Considering an MPC

This may be a totally ridiculous question that people ask all the time, but I would just like some quick and easy answers here. Figure the 'Getting Started' forum is a good place to go.

Lately I have been trying to make music on my computer. I have a MacBook Pro (SD card slot), and I have both Ableton and Logic. While I have really been learning, I just don't feel it so much. For sure they are powerful programs, but I barely know Ableton and Logic doesn't have much live/jamming potential.

I am considering getting an MPC because it seems like much more of an instrument. I have always wanted to use pads for drumming, and I hear it has a great workflow, plus, having a dedicated unit to make beats on seems better than just the computer I do everything on, I suppose. Also seems less complicated then getting all the peripheral equipment for a computer (sound card, etc.).

The problem is, I am wondering should I get an MPC or just an MPD or something. I feel like MPCs are probably really popular for a reason, and a lot of artists I listen to use them.

The music I want to make generally changes from day to day. I listen to a lot of hip-hop, kinda electro-disco (Moroder, etc.) and some stuff that's tough to classify (Flying Lotus), and it seems to be suited for at least some of these styles.

(Sub question: I also have a Korg R3 and I would like to know if it is possible to record/play it through the MPC instead of just as a midi controller?)

Obviously I need to answer this question before I can figure out which one I need to get.

Thanks for your help, time, and patience. Forums like these are awesome for getting advice from people who really know what's up.

/DI

yeah man, check out youtube for beat making videos to see how it's done. in an hour you will somehow justify getting an mpc and next thing you know your 800 bucks in the negatives on your credit card! haha...

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:(Sub question: I also have a Korg R3 and I would like to know if it is possible to record/play it through the MPC instead of just as a midi controller?)

you can sample sounds from the R3 with the MPC, and you record what you play on the R3 as a midi sequence and play it back later.

with an mpc as a sequencer and r3 as a controller and sound source you could do plenty

U say u want live jamming, quick workflow and like the idea of a dedicated instrument to compose beats with?

Don't ask, just buy.

Computers are great for some people, and you can make incredable music with them... But. It lacks that instrument feel. (To me, of course) The Mp really is an instrument. You can really play the thing, and in many different ways. As far as style of music goes, that is something you bring to the table. Just like a guitar, you can play whatever form of music you can imagine. I think you'll love an MPC. Just to get it out of the way, I recomend geting a 1000 with the JJ operating system. (If you don't know what this is, just do some searching/reading on this site and you'll figure it out.) They go cheap on ebay. You'll probably have to upgrade the pads (long story- search/read) and download the JJ OS, but I really think you'll be glad you did. It's a rare thing to be able to get a $1000 dollor instrument and load the features of the $1800 units.

With a little research, you should be able to get a complete used MPC 1000, with the newer pads and the JJ os for around $600. Good luck, and let us know what you come up with. Peace

I say Maschine. And if you don't have an audio interface, you should get that.

Maschine, Korg R3, Ableton Live and interface. Mmmm.

Seeing as though you're using a Macbook Pro with Ableton and Logic, I say definitely get Maschine. MPC is ok too but it can't really be compared to the way Maschine integrates with other software like Live and Logic. Plus in my experience of having used MPCs for many years and now with Maschine, NI has finally made a hybrid software/hardware device that still has the instrument-like workflow of standalone hardware like MPC but without the annoying limitations (like MPC only being able to load 128MB/512MB of sounds at once.) or having to worry about things like external MIDI syncing the MPC to your DAW. And you won't have issues like faulty pads (MPC1000) or buying a third party operating system to give the MPC what Akai should have (JJ OS). MPD or any pad midi controller won't get you anywhere near the workflow you get with Maschine or MPC.

ha ha ha I knew it was coming....

emptysea wrote:Seeing as though you're using a Macbook Pro with Ableton and Logic, I say definitely get Maschine. MPC is ok too but it can't really be compared to the way Maschine integrates with other software like Live and Logic. Plus in my experience of having used MPCs for many years and now with Maschine, NI has finally made a hybrid software/hardware device that still has the instrument-like workflow of standalone hardware like MPC but without the annoying limitations (like MPC only being able to load 128MB/512MB of sounds at once.) or having to worry about things like external MIDI syncing the MPC to your DAW. And you won't have issues like faulty pads (MPC1000) or buying a third party operating system to give the MPC what Akai should have (JJ OS). MPD or any pad midi controller won't get you anywhere near the workflow you get with Maschine or MPC.

May very well have a damn good point here. I didn't take into account that you already had a macbook pro with programs already. I deffinately look at things in a no software way. I just always have problems with computers and have grown up with hardware, so if you are comfortable using them you may very well have an advantage. I guess it all really just boils down to you. What do you like? If your in the position, try all that you can and go with what works best for you. As for me... I just got my new Kaosspad 3 in the mail. Happy as a pig in shitt right now. Good luck and peace to ya!

Of course I am kind of asking a biased audience here haha.

The problems with controllers and pads for my computer (that I see) is that I already have enough of a headache with the software alone, I can't imagine trying to get it configured with another device.

I just kind of like the idea of being able to chop up samples and load them onto an MPC.

And I have heard a lot about the pads in the 1000 from my searching haha. Have no idea about what the JJ OS is specifically, but I'll look into it.

Thank you all for your help so far.

And as far the R3 thing goes, I am really comfortable programming sounds on it, as opposed to soft synths (is this indicative of a preference to hardware?) and I want to know if I can record all of what I'm playing, not just the midi notes or like 10 second clips.

And you can upgrade the memory on an MPC pretty cheaply/easily, right?

Go spend a day at Guitar Center n mess with shit to see what u like, and or want.

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:The problems with controllers and pads for my computer (that I see) is that I already have enough of a headache with the software alone, I can't imagine trying to get it configured with another device.

There's no 'configuration' needed for a midi controller. It's plug and play.

and I want to know if I can record all of what I'm playing, not just the midi notes or like 10 second clips.

No, MPC is not a DAW. You will record MIDI into the MP, and when you press play on the MP the Korg will play its sounds. When your song is done, you will eventually have to record your MPC and Korg into a computer. If you're having a hard time with software right now, you'll also have a hard time with the MPC. (And that has nothing to do with the software vs hardware debate.)

the mpc1000 has 22 minutes of sampling time. so yep, you can sample/record what you're playng on the m3. with that much sampling time you can use the 1000 as a de facto multitrack recorder and arranger capable of making finished beats without having to touch a computer.

beach_break wrote:the mpc1000 has 22 minutes of sampling time. so yep, you can sample/record what you're playng on the m3. with that much sampling time you can use the 1000 as a de facto multitrack recorder and arranger capable of making finished beats without having to touch a computer.

Did not know that.

beach_break wrote:the mpc1000 has 22 minutes of sampling time. so yep, you can sample/record what you're playng on the m3. with that much sampling time you can use the 1000 as a de facto multitrack recorder and arranger capable of making finished beats without having to touch a computer.

MPC1000 has 24 minutes of sampling time in MONO which would fill up the maximum 128MB limit, mind you. It's still enough to make complete beats no doubt, if you get creative with it.