Questions before buying

Hello,
I'm considering buying a 2nd hand MPC 1000 with the JJ OS, but I have a few questions before:
- If I have a desktop synth (or any sound generator) connected via midi, can I create a midi sequence and record the audio output of the synth directly in the MPC?
- In the case above, can I record the audio input as an audio track (like in a DAW) or as a single shot/loop?
- I've read about some issues with the pads on the blue and red version, is that a common issue? Is the black version any better?
- How many insert effects (if any) can I chain?
- How is the quality of the Reverb?
- Is the bit grunger a good substitute for a distortion?
- In a live situation, can I use the MPC to apply effects on vocals in real time?

Also, if any of you is into noise/ambient/power electronics, what do you think of this hypotetical setup for the musician on a budget (and with little space)?
- Akai MPC 1000
- MFB II synth or DSI Evolver
- Mixer
- Microphone

I'm tired of software, I miss my Roland SP-808 but there's no way I'm going back to zip disks.

Thanks!

1. Yes
2. Both. Audio tracks are much more limited than a DAW ofcourse, but still workable.
3.Some of the black models have the new pads. You can also buy a pad upgrade kit. Lots of info on here about the pads.
4. 2 send FX, Then EQ and comp on the master.
5. I personally like the reverb, it has a nice musical sound for when you want to use the reverb as an effect. Not a realistic reverb, but good for adding tails to stabs and the like.
6. Not really. Its a harsh digital distortion that is quite limited due to only having 1 parameter. It goes from "a little sizzle" to "total destruction" in 2 increments or so.
7. You can apply the FX and filters to the audio inputs in real time. Very handy, because when I play live I can use the mpc as a 2 channel mixer and not have to lug around a seperate mixer. The older JJOS's have a realtime pitch shift which is cool for vocals, except you can't do anything else on the mpc while you use that function.

Good setup. I've got a DSI and love it. If you take the time to really learn the synth and sequencer the possibilities are amazing.

My live setup is just the MPC1000 and MS2000. I use the audio tracks to load mixed-down tracks, then play pads and keys on top. Its limited (ram especially), but nice and simple.

Thanks for your reply, I only need to find a good deal on ebay.
Do you think the MPC 500 with a small synth, mixer and an external MFXwould be too limited?

^^^YES!

do yourself a favour now and spoil your self with a better model then the 5 hundy-nugget..
you seem to know what you want and how to go about it, which is a breath of fresh air around here.

but seriously as an 'INTRODUCTION' to mp's.. the 500 is going to hurt you in the long run.

Peace!

I'd say if you want to keep it portable go for the 1000 with jjos 2. You won't run into any limitations any time soon with that setup and the workflow is excellent. If you want expand your setup later you can with the 1000. I use mine with a blofeld but i can also use it to sequence softsynths or whatever at the same time if i want to. The two extra midi ports are really useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESa1kJ_ ... annel_page

Thanks for the help, I decided to get myself a MPC 1000.
Now, let's get busy making noise!

Automageddon wrote:Thanks for the help, I decided to get myself a MPC 1000.
Now, let's get busy making noise!

No worries. It took me a while to get into the mpc. At first i was a little underwhelmed by it but i was reading a review on HC or some site like that and the reviewer said it took a while to get into it so i stuck with it. Saying that that was with jj os1 which is good and a massive improvement on the akai but os2 is excellent; jj has rejigged the os and it makes the working with the 1000 a lot more fluid as well as the new features he added. Just been able to see the grid from the main screen makes a huge difference. It makes more sense.

If you can try and get one fully expanded to save yourself time getting some ram etc. I already had a 2GB flash card so was alright there but the first stick of ram i bought didn't work. Plus if it has the jj os your up and running from the start.