What does a newbie like me need? I have an MPC2500

Guys, I'm new to the MPC world. I have no experience whatsoever. I've always wanted to make beats but never had the outlet. After some research, I got an idea of what I need. Oh, I don't like fruityloops. So don't mention that.

So I got an MPC2500. But here is the thing... that's all I have. Is there anything else that is NECESSARY to make good beats? Some people have their MPC hooked up to their laptop, piano keys etc... I can't afford all that. I want to start basic and work up.

1) Why do peopel hook their MPC up to their laptops? What is the benefit of that.
2) All I have is the MPC 2500. What else equipment does a newbie like me need other than speakers?
3) With just speakers and an MPC 2500, will I still be able to make good beats? (atleast basic for now)

Thanks guys. Plz inform me.

you need a sound source,...

now that can come in any form, it can be a record that you sample from a record player thru an amp, or it can be a file on your pc, or a tape deck or a cd. or you can hook up a mic and sample sounds from around you. you're only limited by your imagination.

as for your questions:

1- to transfer audio files to and from the mpc. to control the pc from the mpc via midi. to control the mpc from the pc via midi. to record audio to pc for mixing etc.

2- a sound source, already answered above^^^

3- depending on how much time you spend learning your craft and your gear, how well you develop your understanding of music, and how well you train your ears, yes, you can make good beats with just a record player, an mpc and a pair of speakers. as i've said, you're only limited by your imagination and the time you put into this.

at the very least, bottom of the barrel basic no frills shit so you can start,... you already have a computer, obviously, so why dont you try hooking up the mpc to your pc via an audio cable and try recording something.

good luck.

id say all you need as a minimum are a few CF cards, a turntable and some vinyl.

Obviously as well as speakers for playback, this will let you make beats.


Good thing is, vinyl contains everything you'll ever need, samples.

all you need is samples and a copy of the manual to make beats on the mpc.
if you don't have any cash left for a turntable and vinyl, then download samples and use usb to transfer them to your mpc.

try this for starters:
http://www.hexawe.net/mess/200.Drum.Machines/

once you start searching you'll quickly see there are lots and lots of samples out there for free.

1) Why do peopel hook their MPC up to their laptops? What is the benefit of that.
USB transfer, possibly midi-usb to their software daw, audio interface.. "hook" has so many meanings and that word is used WAY too loosely.

2) All I have is the MPC 2500. What else equipment does a newbie like me need other than speakers?
headphones.

3) With just speakers and an MPC 2500, will I still be able to make good beats? (atleast basic for now)
You need samples, from any source. Contrary to popular belief you don't 'need' a turntable to sample. I'm a firm believer of "anything goes" as far as sample sources are concerned.

mpc+headphones+samples and you can get started making beats.

Lampdog wrote:I'm a firm believer of "anything goes" as far as sample sources are concerned.

blasphemy

Lampdog wrote:Mpc's are samplers, you can sample anything you want from wherever and whatever source.

Its debatable.

you cool with CDJ's?

peeping tom wrote:

Lampdog wrote:I'm a firm believer of "anything goes" as far as sample sources are concerned.

blasphemy

A sampler is just that, a gobbler for sounds.

I'm a vinyl addict at heart but if I can get it on CD or a wav file, its all game. A source is a source. Would you call sampling your synth performance blasphemy because you didn't record it on wax first before you sampled it? Think about it.

my advice: sample anything and everything! Through this process you'll develop your listening skills, production skills, mpc skills and sampling skills.

i dont like sampling any sound or main loop from anything but wax (you know you cant beat that sound), and drums.......i wont use much else but good breaks. i have kits that are obviously 24 bit processed wavs but i layer with them, the point i was trying to get across that while kits are easy to get hold of, the art of processing and mixing drums is becoming lost becos of kits, and people arnt learning to layer / eq / comp / process things properly - something im always trying to improve.

end rant for that shit....


I axed the CDJ question to make a point. Some DJ's wont and will NEVER use a CDJ/. but plenty of DJ's do. you CAN use them, but like masturbating with your own tears, its frowned upon.


This is how i see sampling, which as lampdog correctly stated, is my personal preference.

I sample my synth all the **** time haha........it hasnt been pre-processed though!

I defy anyone to listen to my muzak and tell me which were made with what medium:

soundcloud.com/beginagain

I'll buy you a snowcone if you can spot the mp3's.




Now- just so I'm not finger pullin'/ass grabb'n here...to the OP- you don't need a whole lot to create "good" beats. Sample source, and your preference in playback device. Good to go until you get the "itch" to add to your setup.

b.read wrote:I defy anyone to listen to my muzak and tell me which were made with what medium:

soundcloud.com/beginagain

I'll buy you a snowcone if you can spot the mp3's.

Technically aren't they all mp3s, because of SoundCloud's conversion process?