Researching a book on the MPC60 - Thoughts?

viacom wrote:I have 2 different versions of the memory card and 2 different versions of the scsi card if u need pics

Me too. Bought an MPC60II I didn't really need last month to help with this project.

viacom wrote:A complete rundown of the OS versions released sequentially.

Aiming for this too, difficult to locate a complete record. If the internet was around ten years earlier my task here would be so much easier. As I mentioned earlier, most valuable info is located in old recording magazines from 88-91. The other stuff you mentioned will be covered for certain, it would be a crime not to.

Thanks again for helping me out.

The mpc60 was an instrument which yea, brought changes, but not anywhere as mush as sp12/1200.
Therefore if there's already a book about sp1200, one about mpc60 would feel verbatim as well.
The book about sp1200 already covered the changes in production techniques brought by sampling, segmenting ecc.
A book like this one you wish to write would just one long appendix for the book about sp1200 which could be skimed into "ye, and then this other one came out, with 16 bit processing! And bigger pads! The end."

my two cents


(please note that I'd happily buy it anyway)

Well factor in that the MPC60 story would be able to delve into Roger Linn's overall designing acumen and the history of his linking with Akai allows for other lines of inquiry beyond just the technical aspects.

So I'm somewhat inclined to disagree to an extent while still acknowledging the SP book is very thorough in the ways you brought up Phra*DOC.

But I think there's room and would be interest for a MPC60 book even being more niche than the already niche 1200 book.

That's cool you said you'd still be interested to read it even having the take you posted.

I should hire Phra*Doc as my publicist lol.

I have to respectfully disagree with all of the statements made except..

Phra*DOC wrote:please note that I'd happily buy it anyway

What I would say to you is this, look at the LM-1, LinnDrum and Linn 9000 and then take a good objective look at the E-mu Drumulator/SP12/1200...What on earth inspired E-mu to start producing drum machines??

Please note that I don't have an mpc60, but I'd love to!, so nothing personal.
Clint, in order to make it appealing this should be thorough, mainly with an accent on what it started as a differnt legacy. So some "lineage analysis" with further mpc line products would do good, even though you'd expect it to be hard to do. Aaand, to point out the comfiness factor (that counted alot with previous idiosincratic machines...), there would need to be some interviews with oldskool producers about how it changed their worflow back in the early 90's, which I guess also goes in the "hard to do" pile.
And also its tight connection with s900/950's which I think couldn't be ignored. Yes, a pretty load of work but that's what you have when you don't want to make a copy of something else, the starting matherials being similar. That's what I meant before... again, my .02.
I'd love to help but I really don't have a clue on how I could do it

Phra*DOC wrote:I'd love to help but I really don't have a clue on how I could do it

You are helping, by sharing your thoughts in this thread.

I saw this thread when it started, havent read every page (my phone gives me headaches if I read to much on it). for the record, I support this idea, and will be one of the first to purchase it. my preference and or suggestions would be to have it printed in like a glossy matte finish like most coffee table books, and include as many unique photos and diagrams of anything relevant to the topic....I van read and love to, but I can stare at mpc photos all day as if it was porn.

Also (and this may have been mentioned or already planned) please go in to detail about why it was really made and its biggest feature imo, which is the midi sequencing. I know a lot of seasoned mpc users that are very knowledgeable, talented users that still dont grasp the concept of multi timbrality, midi sequencing, and midi note messaging. I first noticed this when I posted a sp 303/2xl video, many people don't get the most bang for their buck because daws have almost made true midi routing obsolete. it is the most overlooked feature of the mpc series in my opinion because many ppl bought it just for the drum machine/sampler function and outside of a turntable and records never thought to take it much further.

alsi if you need any assistance with any aspect, let me know, and if I can help I, I will

ArKyve-31 wrote:I support this idea, and will be one of the first to purchase it.

I can see me buying 3 copies of this book. One to read, one to keep in mint condition and the other as a gift to my Brother.

Clint's going global with this one!

If not already mentioned, a foreword from Roger would be sweet, possibly addressing his thoughts about the impact the MPC60/3000 had on his life/career, his feelings towards it at the time, and now, his thoughts on it's legacy as one of the two or three main drum machines (MPC, SP, 808) that contributed to the early hip hop sound and production style, etc.

Sounds good and I wish you all the best of luck with the project.
Dont forget to mention the ASQ10.

ArKyve-31 wrote:my preference and or suggestions would be to have it printed in like a glossy matte finish like most coffee table books, and include as many unique photos and diagrams of anything relevant to the topic...

That was my original intention, however, I don't think people are aware of the costs involved in publishing full sized, colour, coffee table books. It requires crazy loot and a prohibitive retail price for the product. Wonder why the SP1200 book was small format (8x8 inches 270-300 pages)? And why the 'Grey Edition' was in black and white? Feasibility = Budget = Compromises. We need to be realistic if this thing is ever going to make the printhouse; some compromises will have to be made. Content is the priority.

ArKyve-31 wrote:please go in to detail about...its biggest feature imo, which is the midi sequencing. I know a lot of seasoned mpc users that are very knowledgeable, talented users that still dont grasp the concept of multi timbrality, midi sequencing, and midi note messaging.

Thanks for chiming in Arkyve, not quite sure what you'd specifically want included re midi sequencing, multi-timbrality and midinote messaging. Teaching folk about midi fundamentals is beyond the scope of this project and I also don't plan on regurgitating the contents of the manual. That would be plain boring. Key features will of course be discussed.

If I am missing the point please enlighten me????

@labcoats I have purchased an ASQ10 (well two actually) to assist with this, she will not be left out. I have all the Akai/Linn hardware here for reference, just trying to re-establish the studio before things really start moving in earnest.


If anyone has names of reputable self-publishing companies please share (some were mentioned earlier in this thread). Provide links to examples to show what costs are involved, or mail me at [email protected]. Hopefully then you will realise what type of compromises are involved. Im not inclined to use print on demand services at this point due to concerns over print quality, but will consider all options.

Thanks for all the support guys and gals.

You might consider crowd funding for the project, through something like Kickstarter.

Might it be possible to have a very low print run premium edition, paid for in advance by those keen enough to spend the $ required, and a normal/cheaper version for the masses?

MPC-Tutor has brought Kickstarter to my attention and this route is being considered.

The idea of having a premium and a standard edition is an interesting one, could be a good strategy.

i've seen so many great crowd funded projects succeed. this is a great idea man. Also, someone mentioned a forward by Roger Linn. Also, a great idea. Roger mentioned to me at NAMM that he made a mistake in retrospect with the 4x4 pad design. something about ergonomics and flexibility of finger drumming that the 2x8 design is better. I think if you could ever speak with him in person i would be a gold mind of info that you never saw coming. he is so very approachable in person.

psr wrote:he made a mistake in retrospect with the 4x4 pad design. something about ergonomics and flexibility of finger drumming that the 2x8 design is better.

he said that in some of his videos too... sometimes it felt like he was saying that cause his tempest has that layout... however he does make a good point with both hands side by side when he shows what he means in the video.

maybe he should have come to an even middle ground by taking the popular 4x4, and the ergonomic 2x8 and went with a 4x8 layout for his newer machines haha...