scratches / mpc

how do you guys do the scratches on your beats? the problem with the mpc2000xl is, that you can't listen to your beat and at the same time record some scratches over the beat. how do you do that? over a soundcard? or do you load the beat into the computer and then make the scratches into the computer?

Your ideas are good There is no rule,just make it the way that is most convenient for you and works fine for you.
You can as well record some scratches and then import them to the mpc,assign to pads and repeat some of them by just pressing the pads.
You may invent something new doing that,there are no limits!

That is a limitation of the 2k. If you wanted true live scratching you would normally record the same way you multitrack anything else, such as vocals, guitar, etc... normally in your DAW. If you aren't already set up to do that, you will eventually want to get that going, but that is a big topic to read up on.

To record it onto the MPC, you could record the loop somewhere else (mp3 player, computer, tape deck), then play it back there while you record directly to the MPC. Then just assign that sample to a pad and drop it in.

Other method is to emulate scratching on the MPC by recording the scratch samples and playing them back. You can use assign the slider to pitch, attack or decay to get effects you might get on tables. This method will never quite sound like a master turntablist, but its good for if you want to use the scratch sounds more rythmatically in a song and not too complex.

You can also use the stereo outs on the mpc. just plug them into the aux input
on your mixer and work out your cuts as the beats play. it's also easier to gig like this since you can just use a mixer with multiple inputs and remix live.
Hope I've helped.
P.S. Beware of feedback loops when using this method. one

check this dude out, this is what MCSmooth is on about.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdbJm5ucYcY