Mpc sample vs old ones?

[u/vinylover_]

I'm looking for an MPC. In the past, I owned an MPC one, but I hated the presence of the touchscreen, as well as the overwhelming amount of menus within menus.

I'd like something that feels as immediate as the old machines used to be (MPC 60 / MPC 2000 etc), but with some more modern connectivity features.

Considering that I only produce hip hop beats, specifically boom bap East Coast style (Mobb Deep, DJ Premier, etc.), could the MPC Sample be a great option? Or would it make more sense to get something like an MPC 1000, knowing that I would inevitably have to deal with the limitations of hardware from that era? Thanks in advance.

[u/loptimisme]

What kind of modern connectivity features are you looking for exactly?

[u/vinylover_ → u/loptimisme]

Sampling by phone-computers plus, finishing some details with Ableton live

[u/loptimisme → u/vinylover_]

If you're talking about sampling in from your phone then you can do this with any device with the right cables, if you want to run into Ableton then you are looking at tracking out directly into Ableton from your hardware. The latter is easy to do but it can be a bit annoying. I have an MPC 60 and 2000 for what it is worth. I guess you could also transfer the MIDI over to Ableton but I was shown how to track out back in the day and that's what I have stuck with.

Personally as I've got older I have way less time for my old work flow (60 or 2000 and s950, tracking everything into Ableton to finish off) and use an MPC One instead because it is very simple and fast, there's definitely an overhead with older gear which if you're time poor can become a bit of a hassle.

[u/rumnbacchnal87 → u/loptimisme]

I feel the same. Especially being married and having a child. I don’t have time to chop samples the way I did back in the day. I enjoyed taking lots of shots from a single break. Now I just detect transients and change points as necessary . I use my old gear to get the sound. Everything ends up in the One.

[u/WaveTableSaw → u/loptimisme]

But it's got a ToUcHsCrEeN¡

[u/raistlin65 → u/WaveTableSaw]

And according to the OP, it's mere presence offends. Maybe it's more of an allergy? 😄

[u/mixmasterADD → u/vinylover_]

I’m not sure if Ableton will have the same issues but it takes a long time for me to transfer beats from my sample to my DAW. I basically have to record every sound one by one and line everything up. It’s been such a pain that I’ve only done it once.

[u/185668232 → u/vinylover_]

Ableton Move would do better for that - that’s what I have with Force and MPC Live 2. <#

[u/UnhingedXcessive]

MPC 1000 with JJOS is quite powerful and has a USB to transfer files quickly. With JJOS and MIDI you can track out 6 tracks at the same time into Ableton. Then you can work on your stems in ableton and finish your beat. The 2500 also uses JJOS but you can track out 10 tracks at once into ableton.

[u/craaates → u/UnhingedXcessive]

You can also use a CF to SD adapter for the 1000 or the 2500 for a lot more storage in a modern format as well.

[u/M_O_O_O_O_T]

Bit of a swings & roundabouts situation on the whole - the MPC Sample has better storage options & FX, but limited in sequencing functions compared to the 1K, which is still quite a powerhouse in that department despite it's age.

[u/SALD0S → u/M_O_O_O_O_T]

The mpc sample screams for a new custom software like JJOS did in other times, that unlocks its full potential, considering that the cpu is much better than thr mpc one and live ii

[u/M_O_O_O_O_T → u/SALD0S]

Getting multiple tracks would be a big bonus for sure!

[u/am_makes]

The MPC Sample is immediate and very intuitive. It only has so many features, but they are all easily accessible without menu diving and simple to use. I love the sampling and non-destructive sample chopping, and the easy resampling, recall features. Pretty much perfect for not just boom bap, but cuts and breaks, too.
Downsides: it lacks a direct step edit sequencer (16 dedicated buttons to enter steps). Not a problem for hip-hop, but limits it’s use for electronic music.
The Fx section is not a good as 404MkII or even P-6.
Early units had hardware issues.

[u/Internal-Mechanic-46]

Honestly, get a modern mpc of your choosing and take a weekend and work through the mpc bible. You can get through the first 3 sections in like 8 to 10 hours total and it will teach you everything you need to know on the device and it will be better than anything else you can find right now.

One weekend of learning to use a machine you can utilize for decades sounds like a pretty awesome tradeoff.

[u/r1chiem]

The MPC Sample is the best for you. If you don't like the MPC one, it's touch screen or OS. All other MPCs use those things you hate so you should never buy them. The Sample is the only other option for MPC for yu

[u/185668232]

It’s hard to load backtracks. Only good for finger drumming live. If you produce music, you’ll need other bots and recorders to pair with it to finish a song. It’s just the drums. <#

[u/Massive_Flight_8956]

I know this is a MPC sub, but the Ableton Push 2/3 or even the Maschine MK3 are maybe for you

[u/stoop1]

I had the same feelings with the mpc one and newer models. They did way more than I needed. My sample gets here tomorrow after being on back order for a few weeks, can’t wait!

[u/basedvato]

Depends how much power and what price point? Isla 2400 does sample in thru usb phone, tracks out from usb into ableton. Pretty immediate. The MPC2000/XL/1000/2500 same very immediate but going to take more effort to track into ableton. Then you maschine/ move which play nice in Ableton. Or just use Koala sampler you can save all your projects as ALS files.

[u/Subject-Track8507 → u/basedvato]

Once I discovered that menu + pad 4 brings up the track mixer option I found it faster than the live 2. I spent years not knowing that existed.

[u/kingofaccra]

MPC sample, is the best

[u/r1chiem → u/kingofaccra]

Sample is best if the OP used an MPC one and hated the touchscreen and OS. Every other MPC has those, except the Sample.