Which mpc should I buy?

Hi


I want to buy me an mpc to make some own music but I have no idea which I should get.
I am interested in one with both keyboard and mpc pads or one with just mpc pads, can not decide which fits me the best.


Personally, I think it seems easiest if you have a mpc that you can use your computer and software like Reason or Fruity Loops, perhaps it can be done on all but the films I've seen with those who use such mpc 500, they have not done so.


What do you say? How much easier is it with the computer? easier to make samples? more comfortable with computer software?
What do you say about a keyboard, with or without, it feels like you are a little more flexible with the keyboard.
One thing I know, I want to be able to make intro, verse, ref and outro, Actually have not seen anyone do it with a mpc 500.
Makes the difference between 12 and 16 pads a lot? thinking mainly of mpc 500 and 1000, how much easier it?
If I get one, will I need anything else except the mpc, computer and speakers?

I hope someone here can help me choose which one to get.


Thanks in advance.

there aren't any MPC's that have a keyboard... you can plug in a midi controller keyboard like the mpk49 into the mpc via midi cables and that lets you use keys instead...

but I suspect you are a bit confused, the MPD and MPK models are controllers that may plug USB to control software.... they do nothing on their own... they are only for controlling. The MPC series dont need software because you make music right into the machine and they have the pads.

mr_debauch wrote:there aren't any MPC's that have a keyboard... you can plug in a midi controller keyboard like the mpk49 into the mpc via midi cables and that lets you use keys instead...

but I suspect you are a bit confused, the MPD and MPK models are controllers that may plug USB to control software.... they do nothing on their own... they are only for controlling. The MPC series dont need software because you make music right into the machine and they have the pads.

Okey!
What would you recommend if I want to make intro, chorus, outro and such, is it easy on lets say and mpc 500?
To me it just seems so much easier with a computer and maybe and mpk49 than an mpc 500 or 1000 but then I have never tried either of them.

How do you even get songs or samples into a mpc?


Iam a beginner so I'm sorry if my questions are wierd

osterlichtenich wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:there aren't any MPC's that have a keyboard... you can plug in a midi controller keyboard like the mpk49 into the mpc via midi cables and that lets you use keys instead...

but I suspect you are a bit confused, the MPD and MPK models are controllers that may plug USB to control software.... they do nothing on their own... they are only for controlling. The MPC series dont need software because you make music right into the machine and they have the pads.

Okey!
What would you recommend if I want to make intro, chorus, outro and such, is it easy on lets say and mpc 500?
To me it just seems so much easier with a computer and maybe and mpk49 than an mpc 500 or 1000 but then I have never tried either of them.

How do you even get songs or samples into a mpc?


Iam a beginner so I'm sorry if my questions are wierd

Honestly, I highly suggest you take a bit of time before buying equipment to try and see what works well for you. So far you think software would be easier? I will have to agree at this point because there are pieces of software available for free or at least demos available for free.


Let me suggest you googling FL studio, if you have PC because that is not for apple... you can get a free demo that just limits a few features such as the save feature. You can still export the music you have made to mp3 or wav.

Download that and in 15 minutes you will have made something.... with no financial investment.

Honestly, I highly suggest you take a bit of time before buying equipment to try and see what works well for you. So far you think software would be easier? I will have to agree at this point because there are pieces of software available for free or at least demos available for free.


Let me suggest you googling FL studio, if you have PC because that is not for apple... you can get a free demo that just limits a few features such as the save feature. You can still export the music you have made to mp3 or wav.

Download that and in 15 minutes you will have made something.... with no financial investment.

Yeah, I have FL-studio and I have played around with it some and made a song or two but I get pretty bored with my keyboard and mouse.
I feel like the rythm is in my fingers you know and I need some pads to be able to make the thing I want to.

My friend has an boomblaster with a couple of pads on and I love experimenting with that so it feels like i should get an mpc or mpk, otherwise I will just get bored.


How do the ones without computer make songs? I understand how they make beat but are you able to change the beat? Like in FL-studio when you make a pattern and then insert the patterns to "songmode" and put it all together. I mean, I want to be able to make intro, chorus and outro.

I actually want to get an mpc 500 or 1000 which doesn't need (are not able to be connected to a computer?)
It feels more classic in some way and the pads are the real thing I'm looking for, I'm not really into keyboards.

How do you get the samples and the sounds you want into the mpc's?
How about the harddrive? Are you able to have a couple of songs and sounds on it without it getting full?

This is things I have not found in any youtube videos so I would really appreciate if someone could answer theese answers because theese things are the only things keeping me away from buying an mpc

osterlichtenich wrote:

Honestly, I highly suggest you take a bit of time before buying equipment to try and see what works well for you. So far you think software would be easier? I will have to agree at this point because there are pieces of software available for free or at least demos available for free.


Let me suggest you googling FL studio, if you have PC because that is not for apple... you can get a free demo that just limits a few features such as the save feature. You can still export the music you have made to mp3 or wav.

Download that and in 15 minutes you will have made something.... with no financial investment.

Yeah, I have FL-studio and I have played around with it some and made a song or two but I get pretty bored with my keyboard and mouse.
I feel like the rythm is in my fingers you know and I need some pads to be able to make the thing I want to.

My friend has an boomblaster with a couple of pads on and I love experimenting with that so it feels like i should get an mpc or mpk, otherwise I will just get bored.


How do the ones without computer make songs? I understand how they make beat but are you able to change the beat? Like in FL-studio when you make a pattern and then insert the patterns to "songmode" and put it all together. I mean, I want to be able to make intro, chorus and outro.

I actually want to get an mpc 500 or 1000 which doesn't need (are not able to be connected to a computer?)
It feels more classic in some way and the pads are the real thing I'm looking for, I'm not really into keyboards.

How do you get the samples and the sounds you want into the mpc's?
How about the harddrive? Are you able to have a couple of songs and sounds on it without it getting full?

This is things I have not found in any youtube videos so I would really appreciate if someone could answer theese answers because theese things are the only things keeping me away from buying an mpc

Yeah man it's all kind of confusing in the beginning.

MPC's work in a similar fashion to FL Studio. You make a bunch of patterns and then switch to song mode to arrange those patterns. Of course on the MPC you're doing it on a much smaller screen, and you're not going to see a linear arrangement like in FL's playlist.

The 500/1000/2500/5000 connect to a computer over USB 1.1, USB 2.0 in the case of the 5000. Your PC/Mac sees the MPC's internal HD of CF card as a removable drive, and you drag and drop folders from there. Hard drives are a user add on (not possible on a 500), but CF cards hold a decent amount of data, certainly enough room for what you asked. This is the extent of their computer integration. Of course they can all be used as MIDI controller for the PC/Mac software if you have 2 standard MIDI cables and a MIDI to USB interface.

So it's really your choice to weigh the pros and cons of each approach. MPC = more hands on, immediate, minimal visual feedback. PC/Mac = can get lost/sidetracked to easily, huge screen + visual feedback.

Yeah man it's all kind of confusing in the beginning.

MPC's work in a similar fashion to FL Studio. You make a bunch of patterns and then switch to song mode to arrange those patterns. Of course on the MPC you're doing it on a much smaller screen, and you're not going to see a linear arrangement like in FL's playlist.

The 500/1000/2500/5000 connect to a computer over USB 1.1, USB 2.0 in the case of the 5000. Your PC/Mac sees the MPC's internal HD of CF card as a removable drive, and you drag and drop folders from there. Hard drives are a user add on (not possible on a 500), but CF cards hold a decent amount of data, certainly enough room for what you asked. This is the extent of their computer integration. Of course they can all be used as MIDI controller for the PC/Mac software if you have 2 standard MIDI cables and a MIDI to USB interface.

So it's really your choice to weigh the pros and cons of each approach. MPC = more hands on, immediate, minimal visual feedback. PC/Mac = can get lost/sidetracked to easily, huge screen + visual feedback.

I was thinking about getting the 500 as my first mpc since it's the cheapest but should I instead buy a 1000 and get the Hard drive? Is that a smarter move?
Will I be needing to connect the 500 back and forth all the time to get new samples and new sounds since it can't hold that many songs on it's CF card?

The mpc 1000 and 500, which is the smartest to buy? The prices are pretty equal, no major price difference so which is worth the price and why?
What is better on the 1000 and how much better are theese things!

Thanks!

osterlichtenich wrote:

Yeah man it's all kind of confusing in the beginning.

MPC's work in a similar fashion to FL Studio. You make a bunch of patterns and then switch to song mode to arrange those patterns. Of course on the MPC you're doing it on a much smaller screen, and you're not going to see a linear arrangement like in FL's playlist.

The 500/1000/2500/5000 connect to a computer over USB 1.1, USB 2.0 in the case of the 5000. Your PC/Mac sees the MPC's internal HD of CF card as a removable drive, and you drag and drop folders from there. Hard drives are a user add on (not possible on a 500), but CF cards hold a decent amount of data, certainly enough room for what you asked. This is the extent of their computer integration. Of course they can all be used as MIDI controller for the PC/Mac software if you have 2 standard MIDI cables and a MIDI to USB interface.

So it's really your choice to weigh the pros and cons of each approach. MPC = more hands on, immediate, minimal visual feedback. PC/Mac = can get lost/sidetracked to easily, huge screen + visual feedback.

I was thinking about getting the 500 as my first mpc since it's the cheapest but should I instead buy a 1000 and get the Hard drive? Is that a smarter move?
Will I be needing to connect the 500 back and forth all the time to get new samples and new sounds since it can't hold that many songs on it's CF card?

The mpc 1000 and 500, which is the smartest to buy? The prices are pretty equal, no major price difference so which is worth the price and why?
What is better on the 1000 and how much better are theese things!

Thanks!

if you get the 1000, make sure it has the new pads (and not the defective old ones)... I think the 1000 would be better because it has more abilities.. more outputs which will help in the future, plus you can load up the JJOS on that model which will blow the akai os out the water when it comes to features.

the larger screen will help you as well, honestly the 500 is a bit too crammed for me cause every button does 3 things haha but once you get used to it... that aint a huge issue.

the 1000 is the better machine, larger screen, more pads, more outputs, jjos, and more... the 500 is a tad smaller and can run off batteries (but has the same problem the game gear had... 6 AA lasts 4 hours )

Thanks man!
Then I'll get the 1000, anything else I should buy to it which could help me?
I've got speakers and I can get some samples from the computer but anything else?

Thx

osterlichtenich wrote:Thanks man!
Then I'll get the 1000, anything else I should buy to it which could help me?
I've got speakers and I can get some samples from the computer but anything else?

Thx

you'll know when the time comes... you dont need what you dont know you need.

mr_debauch wrote:

osterlichtenich wrote:Thanks man!
Then I'll get the 1000, anything else I should buy to it which could help me?
I've got speakers and I can get some samples from the computer but anything else?

Thx

you'll know when the time comes... you dont need what you dont know you need.

Well, I meant like flashdrive memory or something like that.
Does it come with harddrive because on the place i'm thinking about buying from it says:
"Prepared connection for an internal 2,5" harddrive"


But it's still just plug and play?
What about the Akai XR20, big screen, less buttons than the 1000 but it's nothing to recommend?

thx

osterlichtenich wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:

osterlichtenich wrote:Thanks man!
Then I'll get the 1000, anything else I should buy to it which could help me?
I've got speakers and I can get some samples from the computer but anything else?

Thx

you'll know when the time comes... you dont need what you dont know you need.

Well, I meant like flashdrive memory or something like that.
Does it come with harddrive because on the place i'm thinking about buying from it says:
"Prepared connection for an internal 2,5" harddrive"


But it's still just plug and play?
What about the Akai XR20, big screen, less buttons than the 1000 but it's nothing to recommend?

thx

you dont need a hard drive, but it may be helpful some day... I personally dont use hard drives with my mpc even though I could.. the internal mounting bracket is nice to have so one day when you get a hard drive you have where to install it.

I suggest getting a CF card if it does not come with one.

never mind the xr 20... that is not an mpc. it is a drum machine with preset sounds that is styled after the mpc. You can even download all the sounds from that machine online making that useless if you own an mpc.

Thanks man! I have found two local stores who sell the mpc, one is like 120$ cheaper.
The expensive one has the titel: Akai Professional MPC1000
The cheaper one has the titel: Akai Sampler MPC1000BK

Are they the same thing? There is only one version of the MPC1000, right?
I think that the cheaper one with the 'BK' on the end might be a swedish abbreviaton for a used MPC.

thx

osterlichtenich wrote:Thanks man! I have found two local stores who sell the mpc, one is like 120$ cheaper.
The expensive one has the titel: Akai Professional MPC1000
The cheaper one has the titel: Akai Sampler MPC1000BK

Are they the same thing? There is only one version of the MPC1000, right?
I think that the cheaper one with the 'BK' on the end might be a swedish abbreviaton for a used MPC.

thx

nono.. there is only one akai mpc 1000.. the real name would be akai professional mpc 1000. because the company's full name is akai professional as apposed to akai electric co which made other stuff like televisions etc.

The BK at the end refers to the second (if I am not mistaken) run of mpcs and it means BLACK. The early ones and the first 1000's I ever saw were blue with red side panels... those originally came with what is known as the old pads.

when akai designed the 1000 they decided to try out a cost cutting new pad design that proved to be defective and eventually the pads got screwed up. That was later fixed when akai realized they screwed up and they made a pad and sensor sheet similar to what the proven other models had. They didn't recall the old system though because recalls mean they must give you a replacement so instead they tried to pawn it off as an upgrade.

now from my understanding, the time period that akai started shipping the 1000's with the new pads was when the black model was released so it is assumed that all black models shipped with the new pads if I am not mistaken where as it seems as if no blue and red ones were shipped with the upgrade and left users to put the upgrade in themselves at an additional cost of nearly 200 bucks.

I highly suggest going for the BK model.

Thanks! now the only thing I need to do is buy and wait!