KVR Audio

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:18 pm

I recently have rediscovered the great british commute and for this 2 and a half hour train journey into London I am now looking into a viable option for making music while on the move.
I'm not talking about gimmicky iPhone apps or the admittedly rather tasty looking Beaterator for the PSP but a genuinely decent piece of kit that can produce potentially release quality material.

It also has to be able to connect to my Macbook so that I can use it in Ableton and Logic (MIDI connectivity optional. I am interested in looking at the MPC500 but I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and open up my options a bit.
I make alot of Electro and House music.

Size is important but the MPC500 is around the right size as it means I can bung it into a bag which I'll be carrying anyway.
I have a budget of under £400.
Thanks in advance!

P.S. If anyone owns a MPC500 please could you impart some wisdom on its long term usability and synth quality?

Jamon · Post by **Jamon** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:33 pm

The MPC-500 is a nice MIDI sequencer. But it has no synth, all it can do is play samples with basic filters like low/high-pass, pitch changes, and 2 FX sends. You can create sample-based programs by recording your synths, but you can't do in-depth tweaking that way, just things like recording the low-pass being changed with the slider.

The pads are stiff, not easy to play like a keyboard. If you got a pocket synth, LPK25, and MPC-500, you might have something. Or just use the MPC-500 and make good sample-based instruments to use, then when you get home plug in the MIDI to have your sequences played back using something better sounding. Or maybe you want a PC?

Something like this:
http://www.myviliv.com/ces/main_s5.html

Plus the LPK25, and some software might be better for your tastes.

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:43 pm

Why not get a netbook? :

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/ ... aspire-one

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:22 am

Nah.
No offence. I don't really want to go down the netbook route. Thanks, but I've got my Macbook if I wanted something like that.
I want something with the Roland MC-909 feel, something analogue feeling, but synth as well.

.
And something that strips away all the mouse moving I get so much at work and home.

.
Btw, any solutions for desktop versions? Stick with Akai and MPC?

hseiken · Post by **hseiken** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:41 am

You're basically asking for what I've been hoping for a long time.

It's not out there...not yet...maybe never will be.

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:48 am

How perfect would that be?
Not even Roland MC Line?
Anything come close?

mistertoast · Post by **mistertoast** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:56 am

It looks fun. I doubt you'll find anything truly analog. The MPCs are all VA's, right?

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:59 am

VAs?
Is it not the music obsessor's dream?

waveriderarts · Post by **waveriderarts** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:10 am

MAYBE?
http://www.teenageengineering.com/products/op-1/

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:14 am

Ohhh. And sexy. It'll never make it to production though.
Doesn't seem... Geeky enough.

Jamon · Post by **Jamon** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:01 am

Why are people thinking MPCs are synthesizers? The MPC-5000 has an integrated synth, but that is the only one, and it isn't very good. The MPC is a MIDI sequencer / sampler.

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:06 am

Do you have any option that can function as both? That's what I've been trying to get at. The MPC doesn't have a good synth which is WHY I'm looking for an alternative. Otherwise I'd get it?

Any suggestions?

markkooper · Post by **markkooper** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:19 pm

I've seen the MPC5000 which look almost perfect with it's built in synth. But I suppose that'd still be on the big side. And far to heavy to carry around long term. Anyone find any more alternatives?

robogone · Post by **robogone** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:24 pm

markkooper wrote:I recently have rediscovered the great british commute and for this 2 and a half hour train journey into London

Shit, I thought my almost hour drive to work every day was bad!

Sequent · Post by **Sequent** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:33 pm

Have you looked into something like a used QY70, or better a used QY100? No sampling on those units, but the sequencer isn't too bad. The QY70s seem to run cheaper but they don't have the smartmedia card slot.

Not ideal, but perhaps useful.

Creating music on the move