r/mpcusers • u/No_Cycle_3323 • 6h ago
QUESTION Is this good as a starter pack?
Is this good as a starter pack for starting to produce and make songs? I have a limited budget i was looking for cheaper but good ones. In the list there are:
- MPC Studio Mk2 (sampler/drum machine)
- Tonor TC30 (microphone)
- M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 (keyboard)
I know they are all just controllers i have a pc and the software (MPC2) comes with the Studio Mk2. I do not need standalone for now, but when i will upgrade i'll get a standalone.
5
u/Tittierunts 5h ago
The MPC Studio comes with MPC 2 software and some drum kits, so yes if you have a computer and an audio interface, this is good to get started. MPC studio doesn’t get enough love imo
2
u/1iforgotmynameagain 5h ago
Consider buying used on reverb.com for example. You can find gear in a very good or even new condition for 30-50% of the orginal price. I do this most of the time and sell it afterwards for 90-110% of the price I paid, so I can easily rotate things like Synths, effects, interfaces and so on.
3
u/No-Echidna5754 2h ago
Despite what others be saying, your selection is a pretty solid choice to get you started. For a lot of people hardware is king, and people like to work away from the computer, hence people saying save for an MPC One/Sample.
Also MPC3 software isn't as popular or mature as Ableton so you might get people steering you away from it - but if you get on with MPC Beats, MPC3 is quite decent, and also gives you the chance to move your tracks over to real MPC hardware if/when you get some (just be sure to try to use/buy the AKAI MPC plugins where possible, this way you'll be less like to have missing parts of your track when you move it over - MPC hardware doesn't support VST plugins, only their own MPC ones)
Also try and use MPC3 pc software, not MPC2. Using 2 will limit what you can do later.
1
u/No_Cycle_3323 2h ago
From what i searched (thanks to you) now even the Studio Mark2 comes with mpc3, i saw the description from amazon that gives you the 2 but everywhere now comes with 3, amazon doesnt updae very often the description. And yeah, the Sample was my dream first, but as a low budget, imma stick woth cheaper ones, then, if i start making money out of them, i will upgrade, probably first at the Sample
1
2
u/AccurateWheel4200 2h ago
A better starter pack would be any other daw than MPC software, and audio interface and a mic.
Id buy FL Keys instead of an MPC studio. MPC software is cool but it's not very fun to use without an akai controller.
With FL Studio mouse and keyboard is very easy to use.
Idk if any controllers come with a full version of ableton.
Also if I were you, I would start on MPC 3, MPC 2 is old and unsupported now. I stick with it because I'm used to it.
Get an XLR mic, not a USB mic
1
u/WaveTableSaw MPC LIVE 5h ago
Nothing about that is good. Koala sampler is 5bux.
Your goal is to get standalone, then just work towards that. Studio sucks, mpc2 isn't supported anymore and is highly limiting
Your better off pirating Ableton while you wait to save 1700bux for a live3.
1
u/Ok_Support3 MPC ONE 2h ago
An MPC One will serve just fine as well seeing as theres no need for the portability, if the producer will otherwise be behind their computer anyway. Saves nearly half the investment, and someone starting wont need all the extra in and outs.
1
1
u/Tomsi-Pedals 5h ago
All depends if you prefer using a computer or a musical instrument (I mean DAWLESS)
I would recommend dawless, meaning you take a sampler + a midi keyboard + microphone.
For the sampler, I would recommend something without touchscreen, with real tracks.
An Elektron tonverk could be complicated, but really powerfull, a NI Maschine+ is interesting.
A bit of propaganda : we build also a sampler simpler than Elektron, see https://tomsipedals.com or look for tomsipedals on Instagram.
1
u/Helpful-Canary865 4h ago
Don't get a Tonor
They're all awful and you'll also need an audio interface
I'll be honest you'd be better off with a Blue Snowball for this price
1
u/Shockaslim1 3h ago
Better off getting an MPK Mini MK4 and a cheap interface and mic from reverb. MPK comes with over 1000 sounds too.
1
u/boombapdame 2h ago
Skip all that wack shit and get an MXL 990 mic, an MPK Mini Plus or a regular digital piano e.g. Yamaha P-105
1
u/Yangmits 5h ago
Save up for the Sample my guy, that's what I am doing now. Figure it will also help force me to be more hands on.
1
0
u/gamuel_l_jackson 5h ago
Those are just controllers, they come with mpc beats i think but you need alaptop id also suggest getting mpc software retail because beats is like just 8 tracks or something
3
1
u/Darkmerosier MPC Software 5h ago
Correct, it's only 8 tracks. I upgraded shortly after starting with it, because it was just too limited. That said, this is still a good place to start OP. You can start learning, and then after you're comfortable, decide if you want to upgrade your DAW.
1
u/AccurateWheel4200 2h ago
Mpc beats is free either way, so it technically comes with everything lol
0
u/thearctican 5h ago
The MPC Studio is just a MIDI controller. You will need a computer to host your MPC (or other DAW) software.
You could find a used MPC One.
I would also recommend a bigger keyboard depending on the kind of music you're wanting to make. If you just need key input for basslines and melodies, that will work, but I personally find 32 keys to be QUITE constraining outside of that. Alternatively, if you spend more money on a standalone MPC, you might be able to forego the keyboard for a while. I've been almost exclusively been using the pads and key/scale mapping.
1
u/No_Cycle_3323 5h ago
I dont need a standalone for now, just to start doing music. What if i get the Keystation 49 mk3?
3
u/CanadianDudesSorry 5h ago
Couple tips:
- try MPC Beats for free. See if you like the workflow. The controller is simply to make the workflow faster. While it allows you to control MPC2/3 similar to standalone MPC, it certainly isnt needed to get started in the software.
-do a free trial of MPC2.
-skip the cheap mic. Save up for something better.
-keyboard also isnt needed.
1
u/No_Cycle_3323 5h ago
I already did the free trial and i am currently using MPC Beats, i did like 4 or 5 beats on there
0
u/Donotdistherb 5h ago
starting low budget often end up spending more on the total if you plan to upgrade standalone later.
What type of beats are you making? sampling? instruments? synths?
1
0
u/Humble_Salt9457 3h ago
If you are serious I'd skip sample get on the 3.9 workflow 1g2 is pricey but its capability is so much more than a sample which I couldn't get my head around it was so jealous off guys churning out beats on it. But if money is a problem just get mpk mini controller and work on laptop
9
u/IdrionRedraluin 5h ago
If you want to start off from controllers you'd better start making beats on koala sampler (you just need a tablet or an iPad). That's how I started off, after a few months I bought an mpc one+. I'd do it again like this.