MPC 1K worth it?

Prior to now I have been making beats on Reason 4 & been recording on Cubase 5.. After a while of using Redrum n other plugins, I'm beginnin to get bored, I'm tryna see wsup wit the MPC 1K. I'd rather just plop that sh** down wit the 1K on em pads. Also, I've started gainin an interest in choppin up samples from records. I just have a few questions...

I see that most are using the MPC's as their primary tools for music. Obviously keys, bass, n w/e else is seperate. But really what I'm wonderin is.. Can you lay the beat down w/ samples n drums, bu then edit on Reason or another program? I'd rather not f*** wit that little ass screen all the time n jus mess wit everything on my comp.

Also, Can you by connectin to Logic/Protools/Cubase single out all sounds fer mixing? I'm lookin to really produce n mix my material, unlike some of Boon Doc's beats made on the MPC 1k that jus don sound.. as crisp n fat as they should.. (jus my opinion)

Lastly, this may seem like a stupid question.. but I jus gotta know for sure. For the drum sounds you'd be uploadin wav, aif, n similar files (like Reason) right?

If any o these questions was dumb ma bad, I've never worked with an MPC I'm jus tryna feel my way thru. Much appreciated. Hopefully wit y'all help I can get it right bfore I drop 1k on this MPC thannng..

2colors wrote:I'd rather not f*** wit that little ass screen all the time n jus mess wit everything on my comp.

MPCs in general are not for you then. sorry, but it's the truth.

yeah get an MPD or a trigger finger kind of controller.

I kinda came from the same background as you and got an MPC anyway. It does take a little getting used to and in some respects it feels like a big step backwards as it's essentially a dedicated unit that just does what Reason may do but a lot less basic.

But the change it makes to your workflow makes my music sound different, and at first it took a little getting used to and I actually even put it up for sale, but I found it comfortably sat in a gap in my workflow now where I can bounce on and off it.

I primarily produce in Logic, and a lot of the time I will record in and sample, chop etc and record out. Sometimes I will start a beat on the MPC and finish it up on Logic. Sometimes, but rarely since I'm a real attention to detail kinda guy, will make the majority of it on the MPC and just mix or add finishing touches on Logic.

As it's a dedicated unit I personally find it a lot more fun to use, and I can get really absorbed into using it. You can also get off to a really quick start.

I always check out a lot of videos of how the MPC adds that unique element to producers sounds too, so watch as many of those as you can... Kev Brown is a good example that I can immediately think of.

The MPC is only compatible with WAV's, I think they have to be 44khz 16 bit or something. Name em under 16 characters too.

Oh, and if you're willing to pay for upgrades, at least get a decent size CF card, the memory upgrade (only a few dollars) and JJOS1. If not, just a MINIMUM of a decent CF card and install the free JJOS firmware.

unreal wrote:I kinda came from the same background as you and got an MPC anyway. It does take a little getting used to and in some respects it feels like a big step backwards as it's essentially a dedicated unit that just does what Reason may do but a lot less basic.

But the change it makes to your workflow makes my music sound different, and at first it took a little getting used to and I actually even put it up for sale, but I found it comfortably sat in a gap in my workflow now where I can bounce on and off it.

I primarily produce in Logic, and a lot of the time I will record in and sample, chop etc and record out. Sometimes I will start a beat on the MPC and finish it up on Logic. Sometimes, but rarely since I'm a real attention to detail kinda guy, will make the majority of it on the MPC and just mix or add finishing touches on Logic.

As it's a dedicated unit I personally find it a lot more fun to use, and I can get really absorbed into using it. You can also get off to a really quick start.

I always check out a lot of videos of how the MPC adds that unique element to producers sounds too, so watch as many of those as you can... Kev Brown is a good example that I can immediately think of.

The MPC is only compatible with WAV's, I think they have to be 44khz 16 bit or something. Name em under 16 characters too.

Oh, and if you're willing to pay for upgrades, at least get a decent size CF card, the memory upgrade (only a few dollars) and JJOS1. If not, just a MINIMUM of a decent CF card and install the free JJOS firmware.

Sick man thanks fer the straight answers. I think the use of the MPC the way you've described is actually pretty legit then.. though it's not very compatible or connected to Reason & such, it can then be used as the driving force in a track... Also, I could jus hop off it n work wit somethin else fer different types of beats if needed.

Good lookin unreal.

No problem man, glad I could help!

I have been making music with software for 5 orso years and mpc for only 1 year, at 1st I was also feeling that I'd taken a step backwards in a strange kind of way but after a while you work out that al these little workarounds you do on the mpc actually make you more creative. These days I can't even be arsed making music ion anything but the mpc purelybecause ifind it MUCH more fun!!

i have been recording music for about 15 years. I've used everything from Alesis drum machines and DX7s to FL Studio... I'm using an MPC 1K w/ JJ OS and Alesis Fusion right now with Reason 4... It is so much easier to use the sequencer in the MPC than a PC sequencer (to me). Create drum programs in Buse box and use the MPC to sync Reason and get it or just use MPC as trigger for Reason sounds - either way the MPC is king. Plus if Ur PC crashes... U still got the MPC.

I came from a similar background. I've been dj'ing for 15yrs now and got into production about 2001 when I bought a 2000XL. I sold that a year later and went strictly to computer based systems like Cakewalk, Cubase, etc... (when that stuff was sort of new). I stopped the whole production thing until about a year ago when I picked it back up using Reason, FruityLoops, got the MPD24, Axiom... that whole thing. It was fine however here is the problem I had.

I lost interest and inspiration fast because I had to record what I wanted into Audacity, then save that as a .wav file so I could then import it into Recycle. Chop it up in recycle, save as a .rex file then import it into Reason. It took like 10min to do all that crap. Therefore, I decided to get the MPC1K with JJOS on it. That entire process now takes 2min and I can keep things moving along much more efficiently. I still am learning a lot of how-to's but still... if you just sit down and screw around with it you'll see how easy it is. If I come up with an idea now after hearing some record, I can have a beat down in like 20min. The other dope shit about the MPC is when I travel, it comes with me so I can fk around on the road as well. Also doubles as a midi controller for my Serato. It's just an all around useful piece of gear for $500 bucks. I still use Reason but 80% of my brains is the MPC.

Hope this helps.

McGirt wrote:I came from a similar background. I've been dj'ing for 15yrs now and got into production about 2001 when I bought a 2000XL. I sold that a year later and went strictly to computer based systems like Cakewalk, Cubase, etc... (when that stuff was sort of new). I stopped the whole production thing until about a year ago when I picked it back up using Reason, FruityLoops, got the MPD24, Axiom... that whole thing. It was fine however here is the problem I had.

I lost interest and inspiration fast because I had to record what I wanted into Audacity, then save that as a .wav file so I could then import it into Recycle. Chop it up in recycle, save as a .rex file then import it into Reason. It took like 10min to do all that ****. Therefore, I decided to get the MPC1K with JJOS on it. That entire process now takes 2min and I can keep things moving along much more efficiently. I still am learning a lot of how-to's but still... if you just sit down and screw around with it you'll see how easy it is. If I come up with an idea now after hearing some record, I can have a beat down in like 20min. The other dope **** about the MPC is when I travel, it comes with me so I can fk around on the road as well. Also doubles as a midi controller for my Serato. It's just an all around useful piece of gear for $500 bucks. I still use Reason but 80% of my brains is the MPC.

Hope this helps.

Its funny, i agree with most of what you said but i started on software but just got the 1000 and its WAY more fun than sittin at a computer and chopping is fast..i also am known to some as McGirt heheh

i got my 1000 for 580...if you find one for around this price and are unsure, dont be

The workflow on an MPC is NOT the same as the workflow on a DAW.

If all you want is a midi trigger to use MPC style pads on a DAW then don't get an MPC ... get the MPD. I've owned it and used it for over a year.