My MPC's new best friend -- Yamaha SU 700 -- resampling, EFX & beatmaking

[@phdirac]

Thanks a lot for the shout out bro!! It’s been cool experimenting with the SP202. I love that you’re doing work with the Yamaha SU700. That sampler doesn’t seem to get a lot of love but its sound is butter (especially with the FX). Looking forward to hearing your new material!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for the inspo bro. Some folks just sample or grab sample packs, but you're more of a sound designer, crafstman. The sp202 (and the yamaha samplers) are great tools in the right hands.

[@eddieleonard6925]

@Haze Entertainment maybe not -- but they're dope samplers.

[@phatplates]

My first piece of hardware. I remember choosing from this, the RS7000 and the SP808 EX. I chose this because of the price I got it for...I think it was a floor model or open box. I paired it with a cheap Casio keyboard and a cd player and went to town. I especially had fun with that strip lol. You better have plenty of markers and rubber bands because depending on the beat you will use anywhere from 2 to 6 disks to save and load a beat so organization is a must. Good times.

[@eddieleonard6925]

This machine was overlooked by most because its competitors were better designed and easier to use, but I really love how quirky this device is. Glad you had a good time with it. I never saved anything on it, just used it for resampling.

[@burgersquid]

I have a su700 too. So far I've mostly used it alone, to figure out it's sequencing, but but this machine really is geared toward four on the floor trance or house music. Using it as a sound module to add flavor to your samples before sequencing them on the MPC is probably where I'm headed with with it too.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I'm still using it that way, also because of the floppy disc storage. I absolutely love mangling samples in it.

[@cnfuzz]

​@@eddieleonard6925 have one with built in zipdrive, also i have the a4000 so it saves in the same scsi format between them, the Su has a neat trick where you can pitch samples via Midi Nrpn control numbers

[@melanatedafrikanaquarian4687]

That LP filter on the Yamaha sounds GOOD!

[@eddieleonard6925]

It's my fav effect, by far. So versatile, especially for sound design.

[@Digiphex]

I like the blue 7 segment display.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Me too.

[@marcelodiana82]

The LFO section on SU700 it’s unique. You can go wild.

[@eddieleonard6925]

That's my favorite section. The machine is worth it for that section alone. :)

[@Noise-Conductor]

Dope sounds! I got the Yamaha RS7000 which is a more up to date, but less cooler looking model. I never really used the sampler because I just made my own sound, But sampling to it & messing with then sending it out to the MPC is the way to since sample management is crappy on these Yamaha & Roland samplers. The Filter on the RS are insane, especailly if you boost the sample to +18 - I don't know if the SU does that. The RS seq is way better for me than the MPC because it has 256 clips for each of the 64 Style which has 16 Sections with 16 Tracks each, that can play any 1 of the 256 clips (called Phrases). Plus each clip can be a different bar lengths. When you edit a clip, any track in any section that's using that same clip gets those edits, unlike the MPC where you always have to copy edits to other tracks/seqs. Workflow Killa!!! From the RS I got the Squarp Pyramid which a little low price standalone hardware sequencer that will kiss yo' ass! Now I use the Force which like the best of both a powerful MPC style sampler, the Kiss ass seq of the RS/Pyramid & way more. Keep up the great hardware videos.🫡

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for the support. Sounds like you've got a nice workflow going in your creative space. I need to check out the RS units and some of Yamaha's other rackmount stuff which is overlooked.

[@piggycity]

The Yamaha Machine had some of the best effects and filters as a looping machine. Mine had an issue with the knobs but it was a great machine, loved the filters!

[@eddieleonard6925]

by the knobs, do you mean the data encoders? if so, that is a common issue. almost every su700 has to have the encoders replaced within a few years. :(

[@piggycity]

@@eddieleonard6925 Yes, That is correct! The encoders would always jump around as I was trying to fine tune.

[@saulgood2548]

@@eddieleonard6925Do you know where you can get replacement encoder? Sorry to hear about those chumps that stole your equipment.

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@saulgood2548 I'm sorry i can't remember the name of the site that sells them. i read it on a forum somewhere, since many people have had this same issue.

[@saulgood2548]

@@eddieleonard6925 I appreciate you reaching out. I hope things are going well with you?

[@oobledooble3342]

Loved the video. It’s great to see the SU700 showcased like this, thank you

[@eddieleonard6925]

I'm glad you enjoyed. I still haven't scratched the surface of what this machine can do. But I use the effects all the time.

[@R.Es1]

So many dope machines and so little time. Dope vid!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Agreed! Choose wisely, and make sure your machines play nice.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Super cool. Thanks for sharing your workflow! Are you saving things on the SU700 at all? I was tempted to get a GoTek for the floppy drive, but it seems kind of pointless given the size of the RAM and the number of virtual floppies it would require. Instead, I've been recording from vinyl into the SU700, then recording into my Akai Force (the MPC2500 is in another room...), similar to your workflow here. It's probably overkill, but such a fun device to experiment with and add a bit of character.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I do the same exact thing. The floppy loads and saves slow...so I never save. Just mangle samples, then re-sample into my MPC. Glad you're having fun with the machine. They're getting rare!

[@owenthesoyboy]

Super slick combo with the SU700 and MPC3000. I've used an SU700 for years, decades now and it makes remixes so easy, also a techno dream machine. Nice video, great setup and sounds, delicious beats!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Nice. There aren't too many SU700 users out there. I still have NO idea how to use the sequencer. Setting note length, and figuring out how it handles arrangement is on my to-do. Love the sound, though. Fun machine. Cheers,,

[@owenthesoyboy]

@@eddieleonard6925 the sequencer is easy once you realize it has a few styles in one setup. The different families of pad type make it so easy for me in techno, straight 4/4 beats and stuff on the always looping pads on the left and in 4 banks (!) are amazing for just having choices for a live set. Also have sequenced the SU700 from a TR-626 so I can use drum machine swing and techniques over MIDI and not always be stuck finger drumming in finer details.

[@Chris_0299]

I am almost there. Can get really nice stuff(say myself, others listening windows open yes) from an Iphone device using electribe for ios. But I can not record as on a SP-404A the playing at the SU 700 and it shortens the record on a magic way. The person I bought it from did some great things I have it on harddisk and can not find all the samples on the buttons the song is able to play. Hope somebody has some good KZbin films about it.

[@Redrumbeats8301]

@@eddieleonard6925you can always hit me up if you need help, i make full beats on the su700.peace

[@cnfuzz]

​@@eddieleonard6925 the scene store buttons are a central feature on the machine , quick jumping between all stored settings on the fly

[@marcopoulos3493]

I am here through SU700 as I work with 3 of them and cant get rid of it. Your video is great. Thanks. following right away

[@eddieleonard6925]

Niiice! Do you use all 3 at the same time? I'm still trying to figure out the sequencer.

[@djReason19]

Late to this video. That came together nicely. Fun walk though of the SU 700. Every long term manufacturer has pieces that were only popular for a minute, or didn't sell for whatever reason. This highlights the value in exploring analog equipment of yesteryears. Looking forward to the EP.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Some equipment is ahead of its time. Some of it doesn't catch on because the learning curve is too high. In short, I agree, with you -- in addition to all the amazing stuff that's out today, there's many hidden gems from the past 30 - 40 years waiting to be repurposed/rediscovered.

[@paulcarboneNY]

yeah man - digging your work and jazzed to see the SU700 getting some love. I just changed out the encoders on mine (they were gettin' bad) - it's a PITA & a labor of love, but totally worth it.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I was lucky enough to get one that had encoders replaced a few years back, but one of mine is already getting jumpy. I'll probably have to do an operation in a few. Can you still get the parts?

[@paulcarboneNY]

@@eddieleonard6925 oh nice. Unfortunately, the old ones aren't available, and the new ones have a different pin spacing. So you gotta solder up a bunch of little jumpers to get the pins to land right. It's documented, and not difficult, just tedious.

[@eddieleonard6925]

​@@paulcarboneNY as much as i use this thing, I may have to look up that process soon. thanks for the tip.

[@eyesintheskies]

Inspired me to stop mine gathering dust, think I might have to treat it to a usb drive mod to get past the floppy frustrations.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I've seen those usb mods. I'd like to get one, too...the floppy drive is really slow, so I don't save anything. Just sample, then resample into other machines.

[@tekbeatz]

Love my Yamaha SU700 had it over 13 years

[@eddieleonard6925]

i'm late to the party, bro. solid machine.

[@LeoXonix]

I'm making beats with the bare minimum right now, a laptop and free plugs, if I had that kinda gear I would probably never leave the house ever lol. You have a really dope studio man 🔥🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

Bare minimum is all you need. And if it were up to me, I'd never leave the studio. :)

[@saintrumi]

Yeah man I have to agree with eddie. There’s so much you can do with the bare minimum. The gear is great but it isn’t magic.

[@LeoXonix]

@@saintrumi Agreed, its still nice to have though lol

[@LeoXonix]

@@eddieleonard6925 yeah you've got endless creative tools, great content by the way 👍

[@jamisondonald384]

I've gathered a similar equipment setup in my studio to the one in the video and now I almost never leave the house. It's great

[@kevinsykes1890]

The SU700 was slept on for most electronic based instruments. It's a very funky sounding and deep machine with simple controls. You can assign tracks to midi amd have the MPC drive the SU700 sound engine more than your using it for now. The limitation is the 16 tracks of the 40+ tracks avalable on the internal sequencer of the SU. Keep up the good work on this beast, glad I got mine before they started getting rediscovered.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for the tip. I'm still new to the machine, but glad to have it. It's really challenged my way of working and opened up new possibilities. If you have tips on using the sequencer, I'm all ears!

[@TheGorillafoot]

Something about using hardware. Sounds dope!

[@eddieleonard6925]

As you explore more hardware, you realize that every piece has it's own sound, based on how it handles sampling, conversion, and effects. Great way to find your own sonic signature.

[@davido3109]

Your channel is Deep Gold!!! Namaste Haribol Asewe!!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening. It's appreciated.

[@ceciliafbrown373]

Man you are inspirational. Thanks!

[@eddieleonard6925]

I appreciate that. Glad this sparked some ideas.

[@Judemay01]

Just stumbled upon your channel, loving your work mate! We used to use a Su700 back in the day in our live techno set up. Love to see the unit still getting the love it deserves today.

[@eddieleonard6925]

That's awesome. It's setup is great for live remixing. If you have any tips on the sequencer, I'm all ears!

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Awesome video!!!!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks!

[@di4352]

This is really cool! The MPC looks mad good as a companion machine to the SU700. I dig the setup you got there.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks. Since the Yamaha sequencer is so odd, it's much easier to shape samples with the Yamaha, then dump out into any other machine, and the 3000 is always my weapon of choice. Cheers,

[@di4352]

@@eddieleonard6925 Can't wait to hear more of your stuff, man, the channel is mega dope, I dig it and all the gear you were showcasing.

[@MrAnselm77]

Absolute 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening. Just jamming...

[@Vernk1980]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks!

[@ryanofficer]

Word up. Ive had my su700 about 21 yrs

[@eddieleonard6925]

What!??? How your encoders holding up?

[@ryanofficer]

@@eddieleonard6925 sometime they get a little wacky. I have cleaned them but in my opinion treating them with care plays a factor. I got a second unit from a friend and he was sorta rough on it .. that one the numbers at times go haywire and it becomes challenging to hit the number I'm aiming for.

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@ryanofficer Mine have been well cared for. But on one of the tracks..the encoder jumps around randomly, as you said. It's quite annoying. :(

[@horriblyodd]

Your last video with the SU700 had me lusting after one hard. Perfect replacement for how I was using a BOSS SP505. Ended up grabbing the Yamaha A4000 since I have a rack nearby and damn does it give you the FX and workflow character I fell in love with from your SU700 coverage.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Oh that's great! I've heard great things about the rackmount version. Same effects? How are you using it? I don't know how I overlooked these Yamaha's, but they're really interesting. Glad this inspired.

[@horriblyodd]

@@eddieleonard6925 Yep! Same effects. The A5000 has two of the cards / boards / chips / whatever and can run 6 effects at a time with what I'm assuming is the same level of control over routing. (since posting this reply I've checked the SU700 manual, less FX than the A4000 / rack samplers but everything it has the racked boys do to) I'll have samples playing back from the A4000 directly with the front IO also being live processed through the same chain (or separate individual effects). It's like the ultimate vibe-bus if you'll allow me to be that excited about it hahaa! I'm sure there's pros to the layout of the SU700 but that sound, FX, and flexibility seems to exist identically in those Yamaha rack samplers. Would love to hear your take on trying the SU700 and some of the mastering focused effects as your master chain. Lo-Fi > Comp+DS > Clip2 is fun when you dial it all in. Just an example. Not to give you such a wall of text, you've just turned me on to what's become my favorite piece of hardware behind my 2000 XL. Feels essential.

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@horriblyodd WOW. that sounds fantastic. Overall, I'm mostly impressed with the sound of these Yamaha machines. It's a perfect compliment to my s950. Glad it's working out for you. I may have to look into that rackmount version before they become too scarce. For me, great thing is that I've barely scratched the surface of what it can do. Keep on..

[@bkhiphopnews4030]

thanks bro, I didn't know about this

[@eddieleonard6925]

It's a line of samplers that was lost in the late 90s, early 2000s, but it's got its own sound. Check em out if you ever come across one...

[@bkhiphopnews4030]

@@eddieleonard6925 I will, I know Yamaha makes great instruments

[@noaim6956]

🧐first video, I subbed after I saw your workflow with the SU700🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

Appreciate that! I love the yamaha, and still learning all its quirky features.

[@variousdispositions]

Sounds awesome!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@corywilliams458]

Dope!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam.

[@iancain6647]

Beasty!

[@eddieleonard6925]

I still love this machine.

[@reddmusiclab]

Nicely done!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks! I appreciate you checking the workflow out. It's a fun sampler.

[@reddmusiclab]

@@eddieleonard6925 I try my best to keep up with both videos and with the sampling process. Very interesting stuff.

[@bbdekker]

just got one!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Nice! These are getting rare. Do your encoders work??? They can get funky and jumpy pretty quick. Enjoy!

[@luisfernando4725]

Yo how can I buy that new dawless beat tape you're talkin about? Im Tryna hear that

[@eddieleonard6925]

email me. eddieleonardbeats at gmail

[@ryanhursh6322]

Any thoughts on the MPC 3000 vs 2500? Typically I use Elektron but I’ve switched a lot over the last year trying to find something with a sound I like. Had a Live 2, it’s a lot of bang for the buck but it’s sound was pretty meh (effects sounded plastic to me), currently have an SP-404 mk2 but hate that I can’t name any samples or projects on the device itself. Makes project organization a nightmare (I don’t want to connect it to the computer), just grabbed a 1010 Blackbox and this has one of the worst Workflows in existence lol (will return this asap)… now I’m thinking just an old MPC to go with my Digitakt. I want polyphony and space for longer samples so I’ve got to pair the Digitakt with something else, unfortunately. Seems to be easier to find 2500s than 3000s. Would love an SU 700 but it doesn’t solve the issue of polyphony or storage space.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Hmm...I would keep your Digitakt as the main workhorse and follow your instinct about pairing it with an old MPC. You can make all of them work...but my favorites are the 3000, 60, 1000, 2000xl, and then the 2500. If you didn't like the sound of the live 2, I don't think the 2500 is going to be much different. I could be wrong, but just my thoughts. The 5000 is also a great option. And one of the most overlooked, complete mpcs is the mpc 4000 (which I've never owned, but have used and was very impressed).

[@ryanhursh6322]

@@eddieleonard6925 Elektron will definitely stay the brain but I guess I thought that the 2500 would have the dirtier, punchier sound with slightly more modern abilities. Also trying to stay away from the Numark owned AKAI. I’ll look more into the other machines though, thanks for your reply.

[@RunOfTheHind]

Difference between a 2500 and a 3000? About £3000...

[@WHern-gs6im]

Do you use the floppy drive or another method for storing the samples while you're re-shaping them?

[@eddieleonard6925]

I use a floppy drive when absolutely necessary, but usually I store them by re-sampling them into another device. It's faster. Basically, I use the internal memory, shape lots of samples, and then turn the machine off.

[@WHern-gs6im]

@@eddieleonard6925 Ahh ok. I wasn't sure if it had internal memory or not

[@SonicVibe]

Good stuff

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks!

[@dwaynemusik]

could not do the samething with just the mpc?

[@eddieleonard6925]

You could. But the sound is different. The Yamaha has a different sampling frequency and effects.

[@ode2oddvideo]

6:14 - MPC is a DAW, like literally

[@eddieleonard6925]

i meant modern DAW, but technically, you're right. it's a powerful dedicated computer i can use to arrange music. :)

[@robertsyrett1992]

NGL you kind of make me regret selling off my SU 700.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I can see why it's an annoying machine for some -- especially the sequencer --- but those effects! it's so quirky and fun to mess with samples on

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@eddieleonard6925 It was the first device I had that had time stretch and fancy built-in FX. Ultimately I sold it because I had a DAW and needed to lighten the load when I moved. Fortunately I hung onto the SP-202.

[@saren6538]

You still using it ?

[@eddieleonard6925]

YES.

[@paserpase2870]

That combination with su 700 is wack, get the emu sp 1200 with your drum machine,

[@eddieleonard6925]

sadly i sold my sp 1200 about 15 years ago. nothing like that sound

[@railster]

nice one!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks. It's fun using old quirky samplers.