MPC4k from 60/3k/2k learning curve?

I've read a lot on this board that, when moving to the 4k, to be prepared to spend some time learning it, even when coming up from an earlier MPC. My question is to the folks who have done this -- what areas/aspects specifically was most difficult/challenging for you guys to get your head around and/or learn?

I know one answer could be just the sheer number of features, but what specifically had you guys scratching your heads when you (for example) first tried making a simple beat, etc.?

Thanks!

It's not that hard. I only had about 6 months of use on an MPC60 (OS3.1) prior to my MPC4000. The way you deal with the programs have taken me the most time I guess, but if you start out with just drum programs and keep things fairly simple it's not that hard to progress gradually.

Reading the user manual helps you grasp the basic concepts better I think, I read it twice before starting.

I never used the other MPCs, maybe it messes you up if you have prior knowledge. Cause I hear all these cats saying the 4k is hard to use. I picked up all the basic ish in like an hour. It's really not that hard to use. If you want to use the more advanced features, then you will need to spend a little more time on it.

No. it doesn't mess it up. On the contrary I think it made me understand quicker. You tend to know what to look for and where you can logically find things if you've used any MPC before I think.

MAD T wrote:I never used the other MPCs, maybe it messes you up if you have prior knowledge. Cause I hear all these cats saying the 4k is hard to use. I picked up all the basic ish in like an hour. It's really not that hard to use. If you want to use the more advanced features, then you will need to spend a little more time on it.

I agree with you Mad T. I've had a little knowledge of the MPC 2000XL as my music
partner uses it, but I didn't, but had a feel for it. My main background was the Akai
S-950 that I have. So when I came to the MPC 4000, it was a breeze.

We have a sequencer (well , I know how to use that)

We have a full fledged Sampler (well, I know how to use that)

We have Pads that can connect up internally or externally (well, I know how to
use that, change the "part" to "Midi Out" A.


It has a mixer (well , I know how to use that)

It has FX (well, I know how to use that)

You hit the "Next Sequence" button when you want to go to different sequeces and
you hit the "Track Mute" button when you want to mute different tracks in a sequence.
(well, I know how to do that).

As you can see there was a heck of a lot of "well, I know how to use that" involved.



The biggest thing that I've seen from MPC 2000 people is they don't understand
the concept of a Multi. That a Mulit let's you define 128 Programs that can be used.

The other thing that I see them having trouble gasping is "Keygroups". They
all say to me, well, I can't already do the same with the MPC 2000? I can sample
each key on my keboard and have the Pads set ot "Chromatic" and then
put each sample of each key on a different pad, so then I have "keygroup" right?

Well, sort of.

My biggest problem was dealing with the liimitation that ALL MPC's have, which
is that they each track in a sequence needs to be the same length. Can't say
how much this needs to be changed, but as a previous MPC user, this won't frustrate
you as it does me.


So, as stated before, I'm not a previous MPC owner, so can't fully comment, but from
my limited time on the machine, interacting with other MPC' users, you'll want to
look into thes areas:


A) Multi s

B) Keygroups

C) When in question, hit the orange "window" key. Everytime I'm looking for something
specific it usually is hidden and uncovered by this window.