Equalize sounds individually in the 2000xl

What's up friends?

Someone has given me a mixer (I really don't know how good it is). However, it has an equalizer that I feel very interesting to play with kicks. The problem is that I can't find a way to equalize sounds individually with the 2000xl, since all the sounds sound simultaneously in the master. My concern is this: is there any way to equalize sounds individually? I have been reading the manual and I only find information regarding the effects board.

I don't have the 8 expansions or effects board or MIDI cables. I have been using the RCA inputs in the mixer since the MPC outs. Do you think I should buy the expansions or MIDI to achieve it?

Thank you very much in advance!

I will leave some pictures of the mixer, in case it can help.

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:I don't have the 8 expansions or effects board or MIDI cables. I have been using the RCA inputs in the mixer since the MPC outs. Do you think I should buy the expansions or MIDI to achieve it?

Your post asks if you can eq individual sounds on the MPC 2000XL.

You knowingly said that you cannot do this because you do not have the 8 out.

I do not understand why you are asking if anyone thinks you should buy the 8 out expansion when doing so would literally achieve what you said you want to do in the first place.

richie wrote:

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:I don't have the 8 expansions or effects board or MIDI cables. I have been using the RCA inputs in the mixer since the MPC outs. Do you think I should buy the expansions or MIDI to achieve it?

Your post asks if you can eq individual sounds on the MPC 2000XL.

You knowingly said that you cannot do this because you do not have the 8 out.

I do not understand why you are asking if anyone thinks you should buy the 8 out expansion when doing so would literally achieve what you said you want to do in the first place.

I really didn't know, it was just a guess. I thought there could be another way to equalize individually, without using software or the 8 outputs.

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:I really didn't know, it was just a guess. I thought there could be another way to equalize individually, without using software or the 8 outputs.

There sort of is but not in the way that I know you are interested in doing. It would've been great if Akai had programmed in their operating system for individual eq of each sample but this was back 20 years ago, processing power for stand alone devices wasn't what it is today.

Do you sample your drums in? If so you could always run your sample source through the mixer, and EQ on the way into the MPC. Personally I sample into an sp303 so I can EQ to taste there and have ready to go drums in the mp

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:What's up friends?

Someone has given me a mixer (I really don't know how good it is). However, it has an equalizer that I feel very interesting to play with kicks. The problem is that I can't find a way to equalize sounds individually with the 2000xl, since all the sounds sound simultaneously in the master. My concern is this: is there any way to equalize sounds individually? I have been reading the manual and I only find information regarding the effects board.

I don't have the 8 expansions or effects board or MIDI cables. I have been using the RCA inputs in the mixer since the MPC outs. Do you think I should buy the expansions or MIDI to achieve it?

Thank you very much in advance!

I will leave some pictures of the mixer, in case it can help.

There are 2 ways to 'EQ' the sound with the setup you currently have.

1. Sample through the mixer and use its EQ

Thats what some producers also did back in the days (Pete Rock for example used the EQ of a similar mixer. I think it was a GLI mixer. Of course the tracks were mixed afterwards in a studio too)
For example sample a drumloop 3 times with different EQ settings so each loop emphasize different frquency ranges (Bass, mids, highs)

2. Use the Lopass Filter of the MPC. Thats good to emphasize the bass. Either turn down the Lopass far enough to only get the bass frequencies or (if you don't want just the bass but increase the bass) use the same sample on two pads and play them together but on one pad you turn down the lowpass filter. That means the original sample is played together with the filtered sample which increase the bass.

A 3rd option would be buying the FX board for the 2000. Beside FX like Delay and Reverb it will give you 2 slots of EQ (not really an EQ but rather a 4band Filter but discribing this EQ needs another thread ) so you can route different pads to either EQ1 or EQ2.

The 4th option would be the 8 out board and mixing it either on a mixer which provide EQ for eah channel or using a soundcard with at least 8 inputs to record it into the computer and mix it there.

BTW my 2000 came with the FX board and I like it (for EQ and a pinch of Reverb). It's not the most flexible way but it works.

peace

Nice tips! Going to use number 2 right now.

peterpiper wrote:There are 2 ways to 'EQ' the sound with the setup you currently have.

1. Sample through the mixer and use its EQ

Thats what some producers also did back in the days (Pete Rock for example used the EQ of a similar mixer. I think it was a GLI mixer. Of course the tracks were mixed afterwards in a studio too)
For example sample a drumloop 3 times with different EQ settings so each loop emphasize different frquency ranges (Bass, mids, highs)

2. Use the Lopass Filter of the MPC. Thats good to emphasize the bass. Either turn down the Lopass far enough to only get the bass frequencies or (if you don't want just the bass but increase the bass) use the same sample on two pads and play them together but on one pad you turn down the lowpass filter. That means the original sample is played together with the filtered sample which increase the bass.

A 3rd option would be buying the FX board for the 2000. Beside FX like Delay and Reverb it will give you 2 slots of EQ (not really an EQ but rather a 4band Filter but discribing this EQ needs another thread ) so you can route different pads to either EQ1 or EQ2.

The 4th option would be the 8 out board and mixing it either on a mixer which provide EQ for eah channel or using a soundcard with at least 8 inputs to record it into the computer and mix it there.

BTW my 2000 came with the FX board and I like it (for EQ and a pinch of Reverb). It's not the most flexible way but it works.

peace

Lampdog wrote:I use to use #2 along with single cycle wave, loop on, simult, params and create my own basslines chromatically on 2kxl. It’s a solid method!

The 4000 removed that work around for me. I didn't live on the 2000XL long enough.

peterpiper wrote:There are 2 ways to 'EQ' the sound with the setup you currently have.

1. Sample through the mixer and use its EQ

Thats what some producers also did back in the days (Pete Rock for example used the EQ of a similar mixer. I think it was a GLI mixer. Of course the tracks were mixed afterwards in a studio too)
For example sample a drumloop 3 times with different EQ settings so each loop emphasize different frquency ranges (Bass, mids, highs)

2. Use the Lopass Filter of the MPC. Thats good to emphasize the bass. Either turn down the Lopass far enough to only get the bass frequencies or (if you don't want just the bass but increase the bass) use the same sample on two pads and play them together but on one pad you turn down the lowpass filter. That means the original sample is played together with the filtered sample which increase the bass.

A 3rd option would be buying the FX board for the 2000. Beside FX like Delay and Reverb it will give you 2 slots of EQ (not really an EQ but rather a 4band Filter but discribing this EQ needs another thread ) so you can route different pads to either EQ1 or EQ2.

The 4th option would be the 8 out board and mixing it either on a mixer which provide EQ for eah channel or using a soundcard with at least 8 inputs to record it into the computer and mix it there.

BTW my 2000 came with the FX board and I like it (for EQ and a pinch of Reverb). It's not the most flexible way but it works.

peace

What I just read in your answer is really fascinating. I will try each method. It has been very helpful.

I just read a post in which they talk a little about the Pete Rock method you mention, and I feel it is the best I can get with what I have. At the moment I have tried to record the sound of the mixer output to the MPC with the rhythms already equalized, however, once sampled, I do not notice any changes. I guess I have to be connecting the wires wrongly. Do you happen to have some more technical information about the Pete Rock method? It is quite successful

This is the post I'm talking about: viewtopic.php?p=934227

Thank you again for your help!

wilzyk wrote:Do you sample your drums in? If so you could always run your sample source through the mixer, and EQ on the way into the MPC. Personally I sample into an sp303 so I can EQ to taste there and have ready to go drums in the mp

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:What's up friends?

Someone has given me a mixer (I really don't know how good it is). However, it has an equalizer that I feel very interesting to play with kicks. The problem is that I can't find a way to equalize sounds individually with the 2000xl, since all the sounds sound simultaneously in the master. My concern is this: is there any way to equalize sounds individually? I have been reading the manual and I only find information regarding the effects board.

I don't have the 8 expansions or effects board or MIDI cables. I have been using the RCA inputs in the mixer since the MPC outs. Do you think I should buy the expansions or MIDI to achieve it?

Thank you very much in advance!

I will leave some pictures of the mixer, in case it can help.

Thanks for your help, friend! I've been trying to do it that way, so far I can't understand why my MPC doesn't record the samples processed from the mixer, but simply reproduces them as if it wasn't connected to the equalizer.

Rafaelvargas17 wrote:
What I just read in your answer is really fascinating. I will try each method. It has been very helpful.

I just read a post in which they talk a little about the Pete Rock method you mention, and I feel it is the best I can get with what I have. At the moment I have tried to record the sound of the mixer output to the MPC with the rhythms already equalized, however, once sampled, I do not notice any changes. I guess I have to be connecting the wires wrongly. Do you happen to have some more technical information about the Pete Rock method? It is quite successful

This is the post I'm talking about: viewtopic.php?p=934227

Thank you again for your help!

Be more precise how your setup is connected.
If the MPC IN is connected to the main out of the mixer it should keep the EQ.
So I guess the MPC is connected to something like 'tape out' or 'rec out'. Since the purpose of the EQ on this DJ Mixer is/was to make a good sound in the party room / club (thats the situation this type of mixers were used) I think the EQ is only affect the sound on the main out while the rec out is 'clean'.

For further help it would be very helpful if you list everything you have beside the mixer and the MPC (any other equipment? what model of speaker/amp, do you have any other amps switch boxes or whatever), a photo of the back of the mixer, and how it is connected at the moment.

peace

I skimmed through the thread and it didn't look like anyone said this already, but this is what I do to "resample" or EQ a sound that I can't (or simply don't want to) sample in over again from the source. You need a tape deck for this though.

MPC line outs into mixer line ins, mixer line outs into tape deck ins
Record your kick over a few times with different EQ settings (leave some space in between, and record in a little hot to make sure there isn't gonna be a bunch of noise towards the end of the kick after you sample it again)
Rewind, sample into the MPC and chop it again
Experiment with all the different sounds.

It's always great to dust off these techniques, they do produce a different type of sound you don't see as often in today's digital workflows.