Which is MPC is right for me and why???

Hi, first off I'm new to this forum and I've finally decided to get a MPC to go along w/ my beloved Yamaha Motif 6. I've flipped that board out so I'm running out of tracks (16 track sequencer isn't enough for me) and the polyphany (sp?) is also running out as a result to my chord progressions w/ sustain pedal. I know there's a PLG board to solve that problem.

From my research, I know the MPC 4000 has a 128 track sequencer with up to 300,000 note capacity meaning if I were to sync my Motif to the MPC 4000 I could use produce my song/beat with worrying about running out of polyphony (sp?)

I rarely sample but I was told "if" I get an MPC I'll definately start sampling lol but thats not my main concern at all. I just want to know if its possible to flesh about a song/beat into the MPC 4000, mix it down in there along w/ the Motif and track them into Pro Tools for further mixing, mastering, etc......

Again, its all about playing the piano/keyboard into the MPC and fleshing everything out.

I apologize because I'm sure you guys have seen your share of posts just like mine.

Now, my last question, if what I want to do is possible, would it make sense for me to find a MPC 4000 or to go for a 2500 which is a downgrade as far the track number and note capacity??

Whew....okay.....I'm done.

If you really want a 4000 get it...youll definitely have more tracks to sequence with. Ive never messed with a 4000 so I dont know if itd be an upgrade over the 2500, but I do have a 2500 and it does exactly what I need/want it to do.

justbleazy wrote: and the polyphany (sp?) is also running out as a result to my chord progressions w/ sustain pedal.

Are you using the Motif in MULTI-mode or playing the same thing multiple times to build up your chords?

I have been using the Motif's for years (Motif and Motif ES) and polyphony has never been an issue thanks to MULTI-mode.

I think the 4000 could be overkill if you don't currently sample!

If you are a good player and absolutely need the higher resolution sequencer then the new 5000 might be worth a look. You will benefit by getting some support from Akai for the next 3 years or so, whereas the 4k has long since been abandoned.

Coz wrote:I think the 4000 could be overkill if you don't currently sample!

If you are a good player and absolutely need the higher resolution sequencer then the new 5000 might be worth a look. You will benefit by getting some support from Akai for the next 3 years or so, whereas the 4k has long since been abandoned.

In the current form the 4k's sequencer would be the choice between that and the 5k if you wanted to do really complex sequencing.
Maybe the 5k sequncer will evolve but than it would lose much of the more direct and simplistic design they were shooting for.
The 5k was designed to be more of an enhanced MPC taken in a more modern direction, while teh 4k was more about being a workhorse.
Any MPC will give you more sequencing power than the Motif as long as you don't mind being pattern based, since even song mode works from patterns.
the newer units with the Direct Input mode can be really helpful when trying to use a long pattern to create a song instead of wasting time wiith song mode.
A 2500 can be had dirt cheap and would be easier to intergrate than the 4k and cheaper than the 5k.
I think you should just hang out with the 2500 or 5k at your local stores and see how they feel to you.
Might wanna look at the manuals first so you have an idea of what you are doing.

Thanks. Everyone's replies have been most helpful. I'm into making really crazy and full sounding songs and I can aacomplish that solely on the Motif but I want to take it a step further. Honestly, I think I may spring for a 4000 just do to the amount of track sequencers and the note capacity. I'm a college student and I know how important it is to read so I'll definately grab some coffee and and attack the manual like a review for a mid term lol!

Anyway, I'll check out the MPC's at Guitar center and I'll see what I like. Again, thanks to everyone who replied.

I think checking out the MPC's at your local GC is definitely the way to go.

Just out of interest, if you use Pro Tools then why don't you record the midi into that before tracking? Note resolution and editing would be way easier than the MPC.

It`s all up to you. However if he can do it why not you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVz3VMzY ... re=related

Coz wrote:I think checking out the MPC's at your local GC is definitely the way to go.

Just out of interest, if you use Pro Tools then why don't you record the midi into that before tracking? Note resolution and editing would be way easier than the MPC.

^^^^ I prefer to have full control over my songs until I'm completely done with it. I like to edit everything on the Motif FIRST..and then further editing is done after its out of the board.

I stopped by Guitar Center today and they had a new MPC 4000, or....well.....the display. Within 5 minutes able to figure out how to load/save, add an external sequencer and how to loop, edit, etc.....

The only problem was I couldn't hear or get any drums for the life of me. Maybe I was supposed to load them up but I know thats a minor problem due to my lack of knowledge. Does the 4000 come with sounds or do I have put sounds in it??

Coz wrote:I think checking out the MPC's at your local GC is definitely the way to go.

Just out of interest, if you use Pro Tools then why don't you record the midi into that before tracking? Note resolution and editing would be way easier than the MPC.

Probably because that can be a very uninspiring way to work.
There's nothing hard about editing sequences on the 4k and it gives you way more options and modes than any other MPC.

Sovereign wrote:

Coz wrote:I think checking out the MPC's at your local GC is definitely the way to go.

Just out of interest, if you use Pro Tools then why don't you record the midi into that before tracking? Note resolution and editing would be way easier than the MPC.

Probably because that can be a very uninspiring way to work.
There's nothing hard about editing sequences on the 4k and it gives you way more options and modes than any other MPC.

^^^ Exactly, also I went to GC again and taught mmyself how to assign sounds to different programs and to different pads/banks. Man!!!! I felt like a little kid in Toy R Us lol but thanks for the help I'll def. look forward to picking it up in a a few months plus it doesn't seem that difficult to use/learn. I had a beat going in less than 2 minutes I just have to get used how the sequencer works with and how make own drums. Man I cant wait!!!

the best reason to go with the 4000 is the ADAT out. it saves unneccesary D to A conversions and you most likely are working with a crappy converters, most of us are since we arent using pro tools HD or apogee etc. i've been thinking about moving to it myself, alot of pros that are still using MPCs seem to be going for the 4000...i suspect this is the reason