Akai MPD16. Anyone have any tips? I'm havin' trouble...

Hey guys, great forum, it will def. be a good tool to use in the future.... for now, I just got an Akai MPD16 (looked simple and seemed affordable to start with to make sure i like doing the beat thing) and an Alesis MidiVerb 4 for my bday and was hoping to do some sweet beats like on the Linkin Park/Jay-Z DVD.. heh. but anyways, I have everything connected correctly but cannot get the MPD16 to make a noise at all out of the amp. I tested the MidiVerb4 by plugging a guitar in and the effects do work through the amp. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get this sumbitch MPD16 to work at all, me and my friends have spent probaby 4 hours but to no avail. Thanks in advance!
Garrett

Ok, I'll try to safe you before the guys here jump you

The MPD16 is just a MIDI controller. That means, it has no onboard sounds. It is just used to trigger sounds from samplers, sound modules, software or similar.

So unless you have something else along with that and your MidiVerb (which is only an effects unit as far as I know...so no own sounds either), no beats for you!

ok... thanks for the safety! So do you recommend a computer program to program the beats into the mpd16 and if so, which one is decent? If not, what do I need to get it to just do a 'thud' sound, because at this point i would be satisfied with that.

ricecube wrote:ok... thanks for the safety! So do you recommend a computer program to program the beats into the mpd16 and if so, which one is decent? If not, what do I need to get it to just do a 'thud' sound, because at this point i would be satisfied with that.

fruity loops might be a good place to start its only like 100 bucks. Reason is another option but thats a little more. Also depends if your gonna be sampling. Because if you are fruity loops would be a little better. Also you gotta watch your back when you ask questions like that its okay though because you didn't know and thats understandable. But cats will rip people apart who ask newbie questions.

ricecube wrote:So do you recommend a computer program to program the beats into the mpd16 and if so, which one is decent?

First of, use the web to read up on basic MIDI knowledge. Learn the difference between controllers and sequencers, between audio and MIDI. It is crucial to have some knowledge and basic understanding of the signal flows before you start to mess with MIDI.
You´ll not program any beats into the MPD 16, you´ll smack that to generate note/"hit" information in MIDI format for your sequencer/DAW/program to record and send along to a sound generator (software/plugin or outboard synth/sampler module). Your sound generator will play along according to the MIDI signals it recevies and generate audio that you´ll be able to hear via your soundcard or outputs on the module.

Some says it´s weak to actually learn about what you´re doing and advice you to not read manuals or learn more complex signal flows. It´s up to you, but sitting with something you´ve got no idea how to use and don´t make any efforts to learn what is up is just a waste of time and money. Good luck with your exploration of this, do it proper and it´ll be a rewarding investment.

ryssen wrote:but sitting with something you´ve got no idea how to use and don´t make any efforts to learn what is up is just a waste of time and money. Good luck with your exploration of this, do it proper and it´ll be a rewarding investment.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Who was that in a post a few days ago that said "there is no 'make a beat' button"? lol.

thanks for the input guys. my intent was to come to this 'getting started' forum to get the knowledge and info on MIDI and MIDI controllers etc. i will keep trying to figure that **** out... and i usually don't believe in user manuals but i did read this one over and over.

so in this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtBvdCJhkgc

does anyone know what exactly does linkin park use for equipment?

Looks like some MIDI controller as well, hooked up to something.

Try reading up a little here:
http://www.borg.com/~jglatt/tutr/miditutr.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/midi/midi.asp

ricecube wrote:so in this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtBvdCJhkgc

does anyone know what exactly does linkin park use for equipment?

I cant help but laugh at the fact that you saw that video, figured out it was an akai mpd16 in the video and ran out and bought one without havin a clue about what it is or does.....

so how'd you come up with the reverb unit? wait, dont tell me, you went to guitar center and asked the saleman how linkin park got that sound and he said "sounds like reverb" and you said "Ill take one!".....

Wow....haha!

Rice, tweakheadz.com has ALOT of info.