Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By miet Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:26 pm
Gents, ive been **** around with gear for years. Know my why round an sll or a synth no probs, i actually work as a tech.. but alas, the saving process on my new 500 is warping my mind!

I cannot get my head round what is going on. Im not using this for hip hop and so the 'Beatbox' presets on the supplied card are ideal for my needs at the moment. So, ive copied the supplied sound bank onto a 2gb card. First issue:

Why are the folder's once copied from one card to another showing up in a different orders... How does the MPC 'sort' the folders on a card?

I think i have somewhat started to realize the thinking behind the saving structure- I suppose you bash out a load of sequences, save those. Edit some programs, save those. And then you can audition different sequences with different programs. Is that the thinking behind the system? I was initially expecting a simple 'save' for one and all settings - sequences, loaded programs/edits to programes, effects etc... I know theres a 'save project', this would appear to be more like i was expecting. But, in the long run (building up a set of songs to play live), is that the best practice to implement?

BUT, first and foremost - i have not been able to reopen anything ive done using all methods of saving after i have powered down?!?!?!?!? WTF?

This whole saving issue is spoiling what should be my honeymoon with my new little mpc!!! ahhh help please...
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By 64hz Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:54 pm
It is annoying but once you get the hang of it it is not to bad, always save your projects to a new folder and make sure before saving anything like a program that you are in the actual folder you just made. I had exactly the same problem, give it some time and use this method and you should be fine :D
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By nxnut_92 Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:46 pm
I'm having a bit of a saving issue as well. How come when I save my [PROGRAM] my samples "resave" themselves? Does this take up more memory? I just dont like how i have two of the same samples everytime I save a new project
By j-no Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:02 pm
you can also just save "entire project..." which is what i do and made it easier for me or you can master the confusion..
By Emilie Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:38 am
j-no wrote:you can also just save "entire project..." which is what i do and made it easier for me or you can master the confusion..


Did Akai fix the "save entire project", or does it still suck? Will it save your effects? (I'm not home for some time, so i can't try it myself)
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By 64hz Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:28 am
eimer wrote:
j-no wrote:you can also just save "entire project..." which is what i do and made it easier for me or you can master the confusion..


Did Akai fix the "save entire project", or does it still suck? Will it save your effects? (I'm not home for some time, so i can't try it myself)



Imo it is broke, I just save programs and all sequences.... just as on my 60.... you would think 21 years would give them some time to think about shit like this :mrgreen:
By miet Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:33 pm
right got it sorted now, ive been using save "entire project" and its all cool. Saving effects etc... Looking at the folder structure on the lcd was confusing me a bit - i like it now, i have a projects folder that has loop/track folders etc for different stuff. i can move stuff, rename or create folder structures on the mac if needs be.

my only dilemma is with having to load after every track when i have a few 'songs' that i want to use live...???

anyway, this box is awesome. i haven't really used an mpc before - im so happy to be banging on a bit of hardware again! you can tell that this machine has heritage- the sequencer is sweet as ****. love it!