should i buy the mpc4000? please help!

ok, i'm mpc-ignorant, dont know much about it at all..I use Reason 2.5 software to make music now, and Mobius for my sampler..and it works great. My question is, what CAN i do with an MPC that isn't up to par with software? unless they are $2,500 worth of added features with it..is it really worth the price?

I would really like to cash in the software for some solid hardware...but the more bad things I hear about some equipment, makes me feel that software is the way to go in most cases. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

My advise to you would be to go do a general internet search....Reasearh the product in question a bit more. Read up on its spec and capabilities. Once you know abit more, you'l understand what users are going on about when they start telling you about it.

no doubt..im working on that right now...can I have some examples though that would answer my question? Like what special features I can expect from the MPC that otherwise wouldn't be possible by just using software, or processes that the MPC does BETTER then software? I heard that the MPC is famous for its great sample filters, and all the possibilites using them, is that true? I REALLY want to go with the hardware, but $2,500 needs to be a truely wise investment, because i can buy a Yamaha Motif for about the same price. I'm really hoping that the MPC can replace Reason for good, and then some. Thanx for the response

Your thinking seems a little naive. An MPC cant save you. It can only compliment your gift.

There are countless MPC Vs Software debates on here...Do a search.

If your more of a software guy, then you might not like it...Then again you might be flexible with technolog. I for one aint really into all the software stuff like Reason but thats jus me.

As for you motif example. Perhaps you need to go to a local store a do a bit of touchy feely and see jus what your money can buy.

Talk to a product advisor and get points of view from them too. In a person to person convo you can get down to things a lot quicker than waiting on some1 to get back to you here on such a personal topic

Bravo knows what he's saying...and he always has practical answers for questions posted here.

I've never used software..can't get my head around it. I'm all hardware...and am coming from a 2KXL to the 4000.

Don't be mistaken..the MPC is a "software" based machine...you're just not gonna have a mouse and screen to stare at...but you'll be able to do all kinds of filtering, twisting, editing,patching, routing that you probably can dream of. If you think it...this machine can most likely do it. The sampler in the 4K is the same engine as the Z8..it's industry standard stuff.
As for sequencers...you can't hardly buy a hardware sequencer today anymore...unless it's an MPC...that's their market...that's why I own them.

Bottom line for me...I'm a percussionist..I like to hit things. I like to hold knobs in my fingers and twist them. I hate staring at computer screens to make music..I use my ears.

Computers work for me for e-mail, finances and message boards..

It's as simple as that for me -

Bop

I appreciate the responses...naive..yes, in a sense that I'm not too familiar with alot of hands on equipment, i'm basically new to it all...Bebop about summarized it though, I'd be much more comfortable tweaking, turning, and pushing buttons myself, then dragging and dropping with a mouse. I never said the MPC was gonna "save me"..but I simply wondered if its a good trade-off from the software I was using..thats all. It looks like I will be making an investment in the MPC after all, cuz I'm all about sitting down in a full studio rather then my computer's desktop...

It's all about 'suck it & see'!

I was recommended MPC's years ago & took no notice coz as far as I was concerned, I programed beats fine using a keyboard/midi controller.

Because my projects are leaning a lot more towards Urban as opposed to Dance recently, I was recommended again to try an MPC & I thought to myself, stop being stuborn & go check one out - what have I got to lose!

I tried one out a few weeks ago (MPC1000) and I'm hooked baby! These things are the business. I use Logic as my main sequencer except for drums now, because I feel I can express myself on the pads better. I nearly checked out the MPD16 which are the MPC pads without the sequencer. I was steered away from it because the MPC sequencer is one of the main features I think, that makes them famous because of the way they quantise. Even if you don't swing your beats, it still gives it a more 'late', more natural/human feel. I feel this the best between 70 - 110bpm.

Find a retailer than can loan you demo units (try before U buy) if you can. If you can't then start building a relationship with one which does great deals and that are helpful at the same time (for future). Trying out stuff in the shops aren't always enough.

Now that I've got into the MPC's I've found that the 1k have cut out too many features so I'm gonna check out the 4k's. And they're blue too! Makes a change to their typical white & grey look.

Best of luck.

I have a friend that is constantly trying to get me off my hardware. I have racks full of fx processors, sound modules, synths, an MPC, and an MV. To an extent, I have turned to software for some things. I finish in Cubase now. That way I have the oppurtunity to add VSTis if I choose and I can also sweeten the mix in Cubase.


But all the fun in making music is the body and spirit part. To me, when I'm laying a drum track down, I don't want to click a little spot on a dot matrix. I wanna bang a pad. That is why the MPC is what it is and that software could never replace it. When it's creative time, I'm on the hardware...When the work is done, that's where the software comes in for me....

i love reason its a beast in the software realm but im also pro-mpc, but me i would get that 4000 combine it with reason and freak the world those together u will have no limits. plus i would rewire reason to cubase for the ultimate daw... either way u go u good .1