MPC1000 or BOSS DR-880

Hello;

Just wondering if anyone had the choice between the MPC1000 and the BOSS DR-880, for live performances and recording, which would you choose?

I currently use the DR-880 for both performing and recording Country Music, and it sounds great. But, when I reach the limit of song and pattern memory, I need to do a bulk dump to an external MIDI device called the Yamaha MDFII Data Filer, via midi onto a standard floppy disk. The MPC1000 has this wonderful CF slot, hmmmmmm. But does it have all the country drum and bass sounds I need, like George Strait and Alan Jackson's music?

Can anyone provide feedback on this decision?

Thanks so much.

Nelson Colt
Independant Country Music Recording Artist.

electronic instruments are probably not what you're necessarily looking for in country music.

but if you're good enough, you can most definitely create country on the 1000.

That's a "DR-880" and yes, I can certainly program. Thanks a bunch guys for telling me this. I had, and still have, no idea what the MPC1000 can do. If you want to hear what I have programmed on the BOSS DR-880, just take a quick visit to my web site, www.nelsoncolt.com , and click on the Audio sample link. The drums in the song you will hear were programmed by me on the DR880. I am hoping I can achieve the same results on the 1000..........comment sure are appreciated!

I think I still need more convincing though!

like nicole said:

MPC = sampler
Boss box = drum machine.

mpc can be used as a drum machine, but you have to sample drum sounds.

the 880 as i understand it is a stand alone drum machine w/ sequencer, with no
sampling capabilities... right? so they are massively different machines.

the mpc can create any sound you like, you just have to feed it the right
samples. the sequencer in the MPC probably works in a similar way to the
880 - i.e. it follows the same basic rules. but you can't just switch it on and
it'll be full of drum sounds and all you have to do is sequence a rhythm.

i've never heard of anyone making country tunes on an MPC... but i'd love
to hear the results.

good luck dude.

The BR880 is a rom only device, similar to the Roland R8 drum machine I use, meaning that it will only play back stored internal sounds. On the other hand, the MPC has no internal sounds to pull up but has the option to load any sound source you put into it via CF card or internal HD as well as storing them. The MPC also allows you to "customize" your soundsets the way you want them. You want all country sounds? Then just load an all country soundset and that's it. This is the beauty of using sample based sounds, because there's no limit to how much creativity you use.

I guess my next questions is, can the MPC1000 be used as a drum machine (sequencer) for live performances and studio recording? My whole reason behind trying to find this out is because nowhere on this planet can be found an portable external midid data filing device that uses a CF card. I currently use a Yamaha MDFIII Midid Data Filer, which connects to any MIDI device and allows you to store or save your sequences/samples onto a 1.44 floppy disk. If the MPC1000 can act as a sequencer and allow me to save my work on the CF card, would that not be the better solution? As far as sample country drums and bass go, could I not just sample the kit I built on the DR-880, onto the MPC1000? Sorry to drag this on, I will try to be more informative about this. Thanks everyone, you are very kind to answer my questions.

Nels.

I have answered my own question. I looked at the specs and overview of the MPC2500, and this seems to be the clear choice. AKAI PRO labels it as a Drum machine/Sequencer/Sampler.......looks like it will do the job. Someone please tell me I am wrong!

NelsonColt wrote:I have answered my own question. I looked at the specs and overview of the MPC2500, and this seems to be the clear choice. AKAI PRO labels it as a Drum machine/Sequencer/Sampler.......looks like it will do the job. Someone please tell me I am wrong!

You're on point. The 2500 will do what you need. Anything beyond that, you'll need to look at the 4k. The 4k takes it a step further with a more finer resolution set than the 2500, that is if you want a more complex way of dealing with your sequences and/or patterns.

Hey dabmeister! I think that 16bit 44.1 KHz is fine for live performances and demo/semi-pro recordings. Thanks for you help! Th 2500 is pretty expensive though.......

dabmeister wrote:The 2500 will do what you need. Anything beyond that, you'll need to look at the 4k. The 4k takes it a step further with a more finer resolution set than the 2500, that is if you want a more complex way of dealing with your sequences and/or patterns.

As in 96PPQ vs. 960PPQ resloution.

I know.....that's quite a difference, then again, budget always dictates what you can buy! Keep buying those lottery tickets, or hope to sell a song in Nashville!