Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By Lord Lav Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:44 pm
Hey guys!

I have an MPC 2000xl, a MacBook Pro with Logic and an Apogee Duet.

I've got a lot of drum sounds on my computer and what I'd like to do is work on each particular drum hit it on logic to make sure it sounds the best I can get it, then sample on the MPC and put it all together with the pads. Once the drum sequences are done I'd re-record the whole drum pattern into the computer and record into logic with the synth sounds, loops etc using midi to make sure it's all in sync.

My question is, what is the best way to go about doing that given the equipment I have? Would a lot of the quality in the drum sounds be lost from sampling into the MPC to computer? In which case would I do well to get a digital to analogue converter? I know it would probably make more sense to have an MPD than MPC but I want to make the best with what I've got for now.
By porly_71 Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:10 pm
My question is, what is the best way to go about doing that given the equipment I have? Would a lot of the quality in the drum sounds be lost from sampling into the MPC to computer?


Hey there, I'm no expert, but I guess a good way to answer that question would be think about who's gonna be listening to those samples and how are they gonna listen to them? I guess there will be a (slight) degradation in "quality" everytime you convert digital - analogue and then back again, but I'm not so sure the difference will be that noticeable to the casual punter.


In which case would I do well to get a digital to analogue converter?

Umm, don't your mpc and computer already have dig - ana processors in them? That's how you get the sound into them in the first place, isn't it?
User avatar
By dabmeister Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:00 am
Throw a card reader on the mpc and if you've got one on the comp, then you're a'ight. Before copying them from one source to the other, make sure the files are saved to their proper format so the mpc can read them.
User avatar
By cyrus Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:32 am
i'd tweak the individual drums in logic, then id put them on a cf card and then load em up into mpc (you need a card reader). then, id sequence it out in the mpc. then record the outs of mpc into computer via duet.

if you aint got a card reader, they sell usb floppy and zip drives you could use to transfer individual hits to mpc.

I guess you could sample drum out of duet into mpc, then back again, but seems like if you dont do it right you could loose some ooomf on the drums. but its a viable way of doing it. try both ways, see what sounds better.
User avatar
By cyrus Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:36 am
porly_71 wrote:
My question is, what is the best way to go about doing that given the equipment I have? Would a lot of the quality in the drum sounds be lost from sampling into the MPC to computer?


Hey there, I'm no expert, but I guess a good way to answer that question would be think about who's gonna be listening to those samples and how are they gonna listen to them? I guess there will be a (slight) degradation in "quality" everytime you convert digital - analogue and then back again, but I'm not so sure the difference will be that noticeable to the casual punter.


In which case would I do well to get a digital to analogue converter?

Umm, don't your mpc and computer already have dig - ana processors in them? That's how you get the sound into them in the first place, isn't it?


who cares whos gonna listen to it or if they can tell or not? do you make doo doo because you set low expectations on the people listening to your beats? no! do whatever sounds the best to you and always aim for highest quality possible. even if you going for grimey feel that doesnt mean it cant be high quality or that you should be lazy.
By porly_71 Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:15 am
cyrus wrote:
porly_71 wrote:
My question is, what is the best way to go about doing that given the equipment I have? Would a lot of the quality in the drum sounds be lost from sampling into the MPC to computer?


Hey there, I'm no expert, but I guess a good way to answer that question would be think about who's gonna be listening to those samples and how are they gonna listen to them? I guess there will be a (slight) degradation in "quality" everytime you convert digital - analogue and then back again, but I'm not so sure the difference will be that noticeable to the casual punter.


In which case would I do well to get a digital to analogue converter?

Umm, don't your mpc and computer already have dig - ana processors in them? That's how you get the sound into them in the first place, isn't it?


who cares whos gonna listen to it or if they can tell or not? do you make doo doo because you set low expectations on the people listening to your beats? no! do whatever sounds the best to you and always aim for highest quality possible. even if you going for grimey feel that doesnt mean it cant be high quality or that you should be lazy.


True, I'm not advocating laziness, or producing doo-doo. Definitely agree that you gotta make what sounds best to you - I guess what I'm trying to say is that what is important to the producer's ear (i.e. quality of samples) might not be as important for the listener and just to keep things in perspective.
By pollrobin Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:21 am
I Think There are Some Utility Through Which You can Check The Different Different Kind OF Sound.This all are Available on the Internet easily.Or You can also Find some Sample Seeting of Music in the Control panel Sound Setting there are Different Different Effect of Sound Like Hall,Bathroom,Stone Room and Under Water.
User avatar
By cyrus Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:50 pm
porly_71 wrote:
cyrus wrote:
porly_71 wrote:I guess a good way to answer that question would be think about who's gonna be listening to those samples and how are they gonna listen to them? I guess there will be a (slight) degradation in "quality" everytime you convert digital - analogue and then back again, but I'm not so sure the difference will be that noticeable to the casual punter.



who cares whos gonna listen to it or if they can tell or not? do you make doo doo because you set low expectations on the people listening to your beats? no! do whatever sounds the best to you and always aim for highest quality possible. even if you going for grimey feel that doesnt mean it cant be high quality or that you should be lazy.


True, I'm not advocating laziness, or producing doo-doo. Definitely agree that you gotta make what sounds best to you - I guess what I'm trying to say is that what is important to the producer's ear (i.e. quality of samples) might not be as important for the listener and just to keep things in perspective.


for sure, didnt mean to say you where, just saying that aiming for high quality is something you should always do, but in the end, its all on what you think sounds good.