about to buy an mpc4k, last few q.s :)

hi folks, real close to buying an mpc4k ...

1. How picky is the mpc4k for ram, hdd and cdrw? can i buy what i like or should i observe recommendations/compatability lists (not that i've found any). Should the cdrw be slimline laptop style or just normal 3.5" bay desktop style?

2. Is their a limit on hdd size? just to double check internal hdd is ide yeah, not scsi? And it's 3.5" not 2.5"?

Two issues with the mpc4k for me have been the fx (from what i hear others say) and it's possible use as a multi-tracker (not that anyone ever said it was only the roland mv8k, which i had also considered, has the 8 audio phrase track thing) so simple solution i'm gonna keep my roland sp808ex, it's a fully functional 4 stereo track hard-disk recorder and it's got some great fx ... so ...

3. how do you route external fx with the mpc4k, do they integrate seamlessly with the os as if they were internal fx?

4. what about syncing to the sp808ex? the sp will slave to mtc or master/slave mmc

thanks once again
jim

RAM.....Most picky machine I have. I tried buying the exact spec of RAM...I tried three different brands.....the problem for me....they always showed up as half the actual value. I know people say you have to get the 8 or 16 chip RAM or else you have that problem. Believe me I tried it.

Normal CD-RW size, 5.25, the HD is IDE 3.5". I don't think the CD drive is a picky issue. I personally got a Lite On brand drive cuz it was black. I heard some people have problems with Maxtor hard drives. I use a Western Digital 120 gig HD. I also remember some possible issues with hard drives over 120 gig. I think Seagates are also suppossed to work well.

I will route the MPC into the computer for FX once I get the 8 out.

I think the MPC syncs to MTC and MIDI clock. MMC (Midi Machine Code) is diff than MIDI clock right. Anyways, I suggest you take a look at the pdf manual, it should discuss this issue further.

thx for reply

ram: ok maybe i'll pay the extra and get the retailer to provide ram

hdd: wasn't planning on larger than 120gig anyway, western digital/seagate is cool both good brands in my experience re pc's

pdf manual: can't find it, not on akaipro.com international site ... hold on it must be ... oh yes way cool, i have found it, was looking in the archived section, older machines, before thanks for the reminder this'll answer loads of stuff

jim

crucial RAM works fine. larger seagate drives act a bit oddly for some (me) Western Digital seems to be the most reliable option...

The FX are fine now the levels bug is fixed, not vthe best but not the worst and definitely useable... of course if you have some nice eventide/lexicon/manley hardware you'll be needing the outputs

good luck

Richard

cool, yeah i know crucial, ebuyer have an 80gb wedtern digital drive at just under 40 ukp, fine

>of course if you have some nice eventide/lexicon/manley hardware you'll >be needing the outputs

are you saying that you can *only* conveniently use an external fx processor with the multi-outs?

jim

yes of course, unless you are just using them as main bus fx, i.e. on a whole mix. But if you want an external verb on a hat, a compressor on snares, flanger on keys and a delay on your guitar then yes you definitely need the outputs either the analogue or ADAT if you using something like an RMW soundcard... I have both and this sytem is very nice and flexible - it really opens up the 4k as the centre of my studio, without the external outputs the 4k IS your studio...

of course you can always sample everything back in with fx if you don't have outputs, but life is too short IMO

Richard

>of course if you have some nice eventide/lexicon/manley hardware you'll >be needing the outputs


Yo Jim,
You sound like your thinking of using your mpc a little like me. I dont think you need the extra 8 analogue out to use your outboard at all. I always write my tracks in mono (then mix 'em in) stereo. Ive arrived at the fact that it come with 2 outs anyway (on XLR's with higher signal). Why not write using the left output and have your right output going into a patchbay (wired up to your outboard gear)? ...Start 'n' build your beats and if you need some outboard processing, pop your sound to say the right side of the main outs, process until hapy and then just re-sample stuff back into the akai and pop it on the left. Get ya beats phat, then when 'shi is running, blast the whole lot (record it in/ use akai sys) to get it in the computer to mix?
just some thoughts...
Hope something there helped......