Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By vanilla ice Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:34 pm
I have had the MPC 500 now for about 8 months, and I don't understand all the complaints about this machine. First off, let me say that there were some bugs in the original operating system. My 500 crashed also in the middle of production.....so i went to the Akai website and downloaded the newer OS. Hasn't crashed since. They have fixed most of the bugs, so now there really should be no complaints.
Honestly, it seems that most of the complaints have to do with the simple fact that alot of MPC users are not practicing MUSICIANS to start with. If you don't have an understanding of the fundamentals of music, then the MPC will be somewhat challenging. As will Pro Tools or any other program.
I am not saying that the majority of MPC user aren't musicians, I would think the majority are. But it seems there are alot of people who buy this machine without the musical ability or training to use it to it's full capability. Honestly kids, this machine is a very powerful instrument. As far as sampling and portability goes, you need nothing more.
In short, if you are having probs with the MPC 500 or feel it is not as powerful as a more expensive model, i say that maybe the problem lies within. You dont need the MPC 900,000. Pick up a book on recording at the bookstore, practice music !! Just remember, it's not what you use to create the music, it's what you do with what you have. Compared to the old machines i used to have, the MPC 500 is some space age ish!!!

ByErgg Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:21 pm
Hi,

I've had a lot of trouble with my MPC 500 even with the latest O.S.

Feature wise I have no complaints, it should be a capable little drum sampler/sequencer unit. It's all about dedication and creativity.

However there are serious problems with the MPC 500, my second unit still crashes very often. This is frustrating and I end up using other hardware and software instead.

I've had about 6 years of musical training and have about 18 years of experience with midi hard- and software.

Snerg
By fritzolin Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:31 pm
vanilla ice wrote:I have had the MPC 500 now for about 8 months, and I don't understand all the complaints about this machine. First off, let me say that there were some bugs in the original operating system. My 500 crashed also in the middle of production.....so i went to the Akai website and downloaded the newer OS. Hasn't crashed since. They have fixed most of the bugs, so now there really should be no complaints.
Honestly, it seems that most of the complaints have to do with the simple fact that alot of MPC users are not practicing MUSICIANS to start with. If you don't have an understanding of the fundamentals of music, then the MPC will be somewhat challenging. As will Pro Tools or any other program.
I am not saying that the majority of MPC user aren't musicians, I would think the majority are. But it seems there are alot of people who buy this machine without the musical ability or training to use it to it's full capability. Honestly kids, this machine is a very powerful instrument. As far as sampling and portability goes, you need nothing more.
In short, if you are having probs with the MPC 500 or feel it is not as powerful as a more expensive model, i say that maybe the problem lies within. You dont need the MPC 900,000. Pick up a book on recording at the bookstore, practice music !! Just remember, it's not what you use to create the music, it's what you do with what you have. Compared to the old machines i used to have, the MPC 500 is some space age ish!!!


fcking word... an old russion proverb says: in the right hands even an extension socket becomes powerful. never had a single crash either.
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By Upright Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:06 am
vanilla ice wrote:I have had the MPC 500 now for about 8 months, and I don't understand all the complaints about this machine. First off, let me say that there were some bugs in the original operating system. My 500 crashed also in the middle of production.....so i went to the Akai website and downloaded the newer OS. Hasn't crashed since. They have fixed most of the bugs, so now there really should be no complaints.
Honestly, it seems that most of the complaints have to do with the simple fact that alot of MPC users are not practicing MUSICIANS to start with. If you don't have an understanding of the fundamentals of music, then the MPC will be somewhat challenging. As will Pro Tools or any other program.
I am not saying that the majority of MPC user aren't musicians, I would think the majority are. But it seems there are alot of people who buy this machine without the musical ability or training to use it to it's full capability. Honestly kids, this machine is a very powerful instrument. As far as sampling and portability goes, you need nothing more.
In short, if you are having probs with the MPC 500 or feel it is not as powerful as a more expensive model, i say that maybe the problem lies within. You dont need the MPC 900,000. Pick up a book on recording at the bookstore, practice music !! Just remember, it's not what you use to create the music, it's what you do with what you have. Compared to the old machines i used to have, the MPC 500 is some space age ish!!!



The 500 is definitely a dope little sampler....but it just doesn't do alot of things that some of the larger Mpc's do....but I'm by no means trying to shoot you down here...I wish I still had my 500 I really need a portable mpc these days. :D
By CLOCK 470 Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:00 pm
Upright wrote:
vanilla ice wrote:I have had the MPC 500 now for about 8 months, and I don't understand all the complaints about this machine. First off, let me say that there were some bugs in the original operating system. My 500 crashed also in the middle of production.....so i went to the Akai website and downloaded the newer OS. Hasn't crashed since. They have fixed most of the bugs, so now there really should be no complaints.
Honestly, it seems that most of the complaints have to do with the simple fact that alot of MPC users are not practicing MUSICIANS to start with. If you don't have an understanding of the fundamentals of music, then the MPC will be somewhat challenging. As will Pro Tools or any other program.
I am not saying that the majority of MPC user aren't musicians, I would think the majority are. But it seems there are alot of people who buy this machine without the musical ability or training to use it to it's full capability. Honestly kids, this machine is a very powerful instrument. As far as sampling and portability goes, you need nothing more.
In short, if you are having probs with the MPC 500 or feel it is not as powerful as a more expensive model, i say that maybe the problem lies within. You dont need the MPC 900,000. Pick up a book on recording at the bookstore, practice music !! Just remember, it's not what you use to create the music, it's what you do with what you have. Compared to the old machines i used to have, the MPC 500 is some space age ish!!!



The 500 is definitely a dope little sampler....but it just doesn't do alot of things that some of the larger Mpc's do....but I'm by no means trying to shoot you down here...I wish I still had my 500 I really need a portable mpc these days. :D

yes,the 500 it´s an stripped down mpc to its core,and that´s what i like about it.
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By thebackwardszero Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:50 am
I got nothing to compare it to, but i love it.

The only thing is that it's really a **** to chop on the 500. But if you chop in the computer, its pretty much just as good as any other MP.
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By ElGrego Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:21 am
The MPC 500 is my first MPC, I have it for 4 days and I already chop my samples on it very fast and with ease... So please, do not tell that "it's really a **** to chop on the 500"... That ain't true man, just need to use your ears rather than your eyes (in fact, it seems to me that I even do some more interresting chopping this way than when using my usual softwares on the computer like I did during the past 15 years). :wink:

yo

By krazylbeats Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:20 pm
hey elgrego. how do you chop samples with the mpc 500? i was going to get it but i thought because of the little screen that is was harder to chop. so i got aused mpc 1000 for like 535 on ebay which was like brand new. if you want check my beats out at myspace.com/krazylthemadman. i just got it 2 weeks ago but i was always aiming for a 500. but chopping was what stopped me from buying it. thanks.
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By Cold Snap Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:04 pm
All right STOP! Collaborate & Listen! hahaa

I couldn't agree more though... the 500 is well under rated! It's got it's issues with some ppl but uknow some ppl just got issues with there own shadow!

I have been using the 500 for about 2 months now and have sold several tracks made solely on the 500... it's basically paid for it self about 4 times over now!

go white boy go white boy GO!
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By ElGrego Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:30 pm
How do I chope my sample ?

That seems obvious... I sample a nice piece of music, I chose a trim start point, a trim end point, I chose 'Extract', I push the 'DO IT' button and assigned the chopped sound byte to a pad... All this using my ears and not my eyes (it seems that it is hard for many MPC users... they should probably do some painting instead of music LOL).

But all in all I can do what I want with my MPC 500, I don't feel limited and therefore I'm happy :D
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By Cold Snap Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:38 pm
It's like peeps wanna buy something that will make the music for em... The 500 really dose have infinite options if you know how to werk it out!
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By ssnedden Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Exactly

I don't get why people like to get computers involved. Use you ear! Chop that shit up nice. Plus if you do all of your chopping on the MP then you have the ability to constantly adjust to fit the loop, or to get new ideas.

I don't know why chopping by ear is such a big deal to people. I accidentally went into the music conservatory at my college early yesterday - thought I had studio time earlier than I did. I found a hallway, grabbed the 500 out of my backpack, the iPod from my pocket and chopped and sequenced a break in less than 20 minutes. Still had time left over. Love the 500.

By master-ceo Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:56 pm
Chuuuch! OP hit the nail on the head

By dtaa pla muk Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:08 pm
I don't know why chopping by ear is such a big deal to people.


me either, in the opposite way
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By ssnedden Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:35 pm
Nym wrote:
I don't know why chopping by ear is such a big deal to people.


me either, in the opposite way


Iv'e got my 500 to the left of my Mixer, and a turntable to the right. I can throw on records and have them chopped in minutes. Plus go back and forth with my new samples and the record. It feels so damn natural. Replace my TT with a CD player or iPod and I can do the same thing in the park.