Need Help: Timing test

The following timing test was done on the MPC 4000, 5000, and 2500:

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=89534


Can one of you repeat this test on the MPC 60 and 3000 and report your findinges here?

Can't believe that those people think that the sloppy timing is a bad thing. Maybe that's why MPC's are known to sound more groovy than other stuff that is dead on? You know, not being 100% perfect is more like humans playing the stuff.

Another interesting test would be if the timing of the different samples fall in the same order and spot every round, or if it shifts that too. That would make quantized stuff even more groovy!

I don't have the time or interest of running this test on the 3000 myself, but it would be cool to see the results.

You can't judge the overall timing by this tho'. Only it's "perfectness".

If all machines used the exactly same samples, and made the exactly same sequence, then we could see how they swung, and listened to what sounded most phonky!

I'm pretty sure the 60 has some variation in its BPM. Cool by me.
I read that other thread where the guy said he sold his 4k b/c it wasn't perfect. What an anal dork!! Go buy a graphing calculator (or get yourself a Rolling Stones record and find out what music's really about)!

You know, not being 100% perfect is more like humans playing the stuff.

I think there are too many people who are not interested in their music having any human aspects at all. Like dreadnutz said a while ago:

seems there are not really musicians here

No offense to you though OJ, I think it would be interesting to know as well.

deck daddy wrote:Can't believe that those people think that the sloppy timing is a bad thing. Maybe that's why MPC's are known to sound more groovy than other stuff that is dead on? You know, not being 100% perfect is more like humans playing the stuff.

Another interesting test would be if the timing of the different samples fall in the same order and spot every round, or if it shifts that too. That would make quantized stuff even more groovy!

I don't have the time or interest of running this test on the 3000 myself, but it would be cool to see the results.

You can't judge the overall timing by this tho'. Only it's "perfectness".

If all machines used the exactly same samples, and made the exactly same sequence, then we could see how they swung, and listened to what sounded most phonky!

sayin

sp 1200 is supposed to be notorious for "sloppy" timing

isn't the whole concept of "swing" to make things more human? aka more sloppy?? to move notes so they aren't dead on the grid

whatever to each his own

Yo, that test doesn't prove anything, except that your pc has unreliable timing. We know for a fact that the 60 and 3000 are rock solid. There is nothing out there, except maybe the atari st that can touch them.

http://innerclocksystems.com/ has some interesting (and definitive) info on this subject.

The numark stuff is all sh*tty, I've owned it all except the 5000 and its garbage. The 5000 looks like the worst yet, and on top of that its a cold bite off of Roger Linn and Dave Smith's new piece. As always! Get that Sh*t out of here.

OJ, I've seen you defending that 5000 to the death, and frankly, you're wrong!

...and yeah timing IS everything! Sloppy is cool, I don't usually quantize either. But I do expect my sloppyness to stay where it belongs, thats what we are talking about here.

/
Cool, thanks for the link. I respect your opinion, but it wouldn't bother me at all if my sequencer WAS a little off. It's not that important to me to have it perfect...unless you're recording other sequenced sounds that aren't slaved to the MPC, or the MPC is not slaved to an external clock, nobody will know if the BPM fluctuates by a few milliseconds throughout the track. Certainly not a good reason for selling a machine that costs $3,500 IMO.

Don't buy that junk for $3500 in the first place...

Timing is everything, dig it?

No

then I guess you never will...

It's just a simple test. Didn't realize it will stir up so much emotion.

Well, there really is no controversy for the heads that know. If you care about timing, look no further than the 3000.

Some people are happy with what their machines are capable of, it doesn't hurt my feelings any. Make music, thats what counts.

Timing, even milliseconds add up. The subconscious can feel smaller differences than you think. If it doesn't bother you, you can do your thing.

I wasn't trying to dis anybody except Numark. Oj, and CS I don't know either of you, much respect.

If you stay making beats long enough, I think you'll eventually see my point. My 1000 from 2 yrs ago is broken to shit and unusable, but my 60s are 20 years deep and going strong. Their timing is spot on too.

...and again CS, we're not talking about notes not playing where you put them in a sequence, but drifting in time. Its not cool when stuff moves over 60 bars and makes your recordings sound like mud.

The purpose of a Midi Production Center is to be the brain of your studio, its critical that its timing is on.

I rock the sp1200 and many other old joints too, and the 3000 is king in the timing department.

This also goes back to djs being able to mix records, you don't want them moving around on you there either...remixing, sound replacement, it goes on and on.

I'm not sure why I'm still wasting my time, but I hope you're getting the picture!

/
Cool. Nothing personal sequoia. If I remember correctly, you gave me some good advice on a track that I posted awhile ago, so much respect.
I'm not pissed, it's just that for what I'm doing right now, completely perfect timing doesn't matter. I have a 60II anyway, so I guess the point is kind of moot .
Maybe you're right and I'll find this more important at some point down the road...only been w/ the 60 for about 6 months.
And yeah, there's no way I would buy one of those overpriced newer MPCs...12 bits is where it's at!!

Exactly! You're not concerned, cause your machine works right...

If your basslines were drifting out and sounding lame, you'd care.

Long live the 60II, that's my baby!