Using MPC-500 as guitar preamp.

Ok, I want plug guitar to mic line-in and use mpc-500 as preamp. How to do it? Now I can't hear anything from headphones, but level indicator is moving when I play guitar.

Make sure you set the input type from "Stereo" to "Mono L" and have the guitar plugged into the correct input on the back.

I would recommend investing in an amp modeler - maybe a Line6 Pocketpod, Zoom pedal or similar.

I could be wrong on this, but I don't think the 500 will amplify a guitar very well, if at all. It's just not meant to do that.

I can record guitar, but I don't hear anything from headphones until I play that recorded sample. I want to jam live with drums and bass track playing background.

Yeah, MPC has Line and Mic input, but it doesn't have Hi-Z, which is why you can't hear anything. Best to hook it up to a preamp between the guitar and MPC.

And if you want to play over backing tracks strictly on the MPC, then just go into Record Mode and hit Play. You'll hear your guitar and a sequence will play in the background. Unfortunately for that method, you can't change sequences on the fly, so you'll have to stop everything, get out of Record Mode and set the next sequence. If you don't mind then go for it, I do recommend a mini mixer to do the job, so many options out there and for low as $20 bucks.

P.S. In Record Mode you can record your guitar performance and it'll be a lone seperate sample without the backing tracks.

I tried this last night and it worked with the guitar plugged straight in as long as the input type switch (on the back of the unit) is set to "Mic". Obviously it sounds like a DI'ed guitar so you may still want to use a modeler to get a convincing sound (line6, behringer, digitech).

One thing I forgot to say in my last post was to make sure the "monitor" option is on. This is a couple of clicks (on the dial) away under the record menu and - if set to off - maybe why you arent hearing things.

Steve