Pad Woes and What's My Alternative?

Being a keyboard player and not a drummer, and a new MPC1000 owner, the *force* with which I have to *pound* on the pads to get a decent response is really disappointing. I've been through the new pad sensitivity setup (1.04 OS update), but the fact remains that you can't just "press" or play the pads like a synth keyboard... it takes a considerable (relative to a keyboard) force to activate them. I find myself many times having to pound the pads several times just to select a Mode even.

So, I have three questions:

1. Any tips from fellow keyboarders on how to setup the pad sensitivity? I can't tell what the new Velocity Curves are doing for me... anyone know?

2. How do the pads compare with other boxes out there, sensitivity wise? Considering an MC909, or possibly the new Roland SP606 (not out yet, but did anyone try the pads at Musikmesse?)

3. Considering also a separate "pad box" like the Korg MicroKontroller as an alternative to triggering the pads on the MPC. Assuming, of course, that its pads are more 'keyboard-like' in their response.

Thanks in advance.

Flotaz, I just read through that link. Did you ever get your machine to work properly? Are the pads consistent yet?

hey im not sure if i know what ya talkin about, but try this..............juss use Full Level when playin..........then if its too loud after recording, juss goto the Program mode n lower the level if that helps................

Also when using full level you can go into the step edit screen and adjust the velocity for each single hit after you recorded it.

ONE wrote:Also when using full level you can go into the step edit screen and adjust the velocity for each single hit after you recorded it.

Well, you can do that with most anything these days. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that if I bought an MPC. I got sick of editing velocities on my synth-workstation and on the comp. I'm hoping I won't have to go through 3 MPC1000s until I find one with consistent pads.

I bought (and sold) my MicroKontrol because the pads are not even in the ballpark of the MPC pads. Very little velocity sensitivity. They're more like pushing an elevator button. You can't "tap" them lightly, it takes a full press. Dissappointing.

dinerdog wrote:I bought (and sold) my MicroKontrol because the pads are not even in the ballpark of the MPC pads. Very little velocity sensitivity. They're more like pushing an elevator button. You can't "tap" them lightly, it takes a full press. Dissappointing.

Wow, sorry to hear, but good to know. Thanks, 'dog.

also make sure you go to the trim menu and normalize your samples (bring them up to full volume)...it's possible you're playing fairly 'quiet' waveforms.

I like to use velocity...but I find with the MPC it's best to go ahead and use full velocity and then edit the velocity if you need to later.

kevindetroit wrote:I like to use velocity...but I find with the MPC it's best to go ahead and use full velocity and then edit the velocity if you need to later.

I'm beginning to get the picture. Unfortunately.

That depends on the MPC, the pad responses are different on different models.

I'm the one who posted the following link : http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... ity+curves.
The fact is it was also very hard with some of my pads to reach the max velocity. But I noticed something : if you train your pads (I mean : hitting them a lot of time during five minutes every day), they will get very efficient ! Now it is very easy to reach full velovity level with my pads ! Suprising but true !

flotaz wrote:if you train your pads (I mean : hitting them a lot of time during five minutes every day), they will get very efficient !

Whoa... sensitivity through intimidation! Maybe the MPC is smarter than I thought? For faster results, maybe I should try a whip....?

Thanx for the tip. I'll give it a try!

Whips work, but only on the Japanese version.