The ArKyve of 4k tutorial videos Updated (6-15-11)

With the exception of having issues with ak.sys and 64 vista I have most of the 4k down. Coming from using many other MPC's i get the terms and the interface. With that being said I can see why newbs have issues with 4k. Instead of smashing when they have questions I've decided to start making video tutorials. This is the first one on chopping breaks. its basic, shaky camera but you'll get the point. IF ANYONE ONE HAS A QUESTION, LET ME KNOW, AND I"LL TRY TO MAKE A VIDEO FOR IT.

Video one chopping a break into a program and editing the parameters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcBCjuExfZM

Doesn't look very intuitive coming from JJ chopping.

It's not, compared to JJ. That is one area where JJ exceeds 4k OS for sure. But you can use a editor of your choice(Recycle) with your mpc in aksys which far exceeds JJ...

tomc3084 wrote:It's not, compared to JJ. That is one area where JJ exceeds 4k OS for sure. But you can use a editor of your choice(Recycle) with your mpc in aksys which far exceeds JJ...

It does, but that also means you gotta chop in the PC/MAC, which for some isn't a problem, but in my opinion, the mpc is a sampler made to chop samples so I always do chopping in the box. JJ chopping is much better, but the 4k still is very capable and in depth, just a much more complicated interface is all.

Man this work around saves me hours of manual parameter adjustments thanx homie is there a way to save these settings so on boot no adjustments needed? Still dope!

I don't believe so, I've only been working with the 4k for 2 days so I could be wrong. You can however save your sequence and track defaults but I don't believe you can save your program parameters as a default. A work around to that would be to save an empty program (with no sounds) with the parameters that you like and just load it from memory every time you wanna create and add new sounds to the program, but as you saw in the video, it would probably take less time to just adjust the parameters each time then to go through and load from the hard drive.

^^^^ thats refering to track and sequence settings, not program parameters. besides why wouldnt dude just hit window while seqeunce block is highlighted in the main screen and just click default?

Appreciate the vid!

Arkyve

How you liking the 4000 compared to the 2500? I know you just got the 4000, so it's gonna be hard to say right now... but just in terms of sound, swing, feel, etc...?

The 4000 is the only MPC I haven't owned or worked on, but I def want to give one a try some day. I know a couple producers that use them and I do have to say, I like the sound and swing of that machine. With the high sampling resolution, 960 ppq, edit the whole program feat, etc... it makes for a beast of a machine.

I like that you can get a nice clean sound out of the 4000, but also get a nice warm punchy sound out of it too. Plus the swing of it is real nice. I like the roll button too. What's the timing correct go up to, 1/64?

The 4000 to me is the best balance of the older mpc's warmth punch and swing and the newer mpc's tech upgrades (usb, internal hard drive, etc...)

Right now I have the MPC 60 MKI and the MPC 2500SE. I def like them both for different reasons. I also worked a lot on the MPC 2000XL, I love that machine, it's the 1st MPC I really learned on. I can hear a difference in the sound and swing of the 2000XL and the 2500. I also did a lot of work on the 3000, love that one too. It's like the 60, but with stereo sampling, more sample time and ill filters.

I'm def and MPC junkie and each one has its own appeal.

Nice video and def keep doing them.

You gotta get into using a midi keyboard with it and that Akai Z sample engine for some synth work. Also, when you do the auto chop on the 4000, can you still edit the individual chops non-destructive?

How you liking the 4000 compared to the 2500? I know you just got the 4000, so it's gonna be hard to say right now... but just in terms of sound, swing, feel, etc...?

At first i was like damn i miss the 25 because ak.sys is a pain on 64 bit pc but i just jump drived everything which is smooth, rolled up my sleeves and started digging into the interface and honestly I'm in love. I honestly have never gotten done on a 60 or 3k, but have with the rest and this is what my assessment is. The 4k is has all the tech perks that a jj 25 has and then some, but is built like the xl, sturdy solid frame, not afraid to bang the pads, and obviously the bigger screen. Feels like a big xl which to me feels better than a 25, sounds better if not as good as the xl with the punchy warmth and in my opinion the filters are much better than the 25, plus you have multiple low passes high, and band. The effects are deep but not sure if i'll use em to much.

What's the timing correct go up to, 1/64?

1/64(3)

when you do the auto chop on the 4000, can you still edit the individual chops non-destructive?

yes

You gotta get into using a midi keyboard with it and that Akai Z sample engine for some synth work

thats my next step is to learn and utilize that, for once i'm gonna learn a machine in and out before i go back to making beats.

you sound like me, you love the xl because of build, and sound, but like the 25 features, and the 4k is the best of both worlds in my opinion, was discouraged at first cause i know xl, 1k and 25 like the back of my hand but after an hour so i was at home again with it.

keep me posted.

we are def similar in background. the 2000XL is the first MPC i really learned how to use in and out. made some bangers with it! it was simple to use and i def like the swing and warmth of it better than the 2500. i really noticed when using the note repeat. on the XL it just flowed better. i also think just the low pass filter on the XL is better than the filters on the 2500.

don't get me wrong, with some work you can get the 2500 knockin. plus the direct record feat, internal hard drive, usb hook-up, sample time and other new features are real nice. it's a toss up between the 2000XL and 2500 for me.

i def want to try a 4000 sometime soon.

keep me posted on your progress with it. it's cool that you're taking people thru the learning process with you.

what model and mods do you have on your 4000? what OS are you using with it? how much did you cop it for?

you keeping your 2500?

what model and mods do you have on your 4000

Its the white model, think its the called the "plus" model? it doesn't have the 8 outs or the digi i/o but does have all the midi's. Keep it real i never used 8 outs anyways, i always do most the mixing in the box and just use a daw to master a lil and get to internet/ or add synths and bass.

what OS are you using with it?

1.71, and have not encountered in bugs as of yet.

w how much did you cop it for?you keeping your 2500?

I dont have the 2500, it was a risk if i didn't like the 4 but me and Tapuno did an even trade, my maxed out 2500 for his 4000, him and I are both happy with the deal, if I get another mpc (want a 1200 first, and for nostalgia sake sp303-my first sampler) I would get a 60


Here is a VERY basic minute long video I did for my boy, he has only worked with the 2 xl and wanted to know how the usb jump drive feature worked, this just show how quick it is and the interface layout of that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8v9gr2Us8

Yeah man, I a very happy with the trade. I am just more used to JJos and a small screen interface. One thing you forgot to mention Arkyve is that the plus has an effects card pre-installed.

But yeh. that jump drive front USB [ort is somethin I will probably miss, tho I had only scratched the surface before I was discouraged by intimidation. Im glad it went to someone who will use it well.

nice. i know Tap's been wanting a 2500 for a while now, didn't know he had a 4000.

everyone says the white model is the way to go. i'm pretty sure 1.71 is the latest OS and what people say is the most stable. if you ever need to download the OS again, USB drivers, manuals or anything for the 4000, you can get them here for Free...

http://www.forat.com/service/index.htm#%23MPC4000

if i got a 4000 i'd def want the white model. i'd also want the max 512mb memory and an internal hard drive. you got the maxed mem and internal hd in yours? do you know how big an internal hard drive you can put in the 4000?

the usb connect is a great feat. love that about the 4000 and newer mp's

the 60 is a great machine. i love mine. got a couple videos showing me using it. i lucked out an got a real clean, maxed out 60 directly from Bruce Forat.

jack horner aka uncle nutty on the mpc 60 beat 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hH-xTrMfS8

jack horner aka uncle nutty on the mpc 60 beat 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKRqJaPuwbY


i feel you on that. my production partners in Miami have an SP 1200 and an SP-303, i'd love to get those too.

the main feat i love on the 2500 is the direct record feat. that's why i'm still using the akai os. i know the jjos can do global program edits, faster chops, etc... but i'd rather just do that myself and keep the direct record feat. being able to record synths, samples, cuts, etc... live into the 2500 while my seq is playing is great. then you can assign what you recorded in to a pad and go in and edit it like a sample. great great feature!!! i don't think the 4000 has a feature like that.

i installed a 120gb internal hard drive in my 2500 and got an extra 1gb cf card too. i save all my beats to the internal hd and i'm in the process of loading all my sounds (breaks, one hits, synths, samples, etc..) onto the 1gb cf card. I'm using a program called MPC 187. It's great! Tap, if you don't have it, get it!!! I set up a template for Mono, Poly and Note On all with the volumes at 100 (for some reason the defaults with the volume at 70) and saved them to my desk top. Then I can load up my sounds into whatever type of program i need and save it. Then plug the 2500 into my mac usb and drag and drop the folders into my 2500. Then i have a folder with all my sounds and a program file to load right up on the 2500. Also, i got a program called Switch for my Mac. it's a Free Download too, Tap, get it!!! it lets you batch convert files to whatever format you need. so i've been batch converting files to .wav 16bit 44.1 so the 2500 can read them.

i'm gonna check out your other vid now. keep bangn those pads and making vids showing your learning process. i'll keep checkn them out.