Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
By Shy-Guy Wed May 14, 2008 11:04 am
Yo peeps,

Sorry i'm posting this here as i wanted to get you guy's opinion...

I've just started on the MPC 3K and i've made this beat as an example. I've done layering.... tuned my drums.... to what i think sounds right. But why is it to me it just doesn't seem as fat as other people's beats which are done on the 3K. I've sampled into the 3k via my computer to which the samples have come from vinyl. But as i say to me it just doesn't sound thick enough....

P.S - This is just a straight mix out the MPC nothing was done to it within my sequencer...

Link:

http://download.yousendit.com/2C9D3B545E0C4DBC

Any thoughts peeps?

Thanks!
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By denzekiel Wed May 14, 2008 2:43 pm
Shy-Guy wrote: I've sampled into the 3k via my computer to which the samples have come from vinyl. But as i say to me it just doesn't sound thick enough....





I think I see the problem right there. If you're not using your MPC's A/D converters, you are missing part of what makes the 3000 sound so good, IMO. Try sampling directly from vinyl and see if there is a difference...
By distantb Wed May 14, 2008 4:15 pm
how would sampling from the computer not be using the a/d converters ........ he is still sampling it.

i do agree that sampling from vinyl gives a better sound then off a pc , but i do beleve no matter what the source is , if its sampled the a/d connverters are being used . analog / digital i know thats what a/d stands for but i coulnd imagine the mp to knpow if its a anolog signal or not. but correct me if i am wrong.
By Shy-Guy Wed May 14, 2008 4:19 pm
Yeah the samples i have on my comp where what i sampled from vinyl a year or so ago so it shouldn't really make a difference if i was to sample straight from vinyl because i kind of am in a way.

I'm coming out of my computer into the Stereo Record In of the MPC.

So any other suggestions?

Unless you do think the beat already sounds fat enough??

Thanks.
By zapp Wed May 14, 2008 4:29 pm
Sampling from a computer in itself is a bad idea because the computer might not have a good quality output on top of the fact that it might even have some left over frequencies that cause noise. Other thing is that if you're sampling from your compilations on the computer the compilations might not be in high quality(.wav)so therefore you are just making that sound even worse. Sampling from vinyl or wav is essential. And when it comes time to transfer your final mixdown to the computer it's important to be using more than just the basic soundcard that came with your computer.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Wed May 14, 2008 4:31 pm
distantb wrote:how would sampling from the computer not be using the a/d converters ........ he is still sampling it.

i do agree that sampling from vinyl gives a better sound then off a pc , but i do beleve no matter what the source is , if its sampled the a/d connverters are being used . analog / digital i know thats what a/d stands for but i coulnd imagine the mp to knpow if its a anolog signal or not. but correct me if i am wrong.



Yes it's sampling but not the way he should be doing it. If you sample from Vinyl with a Mixer whether it be a Dj Mixer or OB Mixer the mixer is gonna give you a more full sound cause you have more control. If you are taking something that you sampled previously it needs to be EQ'd properly before you put into your computer otherwise it will come out flat and shitty soundin.
By Shy-Guy Wed May 14, 2008 4:37 pm
Right i see what you mean.... so the best way to do it is Turntable > Mixer > MPC....

I was using 24 bit WAV's that i sampled myself. And the chain when i did sample the sounds a year ago to the comp was Turntable (Technics 1200) > Pioneer DJM 3000 > Yamaha O1X (Digital Desk) > Mac G5. Quite a pure chain so thats why i couldn't see a problem.

Maybe i'll just start doing some new sound's like the old school way Turntable > Mixer > MPC....

What you think?

Thanks!
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By 7 1 4 Beats Wed May 14, 2008 5:15 pm
Well I would use 16 bit samples instead of 24. I only use 24bit 96k when I bounce my tracks.
By zapp Wed May 14, 2008 5:17 pm
I don't know if this is right but the audio sample I hear is only a drum loop. Once you layer a bassline and the rest the drums will give your composition accent and it will all sound better.Sounds good to me although I would recommend lowering the volume on that 808 you have bumping in the back. If you were to play this on a lound speaker you might blow it out with those. :wink:
By Deta!L Wed May 14, 2008 8:58 pm
the problem is that everytime you use a D/A or A/D you degrade the signal a bit, depending on your soundcards converters...if you have top of the line conversion then you don't have to worry about it....

my production improved a bunch when I started sampling direct, I got more beats done as well....sample in, start the song, if I need a specific instrument I start hitting up the other records to find it etc.

compared to how I used to do, which is recording into the comp a bunch of samples and one day when I wanted to make a beat, browsing through those...never again will I do that
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By 7 1 4 Beats Wed May 14, 2008 9:01 pm
Deta!L wrote:the problem is that everytime you use a D/A or A/D you degrade the signal a bit, depending on your soundcards converters...if you have top of the line conversion then you don't have to worry about it....

my production improved a bunch when I started sampling direct, I got more beats done as well....sample in, start the song, if I need a specific instrument I start hitting up the other records to find it etc.

compared to how I used to do, which is recording into the comp a bunch of samples and one day when I wanted to make a beat, browsing through those...never again will I do that



Exactly it's like well what's the point of getting a 3000 just buy a MPD16 or MPC32 or one of those.
By Shy-Guy Wed May 14, 2008 10:02 pm
So the final conclusion is just sample from vinyl straight into the MPC via any standard dj mixer?
By HaterNob Wed May 14, 2008 10:20 pm
I sample shit onto my computer 192 24 and then sample it onto my machine. I find it easier to get levels and chops just right this way but I still take samples for the beat there and then so it doesn't really **** with the work flow. I'm still a novice to this shit tho, you know...
By HaterNob Wed May 14, 2008 10:21 pm
PS. Maybe it's just my ears but most DJ mixers sound like tinny shit to me.
By Shy-Guy Wed May 14, 2008 11:03 pm
HaterNob wrote:PS. Maybe it's just my ears but most DJ mixers sound like tinny **** to me.
HaterNob wrote:I sample **** onto my computer 192 24 and then sample it onto my machine. I find it easier to get levels and chops just right this way but I still take samples for the beat there and then so it doesn't really **** with the work flow. I'm still a novice to this **** tho, you know...



So basically your saying you do what I'm currently doing...