Ableton Forum

Hey peeps,

I'm considering getting one of these, but just wanted to know how compatible they are with live. I have only been using live for a short while, so don't want to be buying one of these then finding out I won't be able to use it with live. What I want to do is run the sp or mpc through one channel in live for my beats, then maybe through another for some sampling, etc. Is it easy to go about this?

Thanks in advance,
J.

The mpc is a more actual machine and you will able to use in sync with live, no problemo...sp1200 is another dope machine, (cool grungy drum sound) but you have to cope with 10 seconds sample time and really old ass technology...(and you can find it used only for quiet a lot of money)
I would go with the Mpc...

Cool. Yeah I kinda get the impression that the sp has a more crunchy unique sound, but the mpc has alot more features and better sampling functions. Basicly I want that crunchy sound of the sp, but some sampling time too. 10secs iss still quite a bit of time to sample with.

The main thing I was concerned about was hooking them up with live, but as you said the mpc is no problem, but I would still like to know how easy/if possible it is to do the same with the sp?

Hey, seeing as you're after the crunchy 12bit sound...you might consider processing your drum hits with a Sonic Alienator by Frostwave.com and using a software drum-sampler before you drop a wad of dough on an sp1200. You can even try a sonic alienator 'risk free' ...whatever that means, I didnt check out the link.

http://www.frostwave.com/tryafrostwave.html
http://www.frostwave.com/sonicalienator/

it might deliver the crunch you're after for a considerable saving

Maybe I'd get an mpc2000xl & also try an alienator pedal if I were you, nice compromise

i bought a sp-12 trbo w/ a disk drive for only 200
I love it works geeat with any computer DAW

5 seconds!

I just read that there is a version of the SP-12 with only 1.2 seconds

5 seconds is enough for drums for me.

the original sp-12 only had 1.2 second of sample time

Ok. But still how compatible are these 2 pieces of hardware with live?

about as compatible as any instrument on earth.

you play the instrument
you record the instrument into your DAW of Choice

just like a clarinet
just like a tuba
just like a turntable
just like a beat machine
just like a guitar


both machines
recognize
smpte
MTC
MMC
midi beat clock
the sp might even sync to a pulse from another synth



do you know what any of that means?

smpte
MTC
MMC

I dunno what these are, sorry.

You've answered my question anyway, thanks man. At least I now know I can buy one of the two and use them with live.

Get the SP-1200.

You can do everything an MPC2000XL does in Live.

If you're getting an older hardware machine get the SP or an MPC60/3000.

I owned an sp-12 turbo for awhile. Incredible machine. Just really simple and inspiring. and i loved how it just "legitimized" every sound put in it.

But to work with 5 seconds of sample time in this day and age is abit ridiculous. And i didnt want to keep worrying about such a pricey product breaking down at any time.

CITYSTATE wrote:Get the SP-1200.

You can do everything an MPC2000XL does in Live.

If you're getting an older hardware machine get the SP or an MPC60/3000.

Yeah, I think i'm leaning towards the sp. Does the mpc60 run at 12 bit too? Also how much sample time does the mpc60 have?

Thanks.

yes, the mpc60 is 12bit.

i got some disks for my sp1200 that have sample sets of 808, 909, classics, on ebay for really cheap. i don't have a 909, but playing those samples from the sp sounds great.

mind you if you buy an MPC60, be sure it has os 3.xx becasue with 2.xx you cant send out midi note on/off with the pads.
the mpc60 = 12bit. sound fine

I would advise you to get that mpc2000 because its the most compatible with the computer and add an akai s900/s950 for the 12 bit sound. Or you can add other old ones like the Ensoniq EPS, Prophet 2000, etc... All pretty cheap and all old and crunchy. I had the mpc60 and its a really nice and robust piece of gear but for the price it has way too little features and you really need an extra 200 to upgrade to os 3.xx (roger linns website 4 more info) if u wanna integrate its wonderfull pads

mpc2000 = 300 - 600 euros
s900 = 50 - 200 euros
So you could be set for 500 if youre lucky