96 PPQ vs 960 PPQ within workstation/sampler sequencers

Hi,

I have a pretty sparse simple modern set up. Motu Digital Performer, Kurzweil PC3 Workstation, Kontakt. I am looking to add a hardware sequencer with additional sampler and/or workstation capabilities for when I want to work away from the computer completely until tracking for mixing. I've had a maschine studio and sold it, great workflow can't stand the sequencer. I'm interested in the Ren but it's probably not a good time to buy it due to the speculation of a new product

I have an old MPC 3000 which I love but barely use now and I am interested in the ensoniq ts/asr workstations. The only thing about these older machines is that I am worried about the 96 ppq and I am wondering if anyone notices a clear difference between the higher and lower resolutions.

When I listen to certain producers e.g. J dilla mainly his work from 95 to 2000 on the MPC 3000, Timbaland on the ASR 10, Pete Rock and Madlib on the SP1200, The Neptunes on the Korg 01/w. With these five producers especially in this period, I am kind of startled by how loose their feel is when it comes to timing it sounds so free. With other producers of that time I can kind of hear the limitations of the equipment, even though the music is still great. So basically is PPQ something that most ears can distinguish, I'm only 23 so I'm guessing producers were just using what they had available back then, but the sequencers of that time seem much more intuitive to me. What do you guys think, an unneccessary step back? Or is it more about skill?

TheCelestial91 wrote:So basically is PPQ something that most ears can distinguish

Not unless you have an MPC 4000 where you can quantize to 96ppqn in realtime, so you can quickly bounce between 960 and 96 and back again. It's very subtle, but across your entire track (with quantize off for everything) there's definitely a difference. It's not something to be too concerned about though. I'm sure the SP is 24ppqn but that thing grooves like nothing else.

Coz wrote:

TheCelestial91 wrote:So basically is PPQ something that most ears can distinguish

Not unless you have an MPC 4000 where you can quantize to 96ppqn in realtime, so you can quickly bounce between 960 and 96 and back again. It's very subtle, but across your entire track (with quantize off for everything) there's definitely a difference. It's not something to be too concerned about though. I'm sure the SP is 24ppqn but that thing grooves like nothing else.

Ok that makes sense. If for example I sequence each the bass drum, snare and hi hat with different quantize values in an MPC 3000, will the dominant impression be the effects of the type of quantize used? So in theory your perceiving more the quantize values than the natural resolution of the sequencer. Or is this very subjective and too nuanced to be worrying about lol

TheCelestial91 wrote:Or is this very subjective and too nuanced to be worrying about lol

Yes! Seriously, don't worry about it.

If you have a few milliseconds of dead space or air at the start of your sample, you can make certain sounds strike slightly late which can also help. Your best bet is to not quantize your playing unless you really need to, then copy and paste the bars that work best. Nobody wants to hear an out of time mess, so keep that in mind.