MPC 2500 Internal CD Drive

Just about to buy an MPC 2500 SE with built in CD DVD, HD and wondered if anyone could clarify something for me. I have done a lot of research and can't find a straight answer on this. Can I record audio samples straight from the internal cd (so no need to hook up an external cd player to put my cd's in and record samples). Yes, I know, I should be recording off vinyl but when I am creative and sometimes I get an idea to sample something I have on CD.

sampling direct from the cd/dvd drive is possible and totally easy, too.
just select the cd drive as the input in the record page and you´ll see...
the only difference to "real" sampling is that there will be no level indicators, just like if you resample the outputs internally.

have fun...

peace, jo

If anyone is still around to answer this - it would be great.
I just installed my CD drive to sample from (instead of having an external), and everything is fine until I do playback - the sampled playback is distorted -

Ive looked all over the forums for an answer, but no deal.

Would be grateful for assistance in the matter.
Oh yeah, using Akai OS and no HDD installed yet.

Peace.

@nag champa: are those samples distorting when you play them in trim mode or in preview? is the distortion still audible if you assign those samples to a program?

the other two things that have influence on the output level are the master level setting - this should be normally set to -6db so the mpc does not clip if it plays several sounds at full level - and the master compressor and eq that also can push the level up a fair bit.

and one last question which version of the akai os are you running? (the latest is v 1.24)

peace, jo

@selecta jo - Thank you for your reply yo!

I haven't updated the Akai os yet - I should be getting my usb cable today so I can (is it a good idea to do so right away before I start messin with it?).

Also, I haven't even tried to go through trim or put the sample to any pads yet - I was just testing the disc drive out to make sure all was good (for sampling purposes) - It plays the discs pretty well.

Also I did adjust the master volume as you suggested - and it did fix the distortion (THANKS YO!). However I don't know what the EQ or Compressor should be set as - I couldn't find any good info on a setting they should be on.

Also do you think it would be beneficial for me to get the MPC 2500 bible thats advertised or is that more for the jjos set up? So far I've been just going over the manual - but it doesn't cover everything.

Like I said - I really do appreciate you answering these questions and helping out.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!


Peace.

@ nag champa: just leave the master compressor and the master eq disabled for now and learn all the other aspects of using your new mpc. these two effects can best be used if the beat is finished and is sounding good already to put the "icing on the cake". don´t worry about this for now and make some music!

as you seem to be a beginner (at least with the mpc) i´d suggest the beatmaking on the mpc 2500 e-book as a very good complement to the akai manual. it works like this: the akai manual tells you all the technical aspects and terms but leaving some questions open how to use that in a real world scenario. this is where tutor´s e-book steps in and shows you more practical examples of how to do certain things with the mpc.
also it is not only a book but some kind of interactive course with a lot of samples and examples to load to your mpc and work on it as you read the book.

other than that just continue reading this forums (and not only the section for the 2500) as there is practically every question been asked and answered already somewhere. also i´d suggest tweakheads site for enormous recources of basic music production knowledge here: http://tweakheadz.com/

peace, jo