Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By DomiLaFuego Thu May 13, 2010 1:42 pm
It's my first post, joined the site not to long ago; recommended from a homie.

Well I'd like to have some suggestions on adding any other equipment to my MPC500. Sorry if there's a post similar to this.
I just got my MPC 500 2 weeks ago and still learning the basics. Though I'd like to know what's the easiest way to be chopping samples other than it's built in sample chopper; heard program(FL, Logic etc.) chopping is faster & easier.

Any decent/cheap equipment that could help me out along the way w/ just chopping samples or anything else.. if so throw them out.

P.S Thank you for the throw out... >:) once again sorry if this is already posted.
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By OriginalProducer Thu May 13, 2010 2:03 pm
LO,
there's a concurrent of recycle that i use on my pc for slicing my samples:
it's wavesurgeon it's discontinued but you can find the basic version and it lets you slice and save your slices in a folder so you can import them directly in your mpc.
hope that helps!!!
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By Ill-Green Thu May 13, 2010 8:33 pm
Can't get no cheaper with the chopping the 500 provides. In fact, there's no chop shop in it. More like sampling a chunk of audio and extract the hell out of it to different pads. I like how the 500 chops, I think you will too.
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By NearTao Thu May 13, 2010 8:52 pm
Hey boy...

If you're digging the studio on the go battery powered ish... then there are a few things to think about.

Korg Kaoss Pad Mini... a very good selection of FX, slap that between whatever you are sampling and audio ins on the MPC 500 and you can really have some fun.

Korg Koassillator... a good selection of sounds and if you match the MPC 500 tempo you can make a decent array of loops.

Korg MicroKorg (XL)... a great synth, the original and the XL can both knock a lot of sounds out of the park and have a great deal of hands on that can keep you recording for hours.

Roland 404SX... another sampler, but it has a few tricks/twists. Haven't used one myself but it looks like it could make an excellent complement to any setup.

Nintendo DS - Electroplankton/DS-10(plus) and probably plenty of others...

Sony PSP - Beaterator... some interesting stuff here to record. If you've got a PSP worth checking out.

iPhone/iPod Touch - There are an insane amount of music software for these devices. Jasuto Pro, iSyn, Looptastic, BeatMaker, technoBox, Noise.io Pro... just look you are bound to find something. That doesn't even touch on recording from songs you've loaded, audio streams, youtube... whatever floats your boat.

iPad - Looptastic HD, miniSynth Pro, iELECTRIBE, O-GAWA, SunVox.

There is a ton of stuff out there... look around and have fun! :) Hope you find something in this reply that tickles your fancy :).
By DomiLaFuego Thu May 13, 2010 11:58 pm
to @all thanks for the help...
appreciate the last comment on throwing out a lot of stuff, thrive for more hah.

By the way what's the use of needing a RAM upgrade from what I hear, though I do understand the fact of upgrading to a bigger CF.
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By DPM Sat May 15, 2010 3:09 am
I chop using Sound Forge 9. Its great, plus you can add effects to the chopped samples before you copy them to the 500.

as for the RAM upgrade, it does just like any other upgrade for any other machine, it makes it run more smoothly and faster.
By DomiLaFuego Sun May 16, 2010 12:16 am
Oh just to add another question...

Where could I purchase my RAM for Akai 500 company or after market. There's probably already a post about what type of RAM is needed so I'll go look that up later.

Also where to get a CF that'll work well w/ my 500...
By DomiLaFuego Sun May 16, 2010 9:25 am
Ahhh nice. Because I checked out Best Buy and nothing best there to buy for a CF haha. Wal-mart it is.

How much do the RAM's go for on Ebay.... bidding must be harsh for them.
By DomiLaFuego Sun May 16, 2010 9:38 am
oh aye haha shii sorry so much question, just too new w/ this whole beat making stuff.
But'm it doesn't matter what RAM to buy as long as it's 256mb 4x64 right? and does the RAM fit for all Akai MPC's, so that you don't have to go buying a certain one....

Plus how does working w/ MPC500 & MacBooks.... any Pro's & Con's for this one.

Aight Thanks all for help by the way :)
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By DPM Mon May 17, 2010 12:31 am
DomiLaFuego wrote:Ahhh nice. Because I checked out Best Buy and nothing best there to buy for a CF haha. Wal-mart it is.

How much do the RAM's go for on Ebay.... bidding must be harsh for them.


there's a guy on eBay that has tons of RAM for the 500, when i bought my RAM it was $29.99 + S/H.