trigger samples from my keyboard instead of pads?

I just got the mpc1000 v 2.0 and maybe I have weak fingers, but I have to really pound the pads to get the desired punchy sound I'm looking for. I heard the 1000 was supposed to be the most sensitive, I'm glad I didn't get the 500. I'm pretty sure its not just my machine because I remenber having the same issue when playing around on one at guitar center a long time ago, I just forgot about it.

I'm new to pads & more comfortable with keys, is it possible to just trigger all my samples from my keybed? Will I lose some of that "punchy" effect the pads seem to have on drums?

I'd like to use the pads, but after 10 min of playing all my fingers feel like how it feels to stub a toe.

Try setting yer pads to full level (first button on the left beneath pad bank options). you might also try layering yer drum kit programs (you can also adjust output level in program by increasing from preset level of 70). Check yer samples did you record in or did you import via usb. I recommend, in my humble opinion(especially with drums) to edit drum samples in software on yer computer , I use protools and a variety of plug-ins tho as I'm sure you are aware ther is no shortage of software options (no specific method for drum edits, just kind of tinker til it sounds fat or small or whatever I'm looking for), once I'm happy export sounds to mpc via usb and I find I have a "cleaner" result than recording raw into mpc and editing from there. a bit more time consuming tho. If this is all known, I apologize... but I hope it helps somewhat. also, unless yer running new JJ OS you probably will not be satified with the annoyance of creating a program without autochromatic program function. you'll hear about it in the forum, if you haven't yet

thanks keif, I'm pretty new to mpc's so all advice is appreciated. I think that preset volume of 70 is my problem, gotta raise that up.

I actually haven't recorded any of my own samples yet, I just got it an hour ago and was playing around w/ the stock samples. . I'd like to record from vinyl but I don't have a turntable or mixer, so for now i'm just going to import via usb. Do you use some sort of mixer/pre-amp between your computer and mpc for wav files? I've read that w/ vinyl you need it to boost the low signal, but wasn't sure with wav files.

yeah, I've got ableton live that I might use to chop into loops, then record into mpc and chop the loops up further in there. I'm not really sure how I'm going to work yet.

btw, does that full level feature put all samples at 127 volume or velocity? I thought I read it was velocity but I don't want every note to play at the same velocity.

thanks for the help,
jk

the stock samples are (should be) recorded and uploaded to mpc at optimum levels by akai, making them excellent test specimens for feeling out yer mpc. I know that on my 1k I have to set "full level" or else I can't get certain pads to sound out above a whisper no matter how hard I hit them. not sure but I suspect has something to do with the overly-disscussed 1k pad issue, which I learned to work around/with as I am sure you will too. but yea, I set the pads to full level(which does put them at full velocity, but I can still fit a lil swing in ther)and then use the slider to adjust velocity etc.(when I'm lazy I just use the vol mixer!lol)
No mixer or premp req. for usb file transfer between pc and mpc (it's a beautiful thing really) just plug in by going to(hold down) MODE ---> LOAD----->USB, then icon will appear on desktop or somewhere in pc. (I use mac) file transfer (wav. file transfer) is as easy as drag and drop. You shouldn't necessarily need a signal boost when expoting wav. to mpc. If you have edited said wav. file in software, levels should be nice and crispy/juicy/punchy, whatever with no need for a signal boost- in fact I usually have to turn mine down. Sampling from vinyl into mpc raw audio style can sometimes require additional boost, but not if yer working with a dj or stage mixer, only has happened to me when connecting turntable direct to reciever w/ground, this needed a boost option that was offered on reciever itself so no biggie. (you can usually simply adjust rec. levels on the fly with gain rotary knob.
Ableton is perfect, and yer definatley barking up the right tree on the process, just need some creative tinkering now. I might of overdone the coffee this morning, sorry for the essay.

lol, thanks I don't mind the long response, i tend to type a lot too. i hope this pad issue isn't the case, but i did notice that some of the stock samples/pads within a program were so low in volume i could barely hear them while others were good. i thought maybe they were just crappy samples. never thought the pads might be faulty. I can always trigger from my keyboard if it becomes a problem. i got an alesis qs8 with fully weighted hammer action keys that would be great for triggering samples i think. anyways, i put it away for now, gotta get my usb/midi cables and start putting my own stuff in before i can really test it out. thanks again