Filtering and Layering Problems

Wassup everybody?

I recently got the 2500 (literally last Monday) so I am new to this stuff.

Been having problems with filtering. I've been loading the same loop onto different pads and filtered each using low pass, etc. At times, I just keep the original sample with no filter and add the low pass filtered one on top to give it a deeper sound. But, when I play it, it sounds like the filter is coming in and out each time the loop hits. Don't know what's happening. When I do filter it down, gain is lost obviously so I increase that but the same effect happens AND it gets all distorted. All in all, it sounds like garbage because my technique is garbage I am sure. What I am aiming for is a deep filtered groove that can play with or without anything else played on top (ie. drum breaks or other samples) and not sound like manure. I want that classic hip hop sound.

If anyone can help me out, I would really appreciate it.

you're having phase issues. since the two sounds are essentially the same, they're getting played at the same time and clashing.

certain pieces of equipment have a way of getting around that by inverting one of the sounds, which means if you're looking at the wav form, it would be upside down when compared to the original. that would actually be a nice addition to the trim section.. an invert in the edit menu.. or maybe add it to the param menu in the program section if possible so you wouldn't even have to make another copy of the sample.

you may be able to get around this by shifting the bassline a tick later.

Thanks for the advice Mike. So, I will have to import it into something like Soundforge or Cubase to invert it and then bring it back into the MPC....or is there another way of doing it? I am not sure what exactly is all out there...

yes, you can open it in a wav editor like soundforge and invert it, then bring it back to the mpc. just remember that out of the two pads you're playing at the same time, one has to be normal, and the other has to be inverted. if you used the inverted sample on both pads, you'll just run into the same problem.

the other way is just to use timing correct on the mpc and move all of the events of the one pad either earlier or later by a tick, that way the two sounds aren't playing at exactly the same time.