Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By sirmikeywest Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:03 pm
A lot of the drum samples you download are in stereo, and they really don't have to be. Start sampling real drums in mono. That will save you a couple voices of polyphony. What I have also found that works really well is to have most/all of your tracks laid down and then start adding the effects afterwards. Sometimes you may have to sacrifice one effect if you want to use the master effect. I don't even think I had to do that with my last beat. I have had my MPC 500 for almost a month and have worked out most of the bugs. It is frustrating at first, but you can work through most of these problems.

By Max Powers Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:07 am
did you ever get to the bottom of this? I've had this problem for a long time and tried the note on, tried monoing everything (as per suggestion of this thread) and still it cuts out.

I dont have 32 things playing either, or even 16. I have a few drums, a bass and maybe 1 or 2 more instruments and it cuts out every time.

I had this problem on a 1000 when I used to use that but not as often.

By DrWho Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:51 pm
I just saw the video. On the MPC comparison chart at Akai it says 32 voices poly, but depending on processing (so this number doesnt mean anything) so they really built in a weak processor in the MPC 500. But could be a bug in the 'voicestealing/ priority routine' too.

BTW, nice tune, has some Residents feel in it.

Cheers
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By Upright Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:36 pm
Yeah,... I think Akai totally lied about the polyphony of the 500.