I saved every god damned penny of mine to cop my MPC500 when it first dropped. It was the cheapest MPC at the time.. after tax it cost me just over $900CAD. It took me a while to recover from draining my account but damn it changed everything for me. I'm still making beats on that 500 to this day.
Hello>_< I am from Russia. I am only 15. My favorite MPC is MPC500 and MPC2000XL, but now i have only 2000Xl with nice 16 bit sound. Many young guys do not understand the work of the charm of old samplers.
Dude. That's such a great line and it's true. With a computer you're stuck worrying about the details and you forget why you're there. That opened my eyes a bit, thank you!
I was the product manager at Akai when the MPC60 came out. Roger Linn's original drum machine was not a sampler, but it did play back samples of real drums. It did not create the sounds electronically.
You nailed it..I have the ASR10, e6400,PolyEnd Tracker,Lexicon, and the Roland MV8800,and I will get the Isla and Akai MPC keys. Out of all I have it's the simplest one, the ASR10 that i use when I am spinning records. So far anything else is menus, more button presses, and although samplers like the MV8800 integrate with software, it becomes more options than one NEEDS to make beats. Like you said, if you cannot just bang out a beat, if it's not flowing, it becomes a chore each time. I use computers, Mac and PC, and you have to constantly be tweaking computers ,replacing them, upgrading them,etc With the MPC and those standalones it's already there, it's not going to crash, you dont need new drivers, and you learn to work with what you have. It's the difference between an MC and a rapper, and like I told my brother who is an MC, you have a gift, not needing the complication of paper and pen. Sometimes you want it raw, you want the grit, not the CPU, not your 2TB SSD, not 73373 reverbs,, and yeah, people will keep arguing, yet the FACT Is MPCs and that type of culture is STILL HERE,regardless of what computers and software they make.Vinyl is STILL HERE because nothing beats the organic, on the spot, in your face flow, and that's from someone like me who has plenty of software and computers.
My first MPC was a MPC300 which I rocked on until 2010 when I bought a used MPC1000 and now I'm using the MPC LIVE. I'm a MPC head for life. I'm looking to get all the models in between just so I'm never without a MPC. LOL
Loved and miss my MPC 2000. DAWs have their uses but I'm a tweaker and laying out all that functionality in front me just distracts me from actually making music. Also, if you ignore the sampling functionality, the MPC is a MIDI sequencing power house with more than enough tracks to sequence all the external gear you'd ever need in a single track, not to mention the workflow that made us all fall in love with MPCs in the first place.
respect. I just heat sorftwear,but it's to expensive for a student like me to buy that.i really want to make beats,so I baught a mpc studio,but it's to hard for me to learn.i speak Chinese and live in China,I feel like no boom bap in this country ,I'm trying to learn all by myself on RU-vid. I only just wanna to show my respect,and touched after I see this video.
Just got MPC, used to make stuff with software using pc keyboard, but nothing beats that feel of hitting drum pads. It's true, you can make a banger in 5 mins and have yourself groovin, that's what it's all about yo!
Good video.I'm hitting 40 I have been making beats since 88.I love doing it its each beat is like a puzzle.I am an mpc guy myself.I just got the sp 404 to see what all the fuss was about.The sound, effects and pads are great but Jesus that pitch situation is a major deal breaker.
Thanks Gregg! I feel the same way. I tried the 404 when it first came out and had the exact same experience. Coming from the luxury of MPC's you can't really do much on the 404 without being able to tune samples up and down. Thats a serious limitation and not in a good way. and since the MPC 500 dropped , I dont really see a use for it other then as an FX processor. Thats about it. You should post up some beats!!
100% facts.the problem with the 404sx(I'm not sure if they changed it with the 404a) is the pitch bending situation it's awful you literally basically want to get your samples into the machine pre-sliced and pitched ,just to avoid the hassle. I like to plug my portable turntable into the SP, and then run the SP into the 1000 and use the effects on my samples as I record them in live. The 404 definitely has some good effects
bout to get the 4000 in two weeks....I'm like you I started with Reason,Cubase, FL and Machine....I'm tired of PC'S and Mac's I'm going back to the Groove box
That's kind of where I went wrong because I used to use my friends 2000 when I was there, but then I had the money and saw a 5000 and that's what I actually learned on. So now going back to a 2000 a 1000 or 500 is kind of crazy. But I think I'm going to have to do it. Because the five thousands are way too expensive right now for my pockets. Good video though because you show your love for the MPC's. And I know you love that 5,000 cuz it's so fluid and like you said before, you can have a beat in minutes and then start learning the rest. I got a bunch of drum kits from my friend and just ran with them and then started sampling some Richard Pryor and Red Fox comedy albums and it came out so fresh. I could sit there making beats and I would think it would be 30 minutes and then I would look at my clock and it be 3 hours later.
The basic principles of an MPC has always been the same, from the 60 right up to the 5000. The 4000 and the 5000 have a lot of whistles and bells on them but if you go down to the bones of it, put the drums and samples on the pads, MIDI outboard modules to be sequenced then mix via the track mute and track solo that's the basics. The 500, 1000, 2500 upwards have the built in effects as standard, the 500 doesn't have chop shop or even screen wave editing (neither does the 60 or the 3000) but all models will get the job done once you understand each models limitations and advantages then work with them.
@@RoomAtTheTopStudio Basically overall I know how to use but just didn't know if the 500 was limited in comparison. Cause the 1000 pretty much cost as much as the 2000 still so we shall see, thanks for the info.
@@phallghuy Yes the 500 is very limited in comparison. Aside from the 4000 all the other old machines are but if you can use the 5000 then you should be able to find your way around the 500 and work within it's limitations. Hope that helps
Back in 94 when,I started making beats.I would use a Casio kiddie piano and hook it up to my boom box and used half second clips.In 2000 moved from NYC to my hometown of Chicago and made music at my college studio.Back when digi design owned protocols.I used sound designer mostly with a Roland xp 80 and planet phatt on a g3 beige tower machintosh.Then my cuz had a pirated version of fruity loops to play with in 2001.I stole a bunch of software with a zip drive from my college and put it on my first apple and computer the all in one in 2000.Still have all that vintage software on 3 of my Mac s g3 and g4.I always wanted both a sp 1200 and an asr 10.but too poor in NY to get one.Luckily my god friend shadow s from black thornz let me play with his equipment at power culture records.We made his first video for "lah"and almost got my vocals on that album in 94.Wow how tech flies and at 41 only use mpc beats till,I can get an mpc live or 60 with a midi controller to use all 8 of my Korg vsts tha triton ,extreme,m1 and so forth.
Thanks for the info, Kid! I was always curious about using hardware strictly. With the knowledge delivered, it feels tangible! Just got my 500 a week ago and I haven't looked back ✌️👽
Linndrums were digital playback drum samplers not Analog like the Rolands, tr series. In fact all of the roger Linn series were based on samples, just the mpc series allowed us to record our own samples like you said when roger linn hooked up with akai. Everything else you stated was on the money.
Good video, i hadn't really seen explained anywhere why people love these so much. Still don't know exactly what's different from twisting knobs on that vs twisting knobs on a controller or spinning your mouse wheel but i think i get the gist of it more or less
With my MPC X, I see it as the workstation that lets me do whatever I want with sound. I can take my TASCAM DR-40, go out into the world and record things you wouldn't thing peoiple would use, chop them up and turn them into something that wouldn't represent what I recorded, and turn that into a song. Sure, I could do this with Reason (I started with 3.0 and as of this post, I am on 11 Studio), and whatnot, but I like the MPC hardware and workflow too.
i wonder if the build quality between the mpc1000 and the mpk25 is related. my mpk25 has some SHITTY pads and the buttons have teetered on the edge of life for years.
Yo bro, you are right! The 1000 and 2500 were of the same era , presumably made at the same factory . They are basically the same machine and same exact software , except the 2500 has bigger pads and tilt screen. However I think the 2500 had the classic pads that the older models had so problems should be minimal compared to the original blue and red 1000 which had a different pad design that sucked ass. the buttons and stuff are the same on both i think.
Dope! I started with the 500 then maschine mk2 and now mpc live..but i recently fired up my old 500 and loved the limitations and how they affect my creative process.
@@JayMoungMUSIK for me the learning curve was hard to master, if you're already in the mpc workflow..maybe..its standalone, but limited, which has also possibilities.. but you 're gonna need time to understand and learn this thing.
FICKUS BEATS I’m a software based producer never had a MPC but have always idolized it but didn’t know if it’s old technology lol interms of complexity vs the more modern but tethered hardware out there today
@@JayMoungMUSIK i think the maschine mikro mk3 is the same price and worth it..if you want more hardwre feel, the mk2 is still great..(you barely need to use the mouse..) in the upper price range i can recommend the mpc live..its completely standalone, but has a wide range of possibilities
@@Marrcello yeah I had the mk3 and sold it I hate how long the work flow is on software when it comes to sampling and wanted to pick up some hardware again but dont have the budget to get the mk3 again so I was thinking of going with the mikro but I hate It dont have the dual screens
Great video. I used to rock FL/Battery with an MPD for the longest. Always dreamed of having an MPC but somehow never got to it. Around 2012 decided to make the move but went with Maschine MK1 instead. Don't regret it, I loved the workflow and hands on feel. At some point got away from making music due to life stuff and gave the MK1 to my son. Recently got the music bug again and was thinking of buying Maschine Studio, but it's been out for a minute and I suspect NI is coming with something new soon, hopefully a standalone/hybrid unit. BUT, now comes Akai with the MPC X and this beast is really peaking my interest. The only problem is that I've never used an MPC before and I worry about the learning curve. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Thx for the video man! I'm in hardware and only use PC when I must. I need to upgrade as my Boss dr770 died 2 days ago, was cool to have a easy to haul around sketch maker, but now I want a Professional machine to save time, so no more sketching around! Can't haul vdrums day in day out...so, it's the 500 or 1000 for me. You pointed problems on the 1000, but all the outs is a winner for me because my stand alone recorder doesn't have midi.
Thanks for the video! I use Flstudio and MPK249 and I feel like it's too much work and I forget my ideas. I hope copping this MPC Touch will help my work flow. I'm close to giving up so I hope this is my break through!
Sup Dara, dont give up! If you got the music in your heart , gotta do it. Yes , using software with a midi controller can be a hassle . the MPC is way more integrated. I am using MPC Renaissance now and loving it, so the touch should do you right lol. Just take the time to familiarize yourself with the basics. Watch some tutorials on youtube! Good luck
I kid you not, I found that Demis record at a thrift store yesterday, looked at the instruments on the back and said fuck it I'm getting it... So funny to see it on your desk in this video, Im so tripped out by that coincidence
I know this video is old- but will leave a comment anyway. My perspective is that the difference between using a computer and a standalone groove-box/sampler comes down to form-factor & simply preference. A computer is hardware that uses various software to make it a multipurpose machine. The MPC is nothing more than a purpose specific digital device that's also a computer since it also has a operating system known as firmware. It has to boot it's system the same as a PC or MAC. They're all digital based devices! Using a PC or MAC vs a dedicated digital device is nothing more than semantics for those that are anti computer. If you like to haul your equipment in the streets then a box like the 500 or 1000 is a good choice.
Before I Even Watch The Video I Can Say That No matter What The Software Is, You Will Not be ABle To Hit Any Keyboard Buttons Like Pads. With MPC You Make What You Feel, Not Feel What You Make As In Software.
"The best beats are the raw ones" dude I wish more people saw it that way but nowadays it's all about fancy effects and auto tuning some weird singing, and the worst part is that's what represents hiphop now apparently. Definitely looking to grab a MPC maybe a 1000.
SHAO 73O 🙄 Another old head stuck in the 90s, you still wearing boot cut jeans a XXXL white tees? Lol. Everything evolves, however hip hop is just as diverse now as it’s ever been.
+Nath Jones Yea bro! the Ren is like having the MPC workflow with the speed and efficiency of the computer, I also have both (not at my current residence) and its almost haunting cause , they ar both so capable and u end up neglecting one of them or the other lol
All depends on what you want out of it. If you want a DAW in a box then maybe it's better to go for the One, the Live or the X. If you want a Music Production Centre to create your tracks on before sending it to multi track or DAW then the 500 just like the 60, 3000, 2000, and all the other legacy machines is timeless
Go to mpc2000xl.com look for adr 15 what is it. That is the first mpc style sampler made by Roger Linn. It came out in between the Linn drum and mpc series
So, many people INSIST the 1000 is way superior to the 500. You recommend the 500 over the 1000 because of the shitty pads (which is a complaint I've heard many times). What's the truth behind it? haha. I've also heard there are differences between the Black MPC 1000 and the Red/Blue one
They will both get you there, but the main reason the 1000 is better ulitmately is it has a much faster workflow due to more screen space and F keys. Try it and then judge for yourself. For example: The main screen on the 1000 (and most other models) has the sequence , track, trk mute, trk solo , program per track all accessable form the main screen. On the 500, you have to navigate to each one of those functions. Aside from that you can stick a 40 gig HD into the 1000 which is pretty dope but not essential. So the workflow is my main argument.
A computer with plugins is just good at mixing and mastering for further production since that all gives an opportunity to create multiple instances of EQs, COMPs, FXs, Delays, Reverbs etc. on each track at a time. But a computer is no fuckin' good for me for making beats, melody and sound design. One day I spent tons of time trying to achieve that huge atomic snare sound of Laserdance from the 80's on the computer. I knew they used Linndrum LM-2 machine heavily treated with some Yamaha revs and Korg delays. Heaps of VST compressors just did nothing for me. Then I took my old Sony FX processor and ran the Linndrum trough it then route the output to my Lexicon PCM80 - There you go! I got that massive snare just in 5 min!
FRom what i understand beat makers started making tracks and Linn said his machines were not made for them folks in the hood.I cleaned that up a bit ye the bottom line is he didnt want us touching his stuff.Akai said whatever Mr no brown folks allowed and paid him no mind. He was not even smart enough to just ride the wave and become a billionaire...Yeah, we know here in the BRONX who was in our corner and who was full of sh**,and we started a revolution in NYC that is now GLOBAL. You cannot watch a tv or Internet content and not some GRAF, Turntablists, Breakdancing, MCs,popping/locking,crate diggers, beat miners,and that classic BBOY stance. When the music industry was dying and so called purist musicians had their records in $1 bins, we bough them and revamped whole careers.From the day I thought about being a DJ and making beats, my mother did not give me one penny, did not buy one record,not even the plastic 45 insert.She told me,go ahead and work and get what you want,and I did. I got turntables I got a Biamp mixer which was trash and I them got better gear. I was in college with a Garrard turntable, a belt Technics first,and a Numark Mixer. We used cassette decks, decks,and boom box,to make 4 track tapes.my partner traded his JVC boombox, you know the HUGE one,for 2 Technics 1800s and then we were ready. We did parties on and off campus,to have some money in our pockets. To this day, me and that same friend share one piece of chicken in a pinch.Like you said, we got in the mud if we had to,because we knew we were going to be part of something bigger than us.Many of us have not said thank you for carrying that 1979 torch when the first hiphop record came out yet i do especially when i speak to my friend Steve Dee ,founder of 'the funk' /beat juggling...
Mpcs are pad based so they lock you to a specific way of doing beats... its not organic to me.. the best beats I still admire to this day were done on keyboard samplers from Ensoniq...
They got that shit selling for 445$ now don't buy it when they first came out they were 150$ u will get ripped off. Stay away from these sketchy people on ebay.
What a bullshit. Half of what he says isn’t true: Linn Drum was based on samples and didn’t generate sounds on its own. Also MPC4000 didn’t come with instruments/patches on board, you’d need to sample own sounds or load from Akai libraries. And there’s much more…
