I want an MPC 500 but can't decide!!!!

I'm going crazy. I want an MPC sooooo bad. I make beats now on my intel MacBook with Logic Pro, Battery and my M-Audio Axiom keyboard. The Axiom has 8 pads on it, I bought it specifically for this feature to bang beats out. So far, I think I've been creating some good songs with great results. I do however want dedicated hardware to do this.

What I can't give up is, the multi drum out in Battery directly to my Aux inputs. I have a hard time understanding how to get my tracks from the MPC to the laptop to mix the drums/samples.

I want to try the MPC 500 because I can do most of my sampling, cutting in my MacBook and export to CF card to sequence.

What do you guys think? Is the 500 good enough if I don't need really in depth editing capabilities?

yes its good enough im sure

yeah, I have the same problem
I've been making beats and downtempo music for a while (few years ) but I was always 100% PC - now I want to move to the hardware side
I seeit this way:

basically - I'm thinking about making music this way -> http://youtube.com/watch?v=8OhDC5GUJYw
(of course forget about that guitar/rhodes/whatever stuff )
will it be a good idea to buy mpc, or should i stay with my software?
(i'm using live and edirol pcr-a30 keyboard/audio interface)

filthyL wrote:(i'm using live and edirol pcr-a30 keyboard/audio interface)

ahh the a30

always wanted it, ended up going with the edirol pcr-1

500 sucks...

the pads are shit just like the 1000. Get a 2500... or if you really need a 500 be super gentle with the pads so it will last you a while.

If you come to Boston, I can get you one cheap (new or used). I know a guy who knows a guy...

Boston is where its at!

The Roland SP-606 is less than the 500 and it considerably more powerful and flexible. There's a PC host that turn sit into a beast at less than $600 new.

If it's a basic machine you need I wouldn't look at the MPC-500 as it is underfeatured, underpowered, and hihgly overpriced. Look for a used box if you need to have an MPC but the 500 is a toy/ POS.

get the 1000 man thats wat im using with cubase sx
i looked at the 500 and its good if u wanna make quick beats on the move
but the mpc 1000 is a real workhorse im getting heavy results.

I think the SP606 only has a 4 track sequencer......

parkerlewis wrote:I think the SP606 only has a 4 track sequencer......

True...but the Cakewalk software takes the 606 to a new level of usability.


As far the 500's sequencer, it's 48 track sequencer is more cosmetic than useful given the mobile purpose of the box. With that interface i would really dread trying to navigate and edit tracks on that thing.

606 or mpc-1000 and up.

I got myself a MPC500, I used to use Yamaha RM1x and RS7000 grooveboxes.

I also have a Macbook, I run Renoise on it to sample my other gear and chop it into nice samples for the MPC500.

So far I think the MPC500 is nice, I don't mis more enhanced functions of its bigger brothers too much (this is my first MPC...). I actualy like the fact that it runs on batteries a lot, although I didn't think much of it before I bought the unit.

Positive things about the MPC500:

+ Nice little unit (feels very reliable)
+ Runs on batteries (this is suprisingly nice to have)
+ USB/Compact Flash (modern communication methods)

Negative things about the MPC500:

- You have to hit the pads quite hard (can be adjusted in program mode)
- No bandpass/hipass filters
- No LFO (could be nice)

I feel navigating around it's tiny screen isn't a big problem, in Step Edit mode I actually feel it adds a little bit of focus on the event you are working on.

Please note this my personal oppinion, but so far I can realy reccomend the MPC500 its a nice piece of kit.

Snerg

moyphee wrote:

parkerlewis wrote:I think the SP606 only has a 4 track sequencer......

True...but the Cakewalk software takes the 606 to a new level of usability.

But if you have to use it with some software to get decent features, then doesn't that defeat the purpose of using a hardware sampler?

moyphee wrote:As far the 500's sequencer, it's 48 track sequencer is more cosmetic than useful given the mobile purpose of the box. With that interface i would really dread trying to navigate and edit tracks on that thing.

No, the MPC500 is easy to use. Anyone who disses the small screen obviously hasn't used one for an extended period of time. Editing is simple. Sure, you may have to flick through a few pages here and there, but once you know it, it's quick and never gets in the way. Becomes second nature. It's a perfect size too, you can hold it in one hand and tap out a beat with the other whilst walking down a street if need be. It sounds real dirty too, but in a good way. For drums I much prefer the sound of the MPC500 than my MPC4000.

Only things missing I'd like to see are a filter envelope, a high pass filter and the ability to time correct all tracks at once.