pol
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Post by pol on Sept 3, 2019 21:17:19 GMT
Sorry the picture is sideways, doesn't matter what I do! The studio I have gradually built up over 30 plus years is temporarily unavailable, so I decided to do a small setup on an Ikea shelving unit (not a Pax wardrobe TNM!). As small compensation my wife agreed I can buy a portable recorder to use with this. The AE Modular had to be there, and I intend to start doing some of the patch challenges on this forum again, and maybe even write more in a manner I used used a long time ago. I've kept my Minibrute 2 handy (the box at the bottom), as works well with the AE modular via the 4 I/O module or midi. A mini adventure awaits!  |
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bahm
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Post by bahm on Sept 3, 2019 21:36:28 GMT
A mpc and a sound source is all you need!
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 4, 2019 6:28:59 GMT
Cool! I need to combine my MPC with the AE Modular as well at some point  |
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Post by admin on Sept 4, 2019 6:32:51 GMT
Cool! I need to combine my MPC with the AE Modular as well at some point I'm becoming more and more intrigued with this whole MPC "thing", but I wouldn't have a clue as to how to use together with the AE Modular! Could one of you guys maybe make a getting started video about this? |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 4, 2019 6:51:37 GMT
I'm becoming more and more intrigued with this whole MPC "thing", but I wouldn't have a clue as to how to use together with the AE Modular! Could one of you guys maybe make a getting started video about this? I only have the small MPC500, which can record, edit and sequence audio samples and also MIDI data. A few years ago I've been using it mainly as a MIDI sequencer for various hardware synths, by attaching a MIDI keyboard to it, recording my notes into individual sequences and then arranging those MIDI sequences live. Made some tutorials back then of course: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9Em_H8Xs_bQY1N7VpAvzAS-uF3LuowZThere's also an old YouTube jam session where you can see me switching MIDI sequences on and off with the MPC pads: Everything in that video is synced to the MPC. It also has a song mode of course which you can use to string sequences together into a whole song. During my last vacation I used the MPC500 standalone (with batteries and a USB power bank  ) to make music only with previously recorded samples. It's the same as MIDI sequencing, only that you sequence the internal audio samples right in the machine, instead of an external synth. The workflow is pretty old school but they created a nice interface for making music with that device. You need to read the manual and/or the "Beat making on the MPC" ebook and a few days of practice to know what all the buttons do, but once it's in your blood and bones you can work super quick with those things. |
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 4, 2019 15:49:33 GMT
It does get in your blood; an MPC has been the centre of my studio for 20 or more years... The current one is the MPC2500 which is brilliant for sequencing midi to up to 64 sound sources (you have 4 separate midi outs),my long term plan is to do that although I've cheated as I have a couple of multi-timbral modules which use all 16 channels on one output... It's also my main sampler and usually the drums on my music, I've kept my MPC2000XL as I love it, and intend to play live with it one day (been saying that for years), I mostly updated as that is not USB connections, and "only" 2 midi outs... I have thought about upgrading to the MPC X as really like the current software but I wouldn't actually gain much other than the touchscreen as I don't use all the functions now, and it's lotsa money... It's the best way to (midi) sequence, especially if you don't want to use a PC. Other manufacturers have copied the idea but none have interested me enough to switch from Akai. If you spend too much time staring at a computer screen in your studio, get an MPC... |
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houze
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Post by houze on Sept 4, 2019 22:48:28 GMT
A vermona! It must create some nice drums This guy uses a vermona to creat house tracks (https://zeflemist.bandcamp.com/)
I have a M-audio 88 key. Someone offered a MPC500. I think I'm gonna accept. This thread came in good time.
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Post by admin on Sept 4, 2019 23:07:22 GMT
So these look still quite expensive to get here in Australia (mostly because of shipping costs). How does the MPC compare to an Electribe 2?
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 10, 2019 15:37:09 GMT
So these look still quite expensive to get here in Australia (mostly because of shipping costs). How does the MPC compare to an Electribe 2? I don't have the Electribe, but I would expect you would find the MPC more professional, more options to tweak how you want it to be etc. The big thing I've seen is no song mode in the Electribe - that would be no good for me. Other than that, the Electribe is more modern and more portable so it all depends what you want, as always. The Electribe is 16 parts on the sequencer as one midi out, which I don't like being a convertor lead to get the 5 pin Din.... getting more common this but doesn't mean I have to like it! The Electribe also has a synth in it - no idea how good/easy to use etc - the MPC is built to run synths over midi. |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 10, 2019 16:05:18 GMT
I bought an Electribe 2 Sampler at the same time as I re-bought the MPC 500 because I couldn’t decide and coincidentally both were cheap secondhand. Since I knew the MPC already though I started with it and haven’t touched the E2S yet. I think it’s pretty cool too though, but it’s probably more of a groovebox (all-in-one live performance box) whereas the MPC is more of a music production studio hub. Edit: the E2S got a song mode (pattern chaining) in a software update I think |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 12, 2019 15:11:58 GMT
Got out my Electribe 2 Sampler this morning and tried it out with the AE Modular. I'm not very good at that thing yet, but it was very easy to play and sequence the AEM with MIDI on channel 1. Didn't have any problems with stuck notes and stuff with my first generation Master I/O module too. I set the E2S up so that the AEM audio would pass through it, so I could apply the E2S' effects and didn't need a mixer to combine the two instruments. Now I just need to learn how to jam with it, but it seems really easy mostly and just requires some hands-on practice. Definitely a lot more immediate (but also simpler) than the MPC. So admin if you can get one cheap, I'd go for it. It would probably fit very well into your setup. It even has those Korg Volca sync inputs and outputs. What I want to try next is sample the AE Modular so that I can play its sounds live in the rack but also via samples on my E2S. |
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 12, 2019 15:44:04 GMT
Got out my Electribe 2 Sampler this morning and tried it out with the AE Modular. I'm not very good at that thing yet, but it was very easy to play and sequence the AEM with MIDI on channel 1. Didn't have any problems with stuck notes and stuff with my first generation Master I/O module too. I set the E2S up so that the AEM audio would pass through it, so I could apply the E2S' effects and didn't need a mixer to combine the two instruments. Now I just need to learn how to jam with it, but it seems really easy mostly and just requires some hands-on practice. Definitely a lot more immediate (but also simpler) than the MPC. So admin if you can get one cheap, I'd go for it. It would probably fit very well into your setup. It even has those Korg Volca sync inputs and outputs. What I want to try next is sample the AE Modular so that I can play its sounds live in the rack but also via samples on my E2S. What I want to do with my MPC and the AE Modular in my small studio set up, but haven't had any studio time this week... |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 14, 2019 15:19:45 GMT
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 15, 2019 19:30:45 GMT
Must do the same for the MPC and AE Modular, feel like I'm really slacking on the music front! |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 15, 2019 19:52:59 GMT
Me too ... I was just really lucky to have some time this weekend. My music/AE Modular to do list is huuuuge and I can’t seem to get it under control. On the other hand it’s amazing how inspiring the whole AEM format and community is. So much to try out and have fun with |
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Post by slowscape on Sept 30, 2019 22:30:00 GMT
I'm actually selling my MPC (which has been collecting dust for about 10 years now) to help fund my AE modular setup. I found it tedious to always be searching for and cutting up samples to use. It really stunted my creativity in that way. Had I found out about modular sooner, I probably would never have bought the MPC.
I think modular with a good midi controller will be the ticket for me!
But honestly, now that you guys are talking about combining the two, I may have second thoughts. I guess I would have to see a good jam session on the two. pol, care to provide one?  |
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pol
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Post by pol on Oct 1, 2019 21:11:23 GMT
I'm actually selling my MPC (which has been collecting dust for about 10 years now) to help fund my AE modular setup. I found it tedious to always be searching for and cutting up samples to use. It really stunted my creativity in that way. Had I found out about modular sooner, I probably would never have bought the MPC.
I think modular with a good midi controller will be the ticket for me!
But honestly, now that you guys are talking about combining the two, I may have second thoughts. I guess I would have to see a good jam session on the two. pol , care to provide one? This is mostly MPC (drums) and AE Modular does 2 of the sounds - Volca Fm does a bass, JD800 is main pad which is the other sound. soundcloud.com/patterns-of-life/alone-on-europa . |
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pol
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Post by pol on Oct 1, 2019 21:27:20 GMT
This is MPC, AE and a few friends for company - I don't often sing, this may tell you why! I was hoping to have studio time today as working on a patch on the AE for one of the patch challenges, but didn't work out (again). I will do just an AE/MPC doodle soon. |
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pol
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Post by pol on Oct 7, 2019 20:25:41 GMT
Just discovered my portable recorder needs a SDHC card, trying to get some music/noise onto this forum keeps having hold ups!
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) to make music only with previously recorded samples. It's the same as MIDI sequencing, only that you sequence the internal audio samples right in the machine, instead of an external synth. The workflow is pretty old school but they created a nice interface for making music with that device. You need to read the manual and/or the "Beat making on the MPC" ebook and a few days of practice to know what all the buttons do, but once it's in your blood and bones you can work super quick with those things. 
