{MPC Pad 187 for Mac}

MPC Pad 187 is a full program editor for the Akai MPC 1000.
The application allows for easy editing and creation of MPC 1000
program files.

I just DL this... I plain on using it... Has anyone ever used it?

Yes! It's very nice and easy to work with! Perfect for us mac users!
Check it out!
http://ieee.usask.ca/members/snorum/

T-fonk

i use it too, no problems.

Frankly wrote:i use it too, no problems.

DITTO!!!!!!!! works very well.

Lookin forward to using it...
Thanx for the feedback...

Use it all the time! Love it!!!

B

Hey fellow MPC'ers,

Unfortunately I am a newbie on MPC (though I read the manual and quick manual) but I can not see the advantage (yet)


From the manual of Stephen Norum himself (creator of 187)


Quote:

Save or Export?
If you add or rename a sample in the program you should "Export..." the program.
• Choose "Save" or "Save As" from the File menu to save the program (PGM) file only
• Choose "Export..." from the File menu to create a new folder and export the program (PGM) file and all associated samples to the folder


What does he mean that we should 'export ..." the program?

The thing I thought that MPC 187 could do, is directly assign waves/ samples to pads on the mpc through USB/ firewire cable.

Right now, the only thing we can do is save the pgm file to OR 'any place on the MAC' or to the MPC 1000. But that's the same hassle as before (with the Mode Load on MPC, then connect through USB, add some samples/ waves into the MPC 1000 DISK (external Hard drive that the MAC shows for the MPC connection), after that first disconnect the cable (that is soooo stupid, why couldn't Apple/ Akai make something that works while still plugged) then go to loading part, then to Mode Program to assign the sounds to pads.

I am pretty sure I miss out on something, because I know it can be done much much easier. Can someone get the dirt outta my eyes and help me out?



Another thing: I assume you have both the MPC and MAC still on your gear setup, so I have a (probably very simple) question:

Every time we try to drag waves/ samples etc to the "Removable MPC 1000 Disk) it states that it is full. We emptied it completely a few times, but when I check the 'get info' of it, it states that is maxed to 32 mb.

So:

1: How can I empty the things in it, although I can not see it? (there must be a invisible trash thingy in it I assume?

2. How can I save all the samples/ waves that I transported to my 32 mb akai flash card, to the hard disk of my mpc (it has 128 mb onboard almost empty, but I can't figure out (even with manual)how to save the samples to that part, so that my removable flash card stays empty.


Ok, sorry for the long post!! I'm just one step away from the great usage of mpc!

I hope you understand my English, as you might have noticed, it's not my language

Regards,

DWINC

The usb connection is just hooked directly to the internal card reader, no more functionality than that, and nothing that the mpcpad187 developers can do about it. Some people are upset at this seeming lack of functionality at first, but look at it this way: adding the usb port was just an inexpensive way for Akai to make sure everyone would be able to read and write cards with their computer.

Yes you have to unplug the cable. The internal card can't be mounted to the mpc and the mac at the same time... that's just the way these things work. The best way to deal with this is to ditch the usb cable, get a card reader for your mac (they are cheap), and swap the card between the mac and the mpc for transfering files. Remember to eject the card on your mac before you remove it from the reader. This is the best removable media solution the mpcs have ever had.

mpcpad187 is a great utility, but IMO is too much trouble unless you need to create a large complex program. For most needs (just assigning some samples to pads) it's more efficeint to just dump your samples on the card and throw programs together on the mpc as you go. This will greatly minimize your card swapping.

Erasing the card: Try formating it (on the MPC, not the mac)

MPC 1000 128MB hard drive? Now I know you didn't read the manual. There is no hard drive. The 128MB is volatile RAM... erased when you turn the mpc off as clearly stated in the book. You have to reload the sounds from the card when you turn it back on. If you want to automatically load all the sounds each time you turn it on, there is a way to do that as explained in the manual. Get a bigger card, it's where your sample library lives (with a backup copy on your mac of course).

It sounds like this doesn't work the way you assumed. Don't worry, once you accept how it really works it's pretty slick.

Hey GrantB,

Thanks for replying.
About the Hard Disc...you are right. But I did not know how to translate it correctly. I am Dutch, and we just learn English, France, German, Spanish at school. I really DID read the manual...


So, to make it short:

1. It would be handy for my to buy a bigger compact flash card, and an external card reader for my MAC. So in that way, I won't need the USB/ Firewire cable at all, and I can just swap beats from my MAC ---> MPC with the (bigger) card?


I am pretty sure Stephen Norum did a good job (and he knows that I am thankful for it) but I think I still have to get used to it.

Only one question left for this MPC dummy: the extra 128 mb RAM (internal) was optional at the store. Since it is no data capacity (but RAM), what does it do? Is is the same as with MAC ram or PC Ram (so that it makes the loading quicker?)

Thanks for all help GrantB

When using a mac the disk will remain full until youve EMPTIED the macs trash...maybe that will help

Hey AcidSid,

Yeah, I found that out just a few days ago hahaha. But...this time that ain't it.....

I will keep trying different things. Thanks anyway for the tip!

DWINC wrote: the extra 128 mb RAM (internal) was optional at the store. Since it is no data capacity (but RAM), what does it do? Is is the same as with MAC ram or PC Ram (so that it makes the loading quicker?)

I think we misunderstood each other about this part. The RAM is where your samples are kept when they are being used. So yes, it has data capacity, but it is only temporary. If you want to use more samples and longer samples in the same song, you might need to get the RAM expansion. The sounds stored in RAM are erased when the mpc is shut off, so they must be saved on the card and reloaded when you want to use them again. The RAM expansion will not make things faster.

acidsid wrote:When using a mac the disk will remain full until youve EMPTIED the macs trash...maybe that will help

It took me a minute to figure that out when I first got my mac and was using it with digital cameras. Still happens with both camera cards and mpc cards, but not often. The card format always fixes it (and reminds me that it's time for a full backup).

I think if you erase, forget to empty trash, unmount, empty trash, remount, then the pointers to the not-really-deleted data are gone?

Will give that a try 2nite when I'm in my studio.

But GrantB, did my message made sense? (so just buy a bigger flash card and forget the usb/firewire cable?)

Will give that a try 2nite when I'm in my studio.

But GrantB, did my message made sense? (so just buy a bigger flash card and forget the usb/firewire cable?)