Need Real talk

Chap - The 500 can do all of those things youre asking about. I suggest reading the manual, specificially the sections about "track mutes" on page 25, because there are two ways to do track mutes, I prefer the latter. Also read about "song mode" "naming squences" & "copying squences". Those sections should answer all your questions & allow you to do everything you've requested. pz

I have both the 500 and the 1k...

Honestly I'd say if you're comfortable with the 500 and aren't into the 1k features that much then stick with the 500. Sure you get 4 more pads, JJOS adds a *ton* of amazing functionality, you'd get more outputs, audio thru, graphical editing... plus plenty more. All good stuff, but certainly nothing necessary and sometimes you can just get lost in the extra options.

The thing I'd point out though is that it won't exactly be free either. The 1k you buy for $400 probably has the old pads, so you'd want to upgrade so that's $180'ish, JJOS is pretty much a must and that's another $100+, you can throw in an internal hard drive... figure another $60-$80. I mean hey it's all good stuff, but for $400 you'll probably be shelling out at least $100 more for JJOS unless it's already on there, and then get the itch to dump more money over time.

As for track muting on the 1k, yeah, you can name each track as "Bass1", "Piano2", etc... and actually see them show up on the track mute menu. It is handy for live track muting. However, on the 500 you can probably make your life easier by doing things like making your kick track A1/B1/C1/D1, Snares A2/B2/C2/D2, Bass A7/B7/C7/D7... whatever... if you're consistent though you'll build up muscle memory and be able to zip around the track mutes with practice and not think about it.

As mentioned though you probably need to learn a few more things on the 500 that you'd need to know on the 1k as well if you really want to be productive. Dig into Sequences and copying them. Learn how to make your chorus sequence, then copy it, modify a drum section/bass line/lead or whatever and turn it into a bridge. Copy that and mute a few tracks and do some snare rolls or whatever to make another sequence for your build up. Copy that and play with the drums for your breakdown. Whatever order you end up doing it in... you then have a ton of material to work with in Song mode, but you also have the option of muting/unmuting the tracks life if you want to play it that way.

Again though... these will be pretty much the same steps you'll be doing on the 1k if you really want to get into doing things a bit more streamlined. Pick up the manual or dig around through the forums. Plenty of us have posted similar workflows for this little guy and although nobody is exactly the same I'm pretty sure you'll see a common theme that you can run with to help you work out your own tracks.

Joining this forum is the best thing I could have done
and I wanna give much love to everybody who dropped a line on this thread,
Cuz i learned something from all ya'll....and I mean that

But something in the way NearTao dropped it
Hit the hardest with me.

Sometimes U gotta Love The One Your With
And to be real the 500 is a better machine,than I am a Producer.....For now
So when I've reached my max on the 500,then I should start thinking bout the 1k.
Guess I got a date with the manuel this weekend.

Thats whats up. Im competely satisfied with my 500. If you want to see what can be made with a 500. Check out Djmofunk whos live right now making a beat on his.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-from ... s-basement

chap23 wrote:But something in the way NearTao dropped it
Hit the hardest with me.

Just depends where you define the next level... in your hardware or in yourself. That line can be very fuzzy, but I find if I'm happy with the hardware/software then it's usually worth looking into it more . Gear lust is easy enough for us all... gear love is the hard part.

Still when you're fighting with the gear it is worth moving on... no sense being in an unhappy relationship right?

The 500 paired with a 1k/2.5k though is really nice. Don't be afraid to keep both if you get the 1k though.

arafats3rdeye wrote:Thats whats up. Im competely satisfied with my 500. If you want to see what can be made with a 500. Check out Djmofunk whos live right now making a beat on his.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-from ... s-basement

Hahahaha he got the dog nodding his head.

Thats whats up dog. I posted that link the other day when Mofunk was live (he's on everyday most of the day) but the beat I think you heard was made on his 5k not the 500. Still good $hit though. pz

Lampdog wrote:

arafats3rdeye wrote:Thats whats up. Im competely satisfied with my 500. If you want to see what can be made with a 500. Check out Djmofunk whos live right now making a beat on his.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-from ... s-basement

Hahahaha he got the dog nodding his head.

LOL I wish I could have seen that! Sorry off topic but in truth, after using the 500 for say about a month I know that I want some extra features, some more effects, and more importantly, the 4 extra pads but in truth, it does what I want it to do, and that is always more than enough for me. I've been stealing samples from my Akai XR20 and I must say that this MPC 500 is becoming more fun by the day.

LMFAO dudes passed out on his couch