Hey guys i just joined this forum today and i have a question. I was really set on getting a Mpc1000 but its to expensive for me to get anytime soon, I currently use FL Studio for beats but i Def want to start making beats with hardware... what SP would you guys recommend for me?

welcome

seems price is your main criteria, so i'd say get the 404

but a second hand 606 could work as a controller for FL. i don't know to what extent but i know i've read about others doing this. and this wouldn't be much more than a new 404.

I'd say those are both great suggestions.

i've only used the 404 and 606, but 606 is much more like an mpc to me. you can chop samples automatically, whereas on the 404 you need to set start/end points after making multiple resamples of the original samples and assigning to different pads. also, the 606 has a screen that shows you what you are doing, and the 404 has a 3-digit display and you need to use your ears more. you know what, i'm not qualified to speak on the 606, only used it for a day. i use an mpc 2500, but had i known about the jj os before i got it, i would have definately copped the 1000 instead. but i use both the 404 and 2500 equally as much. the 404 is way more fun and allows you to be really creative. limitations can be a good thing!

i was leaving towards the 404 but it sounds pretty diffcult to chop samples and sequence them

Not really difficult. Quite easy really, just can be tedious with really long samples. It's nothing like editing a sample on your computer. It's not visual at all, and that can put some people off. If you had your mind set on an MPC you would likely be more comfortable with the SP-606. They go pretty cheap used. Check out some youtube videos of em both.

with chopping, it's all about what suits you

alot of folk seem to dig slicing up a waveform visually in Cool Edit/Audition, others prefer autochop (using a timing or velocity algorhythm) like with MPC/Recycle.

i used to chop the first way, but since i've got used to the 404 (using your ears and two kobs) i've become a devotee of the SP method. i'll even drop something into the 404 to chop (and maybe apply a little EQ) even if i plan to use those samples in another machine.

so, try em all out and keep an open mind...some techniques grow on you, and once they're part of your muscle memory seem alot more natural

404 chops build your ninja skills. 404 tunes your third ear. 404 makes the universe your lab. When the power goes out, 404 laughs at the other beat machines that thought they were hard. 404 is a symbiote, like Venom's suit. You think you own 404, but it changes you until you're a suitable host; 404 owns you.

well said

hahaha

hows the sequencer on the 404, i was reading somewhere that it really isnt that poweful if u want to do more comlicated things

It's sequencer is better than the one on my 303 and I'm happy with what I can do with the pattern sequencer. Battery power is a huge plus.

if u want better sequencing, I'd say the 606

i think dude went with an mpc or at least that's the impression i got from his similar post at FP.com

yo blackrabbit, don't sleep on the sp's, get one later at least.