Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By Hank Zenith Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:45 pm
This might be obvious but I am having mad problems with some of my sample disks. I have kits on Zip that load to the 4k no problem. But some drums in other banks, which are just variations of the oringinal drums, are really quiet. I know how to turn them up but in some cases it still isn't enough. Do I have to just turn everything down around it so they all sound equal? I hate to do this because the PGM sounds so soft and quiet compared to my others. Is there any way I could make the sound louder than what the 4k lets me? Or, maybe save the sounds to the PGM at diff. steps with diff. levels and somehow make the PGM come out all level with no drastic changes. Sorry if this is confusing. Late night on this problem finished off with mad brews. Peace :?
User avatar

By Kalei Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:32 pm
Did you normalize the samples? If not then that will probably help you out. Its in Sample/Edit/Normalize on the 4000. You could use an external software on the computer to batch normalize if its alot of sounds.

Kalei

By Hank Zenith Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:10 am
Kalei, thanks for the tip. My internet crashed at home so I am not able to try this out on the 4000 cuz I am at work. Anyway, once I load the sample to the PGM normalize it then? Does normalize change the settings (pad settings) that came with the sample? i.e. I want a kick from a drum pgm on bank C pad 7. That is the same kick as bank A pad 7 but all filtered out and whatnot to make it sound completely diff. So, I bring it into my pgm at A 01 and then normailize. Will that still work? I hope this is kind of clear. If you or anybody gets this, please reply. Thanks!

By Hank Zenith Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:43 pm
Kalei, thanks for your help. That link was helpful in explaining. Peace, Hank

By renegadebliss Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:22 pm
Kalei wrote:Did you normalize the samples? If not then that will probably help you out. Its in Sample/Edit/Normalize on the 4000. You could use an external software on the computer to batch normalize if its alot of sounds.

Kalei



Wasn't sure if you knew, but you can batch normalize on the MPC-4000 without
a computer.

If you are in the "SAMPLE" page, then click the "Trim/Loop" softbutton, and then
click the "Edit" soft button. Then you can move the Jog Dial , until the edit feature
is "Normalize", then you can select "Do IT' for just that Sample, "Tagged" for
all the samples that were "tagged", or "All" to normalize every sample in memory.

Cheers...

By renegadebliss Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:26 pm
Hank Zenith wrote:Kalei, thanks for the tip. My internet crashed at home so I am not able to try this out on the 4000 cuz I am at work. Anyway, once I load the sample to the PGM normalize it then? Does normalize change the settings (pad settings) that came with the sample? i.e. I want a kick from a drum pgm on bank C pad 7. That is the same kick as bank A pad 7 but all filtered out and whatnot to make it sound completely diff. So, I bring it into my pgm at A 01 and then normailize. Will that still work? I hope this is kind of clear. If you or anybody gets this, please reply. Thanks!


Hi Hank,
The "Normalize" function works just on Samples, so you will need to be in the
"Sample" page in order to do it. It doesn't affect the Program or the Pad assignments.

For example, you can load up just the offending Program that has the low volume
noises on. Make sure nothing else is in memory (for this demonstration purpose).

Now listen to your program and how it sounds. Now go to the "SAMPLE" -> Trim/Loop -> Edit ->Normalize
and normalize all samples in memory. if it gives you the option, tell it
to overwrite the existing sample, not create a new one (remember you have a backup
on your harddrive). Then listen to what it has done. Is this what you were seeking?
Save the program and it's samples to your harddrive as ProgramNormalized or something like that.

IF normalization doesn't get what you want, you also have the "Edit" function of
"Rescale" which actually changes the levels up or down depending on what you need
to do.


Hope that helps....


Cheers...


Dave
User avatar

By Kalei Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:34 pm
Thanks for the info renegadebliss :)

Kalei

By Hank Zenith Mon Sep 27, 2004 4:53 pm
Renegadebliss, Dave, yo thanks for the tips. This is going to save me!! I have been away from my MPC for a minute but will try this out today. Peace, H.Z.
:D