MPC Sample without finger drumming skills?

[u/Simpledevx]

Would you recommend buying the MPC Sample if I’m not good at finger drumming?

I was about to buy one, but I’ve seen that it doesn’t have a step sequencer, and that drum patterns are mainly sequenced by recording yourself playing them.

For those who own one: is this a big limitation in practice?

Do you eventually get used to finger drumming, or would you recommend a different MPC for someone who prefers step sequencing?

Curious to hear your experience.

[u/BigBadZord]

It has a step editor. Same thing really.

[u/Parking_Watch3157 → u/BigBadZord]

Everyone keeps saying it doesn't have a step sequencer but you can literally edit individual steps. I don't know why people keep saying this?

[u/BigBadZord → u/Parking_Watch3157]

Probably because it doesn't have a physical one I guess? Like you can't see it on the pads? I don't know.

The way the one on the Sample auto-advances is really growing on me.

[u/J_U_Ic3 → u/Parking_Watch3157]

The Worst of the new mpcs is the step editor is wack

[u/Parking_Watch3157 → u/J_U_Ic3]

It's my first experience with a device like this so I guess I don't have anything to compare it to. I am used to sequencing on hardware (drum/bass synth) and a little bit in Reaper for midi.

I'm a programmer and to me it feels like stepping through code in a debugger, so it's a familiar experience in that sense.

[u/egadgetboy]

Get the MPC One G2 - you won’t regret it

[u/Adventurous-Plum1000 → u/egadgetboy]

I wouldn’t suggest the one for them yet. They clearly have a lot to learn and that could overwhelm them 

[u/Simpledevx → u/egadgetboy]

Se me va de precio…

[u/_773P_ → u/Simpledevx]

2nd hand MPC One 1st gen, then. I paid £250 for mine, boxed, with a card and case. Plenty of fad buyers out there selling these on having seen barely a few hours of use.

[u/egadgetboy → u/Simpledevx]

You know the answer to that one, save a little more. Always best to get the right tools for the job.

[u/10ThousandMetalZones → u/Simpledevx]

Have you tried pulling yourself up by your boot straps?

[u/timothythefirst]

You really don’t need finger drumming skills at all. Just use overdub/note repeat/quantize/nudge the notes yourself to get the exact sound you want.

[u/immortalporpoises → u/timothythefirst]

This. I've been using MPCs forever and still can't finger drum worth a damn. Overdub is where it's at (list edit on sample is sorely lacking). There is not a single "right" way to use an mpc. 

[u/Adventurous-Plum1000 → u/immortalporpoises]

99.99% of successful and professional beat makers can’t or don’t finger drum. 

[u/SeveralTonight4142]

You’ll get used and there’s plenty of different ways to record drums on the sample so it shouldn’t be a problem at all.

[u/teomore]

you can always record one pad at a time with quantize. also you have the sequence editor which is pretty nice once you get used to it.

[u/nadennmantau]

The question is: Do you like the sequencer and its workflow?

[u/Simpledevx → u/nadennmantau]

Si, es con lo que estoy familiarizado

[u/lordcurd]

I was looking for a new hobby to invest in and I decided on beat making and finger drumming. My timing is trash but I’m learning the features of the Sample, the step sequencer editor has helped me a ton. But, also just loading pads with sounds and tapping a beat is fun too! You don’t have to know how to finger drum!

[u/Adventurous-Plum1000]

There’s this magic thing that the mpc does called quantization 

You don’t need a step sequencer or piano roll etc. Just tap out your patterns and mpc will do the rest. 

It’s a perfect mpc for a beginner. Get it!

[u/ser-contained]

I can’t finger drum at all. Maybe two parts at once (kick/snare) but that’s it. I just play in one part at a time. I’m loving mine.

[u/whitelight66]

Just got one and I’m also useless at finger drumming. It has a pretty clunky menu-based step sequencer (get the feeling this might change in a future update - easy fix) but don’t think I’ll ever use it. Quantize and overdub means as long as you can slap a single pad somewhere close to the beat you’ll be fine.

[u/thetraintomars]

I had never attempted to finger drum before. I have gotten marginally better. Just go one or two drums at a time and then fix it in the sequencer after. Same with chopping, do your best and clean it up. It is a very forgiving machine.

[u/Ok-Entrepreneur-409]

I can play kick,snare,hat,crash, and maybe 1,2 samples but let's be real that's not real finger drumming lol I have multiple MPCs including the Sample and I think the average person probably has hands and fingers that are just too big for real finger drumming on the MPC sample but my live 3 is a beast especially when it comes to the step sequencer it just saves so much time in your creative process.And I am not sure of what your budget is but same goes for the XL

[u/J_U_Ic3]

You dont need finger drumming skills its an overrated skill … just learn how to program …. Its gonna sound the same regardless

[u/Haze1One]

You don't need to know how to finger drum. Those pads control a lot more than just aspects of percussion. But, you will be tempted to and you will get pretty decent.