Post your views and questions about the Akai MPC2500
By psoul Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:33 pm
hi guys

i have an mpc 1000 with jj
i like how it works (it's my first mpc)

however the sounds out it's really orrible!!

does the 2500 sounds as the 1000 or the converter are better?

i mean it's useful 1000 but exporting sounds it's a pain....

my goal is to have a way to export .pgn and midi to a sequencer or a sample plug in.. i find that only pgm made by 2k are compatible with soft sampler (as battery 3 for example)

however any tips?? in this way it's pretty cool but with any professional use!!

let me know your opinion from 2500 users!

By Tohtruck Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:43 am
Exporting and importing samples between the 2500 and the computer is really easy. Just as i would imagine it would be as easy with the 1000 as well. It samples and stores your sounds as wav files and you can transfer them via USB. I can't really imagine it being any easier (aside from USB being kinda slow for large/multiple samples and files). Same goes for midi files and pgm's.

As far as sound goes. The MPC 2500's convereters, unfortunately, are very flat. They do not color or add to the sound at all when you sample things. I would imagine the converters are relatively the same as the 1000.

Getting a 2500 to replace your 1000 will not solve any of the issues you presented.

If you want thicker more colored samples, you might want to look into getting an older rack sampler to complement your 1000. Or edit and process your sounds with plug-ins and/or outboard gear.

By psoul Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:59 am
that's the point... the sound is too poor... you have to use to many plug in to bring it at a good level... and this make noise....


what i would like to do should be to export every single track as .pgm and midi file and use it in plug in as battery, exs24.... whatever.. in order to have a better startup sound and to edit them in the most flexible way....

i think it's not too long from the reality.... the ability to create a program that can convert pgm 1k/2500 to any compatible format there is... but it's the lack of program...
i mean something that can convert start point/ end point, volume, pan, and the most possible info ....

if not my mpc is a fantstic machine with a no way out.. as a ferrari with 4 small bike wheels....

By psoul Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:58 am
infact i'mtrying to jack in th mpc thru s/pdif and the sound is really an other level with the D/A converter of the soundcard!!

By Tohtruck Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:00 pm
As far as the sound being too poor. Really, when it comes down to it. You will have to process and mix your sounds regardless of any gear you use. It doesn't matter if you use an SP1200, MPC 1000, etc. You will always have to do some degree of processing and mixing to get the sound tight and thick.

I don't know what you mean by "startup sound." But as far as exporting every track as a pgm and midi file so you can use it in a vst-i; it sounds as if you want to do most of your composing and production work in a computer. If you wanted to make a track on the MP but then transfer it to Battery, then why didn't you just use Battery to make the track in the first place? You might as well sell off your MPC and use software.

Otherwise, I can also suggest setting up GM drum kits (for your MPC as well as your vst-i's) so the type of drum hits and midi note numbers will consistently correspond with each other. You can then just transfer your midi file to your software and have your kits in your software programs correspond accordingly. But again, then whats the point of using an MPC when eventually you will do alot of the work on software?

I understand its your first MP. But I'm not sure if its your first piece of hardware. Most people who want to work with a computer and a piece of hardware often just make a beat with the hardware and then track it into the computer and work with the audio files of each track.
User avatar

By Dr_Doom Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:44 pm
Good morning,

Quote :
"Most people who want to work with a computer and a piece of hardware often just make a beat with the hardware and then track it into the computer and work with the audio files of each track."

I'm thinking about buying a bit of gear at the moment possible a Yamaha o1x mixer and I've been looking at preamps. What do you think would be more beneficial for the quality of my sound ?
Thanks.

By psoul Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:01 pm
hi thanxs all for reply

yeah i prefer to complete a song in a computer sequencer... but the moment of creation is better made under a mpc with computer off... sampling something.. make some beat and so on...

however when i transfer the audio out to computer the sound is poor... too poor (i have other hardware)

if i pass it in s/pdif is a flat as possible... no colour and no sound degradation....

what i would like to do is to create in mpc, with no monitor, no mouse, no computer on... and then trasfert that drums into my sequecer....
i know if i set the same pgm (made it twice on mpc and computer) i just need to export the midi file... but usually i work with the mpc hard disk full of hits and then i add files, pitch one, edit other and so on and on and on... and that would be my pgm..

the only think i need is a conversation tool... however i like a lot the mpc way to create drums.... and it's not the same with plug in Guru and my padkontrol
User avatar

By Jessiah Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:14 am
ALSO, super important. NORMALIZE all your samples. Then you can even bring some of the bass etc out by working with a combination of LOW and HIGH Filters. I do this to my drums after laying them down. I tune them, and then I put (for instance) the kicks low freq at 90, and the high freq at 9 with the res at 60. This can bring the thump out of the kick, and the smack out of the snare. Of course numbers are according...

You really just need to make sure everything you are working WITH is loud. Then you'll be all set even with the 1000. But to answer your questions, YES, the 2500 sounds great, its loud, has 8 outs built in, the pads are nice, the buttons on it are plentiful and useful, and even the screen is nice and big. I LOVE my 2500. I had the 1000, still do, and I LOVE the 2500. I also have an SP 1200, and that thing is a beast!
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By RelicofRIP Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:07 pm
You may want to look at the sounds you are using in the first place...
Having good sounds is vital..The machine isnt going to make a crappy sound suddenly great. :lol:
I havent had any problem with the sound of the machine yet..

Bywildstyle72 Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:47 am
ever since i got mbox mini my 2500 been collecting does dust. with protool 7.3 and reason 3, xpand ,NI demo(that 30 min time limit i just bounce the midi to audio)

By Tohtruck Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:54 am
Dr_Doom wrote:Good morning,

Quote :
"Most people who want to work with a computer and a piece of hardware often just make a beat with the hardware and then track it into the computer and work with the audio files of each track."

I'm thinking about buying a bit of gear at the moment possible a Yamaha o1x mixer and I've been looking at preamps. What do you think would be more beneficial for the quality of my sound ?
Thanks.


If you are looking to track into your computer then you probably already know that you should have a decent audio interface or soundcard with good A/D converters.

I haven't used the 01X before or heard how the converters sound. But at one point I was considering getting one when I was in the market for an interface, based on positive reviews. As far as pre-amps. I don't have much experience using standalond pre's as I don't find them necessary with my current set-up. Chances are you may not even need separate pre's if you buy a decent interface (the built-in pre's will usually suffice) but it depends on what you are looking to do.

To originally poster: I apologize, didn't mean to hijack the thread.