mpc pads being hard to press?

Hello,

I don't own a MPC yet. I was about to buy one, when I went to the music store, tried 500 and 1000 and discovered the pads are very hard to press.

In order to make a sound I had to press the pads hard with a force and this frustrated me. Because in order to be fast, I couldn't be so hard typist.

On the other side I've also noticed the pads are velocity sensitive and maybe this is the reason.

Now take a look at this Exile live performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXfPJj5Ex0&feature=related

When at the middle of the performance he gets fast, he looks like he barely touches the pads.
So it's either my bad experience with the MPCs on display at the store or there is something I don't know.

I was thinking (without knowledge what's possible on the MPC), maybe the velocity sensitivity can be turned off, so nomatter hat force I apply on the pad, the volume is always the same. That way could be easier to perform.

On the other hand maybe te velocity sensitivity could be adjusted?

MAIN QUESTION:
So because I have no experience with MPC, could someone tell me how the hell Exile looks like he's petting the pads and performs like a breeze, while they were so hard to press at the store?

Thanks

I think its mainly because the pads are new. I've just gone and bought the 1000 a few weeks ago and I think it's just a case of wearing them in...

RaverWild wrote:
I was thinking (without knowledge what's possible on the MPC), maybe the velocity sensitivity can be turned off, so nomatter hat force I apply on the pad, the volume is always the same. That way could be easier to perform.

Also on the 1000 there's a 'full level' button, which basically triggers the sample at full velocity. With this switched on, its the same velocity on every pad..

Hope this helps, cos I'm still learning myself!

He's usin the 2kXL. The pads feel different than the new MPCs. I have an MPK (witch I believe has the same pads as the 500/1000). I can NOT play it like I play my 2k classic. Totally different. No matter how I set the pad sensitivity.

yeah the full level button should work, also im pretty sure you can get pad upgrades on mpcstuff.com that will make your 1000 or 500 have the same feeling of the older mpcs like the 2k or 3k.

you can also get the pad corx upgrade from mpc stuff.com that makes the mpc pads much more sensitive aswell.

i have heard you can put squares of black electrical tape in between the pads and the sensors if you take your mpc apart that work as well or almost as well as the pad corx upgrade.

check it out

http://www.mpcstuff.com

damien907 wrote:http://www.mpcstuff.com

Whoa! Now this is really interesting! They sell almost every possible spare part for the MPCs!! But I am not knowledgeable of electronics Could I replace things myself without electronics of knowledge? At least could I do the pad upgrade myself?

you could replace the pads by yourself, they have a tutorial video that shows you how to do it. you dont need to know anything about electronics to replace the pads, just some steady hands and a bit of spare time.

and if you needed to replace buttons, jog wheels ect, you could do it yourself also. they are really easy, just have to take off the case.
the only thing you would really need electronics knowledge to would be to solder on the pieces that the buttons actually push on the circuit board. if the whole circuit board went out, you would probalby be able to replace it yourself without too much knowlege of electronics.

Can I get my MPC2500 to be as sensitive as the 2000xl?
I'd like it to be hyper sensitive

Mrboxxed wrote:I'd like it to be hyper sensitive

ew

Chances are the models you demoed did not have the pad sensitivity adjusted properly.in fact it's designed to be adjusted to the users liking.you can achieve this by pressing the mode button then pad 11 labeled pad..........imo I would go with the 1k with phat pads and jjos you won't be let down