How are you suppsed to make beats with it?!

Ok, forgive me for this stupid question, but how exactly do "the pros" use MPCs to make beats?!

I have protools, (the Digi 002 Rack), an MPC1000, a bunch of sample CDs in both Akai and .wav format, (though I'm told I need to buy an external CD drive to actually load the sounds on in Akai format).

How do i go about making some decent sounding beats?

It's not a problem of composition, I've composed some excellent beats that sound good (musically) on programs like garage band but sound amatuerish because of the low quality midi sounds. So this is why I bought an MPC.

Do i need to buy any particular sounds? Are there super-expensive ones that the pros use?

And even if I make drumloops, how do I then use the MPC to add bass, keys, rhodes, whatever, does it even do this?

And also, how do i go from the MPC to Protools? At the moment I'm just using a stereo jack, (guitar lead). Is this the best way?

Please excuse my ignorance, but I need help!

wow, looks like your sittin on a ton of equipment that you dont know how to use.

1. read the manual

2. after learning the basics, keep the manual right next to your gear at all times for quick reference.

3. depending on what kind of music your doing, youll need either a turntable and a lot of records, or good midi sounds that you can buy off the net

hope that helped

"The Lost Art of Sampling"

http://www.soundonsound.com/search?url=%2Fsearch&Section=8&Subject=10

sounds like your gear is all broken! you need to mail it to me and i'll check and see if it's workin right......

but seriously, it's not the tools that make music, it's people. hard working people. if you want people to sweat while dancin to your beats, you're gonna hafta sweat in the studio and you are definetly going to have to sweat while learning how to use your tools.....

here's a tip: if your brain does not hurt after reading the manual or following a tutorial, then no new neural connections were made in your head. try harder...

last tip: look up/ research chopping....

^^^ slow down big homie... take your time and learn your gear... it will take time, but if you have the passion for it... it'll open up for you... this forum is a good place to ask questions, and find out tips... but it highly recommend you read those books... (it'll help with your understanding when these guys get techy... trust) Start with the MPC and work from there... you'll find alot of common techinques that can be applied with making good "sounding" beats and vocal tracking and recording...

PS. This isn't the slow bus so get on your job, and handle the business before the business handles you... LOL

alright then,

TAIN

**** the manual....
i have ADD and gave up on that shit after the first lil bit
just play with it and learn what works best for you

wow, the same post in 2 forums. and amazing that the answers are quite similar. hmmmm

for real man, just start testing it. record everything your heart desires into it, via midi, or line in. then start building.
once you hit a wall or dont know what to do check in here most of us are glad to help.

my issue when i first got it (having moved from reason) was

1- i can only make a loop, how do i make a whole song?
2- i could have made this way faster in reason....

now i would never go back to constructing stuff solely in reason, even in reason/acid as my "crew" does. they do it well, but i cannnnnnnot. i need the fingertips - and if you work at it long enough you will too.

listen. Most of the info that was given to you as an answer is right. spend time with it get to know it. if you use reason keep using reason. just add the mpc in as a adittional way to get what you want. a beat! dont ever close your mind to one sampler or sequencer. be will to learn as much as you can (unless you find that one tool that you just fit with and can the most results because you have chemistry with its design. dont lose the love of creating music while larning your new gear either.

Making a whole song comes easy to some and is a lil tougher for others. keep trying and keep trying and keep trying. Some things this forum just can not teach. That is one of them. Find some local producers and hang around. take notes a share. but dont just ask. watch how they do what they do. you may see one or to things they do and may fit your work chain in your spot. STAY HUNGRY!!!! good luck

sell it all 2 me i'll show u how

hey i have an idea, lets all write down our own techniques so holmes can get a taste of what we are all about... holmes? wheres holmes?

hmm for some reason i still wanna give my own .02, if only because i wanna hear myself talk blah blah blah.

Im having the exact same problem that dude is having...but i know with time it will clear up?