Bad Gear - Akai MPC 500 - Still an MPC???

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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Akai MPC 500. Is this smallest and most stripped-down version of the legendary groovebox range still an MPC???
This video includes a short clip from the 1936 movie "Swing Time" featuring Fred Astaire. That movie contains negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. I try to keep the meme game as clean as possible but this one slipped my attention. Sorry for that.

[@Kizunaut]

that ending tune was a BANGER

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@sheepkillindog]

Proper choon

[@EvanBurnetteMusic]

This replaced coffee for me today

[@187onasimp]

I feel like this man is a master producer just torturing himself with bad gear to prove the world wrong.

[@tomfenn7149]

Word! Best AudioPilz bad gear tune to date imo!

[@Sadiquecat]

"Pedal to the metal MPC hero, amenbreak-o-geddon digital Hardcore" is something I didn't know I needed in my life

[@AudioPilz]

The sound of 2021!!!

[@alexsicko]

future called, it wants the -german idm tech balls to the wall dance floor sweeper- back

[@jonnie2bad]

yeah its drum n bass and it happened over 20 yrs ago and got nothing to do with germany but ya almost got a decent meme out of it......almost

[@alexsicko]

@@jonnie2bad you didnt watch all the series now, did you

[@southpole76]

@@AudioPilz but you didn't make that on the 500 did you???

[@roryjineffect]

The amen drum carnage was totally worth the watch. Hope it goes up on the Patreon. 😁

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Currently working on the edit!

[@roryjineffect]

@@AudioPilz I shall hold my breath until then... *Inhales*

[@dyF.6]

@@AudioPilz How's the edit going?

[@trickfall8752]

I honestly don't know how you are able to crank out so many excellent videos, but I'm glad you do.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I just don't mess around much ;)

[@trickfall8752]

@@AudioPilz You must never sleep, but seriously aside from the content the graphics and editing are excellent.

[@comfy_21771]

I think that's just the Germanic in him.

[@deejaynoizecph]

Worth mentioning that the 500 is the affordable (and maybe only) MPC that also has you trimming samples by numbers, not waveform - like the 60 & 3000. Which is not a bad idea, since your ears decide the start and end point, not your eyes. Great show, salutations from Copenhagen.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@beatsbeercigarettes]

The 500 does stuff that wasn't even included in the manual. Over at the SP-FORUMS there has been some in depth discussion on it's hidden features and tricks you can pull off with it. I never found the menu diving to be bad... it always felt intuitive to me for being a two line ASCII screen. Maybe it was because I spent any time I couldn't be jamming, reading the manual haha... I could navigate the 500 in my sleep. I'm glad I kept mine all these years.

[@AudioPilz]

Love SP-Forums!!! Yeah, the 500 really requires a deep dive!

[@danieklerr]

An MPC on Bad Gear?! That seems to be the surprise for many, and just as many others are certain that the 500 deserves the placement. The question I have, though.. Is there **any** one piece of kit that isn't "bad gear" in some way? I think not. The beautiful thing is when an artist draws every.possible.gemstone out of a piece of bad gear, and creates masterpieces, despite its limitations. I think you do this consistently, and have created a spectacular channel based on it. Great episode as always.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! In my experience you can't fabricate it. There's stuff where I just can't get a screen full o'hate

[@christiankaiser8126]

The mpc 500 is one of the best mpcs ever made because of it's size. One bad thing is that the mpc 500 is prone to crashes. Definitely is a great choice for a second sampler to do quick transfers of samples from a main sampler back to the main sampler

[@AudioPilz]

👍

[@danielpharo4571]

don’t underestimate the mpc500. as a stand-alone machine for sampling off records and making hip hop beats, this is a great introduction to the art form. i made dozens of beats on that thing. upgraded to the 2500 and i truly still miss it. good video man!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@RayoBeatz]

had it and sold it couldn't find anyone on this to teach how to even use it i will say i liked it but what was the point if i didn't know how to use it?

[@DeathTrapProductions]

I LOOOOOOOVE this fucking thing. Its battery powered and has midi! Sampling can be a paramount pain in the ass but I usually just chop up all my samples in maschine and dump them to the mpc with that 'mpc 187' software. Standalone future proof solutions!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice! Have you tried the standalone Maschine?

[@TMmusic08]

@@AudioPilz standalone maschine is doodoo, make a bad gear about it. Title idea: "over priced piece of shit" lol.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

It's pretty easy to chop by ear. Press start record at the point you have cued up to start and press stop at the point you want it to finish. Place it on a pad then set the pad to cut the sample when you stop pressing. Either play your sequence in to make up a song or just play it live while recording into your DAW. Once you have the skill locked you will find it easy and much faster than messing about with a visual wave file. Well, I have anyhow.

[@DeathTrapProductions]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio I've done it a good amount I just prefer to prepare my chops externally and use this for playing live.

[@jessymina]

Florian over here just trying to get all the communities to band together and overthrow him! 😄 As a diehard MPC guy, this was a great vid. Thank you for the continued awesome songs and high quality vids!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Finally, all gear heads will unite!!!

[@mrCharlesG]

I’m impressed with each episode. You’re so consistently good at dissecting it all. The music is just icing on the cake

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@danielmillon9312]

still an mpc? yes. now lets talk about rolands line up sp's, good luck. they are all different breeds

[@lulzguy2501]

I already asked... I just hope he leaves my beloved SP505 out of it :)

[@AudioPilz]

True but there's a very distinct DNA in the MPC range

[@luke2141]

@@lulzguy2501 the vinyl sim compressor fully protects the 303/505

[@grungepants]

Starting with the SP1200.

[@lulzguy2501]

@@grungepants Take cover!! hiphop heads incoming!

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Love that DnB session Florian! Sounds like Boom Boom Satellites!❤️❤️

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@phdj535]

For this price you can get two used Electribe 2 Samplers. Also a sampler, also battery powered, also receives plenty of hate. But unlike the MPC, E2S gives you the led disco lights at the bottom to power your sampler to the outerspace. Potential for a good bad gear.

[@AudioPilz]

You had me at disco LEDs ;)

[@dustincassidy]

@@AudioPilz Yes please do the Korg Electribe 2 sampler and or the synth based one.

[@DoctorNemmo]

@@dustincassidy I have the Electribe 2 and I hate its sound. It's full of samples but they all sound distorted.

[@alecsbuga]

I’d never trade a MPC500 for an Electribe sampler. I have the E2S also and it doesn’t come close to this. I know it slices and shit but the slices are useless. You need to play them on separate tracks. I’m an MPC1000 user also and recently picked up a 500 also just for testing sake. If you replace the pads it’s a quite capable machine. And I got it cheap also. But again. I’m familiar with the MPC workflow so I’m pretty proficient with it

[@dustincassidy]

@@DoctorNemmo That’s not normally the case with those units. Yours might be faulty. You might also check your gain staging.

[@Mac.Eunique]

I still have my 500 and it still gives me that gritty MPC sound I love!

[@AudioPilz]

I enjoyed the sound too!

[@matthibp]

I have two of these. Here’s my likes and dislikes Likes The sequencer - this is probably where a 500 has the most in common with its more powerful MPC brothers. Both 500s have held up well for over 5 years - but they are lightly used in a home studio or on vacations. It took me a long time to understand the basic work flow with a 2 line lcd screen, but now it is fairly intuitive. Works well with readily available rechargeable batteries. I get about 90 minutes off a charge. The trim function requires you to use your ears to chop/trim - no visual cues but I find it fairly easy to use. The 500 does not require a companion computer or iPad. The storage is good - I’ve used cf cards with up to 16 gigs with no problems. The required format is standard wave files. Dislikes Weird hum in the phone jack that comes and goes - not so much in the outputs. MPC Forums has threads about this and in some cases MPC 500 users have changed the caps in the power supply. The pads are not responsive - but I added pieces of bicycle tubes underneath the pads and have had good results. MPC stuff sells pads and cork which may improve the responsiveness. LCD - this is like using command terminal mode on a Unix or linux computer. It can be maddening to figure out how to get something done but once understood, it can actually be more convenient than a graphical interface in some instances. Conclusion - I bought the first 500 when there were very few self contained sampling alternative for something with removable storage for less than $1000. The second was picked up in a trade. I still enjoy using them, think the build quality is ok, but learning how to use them is a bit like programming a 40 + year old computer.

[@AudioPilz]

That sums it up pretty nicely!

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

@DJ TRIX the second one he picked up in a trade🙄

[@matthibp]

@DJ TRIX the 2nd was a good deal at a used music gear I deal with. Sometimes I use one for samples and the other one to sequence synths, even though it is possible to work with samples and midi sequencing on one mpc.

[@RustyRogear]

I also had two, now only one that I don’t use. It freezes once in a while

[@roamorama5046]

If you only knew how much i'm looking forward to your shows.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, I honestly appreciate that

[@f33fifofum]

Still remember the day I went into the store after saving up to buy a MPC 1000, only to walk out with a 500. It's been the source of constant frustration for almost a decade. Thought I was just not spending enough time learning it, turns out I might have just been a German word.

[@AudioPilz]

Things like that can be very educating ;)

[@quiltclips]

After hearing your fantastic Amen Break test jam , I recomend you keep the one on test, and get at least one more! You are the definition of a man and a machine in perfect harmony!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@phillindablank]

Its a great machine, i love making beats on it and video tutorials as well. That being said, it takes a long time to understand the workflow and the menu diving can be quite intense. However, with time and practice you become pretty quick with the workflow and could do most things other MPCs in the line can do (besides easy sample chopping).

[@AudioPilz]

I see, you can read the Matrix code ;)

[@phillindablank]

@@AudioPilz hahahahah yessir :)

[@dylanleroysynth]

Great episode! My MPC500 is easily the least used piece of gear in my entire setup. Really like what you accomplished with it in this. Love the show!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@cammellsound5400]

It'll just make you want a 1000.

[@AudioPilz]

I think that was the reason why they released the 500 ;)

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Actually it was the total opposite for me. My friend kept on at me to get a 1000 like him but I just wanted him to show me how to use the 500 and he didn't know how to. The 1000 didn't appeal because it wasn't battery powered.

[@cammellsound5400]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio Crack on, son.

[@idiotisterecords]

You are a SENSATION! Loving these!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@lagunagfx]

I got mine for 160 euros a few years ago and simply love it. It’s quite capable and full of shortcuts, but you maybe need to learn the workflow on a bigger, simpler MPC. Once you know what do you want to achieve, it is really quick and straightforward. And yes, I DO prefer it over my Maschine Micro or my Machinedrum UW. For detailed editing, I come from tracker-based sequencing, so the 500 seems really really straightforward. And the MIDI Section works really well. Don’t bother with the pad velocity though, and use 12 levels instead. Just accept the slighty different work approach instead of complaining about what the box is not. The moment you “get it”, it becomes a wonderful MPC. Wunderbar video!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I started limiting the velocity>level parameter for every sample - a nightmare

[@lagunagfx]

@@AudioPilz Oh, not necessary! Just use Full Level enabled and add variation with 12 levels when needed, like in a tracker. I mean: i.e. Entering a simple 8th note hihat pattern, you enter your even steps in full level (128) and your “odd” hats on a second pass with the 12 levels mode with a speed of maybe (92). I mean: most people I know never really use “the pad sensivity” (be it MPC, Maschine or whatever) and instead program notes with default speeds like in a DAW. I know it is not “fingerdrumming ready”, but you won’t feel limited by that in the Digitakt, right?. You can also edit note velocity on whole sections. Learn the “edit” functions. They’re really useful. The menu diving becomes second nature after a while, but I guess people get lost because it is “really close to use a big MPC” but with some key differences. Once you see as its own thing instead of a crippled version of the 1000, you’ll start to enjoy it.

[@LawrinMaxwellsmpc500]

Exactly, some people rather complain than take time to learn it. That goes with any instrument... As for me I like the 500 and I do everything in the box from time stretch to chopping etc...

[@t3hjnz]

You are getting, improbably, even better at making your bad gear sound f!cking amazing - and at producing these videos (lol @ "Honey, I Shrunk the MPC" - well played, sir). Your channel is criminally underrated, friend.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Working on the underrated aspect;)

[@VincentSebastianMusic]

Put a little foam behind the pads and it transforms this thing! I got one a while back and it was an absolute pain to learn, but it really rocks once you get it figured out. Ended up using it a bunch when I needed to perform synth samples with a live band. (finally got an sp404 for that now)

[@VincentSebastianMusic]

Also, sampling onto the 500, using the pitch and fx, then recording into a daw is a blast. All of the mpc character without any of the 500 headache!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, that's a nice workflow

[@allehooop]

=ne of the best sounding intro. Also one of the best Bad Gear chapters. Nice music, good explanation, a lot of jokes. Was perfect. Thanks

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@barilochebarracuda846]

I loved my MPC500, despite the terrible buttons and the bad filter. I Made cool beats with it as a standalone machine. I believe the interface make you concentrate on your ears and on the music, so the limitations help you push the limits and be creative.

[@AudioPilz]

I really liked the "concentrate on your ears" aspect about the old Akais but unfortunately the jog dial is so crappy that I didn't really think it's fun

[@dannydr]

7:15 BRUTAL! I love it! And thanks for another great video!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@jaayjones3159]

Thanks for the epilepsy warning. I don't have epilepsy but I appreciate when people do that for others.

[@AudioPilz]

Always stay safe!!!

[@oiartsun]

My takeaway is: Is it an MPC? Yes. Is the MPC1000 still the most compact model of the line that also still combines solid build quality with accessible, functional design? Yes.

[@AudioPilz]

That sums it up nicely

[@LawrinMaxwellsmpc500]

Been producing on the MPC 500 for over 10 years. I love it and make great beats with it.

[@AudioPilz]

It totally works for some (cool user name, btw)

[@LawrinMaxwellsmpc500]

@@AudioPilz thanks brother

[@Alavux]

thanks for including best chioldhood movie ever in context of small mpc , good idea ! ;)

[@AudioPilz]

That movie burned itself into my brain as well

[@secretelitemusic]

Also, a brief cameo by The Chin. This is cult viewing.

[@invisibleoc]

Fuck me, an MPC on Bad Gear. Shots fired! Incidentally, possibly the most enjoyable episode in ages- and that breakcore-ish tune at the end was a delight. Good work, Herr Doktor AudioPilz :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@FlorianRachor1]

An MPC on bad gear? Have to be honest, didn’t see that coming :D

[@AudioPilz]

It's ticking boxes ;)

[@jessecreature8035]

@@AudioPilz add the renaissances and mpc touch

[@80iesDude45]

«Do you even Danger Zone bro?»

[@hicknopunk]

MPCs require pad modification to be useful.

[@marcomaureira]

Great video as always, that thumbnail was a work of art lmao

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@otobotrecords]

I did a whole instrumental album on the MPC 500 while chilling in parks. It was the MPC Live (with limitations) before the MPC Live (which I got as soon as it was released). You had to be creative with the 500. No chop shop? Sure, no problem, add velocity to sample start and use 12 velocity levels while fine-tuning the velocity amount to hit the chops' starts correctly. I still have the 500 and use it as decoration on a shelf in the "studio". It needs some TLC for many of its tact switches are defunct now. If I get around, I will restore it. Limitation can be inspiring.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice! Great to hear that it works for you

[@otobotrecords]

@@AudioPilz "worked" 😅. Grüße nach Österreich.

[@EmilioNorrmann]

your intros are out of this world !

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@RosalvoParadella]

O melhor canal do youtube !!

[@AudioPilz]

Muito obrigado!

[@GameBrou]

Estou vendendo um MPC 500 no Mercado Livre. Será que devo me sentir culpado por vender um “bad gear”. Certamente há quem goste!!! hahahaha Afinal de contas é um MPC. Como muitos equipamentos que já usei, depois que você se acostuma com o workflow as coisas ficam mais fáceis.

[@removalist1995]

It is a good day when you upload!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank god it's friday!

[@chriswareham]

I had to pause halfway through and hit the like button just for the Evil Dead references.

[@AudioPilz]

My man! Thanks!

[@xisotopex]

I thought I was the only to notice

[@Sklang32]

Well that was refreshing. I never wanted an MPC because all I've seen anyone produce on them is FUKKIN HIP HOP!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, they're big in the breakbeat scene

[@DowntownDigitalUK]

I knew this would eventually happen, great gear I am working hard to criticize... Now we are getting somewhere ... Next episode... Jupiter 8: too many buttons

[@AudioPilz]

Moog Minimoog - No Polyphony???

[@GradyBroyles]

HEY HEY! The original Jupiter8 is legendary in old-school psytrance circles. Seriously, tho. Some amazing techno has been made by some of the biggest legends of the genre ojn the (original) Jupiter 8. The all digital remake, the JP8080, OTOH. Is that purple 4-U rack mount thing with, like a gazillion itty, bitty knobs and an almost laughably complicated documentation printed such that you need a micrfofilm reader. lol Still makes dope sounds tho.

[@ChrisCebelenski]

I can criticize the Jupiter 8 just fine but not based on the interface. It was a solid performance synth for its time, and deserved to be used as much as it was. That was then, this is now - today its got some kind of legendary mystique around it and goes for crazy prices, which are unwarranted IMO. Break it down to the sound, and its competent and maybe somewhat generic sounding. I know I get push back on that, but really there's nothing magic to the Jupiter 8.

[@GradyBroyles]

@@ChrisCebelenski Yeah. I think the prices for them now just relate to a nostalgic reputation that out strips the actual greatness of the device. Though they are pretty damn cool synths.

[@leftmono1016]

@@ChrisCebelenski - I used to own a Jupiter 8 and you’re completely correct. It’s great as a collector’s item but nothing special really. If I could go back in time and grab my old one I’d have it up for sale in a heartbeat.

[@reinierweerts6923]

Sick editing. Nice to see some things of my MPC One back in this.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@TonyJMX]

Honestly I have never had any issues with my MPC500! My setup would not be complete without it!

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that it works for you!

[@Akaimpcone]

Totally addicted to your videos.

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@missingreels]

I'm a big fan of the 500. I love its size, battery power, midi capabilities. Sure it's a chore to sample on and dig through menus, but once it's all loaded up with sounds it's a blast to play with.

[@AudioPilz]

Indeed! Great for beatmaking!

[@ProSimex84]

Im waiting for the day i snatch one up cheap, the MPC workflow is where its at !

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@JotaSotodiaz]

Love MPC live! Great Video once again master!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@luckyllou7325]

It's Friday again and I'm hanging out with other shady addicts in a dark KZbin Corner and waiting for the man with the good stuff. And he delivers ... as always!

[@AudioPilz]

Da good stuff... (THX;)

[@PercivalThe23]

you sound like you're narrating arte tracks,especially with the breakbeats in background!😄

[@ain-mylan]

Been waiting on this!!!

[@AudioPilz]

THX! It had to happen

[@NM-ir6wd]

The 500 is an excellent machine. It's a 'travel MPC.' Though it lacks a few of the features of the big brother 1000 its portability is a huge plus. There's few other non-MPC samplers from this era that offer the range of functions in such a small footprint. Cop some rechargeable batteries and you can take it just about anywhere. Long live the 500!

[@AudioPilz]

Love the portability!

[@FrankArvoton]

I have been waiting for this since i left a comment about it! One thing to mention is that if you can use this fluently , you can probably use any sampler you come across! At least in my experience.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I found this one really educational

[@MattGreerMusic]

I've been working on a beat tape on my 500. I have to admit I've really bonded with the little guy. The small screen and subsequent menu diving is really the only problem with it. It's still a proper MPC though.

[@AudioPilz]

There's quite some MPC DNA in this thing as far as I can tell

[@_thevaporz]

Aw yeah sick jam as always AudioPilz 5:15! Really tight stuff. Another great bad gear episode. Whoa and then you hit us with 6:15! Fantastic nostalgic

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@Treakorizor]

Pulling out and showcasing the best music genres every time.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@zedudli]

Very nice jungle ditty at the end 👍🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@mycosys]

More early engagement for the youtube algogods

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@beerchiller9878]

ooh ooh! me too!

[@HailSagan_]

These little disposal genius song segments you're doing are too good. I hope you've got longer versions available for us somewhere :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Just uploaded a 5min version to Patreon ;)

[@Decypher]

Ah das freitag ist schon mit einem neues Audiopilz video! Ganz super genau auf geschnitzeld!!! (Using my school German here so sorry for any spelling errors)

[@AudioPilz]

Alles einwandfrei!!! Danke!

[@uly1981]

My old work place used to have Schnitzel day on Friday, now my Fridays are Bad Gear day

[@peterpiper0815]

Hahaha geschnitzeld. Wiener Amen mit Pommes

[@matrix12x]

Great video again!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@drbop6951]

The MPC500 is an incredible piece of kit...portable inspiration.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, great for banging out beats on the go

[@robbieswain]

This is my favorite show on KZbin

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@Goettel]

Great time to rewatch Evil Dead

[@AudioPilz]

I, II and Army of Darkness

[@saftpackerl]

@@AudioPilz Ash vs Evil Dead is not that bad either ;)

[@droetkering]

super awesome to watch this video again while I left a comment to review an Akai sampler, man I love you! the jungle was broken hard! really genius! as i say over and over again, CONTINUE LIKE! And besides that, if you make merchandise, let me know

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Working on the merch ATM

[@squoblat]

I've had one of these sat in a box for a year and never got over the initial frustration. I think I'm going to have to break it out and have another go.

[@AudioPilz]

It is indeed frustrating in the beginning

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I had mine since 2007 and only learned to use it properly in 2019. It sat in storage for about 10 years. Now I know how to use it I kick myself for not learning sooner. It's bloody great, lol

[@JorbLovesGear]

Oh my God I forgot about these, great choice🤣

[@AudioPilz]

I'm not sure if they shouldn't be forgotten ;)

[@skanes709]

Found a 500 a few years back for a great price. I loved the idea of it's portability but I ended up getting frustrated with its OS and abandoned it to go back to my 1000. Really liked the idea of having a unit you had to manually chop samples on too since the auto chop of the 1000 is almost too convenient haha.

[@AudioPilz]

The 1k seems to be the much more complete workstation

[@mitchellborne7428]

I didnt know I needed this video in my life.

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that! Thanks!

[@EVILJAMARR]

I almost bought one of these. Almost.

[@AudioPilz]

You dodged that bullet ;)

[@DJDiskmachine]

I got mine for 150€, guess it's time to part ways.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@DJDiskmachine I'd take it off your hands for 150 euros

[@nathanjon9586]

All your tunes in this episode are slapping man! You should get yourself an MPC hahaha!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Maybe a 60💪

[@welcomethrillhouse]

Had one of these for a while. You could discharge a revolver into the pads and only achieve 50% velocity. What hope did my undersized hands have?

[@AudioPilz]

Same here!

[@GoodfaYou]

You need to replace the pads with fatpads and cork and then they work fine

[@dozer30]

@@GoodfaYou I mean, it's like people don't want to take the time anymore to upgrade their gear. This was the first thing I did & now, I barely have to touch the pads to get the drums bumping.

[@dozer30]

@DJ TRIX to be truthful, I did say upgrade and not repair. But either way, the stock pads do work fine out of the box especially when you change the sensitivity curve in the menu. Eventually though, everyone with a mpc is gonna have to replace, repair and upgrade their machine as with all gear. All of these things are investments as is the nature of music equipment.

[@ToyKeeper]

Thanks, this was a cool look back at the history of one of today's major players. Have been tempted to grab a MPC One or Live, but the earlier devices never really grabbed me.

[@AudioPilz]

I'd be interested in a vintage one but the prices are mad

[@vitalyfutoriansky5613]

I think it’s a great machine, and for sure has an amazing value for the price, the competitive portable groove boxes are electribes, novation circuit , roland mc 101 and sp’s... all of those can’t play same number of tracks, and be able to play it with micro timing steps,...so if you ask me the 500 wins this category... ofcourse there is also mpc live but it’s much bigger ( less portable) and in other price range

[@AudioPilz]

The track count is nice!

[@stanislavsidorov5631]

God, thank you for Volca Sample!

[@AudioPilz]

I especially like that one

[@ianmccoy13]

AudioPilz : "And here I'll play some mediocre tune with this Bad Gear (tm)" _plays the stuff of angels_ Me: "hehe...my Digitakt go beep boop" Great stuff as usual, man. Keep up the great work!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@straighttalk2069]

@@AudioPilz Your musical talents are out there and you always impress. This MPC beat was your usual high quality.

[@bobz1736]

Awesome vid as always 😀

[@AudioPilz]

THX!!!

[@matthewlowe1120]

"Honey, I shrunk the MPC" *instant divorce*

[@matthewlowe1120]

This is why that guy punched Rick Moranis.

[@ChrisLeeW00]

What if that movie ended with him getting served divorce and custody papers.

[@matthewlowe1120]

@@ChrisLeeW00 He'd become an SP-404 guy

[@AllyMobbs]

I kind of miss my 500 but this video sums it up perfectly.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, happy to hear that!

[@secretterminal2179]

If it has professional in its title, it's probably not professional

[@AudioPilz]

That's a pretty good rule of thumb!

[@crochambeau]

The "professional" is at the brand level though, so that's painting all of Akai gear with a pretty wide brush. Fully agree on use of the term with respect to model naming though.

[@crochambeau]

er, I mean all Akai gear in the *musical instrument* division, the home audio stuff can still pound sand.

[@z.verdadero]

i mean i have the akai professional headrush e2 and it's quite good, so i think there are exceptions

[@kristianTV1974]

I've always said the same myself, up there with any product with 'master' anywhere in its title.

[@Chyuuch]

you make really good beats my guy!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@apoclypse]

I definitely foresee the Roland MV-1 being on this channel at some point for a lot of the same reasons the MPC500 is on the list.

[@AudioPilz]

I've already seen some Bad Gear MV-1 memes on FB😂😂😂

[@dubbylabbymusic5392]

Almost MV1 is getting Zenbeats integration (step by step) but yeah lcd seems an expensive addon for Rolands...

[@AveMcree]

lol

[@ToreHansen]

I had an ASQ-10 in the 90s, MPC without the MPC! Cool video

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@intnrmri]

My choice is the 3k but when I had the 500 it felt really similar. I was really worried about the build quality and ultimately ended up selling it. I had horrible experiences from the 1k with changing pads, encoders and didn't want to go though that again. If the build had been on pair with the 3k I'm sure I would have kept it, it's pretty capable.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, especially when you're already familiar with the overall MPC concept

[@INADRM]

Great video, loved the ending song!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@corrosiveabuser]

I've been using MPC's since the 60ii came out, it's a shame when companies like Akai/Numark muddy the name by lowering the standards so far, - still you certainly got the most out of it. btw, loved that pad/string sound at 6:30, was that an Akai library sound from the S950?, it sounds just like the strings used on Andrew Weatherall's - All The Little Things love to ALL, feel no hate

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Yeah, original S900 library

[@Necrobutcher777]

Worm

[@ontology3]

This thing was my first and only sampler for like a year and a half. I remember I was aiming for an Akai S2000 (which I eventually got like a year later), but I was like eeeh I should probably get something with a built-in sequencer to start out with... In hindsight I should've just jumped on the S2000 haha. That being said, you can do some really sick stuff with it! Like when it came to Jungle I would just ditch the internal sequencer and use Renoise, and it legit sounded really great, even with the internal effects! If you sped up your audio and slowed it back down after sampling you could get a *really* nice warm crust, too. Awesome video dude!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! It's truly a jungle animal;)

[@johnadams3888]

Now that's what I call an Amen Break!

[@AudioPilz]

It's such a magic sample

[@alexnovotney1067]

The mpc500 is 🔥its like a mini 3000 in my opinion i love it once i learned how to chop samples by numbers it was a breeze it has made making music so much better compared to Lookin at a computer screen having endless sample time i dont get writers block as much anymore it taught me to use my ears and not my eyes its a good little box people hate on it to much i use it with my Boss SP-202

[@benitoe.4878]

As an MPC user I was more than a bit shocked to see these three holy letters on Bad Gear... very wise to put that caveat about the 500 right upfront. So my brethren and I let you live. For now. *sinister laughing*

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you, generous Lord

[@hicknopunk]

Don't forget the pads without modification

[@ozzy3ml]

wow, excellent amen choppage. Big up!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@FreeThink1984]

I thought about getting this for awhile back in the early 2010s. I got an octatrack instead. Different animals but I made the right choice for me

[@AudioPilz]

That choice makes total sense to me too!!!

[@FreeThink1984]

@@AudioPilz any chance you’ll do the OT on Bad Gear? Definitely no lacking of people complaining about its learning curve and workflow lol

[@Frapskillar]

Nice implementing the evil dead 2 clips. One of my favorite movies

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Classic!

[@fermiLiquidDrinker]

If you need another groovebox to put under the microscope, I'd suggest the Korg Electribe Sampler from 2013. I used to use one until it destroyed an SD card I had.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@nebula0697]

That amen bit is really amazing, awesome bass line.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@leachim66]

Please everyone join Florian's patreon so he can afford a real succulent 🙏

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the sales pitch! Maybe personalized or branded succulents;)

[@Crabby303]

Thanks, great honest review, and touches on the issues affecting the bigger 5k I think, bar software bugs in the latter. Akai Pro was bought by inMusic Brands in 2004 I think, and quality really dipped for a while, it seems.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, Akai is slowly coming back to its old form

[@spookypen]

2:42 Man, shout out to JJ and JJOS. Think he can only work on the 1k and 2500.

[@AudioPilz]

That man's truly a Jenius

[@lundsweden]

I had one of these. I felt it was not too bad, very small, battery powered, ok build quality... tiny screen, reports of faulty pads (although it did'nt happen with mine). I liked how you could layer 4 or 5 drum samples per pad, which I can't do this on my Korg Electribe Sampler 2! The non quantised beats are good or bad too, depending on your perspective. As this video states correctly, UI is very fiddly and difficult to understand at first, but really I do miss this little guy, it may not be the best MPC, but it is an MPC, its affordable and portable and lap friendly!

[@AudioPilz]

It still is an MPC, that's the most important thing!