500 question

so this is from the manual:

Sound Generator
Sampling rate: 44.1kHz
Memory capacity: 16MB standard (11.5MB for sound memory), expandable to 128MB
Recording time: 136sec. (16MB, MONO)
24m28sec. (128MB, MONO)
Memory expansion slot: 1 x for optional EXM128
Data format: 16-bit linear
Polyphony: up to 32 (dependent on processing)
Dynamic filtering: 2-pole lowpass filter per voice
Preset sound memory: 5MB
Number of programs: 24

So the 500 can hold 24 programs in memory at a time. But, I am wondering though how does it compare to the XL, as far as the DRUM section. Because on the XL you can have 4 programs loaded via the 4 DRUM sections to make a song. Good for mixing and matching PGMs to make a new song.


I guess if the 500 is only capable of having one program, that's still 48 samples which is quite a bit. With the XL you can have 256 samples in memory at a time (limited to the 32mb) and you are most likely gonna run out of polyphony before that becomes an issue. I am curious how many samples can be in the 500's memory at a time.

other than that I guess one program per song, but up to 24 programs loaded is pretty good, good for chaining up sequences into songs and then chaining songs together each with different pgms. the XL as far as i know can only have 4 programs at a time... which wieghs the 500 against the XL positively, also taking into consideration ram.


I'm trying to imagine the 500 as a live tool. Compressor sounds awesome to have. my XL has never been taken out for a live show, even with the 8 outs as a plus I think its cumbersome for the type of live electronic stuff i want to do. A buddy of mine who might buy it will actually use it to play the pads ala hip hop live so I feel like selling it to him and getting a 500 is a good plan. I am envisioning using the 500, korg esx-1 and a qy100 and mixer.

i really appreciate the feed back from folks on my earlier questions/posts. it's great to get forum feedback.

Joey

http://www.hiphoptools.com/mpc-manuals/ ... -notes.pdf

The latest specs.

I guess if the 500 is only capable of having one program, that's still 48 samples which is quite a bit.

Not looked at the 500 for a while, but 24 programs in memory usually means you can access any of those 24 programs within a song, so not limited to 1 per song like you're suggesting.

thanks, for that document- checking it out

MPC-Tutor wrote:

I guess if the 500 is only capable of having one program, that's still 48 samples which is quite a bit.

Not looked at the 500 for a while, but 24 programs in memory usually means you can access any of those 24 programs within a song, so not limited to 1 per song like you're suggesting.

wow, that is much different than the XL from what I can tell
that's interesting

one thing to think about if you're really focused on using it for live use is maybe using a 1000. the 500 for me is so much about portability; but i'm talkin batteries, take it in any backpack anywhere, use it in traffic, in the park, on a log, whatever.

the pads on the 500 are a bit smaller, as is the overall package so you end up with your hands really close together alot. just something to think about - not really trying to sway your decision here, i love the 500 for what it is but i don't bang live

I was under the impression that a song can play 48 programs since there's 48 tracks, but I never used more than 6 programs for a song so 24 could be right.

But yes, the 500 is the power of four XLs.

I'm into the 500 hundred because of the portability too, not so much about batteries but size and space. Batteries is very cool though. Mostly I want to be able to compose stuff at different locations and be able to fit in a bag with my qy100.

plus for a live show it makes a big difference having to lug the XL... which again I've never used live.

I guess another factor is the outputs, which means that whatever I use the 500 for would have to be split L and R, or basic enough like just drum patterns which could be stereo or crazy pre prepared clips and loops or phrazes, which would be easier to do on the 500 than the XL because of the extra ram.

gonna keep researching...

I'm having wierd luck, just called GC and they sold the used 500 they had just today. EDIT, they have one in southfield.



p.s. I really think its a strange comparison, the 500 to the XL... gonna keep trying to figure it out

Ok I read the specs for the 500 over and over again , Maybe Im missing something.
I know you can upgrade the RAM TO 128MB..
BUT HOW MUCH INTERNAL memory does this thing have to save songs and samples on?
Can someone please explain it to me..
Thank you.

You save it to the CF card? Because I also have a 1000 Im trying to understand how your save your projects compared to the 1k,

So your saying you would plug it up to your computer perhaps and save it there?

Im confused. sorry.

Jaecity80 wrote:You save it to the CF card? Because I also have a 1000 Im trying to understand how your save your projects compared to the 1k,

So your saying you would plug it up to your computer perhaps and save it there?

Im confused. sorry.

I would advise you buy a CF card reader to make life a lot easier. i got mine from amazon for less than £3!!!!!!

Thanks for th replies. I don't have the 500 yet. However I do have the 1k I have no problem using it since I put an internal HDD. So I save/load everything from there.

Can you use bigger than a 2GB cf card in the 500?

Jaecity80 wrote:Thanks for th replies. I don't have the 500 yet. However I do have the 1k I have no problem using it since I put an internal HDD. So I save/load everything from there.

Can you use bigger than a 2GB cf card in the 500?

No, but it wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong.