Bad Gear - Akai MPC 500 - Still an MPC??? 

that ending tune was a BANGER

don’t underestimate the mpc500. as a stand-alone machine for sampling off records and making hip hop beats, this is a great introduction to the art form. i made dozens of beats on that thing. upgraded to the 2500 and i truly still miss it. good video man!!!

The 500 does stuff that wasn't even included in the manual. Over at the SP-FORUMS there has been some in depth discussion on it's hidden features and tricks you can pull off with it. I never found the menu diving to be bad... it always felt intuitive to me for being a two line ASCII screen. Maybe it was because I spent any time I couldn't be jamming, reading the manual haha... I could navigate the 500 in my sleep. I'm glad I kept mine all these years.

The amen drum carnage was totally worth the watch. Hope it goes up on the Patreon. 😁

Put a little foam behind the pads and it transforms this thing! I got one a while back and it was an absolute pain to learn, but it really rocks once you get it figured out. Ended up using it a bunch when I needed to perform synth samples with a live band. (finally got an sp404 for that now)

"Pedal to the metal MPC hero, amenbreak-o-geddon digital Hardcore" is something I didn't know I needed in my life

still an mpc? yes. now lets talk about rolands line up sp's, good luck. they are all different breeds

I've been working on a beat tape on my 500. I have to admit I've really bonded with the little guy. The small screen and subsequent menu diving is really the only problem with it. It's still a proper MPC though.

I've had one of these sat in a box for a year and never got over the initial frustration. I think I'm going to have to break it out and have another go.

The mpc 500 is one of the best mpcs ever made because of it's size. One bad thing is that the mpc 500 is prone to crashes. Definitely is a great choice for a second sampler to do quick transfers of samples from a main sampler back to the main sampler

I had to pause halfway through and hit the like button just for the Evil Dead references.

More early engagement for the youtube algogods

Well that was refreshing. I never wanted an MPC because all I've seen anyone produce on them is FUKKIN HIP HOP!

I LOOOOOOOVE this fucking thing. Its battery powered and has midi! Sampling can be a paramount pain in the ass but I usually just chop up all my samples in maschine and dump them to the mpc with that 'mpc 187' software. Standalone future proof solutions!

Great episode! My MPC500 is easily the least used piece of gear in my entire setup. Really like what you accomplished with it in this. Love the show!!

It's Friday again and I'm hanging out with other shady addicts in a dark RU-vid Corner and waiting for the man with the good stuff. And he delivers ... as always!

=ne of the best sounding intro. Also one of the best Bad Gear chapters. Nice music, good explanation, a lot of jokes. Was perfect. Thanks

For this price you can get two used Electribe 2 Samplers. Also a sampler, also battery powered, also receives plenty of hate. But unlike the MPC, E2S gives you the led disco lights at the bottom to power your sampler to the outerspace. Potential for a good bad gear.

I have been waiting for this since i left a comment about it! One thing to mention is that if you can use this fluently , you can probably use any sampler you come across! At least in my experience.

I honestly don't know how you are able to crank out so many excellent videos, but I'm glad you do.

7:15 BRUTAL! I love it! And thanks for another great video!

Man, I must say.... you have completely ruined synthesizer review videos for me. Your vids are so fucking entertaining I don’t care to watch any regular boring vids...smh. How bout a video series called “regular gear“ or “average gear” or “pretty good gear” . more ViDe0s!! 😂😂 cheers!

This is my favorite show on RU-vid

Worth mentioning that the 500 is the affordable (and maybe only) MPC that also has you trimming samples by numbers, not waveform - like the 60 & 3000. Which is not a bad idea, since your ears decide the start and end point, not your eyes. Great show, salutations from Copenhagen.

It occurs to me that the vast majority of hated gear are drum machines...

Now that's what I call an Amen Break!

your intros are out of this world !

An MPC on Bad Gear?! That seems to be the surprise for many, and just as many others are certain that the 500 deserves the placement. The question I have, though.. Is there **any** one piece of kit that isn't "bad gear" in some way? I think not. The beautiful thing is when an artist draws every.possible.gemstone out of a piece of bad gear, and creates masterpieces, despite its limitations. I think you do this consistently, and have created a spectacular channel based on it. Great episode as always.

If it has professional in its title, it's probably not professional

An MPC on bad gear? Have to be honest, didn’t see that coming :D

Nice implementing the evil dead 2 clips. One of my favorite movies

Its a great machine, i love making beats on it and video tutorials as well. That being said, it takes a long time to understand the workflow and the menu diving can be quite intense. However, with time and practice you become pretty quick with the workflow and could do most things other MPCs in the line can do (besides easy sample chopping).

excellent as always . I know nothing of the mpc . I was scared out of even considering one when I was forced to watch dr. Phil in a doctors office waiting room , and the episode was about a woman supporting her husband who spent all his time in his bedroom studio "producing" on his mpc and daw . The dr. And the audience were so negative to the poor man that it gave me PTSD . I didn't open FL studio for a month. I felt vindicated when I booked my next paying gig playing acoustic guitar for diners at a mexican restaurant, and went dawless over the course of the next few years (ironically spending a fortune on physical gear instead of using inexpensive and free virtual instruments ). None of my purchases are advancing my music profile visibility during the pandemic lockdown . My cell phone is ...

I have two of these. Here’s my likes and dislikes Likes The sequencer - this is probably where a 500 has the most in common with its more powerful MPC brothers. Both 500s have held up well for over 5 years - but they are lightly used in a home studio or on vacations. It took me a long time to understand the basic work flow with a 2 line lcd screen, but now it is fairly intuitive. Works well with readily available rechargeable batteries. I get about 90 minutes off a charge. The trim function requires you to use your ears to chop/trim - no visual cues but I find it fairly easy to use. The 500 does not require a companion computer or iPad. The storage is good - I’ve used cf cards with up to 16 gigs with no problems. The required format is standard wave files. Dislikes Weird hum in the phone jack that comes and goes - not so much in the outputs. MPC Forums has threads about this and in some cases MPC 500 users have changed the caps in the power supply. The pads are not responsive - but I added pieces of bicycle tubes underneath the pads and have had good results. MPC stuff sells pads and cork which may improve the responsiveness. LCD - this is like using command terminal mode on a Unix or linux computer. It can be maddening to figure out how to get something done but once understood, it can actually be more convenient than a graphical interface in some instances. Conclusion - I bought the first 500 when there were very few self contained sampling alternative for something with removable storage for less than $1000. The second was picked up in a trade. I still enjoy using them, think the build quality is ok, but learning how to use them is a bit like programming a 40 + year old computer.

super awesome to watch this video again while I left a comment to review an Akai sampler, man I love you! the jungle was broken hard! really genius! as i say over and over again, CONTINUE LIKE! And besides that, if you make merchandise, let me know

I've been using MPC's since the 60ii came out, it's a shame when companies like Akai/Numark muddy the name by lowering the standards so far, - still you certainly got the most out of it. btw, loved that pad/string sound at 6:30, was that an Akai library sound from the S950?, it sounds just like the strings used on Andrew Weatherall's - All The Little Things love to ALL, feel no hate

I LOVED my old mpc500. But I sold it to move into the Machine environment.

It'll just make you want a 1000.

My takeaway is: Is it an MPC? Yes. Is the MPC1000 still the most compact model of the line that also still combines solid build quality with accessible, functional design? Yes.

I knew this would eventually happen, great gear I am working hard to criticize... Now we are getting somewhere ... Next episode... Jupiter 8: too many buttons

would be cool if Akai would nowadays also do some similar device - like a smaller version of mpc live (i mean even smaller than mpc one, but still with speaker and battery), but cheaper and mb with less drum pads like on mpc 500/xr20, to better accommodate those setups with only volcas/boutiques/pocket-operators/etc

I almost bought one of these. Almost.

Thanks for joining the fight to introduce DAU into the English language. I’ve served as a prime exemplar for many years with very limited success.

5:18 NO! This is not in the 345 vocals in the ZERO-G datafile ONE

This MPC is more MPC than 1,Live,Live2, X all together!

Had one of these for a while. You could discharge a revolver into the pads and only achieve 50% velocity. What hope did my undersized hands have?

6:32 - totally amazing string parties. 🤩 i want akai mpc and waldorf

Florian over here just trying to get all the communities to band together and overthrow him! 😄 As a diehard MPC guy, this was a great vid. Thank you for the continued awesome songs and high quality vids!

that jam at the end tho'... Massive!

I loved my MPC500, despite the terrible buttons and the bad filter. I Made cool beats with it as a standalone machine. I believe the interface make you concentrate on your ears and on the music, so the limitations help you push the limits and be creative.

My succulent is a Virus Ti Snow. It's blooming great.

Still remember the day I went into the store after saving up to buy a MPC 1000, only to walk out with a 500. It's been the source of constant frustration for almost a decade. Thought I was just not spending enough time learning it, turns out I might have just been a German word.

that ending choon A+

I did a whole instrumental album on the MPC 500 while chilling in parks. It was the MPC Live (with limitations) before the MPC Live (which I got as soon as it was released). You had to be creative with the 500. No chop shop? Sure, no problem, add velocity to sample start and use 12 velocity levels while fine-tuning the velocity amount to hit the chops' starts correctly. I still have the 500 and use it as decoration on a shelf in the "studio". It needs some TLC for many of its tact switches are defunct now. If I get around, I will restore it. Limitation can be inspiring.

Ahh I love these videos! My Korg ES-1 Mk2 has a totally frustrating way of loading samples. Future bad gear? .... Also you’re super cute ~

“Fuck yeah!” I exclaimed as I saw the title of the video.

Always good stuff!! However, maybe, the mpx16 is the "most hated" Akai gear out there...imo. Great video!

Love that DnB session Florian! Sounds like Boom Boom Satellites!❤️❤️

Oh and i would love to see an episode on the Yamaha SU700. A machine that is both brilliant and terrible at the same time :D

My choice is the 3k but when I had the 500 it felt really similar. I was really worried about the build quality and ultimately ended up selling it. I had horrible experiences from the 1k with changing pads, encoders and didn't want to go though that again. If the build had been on pair with the 3k I'm sure I would have kept it, it's pretty capable.

I find an elbow smash usually sorts out the velocity sensitivity.

The 500 is an excellent machine. It's a 'travel MPC.' Though it lacks a few of the features of the big brother 1000 its portability is a huge plus. There's few other non-MPC samplers from this era that offer the range of functions in such a small footprint. Cop some rechargeable batteries and you can take it just about anywhere. Long live the 500!

Bloody oath jjosxl2 turns a mpc1000 into mpzilla

Honestly I have never had any issues with my MPC500! My setup would not be complete without it!

Bruh seriously. I don’t even like electronic music. I play piano. Your vids are friggin honey dripping from the sky! I got myself a korg minilogue xd because of you

NIce boom bap

i love my Akai MPC studio (silver edition)

he'll yes I despise this damn thing the UI is unusable and it wasted 500$ of my cash

Looking at the pads at this MPC, I wonder if they shared the same pads as used on Akai's MPK25 controller keyboard. Those pads felt horrible and didn't allow for good tactile velocity. I remember that there were kits available to add small plastic shims under the pads that were relatively easy to install, and which made a noticeable improvement. The pads on my current MPK261 fixed that problem. way more responsive, and more comfortable to strike. Too bad the current MPK225 reduced the number of pads to eight from 12, it'd have been interesting to have swapped the pad circuitry from the newer unit to the MPC. This looks like a good candidate for a Better Gear episode - get one of those kits and install it.

I got mine for 160 euros a few years ago and simply love it. It’s quite capable and full of shortcuts, but you maybe need to learn the workflow on a bigger, simpler MPC. Once you know what do you want to achieve, it is really quick and straightforward. And yes, I DO prefer it over my Maschine Micro or my Machinedrum UW. For detailed editing, I come from tracker-based sequencing, so the 500 seems really really straightforward. And the MIDI Section works really well. Don’t bother with the pad velocity though, and use 12 levels instead. Just accept the slighty different work approach instead of complaining about what the box is not. The moment you “get it”, it becomes a wonderful MPC. Wunderbar video!!!

instant like for the honey i shrunk the kids scene ha

O melhor canal do youtube !!

And nothing about how sampler in MPC 500 sound. I love mpc 500 because how workflow is similar to MPC 60.

"Honey, I shrunk the MPC" *instant divorce*

Someone recently mentioned the speed of your talk. I like that, but many of the text overlays disappear way too fast for me to read. Nevertheless I‘m always looking forward to another episode of Bad Gear!

If you need another groovebox to put under the microscope, I'd suggest the Korg Electribe Sampler from 2013. I used to use one until it destroyed an SD card I had.

"Excellent" - said in a Mr Burns accent 👐

I'm a big fan of the 500. I love its size, battery power, midi capabilities. Sure it's a chore to sample on and dig through menus, but once it's all loaded up with sounds it's a blast to play with.

not sure when you picked yours up, but i got one pretty much new in like 2012, it took a couple years of beating the shit out of the pads for them to loosen up and get a little more sensitive, of course you can replace them with the mpcstuff pads too. Funny you said you wouldn't trust it live, thats the only situation id use mine now, for midi sequence playback and reliable sync/triggering of longer samples on a 404

I'm not an MPC kind of person really, but I do recognize the influence they had/have on music. So much so that the older models are still praised for having a distinct "sound". (Older samplers too) I guess if I want to sound like 1992 Fatboy Slim then maybe that's important. The 500 was a cut too far tho - when you compromise to the point where the workflow is broken and you can't even fit in the basic features, then why? Not surprised they haven't aged well, as the components were obviously "built to a price". LCD screens are dirt cheap, and yet they can't even get a good one?? I like writing music through my mail slot. TX16W anyone?

Amen Brother

Please everyone join Florian's patreon so he can afford a real succulent 🙏

this video convinced me to get one.

I thought about getting this for awhile back in the early 2010s. I got an octatrack instead. Different animals but I made the right choice for me

LMAO "Your succulent here" got me

Been producing on the MPC 500 for over 10 years. I love it and make great beats with it.

hello, it sound good , punch, clean kick when imported via usb ? mpc sexy, tr6s just arrived also ;) cool your fast tuto style ;) best vibes

JHS Show drops at the same time as new Bad Gear episodes-collaboration??

For the price of this, you could get an SP404A which absolutely fucking destroys it, crazy that both devices were designed around the same time

2:42 Man, shout out to JJ and JJOS. Think he can only work on the 1k and 2500.

keep up the good work

I think it’s a great machine, and for sure has an amazing value for the price, the competitive portable groove boxes are electribes, novation circuit , roland mc 101 and sp’s... all of those can’t play same number of tracks, and be able to play it with micro timing steps,...so if you ask me the 500 wins this category... ofcourse there is also mpc live but it’s much bigger ( less portable) and in other price range

Bro hit full levels button. It lights up. Then u can barely touch the pads and it plays at ......full lev. Yeet

I’m impressed with each episode. You’re so consistently good at dissecting it all. The music is just icing on the cake

5:17 seen! Gotta have those early 90's sample CD's!

thanks for including best chioldhood movie ever in context of small mpc , good idea ! ;)

I feel like anything intended for music with a led screen is like buying a laptop but deleting everything except Reaper ...and then castrate Reaper and I assume yourself too whilst you're at it. Anyway the moral of the story is that the video is not on the sp202 and I'm quite miffed about it

You always have to modify the pads on a MPC. Always. Otherwise you will hurt the joints in your fingers.

5:18 I used this "rhode type" sample loop in a tune of mine some years ago ^^

I was tempted by one of these.. But got an XR20 instead.. Sometimes you get lucky and unlucky all at the same time :P