Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By bigdizzle Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:38 am
OK, so first off just wanted to say thanks for all the kind replies to my introduction post a couple days back, seems like a nice community here...

OK, so I I picked up my 2k classic last night and have just had a couple hours to play around with it so far but wow! those pads! and the sequenceer is just a joy to use from the off, I see why people love these things...I do have a couple of big Q's though that I'm sure you guys can help with, I have done a search on here but havnt come up with an adequate answer so sorry if these have been answered previously.

1. Is there a way to take one sample, assign it to say 4 different pads and have a different start and end point for each pad and also that when played said pads mute each other??? Having briefly looked at the MP it seems that a 'Sound' is fixed directly to a pad? I probably not explaining this well but lest say on my ASRX I take a sample of a loop, that sample is then in RAM, I can assign it to as many pads as I wish and edit eachs pads parameters (start, loop etc) independently without physically effecting the wave itself that is stored, Am I right in thinking that to do similar in the 2k you actually have to copy the wave itself therefore increasing the amount of RAM used by however many times you copy it? The seconf bit of the question is that MONO relates only to the sound on pad? so I see that my 4 copies of eg SOUND1 assigned to 4 different pads only mute themselves and not the other pads? this is kind of bugged out to me? OK, so say thats the case then the mute groups will also only knock out 1 pad so Pad A cuts B, B cuts C, C cuts D etc etc, I guess this is the way you have to do it if you want to slice up a longer loop and play it back yourself?

2. OK, so one of my more used techniques for bass is to sample a single note from vinyl, set a sustaining loop, filter it a bit then assign it accross the pads/keys of the ASRX (sorry to mention that again, just trying to explain), it will then create a programme accross all avialble octaves so Ive basicaly made my own bass patch, is this possible on the 2K? Im guessing that a workaround may be to use the 16 levels Tone function, copy the sound, pitch it down or up and do this 4 times so you have a bank of notes? is this how you guys do?

OK, so thanks for listening and sorry if it sounds like I am moaning, I am just trying to get a handle on what this box will or wont do for me, also do you recommend the EB16 board or no? im kind of lost without an HP filter/EQ, is it worth picking one up?

Thanks
User avatar

By Lampdog Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:05 am
EB16 cannot compare to ASR X Pro's standard effects.

ASR X is a more powerful machine than the 2k/2kxl, sorry to tell you that.

The interface on the MPC's are much cleaner, nicer to use though.

1. Yes, but the pad envelope is adsr type, not trim. You can assign a sample to another pad and edit the parameter of that pad non-destructively, this won't use anymore ram. It's in the manual.

1 1/2. Can't remember if there is a "Simult" function in the 2k or not. Also look into "note off" when you download the manual.

2. 16 level is not what you want, you are looking for chromatic assign, it's not automatic, you will have to search for the procedure on that, it's been mentioned in the forums many times of if someone is willing to walk you through that then cool.

I had a ASR X Pro, I sold it so I could get a 2kxl, I was pissed that the 2kxl was ALOT weaker but it's more fun to work with, I got over being pissed and I'm happy now, I do miss my red monster though.

By bigdizzle Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:17 am
Thanx for the reply, I will search those out in the manual, yeah, I have to say that as they came out around the same time I'm kind of shocked at how many more features the X has as everyone rates it so low, that said I am already loving the ease of use and workflow on the 2000, it feels like its working with you rather than against you....