i'm dustin off my mpc 2000 and bought to open up shop agayne. i got 2g's to spend on a keyboard. i wuz lookin into tha triton extreme or tha motif es series, any recommendations? im more into tha musical typa production, not tha "beat"ish type. which one should i cop? also, i have tha mpc2000 without tha expansion boards. i dont even think i still have tha os disc to it, but anywayz, i wuz thinkin bout coppin that mpc 2500 in about a month, should i do it? my mpc2000 used to locc up on me, so i'm thinkin i should jus get rid of it, and get tha 2500. wut do yall think? fold.
2g's on a keyboard
- Thread starter T-Spoon
- Start date
I ran this list in another thread but wanted to list it before commenting
akai S2000
akai mpc3000
akai MPC4000
emu SP1200
emu-e4xt
ensoniq ASR10 RACK
ensoniq ASRX
roland mv8000
moog voyager
studio electronics se1 Rack
studio electronics atcx
yamaha motif es rack
roland fantom x
roland juno106
roland 5050
roland 1080
roland-vsynth
korg-triton
korg-ms2000
waldorf-microQ rack
emu-proteus2000 rack
emu-vintage keys rack
emu-mo phatt rack
kurzweil-k2000 rack
novation supernova rack
Korg Kaos (dont sleep on this)
2 1200 turntables and crates of vinyl
software(im not thinking he needs fruity loops newest update)
oh yeah alot of synths have the expansion cards maxed out
this is a list of equipment a friend has and my other friend used to have almost same set-up and as you can see it would be good to get opinions from them wich we talk all the time about this shit.
First what kind of beats are you trying to make..List your influences as far as producers.Ive been exposed to all this shit, and I myself have the motif rack and mpc3000 roland jp8000 emu e4xt and tx81z,
If i wanted only to get one keyboard out of..the triton,the motif, the fantom ...it would be the fantom.
If you gonna get rid of the 2000
if I could find a used 4000 Id get that,instead of shelling out for a new 2500
In this scenario after you have a mpc..do you still have $2000 to spend on keyboard? if so Id for $2000
GET a fantom rack for about a grand...then get a used se1(for that analog basses and leads) for about
$400 then get a good midi controller, Id probably get a korg ms2000b or like me the jp8000 for under $400 with the next 200 you need a mixer..wich you can find a used 16 channel mixer for all your inputs and outputs. Now you have a hot set up.......and the hottest hardware out there
akai S2000
akai mpc3000
akai MPC4000
emu SP1200
emu-e4xt
ensoniq ASR10 RACK
ensoniq ASRX
roland mv8000
moog voyager
studio electronics se1 Rack
studio electronics atcx
yamaha motif es rack
roland fantom x
roland juno106
roland 5050
roland 1080
roland-vsynth
korg-triton
korg-ms2000
waldorf-microQ rack
emu-proteus2000 rack
emu-vintage keys rack
emu-mo phatt rack
kurzweil-k2000 rack
novation supernova rack
Korg Kaos (dont sleep on this)
2 1200 turntables and crates of vinyl
software(im not thinking he needs fruity loops newest update)
oh yeah alot of synths have the expansion cards maxed out
this is a list of equipment a friend has and my other friend used to have almost same set-up and as you can see it would be good to get opinions from them wich we talk all the time about this shit.
First what kind of beats are you trying to make..List your influences as far as producers.Ive been exposed to all this shit, and I myself have the motif rack and mpc3000 roland jp8000 emu e4xt and tx81z,
If i wanted only to get one keyboard out of..the triton,the motif, the fantom ...it would be the fantom.
If you gonna get rid of the 2000
if I could find a used 4000 Id get that,instead of shelling out for a new 2500
In this scenario after you have a mpc..do you still have $2000 to spend on keyboard? if so Id for $2000
GET a fantom rack for about a grand...then get a used se1(for that analog basses and leads) for about
$400 then get a good midi controller, Id probably get a korg ms2000b or like me the jp8000 for under $400 with the next 200 you need a mixer..wich you can find a used 16 channel mixer for all your inputs and outputs. Now you have a hot set up.......and the hottest hardware out there
thanx 50. i hav 2gs in my poccet, and an mpc 2000 in my closet. i heard that tha 4000 is OVERated. so i wasn't really interested in that. my producer influences are kanye west, ecay uno, rob lo- not sayin i make music like them, BUT i like their sounds. like i posted above, i'm more into musical shit. nice guitars, piano keys, atmosphere type shit. tryin to stay away from ric roc/droop-e type sounds.
u mentioned droppin tha 2g's on different pieces of equip, but i'm not TOO producer "literate" and "experienced", i'd rather jus go with tha simple midi keyboard to tha mpc. i LOVE tha sequencing on tha mpc. imma jus make beats now, worry bout tha vocals and mixin and shit later. lemme kno, thanks agayne. fold.
u mentioned droppin tha 2g's on different pieces of equip, but i'm not TOO producer "literate" and "experienced", i'd rather jus go with tha simple midi keyboard to tha mpc. i LOVE tha sequencing on tha mpc. imma jus make beats now, worry bout tha vocals and mixin and shit later. lemme kno, thanks agayne. fold.
as you seen the list you seen my boys use every piece made.At first they was leary about the 4000, they use the 3000 the most, but after some use the 4000 is real tight,Id trade my 3000 for one and mine is candy red with wood grain.It has great features.Did you ever have your mpc hooked up to keyboards before? your main keyboard(the one you gonna play the keys on all the time)hook a cable from midi out to the midi in on your mpc. Now you got 4 midi outs A B C D on your mpc (at least on the 3000, and 4000) now hook each one to the in on the keyboard or rack modules you gonna use for the sounds.So if you only use one keyboard(for this example lets just say a triton) you would use midi A on
mpc to midi in on your keyboard.Now on your main screen on mpc it says track-1 then type-drum then channel-off.Do all your drum tracks(mpc sounds) changing each track for each drum sound or samples. Now lets just say you are on track 5 now where it says type-drum,turn dial til it says midi as your type then go to where it says channel off and turn til it says 1A now you gonna set your triton to midi channel 1 and record lets say bass line.Being your only using one keyboard and you have your midi A on your mpc to midi in on your keyboard it will now tell the mpc to play all that midi data.To further understand disconnect that keyboard and hook up a different one same way.set that keyboards midi channel 1 to strings press play now that bassline you originally recorded is the same except you hear strings.This may help you understand your mpc and midi.So if we go back to the original beat and you just recorded your bassline ,but that keyboards horns arent that great and you wanna use another keys for it and this example we will use a motif rack cause you only need one keyboard..to enter your notes remember keyboard one has the midi out to the mpc in? Its called your master keyboard and its for entering your midi notes.sustain etc.soon this you only need one midi cable going from B to your motif in now your ready to record some horns you know midi channel1 is for your triton bassline,and that track 5.Now go to track 6 on mpc and switch type to midi and switch the channel off to 2a...oops back up where its says 2A now make that A a B so now its 2b now record your horn track.press play now you hear your drums from the mpc, your bassline from the triton and horns from your motif...But your horns sound like there are two instruments playing....Thats because you have to go to your master controller,look in its midi menu and find where its says local-on and turn it to local-off.Now its all working perfect.So if you wanted to hook up two more keyboards you have C,and D out the mpc.
Now you need a mixer,so you can hear the drums and samples from mpc,and your triton and your motif all at once cause as you know when recording sequences in your mpc ..thats what it does,It doesnt record the sound from your keys it just records data and tells that key or module what to play when play is pressed after recording.so you need at least a small 50 dollar mixer if you use an mpc and one keyboard and if you have 4keys you need at least 5 channel mixer but if you wanna use the mixers eq and seperate more tracks its beneficial to get at least a 16 channel mixer...This way you can hook your record players,c.ds and you aint gotta switch cords and shit
Now I recommended a studio electronics se1 alot of major cats use these..battlecat,djquik,dr dre,etc etc etc.They got them fat basslines and sweet leads and lush pads....This is definatley on my list and wont change my mind no matter what anyone says if you cant find an se1 an atc by same maker Id get you can hear some shit on studio electronics web site.listen to the customers sample songs..
The fantomx the rack is a great all around sounds and you get alot of great ones its also expandable,and has a sampler to use cd roms to load samples or sample your own shit.
the jp8000 is great and has alot of knobs and sliders and has a durable pitch bend..unlike the triton
any more questions???
mpc to midi in on your keyboard.Now on your main screen on mpc it says track-1 then type-drum then channel-off.Do all your drum tracks(mpc sounds) changing each track for each drum sound or samples. Now lets just say you are on track 5 now where it says type-drum,turn dial til it says midi as your type then go to where it says channel off and turn til it says 1A now you gonna set your triton to midi channel 1 and record lets say bass line.Being your only using one keyboard and you have your midi A on your mpc to midi in on your keyboard it will now tell the mpc to play all that midi data.To further understand disconnect that keyboard and hook up a different one same way.set that keyboards midi channel 1 to strings press play now that bassline you originally recorded is the same except you hear strings.This may help you understand your mpc and midi.So if we go back to the original beat and you just recorded your bassline ,but that keyboards horns arent that great and you wanna use another keys for it and this example we will use a motif rack cause you only need one keyboard..to enter your notes remember keyboard one has the midi out to the mpc in? Its called your master keyboard and its for entering your midi notes.sustain etc.soon this you only need one midi cable going from B to your motif in now your ready to record some horns you know midi channel1 is for your triton bassline,and that track 5.Now go to track 6 on mpc and switch type to midi and switch the channel off to 2a...oops back up where its says 2A now make that A a B so now its 2b now record your horn track.press play now you hear your drums from the mpc, your bassline from the triton and horns from your motif...But your horns sound like there are two instruments playing....Thats because you have to go to your master controller,look in its midi menu and find where its says local-on and turn it to local-off.Now its all working perfect.So if you wanted to hook up two more keyboards you have C,and D out the mpc.
Now you need a mixer,so you can hear the drums and samples from mpc,and your triton and your motif all at once cause as you know when recording sequences in your mpc ..thats what it does,It doesnt record the sound from your keys it just records data and tells that key or module what to play when play is pressed after recording.so you need at least a small 50 dollar mixer if you use an mpc and one keyboard and if you have 4keys you need at least 5 channel mixer but if you wanna use the mixers eq and seperate more tracks its beneficial to get at least a 16 channel mixer...This way you can hook your record players,c.ds and you aint gotta switch cords and shit
Now I recommended a studio electronics se1 alot of major cats use these..battlecat,djquik,dr dre,etc etc etc.They got them fat basslines and sweet leads and lush pads....This is definatley on my list and wont change my mind no matter what anyone says if you cant find an se1 an atc by same maker Id get you can hear some shit on studio electronics web site.listen to the customers sample songs..
The fantomx the rack is a great all around sounds and you get alot of great ones its also expandable,and has a sampler to use cd roms to load samples or sample your own shit.
the jp8000 is great and has alot of knobs and sliders and has a durable pitch bend..unlike the triton
any more questions???
WOW! that's alot uv shit to soak in WITHOUT the equip. i copy and pasted that ish to my notepad so IF i do break my dough down and cop all that, i'll use it. imma hit guitar center this weekend and play around with both boards, also imma checc out that fantom u was talkin bout. but thanks GREATLY, u laced me with some valuable info. fold.
it sounds like alot but once you gain some basics it will all make sense.I sometimes with hooking up shit whether it be your vcr or dvd to cable box etc just think what you wanna do and the signal path that makes it happen...oh no not another long sermon,It was confusing to me on my mpc til I grasped the basic concept of midi,and the signal path of midi...no you dont need a book,any help just ask?
oh yeah one more thing before you buy anything you can save alot just by buying used,and shit is usually in brand new shape,some people buy shit just for one project and sell or find out they dont wanna learn it,or they dont make progress quik enough and get discouraged etc etc I just picked up an e.mu. e4xt for about $400 and brand new it was over $4,000 I seen alot of good deals on ebay,Ive also seen the starting bid too high as well and if you cant wait and have to go to guitar center talk them down and when they say thats the lowest say i seen it at sam ash or another guitar center cheaper and they may bring it down ask them to speak to manager,Ive had friends who have worked there and friends who bought a grip of shit and Ive seen them save alot of money just by this technique...at least in cali it works and Ive been to at least 6 guitar centers in southern cal..
The MPC doesn't do anything your Triton Studio doesn't do already besides allow you you to plug more than 1 external midi device into it and have more tracks in your sequencer. If all you're planning on using is the Triton Studio and the MPC, then you're wasting your money if you buy the MPC.
Depending on what you're trying to do, you might not need to spend money on a mixer either. I need more details to really advise you on this.
Depending on what you're trying to do, you might not need to spend money on a mixer either. I need more details to really advise you on this.
however the mpc sequencing is way better...well I guess thats just my opinion.....ohh and dre, and battlecat, and quik, pete rock,mel man, rodney jerkins,.....damn there is a reason they continue to use it, but you are right you can still make beats with a triton, I probably stick with the mpc forever..It does what I will ever need.
What is it about the MPC's sequencing that you feel is better? It's technically more capable than the Triton's sequencer, but realistically there's hardly any urban music these days that takes it far enough to even get into that.
A person can lose any credibility they have with the quickness by making comments like that. 'Dre uses it so it must be the best.' Guess again.
Both Rodney Jerkins and Battlecat are almost 100% software now (with the exception of certain sounds, and live instrumentation of course). RJ has been for over 2 years and Battlecat about half that.
Needless to say, I know why some people still prefer it. The sound you get from the sample engine and/or sentimental reasons. The sound however, can be duplicated without using an MPC.
People get the wrong impression of what the MPC is. It's a sampling drum machine, not a full-blown synth with advanced sampling capabilities. When considering the alternatives and what people are trying to do, the MPC for most people is a waste of money. A lot of people buy them and wind up being disappointed by its limitations. So why is it so popular? Because 50 million producer wanna-be's heard Dre uses it.
A person can lose any credibility they have with the quickness by making comments like that. 'Dre uses it so it must be the best.' Guess again.
Both Rodney Jerkins and Battlecat are almost 100% software now (with the exception of certain sounds, and live instrumentation of course). RJ has been for over 2 years and Battlecat about half that.
Needless to say, I know why some people still prefer it. The sound you get from the sample engine and/or sentimental reasons. The sound however, can be duplicated without using an MPC.
People get the wrong impression of what the MPC is. It's a sampling drum machine, not a full-blown synth with advanced sampling capabilities. When considering the alternatives and what people are trying to do, the MPC for most people is a waste of money. A lot of people buy them and wind up being disappointed by its limitations. So why is it so popular? Because 50 million producer wanna-be's heard Dre uses it.
I aint gonna lie you have some valid points...Battlecat using software Im gonna look into that cause he comes from the same mold as my friends..oh and battlecta said they was tight....I can find out..it may take a few days but....until then cool
I agree 100% with the dre uses it so It must be the best comment.....I dont use it cause dre uses it or any one else.I know a few people who make good beats with tritons and I let them borrow my mpc 3000 and now they want an mpc,and they dont want one cause I make dope beats cause im just a hobbyist and they are better beat makers the mpc has a certain feel,the way your samples sound..If all you make is sample music..its all ya need,of course I make both so ya need some keyboard etc..I have the 3000, but correct me if Im wrong the 4000 is a full blown sampler and can load sample c.ds. so hook up your midi keyboard and the 4000 can be a synth engine...my 3000 cant but the 4000 can.
All In all Its not what you have but what you put in it you can make beats with a 2 track tape recorder and pots pans and kitchen appliances if you creative enough. refer to the long list I made earlier these guys have almost any drum machine keys and sounds, and the mpc is the main thang....The roland mv8000 has pads like an mpc and has features that the mpc dont have.He made a tight beat with it...but He dont like the response of the pads and sequencing
To anyone lookin for gear I wasted over 1500 dollars until I got my mpc3000,and now I dont need to evn think about another sequencer....I might get the 4000....But that would be it.And sick wid it is right dont get something cause your favorite producer has one, get something that works for you..I threw in that dre quik analogy,but I threw alot of other names to and the list can go on....there is a reason why certain professionals stick to the mpc, but some stick with the sp1200 as well or some venture out and use software...I dont know many if any who just use 1 piece of equipment like a triton...
I agree 100% with the dre uses it so It must be the best comment.....I dont use it cause dre uses it or any one else.I know a few people who make good beats with tritons and I let them borrow my mpc 3000 and now they want an mpc,and they dont want one cause I make dope beats cause im just a hobbyist and they are better beat makers the mpc has a certain feel,the way your samples sound..If all you make is sample music..its all ya need,of course I make both so ya need some keyboard etc..I have the 3000, but correct me if Im wrong the 4000 is a full blown sampler and can load sample c.ds. so hook up your midi keyboard and the 4000 can be a synth engine...my 3000 cant but the 4000 can.
All In all Its not what you have but what you put in it you can make beats with a 2 track tape recorder and pots pans and kitchen appliances if you creative enough. refer to the long list I made earlier these guys have almost any drum machine keys and sounds, and the mpc is the main thang....The roland mv8000 has pads like an mpc and has features that the mpc dont have.He made a tight beat with it...but He dont like the response of the pads and sequencing
To anyone lookin for gear I wasted over 1500 dollars until I got my mpc3000,and now I dont need to evn think about another sequencer....I might get the 4000....But that would be it.And sick wid it is right dont get something cause your favorite producer has one, get something that works for you..I threw in that dre quik analogy,but I threw alot of other names to and the list can go on....there is a reason why certain professionals stick to the mpc, but some stick with the sp1200 as well or some venture out and use software...I dont know many if any who just use 1 piece of equipment like a triton...
If you know BC then you know how much he loves his moogs. And the fact that he's been messin' with MiniMoog V and Model-E is saying something! He's been moving all his sounds into samples too.
It has an expanded sample engine but no synth engine.
This is largely true. The most important factors are a persons natural musical talent and their creativity. You can't discount the tools they use though. The more capable your tools are, the more possibilities you have in expressing your creativity. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking if they buy an technologically advanced piece of equipment, their music will somehow magically get 10x better. NOPE!
I saw the list. I still own most of those pieces myself (and a lot more) but honestly, a lot of it hardly gets used these days. Usually it's more a matter of wanting to use a piece versus actually needing to.
Man people LOVE to argue MPC vs. MV8000! It's like Coke vs. Pepsi. The debate will never end! haha
You forgot Timbaland and the ASR10!
Having one piece of equipment is fine but I'll say this... LEARN HOW TO USE IT! Peoples biggest drawback (aside from lacking musical ability) is not learning how to take advantage of its potential and relying on stock everything! Learn how to program the engine, layer instruments, EQ, and you'll be set.
It has an expanded sample engine but no synth engine.
This is largely true. The most important factors are a persons natural musical talent and their creativity. You can't discount the tools they use though. The more capable your tools are, the more possibilities you have in expressing your creativity. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking if they buy an technologically advanced piece of equipment, their music will somehow magically get 10x better. NOPE!
I saw the list. I still own most of those pieces myself (and a lot more) but honestly, a lot of it hardly gets used these days. Usually it's more a matter of wanting to use a piece versus actually needing to.
Man people LOVE to argue MPC vs. MV8000! It's like Coke vs. Pepsi. The debate will never end! haha
You forgot Timbaland and the ASR10!
Having one piece of equipment is fine but I'll say this... LEARN HOW TO USE IT! Peoples biggest drawback (aside from lacking musical ability) is not learning how to take advantage of its potential and relying on stock everything! Learn how to program the engine, layer instruments, EQ, and you'll be set.
i have a MOTIFF ES A FANTOM X AND HAD A TRITON EXTREME ID SAY GO WITH FANTOM X BUT CHECK OUT THE MOTIFF IT MIGHT BE TO YOUR LIKING BETTER DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON CLASSIC BOARDS UNLESS YOU ABSOULETY HAVE TO HAVE IT MY ADVICE GET A GOOD SOLID KEYBOARD (FANTOM X OR MOTIFF ES) AND FOR ALL YOUR OTHER SOUND NEEDS BUY MODULES
THE TRITON EXTREME IS BASICALLY THE SAME SHIT AS THE OLD TRITONS I WAS REAL DISAPOINTED
THE TRITON EXTREME IS BASICALLY THE SAME SHIT AS THE OLD TRITONS I WAS REAL DISAPOINTED
Yeah I was just at my homeboys house and asked about battlecat giving up hardware and he seen battlecat like 3 months ago at chills(from C.M.W.) and he said he fucks with software but still he uses the mpc 3000 and the motif.You couldnt be more right about learning your equipment cause alot of people never learn there equipments full capabilities myself included,call it laziness but some people dont wanna edit sounds beyond a tweak here and there.I do however program my yamaha tx81z,and edited a nice bass patch on my jp8000.I guess thats why I like having an arsenal of sounds
The mpc4000 I meant you can load sounds and play like a synth from sample c.d.s
the triton extreme is basically the same as the old but with the moss catd and the rest of the expansion sounds...ooh and the tube..I cant fuck with the triton either the sounds are cool but overused.
I have not mastered my mpc 3000 yet,and am in no hurry to.It is not imperative to know every feature but useful to know every feature so you can have acess to all it has to offer.
The advice Ive heard time and time again is learn your equipment, every feature, every menu and function
The mpc4000 I meant you can load sounds and play like a synth from sample c.d.s
the triton extreme is basically the same as the old but with the moss catd and the rest of the expansion sounds...ooh and the tube..I cant fuck with the triton either the sounds are cool but overused.
I have not mastered my mpc 3000 yet,and am in no hurry to.It is not imperative to know every feature but useful to know every feature so you can have acess to all it has to offer.
The advice Ive heard time and time again is learn your equipment, every feature, every menu and function