Post your questions, opinions and reviews of the MPC1000. This forum is for discussion of the OFFICIAL Akai OS (2.1). If you wish to discuss the JJ OS, please use the dedicated JJ OS forum

By Phedeks Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:21 pm
To use it only for drums is the biggest waste of 900$ I can think of.
By filterthing Sat Jun 05, 2004 6:36 pm
I have made some of the nicest beats (yes, drums only...) with this machine. What is the famous mpc swing all about if it is not for drums? It is only a waste if you never turn it on.
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By effekt Sat Jun 05, 2004 7:20 pm
chill, I think that Phedeks wanted to say that you can do more then just the drums on your MP. This machine is able to do alot more then just drum tracks. If you only use it for drums, that's fine...but you could be doing alot more with the rest of the features that it has.

By Phedeks Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:18 pm
effekt wrote:chill, I think that Phedeks wanted to say that you can do more then just the drums on your MP. This machine is able to do alot more then just drum tracks. If you only use it for drums, that's fine...but you could be doing alot more with the rest of the features that it has.


Yes thats what I was saying. I dont know anybody that would buy a mpc just for "MPC Swing" or drums only. Why limit yourself to just that.
By jrides Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:47 pm
It really depends on what level of the game you are at. Some of us bought our MPC's to step up our drum game. Its what the unit is best at and what it was designed for originally. Yes you can do more with it....but if you dont have to why? I would I fumble around in the MPC doing things I can do 4 times as efficiently in aonther machine. Why play basslines on pads if you have a keyboard? Why chop samples on the MPC when its easier/more efficient on another tool. When I had a lot less money than I have access to now... I would have probably agreed with you a long time ago. When you can buy the best tool for the right job and you have the dedication to do so, it should be praised not criticized.

A carpenter can cut all his wood with a jig saw....but has multiple saws. One could look and say, "Dang this fool got 5 different kinds of saws.....ridiculous.....and a waste of money"

By dsuh Tue Jun 08, 2004 12:41 am
hehe I respect everyone's opinions. I tried the MPC out at Guitar Center and this is what I conclude..

I find that the MPC is the best for drums.


I use Audiograbber and M-Audio's Transit for sampling. Then use Nero Wave editor for editing. For the sequencer and piano rolls, melodies, and basslines I use Reason 2.5. So basicly sampling and sequencing is out of the picture.


I find it difficult to use the sequencer in the MPC. I haven't tried the sampler, but it can't possibly be easier than point and click.


What else can the MPC be used for? Can someone give me alternatives of the MPC1000 besides the ASR-10?

By jrides Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:46 am
dsuh wrote:I find it difficult to use the sequencer in the MPC. I haven't tried the sampler, but it can't possibly be easier than point and click.

What else can the MPC be used for? Can someone give me alternatives of the MPC1000 besides the ASR-10?


MPC has one of the easiest to use and intuitive sequencers in the game. Its more musical than point and click. You can get a more musical swing going unquantized, using your natural sense of rhythm.

I use my MPC for drums and sequencing everything. You can use the 1000 for drums/bass/phrase samples/vocal samples.......etc. It is very capable of making whole songs in the electroinc music genre. (Hip Hop especially)

The pads can be used as midi triggers for your samples inside the PC. You can create sequences with MPC swing and load the Standard Midi File on your computer.

Alternatives "for" the MPC? Hmmmmmm.....there is probably not a better drum sequncer on the market. If considering other features... The ASR-X is one...it should be easier to chop samples on. Roland MC-909 has plenty of synth sounds if you need em. The Roland Fantom-S has a keyboard and pads but....the pads arent comparable to the MPC. They are usable though. If you dont want to use external hardware at all... its posible to use the Akai MPD midi controller which has the pads of the MPC but no sequencer or sampler to control your software. Korg MicroControl serves a similar purpose.

Enhhh thats about it...... really the MPC is the best at what it does so there isnt an alternative but....there are some boxes that carry out similar features.
By filterthing Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:51 am
Hey phadeks, you know someone now. Me! Man, listen to jride. Do you guys stand on the street corner yelling at all the Porsche drivers to speed up and drive fast. I own and have owned quite a few drum machines. There is something magical about the way the mpc makes beats. I have never used a drum machine quite like it. Add the fact that you can use any drum hit/sound you want makes it the perfect drum machine. I know I am only scratching the surface of what the mpc can do, but I could not be happier with what I am using it for. Let's all try to be understanding of how we use our equipment... (I love this forum, so this is in no way me trying to start a flame war... just had to finish what I started)
Byelbowlobstercowstand Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:12 am
so don't be made at me for asking dumb questions, but I am thinking about grabbing an mpc1000 to practise my timing (I play drums, looking to lock into a quality drum machine), and eventually get into looping/composing etc. Is there a place I can go to find out the basics of if the mpc1000 is right for me? I heard about an archive on this site, but can't seem to find it.

thanks . . .

By dsuh Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:25 am
I started by looking through the pdf manual. Do a search and you'll find it.

Also http://www.mpc-tutor.com is great for faq and other stuff

By Troma Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:13 pm
I use it mainly for drums. I have other synths, keyboard and a couple of PC's that I use with it. I usually make my sequences in software, record the sequences in to tracks on the MPC and then use the MPC for playback.