Frustrated at MPC workflow....should I return back to softwa

I have been a strict Reason user for the past 8 years. I have always been fascinated with hardware production, and just purchased an MPC 5000 a few days ago.

I am super frustrated with the workflow....the workflow is extremely slow compared to Reason. With Reason I can crank out beats and save them easily. With the MPC each beat is a process that I am not used to.

I bought the MPC because I am frankly sick of software...I feel the quality of my productions has diminished, and I was finishing projects less and less.

I would like to hear from people that have experience with both software and MPC. I am really considering ditching the MPC, but something inside me wants to keep it for the challenge. Don't really have a specific question, but just would like to hear some thoughts on this issue.

It all comes down to workflow for me. With software I have almost everything at my fingertips and it is just way too much for me. I feel like my software beats lack because I put everything into it and never really make a beat, just use all the crazy fx and plugins I can without focusing on the samples/music that im trying to make or use. Since going to hardware I find it hard to go back to software. I really enjoy taking my time and going through the process of chopping/editing my samples in the MPC. So I feel like it mostly comes down to workflow/limitations.

It seems like it's either too slow of a process or it's a daunting task to learn hardware? Once you learn the workflow and are able to do things with your eyes closed it gets way faster. Personally I can make a beat on the MPC WAY faster than software, but that really comes down to be comfortable with your tools.

Also maybe don't go for a 5000 as your first MPC, it has many bells/whistles that will just distract you from the basic understanding of the MPC.

Why are you sick of software? It sounds like your gripe with cranking beats out fast isn't that much of an issue since you also say with software you don't even finish them. If quantity of beats vs quality of beats is an issue I could see this, but taking MAYBE a full 60 seconds to save my work is not at all an issue for me.

I would suggest getting to know your new MPC before getting rid of it. Hell use it as a really expensive controller for Reason...

RoyGBivs wrote:It all comes down to workflow for me. With software I have almost everything at my fingertips and it is just way too much for me. I feel like my software beats lack because I put everything into it and never really make a beat, just use all the crazy fx and plugins I can without focusing on the samples/music that im trying to make or use. Since going to hardware I find it hard to go back to software. I really enjoy taking my time and going through the process of chopping/editing my samples in the MPC. So I feel like it mostly comes down to workflow/limitations.

It seems like it's either too slow of a process or it's a daunting task to learn hardware? Once you learn the workflow and are able to do things with your eyes closed it gets way faster. Personally I can make a beat on the MPC WAY faster than software, but that really comes down to be comfortable with your tools.

Also maybe don't go for a 5000 as your first MPC, it has many bells/whistles that will just distract you from the basic understanding of the MPC.

Why are you sick of software? It sounds like your gripe with cranking beats out fast isn't that much of an issue since you also say with software you don't even finish them. If quantity of beats vs quality of beats is an issue I could see this, but taking MAYBE a full 60 seconds to save my work is not at all an issue for me.

I would suggest getting to know your new MPC before getting rid of it. Hell use it as a really expensive controller for Reason...

Thanks man. I don't know how to describe it but I used to be able to sit in front of my computer for 10 hours straight on Reason and a midi keyboard cranking out quality music. Now, I can only be on reason for like 30 minutes and I just abandon any composition im working on.

I really like the feel of the mpc...it feels good to bang out rhythms, very satisfying. The only frustrating thing is learning every function....there's not like one big edit menu. Things like clearing samples you don't use before you save to free up memory....never had to do that in reason. Also saving is irritating....I was working on a beat for an hour, thought I saved it, then when I reloaded it, it sounds all messed up and was missing programs.

I bought the 5000 because of the onboard synths, which I really like.

I would simply give it some more time. You can't expect to feel "at home" with a new machine that you only had since a few days.

I can almost use my MPC's without looking at what buttons i'm pressing, because i'm so used to their workflow and menus after using them for four years now.

Give it more time!

so....you were sick of software, so you bought an MPC 5000 and a few days later you're ready to ditch that too?

sounds to me you're just tired of making music in general.

derektion wrote:

RoyGBivs wrote:It all comes down to workflow for me. With software I have almost everything at my fingertips and it is just way too much for me. I feel like my software beats lack because I put everything into it and never really make a beat, just use all the crazy fx and plugins I can without focusing on the samples/music that im trying to make or use. Since going to hardware I find it hard to go back to software. I really enjoy taking my time and going through the process of chopping/editing my samples in the MPC. So I feel like it mostly comes down to workflow/limitations.

It seems like it's either too slow of a process or it's a daunting task to learn hardware? Once you learn the workflow and are able to do things with your eyes closed it gets way faster. Personally I can make a beat on the MPC WAY faster than software, but that really comes down to be comfortable with your tools.

Also maybe don't go for a 5000 as your first MPC, it has many bells/whistles that will just distract you from the basic understanding of the MPC.

Why are you sick of software? It sounds like your gripe with cranking beats out fast isn't that much of an issue since you also say with software you don't even finish them. If quantity of beats vs quality of beats is an issue I could see this, but taking MAYBE a full 60 seconds to save my work is not at all an issue for me.

I would suggest getting to know your new MPC before getting rid of it. Hell use it as a really expensive controller for Reason...

Thanks man. I don't know how to describe it but I used to be able to sit in front of my computer for 10 hours straight on Reason and a midi keyboard cranking out quality music. Now, I can only be on reason for like 30 minutes and I just abandon any composition im working on.

I really like the feel of the mpc...it feels good to bang out rhythms, very satisfying. The only frustrating thing is learning every function....there's not like one big edit menu. Things like clearing samples you don't use before you save to free up memory....never had to do that in reason. Also saving is irritating....I was working on a beat for an hour, thought I saved it, then when I reloaded it, it sounds all messed up and was missing programs.

I bought the 5000 because of the onboard synths, which I really like.

The one thing I like over the MPC vs Software is I always feel like im learning with the MPC. Always another way to do something or different path to the same end, and I have a ton of fun experimenting with these methods and making my own personally tailored workflow for my MPC (I approach things differently on a 1000 with JJOS rather then on my 2000xl).

The saving thing just sounds like you need to cross your Ts dot your Is. It can be confusing at first but once you understand the basic file types and how they work saving your work should be easy. You can save out midi tracks of automation and everything, really no draw back. I would suggest getting on of the books from MPC Samples (http://www.mpc-samples.com/product.php/ ... e-mpc5000/). I have the 2000xl and 1000 versions, both are excellent teaching you everything you need to know to get up and go.

Personally I feel like the MPC menu system is extremely simple, much more than software. Mode + Pad goes to w/e page you want, then adjust settings in there screen. I would suggest setting down with the manual or one of those MPC SAMPLES books and spend the day learning the machine. It will probably end up being a lot easier than you think. I came from the simple SP samplers (SP-303 and 404) and at first the MPC was daunting but now it's the backbone of everything I do. If you really don't like it after learning it then get a MPD for 'pad feel' in Reason.

My input on this would be use whatever you're comfortable with. My main workflow is not just using one program, but using multiple programs to push multiple beats at the same time. Have an iPod Touch with 3 different softwares with 3 different beats at a time, MPC 500 for different types of beats, and Reason for other beats as well. It all comes down to what you're trying to accomplish. If you stick at it, I'm sure you'll be happy with the MPC 5000.

Champloo wrote:so....you were sick of software, so you bought an MPC 5000 and a few days later you're ready to ditch that too?

sounds to me you're just tired of making music in general.

lol this

The 5000 is not the "starter" mpc. I am the first to say I love my 5000 but I wouldn't recommend it as a first MPC unless you have patience and willingness to go uphill with the learning curve. Its a powerful machine with loads of features and "bells and whistles" it takes some time to get used to it. It would take time to get use to any MPC if you've never had one before but the 5000 is advanced and feature rich.

honetly Id advise one of the following

1. take your time and give it more time to learn the MPC and get use to its work flow. HW is a different ballgame than SW no matter if its reason vs mpc or logic vs MV8800. give it time

or

2. take it back and wait for MPC Ren this summer. if you've been using reason for 8 years a few more months wont hurt. you'd probably be the prime candidate to use the ren and its computer integration


see the links to MPC 5000 resources in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=152093

i can relate completely. i started with Reason and i still use it. i have an MPC1000 that i use. however, for some things, like basslines or anything involving composition, i use Reason still. doing a complex bassline on an MPC without a midi keyboard and knowledge on how to play piano would be a nightmare.

use the MPC for the parts you like. export your layers from reason into wav files and put them onto the MPC, work with it, export back, etc. still not as fast but it'll help.

the only reason i use the MPC still to be honest is because i think the sound quality is better for what i want and also because i like doing drums by hand, as well as having a good option for swing.

started with acid, later switched to reason, then the mpc1000
i felt extremely slowed down
but you get over it
as long as bugs don't get in your way

coming from software mpc does seem cumbersome...mpc is good to have around when you do wanna get away from software and experience different workflow. personally I would have picked up 1k or 2500 instead of 5k. but that's my preference


I've been thru 7mpcs since '06, no matter how much faster I can crank out some tunes in ableton, I always come back to mpc....sometime you just wanna fire up a jay, go thru a stack or wax and get to chopping samples...akai os makes this process least enjoyable at least for me. that's why I would never go for the 5k cuz of no JJ support.

konc3pt wrote:coming from software mpc does seem cumbersome...mpc is good to have around when you do wanna get away from software and experience different workflow. personally I would have picked up 1k or 2500 instead of 5k. but that's my preference


I've been thru 7mpcs since '06, no matter how much faster I can crank out some tunes in ableton, I always come back to mpc....sometime you just wanna fire up a jay, go thru a stack or wax and get to chopping samples...akai os makes this process least enjoyable at least for me. that's why I would never go for the 5k cuz of no JJ support.

But the 5000 OS 2.0 included a lot of jjos chop shop features right? Either way it comes down to an apparent learning curve and preference. Ren is the answer for situations like this. At least I think so

psr wrote:

konc3pt wrote:coming from software mpc does seem cumbersome...mpc is good to have around when you do wanna get away from software and experience different workflow. personally I would have picked up 1k or 2500 instead of 5k. but that's my preference


I've been thru 7mpcs since '06, no matter how much faster I can crank out some tunes in ableton, I always come back to mpc....sometime you just wanna fire up a jay, go thru a stack or wax and get to chopping samples...akai os makes this process least enjoyable at least for me. that's why I would never go for the 5k cuz of no JJ support.

But the 5000 OS 2.0 included a lot of jjos chop shop features right? Either way it comes down to an apparent learning curve and preference. Ren is the answer for situations like this. At least I think so

I wouldnt know, I've only messed with the unit at guitar center while back ....Im just saying if it wasnt for jj I would not be workin on mpc, nothin personal against the 5k. if it suits you that's cool, but it aint me...I've had couple 4k's slide thru my studio, as much as I wanted to love that machine, I'd always go back to 2500. choppin on anything outside of jj is pain in the ass in my experience. maybe im just short on patience.

psr wrote:The 5000 is not the "starter" mpc. I am the first to say I love my 5000 but I wouldn't recommend it as a first MPC unless you have patience and willingness to go uphill with the learning curve. Its a powerful machine with loads of features and "bells and whistles" it takes some time to get used to it. It would take time to get use to any MPC if you've never had one before but the 5000 is advanced and feature rich.

honetly Id advise one of the following

1. take your time and give it more time to learn the MPC and get use to its work flow. HW is a different ballgame than SW no matter if its reason vs mpc or logic vs MV8800. give it time

or

2. take it back and wait for MPC Ren this summer. if you've been using reason for 8 years a few more months wont hurt. you'd probably be the prime candidate to use the ren and its computer integration


see the links to MPC 5000 resources in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=152093

Thanks for the advice everyone...I decided to return the mpc 5000. I'm gonna pick up a used 1000 and learn that.