MPC 1K Newbie, having trouble navigating...

Hi, I just got a used MPC1000 off ebay. Came with the unit, power supply, manual and 2) 32 MB akai bonus trakc cards and a 4 port CF flash card. I started just with the basic quick start guide and I'm just trying to start my first sequence and I can record, erase, and add "tracks" but thats about it. When I try to move the cursor down or to the side it wont really work. I cannot for the life of me change the tempo, set the bar length, go to the Program functions, etc. I spent about about 6 hours on the thing and didnt really get anywhere. Also, the overall sound is terrible, I've got decent headphones it just seems really muffled / crappy. Any help with getting started and putting my mind at ease will be EXTREMELY appreciated! Thank you!

Congrats on the purchase!! You're questions are very basic so I'd suggest you dig in and read the manual. Maybe even some Youtube videos (not for instruction, just to see how they are navigating). Almost everything on the main screen is adjusted with the wheel once you have it highlighted. That's all I got mang!!

Thanks man. I think the big the I'm missing on mine is the JJOS, I think I need to get that first and tinker with it some more...

No, learn what you got now and then go to JJOS. You'll be asking the same thing at the JJ forum if you don't have an idea of how these things work. JJ will not make the day sunny if you don't know how to use an umbrella. JJ does not mix well in water, so don't expect kool aid. In order to swim, you must drown first. Read the manual and don't fall into a dinner party.

Ill-Green wrote:No, learn what you got now and then go to JJOS. You'll be asking the same thing at the JJ forum if you don't have an idea of how these things work. JJ will not make the day sunny if you don't know how to use an umbrella. JJ does not mix well in water, so don't expect kool aid. In order to swim, you must drown first. Read the manual and don't fall into a dinner party.

Get the basic MPC functions down first then you can step it up. I did find the free JJOS a little bit easier to navigate and things were more logical but it's not going to be the difference maker.

And most importantly...

you can do it, man... even a girl without arms can make a sandwich.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... D-VuwulVgI

^

So if I try to keep messing with the basic Akai O S. and learning that, is it going to be like learning a whole new system if I upgrade to the JJOS?

Should I start with the free download JJOS?

I've got the patience, and have read through the whole manual a few times...I really just don't want to waste a ton of time and wantto learn this thing from scratch in the most efficient / highest recommended way possible.

Thank you!

I'm still learning myself and with the disclaimer that everyone works differently, I'd say give yourself a week, month, 5 beats... whatever to get the basics down then even free JJOS should make things easier after that. To me the layout made more sense and things were where I expected them to be but that's also very subjective. Dive in have fun, fuk it try em both and see what you see.

Edit: Also, a lot of the fun comes in developing your own unique workflows, shit varies so much that the way you learn things now, by doing, will affect your future workflow but never for the negative. Later on you'll realize things you are ahead of the game on and things you can improve on. It's a long as s haul and I'm guessing we'll be learning something new for as long as we're still working with these machines.

Thank you. I put in another 4 hours and things are making a little bit of sense.It still just seems so damn far away from being able to put together a whole beat.

I realized though that mine is from 2004 and has the version 1.06 operating system. Seems a bit out dated, cause everything I look at online says it should be 2.13. Do you know if there is a way to upgrade to that, or what the differences are between 1.06 and 213.? Thanks!

Just so happens to be one of Tutor's pages that has it all in one place (I have no affiliation by the way ) Click release notes. Forgot to mention to how helpful Google search is.

http://www.mpc-tutor.com/mpc-operating-systems/

I recommend this book, i got the 2500 version of it myself.

http://www.mpc-samples.com/product.php/84/beat-making-on-the-mpc1000/

Plus there is a new section in it to help you learn the free JJOS. Very well made.

Why not try the free version of JJOS, then buy the JJOS2XL when you are confortable with it.

Hey,

Ekspan wrote:the overall sound is terrible, I've got decent headphones it just seems really muffled / crappy.

I would try to figure that out before buying anything else since you bought it used on Ebay. First thing to do is to update the OS.

Did the original sample sound good ? Recorded too hot maybe ?

Distortion maybe (make sure your master DB level is not to high, try lowering it down) ?

Bad connections (between the sound source and the MPC or maybe the MPC/headphones jack) ?

Might be my headset jack. I'm gonna buy a few connectors for my speakers and a new headset jack. Maybe even that $39.00 book I keep seeing on here, that seems like the way to go. Just got to pay a few bills and see where I'm at $ wise.

Anyway for right now, do you think the best place to start is by recording samples and learning to chop them and assin them to pads?

I got a turntable with proper connections and some samples I already want to use.

I understand everyone has there own methods and what not, I'm just trying to see what a good recommended jump off point is and what to focus on and learn first.

I know theres the sequence, sequence edit, step edit, song mode, program, record, trim, load, save, this that, etc. But I've been reading through the original manual the last 3 days, but it doesn't really suggest what is the best thing to "start" with. I'm just kind of overwhelmed and want to know what some people think. I really appreciate all the advice and replies so far.

Thank you!!!

From the "What's inside ?" section of the link i gave you:

"Inside you'll find 51 MPC 1000 tutorials (282 pages) covering a massive range of subject matter, plus we also include an additional version of the book which is fully compatible with the unofficial 'JJ' OS (free version, 3.15). There's also over 900 sounds inside, including over 600 MPC sounds and files to help you recreate all the tutorials, and an additional 350 bonus drum sounds and breaks."

So you basicly learn by recreating the tutorials using the provided sounds.

Everything you learn, you can apply with your own sounds after.

You need an info ? just look for it in the listing of tutorials.

You will be searching less here and there for your infos and you will be able to put more time practicing your skills right away.

It's a good read. You will have fun finding your own answers.

EDIT: BTW, I have no affiliation either. I simply recommend it.