Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By bambam69 Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:03 pm
How do you guys do it?

one program, one song? (A1=kick, A2=snare etc...)
or do you prefer organizing all programs by sounds, say prog1=kicks, prog2=snares etc.?

I have the problem that memory is "overflowing" after saving all my samples.
I used to go with one program-one song, but the flashcard tumbles into chaos after.
Again, when I load a program after switching the 500 on, some samples aren't available. (I bet I made a mistake while assigning the samples to programs...)

which leads to the next question: whats the most effective way of saving?
all back to autoload?

My ideal workflow would be a bit like this: I switch the 500 on, and have all basics (=that means drum-sounds, plus one synth-program I made with my sh-201), everything assigned to all the pads.

What method pays off most, means: how do you save time?

Thx.
User avatar
By BGREEN Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:38 am
I usually use one program per beat.

-----Pad Bank-----
A=Drums
B=Bass
C=Melody
D=Xtra Samples
________________________________________________________________

I use 2 - 4GB CF Cards. One for sounds, and one for projects.
________________________________________________________________

CF #1 = Sounds

-----Folders-----
Synth
Bass
Drums/Kicks/Snares/Hats/Perc/Drumloops
Efx/Scratch/Vocal/Blip

Good to have a nice sample library organized on the CF card, this way I can audition drums and bass while my sequences play. 8)
________________________________________________________________

CF #2 = Projects

****I create a separate folder for each project/beat.****
****Each folder contains all of the files for each project/beat:

---BeatFolder1----
Sequences
Samples
Programs
Song
etc..

When Saving:
Save: Entire Mem. Project (save in folder)

When Loading:
Load: Folder (Loads entire project)

I never lose files or accidentally overwrite any samples using this method, and everything loads perfect every time for the last 2+ years.
_________________________________________________________________

----Tracks---
Track 1 = Kicks
Track 2 = Snare
Track 3 = Hats
Track 4 = Bass
Track 5 = Melody1
Track 6 = Melody2
etc...

Seems to work good for what I do.. I rarely deviate from this format.
__________________________________________________________________

I also have a BLANK PROGRAM ready with all the most common settings I use.
I load this program before making a beat.
-----BlankPgm-----
Sample levels
Play Modes
Voice Overlap
Mute Groups
etc..
Last edited by BGREEN on Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
By shyftexhales Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:01 am
BGREEN wrote:I usually use one program per beat.

-----Pad Bank-----
A=Drums
B=Bass
C=Melody
D=Xtra Samples
________________________________________________________________

I use 2 - 4GB CF Cards. One for sounds, and one for projects.
________________________________________________________________

CF #1 = Sounds

-----Folders-----
Synth
Bass
Drums/Kicks/Snares/Hats/Perc/Drumloops
Efx/Scratch/Vocal/Blip

Good to have a nice sample library organized on the CF card, this way I can audition drums and bass while my sequences play. 8)
________________________________________________________________

CF #2 = Projects

****I create a separate folder for each project/beat.****
****Each folder contains all of the files for each project/beat:

---BeatFolder1----
Sequences
Samples
Programs
Song
etc..

When Saving:
Save: Entire Mem. Project (save in folder)

When Loading:
Load: Folder (Loads entire project)

I never lose files or accidentally overwrite any samples using this method, and everything loads perfect every time for the last 2+ years.
_________________________________________________________________

----Tracks---
Track 1 = Kicks
Track 2 = Snare
Track 3 = Hats
Track 4 = Bass
Track 5 = Melody1
Track 6 = Melody2
etc...

Seems to work good for what I do.. I rarely deviate from this format.


dude you just solved my day