My main problem with mpc's is the constantly having to turn the dial wheel over and over just to navigate all of the menus and naming samples to save them and then load again. I like the pad play and it is a beautiful looking machine but all the time consuming navigating makes it hard for me to get in a groove and work quickly. I find most of the Boss/Roland sp's superior with the exception of the 606(similar workflow of mpc), which I like for the efx(x2@same time).

then whatever you do, don't get an asr x!!!

The mpc 1k with jjos was pretty quick to use for me. I only named project folders though. I enjoyed my time with the mpc, but I ended up giving it back to my buddy after a couple years. I'd consider picking one up again if the price was right.

* I had more frustrations with the sequencer and glitchy encoders when I had an asrx (black model) than the menu diving. I did love the scratchpad feature. It's like the clipboard on the sp505

Haha, I was recently considering getting an asr-x. Could one of you elaborate on the issues with that machine?

That's the main reason I sold my 2000xl and bought a 555 with the money. I was very happy with the trade.

word?


I never owned a MPC, always wanted to though.

Never used a SP555, but your comment intrigues me.

dorkus: the asr x's sequencer sucks. well, it's ok if yr making simple shit, but get deep with it and it starts to hiccup and choke and it doesn't sound good. it only has two knobs and two lines of text which can make moving around and changing parameters a pain.

that said, it sounds so amazing. like stupid good. the sampler and effects are the best i've ever heard. seqeuncing it with mpc 4000 makes for a sweet setup.

i know what you mean about mpc, though. i had no idea that sampling and making beats could be so fun until i got an sp.

Yeah thats what I heard is that it sounds sooo good, but I wanted to use it standalone. I guess that idea is out the window.

The sequencer issue can be fixed with a firmware update. On the black model you need to actually replace the firmware rom chip inside the machine, on the red Pro model you can update the firmware with a floppy disk. I would pick up the pro model if I could find one real cheap. Also worth mentioning is that the asrx can take new internal sound chips too. They are the same ones that go in the EMU Command Stations. Mo phat etc etc. asrx is real grimy. Dope machine if its fully upgraded

If mpc's had the array of efx that the roland sp's have it would greatly increase their worth, though.

This is all apples & oranges...

Dude, don't know which MPCs you've been messing with (including JJOS), but the 606 is nothing like an MPC in terms of workflow. 606's menu diving never goes deeper than three screens & there's a minimum of scrolling in those screens. Not to forget that the SP-606 doesn't use project files, loads everything on startup, samples are locked to pads (not projects) & the SP-606 doesn't let you name samples.

To come up with that opinion did you spend any time on both 606 & MPC?

Granted the 606's workflow still feels nicer than the MPCs (for me anyway*) but you really can't compare any MPC to any SP. For instance no SP has assignable & multiple audio outs, upgradable RAM, more than 4 sequencer channels, ability to sequence other devices, ability to play multiple samples off a single pad...

If you wanna look at MPCs as FX devices, then yeah, you're gonna be disappointed. Try valuing what they have, not what they don't have. Don't forget some folks rock an MPC+SP combo & get the best of both worlds.

*I've had an MPC500 for a few years & try as I might I just can't get into it. Been keeping it out of hope that one day the MPC workflow will click. Also tried briefly messing with some mates Akai-OS'd MPC1000 & MPC5000- they didn't feel quite 'right' either.

I know that they aren't exactly the same I just think that it sucks having to do all the wheel turning and button pushing to edit samples and patterns. As far as the outputs that really has nothing to do with anything i mentioned but yes mpcs have or can have 8 outs I am well aware. It's not about finding an "efx machine", the title is "What I don't like about mpc's"

You still seem a little bit bitter because I don't like video game beats. I am truly sorry for that but I just don't enjoy most of them.

To answer your question, yes. I owned several mpc's since late 90's and have had the 606 for 8 years or so. I have used them both extensively together and seperate.

Yeah, work sucks, donnit? lulz

To be honest, you gotta expect a little bit of this kind of thing on hardware. It's not a PC or Mac and a necessary evil. Allow me to give you this equation:

(# of screen characters) / (# of OS knobs/controls) x (depth of function) = hassle of machine.

If hassle of machine is above your threshold, you should avoid it or learn to love it if the machine is something you like. There's lots of ways to deal with this from splitting editing and playing sessions, finding software that assists with such things to OS upgrades, to using another machine to control it.

And of course, you could always just throw up your hands and say fuck it and sell it.

Hahaha, what are you saying I should stop complaining and deal with it or some shit? I'm simply stating what I don't like about them. There are things I DO like about them. Is that difficult to understand?