Debating Over and Over

I am really debating over and over again about purchasing one of the 5000 units. I have a price from VST for $2175 including shipping. I know it is a great price but I am using Logic Pro, Abelton Live 7, and Reason 4. Is there a benefit? I just keep vasilating over it.

Thanks.

The 5k will offer very little that your software can't, other than a nice bit of hardware for control.

If the money is burning a hole in your pocket then go for it, but i'm waiting on the Linndrum 2 as it will apparently have real analogue synthesis and filters, and I would put money on the effects being far superior to Akai's. That could still be a year away yet (maybe more) but I think it will be worth the wait

[email protected] wrote:I am really debating over and over again about purchasing one of the 5000 units. I have a price from VST for $2175 including shipping. I know it is a great price but I am using Logic Pro, Abelton Live 7, and Reason 4. Is there a benefit? I just keep vasilating over it.

Thanks.

You can do everything you need to do with the software you already own. But if you are looking for something that gives you more hands on control, than an MPC is an option. But don't buy an MPC thinking that it will have all the functions your software has. You may want to write a list of things your software does that you can't live without and then research MPCs (by reading MPC manuals or asking questions here) to see if they have these functions. Also, look at what the MPC has to offer to determine if they are things you found lacking with your software. Then you will be able to put the debate to rest.

Personally, I will always have hardware drum machine sampler in my studio. I use the MPC with software not a replacement for software.

You folks are great, thanks so much. I really am looking for the MPC to compliment my software. I am certain I will not stop with the software but I am also thinking I could carry the MPC with me on my business trips. I know I can carry my MacBook Pro but I have to carry my Duet for interfacing and headphones. Part of the problem is I am an older person, 57, trying to learn this whole recording situation and not wanting to take the time to learn all of the software. It is time consuming. I have enough gear to choke a horse and don't really understand the whole thing. I am not in this for money just for pleasure so I am sure that is part of it as well.

I guess in some ways this may sound crazing but music is my hobby and like any hobby I spend tons of money on it. I don't think it is any different than people who spend money on model airplanes, train sets, etc...

[email protected] wrote:...I guess in some ways this may sound crazing but music is my hobby and like any hobby I spend tons of money on it. I don't think it is any different than people who spend money on model airplanes, train sets, etc...

You are not alone. I would say the majority of people in this forum are music hobbyist including myself.

[email protected] wrote:You folks are great, thanks so much. I really am looking for the MPC to compliment my software. I am certain I will not stop with the software but I am also thinking I could carry the MPC with me on my business trips. I know I can carry my MacBook Pro but I have to carry my Duet for interfacing and headphones. Part of the problem is I am an older person, 57, trying to learn this whole recording situation and not wanting to take the time to learn all of the software. It is time consuming. I have enough gear to choke a horse and don't really understand the whole thing. I am not in this for money just for pleasure so I am sure that is part of it as well.

I guess in some ways this may sound crazing but music is my hobby and like any hobby I spend tons of money on it. I don't think it is any different than people who spend money on model airplanes, train sets, etc...

Doesn't sound crazy at all - A lot of people make music as a hobby and as a way to relax and unwind!

A point to note: I started venturing down the software route at one stage, loading every soft-synth and music app that I could lay my hands on, but I found that the more DAWS/Apps/VSTs/effects I had on the PC - the less music I made...lol

I had so many options I was too busy trying to learn all the time instead of being creative - perhaps I'm just easily distracted.

I found that switching back to a balanced hardware/software setup and cutting back to the basics really helped me get productive again. I pretty much only use MPC, Motif XS and Sonar DAW now, that gives me more than enough.

That works for me, but everyone has they're own way of composing.

Good luck to you and most of all enjoy making music.

Peace - Elite

I am certain I will not stop with the software but I am also thinking I could carry the MPC with me on my business trips. I know I can carry my MacBook Pro but I have to carry my Duet for interfacing and headphones.

Carrying a 5k around with you will be way more of a hassle than a laptop, interface and headphones!

Coz wrote:

I am certain I will not stop with the software but I am also thinking I could carry the MPC with me on my business trips. I know I can carry my MacBook Pro but I have to carry my Duet for interfacing and headphones.

Carrying a 5k around with you will be way more of a hassle than a laptop, interface and headphones!

The MPC is prettier though. I love it when people ask me what the MPC actually does. Most people have no idea what an MPC is.

Coz wrote:

I am certain I will not stop with the software but I am also thinking I could carry the MPC with me on my business trips. I know I can carry my MacBook Pro but I have to carry my Duet for interfacing and headphones.

Carrying a 5k around with you will be way more of a hassle than a laptop, interface and headphones!

lol...if your gonna try and take the MPC5K with you on business trips - then remember to also take your pack mule - coz that suckers damn big and heavy.

I bought this little Akai XR20-BPC to work on my beats when travelling - 100 nice kits with FX - slips right into one side of my laptop case with micro earphones.

Coz wrote:
Carrying a 5k around with you will be way more of a hassle than a laptop, interface and headphones!

your right. but the 5k is actually not that bad... well not compared to the 4k!.

Wow, having the small MPC and the big boy too. That is awesome. I think I am agreeing with one of the posts, I need to go back to a balance of software and hardware. I need more hands on than I currently have. Secondly I really am struggling with soft effects and learning to use them. I am thinking between my Apple MacBook Pro, Logic 8, and an MPC 5000, along with my Korg M3 I should be set?

You folks are awesome!

I am thinking between my Apple MacBook Pro, Logic 8, and an MPC 5000, along with my Korg M3 I should be set?

Set for what? More gear that you're not learning?! How can you be struggling with software effects? Plugins have made the implementation of effects within software easy!

I think you need to discover the basic tutorials of your software and move on from there. It's up to you man, but at the minute you're trying to crack a nut with a sledgehamer.

Askia Shaheed wrote:The MPC is prettier though. I love it when people ask me what the MPC actually does. Most people have no idea what an MPC is.

Pretty depends on the planet you're from, maybe some lifeforms prefer more green round things. And I assume, that you spend your time as an Akai representative, explaining all the details even to farmers? Some people even don't have any idea, what "planet" means and can't distinguish between corn and grapefruits. (totally off topic but I felt like it'd be right to write that)

But to contribute to the hardware-software-question: some people use empty cans to make music and theirs sounds better than those owning deathstar-sized studios with nearly every device at least twice to create that fancy stereo-sound they heard of in a psychedelic magazine back in 1968. Device make sounds when you interact with 'em but only this interaction creates your own sound. So devices only make one third of it, rest is courage (to insist, that it's still music...kind of).

Onkobu wrote:

Askia Shaheed wrote:The MPC is prettier though. I love it when people ask me what the MPC actually does. Most people have no idea what an MPC is.

Pretty depends on the planet you're from, maybe some lifeforms prefer more green round things. And I assume, that you spend your time as an Akai representative, explaining all the details even to farmers? Some people even don't have any idea, what "planet" means and can't distinguish between corn and grapefruits. (totally off topic but I felt like it'd be right to write that)

But to contribute to the hardware-software-question: some people use empty cans to make music and theirs sounds better than those owning deathstar-sized studios with nearly every device at least twice to create that fancy stereo-sound they heard of in a psychedelic magazine back in 1968. Device make sounds when you interact with 'em but only this interaction creates your own sound. So devices only make one third of it, rest is courage (to insist, that it's still music...kind of).

The planet I am from just had a brother elected as the 44th US President. In fact, when my MPC 5000s warranty expires, I am sending it to Forat for a makeover...to make in pretty-er Barrack Obama Signature MPC. Anybody know where I can find a copy of his signature so I can have it painted on my MPC?

* Just found it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bara ... nature.svg.

So add this, wood panels..among other things. Or maybe I will just throw Forat a lot of money and tell him to do his thing.

obama is only half brother, i would like to remind you.
half americanized european descendant.
and 100% sellout.