Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By Straight Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:33 pm
I want to cop an MPC 500 to make drum beats and I want to ask those who got that, HOW THE 500 SOUNDS?

I don't care about handling, interface and things like that, I don't want to chop samples, I just want to know how it sounds?

thanks
By milaner69 Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:24 pm
you'll hear people who love it and people who bash it...perspective...those eho bash it do so before giving its ols school OS a chance...absolutelt the easiest MPC t use and navigate once you get your workflow down...trust me and they are reasoably priced now...getting me a Dave Smith Evolver to go with it and gonna make some heat!

By aquarius Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:22 pm
Hey milaner69,

Definitely go for the evolver it's insane! I use one with my 500 and it sounds sweet!
By milaner69 Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:08 pm
Give me some advice here tho....

Thinking about copping a MFC42 filter box should I not get that since Evolver can filter external sounds and work as a standalone synth?
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By Upright Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:32 pm
The main output is lower than the mpc 1000 and the mpc 2500....if your worried about how it "sounds". I had a 500 and still own a 2500.. I compared them side by side and the 500's output is way lower. The headphone out on the 500 is louder than it's main outputs. Overall the mpc 500 is a great sequencer/sampler for the money but in the same respect you get what you pay for, especially when you compare it to the other mpc's.....if you're on a tight budget and don't see yourself able to save up for a bigger model then go for it.
By milaner69 Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:17 pm
True main outut is +5 comared to 1000 and 2500 17 and 22 I think...no way in the world somethin this small is going to have a board that can produce that output at the price...it aint meant to INSERT

preamp or mixer with preamp

problem solved

not even an issue worth fretting over because proper mixing and mastering will take care of that

By Straight Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:37 am
Upright wrote:The main output is lower than the mpc 1000 and the mpc 2500....if your worried about how it "sounds". I had a 500 and still own a 2500.. I compared them side by side and the 500's output is way lower. The headphone out on the 500 is louder than it's main outputs. Overall the mpc 500 is a great sequencer/sampler for the money but in the same respect you get what you pay for, especially when you compare it to the other mpc's.....if you're on a tight budget and don't see yourself able to save up for a bigger model then go for it.


are you talking about VOLUME?

I have a hardware tube preamp/compressor/eq so that's no problem.

but it has that MPC sound/swing?

thanks
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By Lithion Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:17 am
Yea its got that mpc swing.


If you won't be chopping, slicing, sampling too much it might work out for you. I'd recommend a used mpc1000 though over the 500. my 2 centavos

By Straight Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:19 pm
Lithion wrote:Yea its got that mpc swing.





That's what I wanted to know.


If there'll be a used mpc1000 then I'll buy that instead, but if not I'll buy the 500.

the only thing I want is that tight drum beats. I don't sample vinyl.
By milaner69 Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:32 am
your good then...500 a great buy....the portabilty and quality is solid
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By Upright Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:12 am
If you can save your cash and get the 1000 you'll be happier in the end simply because the 1000 gives you more control as a stand alone unit than the 500 does...the 500 also has a lowered polyphony under certain situations(i.e if you're using effects on your samples) This is the main reason I got rid of the 500. The 1000 also gives you the HDD option as well.
By milaner69 Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:37 am
but....the 500 is so cute :) nah he right I'd never talk anyone out of the obvious advantages of mpc upgradin' but the 1/2 a G is a powerful little tool that just makes me wanna keep grabbin it while watching NFL

By Straight Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:00 pm
thanks guys

I understand everybody who says get an 1000 cuz it does more things

but my main goal is the sound because I don't want to do my drum beats in FL anymore. it's a good program but my drums just don't come alive.

I just want to

load samples

bang the pads

record the result into a MAC (Maudio soundcard) through a TLaudio fatfunker

happy new year fellas
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By Scorsese718 Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:34 pm
Fam i recommend the Mpc-500... People bash it because they are use to this new way of beat making... Where they chop samples with there eyes, and not there ears....

People who are bashing It is the people who have a Mpc-1000 or a Mpc -2500. They never had the older mpc's where they had to use creativity and or skill.... I happen to own a mpc2500, but i rarely use it anymore, because to be honest the Mpc-500 is not that much of a difference... Its Still and Mpc, and It Works As Such... Dont let more options be your deciding factor, because you will never understand true beat making with alot of this new stuff thats on these samplers now...
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By Antonym Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:12 pm
but my main goal is the sound because I don't want to do my drum beats in FL anymore. it's a good program but my drums just don't come alive.


you have more control over sound in FL, actually, than you will ever have with the 500

500 is pretty much a wav playback device with a few limited "carving" options: low pass filter, attack, decay

for actually putting together drum sequences, a 1000 or 2500 with the jj os has leagues more potential. you will have far more control over drums with a 1000 and jj os: the magic acronym being ADSR. control EVERY element of how your drum sample plays, not just the attack and release (called DECAY in the earlier os's, 500 included)

A: attack. the "fade in" of your drum. you can make a snare sound like it was brushed this way instead of smacked.

D: decay. how long after the attack does the sound level drop to the SUSTAIN parameter (explained below)

S: sustain. at what level does the sample continue to play after it drops from the attack

R: release. when your finger leaves the pad, how long does the tail play?

ESSENTIAL for drum programming.

here, i'm not talking about effects. in this case, all mpcs suck. that's not where their strengths lie. same with filters - i very rarely use the filters when building my drums. using different layers, ADSR, and SIMULT pads (2 pads linked and played with the touch of 1 for further ADSR control) you have enormous control.

the difference is going to lie with you. are you just looking for a wav playback device, or are you actually trying to shape your sounds?

think of it this way: you're an old lady who is making a blanket. are you using scraps of other cloth as they currently exist and piecing them together to make a patchwork, OR are you actually looking to weave the yarn itself?

the main difference here based on SOUND ALONE lies almost entirely in the sculpting capabilities of ADSR.