Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By crackpanther Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:39 pm
Hey, I'm getting the hang of this unit and loving it, but I got one problem. When I'm sampling or playing something on my microkorg I can only sample by using the record function which won't play the sequence while I record. Is there anyway to record directly onto a track while it's playing the sequence so Ican play to the drums. Or at least, a metronome setting in Record Mode.
User avatar

By Lampdog Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:02 pm
Get familiar with Midi so that you can play your mpc beats and record your midi performance from the microkorg. Both audio outputs need to go to a mixer/audio interface in order to hear both machines..

Unless I'm reading into this the wrong way.

By crackpanther Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:52 am
I'm just hoping there's a way to record a sample by just playing my keyboard out while still hearing the drum beat on other tracks. I didn't tink about recording midi, but I always love to wig out and experiment, so if this is possible someone please let me know.

By doniguan Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:57 pm
if i read what you are asking correctly, i think you are asking if you can record a sample and play back a beat at the same time.

as far as i know this is not possible on the mpc-500.

By TheDeen Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:10 pm
Isn't "Live Record" an MPC2500 exclusive?

By crackpanther Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:00 pm
How then would you have it play back a midi sequence in record mode if it can't replay a track in that mode.

By doniguan Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:39 pm
when you go into record mode, to record a sample, the mpc500 turns off the ability to playback and sequences. but i still dont know 100% if i'm understanding what you want.

By crackpanther Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:24 am
That sucks! So I got to get another sampler in order to do this on beat? Record the outs of keyboard as the midi pattern triggers notes....Oh well, this is just gonna be used for sample based beats then.
User avatar
By algorithm18 Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:56 am
"when you go into record mode, to record a sample, the mpc500 turns off the ability to playback and sequences."

No it doesn't. Just load up the sequence and programs you're working on, push Mode -> Record -> set it to sample from the inputs -> press Play on the MPC and start playing whatever is plugged into the MPC inputs in time to the beat -> press Do It to start sampling, and press it once more to end sampling. I tried it ten minutes ago, running OS 1.10, and it works beautifully. Of course, you then have to trim your sampled phrase, assign it to a program, and then play the pads to record it onto a track in your sequence. As far as playing a MIDI sequence that triggers the microKORG, and sampling the korg's outputs while the MIDI sequence is playing, I don't know if the MPC will handle that. I'll try it out and post later.
User avatar

By enotide Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:47 pm
That is a Dope feature, not only that but being able to monitor the input is cool to see if samples you want to add fit in the Sequence.
User avatar

By SimonInAustralia Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:15 pm
doniguan wrote:when you go into record mode, to record a sample, the mpc500 turns off the ability to playback and sequences. but i still dont know 100% if i'm understanding what you want.
No you don't know even 1%, let alone 100%...you are talking sh!t!!!

Do you even have an MPC500?

Have you even used an MPC500?

If you did have an MPC500, you might try pressing the transport buttons on the MPC500 while in the Record screen, and you might notice that samples and sequences do in fact play while in Record mode!

You can then set the record input to be 'Rec In' so that you can record the stereo audio input, you might want to resample sounds or sequences through external effects, or you can set it to 'Main' to directly record the MPC main output totally within the MPC500 itself.

If your MPC500 does not allow this, maybe you need to upgrade the OS?

By doniguan Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:25 pm
SimonInAustralia wrote:
doniguan wrote:when you go into record mode, to record a sample, the mpc500 turns off the ability to playback and sequences. but i still dont know 100% if i'm understanding what you want.
No you don't know even 1%, let alone 100%...you are talking sh!t!!!

Do you even have an MPC500?

Have you even used an MPC500?

If you did have an MPC500, you might try pressing the transport buttons on the MPC500 while in the Record screen, and you might notice that samples and sequences do in fact play while in Record mode!

You can then set the record input to be 'Rec In' so that you can record the stereo audio input, you might want to resample sounds or sequences through external effects, or you can set it to 'Main' to directly record the MPC main output totally within the MPC500 itself.

If your MPC500 does not allow this, maybe you need to upgrade the OS?


you dont have to be asshat about it.

on my mpc 500, if im playing back a sequence, and hit record mode, playback stops.
User avatar

By SimonInAustralia Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:30 pm
doniguan wrote:you dont have to be asshat about it.

on my mpc 500, if im playing back a sequence, and hit record mode, playback stops.
OK, you just keep telling this guy that he can't do it, even though the MPC500 will allow it, if that makes you feel better.

Incorrect advice isn't worth sh!t!

Like I said, it works on my MPC500, with both OS 1.10 and 1.11...if yours does not do it, maybe you need to upgrade the MPC500 OS?
User avatar

By Remedial Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:37 pm
SimonInAustralia wrote:
doniguan wrote:you dont have to be asshat about it.

on my mpc 500, if im playing back a sequence, and hit record mode, playback stops.
OK, you just keep telling this guy that he can't do it, even though the MPC500 will allow it, if that makes you feel better.

Incorrect advice isn't worth sh!t!

Like I said, it works on my MPC500, with both OS 1.10 and 1.11...if yours does not do it, maybe you need to upgrade the MPC500 OS?


So, in other words, it has the input thru feature that is available on the 1000 and 2500.
User avatar
By Remedial Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:54 pm
[quote="algorithm18 As far as playing a MIDI sequence that triggers the microKORG, and sampling the korg's outputs while the MIDI sequence is playing, I don't know if the MPC will handle that. I'll try it out and post later.[/quote]

How about this:

Let's say I have a MicroKorg midi sequence recorded on a track on the 500. Can I then, with the output of the MicroKorg patched to the inputs of the MPC500, record the input from the MK as it corresponds to the MIDI sequence that I recorded for it?

Hope that doesn't sound too confusing. Let me know if it is.

P.S. Also, does the sample menu in the 500 have the threshold feature like the 2kxl, where it doesn't begin recording until the signal passes a certain decibel threshold? I only wish there was a way to discontinue recording once it goes back beneath that threshold. If it does, let me know.