MPC vs. Computer

This might be the wrong forum to address this question but since it seems like a lot of you use both a Computer and the MPC I hope to receive some open-minded answers.

When I started producing a few years back I initially used a rack sampler and a laptop to do the sequencing. I quite liked this set up but my computer would not run Cubase reliably and I didn't own a keyboard, which made the programming tedious. Instead of buying a new computer I figured the MPC 2000XL might be the better choice since it seemed to include everything I needed and didn't cost as much. Now, a few years later, I'm considering selling my MPC and starting to produce everything on the computer. Why, you might ask. Several reasons:

1. My main beef with the MPC is it's lack of precision. Compared to a Software sequencer and a "real" sampler the MPC is coarse and unrefined. Initially I thought: Why not get the MPC4000? But spending that much money on a sequencer that allows me the same amount of precision as the MPC 2000? Come on.
2. Ultimately I will need to mix my tracks, record vocals or do some mastering. To do this I will have to record my songs to the computer sooner or later anyway, so why not save time and do everything on the computer.
3. The music programs nowadays are so powerful - not only featuring every effect in the book but also offering instuments as plug ins.

But maybe I'm missing something. What does the MPC have that a computer does not? (If I do sell my MPC will have to get the MPD-16, can't do without the pads ).

It sounds like you've already made your mind up

MPC is more reliable, better timing, more portable, better for live situations, intuitive, has pads...

If you've managed to set up your PC and it's working well (i.e sound card, processor, drive, memory, OS all stable and at peak performance), then it's worth giving it a go - have fun with all the incompatibility issues!

MPC-Tutor wrote:If you've managed to set up your PC and it's working well (i.e sound card, processor, drive, memory, OS all stable and at peak performance), then it's worth giving it a go - have fun with all the incompatibility issues!

Okay, good point. But then again it seems like you have a working system on your computer. Why do still use the MPC?

"Why do still use the MPC?"

well i am in the same boat. i use my pc to make music as well as a DAW for some projects i am invloved in where i mainly record guitar and vocals into it. i gave the mpc a break for about the last year and was using reason to make music and beats in. a project i have been tryin to get together for a few years finally started happening recently and i relized the need for being able to quickly and easily in realtime make beats to go with stuff my friend was doing on guitar and singing so i broke the mpc back out.
what i have worked out to is the mpc is synced to nuendo on my pc using mtc 30fps and mmc to control the mpc playback. finally got it all sorted last night and it is great! my latency when using reason and nuendo via rewire and a midi controller was pretty horrible. using the mpc synced up it is perfect. i am sequencing my beats into the mpc sequencer by the way.
anyways, this setup allows me to:

1.make beats on just the mpc.
2.we can record a guitar or vocal guide track into nuendo using a click track and i can work up beats in realtime along with the same performance that gel perfectly with the guitar part
3.we can record the guide tracks to a click track and i can easily and synced up make up beats on the mpc later.
4. with any of the methods above i can revist the mpc sequence at any time and tweak it up, add fills, dump it into a computer sequencer for further editing, etc.

it is really exciting to have finally gotten that sorted out!
the other night we spent most of the time trying to figure out how to add a beat to something we had already recorded and now we can just let ideas flow.

i am falling in love with my mpc all over again.

I like the best of both worlds. I cant imagine ever using a computer sequencer, but realise the limitations of the MPC when it comes to sampling and audio manipulation - hence the PC.

use the mpc for what it is made for.....it is not for everybody.....that why ppl are always selling them......most ppl who love them trust the akai name because of the "mpc series" i wouldn't though...i love my mpc but another recording based module for akai seems mpc-ish.....and i already have the mpc....i would only buy a 4000 if i had mad $$$$$cuz i mean if i pay $1000-1600 on a 2000xl i would still save $600-1300 off the 4000 with that money you can get media like records,sound modules,digital recorders and i might could get a computer setup.....i think if you combine your mpc with the computer you will be more than str8

As for me, it's a false problem : mpc can do things that best pc will never do and vice versa. mpc is easy to use, intuitive, stable... i can spend hours and hours on it, but i could'nt spent 1 hour on the pc cliking, dragging, cutting/pasting... it's all about the way you like to work. But anyway, for things like daw or mastering, computers are very very powerfull and usefull. BUT : if you decide to use computers, well good luck, as tutor said, with all software and hardware problems. I've bought a good soundcard last week (a terratec dmx6 fire) and i've spent nights and nights trying to record without any noise. And i know things about computers (that's my job). Check users forums of any computer based music, you'll see what i mean. it's all about motherboard, ram, hard drive, pc settings, software bugs... One week later, i realised that my motherboard was not compatible with the soundcard because of VIA chipsets... I got my mpc for 6 months now and never had 1 problem.... sleep on it man !

Good luck, peace

I think everybody has made the best possible points - although a computer is superior to a mpc in many ways, the mpc is superior to a computer in its OWN ways..

Im a younger guy, and i've only been making beat based music for 3-4 years or so. My first introduction to it was receiving a free copy of acid 2.0 with a cd burner, and now I am here.

I think that rather than ditch the mpc for a 'superior' computer sequencer, use them both in their own way!! For example, im still a big acid fan, im on version 4.0 now. Even though it is great, I have never actually 'made' a beat with acid, just used good loops to create good songs. My point is this, what would be the problem with making great beats (via the pads) with the mpc, working the loops over in the mpc, then exporting them to the computer for sequencing via reason, acid, cubase, etc? I know the mpd16 seems cool, but I just couldnt imagine using it with reason or any other software. I love reason as well, but the mpc has got soul that computers just can't touch.

I dunno, maybe its just an opinion thing. I wouldnt ditch your mpc though, i'd think it through a bit more!!

I second that DJ:A. Its just a different way of working and the best is to use a PC AND a MPC. The MPC is nice for making beats but when it comes to adding vocals or a more complex lead you will have to use a PC anyway. If you dont want to learn a complex software like Cubase you shoulkd give Acid a try. Dont listen to the people who will tell you its a loop software so its nothing serious. thats all ****. Acid is a lot more. you can record tracks, sync them with your recorded MPC tracks. you can add softsynths to your bets. that gives you endless possibilities. and the best? It doenst have a steep learning curve like Cubase as it lacks the midi possibilities of Cubase. But for me , it has enough midi editing capabiliy anyway.

I started off with an S2000 and a PC. I prefer the "piano roll" sequencing over pattern sequencing.........but I switched to the MPC because the MIDI timing on two different computers (mac and pc) was not stable, and it was audible.

Working with a mouse all day will give you Carpel Tunnel Syndrome! That's reason enough to switch to the MPC.

itchyvinyl wrote:I started off with an S2000 and a PC. I prefer the "piano roll" sequencing over pattern sequencing.........but I switched to the MPC because the MIDI timing on two different computers (mac and pc) was not stable, and it was audible.

Working with a mouse all day will give you Carpel Tunnel Syndrome! That's reason enough to switch to the MPC.

banging on the MPC can do the same....I heard Swizz Beatz got that CTS

Prah_860_ wrote:

itchyvinyl wrote:banging on the MPC can do the same....I heard Swizz Beatz got that CTS

He probably got that from trying to stick his finger up his butt...
Thats just an opinion tho....lol.

Anyway....to the original dude.... Keep the MPC its good to be able to switch back and forth.... Looking at a computer screen gets boring for me after a while. Same wih the LCD. If you still wanna sell....I have a friend who wants to buy one real cheap. It seems you dont want it anymore anyway.....why not give it to him!!!!

brainwashcloth wrote:"Why do still use the MPC?"

i gave the mpc a break for about the last year and was using reason to make music and beats in...............

4. with any of the methods above i can revist the mpc sequence at any time and tweak it up, add fills, dump it into a computer sequencer for further editing, etc.

Have you tried transfering midi sequences you've made in reason over to the MPC at all? I'm thinking about getting an MPC...but I write all of the electronic stuff for my band in reason so I'd like to just sample the sounds I make in reason onto the MPC and then export the midi file from reason and load it into the MPC...is that possible?

IMO hardware will always beat out software cause it was specifically made for audio and can't do anything else except what it was made for. Most software is made to be loaded on multiple different platforms and configurations, hence, hardware is much more focused I think. But I do like to use both and I try to use the best options for each and combine them to get me where I wanna go.

I have a 2000xl and right now I only see 2 options

1. Keep it and make beats outside of the computer + control soft sequencer and Battery (powerful drummachine with sample drag n drop)

2. Sell it and buy a MPD-16 to control sequencer + Battery

From a MIDI control point of view what can the 2000xl do that the mpd16 can´t? I was thinkin of the 16levels. Will the pc record all the 16levels parameters such as decay, attack? If it doens´t, I´m gonna sell it since Battery has those kind of facilities...

Dedicated hardware will always kick the shit outta computers...