Question on MPC sequencing and external synths/samplers

I'm shopping eBay for an MPC right now and have a couple of quick (I hope) questions...

1) Is the MPC (any or all models) useful as a sequencer for non-drum sequences? And, can I send those sequences out via a midi port to an external synth/sampler in addition to the internal samples? I would like to record/edit and trigger sequences and output the midi notes to a Roland XV synth for non-drum sounds and sequences. This would include basslines, chord progressions, etc. If not, any other better approaches?

2) Can I do either of the following - a) create/edit a sequence right on the MPC hardware (using the MPC pads and buttons I assume)? b) record midi notes from an external controller/keyboard and store those as sequences on the MPC (and later edit)?

3) Is there any sort of Arpeggiator on the MPC - either for internal samples or incoming MIDI notes?

Thanks for your help.

- Mark

To make this as simple as possible...Yes, yes & yes.

dabmeister wrote:To make this as simple as possible...Yes, yes & yes.

co-sign. plus midi sequencing hardware synths will save ram, and will allow for real time parameter changes.

dabmeister wrote:To make this as simple as possible...Yes, yes & yes.

Is the last yes the answer to the arpeggiator question? Then I must say I was not aware my MPC (2KXL) came with an arpeggiator. I'm actually pretty sure it doesn't.

Honestly, if you've never used an MPC and arent already acustomed to it's workflow, you are better off looking at a software DAW.

The mpc's midi edit can be decribed in one word. tedious. The appegiator (in JJos only i think) is about as basic as you can get. The mpc would be kind of pointless IMO since you'll be recording into a DAW anyway.

IMO the mpc is better for more sample based production although, yes...it can do it all. It all depends on your workflow. Some people like more graphical approach for making complex arrangements and automation. Just do lots of research and find out what works.

Great input - thank you.

It's sounds like the MPC be a bit tedious for creating new sequences from scratch compared to some of the PC-based tools.

But, if I have the sequences already created (maybe on my PC) I can download them and play them in a live performance situation - correct? Also, can I record a sequence from live midi input, and then easily replay it in a live situation?

- Mark

pt3r wrote:

dabmeister wrote:To make this as simple as possible...Yes, yes & yes.

Is the last yes the answer to the arpeggiator question? Then I must say I was not aware my MPC (2KXL) came with an arpeggiator. I'm actually pretty sure it doesn't.

Yeah, I always viewed note repeat as the mpc's version of an arpeggiator.

dabmeister wrote:Yeah, I always viewed note repeat as the mpc's version of an arpeggiator.

and, and....
so how do use note repeat to simulate an arpegiator? can't quite see how this would work.

yeah wtf?
Using note repeat wont get the same effect as the arpegiator...

Look at this way guys, what other samplers offer "note repeat" like the mpc series? I didn't say the mpc has an arpreggiator itself, and I totally understand what it does. But from a cornerstone view of it, IMO it's Akai's way of implementing a unique feature no other "drum machine/sampler" offered at the time it first came out.

Is this wrong to consider an arpreggiator and note repeat to fall under this category http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rhythm?

mark.oswald wrote:Great input - thank you.

It's sounds like the MPC be a bit tedious for creating new sequences from scratch compared to some of the PC-based tools.

But, if I have the sequences already created (maybe on my PC) I can download them and play them in a live performance situation - correct? Also, can I record a sequence from live midi input, and then easily replay it in a live situation?

- Mark

Completely forget about an MPC. You should be looking into Ableton Live or Mac's Mainstage option for logic. Both can do all of that. Get laptop, a nice audio interface w/ midi and a midi controller of your choice. Depending on if you go for a PC laptop or mac...the laptop setup would be cheaper than buying a new MPC. Theres a reason why you see nearly all live musicians using laptops.

respect_mbs wrote:

mark.oswald wrote:Great input - thank you.

It's sounds like the MPC be a bit tedious for creating new sequences from scratch compared to some of the PC-based tools.

But, if I have the sequences already created (maybe on my PC) I can download them and play them in a live performance situation - correct? Also, can I record a sequence from live midi input, and then easily replay it in a live situation?

- Mark

Completely forget about an MPC. You should be looking into Ableton Live or Mac's Mainstage option for logic. Both can do all of that. Get laptop, a nice audio interface w/ midi and a midi controller of your choice. Depending on if you go for a PC laptop or mac...the laptop setup would be cheaper than buying a new MPC. Theres a reason why you see nearly all live musicians using laptops.

lol...what's going on here? "MPC tedious for creating new sequences"? "Forget about MPC"?

_Stilo_ wrote:lol...what's going on here? "MPC tedious for creating new sequences"? "Forget about MPC"?

... to clarify. Creating new sequences on an MPC is not tedious but editting pre recorded midi notes using the mpc's midi editor can be. But look at his needs. If you really want to do anything interesting your gunna need more memory than what even a maxed out 2500 can provide. Maybe a 4k i guess. Live looping, warping/beat matching tracks, on the fly remixing...software is a better move.

respect_mbs wrote:Creating new sequences on an MPC is not tedious but editting pre recorded midi notes using the mpc's midi editor can be.

Sure...

respect_mbs wrote:But look at his needs. If you really want to do anything interesting your gunna need more memory than what even a maxed out 2500 can provide. Maybe a 4k i guess. Live looping, warping/beat matching tracks, on the fly remixing...software is a better move.

...although I see nowhere that the OP said he wanted to do that. And you don't want to imply that one cannot do anything "interesting" with the MPC alone, do you?

I think respect_mbs managed to come up with a good sense of the kind of things I'm interested in - live looping, remixing, etc - a combination of midi sequences + samples + live. Sort of what I can do with my gibson/obeheim echoplex looper, only with synth sounds and samples instead of my guitar.

I realize that a pc/laptop is probabaly the most flexible platform to accomplish this sort of thing, using Ableton Live. I already have that setup and it works well. However... for me personally, I'm looking to get away from a PC based setup. I work on computers all day long and spending my evening and weekend away from them - with my guitars and gear - is a nice break for me.

With this good feedback in mind, i've been researching some other options on the net. For a pure hardware sequencer, with great composition features and user interface, it looks like the Yamaha devices like the rm1x and qy* sequencers might be the winner. Actually, if i want to spend the extra $, then the combination of an mpc for sample-related performance and a qy* for sequencing looks like it would provide hours and hours of fun.

Not to take this forum too far off topic, but... does anyone have any experience with those yamaha sequencers (or any others) and why they might choose one over the other?

Thanks again.

- Mark