Need opinions on this workaround for resampling...

I used to have an ASR-X and the only thing I liked about it was the ability to resample a sequenced part straight from the machine. Obviously, the MPC2000XL doesn't have this feature. I know alot of people use their computers to resample from the MPC, which I have been doing here and there, but all I use as an input is the 1/8" jack on the back of my Mac G3 since I don't have a audio input device. If you've read any of my previous posts regarding computers, you know that I don't like using them for music production (I'm on a computer 9 hours a day at work, I don't want to sit in front of one at home). So I was thinking, what if I bought a DAT recorder and sampled from the MPC onto DAT?

A. Does anyone do this already?
B. Do you think the recording quality would be better if you sampled to DAT first and then brought the sample back in through the digital input? (assuming you can do this with the digital input)
C. Is there another fairly inexpensive device I could use instead of DAT that samples with at least as good quality as the MPC (minidisc comes to mind)?
D. Is there a device that records files as WAVs so that you can drop them back into the MPC without any loss of quality?
E. Have I surpassed the number of questions allowed in one post?

Hell, at one point I even considered getting a semi decent 2 track 1/4" reel to reel just to get a warmer sound with my samples. As you can tell I usually don't like going the conventional route as far as music production is concerned. I'm looking more for exerienced MPC users opinions on all this. Everyone does things differently on the MPC so all opinions are helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Ara

eightsixteen wrote: (I'm on a computer 9 hours a day at work, I don't want to sit in front of one at home).

Oh my GAWD, i f*&%ing FEEL you homie.

I rock a Fostex Mr-8 digi-8track. The sound quality isnt the best, but it is digital, so you don't lose quality as you send sh*t back and forth....

sometimes, i just resample using my mr-8, but also, i keep a cd-r in my burner unfinalized at all times. I sort of consider this my "notepad".... i use it for getting more tracks out of my 8track (once i fill up all 8tracks on the recorder, i burn it, then rerecord it back onto one track on the 8track.....my own way of track bouncing i guess) i also use the cd-r for resampling..... that seems to be the best quality.... so if you have a burner, just do that....

P.S. the Mr-8 is only like 290 bucks too........

the mini disc works by cutting out parts of the sound to make it fit (a al MP3) so I wouldnt use that for resampling.

the digi to dat and back will work, and u will not lose sound quality, although isnt there a way to assign a sequence to a pad so that when you press the pad the sequence plays? why not just do that?

Dr.Foo wrote:the mini disc works by cutting out parts of the sound to make it fit (a al MP3) so I wouldnt use that for resampling.

the digi to dat and back will work, and u will not lose sound quality, although isnt there a way to assign a sequence to a pad so that when you press the pad the sequence plays? why not just do that?

Good point about the minidisc, although they are cheap and portable.

As far as assigning a sequence to a pad, I didn't know I could do that. The real reason I want to get all my synth stuff as samples is so that I can use the MPC completely as a stand alone unit. Plus I figured that by having a DAT I could use it for mastering. It sounds like alot of work, but I'm weird like that.

Dr.Foo wrote:although isnt there a way to assign a sequence to a pad so that when you press the pad the sequence plays? why not just do that?

No.

"So I was thinking, what if I bought a DAT recorder and sampled from the MPC onto DAT?"

A DAT recorder is gonna cost than most good/budget samplers. If all you want to do is sample your sequences, you'd be better off with a sampler that has digital ins/outs. If you have the 8-out card on your MPC, you'll be all set.. not only will you have good digital sound, but you will also have the ability to edit, (stretch/tune etc).. all the stuff that a DAT recorder can't do. Remember, that DAT's are basically tape versions of CD's.. the same thing you could do with a cd-r, you can do with a DAT.. they were useful before the cd-r/cd-rw came out, but are now becoming obsolete.. why pay ten bux for a single DAT tape when you can buy 100 cd-r's for $25..
Look at the akai s2000.. or anything with digital ins/outs that's cheap. I use my ASR-X, but without the digital hookups, I also get a slight hum from it, and you don't need that.

. ..dyrtrax. ..

Roxstar,
That's a great idea. I had considered buying another sampler in the past to do exactly what you are saying, but I bought another synth module instead. I forgot how versatile an s2000 or something would be compared to a DAT. The only advantage to the DAT is for mastering. I feel like an idiot sometimes critisizing the whole computer thing because I have an audio recording program and I have Reason (thus the full featured sampler), all I need is a sound card and I'd be all set. Maybe I'll backpedal on my original opinions about computers. It's just that whenever I try to do anything with computers and audio I end up spending more time configuring the computer than I do working on music. Oh well. <--- first time using an emoticon

Umm, well if you do want to use the computer, just do it by saving the sound on a dos formatted Zip disk as a Wav file, and load it onto your Mac.

All Macs can read PC formatted disks (PC can not read Mac formatted)

if you dont have a zip drive on your Mac, you should be able to get one for $40

After you get the File onto your Mac you can edit it and down sample it in your favorite editing software, like Peak or what ever you use.

Save it as a Wav file when your finished and put it back onto the Zip disk

Presto ! ! ! ! Your finished.



zack

Sorry, i though you were talking about resampling as in the sampling rate (like going from 16 bit to 8 bit).

My suggestion, DONT get a DAT.

Get an EMU E5000 and sample that sh@@ into that bad boy.

The E5000 is a sick sampler and you can find them for around $799, which is cheaper than a DAT.

Its much more versitile. and the filtors are the best in the sampling market.

I have had one for while and with my MPC its the best set-up I could ask for.


zack

I agree with whoever said the CD-R thing. If you get/have a burner that can accept the digital signal from your MPC, burn the sequnce, then just play it and sample it from the cd into your MPC. If you get a burner with CD-RW capabilities, you wont even waste disks, as CD-RW's can be unfinalized. That's what I do. I tried using the zip drive to PC (Sonar by Cakewalk) and I found that you don't lose sound quality, but the overall sound sounds different. I don't know how to describe it except "different". I didn't like it, but I've only tried it a few times (I dont like my PC for music either, or I woulda bought Fruity Loops instead of an MPC)

Just my $0.02 worth. Peace1

get a 4000

i just use a roland vsr....i got one a few years ago for $450....i'm not sure they make them....but check ebay...u can get one....ii record whatever i play into the vs...and then resample into the mpc using my digital inputs.....that way u can use the track recorder's effects, eq, and filters(idf they have them).......my 2 cents......

Before you buy a 8 track.... buy a VS 880 (about $300 on ebay with fx cards). It will be a smarter 8 track....and you will probably never run out of space. It has 1/4 outs, rca jacks, optical outs, and many other options that a simple 8 track doesn't offer.

I personally like doing it on the PC though.... start taking 15 minute breaks from the screen.

Leroy

Thanks for all the tips, gentlemen.

I made a decision. I know I'm backpeddling, but I'm going to start using the computer again. I just can't justify spending anymore money on hardware when I already have all the software I need. Like Leory suggested, I'll just have to take 15 min breaks from the screen (maybe I'll go blaze).

Thanks again,
Ara

Hey, that Leory name thang was a type-o.....

It was suppose to be Leroy. How the Heck CAN I CHANGE THAT!!!!!

THanks