The real MPC 4K Sampler Manual is the Z8

Right on!
Maybe you can write us all a fancy book on tha 4k? And make some money out of it too!
After the last, final OS offcourse..


I got my head into so many books right now, I rather just look something up right away on the 4k if I dont know how to do something, instead of reading 37 books first.

Trust me on the sampler part especially keygroups, Qlinks, synthesis, layering, Zone modulation, effects the Z8 is much clearer. Sh*t the first page intro explains half the sh*t the MPC 4K doesn`t. For the sequencer all I needed was the 2KXL. I had my head in alot of books too and it`s been a neverending learning process but I learnt from the 100 heads method. The 100 heads aka 100 minds gives you various advice, methods and techiques to work from compared with one mind or one head way. This way I become a better judge of all the information I receive and built on the foundation I already learned. Each book is an advisor in the BH cabinent. The 4K was fu*king up so I demoted his ass and bought in the Z8. Another successful executive had some experience and tips so I bought him in (MPC Tutor) as an outside counseler. The the buck stops with me to make as many good decisions and lessen my bad decisions 90 good/10 bad. In a sense in my campaign for self improvement experience is the best teacher and others experiences really helps too. I bought MPC Tutors ebook one night ago and I reallly like it. For one it really helped me with my drum chopping and the step by step tutoring with the samples provided help with understanding.

Yo Blue Haze, good looking out my brother. I'm new to this forum but I for one thank you for sharing that knowledge with us. Knowledge is indeed power and by giving us this information you put us all in equality, on a level playing field. I've used Akai products from the S-950 on down and until I read your post I had never put 2 and 2 together as far as the Z8 and the MPC4K is concerned. After reading what you wrote I realized how beneficial studying that manual would be. It makes perfect sense. I believe that the purpose of this forum is to exchange and share information and you are doing your thing brah. Keep building Ahki!

Peace

Blue Haze wrote:I think he`s referring to the function which lets you record off sampling CDs where according to the Z8 manual using auto sampling it will record the note or loop stop assign it to a key and automatically record and assign the next note or loop on the CD in sequential order until the process is finished. This is supposely supported in Z8 as a record and forget function. I haven`t found it either in 4K. It may be a future update. Unless Sean W of Akai knows?

Blue Haze, you're right. In the Z8 Manual it talks about being able to put a Sample CD in
and then going into Auto Sample mode, where you select a threshold and then it will
take that sample cd and sample each part as it reaches that threshold and then give
it a name such BassKill 1 , Bass Kill 2 and such. And assign it to the next note
on the keyboard as you noted above.

I myself don't do use a lot of sample cd's (don't have a big budget, it all went to the MPC-4000),
but I would like to use this feature to sample my synths. I have a decent synth collection and
access to an even bigger one at my brother in laws. This feature would allow me to make
samples much much easier. Especially if I am doing samples of every key on a keyboard.
I can set it up on Auto Sample mode, name the sample MemoryMoogDarkStr and then
set the Threshold (both input and output) and then go over to the Memory Moog ,
dial in the Dark String patch and then start at the bottom of the keyboard and sample
every note. Would stop me from having to interact with the MPC-4000 while I am
at the keyboard triggering each sample. ( I guess that I would like for this to work with
Threshold, as well as the new MIdi Note Record). The MPC always goes into nameing mode
and asks if I want to Play, Retry, Add PGM ,or KEEP. If this was to be implemented, it
would skip this and automatically name it, skip this screen and go back to listening to
threshold or midi note (depending on method used).

This would save me so much time, as it takes quite a while to go through various synths
settings. And if you're sampling all 88 notes on a keyboard, then each interaction with the MPC takes that much more time. If it actually added each sample to a program key,
that would even be better.

I guess since nobody has seen this feature on the 4000, I can assume as Blue Haze said that it hasn't been implemented yet. I think I'll write to the [email protected] to officially log
an RFE (Request for Enhancement). As the next OS has been stated to be the Z8, to get
it to catch up to the MPC-4000's new features, maybe after that when they do tackle
a new MPC 4000 OS, they'll add the additonal features that the Z8 has (I only know of this one, but will be scouring the manual for more!) into the MPC 4000.

Thx for the reponses!

blue haze im lovin that attitue im with you...

right now i have an mp2kxl ive had it for about 3 yrs...ive mastered it and wanna move up to a mp4k...my tracks are hot...

lemme know though...one of the main reasons i wanna get an mp4k is because it can transfer from comp to mpc through usb.

i only sample into my computer...i Will be able to creatively play with the samples in the 4k (even if i transfered them through the computer) just like i would if i sampled right into the 4k right?

i wouldnt be missing out on anything if i didnt sample straight into the 4k?

thanks

You should be able to set the loop points, evelopes, layers, tuning, modulation using aksys system. I use a Mac G4 and I have no problems transferring samples back and forth to the 4K. In fact sampling in the computer and editing in a waveform editor or DAW is highly recommended. I use Peak 4 as my editor to trucate, loop and create new kicks and make drum programs. I`m still getting my head around keygroup programs through I had it shown to me before that it is easy to create the keyspan of a keygroup using aksys when connecting the audio output on the 4K in order to audition and assign as you go. The 4k is indeed a deep sampler, sequencer, and tool to use. I don`t have my wave editor connected to an input card so I sampled into the 4k first(aka records with a turntable) but if you can sample directly into the computer first(I use the CD drive) it is much more user friendly to edit , evovle, set sustaining loop points, and merge samples into new creations. Afterwards you can use pad editor for drum programs (drum kits and phrase samples). However you have to input into memory all the sounds for a keygroup and using the program editor assign to original key and keyspan(key range) it is a little more work. I hope Sean and Akai can explain more and provide further updates on this. I believe that the main focus so far for Akai has been to the drum related questions of users and maybe for now it will answer the multisampling, synthesis aspects of the 4k. I know some of the others have been having problems with the askys and usb connecting and as far as I can see it has been window users. If you have a window`s os you need to update to the newest askys update and test your usb connections. As for my apple G4 OSX is has been smooth sailing.

P.S. try to drag the 4K memory icon to your desktop. It should make save your sounds for the keygroup programs easier.

Just to keep this going so that others can gain something like the MPC is a painter`s studio. The sampler is like the painter plate holding the sounds that are going to be used in the composition. The programs are the various sounds tweak, mixed, and modulated for the new colors . The sequencer is the canvas which all the color via midi will be painted and the pads and qlink knoks are the brushes to applied the paint. The user is the director describing the vision for the painter aka mpc to paint the masterpiece.

[quote="Blue Haze"]You should be able to set the loop points, evelopes, layers, tuning, modulation using aksys system. I use a Mac G4 and I have no problems transferring samples back and forth to the 4K.


You can change all the modulation sources envelopes etc in AKSYS but it's not in real time.... you have to refresh each time you change somthing... I think one key upgrade for aksys would be that aksys works in real time...

deaf-mute wrote:

Blue Haze wrote:You should be able to set the loop points, evelopes, layers, tuning, modulation using aksys system. I use a Mac G4 and I have no problems transferring samples back and forth to the 4K.


You can change all the modulation sources envelopes etc in AKSYS but it's not in real time.... you have to refresh each time you change somthing... I think one key upgrade for aksys would be that aksys works in real time...

sorry my friend but i have seen it done with Mr. Naoya of Akai. i suggest you work some more or ask Sean for assistance if you`re having problems. In this world their is the can`ts and their is the how tos which do you want to be?

Just a new little note I have be toying with Live 4 recently and alot of tools and techniques that I learned and used in Live 4 I transferred that knowledge back to my use of the 4k. If fact I even control my Live session set with my 4k and sequence on the 4k. I am really a software head but this Live isn`t a toy either. It has really simplified alot of tasks and it has taught me alot about sampling and programming tips that I use now on the 4k. If you have the time check out ABLETON LIVE 4 Power! series by Chad Carrier/Dave Hill of Thomson Course Technology publishing at www.courseptr.com.

Hey, this is a good idea (reading the Z8 manual)
I will check this out.

Can I also recommend the Ak.Sys (2.53) user manual?
It's written by a different author to the main MPC4000 docs,
and its style of English is a lot friendlier and less dry.

Wow after a year and some change on this board I can look back on the 24 books and guides plus material for my softwares and other gear and just be like whoa like Black Rob.

And the difficulties I had with the 4k is starting to ease alot. In the beginning , there was alot of terms, methods, and processes I didn`t know jack**** but the hands on training with live and reason, a step by step tutoring with Daniel Duffell guide, plus help from Mr Naoya, and you guys help me to understand finally what the other 80% of the basic 4k user guide was explaining tilo velocity what?, output 2 what?, lowband highband filter what? Keyzone span what? and Step edit what? Lfo phase, shift, enevolpes?, attack hold?, Attack Evn R1 what?.

Now I can understand alot more than a year and some change before, int a output, the real purpose of zoning, the need for multi changes, the beauty of live playing keys at 1/960 off, how to layer up to 8 programs or more, the usefulness of shuffle regions, distortion resample quickex and more. But it wasn`t easy and I didn`t realize when I pick up the 4k that i had to learn alot of **** damn.

At first my thinking was that I paid alot of money, so the gear should be easier to process basic parameters than a 2xl, (I paid it off within a year on payment plan) however I had to invest the almost more time to not just learn, but to understand the **** that was in the basic user guide. Once I determined to leave new gear purchases alone I just invested in books to learn just what I could do what a full sampler. I spend alot of money at Amazon.com and Tower Records Shibuya and the more I learn the more the manuals made sense. And the more I learn the more things I could do on my gear.

The main point after all my talk and experience is that for all the future buyers, sellers, or renters before or when you pick up this piece, one should pick up a book on samplers and sampling music techniques to learn it faster and easier. It`s an extra purchase I know, but knowledge is priceless and you can use your knowledge and understanding with almost any gear. For those who are too busy, have little time, and patience to read other guides, the manual will be difficult to understand by itself. And you may use just half of the gears potential.

Maybe a korg SM1, Roland MV8000, or Gigastudio may be simpler to understand and work with. Different people have different needs and wants. Because everyone may have the same gear, but not everyone will have the same passion, knowledge, and experience to use it. This is my last of these series of trails and tribulations with learning the 4k guides. I wish everyone the best in their productions cuz music is music no matter how you made it just learn how to use your instrument. The more I know the easier the 4k gets. This was an major investment on my part so I planned to use it over the next 10 yrs til I get my money back.

It`s your moment of truth as I grow and reach my potential, I can start using the potential of my tools. I had to master my lack of understanding of music technology to get to where and what I want to do with tools I have.

Some tools are very user friendly and a breeze to use, but would I trade in unwittingly a diamond for a ruby if didn`t have understanding and still be in the same boat as I start on this journey call music technology.

ha.. What are the odds.. I was just looking for this topic. I am printing the z8 manual.
BH is right. The z8 manual is much better explained and everything you can do on the z8, you can do on the 4k.

wheres the manual? that was just a review.