Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By Wyrip Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:18 am
Let me tell you my story ...

I bought an MPC500 as a starter kit to learn how to make beats. Sadly, mine came used without a manual. I searched up a manual online and I couldn't understand it too well.

So I have the MPC500 device, a power cord connected to the power outlet, and a usb cord connected to the computer. The machine can turn on, but there's no sound coming out. So I have the things above. Am I missing any cables that would trigger sound? There's these phones and output slots, but I don't have cables for them and I don't know where to attach them to/from.

I'm really confused and there aren't any tutorials on how to set these kinds of things up completely.

Would anyone care to help me with my situation?

Thanks in advance ...

Though I have tons of questions to ask :|

Like how to use the device in general and if the keys are supposed to be hard to press from the center but easy to press from the corners.
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By crossings Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:27 am
it's all in the manual...

you don't have headphones to test it out with?

the USB cable is strictly for transferring data from the computer to the compact flash card... it has nothing to do with audio.

also, no MPC will produce any sounds unless you load samples and assign them to pads.

you've got some reading to do. no excuses there... come back once you've learned the basics and good luck.
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By Lampdog Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:39 am
Wyrip wrote:I searched up a manual online and I couldn't understand it too well.


files/MPC500/mpc500_manual_131.pdf

Push the buttons that you read about and follow along, it will all become clear as you go along. Give it a couple of weeks just like that and it will get easier and easier. If you have no patience you are doomed.
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By MeSoHordey Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:47 am
Lampdog wrote:
Wyrip wrote:I searched up a manual online and I couldn't understand it too well.


http://www.mpc-forums.com/files/MPC500/ ... al_131.pdf

Push the buttons that you read about and follow along, it will all become clear as you go along. Give it a couple of weeks just like that and it will get easier and easier. If you have no patience you are doomed.


QFT.

Give it two weeks but read and apply everything you can. It will become second nature. If you're lazy or undisciplined or impatient, forget it. Just remember, there is no instrument you can learn in less than two weeks without study.
By Wyrip Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:14 am
Thanks for your help guys. I got the sound working and everything now, though that manual is like a dictionary lol. Would be a lot easier with more tutorials on YouTube or if the simple guide wasn't 40$
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By Lampdog Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:20 am
Give it some time, push the buttons you read about, get familiar with the words and tech terms, you'll be fine, just don't give up and you'll eventually get where you wanna go.
By Artistlife Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:43 am
You need at least a pair of headphones to hear anything.

Also you can factory reset holding the Undo button while turning the unit on.
That will load three demos and some samples to play around with.
If you hold the undo button too long you will get a screen asking you if you want to delete some stuff. Just hit the cancel butten which is the button next to the Do It button.

Don't try to sequence anything with those sounds though.
They are locked down like For Knox.

Hope that helps
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By sirparksalot Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:19 am
Wyrip wrote:Thanks for your help guys. I got the sound working and everything now, though that manual is like a dictionary lol. Would be a lot easier with more tutorials on YouTube or if the simple guide wasn't 40$


It may be bland but literally everything you need to know is in there. Yeah, tutorials may be quicker, but anything worthwhile takes time and patience and is not easy, otherwise it cost money, which is where that $40 comes into play lol.