In terms of using it as a synth, how does the 4000 stack up

sysex is very deep and there are some great post on how to use it,.. but you don´t need to go into sysex for layer crossfading ... heres an ex-sample from the bible:

- Get two drum loops with identical BPM.
- Set the MPC's main tempo to the tempo of the drum loops.
- Puts each of the loops in a zone of the same voice.
- Give each of the samples their own velocity range,
like 0-64 for zone 1 and 65-128 for zone 2.
- Set the Zone Select field to realtime.
- Set LFO1 to random waveform.
- Set the LFO's Midi Sync field to ON.
- Set the LFO Beat Field to 1 or 2 (change as you like).
- Set the LFO Depth to 50 or so.
- And finally, make a Program Modulation setting in the modulation
matrix with LFO1 -> Zone Select


This will do a real-time and random fade between the two drum loops, but synced to tempo! If the two drum loops are similar, like variations of the same beat, you get a great live feal, because the drum pattern is never the same. Very, very, very cool!

cheers to Rob!

same thing as working with OSC... exept you might use more layers and faster lfo rate un-synced.. but it depends on what you want ..

glide wrote:sysex is very deep and there are some great post on how to use it,.. but you don´t need to go into sysex for layer crossfading ... heres an ex-sample from the bible:

- Get two drum loops with identical BPM.
- Set the MPC's main tempo to the tempo of the drum loops.
- Puts each of the loops in a zone of the same voice.
- Give each of the samples their own velocity range,
like 0-64 for zone 1 and 65-128 for zone 2.
- Set the Zone Select field to realtime.
- Set LFO1 to random waveform.
- Set the LFO's Midi Sync field to ON.
- Set the LFO Beat Field to 1 or 2 (change as you like).
- Set the LFO Depth to 50 or so.
- And finally, make a Program Modulation setting in the modulation
matrix with LFO1 -> Zone Select


This will do a real-time and random fade between the two drum loops, but synced to tempo! If the two drum loops are similar, like variations of the same beat, you get a great live feal, because the drum pattern is never the same. Very, very, very cool!

cheers to Rob!

same thing as working with OSC... exept you might use more layers and faster lfo rate un-synced.. but it depends on what you want ..

That right there is a great tip, even if you aren't on the 4k.

I used the random lfo trick to trigger different drum loops. I made 4 one measure drum loops, and then loaded them into the zones.

I used Reason to extract the groove from one loop and apply it to the other three, so that they would have a similar feel. Any app that extracts and applies grooves will work also.

Sorry for the cheese..

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/536724/random_lfo_trick_to_trigger_loops_within_a_zone_on_an_akai_mpc_4/

Yeah, that is really smart. Im glad Ive found this board, there is a lot of stuff going on that is making me think outside of my little box.

Ive pretty much done nothing but sample osc. and set up programs for the last 2 days and I feel like I havent even begun to scratch the surface of this thing. Damn, I sound like such a little fan boy slut. haha.

The next thing Im buying, hopefully next week-ish, is a Behringer BCR2000 so I can set it up with sysex to try all that. Expect questions, Ive never fooled with sysex before.

modulating zones is cool! I've got a a 808/909 kit set up where i use the slider to change between 808 and 909 sounds..sounds ace for little fills and things!
Haven't tried with loops though so will get on that!
I also haven't scratched surface with using the sampler to it's full extent! But then I have a moog sitting next to it so...

Is there a like master guide or anything to ideas like this? I've learned so much from jistthis little two page thread that I think something like that would lead to a lot of creative beats, which we all benefit from.

about tha fills trick when modding zones. discuss.......

glide wrote:sysex is very deep and there are some great post on how to use it,.. but you don´t need to go into sysex for layer crossfading ... heres an ex-sample from the bible:

- Get two drum loops with identical BPM.
- Set the MPC's main tempo to the tempo of the drum loops.
- Puts each of the loops in a zone of the same voice.
- Give each of the samples their own velocity range,
like 0-64 for zone 1 and 65-128 for zone 2.
- Set the Zone Select field to realtime.
- Set LFO1 to random waveform.
- Set the LFO's Midi Sync field to ON.
- Set the LFO Beat Field to 1 or 2 (change as you like).
- Set the LFO Depth to 50 or so.
- And finally, make a Program Modulation setting in the modulation
matrix with LFO1 -> Zone Select


This will do a real-time and random fade between the two drum loops, but synced to tempo! If the two drum loops are similar, like variations of the same beat, you get a great live feal, because the drum pattern is never the same. Very, very, very cool!

cheers to Rob!

same thing as working with OSC... exept you might use more layers and faster lfo rate un-synced.. but it depends on what you want ..

On the MPC 5000 you can do the same ...but easier

You can put 4 loops (or sounds ) under 1 pad in a Program, so you have 4 layers
Then you can have these layers being played by Velocity, or in a cycle, or totally random.
No need for LFO...

To the OP.

1. Use your MPC for sampling and sequencing duties, use those four midi outs.

2. Get a workstation or module for digital sounds, flowers a multisample if you cant be bothered.

3. Get a VA synth or module for analog type sounds and emulations.

4. Sample riffs from your synths into the MPC for that 'sampled' texture and sound.

Hi I put up a video of making synth sounds on the 4000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmxsxFoA2UA I've used a few synths and the 4k is real powerful, the filters are butter. not better than a VA but you can do more with this beast!