Why should I get an MPC????

Hi,
I'm a potential MPC buyer and just wanted to get some info on why I should get one and which one would be the best for me.
I make hip hop and I'm looking for a standalone workstation that's fully independent by itself, a machine that allows me to develop an entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project.
I'm interested in either the MPC1000 or MPC2500, other than the obvious physical details(larger pads, nicer looking machine), what makes the 2500 more expensive than the 1000?? What is the MPC1000 lacking that the MPC 2500 has??
Keep in mind that the MPC 1000 is much closer to my price range than the 2500, but if the extra cash is worth I might be willing to dig further into the pocket.
I've been using an SP 606 for over 2 years but I'm looking for something more in depth and to a professional standard.
With the 606 I can't manipulate my samples to the fully extent that I'd like to. There's something about the machine that feels limiting, I'm looking for a new sampler that's more user friendly, fun and inspirational to use all the time.
Will the MPC allow me to fade in and fade out samples and sequences??
For all those in the know, can anyone tell me what makes the MPC better than the SP606?
Does the MPC have a step sequencer that I can look at on the screen?

Thanks a lot.

I make hip hop and I'm looking for a standalone workstation that's fully independent by itself, a machine that allows me to develop an entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project.

i stopped reading here. if these are your requirements, what you need is a computer, not an mpc

Watch these videos to answer your question on what you might need! Many sleep, but with all the features for the price tag, it can't be beat!

http://www.rolandus.com/uploads/CMS/Pro ... 007_bd.flv

Antonym wrote:

I make hip hop and I'm looking for a standalone workstation that's fully independent by itself, a machine that allows me to develop an entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project.

i stopped reading here. if these are your requirements, what you need is a computer, not an mpc

using computers for music aint for everyone. I couldnt see myself using one.
Never worked on a 2500, but used a 1000. You have all the basics for mixing and mastering. Your kinda limited but I am definantly satisfied with what can be done inside the 1000.

juxt wrote:

Antonym wrote:

I make hip hop and I'm looking for a standalone workstation that's fully independent by itself, a machine that allows me to develop an entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project.

i stopped reading here. if these are your requirements, what you need is a computer, not an mpc

using computers for music aint for everyone. I couldnt see myself using one.
Never worked on a 2500, but used a 1000. You have all the basics for mixing and mastering. Your kinda limited but I am definantly satisfied with what can be done inside the 1000.

Thanks for the advice.
I'll try and be more specific on what I need.
Almost everything I do is sample based, I'm looking for a machine which allows me to dive right into the art of sampling and beat creation.
I know that a lot of industry standard producers (Pete Rock, DJ Premier, MF Doom etc) use this machine, so I know what the machine can create, I just needed some more details before I fork out cash. The MV looks great but is way out of my price range and I really crave a hands-on approach to beat making so software is a no-go for me.
Thanks.

ok. you're gonna have to make a couple adjustments to your desires.

first of all, an mpc1000/2500 is going to be your greatest bet for ONESHOT sample based work. it's really hard to beat in terms of chopping and rearranging samples. NO COMPUTER SETUP i've ever experienced does the whole chop/rearrange thing as well as an mpc.

not to mention, programming drums on one of those 2 mpcs is again, the best environment i have EVER experienced - as long as you have the jj os loaded.

however

if you're doing phrase sampling, or sampling long melodic or atmospheric loops, you're gonna want more control. the mpc in this case is not as good as something like reaper or ableton live, which have more powerful stretching algorithms and workflows. here is where a mouse comes in handy.

basically, the mpc1000/2500 is great as a COMPOSITIONAL TOOL. but there comes a time when you're DONE in the mpc and it's time to take it to the next step. that's when a daw program comes in handy.

fully mastering a track, in the box of an mpc, is going to leave you unsatisfied due to limited effects and overall lack of control. this is so easily salvaged by a software program such as reaper that there is no reason NOT to take advantage of it.

best of both worlds.

what you describe fits the mpc profile really reallly well (if you put the time in to learn it that is) EXCEPT the "entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project" part. that's where you're going to need to bring another tool into the equation.

again nym with a great reply, in addition to this : The mpc gives you possibilty's to multitrack your outputs, that means if you for example have a kick on track 1, snare on 2, hat on 3, sample on 4 and 5(stereo) and bass om 6 you can track them out into an harddisk recorder or (common used) a pc using an sound interface with multiple inputs.

Using this way, you can mix the seperated tracks wich will end in an result that is (in my opinion) always better then the mpc itself.

So be aware that if you choose to work with an mpc, it's also advisable to get a good sound interface with some multiple inputs(preferably 6 or or an HD recorder with multiple inputs.

good luck!

I'm generally not an advocate of the MV-8800, but for what you want, it sounds like the mv might be better than the mpc. While you can make a beat from start to finish with the MPC, its really better suited as a piece or part of an electronic orchestra.

i think you should get an mpc and let it guide you. you will find it can't do a lot of things but there will be a lot of things that will blow you that you never knew it could do. Especially timing within it is total ace. I can just program a boom tschak boom boom tschak and listen to it for 5min because it is so tight.
(that's how sad i am)

I agree composition is great, especially beats and bass, final mix is way more difficult. But still, even with the older mpc's you can achieve a lot being creative just sequencing delay and pan effects etc in and using the limited filters in creative ways which will then influence your next creative compositions. If you dont like it after two months, sell it on (you won't).

I think the 2000xl is a reliable workhorse as a first mpc and should be cheap enough second hand.

if you want more of a nifty workstation, get the 1000 with the jj software as the cheapest solution, i tried it for hours in a shop and i must confess that i liked it for it's features and small size (and i am a sucker for the old 60!!!).
(i hated the plasticky datawheel and the look of the 2500!!)

Playing bak exactly the same sequence and sounds on both machines without any effects made the 2500 sound more spacious/clean and the 1000 a bit more narrow or boxy sounding, maybe that's good though in our quest for sonic infidelity (listening over the same pair of sennheiser headphones)

simpleman wrote:Hi,
I make hip hop and I'm looking for a standalone workstation that's fully independent by itself, a machine that allows me to develop an entire track from a scratch sample to a finished project.
.

mpc 4000 or the MV series is what you should be looking at.

Playing bak exactly the same sequence and sounds on both machines without any effects made the 2500 sound more spacious/clean and the 1000 a bit more narrow or boxy sounding, maybe that's good though in our quest for sonic infidelity (listening over the same pair of sennheiser headphones)

nope. same converters, sound engine, effects, same os. you were hearing the same sound

unless somehow it was just resonating in all the empty space inside the 2500

actually i feel the same. the 2500 does sound better than the 1000.
i've compared them to eachother, and the 2500 had more punch in the bass.
i own a 1000 myself

i think south park is doing a 3 part series on imagination

E-MAginaaaAAation LLAaaaannnDDDDD...

















EMMMAaaaagGgIinnaTTTTiooooonnnnnn LLAAnndddd!!!
























EEemmagioooOOOOnAAAAATTTTiiiooonnnlLLLLLAAAANNDDDDd...




















EEEE-MAaaaa---GENNNNaaaaatiooonllllLLL---LLLAAANNDDD!

















EEEmMAaagIINNAtttiiIIION LLLLLEeeeaAAANNNNNNDDDDDdd!!!1

















EEEEMMAaagggGGGIIIiiiiIIOoOONNNNNNnnnnnLLLLAaaaa-a-a-aaa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-aNNDNDDDNDDDDd


















EEEMMaaaggiiooneEEeeeeeeeAAAATTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIOOoonnn LLLAaaannnnnNNNDDDd!!!
























>>>>>




















EEEEMMMgaaaGGGIOOONNNNAation.














.....


Someone had to do it