Tempted to get an MPC

[JTurbide]

Anyone here have experience with the Akai MPC One?

I'm considering getting one to have a way of creating music faster than with my eurorack setup and also to complement it. I think it could be fun to sample my nord electro, guitar and eurorack into an mpc and try to do boom bap stuff among other things. The onboard fx also seems like something I'd use and I was thinking it could replace, at least for some time, the need to buy eurorack fx like an fx aid (at least when using the mpc as a song arrangement and jam device)

Does that sound like a good idea? Any input from someone who used the mpc to sample eurorack and interact with it?

Also, my computer is absolute shit so using ableton for anything else than recording and using one or two pluggins for mastering is a big no no (making the mpc a tempting option).

[jirodreamsofdank]

I had a MPC Live (same OS as the One) - hated it. It's way overcomplicated, trying to be a DAW in a box... but a shitty DAW (because manipulating notes on a piano roll with a finger is more awkward than with a mouse), effects were passable at best.

I'd look at a Digitakt (gets written off as just a drum machine relative to the Octatrack... but so was the SP1200), which is a much more direct and obstacle-less groovebox.

[JTurbide]

Interesting... I was looking at elektron stuff and it just seems like a more complicated workflow with the small screen and button combo. Btw the mpc one seems to have am easier workflow than the live, less button combos. Still, thanks for the input!

[oblong]

There’s also the S2400 by Isla Instruments. The machine seems to have a good balance of features and usability. And a sound. And a looper. I’m still waiting for mine.

[cantremember]

I picked up an MPC live a few weeks back and returned it within 2 days. I thought the build quality was cheap and it was way to heavy on the menu diving IMO. I have an OT and I love that thing but I got it after having a digitakt for a while so, for me, it was a pretty easy transition. The digitakt is a lot easier to figure out and use than I think a lot of people realize and I think it would complement yr eurorack stuff pretty well? I don't fuck with eurorack so I don't really know I'm just saying there but I've seen it! To touch on the elektron workflow button combo comment, most of the button combos are fairly easy to remember because they have alternate text under each button/knob letting you know what the secondary functions are. Not saying that elektron is the end all be all but it was easy for me to learn and use pretty quickly.

[crochambeau]

This thread makes me current MPC curious as well.

I have owned and loved an MPC2000xl for about 20 years. The user interface on this machine boils down to an amalgamation of tape machine and drum machine/sequencer, very user friendly.

I realize this past decade has seen a lot of cross pollination with the DAW (understanding that some products bearing the MPC moniker are little more than external controllers). It seems this "integration" is on a spectrum though, with some designs being far more capable as a stand alone core and others tethering deeper into the software realm.

Based on what little I've seen, it seems Akai has sorted out some obstacles to the ability to work untethered to a computer/DAW.

That said, because I'm a curmudgeonly old fuck I'll probably just scoop up a Roland MV-8000 when I have the money to burn. Though checking out the Elektron stuff might be beneficial to prove to myself I can still imprint new pathways in my think meat.

[Deltaphoenix]

There’s also the S2400 by Isla Instruments. The machine seems to have a good balance of features and usability. And a sound. And a looper. I’m still waiting for mine.

It’s dope! New fw upgrade is on point. I am guessing you are waiting for one on the boat that just arrived.

[mcatano]

FWIW, a friend just bought an MPC One and loves it.

[oblong]

It’s dope! New fw upgrade is on point. I am guessing you are waiting for one on the boat that just arrived.

Exactly! I’ve ordered last July and been waiting ever since. Never had a sampler before, so the hopes are high. I also looked at the other options like MPC Live or Octatrack and, although the hardware is really nice, I thought that their workflow may be too complicated for me.

[thesneakup]

If you're attracted to the MPC paradigm, you might consider an older device like the MPC1000. It's a solid as a rock functionally and physically, and working with it feels like playing with good ol' hardware, far from navigating a DAW. It's still a capable thing, especially with a JJ OS installed, and you'll definitely save a few bucks over newer options.

[gila_crisis]

I'd look at a Digitakt (gets written off as just a drum machine relative to the Octatrack... but so was the SP1200), which is a much more direct and obstacle-less groovebox.

The digitakt is a lot easier to figure out and use than I think a lot of people realize and I think it would complement yr eurorack stuff pretty well

I never used a MPC, but I second these Digitakt opinions.
I have one and it's a very powerful machine. I use it often more as a synthesizer instead of a pure sampler/drum-machine.
And after the 1.30 firmware update it's a lot more powerful and flexibel than before (finally the inputs can be used as a mixer for external gear, 2 LFOs, upgraded filter modes, etc...)!
And remember beside 8 audio tracks there are also 8 midi tracks, which you could use to control and trigger external gear, like your modular system.

[CSCD]

^^This. The Digitakt is really powerful with the latest update, and it barely requires any manual reading. Pretty sure the MPC is great too (haven't used any) — just saying that the Digitakt is a strong contender here.

[JTurbide]

Thanks all for the suggestions and thoughts!

I think I'll order an mpc one once I get back from vacation. They just released a new firmware which seems massive!
Digitakt seems cool but I think I would prefer the mpc interface and specs. I'll watch another video or two just to confirm but yeah, leaning towards the mpc rn

[gila_crisis]

Here I was unsing Digitakt as a pure sample-based synth (no sequencer involved), sent it through my pedalboard, and then looped the sounds.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS2-fA-cq9o[/youtube]

[JTurbide]

Got my MPC One two days ago.

First day was a bit hard and frustrating but day two was already alot better.

I am sampling some vinyls in my collection and making little boom bap kind of beats. Pretty fun. I still don't know how to do alot of stuff, and sometimes it is a bit frustrating when you want to do something basic (like I still don't know how to put an effect on the entire track (project in mpc language), but yeah I'm having fun and once you figure out something I think you remember it, like once you know it it makes sense.



Btw I'm totally hooked on cooking soul's videos, the overall aesthetic and the montage with all the little funny video bits