Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
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By Persianstyle Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:57 pm
I currently have a MPC 4000 and want something smaller and more portable. Obviously the 500 is portable. I have heard issues with the 1000 and the pads. What are all of your suggestions with the 500? Are you happy with it? Any functional issues or concerns? Do you suggest a different mpc other than the 500? Let me know. Thanks,

P

By Lion of Judah Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:28 pm
Love my 500. It has some quirks though (see the threads in this forum). I prefer to chop samples on a computer then transfering them to the MPC. If they implemented something like this, though, chopping would be much sweeter on the MPC.

I've never owned any other MPC (or any other hardware sampler/sequencer for that matter), so I don't have much to compare to.

If you want one, go for it.
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By rokuez Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:58 pm
I recently got an mpc and being able to transport it was one of my concerns. i went with the mpc 2500 and got the gig skinz bag GSMIXL. now i can easily transport the 25k around.

with the mpc 25 , cables, bag, cf cards, etc they all weight under 20 lb so its not too bad carrying that around
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By Upright Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:53 am
Since you have the 4000 already and you just want something for portable reasons, then I say go for it yo!!!1 :D Plus you can load everything up to the 4000 that you work out in the 500....Just be fair warned, I bought the 500 thinking it was gonna get a ton of use and in the end I sold it because I don't really make tracks away from the lab. It did come in handy in a few situations( i.e waiting all night for the launch of the Wii, at a friends houses...etc) but it was more of a novelty item than anything. I don't travel much so for me the mpc 500 was something I got real excited about at first but it really wasn't something I could justify having. This unit is more for(A) someone that spends long periods of time away from the lab but still wants to work on tracks or (B) someone who wants to use the mpc in the lab but can't afford the larger mpc's. Don't get me wrong the little 500 is nice but you, coming from the 4000 may find the work flow a little fustrating and at times limiting. :D
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By devmode Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:03 pm
November 19th changed my life and tarnished view of Nintendo forever
/em salute

and regardless of these so called "design flaws" i use my mpc 1000 for hours a day. i have no significant knowledge of any degradation of my gear. sure i love using my 2500 at work, but i come home and do the same thing on my smaller and less expensive machine.

having said that I’d probably pass on the 500 and just get the 1000 or 2500 both can be self sustaining and portable. Just get a hard drive or mad handfuls of cf cards and call it a day.
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By Upright Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:26 pm
devmode wrote:November 19th changed my life and tarnished view of Nintendo forever



What's the deal?? what happened?? :D
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By devmode Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:41 pm
12 am pick up sesh and not sleeping for 2.5 days. That's what! :P
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By dj_idea Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:46 pm
WOW. 2.5 days!
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By Persianstyle Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:50 pm
Why would you say to buy the 1000 or 2500 vs the 500? Are there functions that would be more beneficial to buy them vs the 500? Let me know your thoughts. thank you all for your encouragement!!!
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By dj_idea Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:01 pm
Bigger screen to navigate easier with. More pads to bang on. Although I've read in the forums about the 1000 pads going dead..that scares me. I alomst bought a 1000. I would think there are more functions or easier way to do stuff. For example, I heard chopping was easier on the 1000 or the 2500. I dont know though...I have a 500 and have never tried any others. If you just read alot on these forums you can get alot of information on each machine. Also akai's website has the info too. The 500 is just really portable and light. Dont need to plug in to an outlet. I use my 500 at work alomst everyday for an hour. It gets easier to navigate when you get a hang of it. Its only a 2 line lcd screen. Just read up. 8)
Last edited by dj_idea on Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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By Upright Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:04 pm
dj_idea wrote:Bigger screen to navigate easier with. More pads to bang on. Although I've read in the forums about the 1000 pads going dead..that scares me. I alomst bought a 1000. I would think there are more functions or easier way to do stuff. For example, I heard chopping was easier on the 1000 or the 2500. I dont know though...I have a 500 and have never tried any others. If you just read alot on these forums you can get alot of information on each machine. Also akai's website has the info too. The 500 is just really portable and light. Dont need to plug in to an outlet. It gets easier to navigate when you get a hang of it. Its only a 2 line lcd screen. Just read up. 8)



Definitely gets easier as the time goes on that's for sure!!1 :D

ByErgg Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:08 pm
I got used to the screen very quickly, but than again I never used a bigger MPC. It might be harder if you're used to a bigger MPC screen.

Also I can imagine you might find the MPC500 lagging some features you're used to using often on the MPC4000. It might prove to be a big step down.

For me the MPC500 is my first MPC and nice distraction from my other hardware and software. I like the the different workflow and the lack of features inspires me, as does the portability.

Snerg
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By H-Mann Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:54 pm
dj_idea wrote:More pads to bang on. Although I've read in the forums about the 1000 pads going dead..that scares me.


As far as I know the 500 has the same type of pads as the 1000. I've had my 1000 for over three years now and never had any problems with pads. Plus, JJ OS is a BIG pro for the 1000.
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By rydan Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:00 pm
No, the 500 has all pads on one sheet, the 1000 has them separated, as far as I know...
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By devmode Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:41 pm
dj_idea wrote:WOW. 2.5 days!



what can i say other than i am Wiitarded!