MPC5000 reviews, bug reports and fellow user support on the most recent standalone, hardware MPC from Akai
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By Blue Haze Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:23 pm
For the sake of ideas and sharing of information. I started a why thread on 5k usage. Similar to the one I did in the other forum.
I simply ask basic simple questions and the readers answers how to use the functions or the meaning of the parameters.

First and obvious question why would everyone use a sample region combines function?


Next why would anyone use the sample resample function in quick effects?


Then why would anyone load 2 samples into zones in the program page as the sequence plays?


Why use 32 or 64 regions?


Then why edit drums with attack and decay settings instead of attack, decay, sustain, and release settings?


Why would you use 4 phrases in robin cycle in order?

Why use patch phrase vs slice sample?


Lastly too why would anyone layer a synth program over each other?
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By MIDIchlorian Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:39 pm
Why use patch phrase vs slice sample?


Patch phrase is for when your dealing with loops.
Once a sample is patch phrased it will automatically sync to any bpm you set on the main screen.
The reason they have it next to sliced samples in Trim,is the mpc needs the slice info to get it to fit any tempo..
I have a video on youtube about patch phrase and how it works.
It is such a misunderstood feature.


Why use 32 or 64 regions?

Well that depends on how lone the sample is your shopping.
If you load in a 32 bar sample your going to need big numbers like that to get all the chopps you want.


Lastly too why would anyone layer a synth program over each other?

This is done all the time with synths.
I see why its a useful feature.
Try combining a string and horn section.
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By Blue Haze Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:36 am
Thanks for the reply great appreciated.

True patch phrase along you to sync whole loops to the sequence but adding slice sample allows one to make the own kits from a drum loop or replay a phrase in a whole new pattern. If I`m correct patch phrase assign loops to just one pad whereas slice sample spreads all the slices across the 16 according to the slices.

32 or 64 regions exactly depending on the length of a phrase sample. 32 can be used just to slice up a 2 bar drum loop into 1/16 notes to get kicks, snares, hats and percussion you name it. A 16 bar phrase loop on the other hand can be chop to one bar loops and turned into patch phrases for a remix.


On the synths exact layering is a big plus as you already know.

All of these is just to spread ideas and know how to the forums please add your own questions too.


How about the other questions anyone else?
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By scd Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:16 pm
Blue Haze wrote:Lastly too why would anyone layer a synth program over each other?


To thicken up a sound for instance. Pan one left, the other right, with slight pitch difference and BOOM you have a fantastic sound instead of a good sound.
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By Blue Haze Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:13 pm
Thanks for keeping the thread alive scd. 8)



Next set of questions why would we want to program the arp?



Why would we use grid editing mode live?


Why would we set velocity to sample start?
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By scd Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:09 pm
Blue Haze wrote:Thanks for keeping the thread alive scd. 8)



Next set of questions why would we want to program the arp?


You should not ask that on someone who is known as arp king on certain mailing lists... :mrgreen:

Arpeggiators are fantastic instruments to stimulate your melodic creativity.

It's easy, specially if you have a keyboard attached to the mpc. You hit a few notes and the arp starts spitting out those notes in rhythm with the tempo. I am always stimulated by that to come up with melodies on top of such an arp. Changing chords enhances this proces. Sometimes you even end up with a melody created by the arp itself.

I *love* arps.

Record 4 bars with arp settings you like
Take a next track and arp the same sound again, but now with different arp settings (other tempo per bar, other direction etc.)
You will immediately get lost in creativity!
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By scd Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:17 am
NorthernElite wrote:^^^ Instant 'Kraftwerk' - Just add drums and vocoder....lol :)


Well yes, but not necessairely.
Here is an example of using two arped tracks on the same sound plus a little rhythmic drum. Everything going through a smallstone phaser.
Another good thing with arps is that you can create complex sounds by using synced delays.
http://www.synthmusic.info/mp3s/266%20Bart%203.mp3
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By NorthernElite Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:54 am
scd wrote:
NorthernElite wrote:^^^ Instant 'Kraftwerk' - Just add drums and vocoder....lol :)


Well yes, but not necessairely.


Sounds great.

Thanks for posting that - well demonstrated :mrgreen:
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By Blue Haze Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:30 am
Great posts guys how about the other questions?