MPC1000 vs MPD26???

Greetings,

Been putting my research into my first major hardware purchase (on this forum and elsewhere) and came very close to buying an MPC1000, but then someone pointed out to me that I could get an MPD26 for a fraction of the price (around $200), and (when hooked up to my laptop with say Ableton live) it could do pretty much everything I could with an MPC and more.

Was um-and-arring about it a bit, as I play in a live hip hop band I am attracted to the MPC as it is more of a raw live instrument, can be busted out and jammed with at any given time... but if I could set up the MPD so that I could use it in a similar way, is it really worth the extra dollars for an MPC?

Shes pretty sexy too...

akai pro wrote:The MPD26 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller with genuine MPC pads. It's perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs. Its blend of intuitive MPC controls and technologies meshes with easy USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making to the world of computer music production.

The heart of the MPD26 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads, an Akai Professional exclusive. You can access four different sounds from each MPC pads for a total of 64 at your fingertips. The MPD26 also features the MPC series' assignable Q-Link controllers, enabling you to control nearly any parameters in your software in real time. You get six assignable Q-Link faders and six assignable Q-Link 360° knobs so you'll spend less time with the mouse and more time making music. The MPD26 also gives you a dedicated set of transport controls for instant access to the most commonly used DAW or sequencing-software controls.

While the MPC pads and Q-Links might be the heart of the MPD26, its brain is transplanted directly from the MPC. That's because the MPD26 is not just a control surface; it contains some of the key MPC technologies that have made the MPC the de facto standard it is. MPC Note Repeat is a capability that enables the MPD (or MPC) to automatically play a rhythm pattern, such as 16th notes on a hi-hat, for accuracy and speed of entry. MPC Swing is sometimes referred to as "the heart and soul of hip hop" because it turns perfectly aligned sequences into human-feeling time alignments. You can specify exactly the degree and timing of swing you want to apply for the perfect feel. The MPD26 also has MPC Full Level and MPC 16-Level on its pads.

The MPD26 sends MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface so you can use it with your Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection even powers the MPD26 so the included USB cable is all you need. The MPD26 also has traditional DIN MIDI input and output jacks so you can use it with MIDI hardware such as synths and other sound modules. The MPD26 comes with Ableton Live Lite and Editor Librarian software so you can start creating right out of the box.

Sorry if there has already been a thread like this... interested to hear what any of you think

MPC1k! You can use it as a controller too. TBH, the same can't be said about the mpd, it doesn't sample or offer any type of multitimbral/keygroup capabilities if it were to be used as a sound source itself.

The only thing it has to offer is just "external control".

i had the mpd and ended up upgrading to the 1k just because it made it easier for me to sample and it was a more productive piece of hardware then the mpd. they are two different types of machines but through my experience with both i'd suggest the mpc 1k.

as far as it doing what an mpc does, the mpd has 16 pads thats about it, its just a midi controller. Its not the mpd doing more then the mpc, its software you are using that has the capabilities to do more than an mpc.. i had a mpd18 triggering Reason in Reaper, its nice for what it does, but its not an mpc. its still a software controller so you can do more with a keyboard controller like the axiom since it has piano keys and 8 pads.. and slider and knobs on on midi controllers are overrated. they are assignable but sometimes you turn them and you dont know what the hell you are controlling since in some programs they assign themselves.. you can actually use the mpd24 pads to control an mpc.. im selling my mpd today as a matter of fact.. and the mpc1k has midi controller capabilities as well with a midi to usb 1x1 interface..

josephnicks wrote:as far as it doing what an mpc does, the mpd has 16 pads thats about it, its just a midi controller. Its not the mpd doing more then the mpc, its software you are using that has the capabilities to do more than an mpc.. i had a mpd18 triggering Reason in Reaper, its nice for what it does, but its not an mpc. its still a software controller so you can do more with a keyboard controller like the axiom since it has piano keys and 8 pads.. and slider and knobs on on midi controllers are overrated. they are assignable but sometimes you turn them and you dont know what the hell you are controlling since in some programs they assign themselves.. you can actually use the mpd24 pads to control an mpc.. im selling my mpd today as a matter of fact.. and the mpc1k has midi controller capabilities as well with a midi to usb 1x1 interface..

very well put

Thanks guys, but Im still unconvinced... my question was essentially is it worth the extra $$$. For the price of an MPC1K I could get the new MPD26, a great new synth/midi keyboard and a new sound card, and still have a bit of cash left over.

Plus I think you guys may be a little biased in your opinions (it is an mpc forum), I think you guys may have dismissed the new MPD a little hastily.

dabmeister wrote:it doesn't sample or offer any type of multitimbral capabilities

The 26 does...

akai pro wrote:You can access four different sounds from each MPC pads for a total of 64 at your fingertips

So there are 4 banks of sounds for each pad you can load samples into, this makes it multitimbral. Obviously not as much as the MPC, but it means there is enough room for live jamming etc with it for me which is what Im keen on... just means you have to sequence on your DAW (in my case on logic), which I am already comfortable with, and it is alot more of a powerful sequencer than on the MPC.

Honestly I would love an MPC, but Im sure you could understand that it might not be the best option for me.

You can bust out like this on an old MPD, still pretty dope if you can use a sequencer like Ableton or Logic!;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CuCnMtjQQ8 - "Beat Making on the MPD 18 and Ableton Live"

dabmeister wrote:it doesn't sample or offer any type of multitimbral capabilities

sketi wrote:The 26 does...

did this kid really just say the 26 samples...?? SMH

its a midi controller and it cant sample, its not a sampler.. http://is.gd/bItOp..

im not biased i owned the setup your considering.. MPD, Keyboard, sound card.. controlling Reason/Reaper i left that setup to buy an MPC..

sounds like you have your mind made up, no one is gonna try and convince you to buy an mpc..
mpd pads dont compare to mpc pads imo. and if you go the mpd route.. great!! it will be one less person on here folks will have to inevitably tell to "READ THE FVCKING MANUAL"..

sketi wrote:

akai pro wrote:You can access four different sounds from each MPC pads for a total of 64 at your fingertips

So there are 4 banks of sounds for each pad you can load samples into, this makes it multitimbral. Obviously not as much as the MPC, but it means there is enough room for live jamming etc with it for me which is what Im keen on... just means you have to sequence on your DAW (in my case on logic), which I am already comfortable with, and it is alot more of a powerful sequencer than on the MPC.

Loading in, being able to edit and play back samples versus CONTROLING samples are two different things.

MPC is a standalone. The MPD is a trigger that can trigger 64 samples in one program

Like compairing a nintendo ds with a wii controler

josephnicks wrote:

dabmeister wrote:it doesn't sample or offer any type of multitimbral capabilities

sketi wrote:The 26 does...

did this kid really just say the 26 samples...?? SMH

its a midi controller and it cant sample, its not a sampler.. http://is.gd/bItOp..

im not biased i owned the setup your considering.. MPD, Keyboard, sound card.. controlling Reason/Reaper i left that setup to buy an MPC..

sounds like you have your mind made up, no one is gonna try and convince you to buy an mpc..
mpd pads dont compare to mpc pads imo. and if you go the mpd route.. great!! it will be one less person on here folks will have to inevitably tell to "READ THE FVCKING MANUAL"..

Oh really? Where on earth did you hear this sh!t about a mpd sampling and whatnot? You show me just those 2 devices you mentioned (a 1k & a mpd26) side by side without anything associated with either and see if they compare. After figuring out that you can't connect any type of amplification to a mpd26, you'll probably state a case that you've seen it done before without realising that the mpd was connected via midi to either vsti's, an external sampler, or sound module, which the case of it being a "controller only" starts to really set in after a while.

And that's not including any mind altering substances to make you think the mpd is doing the same thing as a 1k. Read more publish articles on the equipment you find a interest in rather than listening to a bunch of misinformed yap.

lol... that was a miscommunication on my behalf, I wasnt trying say that the MPD samples, just that it does have multitimbral capabilities (can have 4 sounds banked into each pad).

dabmeister wrote:You show me just those 2 devices you mentioned (a 1k & a mpd26) side by side without anything associated with either and see if they compare.

I was never suggesting they would, Im saying when hooked up to a powerful DAW like Ableton or Logic, that they do compare. Its just harder I suppose.

After figuring out that you can't connect any type of amplification to a mpd26, you'll probably state a case that you've seen it done before without realising that the mpd was connected via midi to either vsti's, an external sampler, or sound module, which the case of it being a "controller only" starts to really set in after a while.

lolz again... dude if you read the first post you would see I know its just a controller....

But cheers guys, am keen for an MPC one day but I guess its just not really feesible for me atm (plus Im producing other styles than only hip hop style stuff)... there is a universe of potential for creation in the set up Im looking at getting, see how it goes hey

sketi wrote:
(plus Im producing other styles than only hip hop style stuff)

lol at this way of thinking..

what the hell is all of this? multitimberal mentioned about an mpd? who cares? it's a controller... the pad banks are like the octave up octave down button on your 25 key controller. the pads are like the keys on your key controller... each pad in each bank you select the midi note you want it assigned to trigger...

get yourself an axiom 25 because it has 8 pads, 25 keys, it is cheaper, and you can play VST synths easier then trying to figure out which pads are white keys and which pads are black keys on your VST synth.

Personally I have an MPD, and I mostly use it on my roland MV so I dont need to switch banks on it.. I just have the mpd set up to trigger pads 1-16 and when I have my mv pads on pads 17-32.

^^ not keen on the Axiom.. Already got my mind set on a sweet synth/midi controller to go with it, been researching a fair bit and I feel this will be good for me, an adequate first set up by any stretch of the imagination...

josephnicks wrote:

sketi wrote:
(plus Im producing other styles than only hip hop style stuff)

lol at this way of thinking..

lol at all the high horse riding in this thread..

sketi wrote:^^ not keen on the Axiom.. Already got my mind set on a sweet synth/midi controller to go with it, been researching a fair bit and I feel this will be good for me, an adequate first set up by any stretch of the imagination...

josephnicks wrote:

sketi wrote:
(plus Im producing other styles than only hip hop style stuff)

lol at this way of thinking..

lol at all the high horse riding in this thread..

youre a fool if you think the mpc is strictly for hip-hop production..

lol @ you.. for tryna be a producer and needing ppl to convince you about what tools you need for YOUR craft.. beat it..