New to Production and MPCs - Advice Please!

Hey everyone,

After months (maybe longer) and thinking and mulling, I decided that I want to start on music production. I don't want to put down too much cash initially, but I would like to use both hardware and software. I don't want an all-hardware set up because of costs. I want to avoid an all-software setup because of past experiences with them. Software like Reason (the demo) and Garageband are fun for composing melodies, but eventually I got a little annoyed because it feels too hands-off and sometimes a little complex.

For the hardware side, I want to use an MPC because, quite honestly, it looks like a lot of fun. However, I'm not sure whether to choose the MPC500 or the MPC1000. Because I'm just a hobbyist, the MPC500 seems like the better choice because of its cost and portability. However, Ive read a lot of posts on this site saying that a used MPC1000 with JJ OS is a much better value. Cost and value are the big issues for me in this case.

Basically, I'm starting from scratch and I'd really appreciate some advice on how I should start out. ("Do I need turntables, or will my portable CD & MD players serve just fine as sources?" etc.,)

Of course, I don't expect to get ALL the answers from here, but I'd like some direction.

Welcome to the board.

I don't want to put down too much cash initially

Good decision to start with. Don't spend huge amount of cash and then decide if you need all of these toys or not : )

From what I read here I thought about a midi controller for you. MPD 24 for example. But if you really want to go hardware - mpc 1000 will be a good choice, even if you have to wait a little to afford it. Later you will probably realise that you don't take your machine out of home (500 is known of it's portability, but has way less features than 1000).
True, with jj os in mpc1000 you have a lot more onboard and can go more creative. Some wise words from a dude that owns... only a 2kxl I know But I read some stuff about both machines and that's my honest opinion.

Remember that it's up to you where you take samples from. It can be a MD, a portable or stand alone cd player, even a tv set with rca sockets or radio, a microphone, anything. No rules here. Of course to sample from turntable is much more fun, but to start with you will be good with any sound source.

I have a 500 and although I've never used a 1000 I have looked jealously at the specs. However, for me cost (inc value for money) and portability were big issues.

I travel a lot for work and take my 500 with me (don't use so much while travelling but its great to create choons in hotel rooms instead of watching cr@p tv). I also find myself creating music in my home, but away from my studio space because it suits me to be around my family etc.

I think for the price, the 500 is still value for money and with the usb is great for using alongside software such as recycle. But if you want to go deeper into synthesis using just the hardware then the 1000 with jjos would be the better long term bet. Remember that you can always trade up a little bit down the line too.

Thanks for the responses, guys!

The MPD24 looks interesting, but it requries the PC and, if possible, I don't want to be able to make music without replying completely on the PC.

I hear that the microkorg (or a similar keyboard) would go well with the MPC, especially if I do decide to get software down the line. If I were to get the microkorg and the MPC500 I could keep everything under US$1200 (maybe even US$1000) if I got monitors and a mic.

Does that seem like a reasonable set up?

as a 1k user i'm biased...

but i'd have to say it's probably worth the extra pennies for the 1k. the JJOS
is really kickass, and introduces functions only available on the higher end
MPC's - some from 2500, and maybe some from 4000? not too sure on that.

i feel like, as a total noob to the MPC world, the 500's small screen isn't
going to facilitate rapid learning.

but i have no idea how you prefer to work...

i'd recommend giving each one a decent work out at a music store...
not one of those lame 5 minute tap the pad woohoo i'm playin a drum beat
trials...

but actually get one of the sucka's to bring you manuals etc to do a decent
comparison with the processes you'd like to use to create tracks. you should
have some idea of the workflow that works for you - if you've made tracks
on a comp i mean.

as for the mK - definitely a dope little keyboard, awesome sound engine...
annoyingly small keys, and, as with all small format synths, lacking knobs
and or sliders for tweaking parameters.

will slot in nicely with the MP - only monotimbral though so you'll have to do
lots of resampling if you want multiple synth parts on a track.



but if you're just hobby about it, 500 would be fine... might take a bit longer
to get up and running.

good luck!