Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By popa1 Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:06 am
1.) ADSR with SR set to 0
gives you a (choppier) decay more like a brick wall (think drums)

2.) Aux Envelope to control Pitch
I was going to say good old vibrato but that would be with the LFO
but assigning to the aux envelope would control the way the way the Lfo mixed with the pitch sound over time. (I'd have to try this one)

3.)Tilo velocity assigned to amplitude
Would control the loudness of the two programs which are layered giving them the same loudness

4.) Int-A/Int-B
Reason, Layering in which I learned from a thread last week, Internals give you the ablility to trigger the internal sampler as if it were connected externally giving you easy access to layering by you assining two diffrent programs in a multi the same midi channel , which is one reason but can someone else give me some other benefits on using the internal please.

5.) Lfo's
Lfo's give movement spacialization when assigned to mod other parameters
etc.... Lfo + Pitch = vibrato

6.) Offset Rather than replace
Man I'm just cracking open the Q-link stuff to be honest I've got em assigned to volume and panning in the seq and realized that damn I can do that in the mixer, all of a suddden I don't have enuff of the suckers on the 4k so now I have to decide what do I really need assigned to them so I've checking the threads anyonehave any tips on the Q- links

but I do know offset going to multiple destinations at once would be better than replace because what ever paremeter setting you have for each device when you touch the q knob what ever the current setting is will be offset by - or + a value depending on the direction turned

Replace will only give you a value of 0-127 or 0-126 damn I need to check the manual and will replace all settings upon a Q-link knob turn. (but don't quote me).

7.)Notch Filter More of an Engineering question (I think that's what your getting at)
Leave room for other instruments pull out what frequencies you don't want Filters are basically like eq's man you got to use em especially if you want the 4k to be as close as you can get to being an all in 1 system. uses em and you'll have to do less in your mix.

8.) External Sampler Editor
I wouldn't and don't but it's your prefrance

9.) Step Edit vs. Seq Edit
For those hard to play parts don't laugh but I haven't mastered step edit either It's easy in Logic I'm sure it's the same on the 4k but I always end up with all my notes in one area all bunced up not sequenced out any tips being that this how many people produce on the Mp I've seen Kats produce whaole songs like this.

10.)Layer in Keygroup vs. Drum
My Brain's fried now
You Can create more Keygroups in program than in drum and you get 4 zones per Keygroup like in drum programs.

there may be better explainations out there but there's mine
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By Blue Haze Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:43 pm
popa1 wrote:1.) ADSR with SR set to 0
gives you a (choppier) decay more like a brick wall (think drums)


Yes I agree plus AD D as R it fits the natural form of drums. Whereas ADSR is more for sustained notes like a piano. Plus it helps make a sharper attack on drum hits.


2.) Aux Envelope to control Pitch
I was going to say good old vibrato but that would be with the LFO
but assigning to the aux envelope would control the way the way the Lfo mixed with the pitch sound over time. (I'd have to try this one)


Yes that is on point too. Adding more you can shape your drum sounds into a more analog sounding drums like the drum synths of 808 or 909 setting the Aux Env with a AD aka AR envelope too setting a negative or positive depth falling from high to low.

3
.)Tilo velocity assigned to amplitude
Would control the loudness of the two programs which are layered giving them the same loudness


Actually a little different you can set the Tilt Velocity to different values layering two programs together whereas one plays louder and the other gets softer as you increase your velocity merging and morphing the sounds when set to amplitude for example. Try with cutoff and pitch too.


4.) Int-A/Int-B
Reason, Layering in which I learned from a thread last week, Internals give you the ablility to trigger the internal sampler as if it were connected externally giving you easy access to layering by you assining two diffrent programs in a multi the same midi channel , which is one reason but can someone else give me some other benefits on using the internal please.


On point here as well as going up to 36 programs if you wish.

5.) Lfo's
Lfo's give movement spacialization when assigned to mod other parameters
etc.... Lfo + Pitch = vibrato


True now everyone talks about how lfos are low not to be heard with normal human hearing just as a modulater. Set it to Sine, set the hz to a under 30hz, gradually bring in the depth and bass up your kicks per se. Add it to your cutoff set to midi sync 1/8 notes and so on.


6.) Offset Rather than replace
Man I'm just cracking open the Q-link stuff to be honest I've got em assigned to volume and panning in the seq and realized that damn I can do that in the mixer, all of a suddden I don't have enuff of the suckers on the 4k so now I have to decide what do I really need assigned to them so I've checking the threads anyonehave any tips on the Q- links

but I do know offset going to multiple destinations at once would be better than replace because what ever paremeter setting you have for each device when you touch the q knob what ever the current setting is will be offset by - or + a value depending on the direction turned

Replace will only give you a value of 0-127 or 0-126 damn I need to check the manual and will replace all settings upon a Q-link knob turn. (but don't quote me).


Right again adding to that think of ABLETON LIVE RACKS. Why not assign multiple destinations and sources to the same external controllers with an inital setting positive or negative amp, cutoff, pitch, Zone start, Lfo phase and so on and control all with one knob!!! Pure genius on spontanous fun in a live or just plain fun session.


7.)Notch Filter More of an Engineering question (I think that's what your getting at)
Leave room for other instruments pull out what frequencies you don't want Filters are basically like eq's man you got to use em especially if you want the 4k to be as close as you can get to being an all in 1 system. uses em and you'll have to do less in your mix.


Right again age old adage it is better to cut sometines than boost. Cut the offending frequency by ear.

8.) External Sampler Editor
I wouldn't and don't but it's your prefrance


True however sample straight into the Editor, loop faster, sample rate convertion, normalize, filter, eq, chop with transiset detection, reverb, effect and whathaveya then transfer to the 4k set to go. I no longer sample straight to the 4k unless needed too. Aksys worked better going one-way from computer to 4k for me and I use Peak just my preference. I can do the same with a DAW too with better high quality parameters.
Shape the sample first then import into the 4k. Same with drum loops too.

9.) Step Edit vs. Seq Edit
For those hard to play parts don't laugh but I haven't mastered step edit either It's easy in Logic I'm sure it's the same on the 4k but I always end up with all my notes in one area all bunced up not sequenced out any tips being that this how many people produce on the Mp I've seen Kats produce whaole songs like this.


Simple solution go to option in either Edit and set it to on for moving to next note and youre set. It moves by t/c 1/8 , 1/64 to 960 ticks. Now the reason I go with Step cuz I like reading the timeline 1:01:000 just spin the measure, bar, and beat plus I can press play and hear the sound of the noise faster to hear how it sounds with bass notes old school way like that Kev Brown cat. I use the seq edit alot with drums sequencing too.


10.)Layer in Keygroup vs. Drum
My Brain's fried now
You Can create more Keygroups in program than in drum and you get 4 zones per Keygroup like in drum programs.

there may be better explainations out there but there's mine


I can set up a one keyzone program and layer as many kicks, snares, and the like of these bad boys as I like like the old 3k series with different inital filters and envelopes.

:idea:

Got to eat I will be back with later questions and great responses. 8)
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By Blue Haze Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:35 pm
Why would we turn timing correct off(96)?


Why would we use the track list?


Why would we use Zone select with q-link control?


Why would we 2 Parts in the main page with Int A ch 1 and Int B ch 1? And do the same with parts of drum programs with different program numbers?

Why would I record multi changes into the sequence?


Why would I need to adjust my pads sensitivity time to time?

Why would I use shuffle region edits?

By illiac Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:10 pm
>> Why would we turn timing correct off(96)?

It's pretty badly named, but this mode emulates the timing of the MPC60 etc. that have 96ppqn.


>> Why would we use the track list?

To see a list of the tracks, haha. I use this screen when tracking out parts to a DAW, to keep track of which track is driving which channel of which sound module, etc. And it's easy to mute tracks from here.

>> Why would we use Zone select with q-link control?

This feature is really underrated a lot on the MPC. The zone select thing is a way to do vector synthesis on the MPC.

>> Why would we 2 Parts in the main page with Int A ch 1 and Int B ch 1? And do the same with parts of drum programs with different program numbers?

Cheap and easy way to experiment with sound layering. Also when you select this as the current track, then your external controller will send to both of these parts simultaneously.

>> Why would I record multi changes into the sequence?

Because there's no other place to record them, har har.

>> Why would I need to adjust my pads sensitivity time to time?

Because your wrists get tired. <Sorry, getty punchy.>

>> Why would I use shuffle region edits?

I've never used it, but it's a cool way to reorganize a looped beat.

-illiac
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By FROGTOWN Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:28 am
Haze You the man.
Best post ever.
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By Blue Haze Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:55 pm
:D

I will come up with more questions or others can add more questions and answers too.

Nice post illac and thanks Frogtown. :D :D

By Sovereign Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:40 am
I'm still trying to figure out why a thread called The Why 4k Thread would actually turn out to be a useful post. :lol: :wink:

The name definitely made it look like it was going to be about no new features, bugs and other units that are better.

Good to see people still appreciate the 4k for what it can do.
:arrow:
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By Blue Haze Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:25 pm
Sovereign wrote:I'm still trying to figure out why a thread called The Why 4k Thread would actually turn out to be a useful post. :lol: :wink:

The name definitely made it look like it was going to be about no new features, bugs and other units that are better.

Good to see people still appreciate the 4k for what it can do.
:arrow:


Great and I appreciate your response too. Could I ask a favor of you?

Could you and others continue posting up questions of the various features and parameters of the 4k for the board?

It would be a great thing if this thread to continue another spot working together with all the possiblities and beyond?

Thanks in advance to all the readers and all the future posters domo arigato. :idea:

By illiac Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:10 am
>> Why would I record multi changes into the sequence?

It occurred to me that I originally interpreted this question as pertaining to multi changes in the middle of the song, but of course the most useful multi change is in bar 1. For every song song I sequence, I set up a track on INT A ch 16 that does a program change to set the multi for that song. And I take care to number my multis sequentially (1, 2, 3, ... as I create new multis) so that there is no question which multi I'm referring to with a program change (multi select). This is especially handy if you [i]save a song and its multi / program / samples in a directory that contains nothing else; then you can simply load that directory and press play and the appropriate multi will automatically be selected.

This is probably obvious to most MPC users, but maybe useful for someone new to the machine...

-illiac
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By Blue Haze Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:20 pm
Why would we set the quantization under SEQ/STEP Edit option page to 80%?


Why would we quantize note offs instead of note ons?


Why would we make several copies of the same one or two bar loop with different trim start points and assign to different pads sequencing them with one controller?


Why would we use the graph editor for envelopes under the SEQ/STEP edit page for sources?


Why would we assign amplitude to an controller for a pad after you have edited the velocity and adjusted the amp envelope?


Why would we record controller event information on separate tracks from the notes?


Why would I control my fx parameters from qlink?

By illiac Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:39 pm
>> Why would we record controller event information on separate tracks from the notes?

This is a nice technique for live performance, when you have a part that requires both hands to play (on a keybaord, for example). You can mute the track containing notes, and play the notes live from a controller, but leave the track containing controller events on, so that the control information acts on the notes that you are playing.

-illiac
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By Blue Haze Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:17 pm
Bump:idea:

Along with the previous questions above, why would we set the moniter window in the sample edit window to multi as the sequencer plays?

By illiac Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:26 pm
>> Why would we quantize note offs instead of note ons?

Haze, how do you do this? I can't find any option(s) that leave NOTE ONs alone and move only NOTE OFFs... ?

-illiac

.
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By Blue Haze Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:34 am
I meant set your pads to note off velocity first.


Afterwards when you play the pads you use note offs and quantize them.
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By Blue Haze Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:35 am
Blue Haze wrote:Why would we set the quantization under SEQ/STEP Edit option page to 80%?


Why would we quantize note offs instead of note ons?


Why would we make several copies of the same one or two bar loop with different trim start points and assign to different pads sequencing them with one controller?


Why would we use the graph editor for envelopes under the SEQ/STEP edit page for sources?


Why would we assign amplitude to an controller for a pad after you have edited the velocity and adjusted the amp envelope?


Why would we record controller event information on separate tracks from the notes?


Why would I control my fx parameters from qlink?


Any takers :wink: