The all things MPC Thread (Part 4)

Analog preamps but everything else is digital, e.g. eq’s, etc. Larger models are fully analog but have less digital control. I had the Model 12, was nice.

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My whole thing is if I want analog I am not using usb audio at all. I’m using the 8 outs and going into a patchbay and analog mixer. I have a boredbrain on order for this exact task.

But the usb capability of the new mpc is really cool. In that case I’m just going with a digital mixer because it’s already been converted. You can get a good digital mixer for low cost and then get an analog summing box if you really think it will add something to the sound.

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Tbh I’m not sure how much that matters. An MPC is digital anyway, so even if you’re using the outs you’ve just converted a digital signal to analog anyway, which is the same as you’d be doing if you used USB in a mixer, you’re just converting the signal at a different point.

The benefit of an analog mixer is the mixing in analog, whether the source is digital or not is kind of by the by.

Unless you’re using the preamps, but that’s not likely with line level.

I only bring it up because with a digital mixer like the Tascam it is going Digital to Analog and back to digital. Which matters to some people, but not really a huge deal to me.

What is a huge deal is having a fully analog mixer. I love the sound of those mixers, and many times they are easy to service and you don’t have to worry about outdated tech.

So with the analog outs of the MPC, it’s more about the simplicity of routing the sounds out of the outs and then it can go into any mixer, no reliance on USB drivers or anything like that. Of course the USB can offer more virtual outs which is cool. So it’s pros and cons either way. I messed with USB streaming out of Rolands, Elektrons…etc and I just find more stability and ease of use using the outputs on machine.

I have no idea how stable the USB of the Akai + Tascam combo is, but it seems like a good amount of people use it, so it must be decent.

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The value is the hands on control you have on the mix. The eq’s were pretty nice, they had bandpass filtering in the mid section. Tbh were they as useful as plugins i have like FabFilter Q, no, hence why i sold it.

If you want to warm the sound coming from an MPC you are better off running a set of analog outs through something like an Elektron Heat or a really colourful compressor or eq - the behringer clones of the 1176 or the Pulteq EQ come to mind.

Actually SSL gave a more expensive mix range that does imprint a sound on the mix.

I know people use iPads for stuff like scaler or auv3 synths with the Live 3, but how does it work as an effects processor over USB-C?

Lots of good iOS effects I’d love to use when I’m away from my pedals. iPad, Oxi one and live 3 a lot easier to travel with.

The Arranger ain’t so bad now with the new shortcut tabs on screen. Still like the clip-matrix more, but now the weaker part got stronger. He didn’t mention it but, Insert a Row to the arranger is a major improvement - inserting a range of row would nice. I’ll send a request. Enjoy your weekend!

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Being able to insert a row anywhere without it stopping the music would be even nicer. Was hoping they’d address that in 3.9 but no.

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They gotta save something good for later.

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Since Cubase on the Atari ST I’ve just got out of the habit of stopping the music for any operation. In dedicated hardware we should be able to match that. Old man moans I guess…

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Hi guys!
I have a Mpc X se and I want to upgrade it to the version with clips like in Force.
I understood that is a pays only version.

Can anyone point me with the right link to where to get it if I am right?

Thanks a bunch!

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The MPCSAVE10 or A1B2C 10% off code seems to be working.

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They need a FORCE 50% off sale for Force users. How they gonna have us pay full price for features that came included years ago for free?

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