New MPC 500 owner, initial thoughts

Ok, I got my MPC 500 a few days ago. Jeez, at first try I was like WTF!. It is very different if you've never used one and have been using a DAW to make beats, but.....All I did was re-think the way I was going about using the MPC and had success. There are a few things you need to know if you're just getting one, If you don't save your Program data, all your current samples are gone, meaning I spent an hour sampling, and saved the sequence instead of the samples and all my samples were lost.

Once you get familiar with the file system, Program (drum kit or sample files), Sequence and Song setting and thinking more MPC than what I was using (Battery) It is pretty easy to work with. Alot of people complain about the 500, but I've found it to be extremely useful, creative and afforfdable.

Congrats. Welcome to the FAM.

I agree with your post!

Reading the manual a couple of times helps a lot, the MPC is different from other gear... but it makes sense once you get the hang of it.

Snerg

nice one- and how refreshing to hear the recent batch of positive input re: the 500

p

This forum is really helpful. I researched alot on here before buying and made the right choice. I do have a few questions which I'll post later, but for now I'm very happy.

I just sold my MPC500. My 1000 can fit comfortably in my backpack so travel wasn't really an issue and I just couldn't get along without a large screen. The 500 is an okay machine, but I didn't like the cumbersome menu navigation.

I might as well post my own review here too:

I got my MPC500 5 days ago, it my fist MPC. I have 15 years of experience composing electronic music with computers and hardware sequencers.

I chose the MPC500 over a MPC1000 because of its price and it size and weight. So far I think it looks very nice and feels very solid. The pads require a hard beating though.

I found the MPC500 comfortable to work with, the menu's need some scrolling but I got used to this very quickly. Saving and loading your work is something you have learn too, its quite easy to forget to save part of your work or save it in wrong directory by accident.

The step edit mode and the resampling of main outputs are the features I like best.

Overall I'm quite pleased with my purchase.

Snerg

I'm glad everyone's getting on with their's - I love my 500 as well and the menu system is so easy to get your head around that I've pretty much achieved 100% navigation around it now.

Its size makes it so incredibly useful, and its drag and drop USB support makes life easy.

I'm a total fan..

WAVS

Try adjusting the pad sensitivity, that helped me, also adjust your Master Volume out to 0db. I've got the navigation down also, was very scary the first day I got it.

i've had mine for a few days, but I've been dissecting a 2500 for a few years almost every day for about 2 months and last year i had a 1000 w/o jj os for about 3 months. imo the 500 is dope, but it only compliments a bigger mpc's workflow. i.e. rather than rockin the ipod now i just save my beats to a CF throw it in the 500 and roll. dont get me wrong, the 500 is still ill by itself, but while using the 500 i'm realizing that the missing buttons slow me down and loading seems to be slower also i agree w/

Lithion wrote: I just couldn't get along without a large screen. The 500 is an okay machine, but I didn't like the cumbersome menu navigation.

I just got my new AKAI MPC500 a few days ago. I love it. I previously had a Korg Electribe EMX, and i sold it on ebay because it would not play more than 1 note at a time and that i could not deal with.
The MPC 500 is wayyyy different. No real time knobs execpt that Damm Slider..I never got into Sampling before and this is my First. I have a MICRCO X, a Korg MINI Kaos Pad and between the 3, I was able to sample some of my own creative loops and WOWWWWW, the capabilities this thing has out ways any groove box. With these 3 protable gears i am able to finally do my Ambient Jazzy Techno i always dreamed about. I had a Roland MC-909, 307, Electribe and for some reason i just could not make the music i wanted...With this professional sequencing and sample on the MPC and having a Korg MICRO X with exotic sounds and the MINI Kaoss pad, i am able to do more than i imagined....The MPC is for sure a compliment and a solution to my musical gear and would never see myself selling it.....ohhhhh, let me tell you a secrect...Once i have completed a song,,with the 128 extra memory, i'm able to record my 3 minute song as a Audio Sample on the MPC500,,then bring it to work with me and use the BATTERIES on my lunch hour and kind of finialize the song by listening, editing or whatever...The Freakin thing takes batteries..What more could you ask for...I read forums and heard some complaints but once you figure out the specifics, you will find that this can really compliment your existing musical gear..Even by itself you can create samples loops and re-sample back on...The mathematical possibilities are amazing....

Wellll, that's my thought for today on the AKAI MPC500....


ps...by the way, i also lost my samples too when i first got the unit..I didn't save correctly and as a result, all my work was gone.. So it does pay to study the unit and read manual...Now it's a breeze to work with...


Reggie

Im getting one to work on with a pt-01 turntable. gonna be dope....

I already have a 1000

is there a tutorial available on dvd for the 500....?
im still strugglin a little wit mine !!

I havent seen one. It took me a bit to get the hang of my 500. Still havent used all the features.

i'm a first time user of the MPC in general. I just got an MPC500. wish i had someone to teach me firsthand how to use it. Any pointers/guides? i bought midi cables, but my dumbass needed a USB cable to hook up to the computer. the midi->USB that i bought is kinda useless for the most part, until i figure out how to use the MPC500 as a midi controller. i'm kinda just lost in the dark. i got a mac with logic express. and i got a PC with Reason. i would really like to get started exploring all this. any help anyone?