Performing live with the MPC

I just got word that I'll be performing beats for this upcoming MC battle next month. Ive got tons of beats but Ive never been on stage live with the mpc. Im pretty comfortable with my work but Ive got a few issues...

All my beats are constructed on the mpc but I record into my computer, usually adding compression and reverb (no eb16 card). My drums will sound quite hollow without the effects. What can I do? I mean for the battle part I can always just make a wav file, load it up and play it with the mpc but that kind of takes away from the point of using the mpc in the first place, and being that this will be in front of a packed crowd I want to come as dope as possible.

Also I'll have the oppurtunity to do a little showcase of instrumental pieces I did. Anyone have any tips regarding ill ish to do for live performences, I was thinking maybe finding some extra samples to layer over the beats live with the pads along with some live drum breakdowns and stuff. I havent had a chance to see much live footage of mpc users so if you got em link me up please. I need as much help as I can get.

thanks

resample the drums, and replace the sound for the corresponding pad...done

Pore wrote:My drums will sound quite hollow without the effects. What can I do?

Use the low end theory...it never fails

What exactly is this low end theory you speak of? The album LET is one of my favs so I feel ignorant for not knowing what you mean.

thanks though

probably have to have a zip drive if you dont already to be able to load your instumentals up quickly on stage or have your basic tracks recorded onto dat or digital recorder and use the mpc for live sound add ins or what not...havnt seen anybody use the mpc for a complete live set, seems like it would be a pain in the azz though...pz

Pore wrote:What exactly is this low end theory you speak of? The album LET is one of my favs so I feel ignorant for not knowing what you mean.

thanks though

Layer your loops/Sounds/drums with the same exact sample but with low end. Listen to your beat and make sure it aint distorting(adjust your velocity accordingly.) The Low end theory makes your beat sound FULL(as opposed to flat/hollow.) Just listen to all your classic hip hop albums. For me it was the Stakes is High album(the low end theory was very obvious.) Thats how they(legendary producers) do their shit...Most heads dont understand the low end theory(or even know what it is) so they try to use computers to substitute. The boom bap isnt in the computer. Its on the MPC(any of them) or SP or whatever machine your using and those dusty platters. Now using the low end theory and then importing your shit into a computer to fully master it....now your talkin good hip hop music.

That's a good tip.
But most clubs use compressors and reverb in their soundsystem as well, so you shouldn't worry about it that much. Just talk to the soundpeople at the desk and tell them what you need before you start. If you can, soundcheck your shit.
If you can't do that, you could process all your individual samples on the pc. Just add some compression or whatever, and replace the original files with the new ones. As long as they have the same name you can use your original pgm. files too. Wavelab and soundforge can do batchprocessing as well, so you can run all your samples trough that real quick.

Do you have someway (zip, floppy) to get your samples into your computer so you can do a batch effects process and have ALL your samples have some effects on them so EVERYTHING you play will have effects on them but don't over write your originals doing so ya dig.
No one will know that you don't have an EB16 board.

yeah I got an external zip, Im thinking for the beats for the battle, I'll probably make wav files of the beat skeletons and record them onto diff tracks so I can switch from one to another easily and throw in some add ins. Im working on a routine for this instrumental piece I did where I will use it normally where Im gonna sample and add effects first like Lamp said then cut off into live drums over various grooves and basslines. It will be quite gully. Thanks

Waddup, am struggeling with the same thing; wanna perform live with my mpc. But to what extend do you actualy 'play live'? I mean, do u fiddle around with track mutes, paterns, maybe just addin' sound to ur existing beats or really create a beat onstage? I still wanne b creative on stage and not doing the same thing over and over.

Help me out pleaz

Make'n a beat on stage would be live. I get compliments on my beats.. but when people hear the original and then see how I flipped it their eye brows raise alot higher. I'd throw some classic accappellas to it to get the crowd movin'. If I have a particular opponent, I'd throw in some diss phrases. Maybe play a familiar drum break and freak it live. If you could have two MPs on stage it would be better, jus load one while the other plays (turntable like). I'm not sure but I think the foot controller setting change with the program, if so ... throw some program changes in empty sequence, you could play the percussion with your hands and rock the sample with your foot/feet and have shit flip automatically... even better if you have the eb16. I'd think more like a DJ. I see what they do with just 2 turntables and a mixer... and think about the advantages I'd have with an MP have'n access to any and every sound possible at my finger tips. I've wanted to battle live for a while... jus never seen an opportunity. But when I do.. i'ma be ready.

I don't know if they judge'n yo beats or yo skills and knowledge of the machine, but you should give them a nice balance of both.