MPC X Mod

This is interesting.

https://www.blacklionaudio.com/store/mo ... mpc-x-mod/

XB Mod

Analog

– New high-grade op-amps on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– New, high-grade signal path capacitors on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– Upgraded global and local power decoupling on analog stage power rails
– Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking and mixing (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)!

Digital

– New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation
– Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications
– Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio!

Doesn't say much without audio examples, TBH.

mrcrappypantson wrote:This is interesting.

https://www.blacklionaudio.com/store/mo ... mpc-x-mod/

XB Mod

Analog

– New high-grade op-amps on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– New, high-grade signal path capacitors on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– Upgraded global and local power decoupling on analog stage power rails
– Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking and mixing (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)!

Digital

– New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation
– Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications
– Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio!

Said this over at the MPC Users facebook group, and I'll say it again here: COMPLETE TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. No one will EVER hear the differences in a proper mix. Aside from voiding your warranty and stoking your ego, there is no reason to pay this sort of money for anything being offered, IMHO. I mean, unless you're a fan of snake oil - in which case I have a rain making machine and cure all I can sell you for the same price.

EnochLight wrote:

mrcrappypantson wrote:This is interesting.

https://www.blacklionaudio.com/store/mo ... mpc-x-mod/

XB Mod

Analog

– New high-grade op-amps on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– New, high-grade signal path capacitors on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs (this improves INST 1, INST 2, and the phono/line RCA inputs as well)
– Upgraded global and local power decoupling on analog stage power rails
– Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking and mixing (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)!

Digital

– New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation
– Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications
– Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio!

Said this over at the MPC Users facebook group, and I'll say it again here: COMPLETE TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. No one will EVER hear the differences in a proper mix. Aside from voiding your warranty and stoking your ego, there is no reason to pay this sort of money for anything being offered, IMHO. I mean, unless you're a fan of snake oil - in which case I have a rain making machine and cure all I can sell you for the same price.

I sold my Live and X because i was not keen on the overall sound.If they had put spdif there could use your own pre amp.Problem solved.Im sticking to the Ren now.Hybrid set up.

dryad-66 wrote:I sold my Live and X because i was not keen on the overall sound.If they had put spdif there could use your own pre amp.Problem solved.Im sticking to the Ren now.Hybrid set up.

Yet, if you sat someone down in front of a properly finished and mastered mix, it's virtually guaranteed that no difference could be heard between the Ren or the Live/X.

EnochLight wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:I sold my Live and X because i was not keen on the overall sound.If they had put spdif there could use your own pre amp.Problem solved.Im sticking to the Ren now.Hybrid set up.

Yet, if you sat someone down in front of a properly finished and mastered mix, it's virtually guaranteed that no difference could be heard between the Ren or the Live/X.

I agree but There is some difference for me.Ive owned the X and then the Live..The Ren and X/live use different soundcards.Anyhow i really like the REN hardware too.Had both the studio's and did not dig them.Have had 2 touch's but sold them both.The ren hardware and intergration with the sw is a work of art imo.i get no glitch or lag,pops ectect.

EnochLight wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:I sold my Live and X because i was not keen on the overall sound.If they had put spdif there could use your own pre amp.Problem solved.Im sticking to the Ren now.Hybrid set up.

Yet, if you sat someone down in front of a properly finished and mastered mix, it's virtually guaranteed that no difference could be heard between the Ren or the Live/X.

Really? you think you wouldn't hear a difference.

QuickStrike wrote:Really? you think you wouldn't hear a difference.

+1000

When I first picked up the X, my first thought were, it's clean but not in a musical way. It's almost as if the stereo field is/was too wide. All the drums I put in it lost their bottom end and these drums were mastered already. It sounds like they modeled it, after the old digi/mbox interfaces.

I can see where the Black Lion Mod: New, high-grade signal path capacitors on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs can help with this. For me the Live and X, has to be patched into a board, some kind of lunchbox, or have the low end placed in while mixing.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

QuickStrike wrote:Really? you think you wouldn't hear a difference.

+1000

When I first picked up the X, my first thought were, it's clean but not in a musical way. It's almost as if the stereo field is/was too wide. All the drums I put in it lost their bottom end and these drums were mastered already. It sounds like they modeled it, after the old digi/mbox interfaces.

I can see where the Black Lion Mod: New, high-grade signal path capacitors on the line inputs, mic inputs, line outputs, main outputs, and headphone outputs can help with this. For me the Live and X, has to be patched into a board, some kind of lunchbox, or have the low end placed in while mixing.

Wow that's the same thing I noticed about the width of the stereo field. It' sterilizers the sound quality too much. Plus the actual software doesn't have great headroom so it distort way too fast.

QuickStrike wrote:
Wow that's the same thing I noticed about the width of the stereo field. It' sterilizers the sound quality too much. Plus the actual software doesn't have great headroom so it distort way too fast.

Yeah, your ears are correct. I feel like they built the sound engine around the internal sounds. It's great for reverb and effects with pans. But anything with a round low end is flat. Have you tried recording into the software with a different interface?

QuickStrike wrote:Plus the actual software doesn't have great headroom so it distort way too fast.

I would guess the software is 32-bit float like in all/most modern DAWs, meaning you can run the tracks as loud as you want as long as the master stays green, and you won't distort it. Although I haven't tested it.

Fanu wrote:

QuickStrike wrote:Plus the actual software doesn't have great headroom so it distort way too fast.

Fanu wrote:I would guess the software is 32-bit float like in all/most modern DAWs, meaning you can run the tracks as loud as you want as long as the master stays green, and you won't distort it. Although I haven't tested it.

The 32 bit floating point is internal when in standalone, so we don't hear it. However once in controller mode, it's like you basically have to mix it again. Because the meters in stand alone and in software are not honest.

I mixed a track in the mpc x, but when tracking it out from the 8 outs, my meters were being hammered. So on each track, I had to drop them down 10 db equally, just so they don't distort. It's like the Internal mix says one thing and external output says another.


You need one of these: SM Pro Audio VU800 8-channel VU Meter Bridge connect to the back.




Edit: Perhaps this is what they noticed, I wouldn't doubt it. Any thoughts on it?

Yeah I don't know, maybe its me but, the software does not seem to respond anything like Logic does. I have maybe 10 tracks going all pulled down to like -24db (some lower) and the thing is still almost averaging 0db and it does at points jump into the red. In Logic at that level across the tracks I would easily have my 10-12db of headroom I want before 0 and then some. I dont get it, maybe the scale is off or something who knows but yeah. The MPC software seems easy as hell to run out of space really quickly. This is why I want some sort of numeric display on each track like in Logic/Cubase/etc.. I want to know exactly what numbers are coming out because it doesn't add up to me whenever I attempt to mix with it at all. I guess next time I have it open Ill use the K-Meter on the master and see what's really going on (if that's even accurate). When I tried it later in Logic, I opened the MPC as a multi-output plugin, gave each track in the MPC its own channel in Logic, and even still. In Logic's mixer I had to pull each track down another 1-3db at least to get it down to where I like it. This was on top of the levels already set in the MPC's mixer I mentioned above!

Honestly, I have never had any issues mixing in either standalone or software mode.
I get more meticulous in the latter.

Fanu wrote:Honestly, I have never had any issues mixing in either standalone or software mode.
I get more meticulous in the latter.

So your mixes from the MPC X, when transferred to the MPC Software in controller mode sound the same?
How about when you're tracking in real time out of the 8 analogue outs?