Akai MPCs, why so legendary ?

navitus · Post by **navitus** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:32 pm

Ok, so "Starving Student" from these boards got me researching on the Akai MPC series.

From my understanding the box is awesome for sequencing and sampling, has a "classic swing" to it which is very popular in Hip Hop and the sampling engine makes drum sound really fat and crunchy. Compatible with hard drives and ram expansion, samples are loaded really really fast and the machine itself is very user friendly. Sequencer can trigger internal samples and external hard ware, the pads feel awesome. One shot samples and loops can be loaded into the machine and the pads can also work as triggers for loops. Has built in FX but they aren't all that. Real time controllers are minimum except on the top of the line model.

My point ?
All this and more is available in Live, with visual interface, access to more ram and huger hard drive, FX, external plug-ins, bounce and cd burning, and midi controller support for all parameters.

So why are people still buying these machines. Most youtube vids i see, guys are drumming on the MPC's.

The sampling engine and ease of sampling seem like a great selling point and so does the easy sequencer.

But its more geared for studio stuff and less live performance am i right ?
Isn't live with an akai MPD controller the ultimate MPC ?

I'm missing something, please elaborate.
Cheers
F

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:35 pm

ZERO latency at all times.

no mouse, no computer, no OS issues, no crashes.

nice feeling drum pads.

there are times when a sucker just wants to use hardware and NOT use a computer, for this I like the mpc.

but you are correct, Live does most or all that the mpc does.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:41 pm

+1 to what Tone Deft just wrote, even though I am just learning mine.

I'd also like to add that you can't check this forum with it or look at porn. Less distraction is certainly worth something.

Punky921 · Post by **Punky921** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:14 pm

Yeah after seeing Saul Williams' DJ doing all the drumming for a show via an MPC, I was really tempted to get one. But I went with Ableton instead and there's been no looking back.

Khazul · Post by **Khazul** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:42 pm

Tone Deft wrote:there are times when a sucker just wants to use hardware and NOT use a computer, for this I like the mpc.

I think what you meant was:

there are times when a sucker just wants to use hardware and NOT fight with a computer, for this I like the mpc.

Otherwise +1

knotkranky · Post by **knotkranky** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:51 pm

You'd be surprised how many HipHop/Rap producers will not use a computer. And, Linn/Akai cornered that market early.

doc holiday · Post by **doc holiday** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:54 pm

they keep there value really well. i was surprised at what i was able to off load mine for after it was 8 years old.

starving student · Post by **starving student** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:02 pm

this is why

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j42SdmiU0kg

starving student · Post by **starving student** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:03 pm

it's the simplicity, the workflow, and the feature set, that lend the mpc to simple beats or extremely complex composition.

listen to some prefuse 73 for good example

some of the features I find most useful are

step sequencing
pad layering- 4 sounds on one pad
simultaneous pad triggering- I hit pad#1 and it also triggers pads8, 9, 10
track muting, especialy track mute recording
resampling- internal resampling of the mpc's own outputs
templates- i create templates for softsynths and Live that are auto loaded when i turn the mpc on

and there are many others but the great thing is that all of the features combine so that you can be as complex or simple as you want.

in the mpc even the limitations are assets and live and the mpc make a great combo

starving student · Post by **starving student** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:26 pm

some muting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TwRhohp ... re=related

starving student · Post by **starving student** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:32 pm

man and the most important clip i could show you, I can't wait for this, and this is why i have a mpc 1000 in addition to the 500 actualy the 5 came first but i digress.

this is the new jjos 2xl big panties that is on the way shortly, I'm on jjos version 1 and it's so nice, lots of people are going crazy for the version 2 that is out right now but i'm a patient dude so i'm waiting for xl to upgrade

check it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJQhu_mJCOo

condra · Post by **condra** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:59 pm

For every person that posts a reply here about how cool MPCs are, there's ten others who don't give a shit about MPCs.

glitchrock-buddha · Post by **glitchrock-buddha** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:07 am

starving student wrote:this is why

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j42SdmiU0kg

Not to take away from the MPCs coolness, but that can all be done just as easy or easier with something like an akai MPD32 or padkontrol and Live.

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:08 am

starving student wrote:track muting, especialy track mute recording

If you want that with Live look here:

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic. ... light=mute

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:12 am

glitchrock-buddha wrote:
starving student wrote:this is why

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j42SdmiU0kg

Not to take away from the MPCs coolness, but that can all be done just as easy or easier with something like an akai MPD32 or padkontrol and Live.

not with ZERO latency.

Condra - like everything you post appeals to everyone? ALDJ (Ableton Ladies Dick Jockies) threads FTL.

starving student - I stopped watching your youtubes long ago, start labeling them if you'd like more feedback. I'm done with clicking on a youtube and seeing something I've seen a hundred times before.
just my $0.02, OPMMV.