Akai Mpc 1000

[LivePsy]

I've really only used 20 to 40Mb of samples in memory at once, lots of drum samples and many loops split across the pads. In my experience there is no slow down at all. The only problem is running through the long list of similar named samples. It seems rock solid and I'd sum it up as a small feature set but damn reliable.

FX are not bad, I always leave the main compressor and EQ on basically the default settings. Then you get 2 insert FX and can only control the send from each pad. They are basic, but the reverb is very nice - once again usually with the default settings. Delay is only available on the second insert, but its not really a problem. The only thing I think could be improved is that you have no control at the program level, everything is managed at the sample/pad level.

Its a hard decision to make. When I read the manuals I thought they were too primitive to bother with. But when you use one, you really fly through the process of building a kit. And because its not that visual, you end up feeling rather than thinking about the beat. you owe it to yourself to try one out.

Cheers,
B

[Hollowcell]

Thanks for the info there Psy. Good to know it doesn't slow that you have noticed.
Actually all your info leads to me another question: If you have multiple samples layered on one pad, do the filters/FX effect the whole pad (all the samples), or can you modify them independently? I am building programs in the software editor I have at the moment, and this will change my process on some of programs.

Originally Posted by LivePsy

Its a hard decision to make. When I read the manuals I thought they were too primitive to bother with. But when you use one, you really fly through the process of building a kit. And because its not that visual, you end up feeling rather than thinking about the beat. you owe it to yourself to try one out.

Yeah, I know what you are saying. I have one on order, so it won't be long before I get a hands-on.
I have used a few of the older gen MPCs a while back, and they were just plain fun! I never thought about getting one until recently though, as they just didn't give me more than my current hardware samplers/sequencer setup. But now they're cheap and the OSs are stable, it's a good time to buy I reckon.

I have been slicing through a few sample CDs the past week, and already have a few hundred meg worth single hit beats and bass.

Hey do have a hard-disk in your's? I got the adapter, but not sure how stable a HD would be when bashing those pads.

[LivePsy]

The filters and FX send/routing are per pad. The only control you have is the level and crossfading of up to 4 samples before they go to the common filters for that pad. The filter are not good BTW, they clip at moderate levels so you end up lowering them and then every other pad to get the pad levels matching.

I have a HDD in mine, and I don't think there's a problem with vibration. The drive turns off within seconds of leaving the Load and Save modes just like a notebook.

The best part for me is the dirty compressed sound it puts on ordinary samples. Let us know when you get the MPC1000!

Cheers,
B

[Hollowcell]

Picked up my MPC yesterday.

Mine was a BK-N, so it came with the new pads (the feel is very "MPC", but the size is small), full memory, and a 128CF card.
I bought the hardrive adapter, but don't have a HDD yet. I have a heap of CF cards laying around though.

I said before that i wouldn't get rid of the rack samplers, but after a day on this thing I am changing my mind pretty damn quickly. I will keep the E-MU, but not the 3000.

Yeah I noticed that with the filters, and now I know why the software editor sets the samples at 70 by default. Once the samples were at this level I couldn't get it to clip. It puts out a really hot signal on the main outs which compesates - interesting.

Love the master EQ - almost like an exciter/enhancer, and it works for drums so well! The compressor is a work horse more than a character builder, but that's a good thing on a sampler I reckon.

So far I love the thing! I am getting beats down that would have taken ages with my old setup. It's just so damn easy to use!

That is good to know about the drive. I can't wait to fill have a huge library at my finger tips.

Hey thanks for all your help by the way. It was good to shoot over a few gaps in the manual.

[LivePsy]

Congratulations! There's something organic about hitting the pads instead of a keyboard. You come up with things you would never have done with C, C#, D, D#, E. You can do everything and more with other gear, especially a notebook computer and software, but there's an instant gratification you won't get anywhere else except an MPC.

Cheers,
B

[Hollowcell]

Just came up with another question....

I know you can purge (remove from onboard ram) all the samples not used in programs, but can you purge all the samples not used in a sequence or track?

You see I create programs that run over the full 64 pads for ease of use, but then after I record to the sequncer, I only use a small portion of them. I wanna be able to free up ram, but I don't want to have to go through every program and remove samples to purge.

Can't find this in the manual. Might have to make a first post on the MPC forum if you have no idea.

[LivePsy]

HC, you can't purge based on not using a pad in any sequence. Only purge unused samples as you have read in the manual. Post at your peril on the MPC forums you'll also have to decide if you are using Akai OS or JJ OS as there are 2 separate threads and the 2 factions don't fraternise.

My suggestion: because the 1000 got updates to match the 2500 features, stick to Akai OS.

Cheers,
B