MPC2000--> Modifications, midi format, RnB production.

Hi all,
I am a producer in Chicago, I have been using mostly software up to this point for my production (composition,arr,etc). (Reason, AbletonLive, Protols, Cubase). I have heard the positive fb regarding the MPC line for a few years an now and now I am going to purchase a MPC2000 studio for $400 bucks.. I couldn't pass on that..Bad thing is it doesn't have the effects card in it...
My questions are:

1) has anyone used the MPC2000 for RnB? (what limitations did you run into? )
2) How key was the use of the effects in creating your tracks

3) What is the midi set up like? --> (can you have multiple midi notes (cords) on the same midi track or do you have to set multiple tracks aside for your cord progressions?)

4) was it easier to just record(create a wave file for ) the cords for your progressions then bring them in as samples or can you upload midi files for each track seperately (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!)

5.) is the SCSI hard drive really that important of a piece?

6.) Was the "sound" you got on your production vastly differnt from what you here from a PC based production system?

I look foward to hearing from you guys, espescially the pros.

One last thing: I just hate the SCSI, have any of you modified your unit to use a USB interface ? and how? so I can follow your lead...

Thanks again!!!!

dullah75 wrote:Hi all,
I am a producer in Chicago, I have been using mostly software up to this point for my production (composition,arr,etc). (Reason, AbletonLive, Protols, Cubase). I have heard the positive fb regarding the MPC line for a few years an now and now I am going to purchase a MPC2000 studio for $400 bucks.. I couldn't pass on that..Bad thing is it doesn't have the effects card in it...
My questions are:

1) has anyone used the MPC2000 for RnB? (what limitations did you run into? )
2) How key was the use of the effects in creating your tracks

3) What is the midi set up like? --> (can you have multiple midi notes (cords) on the same midi track or do you have to set multiple tracks aside for your cord progressions?)

4) was it easier to just record(create a wave file for ) the cords for your progressions then bring them in as samples or can you upload midi files for each track seperately (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!)

5.) is the SCSI hard drive really that important of a piece?

6.) Was the "sound" you got on your production vastly differnt from what you here from a PC based production system?

I look foward to hearing from you guys, espescially the pros.

One last thing: I just hate the SCSI, have any of you modified your unit to use a USB interface ? and how? so I can follow your lead...

Thanks again!!!!

1) Don't use my MPC for RnB personally but it is used extensively in that genre.

2) The EB16 fx is not essential to the MPC's useage IMHO. It's a nice addition but I would probably go for outboard fx for a final Mix as the EB16 sounds a bit dated.

3) The Midi implementation is pretty comprehensive on the MPC. You can record chords on one track if you are using it to trigger external synths. Although, the internal sampler doesn't respond in the same way and if you want to record polyphonic passages you will have to layer up the sounds on different tracks and different pads.

4) you can import Midi files into the MPC. It allows you to append your current song or replace the the current /sequence song. It also allows Midi export. Be careful of which format you use though. Midi file format 0 contains all Midi info on one track, format 1 contains Midi info seperated into tracks and fformat 2 saves Midi collections.
You have to make sure that you don't get an overlap on your MPC from your MIDI sequence.

5) SCSI drives are pretty essential as you don't want to spend the rest of your life swapping floppy disks. The best option for an MPC 2000 is probably an external scsi Card reader.

6) The sound of the MPC is quite different to PC stuff. The MPC seems to have more weight and probably a bit more grit than most PC based apps like Reason. The sound seems to be a bit more "there" than it's PC cousins. Couple this with excellent ergonomics and superior than MIDI timing and you will get an idea of the sound.

Btw, you should skim through the manual to get an idea of the features. Links are available all over the site.

On that post kraster stated that:
"6) The sound of the MPC is quite different to PC stuff. The MPC seems to have more weight and probably a bit more grit than most PC based apps like Reason. The sound seems to be a bit more "there" than it's PC cousins. Couple this with excellent ergonomics and superior than MIDI timing and you will get an idea of the sound. "

Is this ("there" and "Grit") true only for sampled sounds(from the stores) or would this be true also of the sounds/samples that i, create using instruments in reason..

I was thinking of creating my own library of sounds for my productions and Im hoping it will yeild the sound Kraster was talking about.. Possible? or no? or must I do something else to them to make them sound the way Kraster was speaking of..??

Thanks for your time!!!!

dullah75 wrote:On that post kraster stated that:
"6) The sound of the MPC is quite different to PC stuff. The MPC seems to have more weight and probably a bit more grit than most PC based apps like Reason. The sound seems to be a bit more "there" than it's PC cousins. Couple this with excellent ergonomics and superior than MIDI timing and you will get an idea of the sound. "

Is this ("there" and "Grit") true only for sampled sounds(from the stores) or would this be true also of the sounds/samples that i, create using instruments in reason..

I was thinking of creating my own library of sounds for my productions and Im hoping it will yeild the sound Kraster was talking about.. Possible? or no? or must I do something else to them to make them sound the way Kraster was speaking of..??

Thanks for your time!!!!

Well firstly, the effect of the MPC 2000 circuitry on any sample is not that obvious at first. It's not like the grungy 12-bit thing the MPC 60 does. You mightn't even notice it at first. But after a while you start noticing a slight crunchiness to the sound.

I think (it's only a theory!) that the internal analogue circuitry on the MPC's output can be driven into slight distortion. This clips the start of the wave form and gives the hits more attack. And that's a useful thing in beats. I always find reason redrum a little soft sounding in comparison and the beats kinda disappear when they're in the song.

I suppose that's what I mean by being more "there". They seem much easier to place in a song. More musical.

But in the end the best part of the MPC is the feel of the Machine. You don't "construct" beats you play them. It's easier to think of it as an instrument in it's own right that can be integrated with other gear when you want it to. It really does fundamentally change the way you make beats/music. I can't even look at redrum anymore.

so do you make your own sounds (or sample the instruments) with reason and import them to the MPC as wave?
Hows the sound in that regard?