want to buy the mpc-500.. some questions

Hi everybody..

I'm looking for a hardware sequencer and I'm interested in the MPC-500.. I've been reading a lot of posts here on the forum but I still have some questions. I've read a couple of times that it's better to get the mpc-1000 as it is more stable and has more options but my budget doesnt allow me to spend the extra money.

I want to use the mpc-500 mainly as a sequencer to control my Micron synth and Emu rack sampler. And I want to use it standalone sometimes.. Chopping up samples doesnt interest me that much..

My questions:
1. Can I use the qlink slider for cc/nrpn data so I can control the volume and filters of external gear?
2. I read that the OS has a lot of bugs.. Is it really that bad? Does this also affects the sequencers timing?
3. Can the mpc-500 import a folder of samples and automap them over the pads?

I hope you guys can answer my questions..

grts!

I'm not the most knowledgabkle on here considerign i am still in the process of buying my mpc, but for what youre describing it seems you want more of a pad oriented midi sequencer rather than an mpc...for that i would suggest:

http://www.akaipro.com/prodMPD24.php

The mpd-24 is no sequencer, just a midi controller.. you can only use it to play an external device just like a midi keyboard....

Furious5 wrote:My questions:
1. Can I use the qlink slider for cc/nrpn data so I can control the volume and filters of external gear?
2. I read that the OS has a lot of bugs.. Is it really that bad? Does this also affects the sequencers timing?
3. Can the mpc-500 import a folder of samples and automap them over the pads?

1: No, but that would be a nice feature! You can only use the slider for internal pitch, internal filter and internal volume.

2: The mpc-500 is a litle ustable, but more stable than Microsoft Windows . The bugs doesn't affect the timing, but rater chrashes the whole unit. If you saves while you create, you sholdn't have big problems. I love this machine spite the bugs!

3: Yes and no. You can easily import a samplemap, but the autoassign can not be done on the MPC-500. You would have to make a program in the machine or use BLUEBOX (PC freeware) to do that.
It's no big deal!

If you just need a sequencer i can reccoment theese:
Yamaha RM1X, Tenori-on (this one is insanely cool and user friendly!!!), Yamaha QY100 and Roland PMA-5.
Good luck!!

Hi Eimer,

thanx for answering my questions..

Well about your sequencer recomndations, only the RM1x seems interesting and I've sold my RM1x 1 month ago I didnt like the workflow anymore..

So right now, the mpc-500 fits my budget and seems the most interesting hardware sequencer for me..

Are other mpc capable of using the qlink sliders for cc messages?
Otherwise the mpc alone is kinda useless to control external rack-soundmodules (you can't controll the volume, filters, panning etc.)

I have question about editting:

lets say you've recorded a 4 bar sequence.. and you want to erase some notes from the melody you played in that sequence.
Is it possible to:

1. let the sequence play... and while the sequence is looping go into edit mode, look for the notes you want to erase and erasing them?
2. while the sequencer still plays then undo the note erase you just did?

Is it possible to do all this without stopping the mpc?

I got a question too. Can you sample or audition samples from an external source while a sequence plays?

Hmm..

after reading so many bad reviews about the mpc500 I decided to wait a little longer.. maybe I'll buy another sequencer...

I dont want to buy a product right now with a lot of design faults from a company that doesnt give a f*ck about their customers....