Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By Destinite Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:57 am
I never noticed this before (somewhat of a noob), but when I save a pgm file with samples it saves duplicates of the wav files used in that program. Is there a way to save the pgm file WITHOUT duplicating the wav files? I tried saving just the program by itself, and when I loaded it, it couldn't find any of the files unless I went and loaded each one into the memory.

Is there some sort of way to save the pgm file where it just knows what folders to look in for the samples so that I don't have to save duplicates every time?
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By robthom Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:52 am
The saving structure of the MPC is kind of a mess IMO. I end up just pulling the card out and straightening everything up with the computer every once in a while.
Have you tried using "save entire memory" into a new folder, and than overwrite that folder when you save the next time ?
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By Lampdog Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:50 pm
Destinite wrote:I never noticed this before (somewhat of a noob), but when I save a pgm file with samples it saves duplicates of the wav files used in that program. Is there a way to save the pgm file WITHOUT duplicating the wav files? I tried saving just the program by itself, and when I loaded it, it couldn't find any of the files unless I went and loaded each one into the memory.

Is there some sort of way to save the pgm file where it just knows what folders to look in for the samples so that I don't have to save duplicates every time?


MPC's cannot read across folders. Save EACH project in a different folder. Along with all samples and all the bits from that project.
By Destinite Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:57 pm
Doesn't "Save entire memory" do the same thing as saving a program with samples, except it loads up when you first start?

You'd think it could do something like how a web page is created - you save your images in whatever folder you like, and just program the html to say "Go back 2 folders, then go into x folder and link to this image". It just seems like such a simple way to do things.

Lampdog - the way you stated is how I've been doing it, but my memory card is running low fast that way (although I just have a 128MB card in there, guess I just gotta upgrade). I just don't like the idea of having a bunch of copies of the same file, I guess. But for organization's sake, I guess it has a purpose.
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By Lampdog Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:51 pm
Use your brain cmon man. "Go back to folders" is not in any mpc so get used to it, lol.
Keep your sample library on computer. Load a bunch of samples on the cf, choose the ones you wanna work with and delete
the rest. Use the computer as sample storage library. You don't HAVE to keep all your samples on cf.

Entire memory is different than "just" a program with samples.

Entire memory = Everything/Everyone in your car.
1 Program with samples = 1 passenger and everything in their pockets.
By Destinite Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:12 pm
I'm getting used to it. It's a hard fact, but I'm getting used to it. You'd just think there'd be some sort of way the MPC could "link" files instead of having them all in one place, but like I said, it's organizationally sound so it does make sense.

Anyway, that's what I do now - backup on my computer. I just get a little carried away sometimes. Like for instance, I'm gonna be on a road trip for 4 days. That's 4 days away from my computer, so I've loaded up a bunch of samples to the CF. Well, I can't save a program with samples now, lol. I went overboard. I probably should get a larger CF anyway though.
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By robthom Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:05 pm
Destinite wrote:Is there some sort of way to save the pgm file where it just knows what folders to look in for the samples so that I don't have to save duplicates every time?


As lampdog said a pgm wont associate to files from other folders, to load the samples with the PGM they have to be in the same folder. But I dont see why it wouldn't work if you saved your pgm's in the same folder where you keep your samples. As long as you dont alter the the original samples, IE finalize the edit points or change the names, I think you should be able to load different programs containing the same samples with different parameters.
By Destinite Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:08 pm
Yeah, but that would require my program files be saved the folders where my samples are loaded from. My samples are organized in different folders - snares in one folder, kicks in another, breaks in another etc., so there's be no way to save a program in the same folder as my samples since they're all over the place. I'm just saying it'd be nice for it to say "Oh, pad1 is assigned kickdrum1 from the kickdrum folder, pad 2 is assigned snare1 from the snare folder" etc., instead of having to have everything in the same folder all the time. So in essence, to eliminate this I'd have to have all my snares, kicks, hats, programs etc in one directory instead of organized into folders. But I get what you're saying.
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By Lampdog Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:09 pm
robthom wrote:I think you should be able to load different programs containing the same samples with different parameters.

tyep, you can.... Same samples, different settings, not for physical destructive changes though, you'd need to make a copy of that sample for that.

Destinite wrote:so there's be no way to save a program in the same folder as my samples since they're all over the place. .....But I get what you're saying.

Well, u gotta deal with it, no use in keepin on wishing "it'd be nice". Deal with it, manhandle the problem and move on to makin mo heat for yourself ya know. Deal with the real and not the coulda/woulda, lol.
By Destinite Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:26 pm
I hear ya...it is what it is. Unless I'm a programmer for Akai, it's no use fussing over it.
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By POSTAL Wed Nov 26, 2008 7:46 pm
Destinite wrote:I hear ya...it is what it is. Unless I'm a programmer for Akai, it's no use fussing over it.


Hey fam, you ain't from chi-town is u? Where/Who did you cop your mpc from?
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By robthom Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:15 am
Destinite wrote:Yeah, but that would require my program files be saved the folders where my samples are loaded from. My samples are organized in different folders - snares in one folder, kicks in another, breaks in another etc., so there's be no way to save a program in the same folder as my samples since they're all over the place. ...

I do the same thing. I have different folders for my different types of sounds, including one just called "noises". But I currently have a 2 gig and plan on getting a 4 in a minute, so I have enough room for duplicating and destructive editing.
You need a bigger CF card.
But for the time being if that is not an immediate option ( they are pricier that they should be it seems), you can still label your sounds with groupnames and keep them all in one folder.
If you label all your snares: snare1, snare2, snare3... etc, they will still be grouped together, at least roughly with the MPC, when your scrolling through your sounds. Same for kiks. I have my kicks labeled: Kiklo1, kiklo2..etc for bassy low end kicks. And kikhi1, kikhi2...etc for more acoustical mid range kicks.
Just rename the contents of your separate folders with a shared group name first followed by a number designation or even a short description, and it should be just about as easy to scroll through them all in one folder as navigating to separate folders.
And if the alphabetical order ever gets too jumbled, you can use this spiffy little prog to reorder them:
Captain Hook wrote:OK disregard the first two this is the one that works best

http://www.anerty.net/software/file/DriveSort.php
By Destinite Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:20 pm
Thanks. I do name my samples that. I'm anal about organizing them. I'll prob. go with the 2gb cf card - I thought that was the limit - you can use 4 gig cards on the 500?!?
By ADSR Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:22 pm
2GB...4GB...it does not matter. you trying to work with a 128MB card is not working for you, so go get ANYTHING with more space. go to staples, home depot, best buy, whatever. with the after thanksgiving sales going on this weekend, you can find 2GB cards for under $30. i saw them at staples for $15. no joke, they are CHEAP!!!