Turning point in my MPC career ....

What up FP? I don't really post much but I read many threads so I feel like ya'll might be able to lend some solid advice.

I'm thinking bout selling my MPC 1000 and going straight computer.
This is what I'm thinkin, I'm broke 1st and foremost cuz I recently started a business.

Second I know how some of ya'll feel bout Fruity Loops but I've crankin out some solid sh*T in my opinion pretty easy on FP lately. I'll try to post something in the near future. Time is not on my side these days cuz I work full time, run a weekend food establishment, and I try to produce in between.

But anyway I love the MPC but it just ain't getting the use I imagined it would when I bought it this summer. I'm thinking since I really been effecient with FL Studio, Sound Forge, Reason, and Acid , f*ck it I might as well stick to that.

I have a SP 303 as sampler and I'm thinking bout selling the MPC and getting the MPD midi pads or whatever to use with my programs.

This is a long as* post but any suggestions? Thanks!

hmm it's really up to you and how much you enjoy working with the 1000. but if you're gonna do shows or anything, you might wanna consider if you're gonna want to manually(usuing your hands and movement) to play melodies, drums or whatever. for me personally i'd like to get ableton live, but still use the mpc and play along or play into the computer. for me, the mpc format is very easy to work with so that's why i wouldn't get rid of it. just consider all options and different things that could come up. you could play beats at your "food establishment"

just make music. who cares what "YOU" use as long as it sounds good to yourself and others. go acapella. Fu!k it. just have fun.

Personally I only use the computer now for handling the samples. No more Cubase, Reason and software drummachines. After getting the MPC (also got it this summer) I spend less time fusking with the computer and more time on MAKING MUSIC . Of course, if its a moneyproblem... hmm... but on the other hand: "time is money"...

As others have mentioned, it's your style of music making that will determine the tools you'd rather use. As abunchofsounds mentioned, if you want to play live, then the MPC brings another dimension to your set. I use a laptop w/ Ableton Live & the MPC 1000 to bring in beats, build beats on the fly while muting tracks. If you're doing studio oriented music, then software is completely legit. Personally, I like the hybrid environment of software & hardware.

Fortunately, if you sell your MPC you will still be able to make music and evaluate what feels right for you. If you miss the MPC and your money situation gets a bit better, you can always get another MPC.

Like everyone else says...just make music however you can.

Ya'll been helpful ... but let me ask you this then.

Does anybody have or use the Akai MPD16 midi pads? Let me know how that works out for you. Also does anybody actually make beats with the SP303 or just sample with it?

One more thing ... anybody familiar with the Stylus, Trilogy, and Atmospheres soft synths? How are those? I just got them from a friend who retired from producing!! Thanks in advance!

smut101 wrote:Ya'll been helpful ... but let me ask you this then.

Does anybody have or use the Akai MPD16 midi pads? Let me know how that works out for you. Also does anybody actually make beats with the SP303 or just sample with it?

One more thing ... anybody familiar with the Stylus, Trilogy, and Atmospheres soft synths? How are those? I just got them from a friend who retired from producing!! Thanks in advance!

I actually own the USB pads.....they're cool, but I ended up not using them very often....I'll prolly e-bay 'em......oh yeah this cat at Sam Ash wants to copp 'em....I guess I'll give him 1st crack...

Don't underestimate some of the differences between the mpc and the computer. Although the computer can do many of the functions an MPC can do plus more, there is still a compromise using only pc. Timing is the main one, since the MPC is a dedicated box and is known for having much better timing than a standard computer.

There is also the point that different sequencers will give you varied results.. This makes your music sound very different depending on what you used to sequence it with. I use the sequencer in the MPC mainly, but when I sequence in the computer, or my other box, the Yamaha RM1X with the same instruments, the results change. This makes my music seem to sound less monotomous.

This also fits in with a pc running soft and hard synths, or whatever perfectly. You can use it in conjunction with other sequencers back and fourth however you see fit, but the "MPC sound" will always be available to you with this box.

Also, playing music with this does feel more organic and musical than with a computer. I usually get bogged down and feel like i'm programming all of the time sequencing and sampling with the CPU. With this box, it feels like you are playing a solid instrument, and you can concentrate more on making music with it than anything else.

I say give it another shot, and try to master the instrument for all of the potential that it has. I mean all of us in the MPC1000 forum must have computers to read and write these posts, but still swear by our MPC1000's. There has to be something behind the box more than just hype.

smut101 Yes, I have it.
A waste of $200 dollars.

The Pads are not as good as any of the MPC,but they are usable.
I have found the MPD 16 very enjoyable connected to a keyboard or a module with a MIDI connection,but connected to software via USB has been a no go.

I have 3 computers,WIN 98,win 2000 & XP, Software I have Sound Forge5.0 & 7.0, Orion Platinum 5, and Acid 1,2.0 & 4.0,Wavelab 4.0 Cubase vst 32, Sonar 3.

I bought the MPD 16 because I couldn't wait for a 1k anymore,and I have fxpansion vsti DR-008.

I fiquired that'll be the next best thing. I was only able to get it to work via midi.

man I just had crazy issues via usb,ALL the software on my set-ups had problems of recognizing the USB connection although it was install on my systems ,midi no problems.

Dude don't sell your machine that little blue box is going to be a much sort after little unit. Just mothball it,intil you find a use for it.

You will get tried and bored of that computer every now then,the mpc is a great alternative when that happens. Plus banging those pads are a lot of fun!

i used to be an all-software man. it was the cost effective way out, since i bootlegged all my software/samples and churned out 2 cds that did very well.

however, the mpc has made my music much more multidimensional (plus drums just plain SOUND better somehow when they're on the mpc rather than acid/reason.)

but man - computer + mpc is THE greatest method of production i could imagine...if i had a turntable and Final Scratch, i would be complete.

churn out a couple melodies in reason and render em to a wav, then throw them down on the mpc pads. grab and manipulate a sample from an mp3 in acid and then send it packing onto the mpc.

i by no means discredit how useful a computer is. but man i do love my little blue and red pleasure box.

http://excommence.com/orphanage.mp3

my first computer/mpc combo

I've just bought n MPC 1000 after many frustrating months with a pc and an mpd 16.... the control surface is fine in itself, and I had no problems with the pc recognising it thru usb, but the main problem was getting midi sequences to sound tight- the mPC 1000 is a million times better, and I am not some expert with the ears of a bat. having bought the 1k I can assure you it is much more immediate and just better sounding. However lots of peeple don't seem to complain about their pc set up so perhaps I'm just unlucky (though I have tried reinstalling, different software etc). The grass is always greener, etc etc.

Intresting, I was just thimking of departing from my MPC myself.

The only thing thats keeping me from selling it is that the MPC feels more organic or musical than starring at a BRIGHT computer screen when composing.


wish akai would implement some needed OS upgrades to the 1000 so I did not have mess with samples on my computer ! (music production CENTRE?)

just my thoughts.

You should sell it. MPC's have been known to bite their owners when they don't feel loved.

It could use a home from someone in need of a used MPC. You could use $750-$800 bucks (since the retail price went up.)

peace

I just wanna say thanks for the comments my peeps. I think I'll keep it for the time being now. Ya'll be easy!!! Urrrgggh!

Beware !

If your MPC is feeling neglected, she might get HERSELF another guy to bang her ...