maximum sample length

Total newbie here, I was wondering if there is a maximum length that a sample/loop can be for the 1000? Is it solely based on the amount of storage on the machine?

I basically need to have lengthy samples (backing tracks) at anywhere from 4-8 minutes each triggered. Is this possible?

With 128mb ram you'll get about 11 minutes of stereo sampling time.

^^^hes on point there.

also you will be able to store only about three to four samples if they're that long in stereo. you get double that with mono (about 23 min), but that if ALL your samples are in mono. dont want to lecture you and say the mpc wasnt built for that, but it wasnt lol. ive thought of this when playing live already. dont go through that headache and just use your backing tracks on a computer sequencer - logic, reason, PT, or even something like traktor.

id say hook up your mpc via midi to your main DAW (where mpc works the same as midi controller) and trigger your 4-8 minute long backing tracks with your mpc that way, which leaves room to use your mpc what it was intended for. my 2 cents.

good luck!