By dunkeyman
Fri Jul 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Hello! I apologize in advance if I come off like an imbecile with some of my questions. As tech-savvy and computer-savvy as I am, I am a total newbie with audio stuff.
I've wanted an MPC2000xl for a long time, but never got one because I could not justify spending the money. I've wanted it for years, because I found myself being obsessed with finding stuff that would be great hip hop samples, only to never do anything with those samples. I tried a bunch of different PC programs but I found I absolutely hated making beats on a computer (which is ironic because I do professional video editing in my spare time). Just something about making them on a computer that I don't like; I can't pinpoint what it is.
Anyway, recently I saw someone on a local Facebook group selling an MPC2000xl for $500. It's in mint condition, has 32 MB of RAM, an SD card reader, and the FX board so I had to stop being a cheap-ass with myself and I bought it for that price.
I am still watching youtube tutorials (there aren't that many great videos out there, sadly) and trying to get the hang of this thing. I have already gotten very good at chopping up samples and making them loop perfectly, but that's about it.
Anyway, I need some advice on what I need (if anything) for my setup. I am trying to keep computers completely out of the equation if possible. Now I understand that my final beat is going to be sent to a computer, and I may have to use a PC to load WAV files onto the MPC, but I am trying to use a computer as little as possible. The reason for this is that I want to do a lot of my beat-making with just my headphones and the MPC. I get better motivated if I am messing with making beats in the backyard, in the den, etc instead of stuck in front of a computer sitting at a desk. As mentioned, I also hate beat-making on computer; I feel like my timing sucks compared to using hardware, and it also doesn't hold my interest like the MPC does.
Anyway that being said, what type of equipment do I need to get started? Keeping in mind I want to keep computer use to an absolute minimum, and money is a factor.
If I find a sample but I want to adjust the audio frequencies or whatever to remove/minimize a drum or bassline or something in the sample, can that be done on the MPC? If not, what do I need to do that (besides a PC to mess with EQ/frequencies/etc)? For example, in 1992, how did DJ Muggs take all the other stuff out of the Jump Around horn sample? It's from a song called "Shoot Your Shot" and there's a bunch of other instruments going on that Muggs had to remove from the sample to get just the horn. How did he do that in the days before computers were used? Can the MPC do that?
I bought this mixer on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/120S-USB-12-Ch ... 4006032368
I am sure it's not great because of how cheap it is, but this is what I need, correct? The purpose of it is that I would connect 8 line outs on the MPC into it and that way I can make drums louder than the high hats, etc? If that's all it's for, can't I just do that on the MPC itself?
Do I need anything else like one of those piano keyboard things? I'm guessing no and that it's for talking to PC software but I had to ask
My main goal is to make 90s style hip hop beats, so I don't mind not having anything cutting edge. Plus, money is an issue so I am trying to do this while spending as little money as possible. I honestly would have just kept dreaming of owning an MPC2000xl if I never saw that Facebook marketplace post. I am a super-dedicated dad (to a fault sometimes) and I hate spending money on myself instead of saving it for my children's future, as ridiculous as that sounds. But now that I own the MPC2000xl, I am really interested in understanding what I absolutely need and what I don't, so I really appreciate any help anyone can provide.
Again I apologize this is so long and I am asking such basic questions. I am quite good with PCs and linear video editing but beat-making is completely new to me and I don't like software solutions. Thanks so much for even reading this far, and to anyone who can answer some of my (dumb) questions.
I've wanted an MPC2000xl for a long time, but never got one because I could not justify spending the money. I've wanted it for years, because I found myself being obsessed with finding stuff that would be great hip hop samples, only to never do anything with those samples. I tried a bunch of different PC programs but I found I absolutely hated making beats on a computer (which is ironic because I do professional video editing in my spare time). Just something about making them on a computer that I don't like; I can't pinpoint what it is.
Anyway, recently I saw someone on a local Facebook group selling an MPC2000xl for $500. It's in mint condition, has 32 MB of RAM, an SD card reader, and the FX board so I had to stop being a cheap-ass with myself and I bought it for that price.
I am still watching youtube tutorials (there aren't that many great videos out there, sadly) and trying to get the hang of this thing. I have already gotten very good at chopping up samples and making them loop perfectly, but that's about it.
Anyway, I need some advice on what I need (if anything) for my setup. I am trying to keep computers completely out of the equation if possible. Now I understand that my final beat is going to be sent to a computer, and I may have to use a PC to load WAV files onto the MPC, but I am trying to use a computer as little as possible. The reason for this is that I want to do a lot of my beat-making with just my headphones and the MPC. I get better motivated if I am messing with making beats in the backyard, in the den, etc instead of stuck in front of a computer sitting at a desk. As mentioned, I also hate beat-making on computer; I feel like my timing sucks compared to using hardware, and it also doesn't hold my interest like the MPC does.
Anyway that being said, what type of equipment do I need to get started? Keeping in mind I want to keep computer use to an absolute minimum, and money is a factor.
If I find a sample but I want to adjust the audio frequencies or whatever to remove/minimize a drum or bassline or something in the sample, can that be done on the MPC? If not, what do I need to do that (besides a PC to mess with EQ/frequencies/etc)? For example, in 1992, how did DJ Muggs take all the other stuff out of the Jump Around horn sample? It's from a song called "Shoot Your Shot" and there's a bunch of other instruments going on that Muggs had to remove from the sample to get just the horn. How did he do that in the days before computers were used? Can the MPC do that?
I bought this mixer on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/120S-USB-12-Ch ... 4006032368
I am sure it's not great because of how cheap it is, but this is what I need, correct? The purpose of it is that I would connect 8 line outs on the MPC into it and that way I can make drums louder than the high hats, etc? If that's all it's for, can't I just do that on the MPC itself?
Do I need anything else like one of those piano keyboard things? I'm guessing no and that it's for talking to PC software but I had to ask
My main goal is to make 90s style hip hop beats, so I don't mind not having anything cutting edge. Plus, money is an issue so I am trying to do this while spending as little money as possible. I honestly would have just kept dreaming of owning an MPC2000xl if I never saw that Facebook marketplace post. I am a super-dedicated dad (to a fault sometimes) and I hate spending money on myself instead of saving it for my children's future, as ridiculous as that sounds. But now that I own the MPC2000xl, I am really interested in understanding what I absolutely need and what I don't, so I really appreciate any help anyone can provide.
Again I apologize this is so long and I am asking such basic questions. I am quite good with PCs and linear video editing but beat-making is completely new to me and I don't like software solutions. Thanks so much for even reading this far, and to anyone who can answer some of my (dumb) questions.