Is it me, or do the newer Mpc's soud "too clean"?

I've been a 500/1000/2500 user since 2006. I have a One since 2020 I had a hard time getting used to before upgrading to the X SE.

In my experience at first the FINAL BEATS on my 2500 sounded less clean than my One. I couldn't get my One to sound the way my 2500 sounds. Again, I am talking bout final/ finished beats. Freshly recorded samples without any processing sound very much the same, the 2500 doesn't sound dirtier in that regard.

What in my experience makes a huge difference is when you start blending samples together and when using the filters. In the 2500 I use the same LP filter on almost anything, giving everything somewhat of a cohesive sound. The snare sounding too bright? Add some low pass. Too much "space" between the bass and main sample? Add some low pass. Add some master compression to glue everything together to get the 2500 sound nice. Easy as that.

With the One I tried to apply the same strategy, using the filters in program mode. Since I started to use the EQ's more and stopped using the filters in program mode I was able to get the desired results. I also feel like the X/One/Live has a more of an open sound. Things don't blend that well together automatically like the older machines do. Instruments stand out more in the mix by default. Kick drums are smothered by the bass less often, snares cut through the mix with more definition. You can add more layers/ samples and instruments without things starting to get messy. This is where imo opinion the sense of "cleanness" comes from.

Again, using the EQ's instead of the standard filters makes it lot easier to shape sounds to sit well and blend together instead of sitting on their own island in the mix. Plenty of great FX in the dynamics section to glue things together and make them sound the way you want them to sound.

Menco wrote:Since I started to use the EQ's more and stopped using the filters in program mode I was able to get the desired results. I also feel like the X/One/Live has a more of an open sound. Things don't blend that well together automatically like the older machines do. Instruments stand out more in the mix by default. Kick drums are smothered by the bass less often, snares cut through the mix with more definition.

You can add more layers/ samples and instruments without things starting to get messy. This is where imo opinion the sense of "cleanness" comes from.

That's make sense, but does everyone that says the new MPCs are clean mean what you just explained?

"MPC GANG has entered the chat...Where we go again "

I have the 1000 and I can't detect any kind of sound alteration even if my life depends on it. I think that the 1000 sound very very close to the original material that samples.
Have you checked the master fx ? They might be on, that means the EQ preset of mpc 1000 beefs up the lows -mid lows by a lot !

Regarding the new mpcs , yes they are and they suppose to be clean. Sound components have changed a lot the last 20 years and it makes sense that they are clean.

There are plenty low budget samplers out there that evidently colourise the sound . I have an emu esi32 turbo that can be bought for a handfull of peanuts and it really does roll off the highs and ups the mid lows on samples, kinda gives them a muffled sound.

I have recently went on a vinyl hunt and I had to sample tens of vinyl records on my live II. After a bit of experimentation I added on the sampling inserts an air lo-fi at 18khz, 45% mix and a mpc 60 vintage emulation and sampled everything at 45rpm +10.
It really makes a difference when you adjust the sample to its original pitch after that.

Most of these 16 bit boxed sound the same when just a/b ing the basic, sample.like Menco states it’s when you start to actually start adding up the elements you can bring out the characteristics.there is certainly some more warmth in the earlier units,master EQ and compression being pretty bold and effective.i like the new mpc s ,got a Live mk2 here right now.just that it falls between my Ableton suite and MV (now) and I feelike I got my bases covered with those 2.take those away and I could rinse that Live 2……but any warmth and character is a bit thin on the ground.its certainly loud and clear.btw-ive had 2 live 2s,1 One,2 Xs and 1 Force plus tons of the previous units…..I spend most of my time a/b ing machines

Edit-theres basically a history/timeline of the MPC s linage and slight changes of sound/character until the new models where it’s found it’s spot and staying there.it’s inevitable,most neutral clear sound which can then be effected by the user.just not imprinted by the machine itself.

TXDelta1010 wrote:Ok, so i own the 1000, played around with 2000, 2500, sp404, mv8000, and I recently got my hands on a live 2. While there is a learning curve, I've found the newer mpc's sound really really clean. Like even before running everything through to analog or exporting the track, it just sounds pristine, or is it me?

For example, the 1000, while the sound is clean, it has a certain "warm" or ump to it. Like for me, my drums hit harder, the samples connect in a minute gritter way, I cant explain it.

That was one of my concerns when I first got the mpc studio, the software was great, but the sound was very clean, I would find myself, and I am now running plugins and fx to make it more grittier, more dirty, or more warm.

I was making a track recently with the live 2, and it just sounds crisp.

Well enough rambling, I just wanted to have a discussion with other users about my thoughts. I'm constantly looking for a fx or plugin to get the mpc as close to the previous gens.

Also, random question/topic, I believe years ago I was searching to see if akai implemented a feature where I can use the mpc studio vst in cubase, and drag and drop the drum sequence into cubase as midi (I believe someone referred to me as chromatic or autochromatic). With maschine, I was able to make a beat inside the vst, and drag and control all the notes inside my daw.

Thanks in advance if anyone can confirm how to do this.

Be happy about that and chip away as much as you want the way you want to get the dirt you want. Can't add quality to an already gritty/dirty sound.

Personally think the new ones sound better / cleaner than the 1000/2500. The 1000/2500 weren't warm vintage sounding either.

B-Wise wrote:That's make sense, but does everyone that says the new MPCs are clean mean what you just explained?

Can't state what I said as a fact, so I think it depends on who you're asking. Some people will say what I said is completely BS and my ears are the worst.

Lets All Get On This Mindless Bandwagon...

Ah screw it, let me add a my two cents here.

99% talk about sound is pointless unless you know about DSP, but either way i'd suggest checking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaQLAX5vno8
Before that I had no idea sonics from 2kxl are of such lower quality than 3k and X.

With each MPC generation people were moaning about the sound (well apart from 4k). First when 2k came out, then with 2kXL, then 1000/2500, then 5000. Then Ren came out and "it's all a computer" argument appeared... though all samplers/MPCs are computers.. and now same thing with current lineup.
People also used to complain about the 60 that's why 3k came out.

Also 90% of the classic sound is due to sampling at different pitches, sample selection and outboard gear.
Also about 16 bit sounding the same the MPC 60 has 16bit converters, but it uses 12 bit storage format - check the manual.

The sound is how you use it and what you do with it. With each MPC you have people who do amazing work and people who make trash - just check youtube.

So what does too clean mean? if what you get out what you put in how can it be even cleaner?

Anyway its pretty easy to tell,just go and check a random selection of older MPCs against what’s up on the new ones.certainly a difference.which you prefer is personal.never had so much choice nowadays…..

B-Wise wrote:

dryad-66 wrote:The 1000 is known to be a bit nasty

Ok buddy. I sample something in the 1k/2500 & there no nastiness added what are you talking about. Do you mean after you sample something & add the LPF or the Bit Grunger?

Sometimes I wonder how much of that 'grit' and 'nasty' came from people who had no idea what they were doing with their gain staging when sampling too.

Of all the MPCs I've had the 4000 sounded the best to me. I definitely like the sound of my X more than the 2500 I had.

When sampling people would run the signal in hot so that they would get a bit of the distortion from the machines converters. its like using the drive on the old moogs. its a pretty unique sound in the end. Dont trust any A/B videos on mpcs unless you can see or if they state they used the 8 outs. If they didnt use the 8 outs... Its basically a useless comparison. Since I started most of my bros been preaching about it to me. Once again though... This conversation has been had so many times.. We goin in circles. Just pair up the new mpc with a AkaiS950 and you should be fine for sound.

Whatever the comparisons say, will someone actually do something different.

BeatWilson wrote:When sampling people would run the signal in hot so that they would get a bit of the distortion from the machines converters. its like using the drive on the old moogs. its a pretty unique sound in the end. Dont trust any A/B videos on mpcs unless you can see or if they state they used the 8 outs. If they didnt use the 8 outs... Its basically a useless comparison. Since I started most of my bros been preaching about it to me. Once again though... This conversation has been had so many times.. We goin in circles. Just pair up the new mpc with a AkaiS950 and you should be fine for sound.

yes.
quoting comparisons on youtube is totally pointless, only very few comparisons are made with a scientific approach and even then there's too many variables you cannot put in a yt video...
what really upsets me is when people try to deny one's own direct experience... if the O.P. now has both his 1000 and a current line mpc and can compare them now ,not based on memory, how on hell anyone feels ok to tell him "no, you are wrong it's all nonsense". this is very close to gaslighting...
anyway, you may think what you want, but direct experience is key to knowledge. the OP will make up his mind making his own real life comparisons and then will decide which unit is better in which areas.