MPC 2000xl set up help

hi everyone

i know this is probably annoying to everyone on the forum but i desperately need help.
i just bought a stock mpc 2000xl, im going to upgrade the ram extension and card reader and maybe the 8 outs.
i have a turntable and a dj mixer with plenty of records etc..

i used to own a maschine but now i want to move away from the computor as much as possible apart from storage..

so im just wondering what would be a good way to EQ everything i do, because i know you cant eq on the mpc 2000xl. also how would i get effects onto my beats, such as delay, compression, filters etc...

would i need a studio mixer? if so analogue or digital?
i been looking at a studio mixer with effects built in to save me from having to buy something like an sp 303. would that work?

im looking for something not to pricey as i am still a student, but at the same time SIMPLE! i cant stand plugging in cables, i dont understand it at all!
i want the most simple set up

if you want the most simple setup, then you might have to change your attitude.

you could get the internal effects card and no 8 outs and have it all in the mpc, but it is not very flexible, it is simple.

this wont really help with eq though, the eq on the fx card is not really for eqing as in mixing - its more a special effect.

i think the best thing to do (not cheapest), would be to get the 8 outs, get an 8 cable snake, and get an 8+ channel mixer (analog or digital, analog will be cheaper). get a mixer with internal effects. now you can route the soudns to the 8 outputs and tweak all on the mixer. this is very flexible, but involves cables and cash.

if you really want it simple, and you really hate cables, id go back to maschine.
if you really want to get away from the computer, start liking cables, and start liking maintenance, and learn to solder, and get a mixer, and have fun.

Haha i guess i cant hate cables no more, i don't hate them i just quite like my studio to be straight forward and it forces me to learn the most of what i got.. but im whilling to learn

ive heard the internal effects board isnt worth the money but i cant say i know as im all new to an mpc

with the 8 outputs i can only add effects to 8 pads right?
is there anyway i can effect more than 8 pads?

im looking at anoluge mixers now they are fairly priced

smiley dan wrote:with the 8 outputs i can only add effects to 8 pads right?

it is a confusing concept coming from software.

the pads (all 256 of them on an xl, 64 on a classic) get routed to a particular output, yes. you will be limited to however many outboard effects you have (if you want 8 different effects for each output, you'd need in effect 8 fx processors).

so you have to choose wisely, but it is not really a big deal once you get used to it.

for example, your bassdrums can always go to out 1, your snares always to out 2, melody always to 7-8, whatever.

i can usually get by using just 4.

and another thing to realise is that the outputs are based on PADS, not tracks.

it is a difficult concept to grasp coming form a computer, where none of this matters, but it is the way it is with the old machines, and it is actually very usable and flexible. youd be amazed how you can go with just one reverb.

On the topic of MPC 2k series set ups, is having a DJ mixer the best way to mix & transfer your music to the computer? Or could I just get a floppy disc reader & mix it all in Cubase? I'm confused about this. If a mixer is better, would the Roland TS1800 work?

my two cents

is to get a mixer or audio interface with at least 8 ins. this way you can record right into your DAW and add effects and do your mixdown on the computer.

this allows you to construct the tune without the computer and use the computer to track and edit your song

If i had a reel to reel i would do it with tape, but i dont so this is what i do

drewphishes wrote:my two cents

is to get a mixer or audio interface with at least 8 ins. this way you can record right into your DAW and add effects and do your mixdown on the computer.

this allows you to construct the tune without the computer and use the computer to track and edit your song

If i had a reel to reel i would do it with tape, but i dont so this is what i do

So essentially it would be:

MPC ---> Mixer/Audio INT ---> Computer?

BasquiatDeLaMPC wrote:

drewphishes wrote:my two cents

is to get a mixer or audio interface with at least 8 ins. this way you can record right into your DAW and add effects and do your mixdown on the computer.

this allows you to construct the tune without the computer and use the computer to track and edit your song

If i had a reel to reel i would do it with tape, but i dont so this is what i do

So essentially it would be:

MPC ---> Mixer/Audio INT ---> Computer?

Yep. Although do consider that if you have an interface with 8 or more inputs you could skip the mixer as far as tracking out. But with a mixer you can work in the stand alone/no computer way described up top. So you could use the channel EQ's on the mixer and have your audio monitors come out of there, turn on computer only when needed to track out.

But with only an 8 in audio interface and no mixer you'll need the computer to be on as your audio monitors are coming from the interface. You can count on one hand the interfaces that operate standalone/ no computer, and they are all really pricey.

I'd go for the interface, cause no matter what you'll never not need a great analog to digital stage. Even if you decide to go all analog you'll still have to record the analog signal into your computer at some point. But if you buy an analog mixer now you'll probably want an interface at some point regardless of what's choices you make down the line. Besides it dosnt even seem like your at a point to start deciding what analog components are right for your sound yet.

Unless your already gun hoe about a totally computer absent environment. Just remember to snap pictures on your phone of the mixer at the end of each project so you can recall your settings. If you so desire to go that route...

1000 whoop : )

Metatron72 wrote:

BasquiatDeLaMPC wrote:

drewphishes wrote:my two cents

is to get a mixer or audio interface with at least 8 ins. this way you can record right into your DAW and add effects and do your mixdown on the computer.

this allows you to construct the tune without the computer and use the computer to track and edit your song

If i had a reel to reel i would do it with tape, but i dont so this is what i do

So essentially it would be:

MPC ---> Mixer/Audio INT ---> Computer?

Yep. Although do consider that if you have an interface with 8 or more inputs you could skip the mixer as far as tracking out. But with a mixer you can work in the stand alone/no computer way described up top. So you could use the channel EQ's on the mixer and have your audio monitors come out of there, turn on computer only when needed to track out.

But with only an 8 in audio interface and no mixer you'll need the computer to be on as your audio monitors are coming from the interface. You can count on one hand the interfaces that operate standalone/ no computer, and they are all really pricey.

Alright I might get the Roland TS I was talking about in another post then. Pretty sure it has 8+ outputs and it's cheaper than any interface with close to 8 that I can find. All I need to do now is find out what cables go where lol. Thanks homie!

BasquiatDeLaMPC wrote:Alright I might get the Roland TS I was talking about in another post then. Pretty sure it has 8+ outputs and it's cheaper than any interface with close to 8 that I can find. All I need to do now is find out what cables go where lol. Thanks homie!

What is a Roland TS mixer?

Do you mean Roland VS-1800 hard disk recorder?

Really not sure that is what you want, as it doesn't really seem you have any idea what you want.

What do you want the mixer for?

SimonInAustralia wrote:

BasquiatDeLaMPC wrote:Alright I might get the Roland TS I was talking about in another post then. Pretty sure it has 8+ outputs and it's cheaper than any interface with close to 8 that I can find. All I need to do now is find out what cables go where lol. Thanks homie!

What is a Roland TS mixer?

Do you mean Roland VS-1800 hard disk recorder?

Really not sure that is what you want, as it doesn't really seem you have any idea what you want.

What do you want the mixer for?

Sorry ment to say VS. & I got the VS880ex for 67~$. Ideally I ment for this to connect to my future MPC2k or 2kXL, so I could mix/master the music and maybe record into it. Then, have it connect to my computer so I could put it on soundcloud & stuff. BUT, apparently the VS880ex can't connect directly to the computer so my impulse spending got the best of me for now. Then again, I wasn't going to be able to put music up immediately anyways because I need to get good first. Currently researching what I need to connect them all to each other.

You could just use the mixer you bought and record the output of the mixer... no matter what you do your gonna have to record the beat out of the MPC somehow. whether its through an interface or just the input on your computer for the time being.. You dont need an interface just to record the finished product if you dont have one right now.

m56p87 wrote:You could just use the mixer you bought and record the output of the mixer... no matter what you do your gonna have to record the beat out of the MPC somehow. whether its through an interface or just the input on your computer for the time being.. You dont need an interface just to record the finished product if you dont have one right now.

This old ass mixer apparently doesn't directly connect to any computers though, so I'm sorta stuck for now. Unless one of these outs looks like something you're familiar with:

http://picsstorage.aupedo.com/aupedoliv ... 007738.jpg

I can apparently connect a CD burner to this, burn a CD, put it in the computer/iTunes, and then make mp3 files, but I'm trying to see what other methods I have since all old CD burners are quite expensive.

i dont know what kind of computer / soundcard you have but this is the simplest / gnarliest way to record the mixer to the computer :



its called a 1/8" to rca cable.

use audacity to record. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

your homework is to figure out where to plug each piece.