Synthesizer / Keyboard with mpc1000

Alright heres whats up.
My setup as it is:
2x record players & mpc1000 > Dj mixer > Monitors

Im not sure what i need, but i want to add some synths to my beats. What im lookin for in particular is organ sounds, rhodes sounds and so on.

Im looking for a cheap machine. Lets say below around 300 usd for a used one, but i sort of got the expression that what i also need is a mixer. Again, all i need is a basic mixer. No effects or even eq or filters. Just a couple of channels and a output.

Now, what i had in mind was to play the synth and record it with the MPC. I'M NOT USING A COMPUTER OR SOUNDCARD.
But it dont seem to be a very easy way to do it. Dont really know if MIDI is the way, or just plug jacks into record in mpc.
Of course i also need a output from the keyboard, so i can hear what im playing.

All i really want is to do like Nottz in Shine so brite video, or 20syl in the beatmaking video.
Its alot of questions, but you seem to be some smart mpc headz

You need a Yamaha motif they are well cool and work without bateries

bit out of my price range, but thanks anyway

40nablun7 wrote:Im looking for a cheap machine. Lets say below around 300 usd for a used one,

In that price range I'd say go for a module and a MIDI controller. Roland XV2020, XV5050, Korg Triton Rack or the original Yamaha MOTIF Rack all fall within that general price range. If you can step up to around 500, your options open up a lot. For example, at that price, I'd recommend the Alesis Fusion, Korg Triton, Roland XP-50 or XP-60, or the original MOTIF keyboard.

40nablun7 wrote:But it dont seem to be a very easy way to do it.

Its very easy.

40nablun7 wrote:Dont really know if MIDI is the way, or just plug jacks into record in mpc.

Either or both. You can either record MIDI notes in the traditional way, or you can treat your keyboard as a sample source, sample yourself playing, and then treat it like any other sampled phrase or loop.

40nablun7 wrote:Of course i also need a output from the keyboard, so i can hear what im playing.

The 1000 offers input thru monitoring so whatever is plugged into the 1000's input can be heard at the output. So simply plug your keyboard into the MPC and turn on input monitoring.

My advice is, however you choose to connect it all, record all your keyboard parts (each sound individually) into your MPC as samples or loops when you're done with the beat.

To the OP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cix7X-r9ksE


That is a video of me using a MIDI controller----->MPC-----> Blofeld. That might help you out a bit.

korg micro x had some nice organ sounds for your price range ($300-$400 new on ebay). i had one a few years ago and it has midi so you wouldnt have to sample in the sounds unless that what your goin for. but you would have to have a mixer to get sound from both (the dj mixer will work for now).

Any second hand "rompler" module will give you the sounds you seek. Still, that will require MIDI, as they don't have keyboards as standard controllers. My opinion is to go with software like NI's- Kontakt, Massive, etc. MIDI is done with a USB connection to your computer. Don't let MIDI intimidate you. It's not that hard.

If you take a look at that 20Syl video, he's using software for his organ sounds! We'd all love to have a real Rhodes or Wurlitzer, but I settle on a software version!

For $300 you could have a very powerful software synthesizer/sample player. Besides, why pay for hardware when what you want can be easily achieved in greater form with software.

A synthesizer is for creating unique sounds and you wont likely get accurate Rhodes/piano sounds. Most of the ones mentioned here are ROM based. So, the basis of the sound is already a sample. So, why pay for a piece of hardware is my take.

Good luck.

switch18 wrote:For $300 you could have a very powerful software synthesizer/sample player.

In case you missed it:

40nablun7 wrote:I'M NOT USING A COMPUTER OR SOUNDCARD.

That $300 software price doesn't look so attractive anymore, if you have to buy a computer and soundcard to run it.

I see it so often that its like, OK are we going to just keep assuming that everyone has a computer in place, ready to go? Because that's the only way people can consistently disregard the cost of the computer itself (not to mention all the other necessary bits and pieces)...

I didn't miss it. It's my take, but thanks for playing detective and reminding me, playa!

Welcome. And I'm sure the OP appreciates your timely, excellent and highly relevant advice!!!

you could buy a decent used laptop for just around $200 on ebay [toshiba tecra m2 or m3 for example] as well as a decent used soundcard with MIDI ports for under $100 [maybe an m-audio quattro or used NI kore 1 interface] and step your game up with those $300 or possibly even less with how cheap the used market is right now...

if you really wanna avoid the whole computer thing though... i'd say just get a used E-MU sound module and sync it with your mpc. you can pull that off for under $150... and as far as mixers go, just get an older model mackie VLZ pro mixer... they're real solid and easy to find used for cheap... i recently sold my old 12-channel one on ebay for just $90. and i only sold it since i just upgraded to the onyx i-series.