Getting Started with MPC Studio

Hi,
for the last few months i have had many different controllers before finally settling on MPC Studio and MPC Software. But I have a major issue, i just don't know where to start. i mean, i have out all set up, connected, and configured, its time to make some beats..... BUT i just can't. Ill load a kit up and then just draw a blank, and not able to do anything. I mean i record a 4 bar drum track then I'm like uhhhh, now what.
What are you guys using for your melodies and rhythms? I know about sampling, but having a hard time perfecting it.,
I'm sure everyone on here was in my position at one time, so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks again for all help

Don't worry about perfecting anything, your first 30+ beats are gonna suck, point blank. Just do the best you can and make as many beats as you can. Making a good beat has little to do with technical skill and everything to do with a good ear--and that's developed with practice.

If you're really stuck, MPCTutor has some great tutorials for sale. Definitely the quickest way to get up n running

Thanks for the reply. What are the best type of samples I should be looking for for melodies. ?

That's up to you, my friend. What kind of music do you like to listen to? Have you ever been listening to a song and thought, "that could make a cool beat"?

Many hip hop producers grew up listening to motown n jazz, so that's what they sampled. Me, I grew up listening to classical so that's where I get much of my stuff from. No rules though.

Again, this is where experience comes into play....with practice you'll be able to better identify songs that are well suited for sampling

JuSTBLeSSeD wrote:Thanks for the reply. What are the best type of samples I should be looking for for melodies. ?

Instrument programs give you the most options as you can use them to write your own melodies like you would with a keyboard - in the MPC Software you have pad perform mode to help you play within the notes of a selected scale.

Otherwise you'll have to chop up melodic samples and create your own, either by rearranging chops or taking a single note and use 16 levels to pad it chromatically across the pads.

Some resources from my site:

MPC Studio Tutorial Book (Sampling Laid Bare) - the later chapters in the book will teach you, step-by-step, all the various ways to create melodies in the MPC Software

MPC Multisamples - ready made instrument programs for the MPC Studio

MPC Loops - lots of melodic loops packs on this page.

I don't mean it in a disrespectful way but I know for myself I overlook the amazing tools we all have at our disposal. Not to be a jerk I promise but I googled "How to make a rap beat" just now for example and without scrolling down I see an article featuring Johhny Juice + more. I would definitely take time out to learn & go back over fundamentals. It's a MUST for me. Do you know much music theory? Can you identify song parts? Like intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, outro is kinda my go-to if I get stuck. Seems like a lot, but you gotta do your first song PART before you do your first song. Baby steps. Maybe work on "verse" parts first, that's the main groove of the song. That's what I did, then I learned how to make the music more exiting for choruses, how to do build-ups in intros etc. Hope this helps and have fun! It's always good to add to the arsenal so don't look at learning as a chore. It does take some dedication but it is very rewarding, this music thing.

Thank you all for all the replies. Yes, i understand music theory, and no offense taken, i can be a total nudie who doesn't know about verse, chorus, etc. but luckily i do.
I am creating hip hop beats. When i was longer, (I'm 37 now), i was heavily into rapping. I had a professional demo made and even played a few shows. but i was a little white boy with no flow and pretty much sucked. I wish there was a way for me to get some of my songs up here for you guys to hear,
TUTOR- whats pad perform.? I'm familiar with 16 levels, but can't see how anyone could actually use that while not knowing the chord notes they are playing. Im going to check out everyones advice here.
I made a beat in the beat maker 2 app, how can i get that up here?

JuSTBLeSSeD wrote:TUTOR- whats pad perform.? I'm familiar with 16 levels, but can't see how anyone could actually use that while not knowing the chord notes they are playing.

That's exactly what Pad Perform sorts out for you, you set a key and a scale and all the pads only play back notes that fit within that scale, so you can't hit a duff note.

so is it as easy as only pressing the 16 level button, or is there some other configuration i need to set up?
Thanks

JuSTBLeSSeD wrote:so is it as easy as only pressing the 16 level button, or is there some other configuration i need to set up?
Thanks

It's as easy as opening up the MPC manual and going to page 340 where it explains everything about Pad Perform mode

thats mad funny