Thinking about purchasing an MPC

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Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By hopdaboss Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:11 pm
Hello MPC Forums

I'm considering buying an MPC. I've recently started out making music on my computer using Reason, but i just don't feel it, the "fun factor" is not as big as i had hoped. Maybe it's becouse i've just started using Reason.

I've been playing music for many years now, so it's not there i'm lacking. I'm just thinking i'm better of with something in my hands, rather than on the pc.

Especially the hiphop from the 80/90's interest me incredibly much, and i would love to be able to produce some oldschool beats.

I would love some help on this, or just some general MPC talk. Could the MPC 1000 be something for me, or is an MPC not the right thing for me?

Thanks alot for reading!

Hop

Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By hopdaboss Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:22 pm
TreCipher617 wrote:i think a 1000 would do the trick for you. the 2500 is the same as a 1000 except bigger, more solid, buttons are nicely spaced apart.

any other questions?


Thank you for the answer!

Is it possible not even to use a computer while using the MPC 1000?

Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By Clint Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:12 pm
hopdaboss wrote:Especially the hiphop from the 80/90's interest me incredibly much, and i would love to be able to produce some oldschool beats.


As a happy medium between old school MPC's and the newer USB/computer enabled models the MPC2000XL is a good introduction to the MPC world. A lot of us old school cats use or have used this model. The MPC1000 brings more modern features and portability to the party, along with smaller pads.

Do you have a budget in mind?
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By Lampdog Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:06 pm
hopdaboss wrote:Is it possible not even to use a computer while using the MPC 1000?

MPC Ren is the only MPC that requires a computer.

Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By MaZe Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:56 pm
hopdaboss wrote:Hello MPC Forums

I'm considering buying an MPC. I've recently started out making music on my computer using Reason, but i just don't feel it, the "fun factor" is not as big as i had hoped. Maybe it's becouse i've just started using Reason.

I've been playing music for many years now, so it's not there i'm lacking. I'm just thinking i'm better of with something in my hands, rather than on the pc.

Especially the hiphop from the 80/90's interest me incredibly much, and i would love to be able to produce some oldschool beats.

I would love some help on this, or just some general MPC talk. Could the MPC 1000 be something for me, or is an MPC not the right thing for me?

Thanks alot for reading!

Hop


Any hardware MPC is a good MPC in the right hands.

It really comes down to your budget and needs/wants. If you want something that is "all in one" and you could do the most inside the box without looking at a PC really at all, you are going to want a 4000. If you want something that is very powerful that benefits from the use of a DAW, than the 2500 is a great option. If you want something powerful and portable that also benefits from the use of a DAW, than the 1000 is a great option. If you are looking for a solid "starter" MPC that created countless platinum hip-hop tracks, than the MPC 2000XL is a great option (although it is pretty far behind OS wise than any of the MPCs that I mentioned previously, though it is still great). IMO, I would always suggest the 4000 first just because of its raw power and in the box flexibility, especially since you started out in a DAW the 4000 is the most "DAWish". Second, I would suggest the 2500 with JJOSXL. I own both (and I own the 30000 and owned the 2000XL). You can't go wrong with either, or any MPC for that matter. Again, it's a matter of budget balanced with needs/wants.

And as Lamp said, the Ren is the only "MPC" that needs a computer. Every other MPC is a standalone. Some have more options in the box (4000) and others have less (60) but again, every MPC is a great MPC. Except for the Ren.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By JUKE 179r Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:53 pm
If I had to buy an MPC again I'd get these 4 depending on my situations:

#1 Wanna keep it real and you got plenty money for upgrading old retro hardware with costly options? Get the MPC3000LE.
#2 Wanna keep it real and want semi computer connectivity and some money for a few upgrades? Get the MPC4000.
#3 Want computer connectivity for 21st Century beat making? Get the MPC2500 w/ JJOS.
#4 Want computer connectivity for 21st Century beat making but on a budget? Get the MPC1000 w/ JJOS B.K.A. the baby MPC2500.

But that's just me...
Last edited by JUKE 179r on Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By MaZe Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:11 pm
JUKE 179r wrote:If I had to buy an MPC again I'd get these 4 depending on these situations:

#1 Wanna keep it real and you got plenty money for upgrading old retro hardware with costly options? Get the MPC3000LE.
#2 Wanna keep it real and you don't have money for a bunch of upgrades to retro gear? Get the MPC4000.
#3 Want computer connectivity for 21st Century beat making? Get the MPC2500 w/ JJOS.
#4 Want computer connectivity for 21st Century beat making but on a budget? Get the MPC1000 w/ JJOS B.K.A. the baby MPC2500.

But that's just me...


All of this.

Except that the may 4K have the best "computer connectivity" out of all them with ak.sys. But either way, this is best and simplest way to look at it.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By JUKE 179r Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:15 pm
Yeah... I just noticed my error about connecting to a computer for the 4000.
Thanks bro.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By Lampdog Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:17 pm
+1 what JUKE said.

My exactly same list if I had to do this all over again starting from nothing but knowing what I know now.

Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By MaZe Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:17 pm
JUKE 179r wrote:Yeah... I just noticed my error about connecting to a computer for the 4000.
Thanks bro.


All good! The point is, man, pick an MPC, any MPC, (except the Ren) you can't go wrong. Just pick the right one for YOU.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By Metatron72 Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:33 pm
Lampdog wrote:+1 what JUKE said.

My exactly same list if I had to do this all over again starting from nothing but knowing what I know now.


Same here, and I ended up doing the whole list minus the 3000 (somewhat regretfully, as I figure if I was going to have multiple MPC's a 60 or 3000 should maybe have been one of them).

Ended up with a couple XL's too, one with 16 lines that will be a future parts machine or maybe I give somebody a good deal on it if the replacement LCD v.2's show up at some point.

But I would agree pound for pound it's a 4k or a JJ/2500, then the JJ/1000 if size of budget is a factor. And an XL is nice median spot even with it's limitations like Clint mentioned. And the 3000 if you like vintage gear and for it's sound character.

As has been coming up more and more on this forum lately, the 4k can go all over the place, from gutter to pristine. I think it's good that the "pristine only" perception is being exposed as not really the case after so many years of that being generally accepted.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By electric dragon Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:52 pm
Any of the MPC units are going to be more fun to use than Reason feels with just a keyboard and mouse, especially if you already come from an instrument background and are used to music making with a tactile feel. You can always get a MIDI to USB converter or interface and use the MPC as a controller for Reason.

If you're not looking to spend a lot to find out if you like the MPC workflow the 1K's can be found pretty cheap these days. Once you learn how to use that you can see what features you might be missing that are worth the upgrade.

Or you might find you don't like the workflow at all. Trade it for something else, or sell it on ebay; someone out there will want it. ;)

It's probably worth your time to search YouTube a bit for how to videos on beatmaking with both the MPC and Reason to get a feel for how they have different ways to get there but can both reach the same destination.
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Re: Thinking about purchasing an MPC

By Hierophant/Fool Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:44 pm
As a test, I would recommend looking at an MPK Mini or an MPD. You can keep using Reason but achieve the same fun factor of banging out beats.

I would say you should either focus on making beats via PC or via full out MPC work flow but not both at the same time until you have your head wrapped around one of the processes fully.

Going with the MIDI controller route will save you money, and if you find the experience works better than doing anything with the computer you could splurge on the few grand for a full-out MPC. If not, then you've trained yourself with the software.
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