Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000

By drumtrack Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:48 pm
your questions are becoming pretty retarded :lol: ADSR?? cmon now... and why would you tune a sample? hmmm.. :roll:
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By Blue Haze Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:31 am
drumtrack wrote:your questions are becoming pretty retarded :lol: ADSR?? cmon now... and why would you tune a sample? hmmm.. :roll:


Just ignore them and move on it`s for those who are wanting to learn. Maybe you can answer IF YOU KNOW?

Drumtrack go on back to doing whatever it you were blaming the OS about.


Anyone else want to try the questions to answer?

bump :wink:
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By McSmooth Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:31 pm
Why would we use the zone page for layering drums?
-This is the easiest way to layer multiple sounds on one pad. This can eaily be done for layering them together, having them play at different velocities, or a combination of both (with fading).

Inside the zone parameters why would we adjust the filter cutoff in zone parameters rather than in edit 1 page?
-This allows you to adjust the filter for just one of the samples assigned to the pad instead of all of them. Perhaps you have two kicks with a lot of bass that sound muddy together so you use a hi-pass on one of them to remove the low so they mesh better together.

Why would we adjust the start point when layering samples?
-More control over layering. You may have two drum hits with their main attack at different locations and you want them to hit at the same time. Or maybe you want a sound with different samples for attack and decay.

Why would we adjust the tune setting of different layers?
-The pitches of two samples often don't mach when layering, so this allows you to easily tune the pitches together (like you would with guitar strings).

Why would we adjust the different levels in zones?
-Different samples often don't match in terms of amplitude. With single samples, you could adjust the master level, or adjust in the mixer, but this allows you to get the layers to work well together. 2 samples together are louder than one, so usually you want to turn them down a bit more than normal.

Why would we set the X-fade curve to Exponential?
-This can often give a more natural fade between sounds compared to the other options.

Inside the Edit 1 Page parameters why we adjust these parameters as the sequence is running with the monitor window set for mult?
-So you can hear the changes as you make them. Just makes auditioning the changes much easier than having to wail on the keyboard while you are editing.

Why would we adjust the attack?
-Great for if you want to take the initial punch out of a sound.

Why would we adjust the decay?
-Shorten the length of the attack phase.

Why would we adjust the sustain?
-Drop the level of the sound after the attack. Might help emphasize the initial attack more.

Why would we adjust the release?
-Make the sound fade out earlier.

Why would we set the filter envelope up the same way as the amp envelope or is it necessary?
-This is similar to an "envelope follower" on a filter (difference is that the actual sample may have its own amplitude envelope that is different from the amp envelope in the MPC). It allows the filter to react at the same shape as the amp envelope specified, and it is necesary to set it that way to get that effect. This is usually neat when you have the resonance cranked up.

Why would the zone page be so much greater than the edit 1 page?
-Specifically anytime you are using more than one sample and want to fine tune them together. With single samples, stick to Edit 1.

Why would I need to use two keygroups for layering drums and not the zone page?
-Zones only allow 4 samples. With multis you can overlap a buttload of them to get some thick layers or set up many different samples for many different pad velocities. Probably the best application is to set up the ultimate dynamic snare that has 10+ seperate samples at different velocities and it doesn't sound like a drum machine anymore.
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By Blue Haze Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:43 pm
Thanks McSmooth great post and I`m sure that the veteran torch would be in great hands with you.

I`m sure alot of newbies and a few vets will find your posts interesting and informative.

Why would we spent alot of time in the sample edit pages especially join, resample and merge functions?

:idea:
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By alpha80 Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:39 am
Thanks to everyone.

Added 4 new techniques from this thread! :D

By k1 Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:20 pm
after just reading this thread, I just realized that my 2.5K can't do diddely-squat compared to the 4K...
Damn, now I have to change again...hehe
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By Blue Haze Sun Feb 18, 2007 3:27 am
Bump 2007 8)
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By hyena Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:41 am
[Blue Haze]Why would we set the Aux Envelope to control Pitch?

already answered but i can add that with this you are able to create those pitch down\up effects common to many basslines especially in the drum'n'bass style,like the bass note comes in and it pitches down after xxx milliseconds...
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By Blue Haze Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:24 pm
Why would we spent alot of time in the sample edit pages especially join, resample and merge functions?
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By Blue Haze Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:11 am
Bump and for the above question with merge and join and resample we can edit and create our own custom sample just like on a Audio Editor like Peak, Audicity, or Sound Forge.
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By Blue Haze Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:18 pm
:idea:
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By coles_brandon Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:09 pm
Why yall still dont have a new OS?

By ntalec Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:22 pm
coles_brandon wrote:Why yall still dont have a new OS?

Because the old one still does more than any other MPC. 8)
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By SMC Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:51 pm
OMG It's almost 2009!

Ok,

1) It's a flagship starship enterprise millenium falcon and brings in as many clients as my Control 24 and Neumann's do. No brainer. Eye candy.

2) Ear candy.

3) WORKFLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4) Simplicity

5) Flexibility

6) Why not

7) Speed, Power, Large storage capacity

8 ) Rock solid timing

9) Region Slicing, can we say Chop n Screw?

10) It's a friggin MPC, nuff said

Though I do like the RS7000 more for swing, pitch and time of samples, it's real time on knobs and gives you the option to change pitch without changing time, and time without changing pitch (as apposed to the 4K where pitch goes up sample is faster, pitch goes down sample is slower)

Also, I use probably between 1-10% of the features on this thing (4K)

I use it in a pretty basic manner, I don't construct and arrange an entire composition on it.

WHY use the onboard FX when every DAW on the market can do it so much better? I'll leave that to Pro Tools via my Waves bundles..........

I just build 8 or 16 bars, sync it, and drop one track at a time, then arrange. Takes about 15 minutes. Shabang. I luv it.