Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
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By phono Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:10 pm
Menco wrote:It's not that the 500 isn't capable enough to do the job...But most people who has a few bucks extra move on to a bigger piece of equipment. Or they use a 500 as an aditional mp/ sampler.
Maybe a lot of producers will use it in an endless amount of monster hits, but I think then It won't be used as a centerpiece. Some producers are known for their work they made with THAT type of machine (large pro, pete rock sp1200 e.g.). Because of the hardware limitations, a lot of people use the 500 as a combo, and not as a standalone dedicated workstation. So I'd put my money on the 1K as well (most sold), or the 2500 (more used by pro's).



id have to agree with this, i've a full hardware studio and my main motivation in getting the 500 was for live use. I've since toyed with the idea of getting a 1000/2500 but if i did i'd still keep the 500 for travelling since its a lot of fun to have a portable studio that doesnt involve a laptop
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By phono Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:12 pm
EducatedHands wrote:sweet avatar phono.


that was last week on my trip to the uk 8)

all gone now tho :x
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By POSTAL Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:28 pm
I don't care what nobody say, oooooooooooooohhhhhhh000ooo babababy!
That dilla Don't Cry is the shshshshshshisisiisisszzzzzz!
By ONE Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:01 am
The MPC line already has its classics. The first few models to come out. Every other model afterwards has just been a re-vamping.
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By phono Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:15 pm
Menco wrote:
Visit Amsterdam next time...Nice atmosphere for music production


i dont like the dam tbh, way too sleezy. I was in the uk visiting friends since thats where im from. Im actually living in sweden on the danish border, and those that know copenhagen know about christiania.... :D :D
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By Menco Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:51 pm
I kept thinking about this subject, and I changed my mind over the last few days. I think none of the new generation mpc's will be considered a classic, just because of the same reasons why I think the 500 won't be a classic.

In times of the mpc60 and the mpc3000, technique wasn't that advanced as it is nowadays. Now there are a lot of alternatives that can beat the mpc on a lot of area's. Just like the sampler, this can be done easier, faster, and more advanced (s5000, recycle, audacity e.g.), sequencing (Daw's).
Plus these (soft)things are easyier to get by then 15 years ago. So people use them more often, which force other producers to bring more instruments into their setups to keep up with the time. Just think about how many producers still work with nothing but a sampler and a turntable (exept for a few guys like me on the forum).
So conclusion: no classic, it was better then it will ever be.
ByErgg Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:51 pm
I consider the MPC500 a classic for delivering more features than a MPC2000 XL in a package that runs on batteries and easily fits in your backpack. The MPC500 is a very capable unit, especially compared to the legendary MPC's (feature wise).

However I also feel that Akai has lost the legendary reputation by selling MPC's with crappy O.S. software, they should have put more effort in testing before they ship their new products.

Snerg
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By Menco Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:50 pm
Of course the 500 has more features then a 2000xl, times change, and Akai can't stay behind. But compaired to other stuff out there, it still isn't enough to dominate a complete studio and pump several albums out of it. (not as an addition to a set up, but as a dedicated sampler)
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By mr_debauch Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:35 am
Even pro tools wont be considered a classic, and that is putting studios out of business all over the world.

Every week I see a studio or two going bankrupt online selling off all their rack gear and equipment. That is how I got a pair of brand new yorkville pulse 153 speakers in mint condition for 200 bucks, and my studiomaster 10 channel mixer (also mint condition) for 50 bucks.

The classics are gonna be the ones that are already considered classics... because now that software has taken over, all that ends because it always just gets better and better as versions get higher and higher.
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By elevated Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:31 pm
I don't know about CLASSIC, but the 500 definitely represents a certain point in the history of the MPC...

But what I really wanted to write-- Where are we getting the info that Dilla used an sp-303 for Donuts? I've been loving that since it first came out, and always imagined him on an MPC.
By woozee Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:50 am
I don't think the 500 will be a classic.I think is too limited.May be the 1000 in a certain way can be considered because is the model more selled of the mpc.
The mpc 2000 xl can be considered a classic but because when it came out it was something really revolutionary. I think that the new mpc's are not enough competitive with the software that exist today. I believe that the next generetion of mpc has to put a lot more feature and new technology.The mpc 1000 start to be old , i think is from 2003-or 20004, and since it never change.So i think akai should work on a next generation mpc and should change the design also ....an mpc 1000 thinner for example, that can truly work with a pc, that while is conected with it you can still work on the mpc..USB 2.0, 2008 and they stiil use usb 1.0, may be a tactil lcd?
By guyb Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:42 am
Some good points, I think that the future must lie in better syncing with a computer. It's a tough one when you think about exactly what you would want it to do. Personally I think there needs to be a seamless transition between working on a beat on the mpc and on a DAW, so maybe a VST which can talk to the MPC, import/export MIDI patterns with it (so you can edit on pc screen) and turn it into a MIDI controller. Its quite hard to define/explain. I'm designing a hardware step sequencer at the moment which I hope to be able to protoype these kind of DAW integration features on.

The trouble is, purists will complain for the MPC moving toward computer production, and realists whill likely ask why you wouldnt just buy a MIDI controller? Obviously there is a niche in the middle, but it may not be enough of a market to warrant a lot of development?
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By Menco Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:44 pm
Maybe Akai should release a new line of grooboxes, based on the MPC, with differerent kind of models. One for the purist, a bigass mothafcuking box like the 60/3000 with a digital sampler that can sample in 12, 16 en 24 bits, plus an option to change the frequency rate, great sequencer and stuff, just like an mpc with JJOS. Mulitple outs and midi in/out. Phono pre-amps, multi sampling, easy but fast workable chopshop, plus the option to chop numeric (gives u headache, but is more precise sometimes)

Then they should release a more computer like of groovebox which can integrate easily with Daw's and comps (software and hardware), so that would make importing and recording midi/audio tracks a piece of cake. maybe a firewire multi out, option to add a screen or mouse, plus more buttons to make it more of a daw controller at the same time.
Otherwise I think Akai won't sell that many sampling and sequencing samplers.