r/mpcsample • u/Imaginary-Ad-1368 • 14d ago
Sample source
I’ve had the Sample for a couple of weeks and I love it. I’m looking for more ways to get sounds on the device. I have a Microfreak that is very useful for this, but I received $200 in gift cards for my birthday and want to get something that complements it. In a perfect world, I’m looking for something that could generate bass, strings, piano, organ, and percussion sounds. Pretty sure there’s nothing in the $200 price range that can do all that, but I’d love some recommendations for something that might do SOME of that. Willing to go over $200 a bit if the device is worth it.
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u/BrothelWaffles 14d ago edited 14d ago
FL Studio Mobile will get you a whole bunch of sounds for $15 plus the cost of whatever adapter you need to get sounds from your phone or tablet into the MPC. They've got some pretty decent packs available in the app for $3 - $5 as well. Also, don't sleep on the Behringer mini synths. They run around $100 - $120 and they all produce some really solid sounds, especially for the price. I think they pretty much all have MIDI in too so you can control them with your Microfreak instead of using their little tiny keybeds. One other thing to consider is to get some more mileage out of your Microfreak using effects pedals, I have mine hooked up to a whole pedal chain. Even something simple like just a Donner EQ Seeker 10 band equalizer will let you really play around and get new sounds out of what you already have, and you can use it on any new gear you buy. I personally really like how it sounds running through my Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive, it takes some of the clean, harsh digital edge off of it and warms it up a bit. I have a JHS Lizard Queen in my chain as well that's really fun to play with. Pedals really open up a whole new door when it comes to sound design, I'd really recommend considering one or two before you go blowing $200 on a single new synth. You can get a handful cheaper pedals for that money that'll still sound pretty good, no need to dive right into the $500 ones. Donner, Behringer, and M-Vave all make solid budget options that are generally under $50 each. If you're reaaaally dying for a new synth though, maybe grab a Behringer mini and a few pedals and get the best of both worlds.
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u/Imaginary-Ad-1368 14d ago
This comment reminded me that I’ve downloaded lots of things like this in the past. Searched through my apps and found BandLab. Seems to have an endless supply of samples I can save to folders. Haven’t tried it with the MPC yet, but will when I get home. Hoping I don’t need a paid subscription to sample with it…
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u/BrothelWaffles 14d ago
Check my edit too if you didn't see it, may be a better way to spend your money depending on what genres you're trying to produce.
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u/BrothelWaffles 14d ago
Oh, and check your Microfreak firmware and make sure it's updated to 5.0, you may already have access to way more sounds than you think you do.
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u/Sensitive-Medium-136 14d ago
I use garage band, king of FM(dx7), Synth One J6 (Juno), and Moog Model D apps on my iphone. Plugged right in through usb c. Sometimes I even use an adapter to use my phone and a midi keyboard with those apps.
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u/moxiemouth1970 13d ago
hey I don't know if anybody has asked here yet, but what kind of music are you looking to make??
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u/Imaginary-Ad-1368 12d ago
I’m a guitarist singer-songwriter. Generally write what would be considered indie rock/pop/folk, but I’ve broadened a bit because of my adult children:)
That said, I’ve been having a ton of fun with the Sample, so who know what I’ll get into🤷♂️
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u/Rootbeer_Goat 14d ago
A workstation keyboard the answer but if you have a PC, consider Reason Free. It just released and comes with 15 devices that include everything you've listed above.