What is all this talk about swing on the mpc - I just keep hearing all this talk

when i make beats i just turn on the mpc and load up my sound and do my dizzel. but i keep reading people talk about the mpc 3000 swing vs the 2000 xl swing and i just wanted to know what is so big about the swing....all my beats are made qua(1/16) but yea i open the window and played with the swing numbers today and by pressing the note repeat  button i kind of get a understand what it is but can some just break down what i am doing when i change the (swing %) or the (amount) and (shift timing). i mean what effect do i get when i change one of the numbers. i kind of understand the swing % but what is going on with the amount

thanks[/color]

The swing function moves every other note to a later position. I don't really think it gives your track a human feel but imitates a certain style of drumming found in jazz, funk, hip hop which is called playing with swing. This function and the triplet feature is the foundation of new jack swing an older style of hip hop/r&b. The swing function is very useful. Although I don't 100% agree but some people believe certain swing settings can give your track a certain bounce. The best way to learn is to play around. Remember people define the word swing in different ways. A lot of time people will apply swing to songs that are very straight.

For instance Midwest Swing isn't a secret quantizization code but just a certain way people tend to move when they hear the track and the delivery.

My opinion is learn when and when not to use swing. A lot of producers use hardly any swing. Others use it very subtly. Some use it to create a jazzy effect. Use your ears.