Some MPC questions...

[wax inspektor]

So I got this q's in my mind for a while...

2000 / XL

1.) max 32Ram: Does it mean that I only can use 32MB of sounds for a project... Which would be less than 4 min... Is that how it goes?

2.) The SCSI port (for a HD or ZIP) is just to load and save files; it has nothing to do with the "size" of my project, cause everythings loaded into the RAM; right?!

3.) The floppy discs... wtf? For what? Song Datas or sth. like this? I mean I can't believe that 1,5MB of sounds are satisfying at all. I never got the point of the floppys...

4.) Does the 2k (XL) hast step edit? Which are the main missing functions compared to a 1k?

5.) What's the difference between the 2k and the 2k XL anyway?

6.) What happend to the beat thang?

Lemme know...

Those are 2k's are pretty cheap right now, and I would kill for a mute group, so possibly maybe...

[ellaguru]

So I got this q's in my mind for a while...

2000 / XL

1.) max 32Ram: Does it mean that I only can use 32MB of sounds for a project... Which would be less than 4 min... Is that how it goes?

3.) The floppy discs... wtf? For what? Song Datas or sth. like this? I mean I can't believe that 1,5MB of sounds are satisfying at all. I never got the point of the floppys...

5.) What's the difference between the 2k and the 2k XL anyway?

6.) What happend to the beat thang?

Lemme know...

Those are 2k's are pretty cheap right now, and I would kill for a mute group, so possibly maybe...

yes the 2000xl are not expensive now...
1)answer:yes
3)answer:floppy discs were used in the '90 very much, i had an akai remix 16 that use those too...you can load about 30sec...but remember that with the sp-1200 you have 10sec and you do wonderful things...
5) answer: maybe the xl has more memory and separate outs? idon't remeber well...i know anyway that the 2000xl has the best sensitive pads of all the mpc.
6)answer: i think the beat thang will go out on this summer, beacuse they upgrade the screen and other little details..

[PHeMoX]

For a ishload of info on that great machine check this out too:
http://www.mpc2000xl.com/

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What the MPC does or can do:
 
1. The MPC can replace your computer for sequencing. This is probably the primary reason for MPC purchase. Either people don't want to lug a computer system around for gigs, tired of dealing with persistent computer problems or trying to learn bloated and complex sequencing software. The midi spec (hence the data sent from sequencer to instrument) has not changed in some 14 years, so the underlying data handled by sequencers is virtually identical, only the interface has changed. You can control every aspect of any midi module or keyboard just like you can from the fanciest computer application.
 
2. The MPC is a "percussion sampler". It does not have it's own sounds but you load the sampler with whatever sounds you desire. You are not restricted to loading just percussion sounds, but be reminded that you have to handle them on the MPC's terms. Even though the sampler engine is based on the S2000 sampler, it is slightly modified to optimally handle percussion samples, therefore sampler features that are typically not used for percussion have not been included. These items are listed in what the MPC cannot do below.
 
3. It is very close to an all-in-one-box. It is possible to do complete compositions on just the MPC. Just remember this method will be sample based, and you will need something external to record it to like a tape deck.
 
4. More coming!
 
 
What the MPC cannot do:
 
1. No mouse. You can draw straight lines on a computer, but you cannot draw straight lines on the MPC. Many people enjoy the visual interface of the computer. The MPC has a visual interface, but it is not as encompassing as that of a 17" monitor screen. In one way you can view this as a good thing. I've found this forces you to "listen" to what you are doing instead of just "looking" at it.
 
2. Since the MPC is a percussion style sampler, some features of full fledged samplers are not included. No LFO's and no keygroups. Program files from other platforms (unless another model MPC such as MPC60) are incompatible with the MPC2000XL. However you can still usually import the sample itself and manually assign program settings. The envelopes are shortened from ADSR to just AR.
 
3. The MPC does not do dynamic time stretching. If you like to use computer applications like Sound Forge's Acid, you know this means. If you use phrase samples in the MPC, they do not automatically adjust their length to fit changed duration of bars. You can however readjust the samples manually whenever you change tempo. Dynamic time stretching is not yet a common feature found on budget samplers and will probably make it into future generations of MPC's.
 
4. The MPC is not a recording device. Once you create songs on the MPC, you have to use some other external recording device to record the music, like Akai's DPS12 or DSP16.
 
5. The MPC does not provide built-in sounds. It is a sampler. The joy of using a sampler is that the sounds can never get dated since you provide whatever sounds you like.
 
6. The MPC's sampling inputs do not provide a preamp, so to record from a microphone, you will need to preamp the signal from a mixer. If you are wanting to sample from turntables, you will need to run the signal through a phono preamp like a DJ mixer.
 

So... it's great, but you're likely to bump into some pretty annoying limitations too.

Perhaps an MPC1k is more for you? Or if you get lucky an MPC4000?

[balazs]

1.) max 32Ram: Does it mean that I only can use 32MB of sounds for a project... Which would be less than 4 min... Is that how it goes?

yeah.And without the memory expansion you have only 11seconds(stereo).


3.) The floppy discs... wtf? For what? Song Datas or sth. like this? I mean I can't believe that 1,5MB of sounds are satisfying at all. I never got the point of the floppys...

the last model of the 2kxl(blue) had CF card. I think there was a slot for a memory stick too.

4.) Does the 2k (XL) hast step edit? Which are the main missing functions compared to a 1k?

i think the 1k and 2k both have step edit. idk , its been a while since i used an mpc.


5.) What's the difference between the 2k and the 2k XL anyway?

the xl can resample sounds at different sample rates(cant resample seq). Also the xl has time stretch. probably other differences too


I would recomend getting the fx card with the mpc 2k/xl. i think the only fx you get with the 2kxl is a low pass filter

[ellaguru]

the last model of the 2kxl(blue) had CF card. I think there was a slot for a memory stick too.

this model is more expensive (and more diffucult to find) indeed.
i know however that if you buy a "normal" 2000xl you can upgrade an internal cf reader without many difficulties.

[PHeMoX]

i know however that if you buy a "normal" 2000xl you can upgrade an internal cf reader without many difficulties.

Very true, but make sure you can find the adapter too. The Compact Flash to IDE adapter is becoming more rare these days too.

[cartesia]

I'd not be so worried about the sample time limitations,

I guess it depends what you do... If you use just one-shot samples 11 seconds is actually quite a lot for a song..

If you use long loops though, 11 seconds will kill you.

[ellaguru]

I'd not be so worried about the sample time limitations,

I guess it depends what you do... If you use just one-shot samples 11 seconds is actually quite a lot for a song..

yes, i agree totally.
the sp-1200 teach us this...just 10sec of sampling time...(the sp-12 only 2 sec!)

[PHeMoX]

I would die if 10 seconds was all I got to play with. One shots or not.

[hurlingdervish]

using an mpc would give me a headache

[Nothingless1987]

^^^^ not at all, once you know your way around it's great, getting an sp has actually made my work flow more efficient on the mp.

for the cf reader check mpcstuff.com and see what they got to offer.

[reignbear]

I would die if 10 seconds was all I got to play with. One shots or not.

thats why you pitch all your samples way up when you sample them and then slow them down to regular speed after. i think that's where a lot of the grit (aliasing) that is romanticized from those early samplers comes from, but most people just attribute it to the lower bit depth( which i DO still think adds a lot of character!).

[tape smoke]

yes anyold school sampler that can slow down/speed up samples . it is a must to record your samples as fast as your turntable will spin. you can even record a fast forwarding tape and slow it back down. this is pushing it tho

[PHeMoX]

yes anyold school sampler that can slow down/speed up samples . it is a must to record your samples as fast as your turntable will spin. you can even record a fast forwarding tape and slow it back down. this is pushing it tho

I'm thinking that's where the whole high pitched vocal idea came from too? I mean it's slightly different from speeding up and slowing down, but from quite early on samplers where able to change pitch but not speed, right?

[wax inspektor]

Thanx for the replies...

Whut do you think about the 2500?
You know, I didn't liked the cursors, the screen and data wheel of the 1k and I hope the 2500 is better built... Is it? A used 2500 (fully loaded) is just 50-80€'s more than a 1k. Is it worth it?