MPC2500 advice and help. Anything will be much appreciated.

Hi, I just joined this forum yesterday and I am currently looking at an MPC2500 as my first MPC. I have been saving for a few months now and looking to purchase it real soon. Would this be out of my depth or will I be able to learn to use, love and grow with this machine? This is probably a typical newbie post for the regulars on this forum but I am really interested in getting something started here. Will I need software for my laptop? Do you need software to download/create new samples? I've been watching tonnes of videos on YouTube to help get me a bit more in the know but can't seem to find the answers to these questions. Then I came accross this forum.

I would greatly appreciate any help towards this; comments, links to videos/articles, etc. I just don't want to run before I can learn to walk if you know what I mean.

Cheers, soulrebel.

soulrebel wrote: Would this be out of my depth or will I be able to learn to use, love and grow with this machine?

It depends on how much time you are willing to put into the machine to learn it. If you are willing to spend time and read the manual and learn how to use the MPC, the possibilities for creativity are endless. There are many tutorials out there, some very good ones provided by MPC-Tutor who sponsors these forums.

soulrebel wrote: Will I need software for my laptop?

It depends on what you are trying to do with the laptop. If you're using the laptop to multitrack to add non-MPC parts, then you will need software . If you all you are doing is trying to transfer files from the laptop to the MPC, you need a USB cable.
If you want to contain all your beatmaking on the MPC, you won't need anything.

soulrebel wrote:Do you need software to download/create new samples?

If you are recording directly into the MPC, then you don't need any software, as the MPC is a sampler. If you plan on recording samples from vinyl records or other sources, you may want to invest in a mixer. Consider upgrading from the Akai OS to the JJOS.

Out of curiosity, why a MPC 2500 and not a MPC 1000?

MPCHunter wrote:Out of curiosity, why a MPC 2500 and not a MPC 1000?

To be completly honest with you I'm not sure why. I know someone that has a 2500 and he seems to like it alot, I've read some good reviews aswell. Why do you ask the question? Is there a big difference between them?



Thanks for answering those questions for me, my budget is pretty limited so was quite worried about forking out for software if I really needed it. Also, can you cut and paste samples from mp3's etc on the mpc or is there some sort of program that does this already? I will probably find out all of this stuff when I eventually get it but would just like a kind of heads up before starting everything off.

Thanks again....soulrebel.

soulrebel wrote:

MPCHunter wrote:Out of curiosity, why a MPC 2500 and not a MPC 1000?

To be completly honest with you I'm not sure why. I know someone that has a 2500 and he seems to like it alot, I've read some good reviews aswell. Why do you ask the question? Is there a big difference between them?



Thanks for answering those questions for me, my budget is pretty limited so was quite worried about forking out for software if I really needed it. Also, can you cut and paste samples from mp3's etc on the mpc or is there some sort of program that does this already? I will probably find out all of this stuff when I eventually get it but would just like a kind of heads up before starting everything off.

Thanks again....soulrebel.

Download the manual to both machines at akaipro.com. They will answer all of your questions. Then buy the one that you can afford right now. Dreaming about the 2500 when you could be making music with the 500 or 1000 is silly. Get a unit and get started. Based on your questions, what have you been reading on this forum and watching on youtube. There are 100's of readily available videos and tutorials where artists are doing exactly the things you asked about with both machines.

soulrebel wrote:

MPCHunter wrote:Out of curiosity, why a MPC 2500 and not a MPC 1000?

To be completly honest with you I'm not sure why. I know someone that has a 2500 and he seems to like it alot, I've read some good reviews aswell. Why do you ask the question? Is there a big difference between them?

For a beginner, the differences between a MPC 1000 with JJOS and a MPC 2500 with JJOS aren't that significant.

There is a price difference between the two machines.

Have you spent any time behind a MPC to see if it's what you want? The MPC isn't the only thing out there -- there are other alternatives out there in software and hardware. The tools you need really depend on what makes the most sense for you and your workflow.

If you know someone that has one, see if you can take it for a test drive. If there is a Guitar Center near you, they may have one on display for your to try out.

soulrebel wrote:
Also, can you cut and paste samples from mp3's etc on the mpc or is there some sort of program that does this already?

On the MPC, no.

The MPC only deals with WAV files. You would need to convert those MP3s to WAVs elsewhere or sample the MP3s directly into the MPC via the inputs. Keep in mind that MP3s are compressed audio files and may not have the same fidelity as an uncompressed file.

There is a wealth of information in the user manuals for the MPC 1000 and the MPC 2500. You can download these from the Akaipro.com website even if you don't already have an MPC.

Just to let you know, this is what I was considering buying - http://www.dv247.com/keyboards-and-midi/akai-mpc2500se-and-hd25-headphones--74618

It seems like a good, reasonable deal. What do you think? I prefer the idea of having the disc drive with the MPC2500 as it seems practicle.

What was your first MPC? How long did you take to pick up the basics? I am willing to spend quite alot of time with this thing by the way, as I have plenty of it...

Again, my appologies for all the newbie, beginner questions. I can bet you get this all the time. But you have been a great help to me. Thanks again,

soulrebel.

The differences between the 1k and 2.5k are quite minimal and not note worthy for the most part. I have the 1k with JJOS and I'd be very hard pressed to find a reason to upgrade to the 2.5k. There are others I might trade or have in addition to the 1k, but the 2.5k isn't on my list. The price looks 'okay', but you might be better off looking on Ebay, local for sale ads, pawn shops etc... there are plenty of people out there who thought they wanted an MPC and realized they made a poor investment because they didn't want to invest the time to learn the instrument.

Personally, my first MPC was the 1k, I also own the 500 which is quite capable in it's own right. To pick up the basics read the manual. My first musical instrument was the Korg Triton (which has a lot of the same abilities) and while I picked up the basics in about 3 or 4 readings of the manual... I still learn new tricks for it from time to time. I'd say music (or even life) in general is funny like that. You can really get to know something, think you have it mastered and then come back to it later and realize that there were plenty of things that you either took for granted or were unable to appreciate before.

Anyway... if you even have a quarter of the effort that it sounds like you are willing to put into the device I am sure you'll do quite fine. Read the manuals, consider buying the MPC Tutor Bible for the MPC and don't be afraid to ask questions on the forums. The more that you can show that you bring to the table (showing you know the steps/terms) when asking questions the more likely somebody is willing and able to help you.

Good Luck!

Ok, so how much does the JJOS cost to install on an MPC1000? Would it be worth getting that instead of a 2500? How can transfer files from the MPC1000 without a disc drive? Is there a cable that connects it to a computer/laptop to let you transfer stuff? I'm just asking waaay too many questions....

soulrebel

First off, if you're set on getting the 2500 then don't accept anything less. The 1k may have the same basic feature set, but it's not even in the same ballpark when it comes to feel! The crappy little pads feel terrible in my opinion (even the new pads), whereas the 2500 pads feel very similar to the classic MPs.

My advice would be to get the SE (which is very nice by the way), and start off with the free JJos as it is a nice improvement over the stock Akai os. Give it a few months and then maybe upgrade to the paid JJ... £80 if I remember right. It's worth it though.

That's me ordered the MPC2500SE (http://www.andertons.co.uk/drum-machines-sequencers/pid18175/cid599/akai-mpc2500-special-edition.asp), really looking forward to getting it in now. Thanks for all you people's advice it has been much appreciated. I hope to be up there with all you veterans one day!

soulrebel.

soulrebel wrote:That's me ordered the MPC2500SE (http://www.andertons.co.uk/drum-machines-sequencers/pid18175/cid599/akai-mpc2500-special-edition.asp), really looking forward to getting it in now. Thanks for all you people's advice it has been much appreciated. I hope to be up there with all you veterans one day!

soulrebel.

Good choice! Put the work in it and you will love it. I went for the 5000 anyway while others adviced otherwise. I have it for a few weeks now and i'm loving it!