Standalone hardware to use with MPC?

Ok so I am completely new to the music production game and am looking for a piece of hardware that can go along with an MPC that doesn't need to be hooked up to a PC for doing modifications to the track. I know this is a bit vague but your help would be greatly appreciated.

I think this might do it!...




Otherwise, yeah, WTF are you talking about, some sort of external effects unit, an external keyboard or sound module/synth?

Yes an external effects unit is exactly what I mean. Sorry, I am also quite new to the lingo as well. But yea I want something to where I can modify the beats I am playing to have a more dynamic set. Sorry for sounding like a fool.

Korg Kaoss Pads seem to be popular for that sort of thing, as an effects unit with touchpad for realtime manipulation, there are a few different models though, not sure which is best to go for.

a mixer is always a good idea

...but not as immediate or drastic as a kaos pad.

also a really nice foot pedal could be cool - like a delay or multi effects

See I was thinking about a kaoss pad as well because I have seen some impressive stuff done with it, just never coupled with an MPC. Also the foot pedal is a fantastic idea so that I can keep both hands free to focus on the MPC buuut I would really just enjoy something compact to sit beside it with a plethora of fancy knobs I can program.

TC Electronic Fireworx is a rack unit at the more extreme end of the effects range, that is going at reasonable prices now days ($400-450), and there are others in a similar vein from Eventide.

You can probably hook up a foot pedal, or more, to a a lot of rack units.

Rack units generally do not probably deliver the plethoric fancy knobs, as are desired.

Maybe a Kaoss Pad, and something similar with knobs on the desktop, as well as a foot pedal effect unit.

Get something to begin with, and see how it goes, but with an MPC that has mulitple individual outputs, and a mixer, you can run a few different effects, for different sounds, or different parts of the song/set/etc.

SimonInAustralia wrote:I think this might do it!...

Otherwise, yeah, WTF are you talking about, some sort of external effects unit, an external keyboard or sound module/synth?

I'm dying here..

sciguy wrote:

SimonInAustralia wrote:I think this might do it!...

Otherwise, yeah, WTF are you talking about, some sort of external effects unit, an external keyboard or sound module/synth?

I'm dying here..

hacking the beamz hardware to use it as a midi controller could be interesting...

dazastah wrote:hacking the beamz hardware to use it as a midi controller could be interesting...

Not really... it's just 4 laser pointers and 4 photogates...

it'd even be boring to hack...

I got a Digitech Quad rack, which is all bell & whistles & parameters & sounds good & shit. But I wish I had separate units and pedals with knobs on the front instead.

The MPC is a quick & physical music making beast, having to fart about with fx in menus and sub-menus & parameter editing, starts to kill the vibe. Would much prefer a lot of dedicated boxes and wires plugged thru a mixer.

You can't beat lots of knobs. (Ooo err Vicar )

The Ensoniq DP/4 is also a nice effect unit.

Might still want to consider connecting to a computer, or laptop, for mobility. If current technology is totally out of the question, the gents above have plenty of suggestions

I'm thinking about buying a Kaoss Pad or a Synthesizer.
Now, I don't know if it's possible to easily do what I want to do with them combined with my MPC 1000 but that's why I'm asking.
I want to build the foundation for the beat on my MPC, then add some effects on some of the samples or add some Synths. Then I want to have the complete beat (with Synths/Effects) in my MPC to save it.
Probably a dumb question.
Would be great if s.o. could answer it, nonetheless.