By Antonym
Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:33 pm
love it or hate it, things are being done with the mpc 1000 that are really really cool. few mpcs have been used with such dedication alongside computer programs, vsts and such - with such ease and interest.
here are a few of my reflections on the mpc 1k's "flaws."
as someone who started as a strictly computer producer in high school because that's all i had access to (much like an aspiring dj in 3rd world new york in the 70s who had nothing but turntables) the idea of timestretching was never amazing to me. i used acid 3.0 to produce 2 cds - the idea of "beatmapping" and then adjusting its pitch took some getting used to but turned out to be an incredibly valuable trick when it came to sampling.
having started doing that on a pc, i cannot imagine doing it on an mpc. it strikes me as easier, better and faster on pc. however, that's simply experientialism - since i was rasied on timestretching via pc, it's what i will always do because it, to me, is more logical.
2nd, reversals. this will be very short and sweet - microsoft sound recorder, which comes with most windows os's, has a reverse function. how hard is it to simply import your samples already reversed? nuff said.
3rd. zoning. again, done easier, faster and more precisely on the computer. with programs like recycle and acid 5.0 available (render each track as different file, anyone?) why do we even need to spend the time zoning on an mpc when the files can already be zoned and pgmed through bluebox BEFORE EVEN LOADING THE SAMPLES ONTO THE 1k? this has saved me countless hours.
normally, i have chosen a tempo before i even turn on my mpc, as i'm editing a potential sample in acid. all i have to do is set the tempo on the mpc and there i go - everything is loaded onto my 1k ready to be programmed, prezoned, prereversed, prefiltered and sometimes preeffected.
while in the mpc i create a reason accompaniment file linked via midi synch. this way, i can interpolate and get creative with my own samples, building on what i've started from and really going nuts with synths and badass dr rex cut ups. often i create an additional hat or ride track on rex that rides over the drums i have programmed on my 1k. drums, bass and sample (the rudimentary elements of a pre2000's hip hop song) are all done on my 1k. the rest, the subtle synths, the nice accoustic overtones are all done using reason as a sound module.
i think i should branch off here to say that there is a major major distinction to be made here. THE MPC 1K IS BEST USED WITH A COMPUTER AS A SUPPLIMENTARY DAW, SOUND MODULE AND EDITOR. if you choose to make beats without the obvious technological advancement provided in software via pcs or macs, PLEASE choose a 2000, 2000xl, MV8000, 3000, or 4000. you'll be so much happier.
the mpc 1k is a segue for computer producers into the world of hardware - it has all the benefits of hardware yet requires you to keep your foot in the door of the growing software necessity. i love my mpc1000. while i was a computer producer i grew sick of clicking, clicking, clicking. the 1k gave me just what i needed - a break from the mouse to create the hip hop element, while maintaining a strong experimental, electronica edge via computer.
perhaps the 1k is not suited for the rudimentary, 90s hip hop producer. it is not a DAW.
it is a wonderful device meant to have a sidekick - the pc.
hi yo silver....
here are a few of my reflections on the mpc 1k's "flaws."
as someone who started as a strictly computer producer in high school because that's all i had access to (much like an aspiring dj in 3rd world new york in the 70s who had nothing but turntables) the idea of timestretching was never amazing to me. i used acid 3.0 to produce 2 cds - the idea of "beatmapping" and then adjusting its pitch took some getting used to but turned out to be an incredibly valuable trick when it came to sampling.
having started doing that on a pc, i cannot imagine doing it on an mpc. it strikes me as easier, better and faster on pc. however, that's simply experientialism - since i was rasied on timestretching via pc, it's what i will always do because it, to me, is more logical.
2nd, reversals. this will be very short and sweet - microsoft sound recorder, which comes with most windows os's, has a reverse function. how hard is it to simply import your samples already reversed? nuff said.
3rd. zoning. again, done easier, faster and more precisely on the computer. with programs like recycle and acid 5.0 available (render each track as different file, anyone?) why do we even need to spend the time zoning on an mpc when the files can already be zoned and pgmed through bluebox BEFORE EVEN LOADING THE SAMPLES ONTO THE 1k? this has saved me countless hours.
normally, i have chosen a tempo before i even turn on my mpc, as i'm editing a potential sample in acid. all i have to do is set the tempo on the mpc and there i go - everything is loaded onto my 1k ready to be programmed, prezoned, prereversed, prefiltered and sometimes preeffected.
while in the mpc i create a reason accompaniment file linked via midi synch. this way, i can interpolate and get creative with my own samples, building on what i've started from and really going nuts with synths and badass dr rex cut ups. often i create an additional hat or ride track on rex that rides over the drums i have programmed on my 1k. drums, bass and sample (the rudimentary elements of a pre2000's hip hop song) are all done on my 1k. the rest, the subtle synths, the nice accoustic overtones are all done using reason as a sound module.
i think i should branch off here to say that there is a major major distinction to be made here. THE MPC 1K IS BEST USED WITH A COMPUTER AS A SUPPLIMENTARY DAW, SOUND MODULE AND EDITOR. if you choose to make beats without the obvious technological advancement provided in software via pcs or macs, PLEASE choose a 2000, 2000xl, MV8000, 3000, or 4000. you'll be so much happier.
the mpc 1k is a segue for computer producers into the world of hardware - it has all the benefits of hardware yet requires you to keep your foot in the door of the growing software necessity. i love my mpc1000. while i was a computer producer i grew sick of clicking, clicking, clicking. the 1k gave me just what i needed - a break from the mouse to create the hip hop element, while maintaining a strong experimental, electronica edge via computer.
perhaps the 1k is not suited for the rudimentary, 90s hip hop producer. it is not a DAW.
it is a wonderful device meant to have a sidekick - the pc.
hi yo silver....
