MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

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MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By OKJoy Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:30 am
I've been on the MPC 1000 since 2006. It's great, I feel like the design of the MPC really helps me make the music I want to make.

Recently though, I couldn't figure out the chops to a sample. I recorded just my drums into audacity and was able to timestretch and chop the sample to make it work, in a way that I just couldn't figure out in the machine.

This was an intro to a house track, so I added the part I made in the MPC after and was good to go.

My question to you is, what do you do in the MPC and what do you do in the DAW?

I feel like the conventional answer is that you chop and sequence in the mpc and mix in the DAW.

Just wondering if anyone has any different workflows I hadn't thought of.

Is it just whatever the track requires?

I feel like I've been kinda stuck in a mindset of doing all the sequencing in the machine and just hit record on the DAW. Trying to think beyond my usual habits though.
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By Lampdog Wed Jul 31, 2024 6:03 pm
I don't use computer for production at all. I am all hardware.
Then again, I'm not in any music business or any of that so I don't "need" to master and/or don't
even care about getting the best mix or master possible on pc. I do whatever I can on MPC/Kronos2/Key61.
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By OKJoy Thu Aug 01, 2024 9:34 am
Lampdog wrote:I don't use computer for production at all. I am all hardware.
Then again, I'm not in any music business or any of that so I don't "need" to master and/or don't
even care about getting the best mix or master possible on pc. I do whatever I can on MPC/Kronos2/Key61.


Yep me too my man, just MPC 1000 and record into audacity up til now.

I dunno I think I gotta just experiment a bit more with DAW's and really think about what's the strength of doing this in a DAW vs in the machine. Like the situation I just described in my original post, I new it would be easier to figure out the chop on a grid.

I'm considering changing to an MPC One, or one of the MPC Studio's, to use with Ableton.

Thinking it might be a situation like when I was DJing on records for a while before I got on Serato.

Wasn't up on the gear you mentioned, looked it up online, looks like some very dope stuff!
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up close and personal

By Lampdog Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:14 pm
I am way more relaxed than some people so I don't stress myself to use a daw or anything extra, I LOVE working on my machines to make music, it just feels better. I tried daw many times and never liked it, I understand how to use Reaper perfectly, it just doesn't "feel" right to me. I know a computer is more powerful but I don't even care, I'm happy with what I do. More power doesn't equal more "happy" to me. What makes me happy is pulling up a ...

Image

to my....
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to my....

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and going at it....

However you can get "happy" out of your setup/methods will ALWAYS equal better music and beats for you.
You know, that schit where after making a beat you get up and walk around the room thinking "DAMN!"
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By OKJoy Sat Aug 03, 2024 10:45 am
I hear you Lamp, I haven't delved into production with a controller, I think it wouldn't be as satisfying as hardware.

haha yep the chair is crucial, and yeah I just made a track today that surprised me, some soul chops.

@Menco, yep my setup is MPC 1000 -> Roland 505 -> Interface > Audacity

I dunno, I think I'd like to develop an understanding of when sequencing in software would be better. I try my best to mix within the 1k, but I know there's way more control for the mix in a DAW, that's one advantage I guess.
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By Menco Mon Aug 05, 2024 9:11 am
OKJoy wrote:I dunno, I think I'd like to develop an understanding of when sequencing in software would be better. I try my best to mix within the 1k, but I know there's way more control for the mix in a DAW, that's one advantage I guess.


Imo the MPC's sequencer reigns supreme over all the other sequencers because of it's simplicity and straight forward workflow. There are a lot things DAW's can do better than the MPC, like sample editing and mixing, but:

Lampdog wrote:
The hardware feel is more important to me than a computer DAW feel.

Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By Moot Thu Aug 15, 2024 8:01 am
Personally I do most of my sample chopping on the computer using the same copy of Cool Edit Pro that I've had since I got my 1st computer in 2004. This is mainly due to my work method, as I go on 'sampling binges' where I trawl through as much music as I can find & cut n' chop away, stockpiling for beats.
This works out well for me generally, as then all I need to do is transfer a folder full of fresh chops onto the CF card, set up a programme & I'm making beats within minutes.
I do usually tend to do more editing on the MPC itself too though, as some samples can end longer than they need to be & can be trimmed.

As for mixing MPC beats in a DAW, I've tried both recording separate stems (chops / drums / bass etc) & just straight up bouncing a full mix from the MPC itself, & these days I'm more inclined to do the latter.
YMMV though depending on what kind of sound you're going for, for dirty boom bap a full mix straight off the machine can often sound better.
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By Jean-Marc Liotier Thu Aug 15, 2024 10:15 am
Moot wrote:Personally I do most of my sample chopping on the computer using the same copy of Cool Edit Pro that I've had since I got my 1st computer in 2004. This is mainly due to my work method, as I go on 'sampling binges' where I trawl through as much music as I can find & cut n' chop away, stockpiling for beats.
Same here but with Audacity, which by the way has had nice improvements in recent years - such as clipping selection on bar.

But I still like to find the exact zero crossing sample beginning on the MPC... Not sure it is actually better but it feels good !
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Re: MPC Workflow? Just record into a DAW or sequence too?

By Lampdog Thu Aug 15, 2024 11:57 pm
Moot wrote:Personally I do most of my sample chopping on the computer using the same copy of Cool Edit Pro.

Shout to Peter Quistgard!
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