Keyboard Controlled Samples on MPC2500

Hi,
On my MPC2500 I have quite a few good instrument samples loaded up on the hard drive which I use such as an incredible Fat Sine and a great Rhodes piano along with some SH101, Juno 6, etc. The problem I have is that, it would appear that, with exception to VERY slowly and painfully trying to assign the samples to the notes, individually tune them and then set to NOTE ON instead of ONCE on every single flipping occurance, there is very little amount of features or shortcuts to get these Program types sorted out.

1. What I would like is to create a program using a sample (or more than one) and then Master tune the sample NOT the individual notes - I would expect these to proportionally change because the same pitch changes - I don't want pitch change as, the only reason I might want to change the pitch is depending on the song which may have differently tuned samples or instruments.

2. I would like to assign the SAMPLE not PAD to a Q - then allowing me to pitch bend an entire program of the same sample if needed.

3. Apply FX to the PROGRAM not a patch - Rhodes program needs tremolo sometimes, the only place I appear to be able to apply FX is if assigned to pads and only pads.

If you have any feedback and advise, please let me know.

I have the XLCD and the JJOS128 free version, thinking of upgrading if I get a bit more flexibility on programs using midi. Thanks
Matt

Use instrument program. THat is what you need to use and it will solve all your problems in your post. It is in the manual.
You can create key groups as well as being able to tell mpc what the original note is.
Next > tremolo. Try and not think of it as an effect. Really tremolo id just LFO, so all you need is LFO to amp env. It can also do LFO to pitch and filter envelopes as well. so all covered there. You can do this to the instrument program and control rate and depth from Qlink sliders.
Pitch bend works with pitch bend messages. So send MPC pitch bend message from any synth, midi controller, ect that has a pitchbend wheel. It will work in real time and can be recorded as well. If you have no synth then get cheap controller keyboard with midi. They are really cheap nowa days and worth it, specially if you are playing instruments right.

Thanks for this, ok so, Instrument Program - I'll have to look up the difference and then apply that - I have always treated everything as a pad sample assigned to keys so, now that you mention that, it makes complete sense and I know Akai wouldn't have overlooked that - amazingly, I haven't discovered the Instrument Program and yet have been through most MPCs making music since 1992 when I had my MPC60 MK1, then MK2, then 3000 and now 2500 pimped up with XLCD and new OS.

On the effects, maybe Tremolo is a bad example because as you said, I can make that on the sound using LFO - so, what about applying Reverb or Delay to a complete instrument program?

Thanks
Matt

mattlightbourn wrote:Thanks for this, ok so, Instrument Program - I'll have to look up the difference and then apply that - I have always treated everything as a pad sample assigned to keys so, now that you mention that, it makes complete sense and I know Akai wouldn't have overlooked that - amazingly, I haven't discovered the Instrument Program and yet have been through most MPCs making music since 1992 when I had my MPC60 MK1, then MK2, then 3000 and now 2500 pimped up with XLCD and new OS.

Akai did overlook that. The Akai OS doesn't have Instrument programs.

Also, in JJOS, even if you use a DRUM Program instead of an INST Program you can easily change the values of all the pads at once by holding down shift and then clicking ALL (F6).

It is amazing how much basic functionality Akai actually left out of their OS. SIMULT PAD springs to mind!
You need to spend a good few days going through the JJOS manual. There are multitudes of shortcuts and workflow enhancements in JJOS. Sorry but it has to be said... RTFM

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback - I have tried looking at the manual and well, it's a website and I can't find anything about programs other than global programs - is there no PDF download I can print of the entire thing?

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/mpc ... ual308.htm

I have the free JJ OS that supports the 128XL Display, thanks

Ok, so I think I've found the manual however, its for full version, is there one for the free one?

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/jjo ... manual.pdf

Hi,
I have tried to find an Instrument program mode and there is none. I have looked through the manual and, looking at the screenshots, it would appear that, you should have the option (next to program name) to select either DRUM, PATTERN or INST. There is no options available. Is this because it only exists in the paid for version of the JJ OS?

I have the XLCD with OS128 free version - do I need to buy the better version for these features or is there another way into these features if they exist in my version?

Thanks
Matt

Oh... soz Matt. I should have kept my mouth shut about the OS128 features as I use JJOSXL.

Seeing as though you have already bought the large XL screen I would imagine that it is very much worth it to buy the full OS128XL. JJOSXL is a powerhouse and it seems that OS128XL is hot on it's heals.

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/mpc2500/chart.htm

LOL, I am about to buy it but going to have to keep it hush hush otherwise girlfriend will kill me

Thanks, I'll make sure I get her a login so she can tell you in her own words
Matt

Now I'm on the same page as you I have upgraded, looking forward to creating all those instrument programs.

I take it that the Q1-4 are now assignable for LFOs, Filters,Portomento, etc per program instead of what it used to be which was just assigning one to a single pad at a time? In other words, if I select another program or track, the Qs are set by that currently selected program?

Thanks
Matt

yes. In fact I use blank programs with no samples that are just saved settings of Q link sliders to midi CCs for instance. So it is named as well so at any time I can load that program and have pre mapped parameters instantly.

that seems pretty good mind you, how do you apply the Q settings from a program to a program with your instrument? Wouldn't you use the Q settimg blank program as your basis to make every one of your instrument programs so that for each program/track you select, the use of the Qs are consistent with each other?

thanks

Matt

Not when there are hundreds of choices no. It helps to say put common parameters in these blank programs so they can be a template if you so wish. IT is up to you. Just means that you will be able to call up those parameters at any time and for things like mutlitimbral synths and work stations this can be helpful, that and say multiple synths as well. AS these are mainly for midi tracks it wont matter if you change program/ In drum program that is different. But you simply copy it and change qlinks settings for that copy if you so desire, that way you can change it and it wont matter as it is a copy.