Standalone 1000 fun.

Djablo wrote:this is a great thread!!

why? because its full of creativity, inspiration and positivity!

many times i feel people complaining more than being productive in this forum and why the heck did you buy the MPC in the first place? its nothing wrong in bringin up issues about bugs etc etc (thats very good), but if you would spend the same time and energy on making music instead of complaining maybe you would be surprised how much you would accomplish.

peace and keep up the positivity!!

and folks that complain can go and buy roland instead he he he....... no one forced you to buy the mpc no one is forcing you to continue using it if you find it so useless....

//make beats dont talk about making them

I totally agree with ya bro.
This weekend I'll be using my mpc to create beats.
if all works out I hit ya all back monday with some hot stuff (I HOPE )

puck wrote:

mate is the sid station cool? I always looked at them and liked the idea of the old C64 sounds. They don't make em anymore do they?

Elektron still makes the SidStation, but the remaining NOS (New Old Stock) of MOS 6581 (SID) chips are running dry, since the developer stopped making them many years ago. Here and there, Elektron happen to secure some of the remaining stock and build a handful of SidStations at any given time. In my opinion, the SidStation is the best SID synth that money can buy. I've seen modified Commodore 64s, HardSID PCI cards, and have tried the QuardaSID VSTi... but nothing compares to the SidStation! Elektron spent many years working on the SID before it went into production in 1999. Everything about this synth is top quality. Some might say I sound like a salesman after reading this, but that's not the case. I've spent alot of time researching the SidStation and all the alternatives before reaching this conclusion. The SidStation is a classic in the making and extremely high in demand. It'll be in even more demand once production stops permanently, as well as the increase of value (and resale value). It's expensive to buy brand new, but entirely worth it, in my opinion. I have the satisfaction in knowing that I'm the original owner and that I'm also covered under warranty. Buying used SidStations can be a risk, since I've read that people like to open up the unit and take a peek at the chip. You never know if someone damged their SidStations by doing so (spilled liquids, drueling, and other things that can short out the circuitry), so I wasnt about to take a chance on a used model, knowing that, plus the fact that they still sell for a high price second-hand. Keep your eye on the website and order while you can. If there's none available at the time, just sign up on the waiting list and they will notify you when they have more available.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidorder.php

btw... the MonoMachine does a poor emulation of the SID, so it's best to go for the real deal and buy the SidStation.

sleepersriddle wrote:my fav combo is to focus on the MPC with just one other synth.

eg. my dsi evolver. That's a sick combo, cause i can use the mpc to do the drums, then trigger melodies off the evo, sample them in and f** with them more and add more layers. i leave it on input thru and anytime i find a cool tweak or sound blip on the synth, the sample button is RIGHT THERE.

basically the mpc plus any synth can turn it into a super-synth.

Indeed, the MPC1k + synth is king ! I use my MPC for sequencing itself and my Virus A. The stereo output of the MPC is connected to the input of the Virus, which is then mixed with the signals coming from the Virus itself into the stereo output of the Virus. So I don't need an external mixer. This is my setup when I'm not in my little studio and it gives me more than enough creative power.

distortedtekno wrote:

puck wrote:

mate is the sid station cool? I always looked at them and liked the idea of the old C64 sounds. They don't make em anymore do they?

Elektron still makes the SidStation, but the remaining NOS (New Old Stock) of MOS 6581 (SID) chips are running dry, since the developer stopped making them many years ago. Here and there, Elektron happen to secure some of the remaining stock and build a handful of SidStations at any given time. In my opinion, the SidStation is the best SID synth that money can buy. I've seen modified Commodore 64s, HardSID PCI cards, and have tried the QuardaSID VSTi... but nothing compares to the SidStation! Elektron spent many years working on the SID before it went into production in 1999. Everything about this synth is top quality. Some might say I sound like a salesman after reading this, but that's not the case. I've spent alot of time researching the SidStation and all the alternatives before reaching this conclusion. The SidStation is a classic in the making and extremely high in demand. It'll be in even more demand once production stops permanently, as well as the increase of value (and resale value). It's expensive to buy brand new, but entirely worth it, in my opinion. I have the satisfaction in knowing that I'm the original owner and that I'm also covered under warranty. Buying used SidStations can be a risk, since I've read that people like to open up the unit and take a peek at the chip. You never know if someone damged their SidStations by doing so (spilled liquids, drueling, and other things that can short out the circuitry), so I wasnt about to take a chance on a used model, knowing that, plus the fact that they still sell for a high price second-hand. Keep your eye on the website and order while you can. If there's none available at the time, just sign up on the waiting list and they will notify you when they have more available.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidorder.php

btw... the MonoMachine does a poor emulation of the SID, so it's best to go for the real deal and buy the SidStation.

are the controller knobs on the front of the sidstation endless rotary encoders or just normal pots? cheers mate.

edit ok, just looked at their website, and the big data wheel is called a rotary encoder, so, i'm guessing that the others aren't!

They're normal pots, but very sturdy. It would be cool to have rotary pots like the Evolver, but I cant complain.

I wish the pots on the Evolver were like the Poly Evolver Keyboard. Those pots don't have that clicking action like the desktop mono does. They spin freely 360 degrees. But either way, they're still quality.

ok, thanks for the info!

^^ no problem! are you thinking about buying one?
these sounds should tempt you... http://www.sidstation.com/sidsound.php

Glad this threads took off and getting peeps to talk about all manner of tune making with the MPC and added gear. Nice to see people putting the effort into the 1000 and I think it would be a good idea if we all made 1 or 2 tracks just on the 1000 and put em up to see how people get on with the unit as a stand alone. Could allow for an FX rack, compressor to be added to the unit but all sounds just made with the MPC? or just have the 1000 on it's own with no added FX racks etc. Set a date sort of thing and we all chuck up the 1 or 2 tracks we've made? any one up for that for a bit of fun to see how we all cope with the 1000 as a stand alone? Like it's been mentioned it would be good for new people to hear what you can do with the 1000. And that means the whole thing not just beats you know.

distortedtekno thanks for the info on the sid station. I never knew Elektron had used original C64 chip I just thought they cloned them or something you know. Great info there. They did a black version called the Ninja or something didn't they? Will keep my Eye out for one now. Do you mate or anyone else for that matter own or have had experience with soundarts Chameleon? The Synth come FX unit type multi-functional rack thingy. I have always wanted to have a go on one.

Sound Art - Chameleon

Puck, that sounds like a good idea to post tracks to demonstrate the power of the 1000 right here in this thread. I havent had much spare time lately to write tracks, but I'll get working on some new music as soon as I can. Hopefully this weekend, as I'm expecting some snow here in New York and feel like being a hermit.

As far as the SidStation goes, the MOS 6581 chips have never been used. Elektron tests all the chips they can secure before building their SidStations, and they won't use chips that have been used before out of old Commodore 64 computers that have been laying around. That's another thing I love about the SidStation... very high standards. Elektron don't cut corners, especially with the SidStations.

The Ninja was a limited edition that came and went before I even knew about it. It's just a black custom housing with blue and clear LEDs and the Ninja preset sounds.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidninja.php
Those presets and others can be downloaded and dumped into the SidStation to further demonstrate what this synth is capable of.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidsupport.php
There were also earlier SidStations with red housings which are extremely rare as well.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidstories.php?s=0

That Sound Art Chameleon seems like it would be worth looking into, after reading up on that page. I never heard of it before until you just pointed it out. I like the flexibility it offers, as well as the MIDI engine from the Atari ST. Very Impressive. Thanks for sharing that. I really like alot of the unique hardware that usually falls into the niche market, so I'll have to read more on their website.

Puck, that sounds like a good idea to post tracks to demonstrate the power of the 1000 right here in this thread. I havent had much spare time lately to write tracks, but I'll get working on some new music as soon as I can. Hopefully this weekend, as I'm expecting some snow here in New York and feel like being a hermit.

You the bear Baron of the Bronx Dutch? great stuff mate and like I said we could set a date so people have plenty of time to do a track or two because life gets in the way of a lot of things so peeps will need time. Look forward to hearing what you do mate.

As far as the SidStation goes, the MOS 6581 chips have never been used. Elektron tests all the chips they can secure before building their SidStations, and they won't use chips that have been used before out of old Commodore 64 computers that have been laying around. That's another thing I love about the SidStation... very high standards. Elektron don't cut corners, especially with the SidStations.

The Ninja was a limited edition that came and went before I even knew about it. It's just a black custom housing with blue and clear LEDs and the Ninja preset sounds.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidninja.php
Those presets and others can be downloaded and dumped into the SidStation to further demonstrate what this synth is capable of.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidsupport.php
There were also earlier SidStations with red housings which are extremely rare as well.
http://www.sidstation.com/sidstories.php?s=0

I see now why they will run out as you said they get the brand new chips. So it's a case of grab one if you see one. I like the demo sounds and the tracks people have made with them. A VST version wouldn't have teeth like hardware would it so I can see where your coming from when you mentioned about loving the real thing. I remember seeing the Red one many moons ago when I checked out Elecktron's site. Would you say the Sid station was worth the price?

That Sound Art Chameleon seems like it would be worth looking into, after reading up on that page. I never heard of it before until you just pointed it out. I like the flexibility it offers, as well as the MIDI engine from the Atari ST. Very Impressive. Thanks for sharing that. I really like a lot of the unique hardware that usually falls into the niche market, so I'll have to read more on their website.

Yeah bud there is a load of odd synths about. The Chameleon does sound well interesting and I found out about it by mistake. It's like the Varios in that I think they are both misunderstood by people in what they actually do/are. But that Chameleon is well worth a look at if you can have a go on one and I would love to know what you find if you ever got the chance.

I got that Mark vails Vintage synth book and that helped me look out for odd and interesting synths. Have you ever read it or own it?

Has tons of mad and odd synths in it with pics too.


I've always wanted a real Fairlite CMI series III. I have a sample CD of all the disk sounds for series 2 but you know it ain't the same. The bass wavs are good in the MPC1000 though lol.

The mega buck monster of the 80's

Fairlite CMI History Link

I dont live in The Bronx, but I've been around. The SidStation is definitely worth the price, in my opinion. If you seriously like the SID sound, then you'll have no regrets. I remember a few years back, I overlooked the SidStation and it was around half the price back then. I wish I would've bought it back then when it was cheaper, but still I feel I got my money's worth, given the rarity on top of everything else. I never read that vintage synth book, but I'll have to check it out some time. I've read about those Fairlights before. Those were some serious machines back then.

distortedtekno wrote:^^ no problem! are you thinking about buying one?
these sounds should tempt you... http://www.sidstation.com/sidsound.php

yeah definately, i'll have to wait a bit tho, haven't got the money at the mo, but providing there's some availabe when i do, i'll nab one, i love the sound. cheers.

Yeah, I rock the mpc1000 standalone, but I chop my samples in recycle (if that still counts.)

It's financial reasons, why I dont have my mpc hooked up to additional hardware/software.

All my tracks are mixed "in the box" on the mp and all my tracks are the result of recording the main out.

www.soundclick.com/thomasinglish

I am proud of what I've done with the MPC1000 standalone, but I defintely look forward to gettin my weight up and getting some sound module's to go alongside it.

I dont live in The Bronx, but I've been around. The SidStation is definitely worth the price, in my opinion. If you seriously like the SID sound, then you'll have no regrets. I remember a few years back, I overlooked the SidStation and it was around half the price back then. I wish I would've bought it back then when it was cheaper, but still I feel I got my money's worth, given the rarity on top of everything else. I never read that vintage synth book, but I'll have to check it out some time. I've read about those Fairlights before. Those were some serious machines back then.

lol was just messing mate. I was meant to be staying the Bronx there but it all fell through. A mates brother lives there and a few of us were going over for a visit but a lot dropped out cos they were broke at the time. I like the old Gangster stuff you know the 20's and 30's. Was looking forward to it but there you go.

Yeah mate when I first saw the sid station there were half the price. When I looked back I was WHAT! lol. But you explained why they are getting rare now. If I saw one for a good price I would pic it up. There was some tutorial around the next a couple of year back on how to make your own Sid station using an old C64 chip. Sadly I can't remember the site. Your right about the price and really if you use and use it then its worth the money like anything.

Check out the book mate it's great reading.

Yeah the fairlights lol. They were in the hundreds of thousands price range. One bloke apparently took a second mortgage out at the time to get one lol. All that for an 8bit machine. Seems mad now don't it.

Yeah, I rock the mpc1000 standalone, but I chop my samples in recycle (if that still counts.)

It's financial reasons, why I dont have my mpc hooked up to additional hardware/software.

All my tracks are mixed "in the box" on the mp and all my tracks are the result of recording the main out.

www.soundclick.com/thomasinglish

I am proud of what I've done with the MPC1000 standalone, but I defintely look forward to gettin my weight up and getting some sound module's to go alongside it.

Bud that's cool and you have done some wicked work on the MPC as a standalone. I checked your sound clips. They would defiantly inspire new people looking at the 1k and also I think would make current owners think more about what they have?

I chop a lot up in Recycle too and I would say that's fine for the standalone fun thing we talked about. Is that cool with everyone else? The MPC and PC thing or is that not so standalone now? up to the other peeps to say.

I'm new to the production side and am looking to get the MPC1000. Can I just use it with my PC or do I need other equipment?

-D in Milwaukee[/img]