New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

For headphones I still swear by the DT 770's. I've been sticking with the Pro version... but there are a few different variants if you want to go down that route.

As for SD... I'd say go for the fastest 128gb or 256gb you can Lexar 256gb on Amazon, 250mb per second is quite speedy.

For your USB port... I'd at least consider a Wire USB Keyboard as it will likely make it a bit easier to type if you're a decent touch typist. Otherwise the touchscreen is fine... and you could use the USB for something else.

EDIT: Oops... meant to edit the last post... not create a new one... oh well

MPC Bible is a must. Its incredible and has helped my ass o' plenty. Much respect. One of the best educational investments I ever made.

Does that count as equipment? IMO, yup.

A midi keyboard is a great addition too. I had the akai MPC mk1 borrowed from my bro for a minute, and im about to get the akai mk2. Lil ass keyboards are mad helpful especially if you wanna compose with synth sounds. The mpc live pads are OK doin it, but the keyboard layout and options are a goody +.

What else? Hmm. A microphone, sure. My bro works for Turtle Beach and for awhile i was using the TB streaming mic, which is **** incredible, for what its worth and what it does. I was able to hook it into a way into the mpc live that my bro even told me "hey uhhhh thats not supposed to work like that, but cool, imma gonna tell the tech peoples" at TB. Essentially i could hook up the TB streaming mic into the mpc by using the MPC as the phantom power, if im not mistaken as to how i did it. Regardless, rock solid mic, affordable AF, its got good setup options, and all that. So, yea, a mic. Whether turtle beach or not, you should have a good condenser mic handy.

Yea i think thats it. As far as keepin the standalone studio setup, equipment wise. As far as DAWS, dont get me started.

Oh yea... a gig bag. I ended up with i think a gator bag, that not only fit the mpc nicely but can fit a laptop and has extra pockets for accessories like wires n shit. I wouldnt get a case that ONLY fits the mpc, no, F that. Get a travel bag that can hold your MPC and a few other items. I got my gig bag from Guitar Center. But of course look at as many options that suit your taste.

Headphones and speaker wise, my setup, would probably be frowned upon in the mixing crowd. I dont give a F.

Speakers: I have two bluetooth Sony XB60's which are awesome AF - to me. They are in mad reviews considered muddy cuz of the bass heavy lows and all, but thats fine by me, cuz of the music I make. They are still crazy. Crazy loud and Boom BOOM, and quite bluetooth aka portable AF. I got mine on the cheap, refurbished on eBay. Buying refurb is usually a hit or miss, but it usually is a hit. If its a miss the seller generally will have some warranty or return policy to trade for another. I suggest the refurb route. Because more often than not, you get a solid product for way cheaper than new out the box.

Headphones: I use Skullcandy Crusher Wireless. Most would say they are not ideal as studio headphones becus they are not flat lined. Well as for me, they are great. If you know the basic flatline aka zero equalization, you can adjusts them accordingly. Thats just me.

Good luck and happy beat making!

I’d also suggest looking into a keystep. It can be powered and run midi over usb to the mpc. Under 100 bucks I believe. I would see how you produce in the thing first, as if you’re just going to rip samples from vinyl that way there’s really not much need for a keyboard especially at first.

+1 on the MPC Beats Academy videos. They're 1st rate.
Also, the Arturia Keystep for a keyboard controller.

Mannyj24 wrote:
Hi Charles, and thanks for responding. Here is the information that you said I should make available:
1) I do not have experience with any of the equipment that goes with an MPC, really.

Just think of the MPC like a guitar, bass, drums, keyboard. Yes it does more then those, but the key is to just learn how to get sound out of it.

Mannyj24 wrote:2) Budget depends on the immediacy and necessity of the equipment. For example, I NEED headphones and an SD card pronto. However monitors can wait. For headphones, I'd say that $200 is where I'd feel comfortable and for an SD card, anything under $100 will suffice.

Headphones:
AKG K 701
Beyerdynamic DT 880
Sony MDR7506

SD CARD:
SanDisk 256GB Extreme Pro

Mannyj24 wrote:
3) I have a spare room in my house that only has a small writing desk and a recliner (plus the elliptical workout machine that does a good job at holding dust for me), so I have the space, I think. It's not a studio, but a place for me to work.

We'll that's a good because it gives you a place to focus and possibly add more. (Take it slow)

Mannyj24 wrote:4) I have only purchased an MPC one, so I don't have Ayn other equipment at this time.
Thanks again for your help.

At this point all you need is MPC ONE and your headphones. Again TAKE IT VERY SLOW. Once you learn the machine and get an idea of what you want to do. Then I would invest in Speakers and a MIDI Keyboard (If you want to play keys). The MPC one already has sounds in it. So try to get them to sound like something you like.

I suggest when you buy your headphones, listen to your favorite music on them for a couple of day. That way you brain has a musical reference and you learn what they sound like. Remember the key is take it slow and figure out the absolute basic.

P.S. Listen at a comfortable levels. Resist the urge to blast the music. Loud does not equal good, infact the louder the music, the less you can actually hear. I suggest between 60db and 75db max. Protect your hearing at all cost.

Same goes for the Midi keyboard... Go to a music store and test it on your own. I ve tested arturia and akais the nectar and also maudio.
To me the novation sl mk2 is the perfect controller Lots of knobs and fader + great keyboard and solid build quality. Don t know how the mk3 are

Mannyj24 wrote:For example, I NEED headphones and an SD card pronto. However monitors can wait.

@Mannyj24, I'm going to go against the grain here and just say it: you need monitors. Mixing with headphones only is probably the worst thing you can do if you're trying to get a proper mix - and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Mixing on just headphones doesn't allow you to easily hear phase issues, inexperienced and experienced mixers alike will often produce mixes that are way too bass heavy, and often getting a proper stereo mix that translates well to loudspeakers is difficult. Keep in mind, I'm not saying you shouldn't get headphones - they're great for tracking and required for mixing just to see how your final mix will sound, but monitors are more important.

A helpful article on Sound On Sound (a reputable pro music mag) years back also brought up some good points:

Many commercial mixes can sound rather weird over headphones. When listening to loudspeakers, your right ear receives sounds from the left channel as well as the right, but slightly later and at a slightly reduced level. This is due to the 'shadowing' effect of the head, and in particular the external parts of the ears, which act like complex direction-dependent tone controls. You also hear additional reflections from walls, ceilings and floors. This all sounds perfectly natural, because that's how we experience every sound around us.

On headphones, you hear only the left channel in your left ear and the right in your right ear. Any hard-panned sounds will be heard through one ear, which sounds very unnatural. In fact, it can cause headaches and induce nausea over prolonged periods. When sounds panned to the middle are played through loudspeakers they are heard 'in front', but the same sounds on headphones appear to be emanating from inside your head. You can get used to the skewed spatial response, and you can even enjoy its intimacy, but the one-ear phenomenon remains unpleasant for some.

So I'd encourage you to absolutely get a semi-decent pair of monitors (you can even start out with some inexpensive sets like the smaller PreSonus Eris line), as well as a decent set of cans. But never rely on just headphones, IMHO.

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques ... headphones

Cockdiesel wrote:Maybe tutor will work on mpc one bible.

The existing MPC X/Live Bible is already 100% compatible with the MPC One, I'll probably change the name of the book to just 'MPC bible' now, most people just call it that anyway.

The OP should keep it simple for a couple of months. The one thing most beginner do wrong, is buy too much gear. The MPC One and good pair of headphone is all he needs. He's not releasing commercial music.

First he must learns how to use the MPC one. Once he gets pass that and wants to get serious. Then he should buy the best monitors he can afford, monitor stands, cables, a desk, chair, and most importantly correct his space.

However, if he decides that it's not for him, then he can sell the MPC one and use the Headphones to just listen to music he enjoys. REMEMBER: Keep it, as simple, as possible.

@Dylan this not saying what you suggest is wrong. It's just too much, too soon for a beginner. You talking about getting a proper mix and phase issues. Get to that, after he learns how to make music on the machine.

but think of the children!

Starting out with a proper set of studio monitors and a halfway decent set of cans is far from too much, too soon. It would be wiser to start off knowing what a good mix is supposed to sound like from the beginning, especially when starting out.

I understand.

EnochLight wrote:Starting out with a proper set of studio monitors and a halfway decent set of cans is far from too much, too soon. It would be wiser to start off knowing what a good mix is supposed to sound like from the beginning, especially when starting out.

Besides... good monitors/headphones you can bring with you to whatever the next gear is

NearTao wrote:Besides... good monitors/headphones you can bring with you to whatever the next gear is

Headphone I agree, because not everyone is trying to be an audio engineer or professional producer/composer. Many just want to make music and enjoy themselves. It also helps to know what style of music, OP want to make. If he just want to chop samples, and play the pads or press button and twist knobs. Then he can get by with the minimum amount of gear and head ache.