Havn't Even Started, Big Beginner

Ok, I have no experience of producing music, and for my start, I'm thinking of purchasing a MPC500.

First question, when I buy it, what do I hook it up to?
I have no other gear, just this computer and a belt record player.
Do I need anything else?

You'll want a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter or cord, unless you have 1/4" head phones. Otherwise you could hook it up to a 1/8" microphone jack on your computer if you have one, the poor man's method.

You may want a CF card of your own.

Also a lot of people will probably tell you to buy a used 1k instead soon. I started on the 500, I have no other equip besides Audacity and that doesn't cost a red cent, but I'm having a great time with it. Don't take my word for it though, I'm still a beginner.

slickhare wrote:You'll want a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter or cord, unless you have 1/4" head phones. Otherwise you could hook it up to a 1/8" microphone jack on your computer if you have one, the poor man's method.

You may want a CF card of your own.

Also a lot of people will probably tell you to buy a used 1k instead soon. I started on the 500, I have no other equip besides Audacity and that doesn't cost a red cent, but I'm having a great time with it. Don't take my word for it though, I'm still a beginner.

allright you need...

mpc500
studio monitor headphones
compact flash card a.k.a CF card typically 1gb
128mb of ram for extra space
audacity is great for beginners and free..software for chopping etc.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

and of course samples to start u off!!!

got any more ? holla @ me

Word!

i'd get the 1000 instead of the 500. jjos ins't avaialbe for the 500 and it makes abig difference.

beach_break wrote:i'd get the 1000 instead of the 500. jjos ins't avaialbe for the 500 and it makes abig difference.

true!!!

nicebeats1 wrote:

slickhare wrote:You'll want a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter or cord, unless you have 1/4" head phones. Otherwise you could hook it up to a 1/8" microphone jack on your computer if you have one, the poor man's method.

You may want a CF card of your own.

Also a lot of people will probably tell you to buy a used 1k instead soon. I started on the 500, I have no other equip besides Audacity and that doesn't cost a red cent, but I'm having a great time with it. Don't take my word for it though, I'm still a beginner.

allright you need...

mpc500
studio monitor headphones
compact flash card a.k.a CF card typically 1gb
128mb of ram for extra space
audacity is great for beginners and free..software for chopping etc.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

and of course samples to start u off!!!

got any more ? holla @ me

Word!

cant he chop on the 500 why would he need a choppiing prgm

1k's more of a straight foward machine. The 500 reminds me of one of those texas instruments calculator's.

As far as choppin goes on a 500 I beleive you can but not like the 1000. I think you can take it to 64 slice's in the 1k.

500's cool and all, but the 1000's a beast!

PZ

Wohhhh.

Ok, I see all those supplies, I'll checkem out.
But can I do anything with my record player?
I think it would be awesome to chop those up.
And MPC1k is pricey, but I guess I'll go with that?

500's kinda pricey to.

the retail price of a 500...is basically the same price for a 1k off ebay...

which one would u prefer

kingrome_1 wrote:cant he chop on the 500 why would he need a choppiing prgm

go to samash or gc. and try using the chop on the 500. you'll answer your own question

but yea the new 500 is pretty pricey considering the price of a used 1k. but regardless, the 500 is a perfectly capable machine. screw ppl who say its a side dish to bigger mpc's. they're just ppl who have been spoiled by bigger and better mpc's, as you will probably be when and if you upgrade.(i know its happened to me already)

nicebeats1 wrote:the retail price of a 500...is basically the same price for a 1k off ebay...

which one would u prefer

I'm don't really like buying off eBay, but if I have to..

I've never touched an MPC before, and the 500 is not rocket science. It's just different. Of course bigger = better. But people make the 500 sound like it can't play samples or make sequences. It's definitely more than capable of knocking things out. If you're not a big time producer who needs to get ish done quickly, and you're doing this for fun, the 500 isn't going to set you back that much. I don't know about you, but personally, I like my products new, not something someone's done god-know's-what to. You can get screwed pretty easily on ebay, miss one line in the fine print and you'll be shipped a brick that says mpc1000 on it unknowingly, and PayPal and eBay won't give a damn.

The 500 isn't so bad, with any product, if you spend "just a little bit more" you'll get something better. that's the whole point. I'm not knocking the other MPC's. I'm just saying the 500 isn't a speak & spell with a fader and track mute.

Alright so can someone just lay it down?
No, I'm not going to be a big time producer, it's just a hobby.
No studio, just a living room.
500 or 1000?
And do I need software?

1000 hands down.



Don't get it twisted , I wasn't trashin the 500. One of my good friends has one so I've messed with it a fair share. The choppin is what I don't like and thats Half of makein the beat.

I don't think JJ has come out with an OS for the 500 either.


The JJ OS is like given those good rub on steriods to your MPC.
Except it's balls don't shrink!



PZ