MPC 4000 Drum Layering

Can someone explain Drum Layering? I want to start Layering my drums to get that crunchier fuller sound, Im tired of using single kicks...now with Layering is that setting up the Pad to play 2 kicks simultaneously or is there some type of theory to drum layering if someone could break down what exactly the procedure for layering drums on the 4000 it would be appreciated.

YumYumRolex wrote:now with Layering is that setting up the Pad to play 2 kicks simultaneously

I would say thats the most effective way of doing it.
Theirs really no real procedure to it, its all based on how you want your drums to sound. Now if you want to get more complex with the way your drum are sounding then your best option is using things like Compressors, Gates, or EQ's.

As for functions inside of the 4000? Your filtering function is your best friend. Lets just say for this scenario that their is only one kick drum in the entire world. You would think that you wouldn't get much from layering it but in fact you would. Using your filter function can give you the ability to set your kick drum to a low frequency and give it nothing but a nice low end. So when you layer it, your kick drum sounds nice and fat. Their many ways you can approach it, I suggest you experiment and find what works for you. (Keep in mind, I don't own a 4000 so their might be more cooler ways you can trick out your drums.)

Now Ive messed with Filters and tried to tweak the Envelope but I didnt have an understanding of what the parameters were or whatever...I heard the sound difference but I didnt comprehend on how to apply the effect to my performance...So with Compression and EQ...I apply those effects after in my DAW which is Pro Tools...now should I start messing with EQ and Compression in the Machine for enhanced effect?

Well the best way to think about a filter is just by the definition.
It basically works the same way except with sounds of course.
You can mess with the Resonance as well, & all that really does is emphasize
specific frequencies. Its a learning process but once you understand these
small things it will improve your production.


If the 4000, has those type of features, then I would mess around with those to get a better feel of it but to be honest personally, I would rather do all the EQ'ing and Compression in Pro Tools. Just cuss it gives you more control. In this case though Drum layering might and might not play a part for the reason that you can get that single kick drum and EQ the sh#t out of it to make it sound more full. Like I said theirs many ways you can approach it. Just experiment see what works for you.

Definitely...I just wanted a more Authentic Hip Hop feel of producing by Layering Drums because I was on MPC-Tutor.com looking at the Ebooks and I seen the one about Producing...I should probably invest the money and cop that book but I was trying to see if someone could break it down in easier terms...I guess with the EQ'ing in Pro Tools, Drum Layering is not really a necessity. Although I would still like to have an understanding because I ran across some good drums on a old DVD I had...Im trying to revamp my production techniques...Ive exhausted my basic way of producing to where it doesnt feel fun anymore...Just trying to add some spice in my life...Good looking on that information.

A filter works kinda like this, a low pass lets the lows pass through and it cuts out the highs, the more you turn it down in the mpc the more highs it takes out, works the same for a high pass that cuts mids and lows, and the band pass the takes out highs and lows, but not the mid range frequencies. Start layering by just laying two drum breaks over top of each other, make sure they're both on beat and in time with each other obviously. Then just let them loop and got to eq, attack, filters, and envelops in the zone edit screens and adjust each one till they sound how you think it should sound, play with em all day the experience is what will teach you. Chop and layer 2 breaks (which i always do on every track) I use filters to take out things, Example, (i chop breaks, but well use them only as loops) if loop one has great hats and snares, throw a light hpf on it to take out the bass just a little, now the kick will still be there just not as noticeable. Then take break 2, use that as the "bottom loop" its kick will be the distinct one but will have maybe more flavor due to the other kick its laid on top of, throw a slight lpf on this set to like 72-90 and that will slightly take the highs out just enough to make sure the loop 1 "top loop" is the more predominant one, and your done, eq and adjust each to a liking. Now if you chop you have more control on each sound and pattern but this is just a way for you to practice and learn the effects the parameters have on the sounds.

ArKyve-31 wrote:A filter works kinda like this, a low pass lets the lows pass through and it cuts out the highs, the more you turn it down in the mpc the more highs it takes out, works the same for a high pass that cuts mids and lows, and the band pass the takes out highs and lows, but not the mid range frequencies. Start layering by just laying two drum breaks over top of each other, make sure they're both on beat and in time with each other obviously. Then just let them loop and got to eq, attack, filters, and envelops in the zone edit screens and adjust each one till they sound how you think it should sound, play with em all day the experience is what will teach you. Chop and layer 2 breaks (which i always do on every track) I use filters to take out things, Example, (i chop breaks, but well use them only as loops) if loop one has great hats and snares, throw a light hpf on it to take out the bass just a little, now the kick will still be there just not as noticeable. Then take break 2, use that as the "bottom loop" its kick will be the distinct one but will have maybe more flavor due to the other kick its laid on top of, throw a slight lpf on this set to like 72-90 and that will slightly take the highs out just enough to make sure the loop 1 "top loop" is the more predominant one, and your done, eq and adjust each to a liking. Now if you chop you have more control on each sound and pattern but this is just a way for you to practice and learn the effects the parameters have on the sounds.

Man!!!! Thanks for breaking it down like that, Im going to try that right now as soon as I get this new kit loaded. So is ZONES the best way to layer or should I use a Keygroup and layer with as many sounds as I want? With the ZONE option, each slot is editable as far as Filters and whatnot?

yeah you go to the Zones page, the maximum number of zones on each pad is 4. like, maybe you put 4 different snare drums on top of each other. you will be able to edit different things like the volume of each zone (sample), start points, tune and whatever. also the filter just have a look. and have a try, play around with it a little it´s a great technique to get fat drums without the compression, always works for me

RepRSP wrote:yeah you go to the Zones page, the maximum number of zones on each pad is 4. like, maybe you put 4 different snare drums on top of each other. you will be able to edit different things like the volume of each zone (sample), start points, tune and whatever. also the filter just have a look. and have a try, play around with it a little it´s a great technique to get fat drums without the compression, always works for me

Definitely...Im bout to start messing with it right now...Thanks for breaking this down...

How long have you been using MPC's exactly?

Cant work out how to manage the BEAST?

I thought you were an MPC veteran...

clint246clint wrote:How long have you been using MPC's exactly?

Cant work out how to manage the BEAST?

I thought you were an MPC veteran...

Quote me on me saying that I was a MPC veteran...Ive been asking "Basic" questions since Day 1...Where in my MO did I say I was a Veteran? If you are such a Veteran how come your Youtube channel is flooded with other people's videos? No videos of your own? How unoriginal and you belittle me all the time. Wow bro....You need to quit living through a keyboard and step your game up.

The problem I have here is that not only do you ask the same basic questions all the time, but you have done so using three different forum identities hoping nobody would notice.

Plus talking to yourself in a thread is just plain cornballery, dumb and dumber springs to mind...

YumYumRolex wrote:

DJ Skitzophrenik wrote:Yeah I use the 5000 with the 3000...The 5000 is synced to Midi out C and when I set up the Midi channels on the 3000 I control the 5000's drums...So everything is made on the 3000 Sequencer which gives me a better groove...something is messed up with my Midi Time Code or something because I cant play in 1/16th note for some reason...I have to switch down to /8th notes...but yeah man The 3000 drives the 5000, I just use the 5000 as a sound module...

Thanks, cool setup, Skitzo! I guess it's not a Midi Time Code issue, since you only seemt to control the programs on the 5K via MIDI.. but I don't know why you can only play 8th notes.. I guess you mean from the 3K going out to the 5K?

But MIDI Time Code and/or MIDI Clock could be usefull in syncing both units up so they play their own sequences and you would make use of the 5K's sequencer which is also nice even if you prefer the groove of the 3K.

Damn so you dont know why the 3000 wont play in 16th notes? That really gets my buttons right there, I cant figure it out either, its starting to piss me off because I cant sequence...It wont let me play my drum patterns out because I use 1/16th note patterns I like those sped up high hats and quick hitting kiks...

I'll stop now, but thats some funny schit...

Besides, I'm off to 'step my game up'.

clint246clint wrote:The problem I have here is that not only do you ask the same basic questions all the time, but you have done so using three different forum identities hoping nobody would notice.

Plus talking to yourself in a thread is just plain cornballery, dumb and dumber springs to mind...

YumYumRolex wrote:

DJ Skitzophrenik wrote:Yeah I use the 5000 with the 3000...The 5000 is synced to Midi out C and when I set up the Midi channels on the 3000 I control the 5000's drums...So everything is made on the 3000 Sequencer which gives me a better groove...something is messed up with my Midi Time Code or something because I cant play in 1/16th note for some reason...I have to switch down to /8th notes...but yeah man The 3000 drives the 5000, I just use the 5000 as a sound module...

Thanks, cool setup, Skitzo! I guess it's not a Midi Time Code issue, since you only seemt to control the programs on the 5K via MIDI.. but I don't know why you can only play 8th notes.. I guess you mean from the 3K going out to the 5K?

But MIDI Time Code and/or MIDI Clock could be usefull in syncing both units up so they play their own sequences and you would make use of the 5K's sequencer which is also nice even if you prefer the groove of the 3K.

Damn so you dont know why the 3000 wont play in 16th notes? That really gets my buttons right there, I cant figure it out either, its starting to piss me off because I cant sequence...It wont let me play my drum patterns out because I use 1/16th note patterns I like those sped up high hats and quick hitting kiks...

I'll stop now, but thats some funny schit...

Besides, I'm off to 'step my game up'.

Ive never spoken to myself in a thread, get your facts straight my dude...Your cornballery is second to none of your tomfoolery.

YumYumRolex wrote:

DJ Skitzophrenik wrote:Yeah I use the 5000 with the 3000...The 5000 is synced to Midi out C and when I set up the Midi channels on the 3000 I control the 5000's drums...So everything is made on the 3000 Sequencer which gives me a better groove...something is messed up with my Midi Time Code or something because I cant play in 1/16th note for some reason...I have to switch down to /8th notes...but yeah man The 3000 drives the 5000, I just use the 5000 as a sound module...

Thanks, cool setup, Skitzo! I guess it's not a Midi Time Code issue, since you only seemt to control the programs on the 5K via MIDI.. but I don't know why you can only play 8th notes.. I guess you mean from the 3K going out to the 5K?

But MIDI Time Code and/or MIDI Clock could be usefull in syncing both units up so they play their own sequences and you would make use of the 5K's sequencer which is also nice even if you prefer the groove of the 3K.

Damn so you dont know why the 3000 wont play in 16th notes? That really gets my buttons right there, I cant figure it out either, its starting to piss me off because I cant sequence...It wont let me play my drum patterns out because I use 1/16th note patterns I like those sped up high hats and quick hitting kiks...

Did you type all the words quoted above, bearing in mind both members...are you?

Cornball of the year contender, that is all.