Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
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By BeatHeadz Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:51 pm
really want to custom the mpc 4000. i am about to paint it myself. I know cats that do motorola cycle helmets so that should be no problem. the problem is the lettering. we need to colectively get together and make a stencil for the 4000 so everyone can enjoy a custom mpc for less than 300. lemme know if Im the only one thinking about this. I mean come one 450 for wooden armest that take 30 mins to make with the right tools and instructions
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By incurablebeatlust Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:25 am
somebody needs to step up and compete w/ forat. id pay to have mine done w/ custom artwork, wooden side-rails, armrest, lettering, but not at forat prices..anybody got a link to buy just the mpc metal shells?

By Paul Oakenfold Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:56 pm
Having a screen made to screen the lettering back on is CHEAAPPP. Go to any screen printing type place and they'll advise you - the tricky part is providing the artwork for the lettering you want, and making sure it's precise.

After that they'll just want a setup fee (to put the screen on the jig) and a minimal charge for doing it.

It ain't expensive at all - I've had it done with plenty of custom things before - and after you've paid for the first one it's peanuts to have any extra done at the same time, so with a bit of co-ordination you'll have the job done for next to nothing.
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By kaotikmuzikproductions Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:28 pm
I disagree. I actually had a Mpc 60 painted by Forat and its well worth the money. If you would see the attention to detail that he and his crew pay to your Mpc you would agree also. Painting is not something that you can just pick up,and do. You are not only paying for these guys to paint your machine you are paying for years of experience. Matter of fact my 4000 is going out after christmas to get painted. [/list]
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By Scheme Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:02 pm
I'd think creating a screen with the propper inks is hardly easy at all.. the shape of the 4k alone is a problem... I'm sure they use 2 seperate screens if not more... making a screen is about 25- 40 bucks ea. getting the right ink and painting the damned cover has to be done in layers so u get a good thick coat. Then it has to be polished, u cant just spray 5 coats of paint and think its gonna shine like forat makes it shine. They buff those things like cars.

Yes they are forkin expensive... but I've seen crap jobs done on mpc's of diff all kinds that look like a mess, and that would make one think 2x's about trying it themselves.

Too bad they are so expensive... I'll stick to plain old white.


i gotta admit they do a beautiful job......

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Last edited by Scheme on Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:39 am, edited 3 times in total.
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By BeatHeadz Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:36 pm
i hear what your saying but the same process used to paint cars and motorcycle helmets apply to this.
the and for the plastic all that is need is a paint inhibitor and primer and paint 2 coats. ive done an old trinity to see if it would work. i have all the materials and shyt. it cost me 150 to do the would metal work. the only problem is the lettering and the plastic. i dont like painting plastic...............
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By Freedom Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:49 pm
Go look at my tutorial video I have custom sides for my mpc...

The sides pop right off and you can get plastic spary paint....

Its a special paint that will stick to the Side....
Then i tapped up the side like I was painting a house and painted only the pars I wanted that color..

Then when It was dry I had a blue strip surrounded by to red stripes and then I printed out a weed leaf and cut it out like a stencil...

THen I spray painted that stencil On the side of my mpc and Viola I spent 5 dollars...
To this day people ask me if I used forat...
What I suggest using forat for is if you want detaill..
Forat can detail every button and change your pads color...
And he Can detail everything..
You can tooo but the process of putting things back togheter is very tedious and if your willing to break your mpc..
MIght as well give it to some one who will refund your money if they break it...
Cause your tought out of luck if you break the drum board...

well aight

By adrian Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:11 pm
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=19441

I am fully trained in paint and body work for cars. I once painted my friends car candy tangerine, it looked great. I just wish I had everything to paint here at the house.

Adrian
FWTX
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By BeatHeadz Sun Dec 19, 2004 11:30 pm
thats what im talkin about. not pimp my ride.......pimp my drum machine
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By Scheme Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:45 am
Oh I too am trained at painting, I'm an old graffiri artist and illustrator to boot, I specialize in computer graphics and the such... I've detailed cars and what not and I've dealt with screens and stuff... but creating one just for my mpc seems like waaaay to much work as far as graphics go, just too time consuming... every button and part has to be exact, waaaay too much work if you ask me.
Plus I hardly wanna take apart every single part of my mpc, at least forat with gurantees thier work.


Oh by the way .. dude who did his own screen film or whatever that is.. shit came out pretty hot, Too bad u dont have one for an mpc 4k im sure youd do some biz here as well... :)

I'd like a different font on mine* lol

Image
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By Scheme Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:30 am
These dudes are buggin out... Is it me or did they raise the price on the customization?
Wasn't it like 300 bucks at one point?
These niguz is chargin 700! They are flippen.. lol
Now that i think of it... they ain't that hot! >:o

MPC 4000 Custom Paint Jobs:

Pick a color for the top chassis and same or another color for the two sides, armrest, master volume,

record level and contrast knobs and also the Q-Link knobs and the Q-Link sliders

and also pick a color for the writing that goes back on the unit $700.

Chrome or brushed Aluminum is $100 extra.

Maple wood sides and armrest $450.

Have your personalized logo or name printed in any color starting at $100.

Multi logos or multi color logos extra!
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By BeatHeadz Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:30 pm
XACTLY TOO HIGH FOR SOME AVERAGE SHYT!
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By ikke Tue Dec 21, 2004 12:10 am
The MPC4000 looks best in original white with puple, if y'ask me... :D Alltho red, wooden sides would be coooool to go with the white and purple! 8)
But those at Forat look bad, man.. :?
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By crisb1000 Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:58 pm
i sprayed the end bits and front bit matching white and it looked wierd but funky. they are now deep met blue.
take the top off, mask out the lettering in blocks and spray the whole thing to taste. mines currently orange/yellow with black tiger stripes.

am doing the lot candy apple red next week but re doing the lettering via raised white letraset arial font 14 pt. very nice option: arrange lettering in reverse and apply - lovely finish- back of the net!

still get time to make some fumpin choons in between resprays!