Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
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By empeecee.P Sun Jun 06, 2010 5:46 pm
My 500 beats so far

http://www.myspace.com/cleanandhumble

The Ritz Thrift Shop
Zuluma
Turtlestan
Lawz of Unger
First MPC 500 Beat

and these are the last two I made on the 500

http://soundcloud.com/flex-unger/slomobitchnight

http://soundcloud.com/flex-unger/cricket-boombat


I have a bunch more that I have not posted yet
the 500 is a powerful little machine !
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By Ill-Green Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:11 pm
Yeah, I like that. Simple and dope flute sample. Something I would've made when I was 16. You know that sample can get chopped in seven different places. Just a thought.

Mutes and drum chops can flip that tremendously.
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By robthom Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:47 pm
arafats3rdeye wrote:http://www.divshare.com/download/11661490-7ac

still on that simple $hit, maybe one of these days i'll step my game up...


Great music loop.
Nice ominous/pretty sound to it.

Great start but you didn't really go anywhere with it.

I know you already said its only simple isht, but I'll go ahead and offer a few obvious suggestions where I think you can expand on it.



1. I'd just drop the drum loop altogether.

Drum loops are getting harder to justify since they've all been done so many times, especially in their plain original arrangements.
And that is one of the ones thats been done the most.

You'll get more satisfaction and a more articulate sound by piecing together something tailored for the music its supporting with a choice kick,snare,shaker,etc.

Or at least chop up the loop, Premier was good at getting fresh results by rearranging well worn loops.
Maybe try separating the kick, snare and shaker and then reprogramming it but keeping the sound of the break.

2. You could use a few switch ups, bridges or breakdowns to offset and contrast your main loop.

Its pretty rare that you can make a beat so strong that it rides on one undisturbed loop.
Off the head I'm thinking Mass Appeal... ummm...
Theres a few others (old times sake) but thats one of the best examples I can think of. And that was probably almost the only time even premier pulled that off.
(BTW: over that well worn EPMD break, but effectively twisted!)

Your main music loop is real good, keep that. But grab a few other things and piece together a secondary groove to jump to for 4 bars or so here and there just to switch it up and keep it bobbing and weaving.
You dont need to get too fancy just a switch up here and there to keep peoples attentions from wandering.
Like the vocal samp you laid in, turn that up BTW.

Not everybody does it, 45 king doesn't seem to quite often, but I think generally its a good idea to throw a little something to the left or right on every 8 or 16 bars just to keep the beat animated.



I like the feel your going for though.
I've still got the last one you posted here on my MP3.
I can kind of see the sound you like to make and I agree.

Keep it up and post some more when you get a chance.
By arafats3rdeye Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:02 am
I really appreciate the detailed positive feedback Robthom. I just started messing with drum loops earlier in the year & prefer the sound to my own drum programming because mine is terrible, but getting better. I know the next step is change ups & drops but not even sure where to start with those... Again thks for the feedback & its good to know someone outside of my circle of friends likes the beat enough to put on ipod. pz
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By robthom Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:22 pm
arafats3rdeye wrote:... I just started messing with drum loops earlier in the year & prefer the sound to my own drum programming because mine is terrible, but getting better. ...


Hey bro, I FEEL YOU!
;)

I've recently come to accept that my drum sequencing can be pretty clunky compared to better ones.

I'm not as bad as say Tony D (RIP, and an classic beat maker regardless), but worse than some others.

Bomb squad could pull off magic with the most droll drum samples in their heyday!

But I promise that you do get better!

You'll figure out tricks to make them sound better with practice!

Like muscles.


Plus truth be you can do a lot more than people expect with a drum loop if your clever.

I've heard Ced make the same old funky drummer or substitution loop fresh all over again a thousand times.

Just make your final sound ride with the best no matter how you get there!

arafats3rdeye wrote:New beat "unnamed048"

http://www.divshare.com/download/12091227-d86


Once again your looping is your strength.
Nice.

I would suggest keeping in mind that rap/hiphop beats need to knock in clubs and cars.

Your drums need to womp.

Sometimes the sequence doesn't even matter as long as it slaps.

Nothing that cant be fixed with some equalizer and/or effects.

Post production is almost as important.



@ OrP,
nice loop.
Nice summer sound.
I might have gone with a softer drum program for that loop if it was my beat.
But then I've heard dudes like Hobo Junction who go hard drums against a soft style loop and it comes out fly, so thats only my MO.
Pretty slick.
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By Sm0keydaBear Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:01 am
Hey guys, sorry I didn't post before (but I posted before in the My Music section.) Check these beats, all done on the MPC 500. The track "Hardcore" was posted for the Akai Japan weekly (was weekly) release samples for the project in the My Music section. Peep them, let me know what ya think. Thanks.

www.myspace.com/Sm0keyBeatz
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By inflict3 Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:32 am
robthom wrote:First ever foolin around. Trying to figure out the MPC:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/79126713f4ab06cd/

Workin ona beat, but old one:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/79126774083b02f7/


yo, im really loving that top one, all those beats are hot!!
By arafats3rdeye Mon Aug 09, 2010 12:25 pm
robthom - good stuff man. alot of famous samples huh ?

soval - really liked the beat. the drums were hitting hard.