Coming From World Of Software - Is MPC500 for Me

Hey, I'm new here. I usually make beats with Propellerhead Reason. I love making beats and composing music with that program but I am thinking of diving into hardware when I want to sample

I think the MPC500 is good for me, because it basically forces you to chop by ear? ( am i correct? ), it's really simple, you can take it on the go cause it's really portable and battery powered.

Most of the sample chopping I've done has been with Propellerhead's Recycle. I'm thinking of going to MPC500 for the "intuitive feel". I know NI Maschine has that hardware intuitive feel but you also have to be attached to a laptop/computer the whole time. I want to close my eyes and chop samples through feel.


Getting technical is good for some things but there is a strange nostalgic "beauty" in simplicity. Most of my best chops in Recycle has been when I didn't know what I was chopping or when the slice points were completely randomized. So visual waveform sample chopping must not be all that great


I honestly think the world ( especially young creators today ) will go towards hardware sampling once it realizes the world of intuition and creativity.

only mpc i own is the 500, only thing i make beats on. dont use any software, interfaces or anything along with it..

ive learned it like the back of my hand, and can honestly say that you should get a 1000 instead of the 500.

almost the same price. more pads, more features, amongst other things..

the chopping by ear you are talking about on the 500.....instead of seeing the sample (like on the 1000 and up), you have numbers. and basically you have to use your ear, which you would do anyway on the 1000, but along with that you have the gift of seeing the soundfile.

ive never used it on batteries, and dont plan on it lol. the time MIGHT come, but most likely not. i got the 500 years ago bc it was the cheapest. had i known the 1000s are everywhere, some being the same price, some being a little more in price, i wouldve gotten the 1k.

some people have even said that the 500 is for 'advanced' mpc users, because the OS in the 1k, 2500 etc, are not only better, but easier to navigate through.

so my opinion would be to get the 1000 with the jjos and you'll most likely be completely satisfied!

good luck brudda.

I wouldn't. I went reason > MPC 500 > Maschine.

MPC1000 would be a better option for sure if you went the hardware route.

mpc1000 forces you to look at the waveform while chopping.. so it won't be by ear unless you look away... in that sense the mpc500 is ideal for your needs... another portable sampler that forces you to chop by ear is the SP-404. you may wanna consider one of those as well...

i am kinda the opposite of larryb, i only use my 500 with batteries ive got 2 sets of rechargeable batteries for it. i have a 1000jjos2xl and i hardly ever use it, i like the beats i make on my 500 better then the ones i make on my 1000, i have the option to hot swap the memory card and edit the sample or chop on my 1000, but i would rather do it on my 500. my 1000 is no piece of junk, its fully pimped out, but i just love the feel and the workflow of my 500.. i have been a reason user since day one back in the day 1.0 also i use maschine mikro, and love that too., but ur right, there is something about not looking at a screen and just hearing shit, all ur gonna see on a 500 screen is some numbers and some letters, no pictures at all, shit most of the time i keep my back light off on my screen it also helps to save battery life... u should be able to find a 500 on craigslist or ebay for 199-300... if u decide to get one check out supreme the beat maker vol 1,2,3 the vids help u learn any mpc, also check out the mpc500 ebook written by the guy who runs this site....