Ugh. My breaks are choppy!

Hello All. I'm a proud new owner of a MPC3000 and I've been trying to transfer the breaks I've made in my computer using recycle to the MPC. Getting the sounds in is no problem, but I'm having trouble with the midi data. It seems that the MPC has a *much* lower resolution that I'm used to. Using the midi file recycle creates I can get perfect recreations in Nuendo, but on the MPC they are choppy as hell. I'm 90% sure that the file is not getting quantized, and I'd be really suprised if this was just a fact of life with the MPC as the result is *really* bad. Am I missing something here?

Umm, you could try resequencing on the 3000. Can't be that hard.

Yes, I could do that. I don't see why the same midi file should sound so much different on the MPC than it does on the computer tho. Re-sequencing won't be *that* easy anyway, I don't use any quantizing while I'm making breaks so it will be a tedious process lining up each drum hit to fit the original groove of the break.

Sounds like fun 2 me . I would def try re-sequncing... it'll be a good way 4 u 2 learn the sequencer and u can compare MPC funk vs. software stiffness. U may even make patterns that u like more than the original. Enjoy-

check what your quantize is at using the time correct button. make sure its at 1/16, 50%, cause sometimes if your using a werid quantize like 1/16, 56%, then it will sound off. make sure its set up before you import files.

will the quantize setting of the MPC affect imported midi files?

That doesn't sound right at all.

it doesnt, but if it is imported theres a chance that if its done wrong that maybe it could have something to do with the internal quantize. I could be way off, just trying to give some ideas.

You could try programming the drums yourself, and not use a computer software application, like RECYCLE, to help you cheat your way into creating a drum track. hahahah - I'm just joking.

yeah all that money on such a nice machine.... id use it to program sh it out....
if you do all that hsit with a computer why have an mpc... especially such a pricey one.

I use Recycle sometimes, but sometimes, its just easier to do it manually.

Another way to do it, make loops of your audio files (4 bars, etc.) and then import them into the 3000 that way. You'll have to manually trigger them on the MPC pads, but it would be easier, I think. I've had to use the tap tempo to get em right on time, but...

Ah, heck...just load in the sounds and do it manually. It will be lots more fun. Slowly, but surely, I've been moving away from the Mac. Its just a pain sometimes. This program can't read this. That program can't read that. I've got 3 different file converters on my Mac. Thats just annoying!

Sometimes, guys like Drumatic have it right. I see in his picture that he has a couple of Akai samplers and tons of vinyl. Lately, that really seems to appeal to me. Just becuase of all the stuff you are experiencing.

Good luck...sorry I had to vent!

it is a waste of time...

chop on the mpc! it will sound so much better... recycle often messes up the attack of samples, they just don't sound tight like when you edit by ear in a sampler, trigerring on your keyboard or pads, instead of a mouse.
try it, and once you'll get fast doing this you'll like it!

yeah, amen to that.

Allrighty.
Chopping on the MPC and such is exactly what I plan on. I bought this for the express purpose of moving off the computer as much as possible, with the 3000 providing enough RAM and the SimulSequence feature (does the 60 have this too?) it was the only MPC I was interested in. However, there is still a great deal of tedium involved in my usual process of breakin' if I'm going to do this manually. Perhaps I should explain more clearly. If anyone here is familiar with Luke Vibert's "Plug" incarnation those are the kind of breaks I work with. Far more than a 1-2 or 4 bar loop really. On the computer I can achieve this by recycling the break completely and then using the midi file as a master template for taking phrases from, ala old school breakin. This works extremely well for me, and I would like to replicate this technique on the MPC, or at least try a bit longer before giving up. The problem really seems to be that an imported midi file does seem to go through a quantize step once it's loaded in. Even looking at it in step edit many of the times are the same from measure to measure, suspicious if you ask me. If someone would like, try this. Take a break, lets say "Apache" as I'm sure we all have that one. Recycle it and get the midi file. Then, load the sounds and midi into your MPC... What does it sound like, if your results are like mine it'll be clear.. Choppy! With a max resolution of 384ppq I doubt thats the problem. Given most computers work with 480 or higher, but 384 is still a very fine detail.. I'll keep working at it, but it does seem that there is a setting somewhere that quantizes an incoming midi file before making it into a .seq

You're really going against the grain on this one man. If you chopped in the MPC you probably would have a finished track by now. Do you have reason? If so why not just use the break in there it will make it easy.

He's got a point tho, the MPC should load midi files right.

I'm gonna try this on my 60, I've been meaning to test the recycle midi.