New to Mpc's and producing

New to the MPC production world? Got a music production question that's not really specific to any particular MPC? Try your luck here and get help from our experienced members.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By scoobylol Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:12 pm
I use Ableton, although the thing I love most about the MPC, and hardware samplers in general is that it means I don't have to be at the mega screen. Taking away the over-bearing visual aspect makes me use my ears more and my eyes less.

People on the boards use all sorts of DAWs, from Pro Tools to Reaper and everything in between. Some people even use Audacity I think for multi-track recording. Get a few of the demos from the sites and see which one floats your boat.

I've never tried the Maschine, but there's a couple of people on here who have. It looks like a fantastic product, and very accessible if you're new to the whole computer music thing. I don't know where you're based but realistically as it's such a new product there's no reason you couldn't go and try one out at your local music shop for an hour or so and see if it works for you. Just be aware that it's a very different product from the MPC despite it having a similar look.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By Metatron72 Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:34 pm
DomexBEATS wrote:first of all, i'm very grateful for you guys taking your time and giving me flat out honest opinions, it means alot.

secondly, i must read and read some more..lol. im probably not gonna get the mpk49 (thanks mr. debauch) so i will look into other midi controllers... as far as mpcs tho.. im gonna have to do more research.

im curious tho as to what daws you guys use with your mpcs? and have you guys tried the NI maschine?


I have Maschine, it's really good for what it is. I don't really get into the Maschine vs. MPC thing, but I don't deny the similarities. I have a combination of hardware and software and MIDI controllers, so it isn't either or for me personally. I understand though, that financially or workflow wise people tend to choose one or the other.

So if you're gonna be on the computer the majority of time, Maschine and any DAW make a powerful combo. The MPC still has the advantage of being standalone, and while more limited than a PC/Mac solution, they really take advantage of this because they're so focused and intuitive.

If you want to see Maschine in-depth Google Maschine + Saintjoe and/or Knock Squared. They have many 5-10 min videos showing Maschine in-depth. A lot of stores you might demo the unit at might not have upgraded the software (my GC has theirs at 1.0), so the videos might be necessary to see Maschine at 1.6/1.7.

I second what Scooby said about the MPC as a DAW controller, response/sensitivity of the pads translates well to VST control, and there's no MIDI controllers available that are as well built as an MPC. You do miss out on having more faders and knobs though, but you could get an inexpensive keyboard (Not an MPK49 :lol: ) with those.

So you should probably base your decisions on if you want to be computer fulltime, hardware sequencing/sampling recorded to a DAW, or some ratio of both. Then decide which gear fits your workflow decision. Too many times it's looked at the other way around.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By emptysea Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:39 pm
To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not. Only you can decide for yourself what will work for what you want to do.

Metatron72 wrote:I second what Scooby said about the MPC as a DAW controller, response/sensitivity of the pads translates well to VST control

I couldn't recommend the MPC as a "DAW controller" or for "VST control". One of the most disappointing things about MPC and MPD pads are just about the least responsive/sensitive pads compared to what's available out there (Maschine, padKontrol). Try them out for yourself if you can. Side by side comparisons can be very revealing.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By scoobylol Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:54 pm
emptysea wrote:To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not. Only you can decide for yourself what will work for what you want to do.

Metatron72 wrote:I second what Scooby said about the MPC as a DAW controller, response/sensitivity of the pads translates well to VST control

I couldn't recommend the MPC as a "DAW controller" or for "VST control". One of the most disappointing things about MPC and MPD pads are just about the least responsive/sensitive pads compared to what's available out there (Maschine, padKontrol). Try them out for yourself if you can. Side by side comparisons can be very revealing.


To the OP, please be aware that this user has had a constant back and forth with me and other members on the board.

Emptysea if you refer to my earlier posts I've always recommended he try out products and read up on them, and been very objective. Please keep your personal issues with me and sarcastic digs out of this post. In fact I welcome you to set up a new topic directly addressing me if you have any problems, instead of trying to belittle what I say before essentially reiterating my main point that it is down to the OP to decide.

My suggestion of using the MPC as a drum pad within his DAW was simply to cut down on costs, as he obviously wouldn't need an MPC and a MIDI drum pad such as a padKontrol etc... unless he personally felt that was required.

Just out of interest Emptysea which of the MPC/MPD series have you owned in order to decide the lack of responsiveness from the pads? And also how long did you own each of these for?
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By tapedeck Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:06 pm
emptysea wrote:One of the most disappointing things about MPC and MPD pads are just about the least responsive/sensitive pads compared to what's available out there (Maschine, padKontrol).

:shock:
i know this is opinion, but thats the first time ive ever heard that, and i have to completely disagree.

i think general consensus is that akai pads are the cream of the crop.
also, you can customise an mpc's pads in any number of ways to make them comfortable to you....cant say that about other devices.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By ArKyve-31 Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:13 pm
emptysea wrote:To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not.



Look, I have nothing against maschine I could care less what others use to achieve their sounds, but they are different products, the simple fact it can't be used stand alone is enough to make them different, the maschine software is yet to achieve the sample ability of the 4k/z4 engines, Your posts are a bad look for NI a company I once respected, but employing you to go banter on boards is tacky. Why come to a MPC forum and try to convert people, build a quality product you stand by and tactics like this won't be needed. If the mascine was a better product than my 4k I would be using it and not the mpc...


OP get a 1k with at least the free jj os, read, dig, experiment and see how it feels, you'll get outta of it what you put in, I promise you that. Monitors are also a key thing to have but, if you have no gear whats the point of have great speakers. Being that you're new to the mpc world, I personally wouldnt suggest getting a vintage model due to old technologies with saving and capabilities, it may turn you off before you can actually appreciate the gear itself.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By konc3pt Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:44 pm
emptysea wrote:One of the most disappointing things about MPC and MPD pads are just about the least responsive/sensitive pads compared to what's available out there (Maschine, padKontrol).


that's absurd and makes me think you have never used mpc...I've had my mpc for about a year before I sold it when I bought maschine and can tell you no other drum pad can touch or match mpc pad feel...maschine pads arent bad but dont even come close mpc
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By Lampdog Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:46 pm
emptysea wrote:To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not.


I have 2 mpc's, I've played with maschine at guitar center several times, imo they are completely different products.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By mr_debauch Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:40 pm
Lampdog wrote:
emptysea wrote:To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not.


I have 2 mpc's, I've played with maschine at guitar center several times, imo they are completely different products.



the dude works for NI.. or is the biggest in denial fan boy ever to exist... the dude once said that you dont even need a computer monitor connected to the computer you use for running machine. The dude will say anything to sell another unit.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By konc3pt Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:51 pm
mr_debauch wrote:
Lampdog wrote:
emptysea wrote:To the OP, be wary of those who will tell you that MPC and Maschine are "two completely different products". They're not.


I have 2 mpc's, I've played with maschine at guitar center several times, imo they are completely different products.



the dude works for NI.. or is the biggest in denial fan boy ever to exist... the dude once said that you dont even need a computer monitor connected to the computer you use for running machine. The dude will say anything to sell another unit.


Im pretty sure he works for NI like 97%, it's more evident in certain posts than others...I picked up on it during his new os upgrade announcments...

maschine and mpc are two totally different animals...maschine is just a controller with preconfigured software driving it, without computer it's paper weight...mpc is a midi controller, standalone sampler/drum machine....

this guy stray from beatwise network started writing custom scrips for midi pad controllers way before maschine dropped...I think NI capitalized on his idea in more streamlined package no real break through there...
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By emptysea Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:56 pm
tapedeck wrote:
emptysea wrote:One of the most disappointing things about MPC and MPD pads are just about the least responsive/sensitive pads compared to what's available out there (Maschine, padKontrol).

:shock:
i know this is opinion, but thats the first time ive ever heard that, and i have to completely disagree.

i think general consensus is that akai pads are the cream of the crop.
also, you can customise an mpc's pads in any number of ways to make them comfortable to you....cant say that about other devices.

Coz wrote:As a huge Akai fan I'm almost saddened to say this, but the pad sensitivity on Maschine KILLS Akai. I've had an identical drum program loaded on my 2500 and Maschine and the difference is night and day. .

^^^
viewtopic.php?p=1377168#p1377168
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By tapedeck Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:18 pm
^^ ok so thats two opinions i totally disagree with. :roll:

yer not going to convince me (or likely anyone else around here) that the pads on an mpc suck ... and why would you want to? its gonna take more than two internet opinions to change my mind... i use them daily and when i get on another machine with pads i kind of cringe.

you've said what you want to say, you dont need to 'call in backup'...it looks like trolling.
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By emptysea Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:29 pm
tapedeck wrote:^^ ok so thats two opinions i totally disagree with. :roll:

yer not going to convince me (or likely anyone else around here) that the pads on an mpc suck ... and why would you want to? its gonna take more than two internet opinions to change my mind...

Here's another:
"I have owned a triggerfinger, a nano pad, an mpd32 a padkontrol and maschine.

The mpd32 was the second expensive and least responsive. For similar money I would suggest getting ready for the mikro version of maschine.

Mpds' sensors were built with two design flaws: 1) the sensor is recessed from the pad, meaning there is, for no advantageous reason, a gap between the rather stiff rubber and sensor. 2) the sensor is put in the center of the pad, but does not extend to the full perimeter. This means that there are dead spots in the x,y, and z axis.

This is not my opinion. These are facts.

It is a numark era product and not in the proud tradition of the original high quality products that birthed the mpc's reputation.

You CAN make great music with them. Some folks love theirs. I have used other USB drum pads, so I can attest to the difference. I would NEVER buy an mpd (unless they are upgraded for future models). Best option: maschine. Second best: padkontrol. Worst possible option: an mpd."
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip- ... ost7020984
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Re: New to Mpc's and producing

By Metatron72 Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:41 pm
I'm with Tapedeck on disagreeing. And I think it's totally cool if Coz perceived it that way. We all use different setting and playing styles. Like Tapedeck said, MPC pads (1000 debacle aside, and the 500 emptysea had) are THE standard to be aspired to since the MPC60. Some are bit more sensitive than other models. But believe me, the MPC pads aren't coming up second to anything else out.

For the record I had an MPD16 and Korg nanopad. (Gifted to homies). I currently have an MPD24, MPD32, Trigger Finger, Korg padkontrol, 1000, 2000XL, 2500 and a 4000 along with Maschine. The only ones that can hang with MPC pads are a Fat Pad modded MPD, the Korg joints and Maschine, with the Maschine and the Korgs about tied just ahead of the Fat Pads. Now go find random YouTube link or NI topic thread that you think proves me wrong emptysea. :roll:

What I don't get about you emptysea is why even people are 90-95% agreeing with about Maschine's upside's you still throw a fit because we're not 150% like you.

I guarantee you this kid doesn't work for NI, try to find a Matt Celitti video (Dubspot), he's a NI product specialist. Clear evidence NI employs good people who "get it", not gushing fanboys or folks with irrational vendettas against MPC's.
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