Message 2/22
Date: 11-Feb-00 @ 02:17 PM -
RE: Mpc 2000 to replace yamaha rm1x?
I know Caspars got both, so you`ll prolly have 2 wait till he shows up 2 get the full lowdown but I`ve heard a coupla people say (I think Defector was on of them) that the Yam has a better sequencer. BUT, and its a big but, that don`t mean theres much wrong with the MPC. Its actually a sequencer first and foremost and a sampling drumbox 2nd, and I can personally vouch 4 the fact thats its a fine sequencer at that. U dont get the realtime controllers that the Yam has (the note variation slider is 4 internal sounds only) and all sequencing is purely text-based (I dunno about the Yam, maybe thats text too) and u get no x0x style drum programming either. BUT u get 32 part, 16 great velocity sensitive rubber pads, a basic sampler that totally kicks arse as far as drums r concerned with some great touches - u can edit each single notes attack, pitch, decay, and filtering all fom the same screen (internal sounds only, of course) without having 2 mess with sysex dumps, controller channels etc. etc. Or u can control any of those parameters on the fly with the note slider. And of course, u can also edit velocity, note length, and the key its in from the same screen on both internal and external sounds. The filter is seriously unspectacular with squeeky rez, but its good enuff 2 take some sheen of some tambourines or a bit of hiss from a sample so its more of a utility piece than a creative tool. It also has swing quantise which can do some incredible shit 2 your drumtrack 2 make it sound more "real2 too. It handles my other sampler and synths admirably with the minimum of hassle (still a few odd bugs, but once u know em it don`t hold u back). I really can`t comment on how it fares up against the RM cos I`ve never been near one, but take it from me, its a great piece, it has its limitations, but its easy 2 learn and use, very tactile and quick 2 get ideas down, I should imagine its a nice piece 4 livework too, but I can`t verify that cos that aint my cup of tea.
Its been around in various forms 4 well over ten years now, and in that time its proved itself 2 b a serious tool, equally at home in the studio as it is live on stage and, course its subjective, but I don`t think ANYTHING out there can touch the MPCs 4 drums, the sound is punchy and tight which cuts right through the mix and whether u want super-tight hardstep riddims or a laid-back stoners beat, this thing delivers with minimal of fuss.