Akai Mpc 1000
 

Been looking into buying one of these little machines, and was just wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with the 1000, 2500, 4000, or even the 5000.

I won't be getting rid of the E-mu or the Akai in the rack, but I just wanted something that I gives me the option to fuck around with drums away from the DAW.

Any opinions?

My take is that it is fun and easy to work with. Just the right features you need when you need them. Something you feel rather than tinker with the interface. And then there's the bad side...

Stupid sampling engine nothing like Akai's of old. Near impossible to use waveform editing whose display tells lies. Soft attack on anything especially previewing before loading. Akai OS vs. JJ OS hell where you always think you should be using the other OS. Bugs in both OS's including a beauty in Akai OS which corrupted files and has only recently been fixed after years. The little green display is not the best unless you put some light on the LCD panel.

But sometimes you want to be stupid and spend less time editing parameters and just hit pads. At that, the MPC (2500 in my case) is brilliant. It gives a great dirty sound to drum samples and ignore the hiphop fools, its instant techno 909 kick drums from 1995 through to massive kicks from Electro. And don't forget the midi sequencing for external gear - its as capable and faster than any other hardware sequencer.

I am totally correct on all points and you all must not disagree with me :)
B

Thanks for the quick response!

Are you using the JJOS on your 2500?
I have read up regarding the latest Akai OS vs the JJOS, and there are some very good points to the JJ when it comes to chop-shop (true stereo support for one), but as I will probably use Bluebox and recycle to get samples into the Akai, I doubt I will use the onboard chopping.
The proper ADSRs with the JJ is cool though. As far as the OSs go, I have read people who think the latest Akai one isn't bad (2.12 I think), but then there are others that swear by the JJs. May have to try both...

The main reason I want one is to be able to play around away from the DAW and have some fun with rythms without having to power up everything. The sequencer is very cool and it just looks plain fun.

I am currently looking into the BK-N availabilty, as I don't wanna get one with the old pads. I will do a bit more reading and we'll see. Any other opinions are welcome guys. :)

Sorry, no experience with the 1000, but concerning the 2500 -

I'm back on Akai OS 1.24, especially with bad bugs fixed recently. The display is pretty muddy once the display warms up on JJ OS, but its clearer on Akai OS - there's bigger lettering on Akai OS and the end result is less black pixels. The display really isn't good enough for the price.

I bought JJ OS 1, but balked at buying OS 2 all over again. Stuff it, he's had enough of my money.

I suggest you hit the pads on both the 2500 and 1000 and see if you like the 1000.

If you get a hard drive and a stack of nicely trimmed samples, you won't really want to use anything else. So it is a good change from a DAW. It definitely is fun.

B

Yeah the displays aren't the best at all really, and that's one of the main reasons I wanna use a software editor for samples. The sequencer reminds me of the Rolands, but with even less need to be hunched over the screen. So the screen isn't too much of an issue. At under $1000 I don't expect much.

Yep, I am not overly keen on spending the cash for the JJos straight off, so I will see how I get on with the latest from Akai first.

The pads are an issue for me, as the newst pads on the 1000s are more like the older MPCs (which I like), but making sure you get one with the new pads already installed isn't easy, and has a bit of chance involved. One good thing here in Japan though, is that if you order the newest model, you get one with fully expanded memory straight off.

I guess I am just looking forward to sitting in the garden, connected with an extension cord, listening on phones, and drinking a few beers while I bash out some sequences. Should be fun!

Well for really portable I am tempted to get a 500. I think I can tell myself that wouldn't be too much along side a 2500 :)

b

Yeah those 500s are cool little boxes. The only trouble is that they are just too light in terms of the fearures etc. I would love one for the trains/planes though. As it has batteries, even on the toilet would be cool with that one! :)

Anyway, my 1k should be here in a few weeks, and according to the shop I ordered from, it will have the latest pads - very similar to the older MPC pads in terms of feel, but smaller in size. It also comes with the EXM128 installed. Cheap too!

Hey while we are still talking about these things, what limitations have you found with 2500?
I mean, if you have samples filling the memory (all 128meg), does the system slow down at all?
I plan to have huge drum programs, that will have many single hits, and short slices, and I am wondering how well it can handle it?
My 3000 slows down if I max it out.
Also, what about the FX? Can you have different settings per pad for delays etc?

Can't wait!

I've really only used 20 to 40Mb of samples in memory at once, lots of drum samples and many loops split across the pads. In my experience there is no slow down at all. The only problem is running through the long list of similar named samples. It seems rock solid and I'd sum it up as a small feature set but damn reliable.

FX are not bad, I always leave the main compressor and EQ on basically the default settings. Then you get 2 insert FX and can only control the send from each pad. They are basic, but the reverb is very nice - once again usually with the default settings. Delay is only available on the second insert, but its not really a problem. The only thing I think could be improved is that you have no control at the program level, everything is managed at the sample/pad level.

Its a hard decision to make. When I read the manuals I thought they were too primitive to bother with. But when you use one, you really fly through the process of building a kit. And because its not that visual, you end up feeling rather than thinking about the beat. you owe it to yourself to try one out.

Cheers,
B

Thanks for the info there Psy. Good to know it doesn't slow that you have noticed.
Actually all your info leads to me another question: If you have multiple samples layered on one pad, do the filters/FX effect the whole pad (all the samples), or can you modify them independently? I am building programs in the software editor I have at the moment, and this will change my process on some of programs.

Yeah, I know what you are saying. I have one on order, so it won't be long before I get a hands-on.
I have used a few of the older gen MPCs a while back, and they were just plain fun! I never thought about getting one until recently though, as they just didn't give me more than my current hardware samplers/sequencer setup. But now they're cheap and the OSs are stable, it's a good time to buy I reckon.

I have been slicing through a few sample CDs the past week, and already have a few hundred meg worth single hit beats and bass.

Hey do have a hard-disk in your's? I got the adapter, but not sure how stable a HD would be when bashing those pads. :)

The filters and FX send/routing are per pad. The only control you have is the level and crossfading of up to 4 samples before they go to the common filters for that pad. The filter are not good BTW, they clip at moderate levels so you end up lowering them and then every other pad to get the pad levels matching.

I have a HDD in mine, and I don't think there's a problem with vibration. The drive turns off within seconds of leaving the Load and Save modes just like a notebook.

The best part for me is the dirty compressed sound it puts on ordinary samples. Let us know when you get the MPC1000!

Cheers,
B

Picked up my MPC yesterday.

Mine was a BK-N, so it came with the new pads (the feel is very "MPC", but the size is small), full memory, and a 128CF card.
I bought the hardrive adapter, but don't have a HDD yet. I have a heap of CF cards laying around though.

I said before that i wouldn't get rid of the rack samplers, but after a day on this thing I am changing my mind pretty damn quickly. I will keep the E-MU, but not the 3000.

Yeah I noticed that with the filters, and now I know why the software editor sets the samples at 70 by default. Once the samples were at this level I couldn't get it to clip. It puts out a really hot signal on the main outs which compesates - interesting.

Love the master EQ - almost like an exciter/enhancer, and it works for drums so well! The compressor is a work horse more than a character builder, but that's a good thing on a sampler I reckon.

So far I love the thing! I am getting beats down that would have taken ages with my old setup. It's just so damn easy to use!

That is good to know about the drive. I can't wait to fill have a huge library at my finger tips. :)

Hey thanks for all your help by the way. It was good to shoot over a few gaps in the manual.

Congratulations! There's something organic about hitting the pads instead of a keyboard. You come up with things you would never have done with C, C#, D, D#, E. You can do everything and more with other gear, especially a notebook computer and software, but there's an instant gratification you won't get anywhere else except an MPC.

Cheers,
B

Just came up with another question....

I know you can purge (remove from onboard ram) all the samples not used in programs, but can you purge all the samples not used in a sequence or track?

You see I create programs that run over the full 64 pads for ease of use, but then after I record to the sequncer, I only use a small portion of them. I wanna be able to free up ram, but I don't want to have to go through every program and remove samples to purge.

Can't find this in the manual. Might have to make a first post on the MPC forum if you have no idea.

HC, you can't purge based on not using a pad in any sequence. Only purge unused samples as you have read in the manual. Post at your peril on the MPC forums :) you'll also have to decide if you are using Akai OS or JJ OS as there are 2 separate threads and the 2 factions don't fraternise.

My suggestion: because the 1000 got updates to match the 2500 features, stick to Akai OS.

Cheers,
B

Yeah, it can't be done. :(
It just means I had to modify the way I create programs a little. Not so much of a big deal.

I have read heaps about the JJOS now and as I am chopping in Recycle there isn't much I feel I miss - if I was using nothing other than the MPC that would change though. One thing that pissed me off about the Akai OS vs the JJ is the metronome volume can be adjusted in the JJ - I ended up just making a program for one so it's fine, but stupid oversight by Akai.

I guess the only complaints I have, is the fact that track mutes can't be recorded internally - pretty sure the 4000 can do this.
Lack of pad grouping, but it's a minor gripe.
The purging of any pads/samples not used in sequences.

All up, this has to be one of the most inspirational machines I have used for beats. So fast and just plain fun!

Some cool MPC vids on Youtube...
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=N9XQ3ldg3CE
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe7OfyHprUQ

You can record track mutes. I think you are just not playing them back. I'm on holidays and away from the gear, but I am sure in one of the window menus you can enable it. Record mutes in a track and check the event list, I am sure you find they are being recorded. I've not used it as I am just looping 2 bars and muting on the fly.

Heaps of fun for sure. Now I read those posts that "gear xxx can do anything an MPC can do", its funny because it might be possible to do it but its nowhere near as easy. And it doesn't sound the same: the slow attack, gritty sound and compressor/EQ on the end sounds much better. The only other gear I would say is also good is a Triton Extreme with the valve on the end. I've not used absolutly everything BTW, but I certainly know every workstation.

Cheers,
B

Yeah you're right, there are track mute events there! They just won't play back though.
Nothing in the manual either - think this is due to track mute recording being available on only the latest 2.12 OS, and the manual is 2.0.

I have been doing the same thing (live jams with the pad mutes), but it's getting hard now as my number of tracks is going past the one bank of 16 stage. I could always record the mutes into cubase, but I really wanna see how far I can go without the DAW.

If you can shed some light on the track mute thing, or tell me if this is in the manual somewhere for the 2500, please let me know.

Yep, I have three other hardware samplers, and a drum trigger (HPD15), but the MPCs are built for natural flow, and you're right about the sound - serious bite which mainly comes from that EQ/Comp. I can get the same sound with the other gear, but no where near as quick and fun as this thing.

Yes, its hard to find in the manuals. Its in the appendum for V1.2 for the MPC2500 but I bet it works the same for you. On the main screen, move the cursor to the MUTE field and press the window button. If I'm right, you can then turn on "Use track mute events".

The MPC is the reason I have repurchased a bunch of midi cables and looking at a decent 8x8 midi patcher/mixer. After selling my A-880 patcher and throwing away midi cables 5 years ago, I am relying more on midi now than I planned :)

Cheers,
B

Cool, I will give that a try. The window button is like pandora's box in many cases. Thanks for that.

I am going to give the MPC sequencer a try with my other sound makers.
But, my midi setup is already pretty nuts though - having the MPC as a host means that there'll be: 2 hardware sequencers and Cubase, 4 controllers, and 10 machines that will need to receive.... Just thinking about which will control which is a headfuck.
Maybe I'll just bash on those pads for a bit longer instead. :)

i have the 4k.. used the 2kxl before that.. there is no other piece of gear i'd rather make beats on.. mpc's are just too much fun.. easy to use and rhythmically, you can program pretty much anything on it!! i can get very complex with the beat programming.. and i have never felt limited!

Yep, have to say that this has been the best thing I have bought for ages.
I am even doing all my midi sequencing on the thing.

Pity you didn't get the tilt screen and 2 midi in, 4 midi out model :) Check out the warranty voiding but sexy blue LCD screen some Aussie dude has modded over at mpcforums.com. The MPC's display contrast is not the best. If it bothers you, put an overhead light on the screen.

MIDI sequencing from the 80's, but its so fast and easy it puts my Macbook Pro and Live on holidays at the moment ...

B

I have it on a rack thing that I built a while back so the tilting is perfect actually. The way I have it setup is quite cool as all the pads are tilted too.

I have a midi splitter that covers the lack of midi on the MPC, but yeah it would have been nice to have the extra.

One thing I really enjoy is the way you can sequence outboard along side the internal samples, and then easily sample the gear being triggered from the MPC. I have been making a DnB track where outboard is first being sequenced and triggered from the MPC, then it's all going into the MPC as samples - can make for some pretty crazy stuff. I have no way gotten close to the limits too.

Really love thing, and I now wish I bought one long ago.