adding a classic sampler rack in the mix with an mpc 1k?

Kerberos wrote:I got a mpc1000 with JJOS3 and I know what you mean by digital sounding.
Setup that works for me is S3000XL connected to mpc1000 via spdif, meaning I use the pre-amps and converters of S3000XL and do my beats in mpc1000.
The signal path goes:
Audio in:
S3000 analog in-> spdif out-> mpc1000 spdif in
Audio out:
mpc1000 spdif out-> S3000 spdif in-> analog out

This basically gives me the mpc3000 sound for my mpc1000

I'm thinking of doing something similar but I'm having trouble finding information on using it like this. I'm guessing there's a way to set the 3000XL for "input thru" like on the MPC1000, routing the digital in to the analog outputs?

At the record mode, when digital input is selected as source, the audio can monitored from analog output

oh yeah word makes sense. you ever considered making a A/B comparison type of recording? like recording the same beat through the MPC1000 analog outs vs through the s3000XL. I'd be curious to hear if there's a significant difference, cuz I'm considering picking up a S3000XL to use at least partly as an effect like that.

Actually I did when I bought my mpc1000 last fall, I uploaded them to some filesharing site, but I don't think they're downloadable anymore. I recorded a drumbreak from Cubase to mpc, then back to Cubase. Same thing with mpc+s3000xl. I can honestly say that the difference was VERY notable. I try to find some time next week to do a new comparison for you.

OK cool thanks. I'd always heard people say that the MPC1000 sounds "sterile" and other terms but i've never really had a point of comparison. in any case I think a standalone sampler would be cool for more than just sound processing, the mpc is decent for that (mapping samples and stuff) but not ideal.

Here's the A/B comparison I promised for you, sorry for the huge delay!!!!
http://www.sendspace.com/filegroup/lpYD ... MQMdU1WOMg
Mpc1000.wav = Cubase out -> mpc record in -> save sample -> mpc stereo out -> Cubase in
S3000XL.wav = Cubase out -> S3000XL analog in -> spdif out -> mpc spdif in -> save sample -> mpc spdif out -> S3000XL spdif in -> analog out -> Cubase in

As a bonus, I found my older A/B from my usb-drive:
http://www.sendspace.com/filegroup/iBw2 ... idDCvgGhkw

cool thx i actually bought a s3000xl anyway in the meantime haha. showed up for cheap on craigslist so i went for it.

I've been noticing though that there's a slight delay/latency when i use the digital in as described. it's not enough to make it difficult to sequence notes from the pads, but i've noticed it when i am triggering more than one thing at the same time (e.g. playing a snare sample from the MPC and triggering a snare sound from an external drum machine at the same time). there's a slight offset. have you you noticed that?

what i MAY do, but might be kinda complicated, is set it up so whenever i have such a situation the mpc/s3000xl sound is panned mostly one way and the external drum machine is panned the other direction, so the offset becomes like a stereo effect as opposed to a distracting micro-stutter.

still figuring things out though so we'll see.

hmm I didn't hear that big of a difference

I recently picked up an S3200XL, which is very similar to the S3000XL

From what I've read and heard so far, the XLs don't really have any particular sound of their own, as opposed to some of the older S series models.

zmb wrote:cool thx i actually bought a s3000xl anyway in the meantime haha. showed up for cheap on craigslist so i went for it.

I've been noticing though that there's a slight delay/latency when i use the digital in as described. it's not enough to make it difficult to sequence notes from the pads, but i've noticed it when i am triggering more than one thing at the same time (e.g. playing a snare sample from the MPC and triggering a snare sound from an external drum machine at the same time). there's a slight offset. have you you noticed that?

what i MAY do, but might be kinda complicated, is set it up so whenever i have such a situation the mpc/s3000xl sound is panned mostly one way and the external drum machine is panned the other direction, so the offset becomes like a stereo effect as opposed to a distracting micro-stutter.

still figuring things out though so we'll see.

Could it be about the trimming of your sample in s3000? Compared to mpc, sometimes it can be quite challenging to trim the start of the sample just right.
By the way, is your s3000XL made in Japan or China? They use different converters, Japan version has the same as mpc3000.

atasco wrote:hmm I didn't hear that big of a difference

I recently picked up an S3200XL, which is very similar to the S3000XL

From what I've read and heard so far, the XLs don't really have any particular sound of their own, as opposed to some of the older S series models.

The difference isn't mindblowingly huge, but it gives small sonic coloration to the sound.
While banging a beat, I've noticed it smooths the highs and oomphs the lows a bit

I still do not believe there is any actual truth to the China and Japanese 3000XL's sounding different.

I have the Japan S3000XL and the thing sounds the same as the MPC 2000XL.

Kerberos wrote:Could it be about the trimming of your sample in s3000? Compared to mpc, sometimes it can be quite challenging to trim the start of the sample just right.
By the way, is your s3000XL made in Japan or China? They use different converters, Japan version has the same as mpc3000.

I don't think so cuz I was playing samples from the MPC, just routed through the S3000XL. I'll test it by playing samples straight from the MPC without routing through and see if it's just the particular samples I used, but I haven't noticed this issue in the past so I dunno. ANyway doesn't make a huge diff.

Mine is the Japan version.

atasco wrote:hmm I didn't hear that big of a difference

I recently picked up an S3200XL, which is very similar to the S3000XL

From what I've read and heard so far, the XLs don't really have any particular sound of their own, as opposed to some of the older S series models.

The difference isn't mindblowingly huge, but it gives small sonic coloration to the sound.
While banging a beat, I've noticed it smooths the highs and oomphs the lows a bit

Yeah I've noticed the same, samples like handclaps and snares and high hats and stuff sound a little darker and basses are a little rougher somehow. It's not a drastic change and in busy samples you can't hear a strong difference. Maybe I'll make a A/B comparison myself with some one-off samples cuz it's easier to hear the subtle differences like that.

I have a 3KXL but its too clunky in regard to sampling & stuff, I can hardly see the screen & trimming up samples takes all day - but i LOVE the sound.....

I assumed the 'sound' of the 3kXL came from when the sample was in it if you know what i mean, not just the converters - but the way it interprets the sound in sample form in addition to the converters - maybe i'm wrong.....

I agree that the 1K is bright etc, but for workflow, speed, portability and fun I really like it (JJOS2XL). I do wonder about how well it reproduces the low end esp when compared to my 3kXL - but again I will trade that & find a workaround in favour of workflow speed.