Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By Joe_caithness Mon May 26, 2008 7:57 pm
Hi.

I come from a PC production background, but really want to play about with sequencing away from a freaking screen all the time!

So far I am just rooting through all the bits in the manual I instictively wanna check out (like trimming, effects, etc)

But I wanna know: is there any tasks/projects you can suggest as a more inspiring way, learning as I go along, from problems and mistakes I come accross?


SIDE NOTE: when recording the MPC500 back into my DAW to mix and add other things to, is there an option to just SOLO one pad and record it in? kind of like a long way around of getting the results of say a 2000XL

thanks!

please help out :shock:
ByErgg Mon May 26, 2008 9:29 pm
Hi,

But I wanna know: is there any tasks/projects you can suggest as a more inspiring way, learning as I go along, from problems and mistakes I come accross?


Read the whole manual, it's worth it. (But it might not be the most inspiring thing to do...)

I suggest taking the MPC500 with you, bring some batteries and a headphones :) If you bring cables you can sample everything and anything and even have jam session with other people.

SIDE NOTE: when recording the MPC500 back into my DAW to mix and add other things to, is there an option to just SOLO one pad and record it in? kind of like a long way around of getting the results of say a 2000XL


You can solo tracks in the mute menu (select Track Mute and spin the data wheel until it says Track Solo). You need to record different pad on different tracks.

Have fun,

Snerg
By brazeca Tue May 27, 2008 2:16 pm
If you ask me, the most inspiring way to learn is implementing your ideas with MPC. If you are a DAW user, I'd suggest trying your favourite sequencing or sampling tricks with MPC first. Do have User's Manual by your side for a quick reference, cause MPC's interface is confusing at first (especially if you are used to working with DAW).

Well, the most logical way of learning your MPC is this (in my opinion):

1) Learn how to record (load) and edit samples in MPC (though, it is recommended to edit samples in an audio editing software, but some features like looping you can do in MPC only)
2) Learn how to make and edit programs (Program Mode)
3) Learn to record and edit sequences
4) Finally, master the Effects and Song modes.
By Joe_caithness Tue May 27, 2008 6:47 pm
just had a little bash again at this ting!

learning how to record and play along at the same time from my DX27 was good!

now I have a question: how do I delete the entire contents of the card easily? instead of going thru bit by bit?

I have access to a very very nice sample bank and I wanna load it on ???
By brazeca Wed May 28, 2008 1:02 pm
Clearing the card:

1) MPC can format your CF card, clearing it entirely, its somewhere in Save or Load mode screens.

2) You can also connect MPC to computer via USB and, once connected and you see the CF card as a removable drive, just open it, select everything and press Shift-delete or move it to Recycle bin and then clear it (if you are on a Mac, move CF contents to Trash and then select Empty Trash). Don't forget to eject the removable drive correctly when you clear it up and then copy the new sound bank to it. Otherwise there's a possibility that the data on memory card will be damaged.

Sequence length:

You can change sequence length by pressing Sequence to go to sequence screen and then Params (that switches to sequence parameters screen). Use jog wheel to scroll to Sequence length screen. Now you can change your sequence length.

PS: Repetition makes it perfect, doesn't it? READ THE MANUAL!
By thecatinside Thu May 29, 2008 11:44 am
Joe_caithness wrote:how the freak do I get rid of the factory preset sounds!? / sequences / songs


In the Load-menu, turn autoload to off,

I'm not sure if it's possible to format the internal memory, but it is possible to replace the contents of internal memory (in the save-menu: to internal).

Are you Joe C from wubstepforum and collective-zine by the way?