MPC/SP1200 using & processing samples question???

When using old samplers such as an MPC 60 or SP 1200, the challenge is using sample memory/time wisely. What I don't understand is, when producers find a sample (for example let's say a sample with horns and bass) and record it into either an SP or MPC, do they record it twice? One track being (going back to the example) the mid-high frequencies (the horns) and track 2 being the low frequencies (the bass)??? To me this method does make sense but seems like it would be using more sample memory than necessary. The other method (to me seems a little more practical) would be to record 1 track of the full sample (both horns and bass sounds) and when tracking out the beat into a DAW or other workstation then the sample is turned into 2 tracks, separating the sample's low and high frequencies. I may just be over thinking how this is accomplished but I was wondering how other producers go about making a beat. In what part of the beat making process are the instruments/tracks separated? What i've heard is that it's best to make the beat as complete as possible straight out the box (raw outputs from mpc or sp1200) but I just don't understand why producers go about having 2 tracks of the same sample on the mpc. Like I said seems unnecessary and would be using a lot of sample memory. Let me know what your workflow looks like. Thanks

In other words I want to make sampled music that consists of multiple samples that switch up (the tracks/samples) and was wondering if this separation of low and high frequencies are done in the sampler or the workstation where it's mixed/mastered.

Well I don't know about the SP but in my mpc(2000) you record it once, and you can still run multiple 'instances' of that sample. put one on pad 1 that you would filter the low end off, and put the same sample on pad 2 where you would filter the high/mids off.

That way you wont use extra ram space as it reads the same initial sample.

I have an mpc 3000 myself, I'll have to try that. On my old mpc60 I remember I would record the sample and copy it multiple times onto different pads and create my chops from those copies. All i remember is that those copies would use up my memory. Ill have to see if it uses memory on my 3000. Thanks for the response!

Serattic wrote:you can still run multiple 'instances' of that sample. put one on pad 1 that you would filter the low end off, and put the same sample on pad 2 where you would filter the high/mids off.

Let's call the sample sound1. If you assign sound 1 to pads 1 & 2, won't the different filters that are put on sample sound1 be the same for both pads?

You say you have a 3000 but looks like you don't understand keygroups.

same sample, two keygroups. diff setttings

Not on the 2000... the filter is linked to pads, not to samples (assigned to those pads)

It's like the panning on your machine.. if you replace the samples on pads.. the panning is the same for the new sample.



You can do as suggested with the filter... or even you can get a small bass cut and loop it or retrigger it with 16 levels.

I received my mpc 3000 not too long ago and still a newbie at it . I'm not aware of keygroups on the 3000, I only know about programs on the 3000 (which can only be played one at a time). It seems the only way to achieve instrument/frequency separation is have 2 tracks of the same sample. One track being unfiltered (could be EQd) and track 2 being the same sample with low pass filter settings applied to the copy. Correct?

I never owned an MPC3000 but looking at the manual, i can tell it doesn't use keygroups. It works with programs instead.

Seems like the filter is linked to pads. From the manual (chapter 6):

In addition to the 64 sound assignments, each program also contains
a number of sound modifying parameters for each of the 64
sound assignments, such as envelope, tuning, filter, mixer, and
velocity response data. Each program also contains some parameters,
such as the settings of the effects generator, that collectively
affect all sounds.

Serattic wrote:That way you wont use extra ram space as it reads the same initial sample.

Also there is a function called SIMULT:

This option allows up to two additional sounds to play
automatically whenever the note number specified in the
Note field is received—useful for creating layered sounds.

If this option is selected, the fifth and sixth lines
appear as follows:

============ Select Program ============
Active program:24-PROGRAM NAME
========== Assign Note:37/A01 ==========
Sound:Tiny tom (ST) Mode:SIMULT
Also play note:38/A06-Big snare drum
Also play note:39/B16-Doomsday tom
========================================
<Play>

Basically, each pad can have it's own filter and you can play up to three pads (samples) within the same program using the SIMULT function.

well you learn something new everyday!

keygroups to me are just like pads in the new machines, each can be tuned/filtered/ etc without affecting the rest of your sounds.

sounds more or less the same.

LucRyan wrote:I received my mpc 3000 not too long ago and still a newbie at it . I'm not aware of keygroups on the 3000, I only know about programs on the 3000 (which can only be played one at a time). It seems the only way to achieve instrument/frequency separation is have 2 tracks of the same sample. One track being unfiltered (could be EQd) and track 2 being the same sample with low pass filter settings applied to the copy. Correct?

Yes thats away to get it done...

Thes One explains the separation of the same sample on the 3000 in this video. As he says he "takes the SAME sample and make like a mid range filter." I interpret that as just assign the sample already in your program to another pad and dialing in the mid range filter to your liking. In my experience with the 3000 separation gives the freedom to bring the elements of the sample in and out of the loop in and the sequences to break up the monotony of having a straight 2 bar loop for 3mins.

Having the samples separated by frequencies on different tracks in the MPC also helps when you do track the beat into your DAW.
This will allow you to have more freedom to further enhance the samples in the mixing stages.



Some options:
Copy sound to a new Pad: Yes you can make an additional copy of the sample then filter.


If I was concerned with the MPC not having enough RAM then this would most like be my course of action below:
Yes you can just assign the sample already loaded in the MPC active program to another pad in the pad banks and apply your filter.

The choice is yours to choose what works best for you..