My samples sound low quality- how to improve them?

I have been creating some samples on my MPC1000 (original OS, don't ask, its a long story). I am recording synth lines triggered by midi from a Microkorg as ~15 second samples from a Behringer mixer's main output. I am recording the synths through the mixer because I am adding some effects, built into the mixer, to adjust the sound of the synth lines. I am adding reverb, etc, and then recording the outcome into the MPC.

When I listen to the output through my headphones directly from the mixer, it sounds really good. But when I record this same output into the MPC, much of the complexity and richness of the synth tones are missing. What I hear is much flatter, crunchier, and a lot of the stereo panning from the mixer effects are gone.

Is there a way I can improve the sampling rate? Or improve the quality of the samples in a way to make them a more accurate copy of the original output?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I cant imagine the output of a behringer mixer to sound well at all. They are low quality. Changing sample rates wouldnt solve anything (plus you cant on the MPC)

Im willing to be that sampling the MK into the MPC directly would sound better.

I agree that the Behringer mixer is not very high quality- but it sounds awesome from the headphones. Shouldn't the main output be identical in sound quality?

they SHOULD but again this behringer. And monitoring on headphones VS speakers is two different worlds. A quick way to know would be to sample a simple synth sound without any effects. First go through the mixer then try another sample directly into the MPC.

That's a good idea. I'll give that a shot and see what happens. Thanks

no doubt. Let us know what you come up with.

I tried this out- I made one sample with the Microkorg directly into the MPC, and another one through the mixer, with no effects added. They sounded identical, except for some very faint white noise from the mixer since I had raised the levels a little.

I guess that was inconclusive. Has anyone successfully sampled external synths with external hardware effects like heavy reverb, from say a peddle or something, and retained the identical sound in the sample? When I say "sound" I am referring more to the depth/dimension of the effects.

i record my ms2000 (same think as the mk) rack into the mpc 1k all the time with no issues. my guess would be adjust the volume of the record input. record it so that the meters are 75% or more to the right side of the record screen. if you are recording into audio tracks, i would still check the recording level in the record screen to make sure that it is set right. thats with a dry signal.

one more thing, are you listening to the synth in stereo and recording mono? if you are losing panning, it sounds like you are recording mono. maybe one of the inputs on your mpc is blown...

Hey cozy, thanks for your response. Did you record your ms2000 with external effects as well as dry with accuracy in your samples?

I am recording in stereo, and monitoring from the mixer in stereo. I have not attempted to monitor from the MPC though, I may try that to see how it sounds coming in. I really hope you aren't right about the inputs being blown, but dang, this MPC has been a troublesome piece from the get-go, so it wouldn't surprise me.

I think the culprit is the mpc's converters.

stuff I've sampled on the computer doesn't sound the same when played out the MPC.



with some salt,
dude

robotronik wrote:Hey cozy, thanks for your response. Did you record your ms2000 with external effects as well as dry with accuracy in your samples?

I am recording in stereo, and monitoring from the mixer in stereo. I have not attempted to monitor from the MPC though, I may try that to see how it sounds coming in. I really hope you aren't right about the inputs being blown, but dang, this MPC has been a troublesome piece from the get-go, so it wouldn't surprise me.

Yeah, I have recorded a few different synths through my external synth unit in stereo and in mono and the recording sounds "exactly" as it should.

You really need to monitor from the MPC when sampling/recording. It is the final destination of your audio, so you need to hear that. Do that and let us know what the results are. Also if you can, post an example of the sampled sound. It may be something else completely.

the.dude wrote:I think the culprit is the mpc's converters.

stuff I've sampled on the computer doesn't sound the same when played out the MPC.



with some salt,
dude

mpc 1k A/D Converters aint sh.t!

I had the same problem with my microkorg bass lines. It´s not a problem of your beringher mixer. Try to record your microkorg patch directly to your daw in a mono/stereo track, and the recording return of the same patch via mpc to another mono/stereo daw track.
As you said the same signal sounds more flat and metallic in the microkorg track.
I recorded the microkorg patch to my mpc via spdif out from my daw. Then sound it´s less degraded and still sounds warm and deep.

Spdif or USB are the two best ways to retain audio quality. I have to agree the converters are definitely not the best. When I compare it to my motif its night and day.

try normalising your sample

Just curious if the OP solved this

Normalizing will most likely not help this as the issue is not low volumes but bad clarity. Normalizing will increase any artefacts that have crept into your chain. Sampling the synth to mpc via spdif would be more wise although, that is definately degrading your quality to begin with (also using that Behringer). From synths and any external gear in general I find it always good practice to make one pass through converters. To daw @24bit through proper interface you'll notice much more professional results sooner than later. If no daw available, spdif monitoring through mpc making sure of proper levels.


Good Luck