 8000 lately by more small amounts like a few percent (maybe 10 or so) and back. it makes the samples shiver sometimes.. I think with some practice it could be useful almost like a destructive effect (if you choose to replace the sample with the result)

disco technique wrote:neither do i use the auto-chop function (why would anyone use that feature....?)

Auto chop a 2 bar loop into 16 pieces and you get......

....thats right, eighth notes!

Auto chop is dope when used properly,specifically with rhythmic samples (drum breaks!) Too bad some cats dont understand basic rhythm, lmao.

Never use it, takes too long and the end result is utter sh!t...

i do use multi-zone chop function... makes chopping a much faster deed then it was for me on the 2000 classic.

jonestown massacre wrote:

disco technique wrote:neither do i use the auto-chop function (why would anyone use that feature....?)

Auto chop a 2 bar loop into 16 pieces and you get......

....thats right, eighth notes!

Auto chop is dope when used properly,specifically with rhythmic samples (drum breaks!) Too bad some cats dont understand basic rhythm, lmao.

auto chop is too mechanical and does not account for any timing issues within the sample. Fine for a drum loop from a drum machine or mechanically sequenced loop.

i find it easier and quicker and get better results from chopping individually, than to use the auto chop function and then adjust each chop. even more of a breeze with the classic jog wheel.

Chopping samples is fundamental to how i use the MPC. I'd much rather trust my ears than a calculator to do that......

I find it interesting that someone would choose to 'auto' something that is so easy and satisfying to do manually.

a completely needless feature (.....for me!)