500 or MPD24 for ekit?

Hey all. I am trying to find out which of these options is best for triggering sounds from an electronic drum kit.

I was originally looking into the MPC500, but then I thought that maybe I could save some loot and go with the MPD24. I guess I have a few questions first. (I hope I posted this in the right place)

1) Can the MPD24 be used as a stand alone unit, separate from the computer? I would like to transfer the samples and such to the MPD24 from the computer, then use the drum kit to trigger them.

2) What is the deal with the memory on the MPD24. I can't find any specs on that. Is there sufficient internal memory? It also seems here is no CF card.

3) Are there any differences that I may not be thinking about or know about that may make a difference in my decision? (Is there a difference in latency/general performance/etc.)

mpd is solely a triggering unit, it has no audio whatsoever inside.

in combination with your computer it becomes a powerful uh weapon.

the latency within that setup depends all on your hard-/software / audio card,
with an mpc of course you got zero latency.

go with the mpd and buy the mpc when you got some spare money...

mpd does not have any memory or store any samples. so with an mpd you would be stick either triggering, the samples from the computer, or the ones from the ekit drum brain.

if you are looking for a sound source to trigger from an ekit, the mpd is not what you are looking for.

the mpd is for people that are looking to trigger drum hits via midi, by hitting its pads. its basically an mpc with no sequencer, no memory and no sounds.

you could use an mpc500 for the/your sounds and trigger it via midi by playing the e-drums. without a computer.

i have a v-drum kit at my home studio right now and its pretty easy. just midi out from the e drum brain to midi in on the mpc.

you should know the mpc500 will not let you set up complex velocity switching of the sounds. it will let you load a snare sample, and play it louder or softer based on wether you hit the snare sample louder or quiter. but it will not let you load 100 different snare samples then play different ones based on how hard you hit the snare trigger. if you have heard of the BFD drum sample library for the computer, that is how that works.

also if you have a computer, and an ekit and you don't mind using the computer, all you need is a midi in if you don't have one and you can use your ekit with the computer and use the computer for sample, storage and playback, trigged by the ekit.

ejectorset wrote:you should know the mpc500 will not let you set up complex velocity switching of the sounds. it will let you load a snare sample, and play it louder or softer based on wether you hit the snare sample louder or quiter. but it will not let you load 100 different snare samples then play different ones based on how hard you hit the snare trigger. if you have heard of the BFD drum sample library for the computer, that is how that works.

The MPC500 might not let you load 100 drum sounds and switch between them, but it does let you switch between 4 sounds. Set them up on separate layers and set the velocity range for each as you want it - p77 of the manual. This would be good for subtle changes in timbre of the drum. Not quite as detailed as BFD for example, but means you can do it without a PC!

Awesome. Thanks for the replies.

It looks like I am not going to be able to use the MPDs. I don't have a computer of my own that would be functional enough to work with any application like this. Mine is really old. So, most people might find this silly, but I think I may have to go with the MPC500 instead of putting the money into a laptop. Am I being ridiculous?

It really depends on your workflow and what you want to do. I personally love getting hands on with my music and hate staring at a PC screen all day (do that at my real job!) and so I have an MPC500 and some other outboard gear. Some guys swear by computers and plug-ins. Sounds like you need to do a bit of research before you jump in feet first! Check out tweakheadz site - lots of tips on building a home studio (no matter how basic) from scratch and there are loads of archive posts on here too about that very subject!

Good luck.

I guess part of it is that I am on a budget right now. I would like to get a nice computer, but I can't afford anything worthwhile now. That is another appeal of the 500 for me. For the most part, once I get it, get memory cards, and the update, I am done spending on it. With a computer, the amount I will end up spending on software will probably get pretty high. That, and the fact that I can always get the a nice computer later. I will just use the crappy computer I have now for chopping, and leave it at that.

So your "electronic drum kit" is just for triggering and has a midi out?
Get an old sampler for cheap on ebay, yamaha a-series, akai s or emu, more layering options than on the mpc500. That is if you dont need a sequencer to record your performance in midi. Else i´d recommend the mpc 1000, with the new os (JJ OS 1) you can set up up to 20 layers for a pad.