Considering an MPC

Haha you were right about the youtube videos. I have been watching them and I am now convinced that I need one of these things.

I can also tell what you mean by the JJ OS system. It looks like it has a ton of improvements over the old one, especially with the grid edit and the different chopping methods. Though, some of the old chopping methods didn't look too bad.

Overall it seems like a really fast way to make tunes, and I love how easy it looks to use samples. Of course, it isn't as precise as a computer, but it looks like the whole feel of it is way more conducive to music production, especially for hip-hop styles.

How is it for live performance/jamming? I mean, I am not there yet, but I would like to know if there would be a better way to make compositions when "jamming" than two-bars-at-a-time.

Another thing, how would one go about transferring files from a laptop to the MPC? The USB cable or the memory card? I have a few cool drums sounds on my computer I would like to get onto one. And along with this, how easy/expensive is it to go about upgrading the memory capacity? it doesn't sound too crippling, but more is always better.

Thanks again

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:Haha you were right about the youtube videos. I have been watching them and I am now convinced that I need one of these things.

I can also tell what you mean by the JJ OS system. It looks like it has a ton of improvements over the old one, especially with the grid edit and the different chopping methods. Though, some of the old chopping methods didn't look too bad.

Overall it seems like a really fast way to make tunes, and I love how easy it looks to use samples. Of course, it isn't as precise as a computer, but it looks like the whole feel of it is way more conducive to music production, especially for hip-hop styles.

How is it for live performance/jamming? I mean, I am not there yet, but I would like to know if there would be a better way to make compositions when "jamming" than two-bars-at-a-time.

Another thing, how would one go about transferring files from a laptop to the MPC? The USB cable or the memory card? I have a few cool drums sounds on my computer I would like to get onto one. And along with this, how easy/expensive is it to go about upgrading the memory capacity? it doesn't sound too crippling, but more is always better.

Thanks again

You can do as many bars as you want, you aren't limited ti just two bars. You load your samples to the CF card via the usb, and I spend only $9.50 to upgrade my memory. **** Akai.

emptysea wrote:I say definitely get Maschine.

why did you even post something when we all know what your going to say

boxcutter butta wrote:

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.

why did you even post something when we all know what your going to say

have you ever considered that either the OP or some random person coming by here might not be able to read my mind like some of you apparently can?

emptysea wrote:

boxcutter butta wrote:

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.

why did you even post something when we all know what your going to say

have you ever considered that either the OP or some random person coming by here might not be able to read my mind like some of you apparently can?

Maschine sucks. You sound like a used car salesmen.

if someone is considering a maschine they wouldn't be coming to the MPC forums

boxcutter butta wrote:if someone is considering a maschine they wouldn't be coming to the MPC forums

why not? they might be considering an MPC as well, or might already have one like most of us did.

The OP should ask this same question on Ableton or Logic forums to get some different viewpoints.

That's the thing, I feel like software my not fit my style (whatever that means) as well. That's why I'm considering an MPC. I've been trying software, not feeling it, thinking about an MPC. Maybe I just suck at making music, but I think it'd be worth trying.

Okay, so if I buy an MPC 1000, I will have to:

Buy the newest JJ OS (haven't looked in to where)
Buy the pad upgrade kit from akai ( if it isn't MPC1000BK-N)
And upgrade the memory (if I upgrade the HD to like 60gb, then I shouldn't have to up the CF or RAM right?)

Is that all correct?

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:That's the thing, I feel like software my not fit my style (whatever that means) as well. That's why I'm considering an MPC. I've been trying software, not feeling it, thinking about an MPC. Maybe I just suck at making music, but I think it'd be worth trying.

you know what? maybe, maybe not. grab an mpc... see if you like it. If you dont feel that then at least you can resell it for close to what you payed for it if not more.

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:Okay, so if I buy an MPC 1000, I will have to:

Buy the newest JJ OS (haven't looked in to where)
Buy the pad upgrade kit from akai ( if it isn't MPC1000BK-N)
And upgrade the memory (if I upgrade the HD to like 60gb, then I shouldn't have to up the CF or RAM right?)

Is that all correct?

JJOS is bought from the website of the creator.

hard drives and CF cards aren't memory... they are project and sample library storage. More RAM (memory) means more sample time. You can get like 10 minutes of stereo sample time with the memory upgrade which means you can make more intricate beats VS the 1 minute or so of sample time with out the memory upgrade. (approximate sample time... not exact)

So then what does it store on the HD? And I think the CF is just for transporting it's memory, right?
Can you use the USB to directly transfer files to any of the three storage places (RAM, CF or HD)?
Sorry I am so uneducated about this. I'm just trying to figure it all out so I don't have to keep asking questions later.

But I probably will anyway.

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:So then what does it store on the HD? And I think the CF is just for transporting it's memory, right?
Can you use the USB to directly transfer files to any of the three storage places (RAM, CF or HD)?
Sorry I am so uneducated about this. I'm just trying to figure it all out so I don't have to keep asking questions later.

But I probably will anyway.

RAM is not a storage place.

okay, when you record something into the mpc, it gets recorded into ram. if you all of a sudden turn off the mpc... the thing you recorded will disappear and will be lost if you dont save it. the amount of ram is the determining factor of how much (how long) you can record.... that is all.

basically it's like your brain. you think of an idea... it is in ram... you write it down on a piece of paper so you dont forget... that is the hard drive or CF card.

Disco.Infiltrator wrote:That's the thing, I feel like software my not fit my style (whatever that means) as well. That's why I'm considering an MPC. I've been trying software, not feeling it, thinking about an MPC. Maybe I just suck at making music, but I think it'd be worth trying.

“...I don't have to update my shit; I just have to update my brain.” - Flying Lotus

"I think Maschine is a really great tool for producers who want to throw their MPCs in the garbage." - Flying Lotus