Akai Mpc 1000

[Hollowcell]

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.

[LivePsy]

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

[Hollowcell]

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.

[LivePsy]

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

[Hollowcell]

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

[LivePsy]

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

[Hollowcell]

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.

[LivePsy]

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

[Hollowcell]

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.

[Ibunshi]

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!