MPC & Sampling Questions

[Kavie]

Alright, I'm just getting into really trying to learn and use my MPC2000XL. I've had it for a few years now and know the basic ins and outs of it, but I want to start sampling my own sounds. So, my first question is:

What are some methods/sources that you guys use for sampling (i.e. vinyl, CDs, tape, etc.)? What are the best sources that you've come across?

My next question is MPC hardware based. I have a SCSI CD-ROM drive that I've recently had connected to my MPC for reading discs. But as of recently (probably from moving) the MPC no longer recognizes that the drive is connected to the MPC. I've tried all the ID's on the drive and my last resort is to buy a new cable. Is this most likely the problem?

And lastly, ZIP drives. Internal or external? Since I'll going to be sampling all my own sounds, I most likely won't need an addition ZIP drive for transporting sounds/files from MPC to computer. So, would an internal drive be better than an external?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. And thanks in advance.

 

[50cal]

Best way to sample is vinyl.But you can still get sounds from c.d. It is funny cause you will go to mpc sites and people will tell you how they get there drum sounds and they have these techniques where they record into tape then back into mpc, then layer there beats compress them and all sorts of crap. My boys just sample from vinyl, alot of times they get hooked up with kits as well...but anyways they sample a drum hit from vinyl and do nothing else, and they have a gold single/ platinum plaque..and a grip of songs on albums/soundtracks etc..most of em before the hyphy era and laffy taffy syndrome..when shit was more musical
here is a lil example..just sampled straight into mpc and beat sequenced and seperated into a mixer then put on a cd not seperated..then eiht recorded vocals on it....
http://www.zshare.net/audio/38588154674b56/

 

[50cal]

one mo...
http://www.zshare.net/audio/38589455cee3e9/

 

[Sick Wid It]

Sampling from vinyl is fine but it's no better then sampling from any other source. If you want good stuff fast then sample from your cds where the drums have already been layered/eq'ed/processed/etc. whatever else. For example, you can sample a Dre drum sound and not have to do anything to it.

 

[Kavie]

Thanks for the advice.

If anyone was going to respond to the SCSI question, don't worry, I just got it working a few minutes ago.

 

[MindzEye]

I think it all depends on what type of sound you want. Yes you can sample Dre's drums or Kanye's drums etc. but creativity is the key. If you have a keyboard with drum kits you can tweak and layer them you can sample from a bucket or can whatever. Search the internet you can find all the drum breaks you need

 

[Sick Wid It]

I can't remember the last time I heard someone criticize a kick or snare. The average listener doesn't focus on that.

 

[GHP]

if you are sampling from another source you probably dont need a whole lot dynamic processing because that is already done for you, then again its cool to make it more you and add your own flavor to it but alot of the time less is more

 

[MindzEye]

I can't remember the last time I heard someone criticize a kick or snare. The average listener doesn't focus on that.

I cant imagine who makes music for the "average listener" especially with listening devices these days...your music needs to sound solid

 

[Sick Wid It]

I cant imagine who makes music for the "average listener" especially with listening devices these days...your music needs to sound solid

It doesn't matter whether you make music for the average listener or the professional audio engineer or producer with well-trained ears... Who do you think the vast majority of the listening audience is? Thats right, the average listener. And I don't hear them whining about the same kick sample being used in X different songs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% for making your own custom sounds, and 100% for being unique. But the truth is that most of the people listening to the music don't pay attention to the minor or technical details that stand out to the people actually listening for them.

 

[MindzEye]

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% for making your own custom sounds, and 100% for being unique. But the truth is that most of the people listening to the music don't pay attention to the minor or technical details that stand out to the people actually listening for them.

I agree with you. Most people dont care what the ingredients are in a meal as long as it taste good...but the chef lives for those ingredients

 

[MAC WE$TERN]

I agree with you. Most people dont care what the ingredients are in a meal as long as it taste good...but the chef lives for those ingredients

Hell yeah, me and my homie was talkin about this the other day. Its the same thing when people look down on people for using software. I remember when DJ Quik was bashin the fuck outta software and computer. Now guess what he uses. Reason/Pro Tools. Now what?

Next thing we know, muthafuckers will have these supersonic ears to figure out what mic ur using, and if ur not using the quality XP-300-RC7-187-211 M/L/Q/WKFF Condenser mic then automatically u cant rap.

Fools just need to stop with that bullshit. If it sounds good then leave it at that. Fuck what producers are using to make the shit.

 

[50cal]

Hell yeah, me and my homie was talkin about this the other day. Its the same thing when people look down on people for using software. I remember when DJ Quik was bashin the fuck outta software and computer. Now guess what he uses. Reason/Pro Tools. Now what?

Next thing we know, muthafuckers will have these supersonic ears to figure out what mic ur using, and if ur not using the quality XP-300-RC7-187-211 M/L/Q/WKFF Condenser mic then automatically u cant rap.

Fools just need to stop with that bullshit. If it sounds good then leave it at that. Fuck what producers are using to make the shit.

When you say DJ QUIK uses reason and pro-tools I cant say its untrue or true...but best believe he doesnt use that shit exclusively...Quik was describing the sound of software based recordings when people use it exclusively.If you know what he is using what is his signal chain..what does he sequence with? does he run it through any external gear before it hits pro-tools?.. Alot of people use reason like another sound module...doesnt mean they throw away the mpc and all the other keyboards and rack gear. Many people also use pro-tools as the recorder..but they still run everything through an SSL or Neve....Im not bashing pro-tools But its a must to have in my book some kind of ANAlog front end whether its a mixer or just a channel strip with mic pre and Eq......Also do not believe everything you read in a magazine..especially scratch...they report alot of great information , but when they give out the equipment list of producers..its usually partial list...Id have to go and look at some issues to give examples..but i believe Battlecat was one of them..battlecat uses an mpc 3000 and a motif mostly but also has other gear such as the voyager, ATC etc etc....

 

[Jthizz420]

I havent really read any of these post cuz im too lazy...
But You can Sample everything Cutthroat
The world is your Place.
shit Ive even sampled My Phone ring And shit.
Best shit for sampling i find.
Is when a singer drags their notes out so you can chop that up right there layer it with some Strings.. real dope effect cuzzo.
Also Compressin your drums is a good idea.

A lot of old jazz records have some dope sounds.
Reall dope sounds.

Its all about being patient and just loving what you do.

good luck bro.

Layering Sounds though is Key.
Be creative be someone diff.

 

[Home-E]

I havent really read any of these post cuz im too lazy...
But You can Sample everything Cutthroat
The world is your Place.
shit Ive even sampled My Phone ring And shit.
Best shit for sampling i find.
Is when a singer drags their notes out so you can chop that up right there layer it with some Strings.. real dope effect cuzzo.
Also Compressin your drums is a good idea.

A lot of old jazz records have some dope sounds.
Reall dope sounds.

Its all about being patient and just loving what you do.

good luck bro.

Layering Sounds though is Key.
Be creative be someone diff.

Whatd you sample for that savage as fuck beat?

 

[qwasian]

you've owned an mpc for years and never sampled anything?

 

[Kavie]

you've owned an mpc for years and never sampled anything?

I stepped away from making beats and started developing some engineering skills (recording & mixing). Just had the urge to really learn the MPC recently.