MPC 500 + 404 Combo?

[twegner]

I found a MPC 500 for $200 and I'm feeling like its a nice combo considering they both run on cf cards. Anyone that has this combo how well do they pair?

[disDope Circus]

The sp compliments the shortcomings of the 500 so well I hardly pick up the MPC now

[Ill Green]

Its dope, you can sample within the SP404, apply FX, then transfer the CF card into the 500 via Hotswap and viola, the samples end up on the 500 where you can take advantage of the MPC sequencer. However this method works best with 1 or 2GB CF cards, any higher and its curtains, you hear me, CURTAINS!

[disDope Circus]

That's amazing, I assumed they wouldn't be compatible. Too bad I'm an sx man, but that would have totally swayed me to the og

[Sharris]

I have an sx, but love using it with the MPC 500. I think sp's & MPC's compliment each other really well no matter what model they are.

Since the sx & MPC 500 have diff memory cards, I normally sample into the sx, add effects or eq or whatever, then sample those into the MPC 500, make my beat, then record the beat into the sx while hitting mutes on the 500 & effects on the sx. A lot of fun

[Ill Green]

You could use a CF-to-SD adaptor for this SX and 500 combo. But again, you have to use 1 or 2GB cards, plus finding the right CF to SD adaptor because not all are compatible. Best thing is to buy the adaptor and cards from the same manufacturer, though I hear a Kingston on a Sandisk works. But if you don't wanna break your head figuring shit out, or maybe you want to

[disDope Circus]

Tbh I love figuring shit out. I never considered this as a possibility though. Mind = blown.

[jbl]

Q about the hotswap thing;
do you need to export the sounds as wav files on the 404?

I just can't imagine the 404 file structure being readable by the mic

[Sharris]

Apparently hotswapping is when you leave the machine on when taking the memory card out (& putting the memory card in the machine? Needs to be on too?)......leaving the machine on is supposed to make it possible to use the same card in both machines..... it surprises me too, but i've heard this a lot, it's supposed to work....

Even tho i cant do this with my mpc's & sp i've always been curious about it. & i plan on gettin another sp......which will be hotswappable. Hopefully i can try this out myself.

But curious if it matters what machine the card is formatted on....

[Sharris]

I found this info in another thread - Compliments of Ill Green

Do i Need to Export the chopped/effected samples on the OG404 as .wav so i can hot swap the card & load the sample on the mpc500? or are there more things to do?

Ill Green wrote: Actually, you just sample to the CF card from the OG404, beef it up with effects and what not. Then, before you hot swap, make sure nothing is playing or sequencing on both machines and gently remove the card from the 404 and gently insert into the 500. I say gently because people have this notion that hot swap means change the card rapidly, when it just means switching cards while the machines are on (hot). Then go into the 500's Loading mode and place the samples to the pads. Or you can chop samples in the 500 and hot swap to the 404.

You only need to format the card on one of the machines depending which will be your go-to sampler. For example, format the card in the 500 and then hot swap it to the 404, sample some samples, add mfx and then hot swap it back to the 500.

[jbl]

Oh snap! Really cool info here. Thanks for the troublesome cut and paste sharris.
I've been wanting a used 500 for awhile, this has put me in must grab territory

[Sharris]

No trouble at all

I use the sx & MPC 500 together all the time. I've been thinkin about getting a 2nd sp, an older sp & hot swappin the cards would be awesome!