Thinking about picking up an MPC500 tomorrow

I have saved up about $1200 from working and I think I'm going to drop it on an MPC500 tomorrow after school. I have always loved music since I was little. My brother (who worked in the music industry for a few years) would drive me to school and we were always listening to wu-tang, 311, just all kinds of classics.

I have tried guitar, piano, and a few other instruments in the past and I couldn't get in the grove no matter how much I practiced.

Techno/electronic/hip-hop is by far my favorite, so I think an MPC500 will do the trick.

I have a MacBook Pro and a sony stereo setup, so I figure these can help me out in the future. What do you guys think? Should I drop the money on one? New to the music making scene. Sorry if these topics are frowned upon.

One suggestion is to download some free or low-priced software instead, and maybe get a MIDI controller that has keys and pads. You already have the laptop and stereo, so that's where I think you should start.

The MPC500 isn't really a pleasure to use, is limited, and tricky to understand if you don't already have a visual in your mind of how this stuff works. With some software and a MIDI controller it'll be easier to get.

It'll also be more powerful, where you don't have to worry so much about technical limitations like running out of sample time. Try downloading some trials for major software packages and experiment.

But if you're set on an MPC for some reason, I'd look more at the MPC1000, or check out the upcoming MPC Studio.

Jamon wrote:One suggestion is to download some free or low-priced software instead, and maybe get a MIDI controller that has keys and pads. You already have the laptop and stereo, so that's where I think you should start.

The MPC500 isn't really a pleasure to use, is limited, and tricky to understand if you don't already have a visual in your mind of how this stuff works. With some software and a MIDI controller it'll be easier to get.

It'll also be more powerful, where you don't have to worry so much about technical limitations like running out of sample time. Try downloading some trials for major software packages and experiment.

But if you're set on an MPC for some reason, I'd look more at the MPC1000, or check out the upcoming MPC Studio.

So it would be pretty difficult for me to use an MPC500? I'm just looking to have fun and make beats in my free time.

Beats22 wrote:I have saved up about $1200 from working and I think I'm going to drop it on an MPC500 tomorrow after school.

$1200 for an MPC500?? Where do you live, Zimbabwe?!

i second looking into the 1000

its just easier because first of all u can see the waveform on it and second of all if u ever decide to get a little more serious with it the 1000 is upgradeable with the JJOS etc etc

2 cents

I started with FL Studio, then 500, and now mostly Ableton and an MPC 5000.


You can make good music on a 500 but you gotta be commited. It's a lot of trusting your ears and using it so much that you don't feel hampered by the menu diving.

Now that 1000's are in the 500 ballpark, price-wise, I agree with the poster above to get a 1000.

I didn't plan on spending ever cent on an MPC, I will have money left over after my purchase incase I want to buy new speakers or more equipment down the road.

I think I might go with the 1000. Not sure. But you can download samples onto your computer, and then put them on you MPC after you convert the samples to WAV right? Then you can make beats on top of the sample?

Thanks for the input btw.

Beats22 wrote:But you can download samples onto your computer, and then put them on you MPC after you convert the samples to WAV right? Then you can make beats on top of the sample?

You certainly can.

You've just to make sure your wav files are converted to 16bit 44.1khz.

Coz wrote:

Beats22 wrote:But you can download samples onto your computer, and then put them on you MPC after you convert the samples to WAV right? Then you can make beats on top of the sample?

You certainly can.

You've just to make sure your wav files are converted to 16bit 44.1khz.

Sounds good.

Looking forward to throwing down some hard earned cash for one.

You plan on downloading samples on your computer and putting them on the MPC? Why not just use the computer? The MPC500 doesn't have anything like non-destructive chop, and you can't see any waveforms, so even just trimming a sound means working solely with ears. The pads are stiff, and unless you're buying it for things like MIDI sequencing, it seems like a huge waste.

You just want to make some music. A smartphone or tablet can do that today.



You want it to be more like an MPC experience? Buy a MIDI pad controller.



You want software that does stuff similar to MPC so you can make beats?



Beat Thang Virtual http://www.beatthang.com/products/beat- ... rtual.html

It seems like you've got this hopeful aspiration feeling, directed at electronic music, and you don't have enough experience to know how it works. It's like you're dreaming of this mansion, and you saved up some money and are going to go buy a Sawzall saw, not understanding that when you do that all the stuff you're imagining is not going to happen. You're going to end up with this specialized hardware tool sitting on your table, and a thick manual to study. Then once you start trying to actually use it, you find out fast how hard it is to build a house, and this tool is not going to do what you dreamed it would.

For electronic music like that, it's more likely to make something good by just downloading some free audio app like Audacity or whatever, and dragging some sounds in there, modifying them, and building a beat. You can make mansions of electronic music with nothing but a laptop. Do that, and then buy an MPC.

Make it a goal. You create a beat worth banging, and upload it here. When you can do that with only what you have, laptop and software, then you're ready to buy hardware tools. If you can't do it with all the great software available, you won't be able to with an MPC. Forget all the reputation stuff about an MPC. They are not magical. They do not create beats. People do, and if they can do it with a walkman and turntable, then you can certainly do it with your laptop.

To the op, take the advice or you'll regret it once you figure out what's really going on.

At minimum, a mpc 1000 holds just as much power as the upper scaled mpc's.

A 500 is like you're getting a car without power windows, no automatic trans, no audio system, little wheels/tires, 3 or 4 cylinder engine...you get the point.

IMO, you'll waste your money in the long run by making this purchase, then end up trying to sell it at a later date hoping you can recoupe most of what you initially spent.

Yeah I hear you guys. I know an MPC1000 is harder to use, but I feel like I would learn faster with actual pads and buttons. I'm not very good at using my computer keyboard.

Beats22 wrote:Yeah I hear you guys. I know an MPC1000 is harder to use, but I feel like I would learn faster with actual pads and buttons. I'm not very good at using my computer keyboard.

Harder to use? I'm a person that never used a mpc in my life before I got the 4k. And after getting it, I'm so glad I did because I would have wasted my money searching for features that the others didn't have.

And guess what, even after 10 years, the 4k is still one of the most sought after mpc's amongst the current crop because of its features and reputation.

But if you have your heart settled on the 500, nobody can stop you from doing what you want to do.

Just remember, we'll see you in the near future with questions to why it can't do this, or it can't do that.

I think people have missed the part where the OP said he'll probably go with the 1000 afterall.