Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
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By DougWonder Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:36 pm
because

By toefinger Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:47 pm
DougWonder wrote:because


i have been using my mpc for about 3-4 months but a friend of mine has a akai mpd24 and battery 3 we are always arguing about why use a mpc i was just hoping someone else out there could give me there reasons for one of the other.

By Muied Lumens Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:24 pm
I can't speak for battery but people use their mpc's instead of s/w because:

-It is more portable. You can take it out and play live gigs with more ease and the rugged design will ensure that your mpc will survive the live environment. Also it can withstand the electromagnetic interference from live rigs and lighting much better than your average laptop, and won't crash as easily.

-Specialized hardware. The mpc is made for beat making and nothing else. While you can't browse the internet or play Tomb Raider on it, it does not have to concentrate on anything else either. Also it has wonderful AD/DA converters and sounds fantastic (in my opinion). That kind of hardware costs money, even in the computer environment.

-It will last you. If you have a computer you will find yourself needing/wanting to upgrade it before too long. Maybe you will with your mpc as well, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by it's re-sale value at least. As long as you treat it well.

-No bs interface. Once you have learned the ins and outs of your mpc, you can concentrate on making music. Not do a virus scan, or figure out why your sound card has suddenly decided to click along, out of beat. Also some times simplicity is better than a million options. It helps you focus on making music instead of loading plug after plug helplessly looking for something to just work.

-It's super fast. Record a beat, load up some carefully selected drum hits, do some overdubs, drop a bass line, erase without ever stopping the sequence, etc. -- in a few minutes you have an acceptable backing track. Where you take it from there is up to you. I have done gigs where I start with a blank sequence and just start composing. It is always interesting.


See, there is a whole philosophy to owning an mpc, and it is something to celebrate! Anyone can do music on a PC, but put that extra M in front of it and you are special. Not everyone likes it, and you can't do everything music-wise, on an mpc. But when it comes to being fast and looking cool, you can't beat em. :D

On the other hand, if you just don't gel with your mpc and feel more at home with software, go for that. There are programs out there which are quite intuitive and fun to use too.
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By JUKE 179r Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:34 pm
Muied Lumens wrote:There are programs out there which are quite intuitive and fun to use too.


Like FXpansion Guru...


But i still won't gve up my MPC!!!
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By djobserv Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:32 pm
dude if your feeling what you're doing on NI, don't let those thoughts of "i need ______" creep in..

i know dudes who love what they do on fruity loops.. saul good, everyone just has to use what fits right
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By kebzer Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:48 am
The 2kxl sequencer groove is unmatchable by any software. The day I bought mine the mystery around those bumbing boom bap tracks was finally cleared...S/W is clicking way too perfectly on time, causing the beat to sound unnatural.
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By djconrad Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:54 am
kebzer wrote:The 2kxl sequencer groove is unmatchable by any software. The day I bought mine the mystery around those bumbing boom bap tracks was finally cleared...S/W is clicking way too perfectly on time, causing the beat to sound unnatural.

Don't get me wrong I love my MPC but I feel this argument doesn't hold true anymore. You can get any type of groove template you desire for all the major software sequencers now.
The MPC vs software debate isn't about what's better but purely personal preference and workflow. You will get the same results from either at the end of the day, (apart from sound-wise with the older MPC's, 3000, 60 etc, but thats a different debate) you may just find that you get there quicker using either the MPC or software, whatever works best for you.
Mike Dean on the Gearslutz forum got it spot on in a recent post. I think he said something like he makes beats with an MPC, cubase, logic, whatever they all come out pretty much the same.
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By Peter Project Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:25 am
Bottom line for me... MPCs are more fun. I make music because it's fun. Computers are boring and look gay on stage.
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By RealWorldDealings Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:36 am
djobserv wrote:dude if your feeling what you're doing on NI, don't let those thoughts of "i need ______" creep in..

i know dudes who love what they do on fruity loops.. saul good, everyone just has to use what fits right



basically, DO YOU!