I got my Force not too long ago and I love how it gives me a place to work on all my synths, controlling them with MIDI CC/PC, and recording my performances of them. I use hardware with software synths at the same time, works great.
I also use it with my older MPCs because for me, when I make old-school hip-hop where I'm starting just by listening to dope samples, chopping, then adding drums and bass - JJOS2XL is preferable to me.
I use my synths with the MPC1000 as well, because with the upgraded OS, it actually gets close to what you can do with the modern MPC in terms of external gear.
The big thing that keeps me on the more modern Force when it comes to external synths is the availability of all the effects. MPC1000 doesn't have much. I have a couple guitar FX processors but honestly, I'm getting way more usable effects out of what comes pre-installed with the Force. Plus, I can create effects racks to save them.
This is what's plugged in right now -
Behringer Pro 800 - good analog polysynth (ripoff of the Prophet) for the money if you have time and patience to invest, and if you like to create your own subtractive synth patches. At $360 brand new, and with 8 voices, I couldn't really turn it down.
Novation Bass Station 2 - my first analog monosynth, bought when it first came out - overall excellent and the LPF is probably the best sounding one out of all the equipment I am mentioning. With the Force I'm getting much more use out of this and all my other hardware, but one thing I always did throughout the years was come to this thing when I wanted to create my own bass samples.
Liven Evoke - Wavetable synth where you combine a synthetic wave with an instrument sample wave, very cinematic and versatile. The go-to for anything ethereal, and optional battery-power means you can take it with you to work on its four track step sequencer with parameter locks. I have a couple other pieces from Sonicware and I find them to be budget renditions of Elektron but with a bit of a different philosophy. It's not terrible for the price just don't expect a screen. Definitely not for most of us I'd imagine.
Roland TR-8S - I mean, come on? It's the Rhythm Performer. For sure, when I'm making hip-hop I prefer the way it feels / sounds to create on my MPC or Force. But for true dynamic percussive performance, like a dub techno set, it is unrivaled because of the way the controls are laid out and how Roland's very-old but efficient (some love it, some hate it) save system architecture where they use KITS/PATTERNS/INST.
I could go on all day about it, but it's a great source for any of the classic Roland drum machine sounds. The effects are very similar if not the same as the SP404SX. To me, that is some of the best FX I have used. What I do recently is Lofi XT 12 plugged into the TR8S providing ambient samples then they come into my Force where I can sample what is happening, add more elements, and make a track instead of just doing a "live set" with my sampler and drum machine. Lastly, since it includes an USB audio interface, I can just plug it in via USB to my Force.
I use a 10-channel submixer as the last stage before entering the Force input. This way I can grab my other instruments and quickly plug them in if I want without having to rewire everything.
I love this forum, definitely great to see everyone having fun with their MPCs!!!!! Thank you guys
