Need somthing simple to sequence with!

Hi

Well I own a MPC4k and err.. its been eating dust for the past 5 years, I find that it has a whole lot of extra stuff that I don't need or I can achieve with software.

What I'm asking is which of the MPCs (1000, 2500, etc) is JUST a sequencer with minor options such as reverse, etc. as well as loads of RAM and external drive capability?

I only want to sequence, bounce to my laptop or PC and get mixing.
Also am I correct in thinking tat he 1000 or 2500 is less buggy than the 4k?

MPC500 can do all that.

Jamon wrote:MPC500 can do all that.

Seems to be toy than anything else.. any good beat makers got anything good to say bout MPC2500?

MPC500 has same RAM, same sequencer specs as 2500. 96ppq, 100,000step, 99sequences, 32voices. It has less MIDI outs, 16ch vs 64ch. Are you sequencing a lot of external gear? If not the 500 is probably more than you need.

Jamon wrote:MPC500 has same RAM, same sequencer specs as 2500. 96ppq, 100,000step, 99sequences, 32voices. It has less MIDI outs, 16ch vs 64ch. Are you sequencing a lot of external gear? If not the 500 is probably more than you need.

Sweeet, thanks I'll check it out further.

Go with the 500. It has everything you need.

Dj Pound wrote:Go with the 500. It has everything you need.

I see MPC2k in your list of gear.
What are the main advantages of it over the MPC500?

MPC4k wrote:

Dj Pound wrote:Go with the 500. It has everything you need.

I see MPC2k in your list of gear.
What are the main advantages of it over the MPC500?

Well aside from having 4 more pads to bang on, not much at all!
Any 500 user could probably run circles around me as I dont have the effects card or the memory expansion

The 500 has 3/4 the size pads, same as the 1000. They are probably less sensitive to a full range of velocities, and Akai doesn't seem interested in fixing it in firmware. But if you use full level most of the time, or use an external MIDI keyboard, then that won't matter.

The screen is not graphical, it only shows numbers. That means you can't see a waveform of the sound, or a grid of the notes sequenced. But you can still edit them easily. For example, if you made a mistake, just hold down the erase button and hit the key you didn't want when it is played back. It is instantly erased in realtime, no need for a grid edit.

But if you still want to go in and change something, like make a note duration longer, just hit stop around when you hear the sound, and you can find the note easily, and scroll through the parameters to fine-tune it. You can also copy events, copy bars, etc. It is a full featured MIDI sequencer.

It depends what you want to do. For 90% of the stuff I see on YouTube videos I wonder why they didn't save money and get a 500. Most of them don't use the extra inputs/outputs, and trigger all samples at full level. They also don't seem to do much editing, just re-record when they mess up.

Dj Pound wrote:

MPC4k wrote:

Dj Pound wrote:Go with the 500. It has everything you need.

I see MPC2k in your list of gear.
What are the main advantages of it over the MPC500?

Well aside from having 4 more pads to bang on, not much at all!
Any 500 user could probably run circles around me as I dont have the effects card or the memory expansion

Know how you feel. My MPC4k also lacks memory. Its a major handicap:)

Jamon wrote:The 500 has 3/4 the size pads, same as the 1000. They are probably less sensitive to a full range of velocities, and Akai doesn't seem interested in fixing it in firmware. But if you use full level most of the time, or use an external MIDI keyboard, then that won't matter.

The screen is not graphical, it only shows numbers. That means you can't see a waveform of the sound, or a grid of the notes sequenced. But you can still edit them easily. For example, if you made a mistake, just hold down the erase button and hit the key you didn't want when it is played back. It is instantly erased in realtime, no need for a grid edit.

But if you still want to go in and change something, like make a note duration longer, just hit stop around when you hear the sound, and you can find the note easily, and scroll through the parameters to fine-tune it. You can also copy events, copy bars, etc. It is a full featured MIDI sequencer.

It depends what you want to do. For 90% of the stuff I see on YouTube videos I wonder why they didn't save money and get a 500. Most of them don't use the extra inputs/outputs, and trigger all samples at full level. They also don't seem to do much editing, just re-record when they mess up.

Ah ok, thanks fo that helped me out
Know what you mean about the videos.