Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
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By BLiTzZD Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:44 pm
Am I the only cat doing this?

Seems everybody is using recycle or some other like program to chop their shnizzle. The sole purpose I got the MPC was to create without having to use the computer (aside from adding samples)

So far, I've done pretty well in the chops. They sound good, and using the playback while trimming allows me to get the precise moment locked on the sample.

What are the advantages of using recycle?? Don't you have to record the sample on the MPC anyhow? seems like a lot of work to transfer back and forth.

Any thoughts??
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By 64hz Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:11 pm
You are not alone, I chop on the 500, but sometimes I use recycle for samples that are on my laptop and need a fast chop. It is not really hard to get them on your mpc, just hook up the usb and read the manual about it.
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By BLiTzZD Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:07 pm
64hz wrote:You are not alone, I chop on the 500, but sometimes I use recycle for samples that are on my laptop and need a fast chop. It is not really hard to get them on your mpc, just hook up the usb and read the manual about it.


LOL yeah I know how to move them back and forth, I was just thinking it's a waste of time to record the sample on MPC then tranfer to CPU for chopping, then back to the MPC for use. I see where your coming from though, easier to chop stuff thats already on your laptop.
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By carbono Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:36 pm
I feel you...My first 2 beats were chopped on recycle, but the rest of them were on the mpc500. It can take more time, but...dunno, I just feel better with myself doing it, lol!
I think that, if you have the samples in your pc, then it's quicker to do it by recycle. But if you sample everything, do it on the mpc!

Of course I would like some wave editing but....that's another game =/
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By Cold Snap Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:54 pm
It's all in how you wanna develop your personal work flow... Me I chop on acid... I'll take a track and slice out any where from 2 to 20+ chops... load em via usb to the mpc and assign to pads... it really is a fast process for me..I spend more time diggin for sh!t to sample...

Also when I'm feelin lazy I'll just record in on the mpc and chop on board quick like... choppin either way takes no more than 10 to 15 minutes if that, that's transfer and assign to pads...I have a real solid work flow though so there's not too much that can slow me down once I get a idea in my head.

I have Recycle too but it makes no sense to me so I never use it... I'm sure it's a great program tho, I just never took the time to learn it.

Bottom line chop it how you chop it... practice any method enuff and it will become a faster process.
By j-no Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:21 am
both, depends, or if i want to add effects to a sample i'lll chop on cpu(reaper or apple soundtrack), that way i don't use up all the polyphony on the 500...whatever's clever, no wrong way... 8)
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By robthom Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:50 am
Agreed. The whole reason I got the 500 instead of just using a software program was to have a self contained hardware platform.

The only chopping I do use the pc for is to prep my samples for storage on the CF. IE: rough trimming the breaks out of a 3 minute song. But then all the chopping for making a beat I do in the 500.

It is much faster to just chop on the PC and transfer, but it just doesn't seem aesthetically correct.
By jdavidson Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:51 am
i used the mpc up untill like a week ago. now i don't think i will ever go back, its so much easier and so much better doing what i do now. i sample into the 500, normalize, time stretch, whateva whateva. then i take it to my pc, chop it up in recycle usually about 30 samples, throw it on mpc pad 187 make a program, then throw it back in my mpc and i am ready to go. It works so well and makes it so much easier, i wanted a good chopped raw sound and it def gives me that feel.
By logic_user99 Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:14 pm
I prefer chopping drum breaks on the MPC; I find I get much better hit cross-over that way. Combined with careful decay settings, I get much less 'staccato' going on with my cuts.

For stretching, though, I tend to use Ableton Live as it's MUCH better at that! Heh.

So, er, yeah. Much love for chopping on the MPC.
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By Menco Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:34 pm
If u know how to chop on the 500, u can almost chop as fast as on the 1k or 2500.
The 1k can make 16 equal zones out of 1 sample in a breeze... But that's where the real chopping part starts.
From there u have to adjust to start end endpoint of every slice, which is also a timeconsuming proces.
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By Tracks Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:37 pm
Menco wrote:If u know how to chop on the 500, u can almost chop as fast as on the 1k or 2500.
The 1k can make 16 equal zones out of 1 sample in a breeze... But that's where the real chopping part starts.
From there u have to adjust to start end endpoint of every slice, which is also a timeconsuming proces.




but really in the end thats 1000000000000000000000000000000000x easier. chopping is way easier and faster on the 1k, thats not even debatable
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By BLiTzZD Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:50 pm
Menco wrote:If u know how to chop on the 500, u can almost chop as fast as on the 1k or 2500.
The 1k can make 16 equal zones out of 1 sample in a breeze... But that's where the real chopping part starts.
From there u have to adjust to start end endpoint of every slice, which is also a timeconsuming proces.


And IF I HAD a 1000, I surely wouldn't need to post about choppin on the 500 would I?? :wink: