Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000

By djredhead Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:48 pm
"Create>Mold>4k
+
Mix>Arrange>Polish>DAW "

I also use my DAW / software to create my own audio loops or phrases to export to the MPC to sequence. I don't like using other peoples loops or sample phrases.

The MPC is versatile. I can remix my software created stuff. It is the center of my midi studio controlling my rack. And I can track a singer songwriter into the mpc as I build a beat around the song. I like to keep the creation process in the MPC, so that I don't have to deal with latency in combing sw, midi, and drum machines.

Then I go to protools using adat to create a session.
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By Blue Haze Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 am
djredhead wrote:"Create>Mold>4k
+
Mix>Arrange>Polish>DAW "

I also use my DAW / software to create my own audio loops or phrases to export to the MPC to sequence. I don't like using other peoples loops or sample phrases.

The MPC is versatile. I can remix my software created stuff. It is the center of my midi studio controlling my rack. And I can track a singer songwriter into the mpc as I build a beat around the song. I like to keep the creation process in the MPC, so that I don't have to deal with latency in combing sw, midi, and drum machines.

Then I go to protools using adat to create a session.




All good. What happens after you have it in protools? Mixing? Effecting?, Adding space?, Arranging? Drops? and Mastering? unless you are having someone else do it?

By djredhead Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:46 am
@BlueHaze....

After I finish a song, everything goes into protools, so that an engineer w/fresh ears can eq and mix everything. All vocals, guitars and real drums are tracked in his studio to my prepared mix. This is my rock band work flow.

Otherwise, I really don't have the time to micro edit my songs, because I am always working on a new one. ;)
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By Blue Haze Sun Aug 12, 2007 2:44 am
DAW automations gives you less problems than the 4k. Copy and paste on our your DAW you can create your own program matrix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zZEtIh8Jw
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By Blue Haze Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:19 pm
Bump and I`m waiting on my Logic upgrade ha.ha.
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By dabmeister Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:19 pm
Tha S-ence wrote:is anyone running their 4k to a mixer to daw? such as a mackie 32?
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By konc3pt Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:31 am
I'm picking up second hand 4k tomorrow, but after reading all this I'm having second thoughts :lol:

I use 2500 to midi trigger sounds from battery. Lotta fexibility here for tweaking sounds or even swapping them just couple of clicks. When I got a basic drums sequence going, track midi to Live. Then fire up motif and record straight to Live. Editing keys on piano roll and 32" monitor is much easier for me than step edit thing. As for samples, I'll either start chopping while the sequnce is playing in live and record it as audio right away. Or chop it up in phatmatik and use either the motif or the mpc to trigger them.


Only problem I'm seeing with this workflow it's almost too easy to make a beat now :shock:
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By McSmooth Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:05 pm
^Agree, whats the point of getting a 4k, you could do that workflow with a 1k. You get a 4k because you want more in the box.
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By Blue Haze Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:20 am
Like before the point of the thread was a DAW will give you a final polish product to master to CD. If you wish to play your music and have others play your music Fans, DJS, Shops, and a music label maybe a DAW takes it beyond pre-production stage. All pros work with a DAW whether at home or a pro studio.

Live acts is a little different but still you have the club sound engineer that determines what extent your LIVE ACt will sound like. :idea:
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By konc3pt Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:07 am
Tha S-ence wrote:why dont you jus get a midi controller if you are using the mp as a controller anyway



cuz I like to start off with drums sequence in the mpc rather than Live. at the same time I dont want to fully rely on the pc just yet, or at least til I get a mac . cuz there is times when I rather work with just vinyl mpc and the motif.

if mac people can have "the best of both worlds" xp and osx on single computer, what's wrong with running hardware inconjuction with software ?

tried korg padkontrol, trigger finger, mpd24. I liked the mpd24 most but I when a resale value of a used mpc2500 is between 900-1100. does it really make sense to sell it for midi controller and be left with 700 ? when I paid 2g"s brand new....that be probably dumbest move ever.

reason I'm getting the 4k is cuz I found it real cheap and it's either going to replace the 2.5k or resell for profit.