Newbie - First MPC

Hi there I hope this is the right section

Well I been working with fruity loops for over a bit now. I have a laptop but it runs crappy when i use big vst and whatnot and i basically use it for lectures notes. The problem is in September I will be leaving and going to grad school. So instead of going for a good music production laptop I decided to go for an mpc. I just purchase a used 2000xl for $540 and it should be coming sometime next week. I can hardly wait - i mean its 2:44 am and i should be a sleep but I have been reading everything possible thing about the mp.

My question is what is the best way to learn the mpc. Would it be hands on + reading? are those tutorial video any good? Should i start by reading an online Manual till the mp arrives?

I was really happy with my fl studios , mpd-24, x-board 25, and emu mo phatt x but the damn laptop wouldn't buffer at the required speed.

Thanks, and trust me you will hear me asking for alot of help in the near future hope you folks dont mind.


-Kim

I learned the basics by quickly reading the manual to see what was covered in there and to learn about what was possible with the mpc.

Than I just sat down with the manual in my hand behind the mpc to try everything.

That beatmaking on the mpc2000xl is a very good reference.

Other than that it's just a matter of getting creative with it.

thanks for the reply friend.

-Kim

I find that readng the manual, as you work with the gear is the best way to learn (for me). Also the "Open Window" button, is a great help in Learning this machine.

Pe@Ce

^^^

Hey that is some sound advice i will def try that my friend thank you so much.

I have another question if i may ask:

Though I can't afford a turntable yet I would like to sample as i do on Fl.

after searching on this forum i have found some answer but need more clarity or better interpretation the answers. As I'm new to hardware.

1) Is it possible to hook up a standard belt drive Turntable to the Mpc 2000kxl

answer I found )

Affirming answer
"You know the MPC has audio inputs, right? eh
Just plug your turntable's outputs to the MPC's inputs, shift+f4 and hit record. "

Negating answer
"copped a turntable myself. I bought a Stanton STR8-20 from the Guitar Center. It was regular $109.99, but I got it for $69.99 because the Numark I wanted was out of stock. Anyway you probably will not be able to run it straight to your MPC."

If I can hook up the turntable to mpc without mixer do i just use 1/4 rca cables? can someone tell me what cables are required please?
and im thinking about getting this turntable Stanton - T.50X Belt Drive.

and two since question 1 will be use as a future reference -
I now must settle for sampling via cd - like i do on Fl. so the question is

2)cd player for source of sample into mpc?

answer (applied to mpc1000 but still applicable for mpc2kxl?)

"Yep, 1/4" to RCA is what you need."

Is this all I need for cd to mp? RCA 1/4?


Thanks so much for taking time to help me. Hopefully when i become more knowledgeable about the mp and hardware I can pass this info along as well.


-Kim

Q1: You will need some kind of Amp to get the TT signal up to an acceptable level for sampling, so that is why a DJ mixer is in the equation.

Q2: For CD players you may need RCA to 1/4" cables, depends on the CD player (Some professional Decks have 1/4" or XLR outs as well).
If your MP has the Digital I/O card installed, and the CD player has Digital out (SPDIF) you could go that route.

To avoid getting a turntable and mixer and save a little money, a portable turntable could do the trick. Ive seen them as low as $79. Not to mention you can take it with you when you go diggin for those records. As far as learning the mp, take it slow and just obsorb everything. Short cuts dont help in the long run. Good luck and welcome to the forums man, its a great place for information and to share your experience and knowledge.

dee

I absolutely recomend you get the beatmaking on the 2000xl tutorial frrom this site. It shows you alot more cool stuff than the manual and I think it's the best way to learn the 2000xl.
peace!

Hey thanks guys that really clear up my concerns. But DEE can you tell me why a portable turntable doesn't require a dj mixer and what cable would i need for it. And what about cartridges on a portable? Anyways i probably will go for the portable in the future. moreover I will probably check out that video but in the meanwhile take it slow and absorb. Thanks.


-Kim

The cables you would need for the portable turntable is RCA to quarter inch. The RCAs would go from the portable turntable, and the quarter inch going into the input in the back of your mp. If this is your main setup you can then have quarter inch cables coming out of your output on the back of the mp and into your speakers.

The reason you dont need a mixer is because it already has an ouput built in. I would recommend either the numark or the vestax portable turntable. From my experince both work good and are durable.

The portable also comes fully equipt with a needle and so forth. Your basically ready to sample into the mp from the turntable. Nothing else really needed.

hope this helps ...

dee

thanks brother consider this thread close. Thanks to all that replied.

-Kim

I absolutely recomend you get the beatmaking on the 2000xl tutorial frrom this site. It shows you alot more cool stuff than the manual and I think it's the best way to learn the 2000xl.
peace!

I had the chance to see first 70 pages of this tutorial and it didin't really give me more information than the good old user's manual.
Don't meen to put a crossed line on this book, maybe some users find it useful. But since you are about to save some money, I suggest - stick to the manual and you will be just fine with learning stuff from the beginning.

Thanks bro - yeah before i dish out anymore cash i will probably jus tstudy and the manual as I work with the mpc. Thanks.


-Kim

Hey after doing some research I decided I'm not going to buy the portable turntable after all. Majority opinion suggest its not good for sampling only digging playback.

So i will probably now just get a same price turntable like the Stanton - T.50X Belt Drive.

So then i will also need to get a dj mixer right? or does dj mixer also incorporates regular mixer? I'm a new to hardware so I don't know if Dj Mixer = mixer? (regular mixer?) Then i would just need a good cartridge? and do i use the 1/4 rca cables as well?

I just want to make a good investment that keep me happy for years to come than spend a 100 and be unhappy. thanks.


-Kim

a dj mixer will have the phono pre-amps you need to plug your turntable into the mpc, as well as some basic eq to clean up your sound. If you only have the one table, you can cut the mixer out and just buy the phono pre-amp (radioshack, etc.). Regular mixers (mostly) don't include a phono pre-amp. You can always go to a thrift store and pick up an old receiver/tuner with a phono pre on the cheap.

Also, some turntables have pre-amps built in, giving you the option to go line or phono out. I think the newer Numarks do that, and the Vestax Handy Trax as well.