What CAMPING with the Akai MPC 500 taught me! (VLOG)

I recently went camping with the Akai MPC500 and it flipped my state of mind upside down. Here's why ...
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My MPC 500 camping vacation album:
strategictapereserve.bandcamp...
Roof Tent Rhythms Trailer:
• MPC 500 Camping Album:...
My Synth Story Video Series:
• My Synth Story Video S...
Akai MPC MIDI Sequencing Tutorial Video:
• AKAI MPC 500 Tutorial:...
Akai MPC 500 Keyboard Sample Playback Tutorial Video:
• AKAI MPC 500 Tutorial:...
Akai MPC Live Session Tutorial Video:
• How I Jam 3/3: Live Se...
... also, yeah, I won't film myself in that awkward position on the floor ever again XD
If you've read this far, post a comment with the words "mind blown" in it :D
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[@CatLover-g7j]

Every producer should own a MPC!

[@AccurateBeats]

Great video! Being quick and efficient on a device is just unbeatable :) Good fir you!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! Also for the inspiration from your videos! Watching your beat making on KZbin really motivated me to take a more serious look at sampling finally.

[@CatLover-g7j]

Get Cannabis Oil brother!!! Life saver!

[@CatLover-g7j]

@luis felipe azevedo Giacomin Both. CBD is a life saver.

[@beautyler4339]

This is so true. A few years ago I got rid of so much gear. I broke everything down to 1 midi keyboard, my Maschine MK3, and my Maschine Jam. After that, I use all of my instruments to sample. Any additional editing beyond what's possible with that software and I just dump it into Logic and finish up/add vocals etc. I found that when I was surrounded by outboard gear/synths/ etc I was actually less productive because I was always suffering from too-many-options-anxiety. Great video, brother. For me, and I'm only speaking for me, less options = more creativity.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! Too much stuff can indeed hinder my creativity as well. Since this video I sold a bunch of stuff and look forward to reduce things even more.

[@djofortunato5799]

I was an OG Circuit user for the past year, until mine turned into a useless brick (won't start up) & I upgraded, as anticipated to the sleeker, less road travel ready Circuit Tracks. I loved how I could throw rechargeable batteries in it and jam in the car at will, just keep it in a padded laptop bag & good to go. The Circuit tracks is a bit more precious so I'm less likely to do so. The 500 looks right up my alley, as I dive into sample based music making more & more. Got my eye on one & you've helped convince me, especially as a way of fighting gas & focusing on the creative process more. Prost!

[@danandkiko]

Also, a camping trip is an ideal place to learn this kind of device because there are fewer distractions. Sometimes a studio is the worst place to learn new equipment!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Totally agree! After two days of camping, my mind is usually cleared and I can then focus super well on learning something new.

[@Dizzy_the_kid]

Some good insights over here .. Watched this video before buy my 500, Now I'm back .. MPC 500 Gang!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! Enjoy the 500! :)

[@gmanDecksT]

When my 2000 broke I got the 500 and loved it!! Switched up to the Studio and then the Touch but still go back to the 500 due to the portability and it's power. Dope machine!

[@malrock75]

I got an MPC500 because of your sequencer video. It's a great little device. Thanks again!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Awesome! That’s great to read that you enjoy it too :)

[@atarayoga7557]

Thank you for this video! I’m building a home studio for the first time and already having decision paralysis around a beginner MIDI keyboard. This was very grounding to watch!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! I know what you mean. Too many choices aren’t that great sometimes ... ultimately we just have to try something out at some point sooner or later. Better make it sooner :D ... and buy second-hand if you’re unsure.

[@danandkiko]

Thanks for a great video. I like your conversational tone and all the essential info you share.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! Glad you like the video :)

[@cold_fashioned]

It's true - when you spend the time to really get comfortable with any given machine (though, especially true for the deeper machines), the more enjoyable the experience is. Developing the facility removes roadblocks and let's you get your ideas down. However, there may be something to trying out gear to get an understanding of what is available, and what works for you. The important part is balancing gear acquisition with actual, productive work and practice. Our brains are prewired to acquire things, and advertising and marketing take advantage of that, so it can be hard to resist the cool, new thing. After several years of gear trading, I feel like I am nailing down the few pieces that I really enjoy using. I'm even starting to get closer to making some decent music (to me, at least!), Hehe. Thanks for sharing, would love to hear some of the tunes that you made with the mpc500!

[@deepsea313]

Looking forward to hearing your creations, especially sequenced with the AE modular system! I just bought an Octatrack, so I'm forcing myself to focus and learn that thing.

[@claudiomarcelo721]

Great video! :D The Marie Kondo ref was the best. LOL ---- That said, I have an MPC500. What I found interesting in comparing it to the "newer" machines like the Volca Sample, Elektron's Model Samples and even Digikat is that they use mono samples! And for the life of me, I cannot get myself to ever buy them on that alone. But I do love the MPC, but my only wish was better midi implementation.

[@wariusgaius]

Good video. Very recognisable , the dynamic we have with the gear we buy and sell. It’s a lot of fun, getting to know new instruments/modules for a bit every month. But I still I feel most connected to my flawed Korg Microsampler because I know it’s quirks well.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Hm, that makes me think ... maybe one could schedule this somehow, that there is one week per month just for noodling around with new or "other" gear and the remaining three weeks have to be focussed on just one device/setup/workflow, which changes only every quarter year :D

[@laptopolist]

You’re so right about getting to know the gear we own. Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) talked about exploiting the gear we have to find its full potential. That has always stuck with me, even when I record source material for sound design work or instruments, to always exploit the possibilities. That being said, this video is a reminder that we can do more with less if we take the time to learn the gear properly.

[@rgcmusic]

Great video. I love these type of videos, because I very much struggle with Gear acquisition syndrome and I have been finding that after years of going back and forth on gear, I need to just sit down and learn gear I have more. Sat down this weekend and spent time with the MV-8800 only, no jumping around to other devices just the MV I learned more on Saturday than I previously learned in a month with it just taking time to use it only. This video make me want a MPC-500 but I already no I don't need it. If I go camping ill find a way to power the Digitakt or just load up the SP-404 with a lot of samples and force myself to learn it better.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! Just quickly googling the power specs of the SP-404 showed that it apparently needs 9V 300mA which is not a lot at all, so using a normal powerbank would not be a problem. The MPC500 needs 12V 500mA (but also works with 9V) which is still okay, but the Digitakt needs 12V 1000mA as far as I know, which requires a more special powerbank probably.

[@colgaterob9006]

@@tuesdaynightmachines sp404 is also battery powered ;)

[@blackcat-gz7lk]

Hey, long time follower. I have had mpc 500 since 2008 or so and still use it as a sequencer. Recently found out how to send program change messages using it. Really excellent and reliable device. Minimal effort to get overdubs and soft thru means I can have a loop of synths that can all overdub and quantise live. Great for flow.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Nice! Have you had any issues with buttons or pots at all? I recently cleaned my MPC500 and was pleasantly surprised that much of the controls could be serviced with very little soldering skills 👍 I do have two or three buttons which sometimes need a stronger press.

[@blackcat-gz7lk]

@@tuesdaynightmachines no issues whatsoever. I may have cleaned the pads at some point just to keep it in good condition, they have always been fairly stiff which is the only downside of the machine. I'd recommend making use of the auto load feature to have all your midi etc set up with a fresh template each time. Chromatic sample playing is possible too, but not immediately obvious. I would recommend the SP404 over MPC500 maybe. I bought one second hand in the early 2000s and that's more "fun" for sample based music and probably fits your constraints. Plus the cool lights are nice. Sequencer is very basic though, but has clever shortcut functions for most things. Happy to answer any questions as your modular intro videos helped immensely when getting my first bits and bobs. Thanks for those!

[@tonycarrera69]

Gear aquisition syndrom is what i'm having right now haha thanks for letting me know i'm not the only one looking for that perfect instrument, owned a mpn live thinking it was the ultimate machine and now i'm on a 2500 and looking to buy a 500 for producing on the go:) cheers

[@mattclegg602]

Mind Blown!

[@seazenbones6945]

Great point. Much appreciated.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! :)

[@SpaceDog99]

Lovely, thoughtful video. My mind is now blown, but mainly because I got my Akai S2000 sampler out of deep storage and tried to film in the same way on the floor... that is a VERY heavy sampler and gravity is not a friend of such equipment 😑 Seriously, this is a good video. A while ago I changed from having a lot of space (and qute a few pieces of equiment) to a very small space. That made me re-think my "workflow" and creative processes - also what equipment I would use. I aimed for small, versatile pieces of equipment (you know at least one of them 😑) and I made sure that I really got to grips with it before buying the next piece. Initially that was frustrating as I wanted to get on with making music and then it dawned on me that I was making music, and I was working the equipment much harder than I ever had before. Scroll to now and I am very happy with my knowledge and with the sounds that I can create. My "workflow" is much more creative and improvisational as a result of the intuitive feel that I have for the small number of items. My other trick is always to be in record mode, even when I'm learning a new piece of equipment. I don't judge my noodlings, they are for me. Only last night I pulled up a piece that was a pure noodle and I think there is something useful there. I have also been getting old pieces of equipment out of deep storage and learning how to use them properly and that has been really interesting. My original Krog Electribe Sampler, for example - wow that is powerful. So, thank you. Lots to think about (and I always write too much as that is improvised as well 😑). Mind Blown indeed...

[@wiggesobk]

Yeah i love my mpc500, too!

[@256k_]

Just bought an mpc 500 and will be getting it in a few days. Had a mpc 2500 for a while now and I love it but since my workspace changes all the time I couldn’t keep moving it and ended up keeping stored and I wanted to have an mpc I could move around easily anywhere and jam on. Looking forward to receiving this little beast

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Cool! Have fun with it! :) Although it probably is quite a difference, coming from the big MPC2500 which can be more complex.

[@rabevier8071]

Great review mpc 500 owner as well i use it exclusively i have the mpc live which i love but its not small enough to really travel with i also had the mpc1000 jjos which i had for 14 years recently sold it kept my mpc500 love it check out the layers on the samples and mute groups!

[@beatsbeercigarettes]

I love to see the 500 getting some love! My first sampler back in 2009. I always enjoyed chopping samples with it.. forced you to use your ear instead of your eyes. I can use that thing with my eyes closed. Dope video. Dope sampler.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you very much for your comment! 😎 I hope to take the MPC 500 on many more trips!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@Dee Construct I've found chopping samples with it very easy. Like you say it forces you to use your ears instead of your eyes. Kind of like Wing Chun forces you to use your sense of touch instead of your eyes. It increases your sensitivity of that sense and skill, very quickly too.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@tuesdaynightmachines keep the MPC500 videos coming.

[@micindir4213]

I've used su 10 to chop samples. you just divide numbers and nudge by ear. Nothing really complicated

[@markmiller2949]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’ve got the ES2 and I enjoy it a great deal due to its limitations. Some don’t click with it, but the more I get immersed, I find the fun is there to be had. Especially in live performance. Loopop posted some really good KZbin videos on the electribes; with an excellent video on the sampler version.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks! Could you elaborate a bit about the live performance friendliness of the ES2? That would be very much of interest to me too :)

[@markmiller2949]

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES Certainly. I like to approach the ES2 more like an instrument to be played rather than a track-making “groovebox”. One setup each pad to fire a single sample, a preprogrammed sequence, or a portion of a sequence. Adding the global effects, such as the looper or the grain shifter, the performance starts to go in directions I couldn’t program. While I’m not much of a finger drummer, changing sequences on the fly (in sequence mode) on a snare or percussion hit adds the variety to it. The step-jump mode can rearrange your sequences but I it can be difficult to keep solid time if that’s important. I’m still learning how reliably slice sample loops.

[@tekkthekid9058]

That's why I love the akai force and sold push and live and some other gear. More possibilities aren't always better. Maybe you need everything if you want to produce AAA commercial stuff, but for experimental or spontaneous things less can be better and more fun.

[@EFFbriskethead]

been there done that on the constant buying and selling, drives me nuts, the electribe 2's big problem is the quantization, the akai mpc allows you way more control over that for custom rhythms, so guess what? its on ebay right now waiting for the new owner, and an mpc 500 is on the way. as for the Ipad i totally agree w your sentiments, its great on the surface but a constant distraction and too many options, what might be a promising workflow is to sample the ipad once and a while from the MPC.

[@256k_]

Yeah I just had the same exact conversation with my musician friend about how I’m in this search for the holy grail device that will have instant gratification but also provide deep and long lasting inspiration which I think are two contradictory aspects of any device. (Also I try to always sell what I bought when I want to buy something new mostly just to keep the cost of gear down) Currently I own an octatrack which I find incredibly inspiring and deep but i find it quite lacks instantaneous control which I also love to have. But I’ve had device before that were quite fast to use and get something going but then I would hit a brick wall super fast and get bummed. I right now my mind is telling me that the OT along with a drum machine like the drumbrute impact could be the perfect combo to both have instant control and depth. But that could just be my GAS playing tricks on me. Curious about this mpc500 I never really heard about it before

[@vileguile4]

I'd love to see a video about how it was using it. Recently i bought a RS7000 and it's the best machine i've ever used! Being old is not a bad thing (2001). No battery power and not very portable though ;) It is THE BEST 303 sequencer! (Grid FX + velocity knob + gate time knob)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Nice! I’ve eyed the RS7000 in the past as well. It always seemed like a great, versatile instrument for the lonely (studio) island :)

[@soupforare]

Feelin this something fierce. Been meaning to shed a lot of the stuff I've amassed over the years but never got the motivation to. Recently started actually playing (*gasp*) and I think I'm down to a clonewheel and a stringer lol

[@SoundsAndGear]

Good video bro! At the end of the day it's always about using what you like!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! Yes, I sometimes get blinded by all that new fancy, feature packed stuff coming out ... but in the case of the MPC500 now, I still can’t believe how little has actually changed since 2006, haha! Well ... or at least that this old thing is still totally capable, even with today’s views on how an instrument should work.

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@tuesdaynightmachines Some stuff is just standard, and when it comes to MIDI/Sequencing the MPC is definitely one of the staples. Good stuff man!

[@xTHETRINCHOx]

Gracias hermano! THX bro!

[@InkyDaCaT]

Ive kinda come back to the same idea after 2 years and am busy mapping launch control to mpc live...lots of wierd stuff that actually makes it awesome for live performances😉

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

That’s always a good idea with external MIDI control! I did the same with the Octatrack and it turned it into a completely different machine!

[@InkyDaCaT]

@@tuesdaynightmachines yeah Ive mapped reverse drum samples to pads...and cut/res glide wierd stuff AND polyphony!! On an arp...check my last video...you cant believe its just 4 bar arp and drums😂🙌

[@aethervagrant244]

Interested in seeing a video on the E2s. I have one in storage currently, and so far mostly just used it to sample films and tv shows...start with a blank .all file and be able to just hit record when I heard something cool. I haven't gotten deep with using it for melodies or full tracks. Tip: the step sequencer sucks as is, but if you hook up a keyboard you can just hold a pad and input notes which makes it far easier.

[@MattGreerMusic]

The MPC 500 is a great little sampler but it will eat AA's faster than you can say Duracell.

[@comfy_21771]

Having to focus on gear is why i love the physical stuff that i have and not use any of the vst instruments. If only the SP404A had a good pitch shifting feature.

[@tutkufilms]

I love my mpc 1000

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yeah, I loved my 1k too. JJOS was really cool.

[@Georg89]

Thanks for this interesting video. I really like what you said about staying consistent in using specific "instruments" or pieces of gear. After trying a few like Novation Circuit and others i have now sold all of them and i'm planning to get the Akai MPC 500 and stay with it for as long as possible, so really "milking" everything i can get out of it. What do you think - is this a good idea?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Hey :) Thanks for your comment! While I’m very fond of the MPC 500, I do have to say that it is very outdated technology by today’s standards. It’s fun and awesome and still quite a unique package, but you do have to suffer through a certain learning curve if you don’t have a history with those older MPCs. But then again, if you don’t break it, you can probably sell it again without a loss, so no harm in trying it out :)

[@samwalsh616]

I always found the mpc 500 pretty difficult to live with, but it was one of the first pieces of gear I bought, so that probably made a steep learning curve even steeper. As I learn more about making music I suspect revisiting it would be easier. I'd be curious to learn how you used it on a camping trip, what kind of samples/songs you used, and so on. Also, how did you find the stock pads? I had to replace mine with the fat pads, my fingers were going to break from hammering at it.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, the MPC learning curve was steep for me too back in 2012. I read the manual a lot of times and also bought the “Beat making with the MPC500” ebook and read it front to back. While camping, everything went fine. My 5V to 12V step-up Adapter is a bit noisy on the MPC500’s audio out, but I didn’t mind, as I wasn’t going to record audio from the device during the vacation and it didn’t annoy me in my headphones. I also have a 12V powerbank which is great, but can’t be charged via USB. That’s nice for the couch at home though. I wanted to produce a little album using free drum samples from the internet and samples I ripped with permission from Strategic Tape Reserve music releases. So it’s a bit weird and not like normal Boom Bap rhythm beat making I think. More synthy, lofi with a lot going on at times. We’ll see. Got a lot of stuff done in those three weeks and now I need to mix and master the songs. My MPC 500 has something like those corks installed under the pads, which makes them a bit more sensitive. I’d love to get phat pads though too. I usually record my main beat in full level mode and then add drums in 12 Level Velocity Mode or with Beat Repeat and then applying pressure to pads without lifting my fingers off them. That works well for me for velocity variation. I also like to throw in the QLink every once in a while, even just subtly. I made myself an Autoload project of course, with an empty, properly set-up program and a sequence with pre-labelled tracks, which I will then just copy and modify. I usually work very fast, trying to not spend too much time in one sequence to avoid procrastinating. I try to build a song structure quickly and then tweak the individual sequences further when the song layout is done. But as I said, it’s more of an experimental music style for this release which is a lot looser in general when it comes to structure and concept :D

[@dreckras]

MORE MPC500 VIDEOS

[@StanleyParkerGraf]

Great video! Can u make some tutorials for the 500 please?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! I already did :) kzbin.info/aero/PLa9Em_H8Xs_bQY1N7VpAvzAS-uF3LuowZ

[@descargamusicalny]

Can you please tell us which step up cable you use. I ordered one from Amazon and it was not the right size.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

The MPC doesn’t use a standard barrel plug size unfortunately. Just get a set of barrel plug adapters if the cable doesn’t fit. I needed to get an adapter for mine as well.

[@wolflegjon]

Really good video on a really interesting topic. Although I prefer doing more with less, its taken me far longer to arrive at the idea that its not just the limitations themselves that can be benficial, its also about knowing yourself well enough to best to apply minimalism to your chosen artform.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! You’re absolutely right, while limitations are often spurring creativity, they won’t help if you’re not at least somewhat comfortable in the overall element ... and that can take time and a bunch of failed tries indeed.

[@wolflegjon]

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES There is certainly some trials and experience all of this music stuff. I don’t think of any of it as a mistake unless I repeat the same misteps. Naturally your artistic tastes change as well so it will always be a moving horizon line to some extent but these days I prefer to chase the things in myself first before the gear that might make that happen. Plus, you get more wardrobe space as well :)

[@jbowmanmusic]

Sometimes, after kissing many frogs, you find your prince ;-)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

That is one heck of a weird prince though.

[@jbowmanmusic]

@@tuesdaynightmachines beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I just remembered that the English version of that fairytale is different to the central European version, so the metaphor may not translate directly... but you get the gist.

[@fominok]

while none of my gear click with me this video does it so much

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

haha, thanks! I guess you also need to go camping with your gear then :)

[@fominok]

@@tuesdaynightmachines yes that's what I'm thinking about like for a year, but MPC X is too damn huge

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

oh. yeah ... camping with the MPC X would be a different endeavor for sure :D

[@fominok]

@@tuesdaynightmachines or I can have an mpc one as their firmware is the same and.. oh no here we go again

[@elevated5655]

I love my mpc 500...

[@AM-ui9mc]

Good use of Marie Kondo reference

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Haha, thanks 😁

[@strayferal]

You are not right, that only MPC500 and the Electribe run on batteries - Roland SP404sx and SP404a are also small samplers and run on batteries. And you can still find brand new SP404a too. The other thing is, all the samplers are different. Like a single thing with different flavors. All are samplers, but provide different workflow and different way of thinking. I own the previous model Electribe (ESX1-sd), I own Roland SP-404SX, Roland TR8s and other gear which is not samplers. I started with the Electribe, but my model was limited on memory, so you could use small samples and for anything long, you needed MPC or like I did - SP404SX. This is the only reason I got the SP404sx - to do the long samples (it does also have great built-in effects) and I never properly used it until this month, when I decided to explore it properly and discovered this sampler is amazingly easy to use. And it taught me how to properly do sample music, the MPC-style. I am so glad I never sold it. It is limited - I cannot do paning, amplification or normalization on the samples, but still a great machine. Lots of people still use it for lo-fi hip hop. I still haven't fully figured out what to do with it, but I want to do some reggae currently. I also plan to buy Roland MC707 (yes - the gear buying syndrome), but plan to stop with it, as I don't need more samplers. MC707 is everything I've ever wanted , as I love my Electribe, but it is limited. 707 is not. But I will keep the SP404. I stopped plugging it to the wall outlet - I use it only on batteries now, as I love to go to the couch only with the headphones and the SP404 and do some music in the dark. The good thing about SP404 is the pads are illuminated and everything is written on the pads, so no need for light. The screen is extremely limited, so most times I look only at the pads. Check it out. Also - as a family guy, I don't have the opportunity to sit and have the time to properly play with all my gear , but SP404 is lightning fast as to what I need to do. I was that close back in the days to buy MPC500, but the only thing to stop me was SP404sx had these great effects.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I must admit, I do tend to forget the SP404s. They have a big following as well indeed and I really should try one of them out at some point :)

[@descendancedenoefilsdadam1028]

Sp404 is Not comparable to an Mpc

[@hilema41]

The 1010music blackbox would have worked great too! And being pretty new in the market it is packed with features (ableton like system)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, the Blackbox is a little pricier, but it has been on my wish list as well. I think the MPC 500 is a bit more powerful in the sequencing department, but the Blackbox is very quick and easy to use. Tried it at Superbooth last year and I'm keeping an eye on its continuing software development :)

[@hilema41]

@@tuesdaynightmachines this is what I like too this software update seem to give no limit to the blackbox, who knows it might even get FM. But you're talking of the mpc 500 or 1000?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

MPC 500 (but 1000 as well). The 500 has 48 polyphonic tracks for sample or MIDI sequencing. You can also load up 48 pads with sounds and also change the sample assignments on the fly. You’re limited by RAM of course, which the Blackbox isn’t, but I really liked having this large amount of tracks and sounds available, as I never had to think about those limitations for my specific beat tape project (for which I didn’t need long samples taking up lots of RAM). You also have a bunch of simple effects, filter modulation, etc. But it really depends on what you want to do and the Blackbox is certainly easier to learn and more modern.

[@hilema41]

@@tuesdaynightmachines the mpc 500 can be had for cheap but do you think it would be good to start on? How long of sample can you have on it?

[@ChuckLeone]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I’ve actually been shopping for an MPC500 to replace my Novation Circuit. I want a small, battery powered sampler than can sequence melodies and trigger drum sounds. One question I have for you: how do the effects sound on the MPC500 and can you use separate effects for each sample?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thank you! There are only two send effects for all pads together. The effect quality isn’t the greatest although the digital delay is fine (and stereo if you want) and the flanger and autopan effects a useful too. The reverb is only okay in very small amounts. Per pad you can adjust filter type (LP, BP, HP) and cutoff. The resonance doesn’t do much and generally the filters don’t have character. They are very useful for mixing the pad sounds together though.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I went the opposite way. I still have a MPC500 that I bought in 2006 but I got the Novation Circuit as I can do more with the internal sounds of the Circuit. I really do have to get back to using the MPC500 and learn how to use it again. It's been at least 10 years since I used to bring it with me on my travels

[@ChuckLeone]

Luke Kage yeah I get that. The Circuit is a great machine for sure. I’m still on the fence about it especially now that Teenage Engineering added external sampling to the OP-Z.

[@ChuckLeone]

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES thanks for the reply and details about the effects and filters. I think I’m going to hold off a bit and maybe grab something a bit newer like a Digitakt, OP-Z or even an MPC Live.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@ChuckLeone I'm thinking about getting the OP-Z as well as a portable option. It's smaller than the Circuit and has a lot of good functions

[@holy0damn]

Hey man nice video. Could you guide me about using the powerbank? I have adata p20000D (says output dc 5v and 2.1A for each slot). Now I found that there is a cable "MyVolts Ripcord - USB to 12V DC power cable ". Would that be even compatible, I don't know much about about electricity. It would be a neat backup to regular recharge batteries.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

The powerbank with the Ripcord should work fine to power the MPC. Just make sure the Ripcord has a center-negative tip at the MPC500's side. You might also need a tip adapter, because the MPC500 uses a smaller barrel plug. Those barrel plug adapters can be ordered online for cheap too though. What might happen with this whole configuration is that the MPC's audio output gets a bit more noisy. However I didn't mind that while I was on the move with the device, since I didn't need to record the MPC outputs then.

[@holy0damn]

@@tuesdaynightmachines Thanks:)

[@cnze]

Hello where did you buy the usb converter. I fund one but it doesn't fit the mpc 500.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, the MPC 500 unfortunately has a smaller barrel plug and not the standard 2.1mm one that guitar pedals use. So you need a barrel plug adapter (cheap sets on eBay or Amazon).

[@ivanmuhlenberg7521]

Thanks for the video! Can you tell me the product's name of the step adapter? Cannot find it in amazon!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

It was a no name thing from China. Something like this, but switchable between 9 and 12V: www.amazon.com/SEDNA-Type-Converter-Degree-Adapter/dp/B07952G6KT/

[@ivanmuhlenberg7521]

Thanks!!

[@gustavgunz1877]

Mindblown 4 safe can you link your adapter cable and your powebank as well. Brainiac

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I don't know which cable I bought exactly. Just got a no-name one from China via eBay. Search for "USB 5V to 12V step-up adapter". Mine has a switchable output for 9V or 12V. The 9V power bank is the "Harley Benton Power­Plant Power­bank" and the 12V power bank is a "TalentCell" product.

[@BrunoKramm]

I still Love my mpc500 although i have to admit that my mpclive took over

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yeah, I can see that. I will try out the MPC Live at some point as well when I have the cash for it =)

[@famitory]

I have an MPC500 that has sat on the shelf for the past 3 years because I find it's user interface to be completely confusing and unintuitive. I wish I could take the menu structure of the SPD-SX and transplant it into the mpc so that it would actually be usable

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, I think MPCs in general aren’t very intuitive ... but once you “understood” the concept it gets easier and I found that I didn’t unlearn the MPC workflow when I took breaks from using/owning them.

[@chris45627]

Would you like to sell me your MPC 500?

[@famitory]

@@chris45627 I live in Canada, so only if you live here or in the states. shipping to Europe probably wouldn't be worth it

[@chris45627]

famitory Im the U.S (New York)

[@fickfehler3866]

How do you make your hair stay like that ?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

The trick with curls is to gently knead your hair with a microfiber towel (or simply a t-shirt) after taking a shower and then let it dry without a hair dryer (or if you must, then using a low setting with a diffusor).

[@fakshen1973]

Typically... I wait a year after something comes out to purchase it. I find that a good remedy for G.A.S. If after a year, you're still wanting it... then search to see if you can justify the purchase on whatever levels you've set for yourself. That seems to work best for me... except Eurorack. My kids would starve if I had them. :)

[@ernavk31]

I'm wondering about using an MPC 500 (or other model such as 1000, if necessary) to handle live solo performances. Currently I use Ableton for this, primarily, playing back pre-rendered tracks such as synth/bass, sequencing my TR8S including MIDI CC data, sending MIDI CC to my Korg Kaoss Pad KP2 for automated vocal FX, and sending program changes to the TR8S, KP2, and guitar pedals to change patches based on the song. In your opinion, is the 500 (or other MPC model) capable of handling this workload? I'm interested in removing my laptop from the equation, and also interested in exploring the unique creative possibilities of composing with the MPC 500. Cheers!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I don’t think playing pre-rendered tracks will work with the smaller/older MPCs as their sample RAM is limited. Also, I’m not sure about program change sequencing. I assume the newer MPC Live, X or the Akai Force might be able to suit your needs better, although I’m not sure about their MIDI capabilities.

[@ernavk31]

Thanks for the reply! I’ve been reading through the MPC500 manual and yes, it seems the 128MB sample memory limit would be problematic. I’m still not totally certain about the 500’s ability to sequence program change messages, but in the section about deleting MIDI events, the manual alludes to filtering by message type (note, CC, program change, pitch bend, sysex)

[@ernavk31]

@@tuesdaynightmachines as a follow up, assuming I can sequence program changes, I think the MPC 500 would be a solid MIDI sequencer in tandem with an SP404 for what I want to do. I looked up the Akai Force and it seems like it does a lot of interesting things, but the problem is knowing whether it can do exactly what I want it to. Made that error when buying at TR8S, assuming it had pattern chaining/song mode. Appreciate your input!

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Thanks for the follow up! The MPC 500 is indeed a very powerful sequencer. However, thinking back on how I used it, I really wouldn’t want to create MIDI data on it from scratch. What works well is recording MIDI from a keyboard or controller for example and then editing the MIDI data maybe here and there a little bit on the MPC 500. I’ve sequenced at least four synths at the same time, even with MIDI CC with the thing, but I always just recorded MIDI data with a keyboard or the pads as a starting point.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Actually, I just read that you can indeed enter program change data on the MPC 500 sequencer ... and you can probably also record program change data from external MIDI sources then, hence the MIDI filter settings you mentioned earlier.

[@bum9999]

YO! do u have a link for those adapters (to charge mpc from power bank)?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Not directly, but those plugs are barrel plugs so you should find cheap sets of “barrel plug adapters” on Amazon and eBay :)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Ah, sorry, I think you meant the “step up adapters”. You need USB to 9V or 12V step up adapters. You should find cheap ones on eBay and Amazon too.

[@lals9655]

Hello. What is the format of the CF card if the CF card is inserted in mpc500?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

It’s MS-DOS FAT, but you can also format on the MPC500 I think, before you put your samples on it.

[@lals9655]

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES OK.thank you

[@lals9655]

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES Hello. I have another question. How to increase the number of bars

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

@@lals9655 Go to SEQUENCE and adjust the length :)

[@karlmarxstadt]

Lets hear some! :)

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Soon ;-)

[@bahead1863]

What type of glue did you use to stick yourself to the wall like that?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I use 3M Dual Lock for all my sticking needs.

[@bahead1863]

@@tuesdaynightmachines haha love it bro

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

@@bahead1863 Seriously though, Dual Lock rules! I've attached my Zoom R16 Mixer/Recorder to my wardrobe's wall with Dual Lock for two years now and it still holds, but could also be removed again easily.

[@bahead1863]

@@tuesdaynightmachines no way! I'll bare that in mind because I have an r24 myself and I'm running out of desk space...cheers for the tip lol

[@MrDudumassa]

Nice! I have a doubt about sampling a long sample, and chopping it, distributing it into the pads...is that possible?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yes, of course it’s possible :)

[@MrDudumassa]

@@tuesdaynightmachines Mpc can handle it without external editing?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

All MPCs are made for sampling and music production without a computer. The bigger MPCs with bigger screens are a little more convenient in that regard, but even the small 500 can record and edit samples.

[@Lingatsu]

You may be interested on Jade Wii channel ! She talked about that subject

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Already subscribed ;)

[@chriss1152]

Do you need a computer for it

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

No, it’s a stand-alone instrument.

[@Barney_Wharam]

why you on the floor?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

I’m actually on the ceiling.

[@MartinYamMoller]

You're right... I should get an mpc500😉😋 nah....but I do like your thinking about trimming down. I've been focusing on the Opz for a while now. Been way more productive

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Everybody should get an MPC500 of course :D But then again you already have the MPC Live, which can do more and is also portable. At some point I will also look into the OP-Z ... that thing seems so cool for portable music making.

[@MartinYamMoller]

@@tuesdaynightmachines I'm sitting with the Opz pretty much everyday on the metro on my way to work, it's a great little machine. My MPC live isn't seeing much use. Another thing with deeply learning one piece of gear, is that the way you use it informs how you approach other bits of gear (and music making in general). For example, the very streamlined approach to pattern chaining on the Opz has taught me that simply muting parts is the best way for me to begins the structuring of a song. Now when I sit with Ableton I approach arrangement very differently.

[@dlichtenberg]

What do you use to condition your hair?

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Aaah, finally! Someone asking the real questions! So, the key to curly hair is the right amount of moisture. I often use shampoo for dry hair or dyed hair, even though my hair isn’t actually normally dry or dyed. I‘ve had some good experiences with bio/vegan shampoo that comes as soap bars, instead of in plastic bottles. Moisture will increase the curliness and curls can actually look even better in humid weather ... yes, the weather can make a huge difference. Then, I dry my hair with a T-Shirt or microfiber towel (those quick-drying thin ones for hiking), using slow, “kneading” motions and NOT rubbing motions. Regular towels (and rubbing) can make the hair frizzy because their coarse cloth structure acts like tiny combs that pull the individual hairs apart from each other, instead of leaving them together as thicker strains of natural curls. After the towel, I usually let the hair dry by itself, but if you’re in a rush, using a hairdryer at a low setting with a diffuser works too. That’s it. No conditioner or other weird hair industry products. Just one type of shampoo (you will have to try some until you find the right ones for your hair) and an old T-Shirt. I don’t even own a hairdryer myself.

[@djdoggynutellanutsack6766]

coom

[@ValleryRastr]

I'm so upset that I can't find new one.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Yeah, that‘s true. They‘re long sold out. But there‘s usually a bunch of them available second hand for good prices. I‘ve bought the MPC500 twice second hand. You just have to test the buttons, which can become dirty and thus unresponsive. Luckily, cleaning the device is easy and even repairing it would be easy as well, if a button failed completely. It‘s good old repairable tech :)

[@AppAxis]

God I wish I had kept mine circa 2009 #MPC500

[@Mikepepp2]

App Axis their only 200 bucks used get another one. I’ve got 2 myself

[@AppAxis]

@@Mikepepp2 thanks, I will look into it!

[@AppAxis]

1010music Blackbox

[@dinraum]

the mpc 500 was the most buggy and uninspiring machine I owned. I bought one about a year ago, hoping that it will be nearly as good as the mpc1000 I had 10 years ago, but it was a very disappointing experience. beware of the hype.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Hm, interesting. Of course it’s a bit different from the MPC 1000, but I haven’t found it buggy at all, and the workflow feels pretty smooth for the size of the unit. I even used it as a hardware synth hub several years ago and didn’t have any issues with that. If you’re only in the studio though, a bigger MPC will of course be better. But the MPC500 is a fully featured MPC you can even go camping with :D

[@dinraum]

@@tuesdaynightmachines mh for camping i would prefer the op1 or opz. I cant remember what it was with the mpc500 but something felt really wrong for me. and there is no jjos for the machine. maybe it is because i wanted to use it as a midi sequencer: it does not work in reality and crashed quit a lot.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

The OP-1 and Z and completely different instruments though, but that’s okay :) Maybe you had a faulty MPC 500, because like I said I could sequence plenty of hardware synths with it via MIDI without issues. And even with sample based music I haven’t had one crash or irregularity with the MPC 500 yet. But sure, some people might just not gel with its reduced feature set compared to the MPC 1000 etc. but for me this thing works wonderfully.

[@looascrew]

Korg gadget 2

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Oh yeah, I love that app as well and made whole albums with it while on vacations, like Hawaiian Yurt Music strategictapereserve.bandcamp.com/album/hawaiian-yurt-music It does require me to concentrate more on actually concentrating though :D But sometimes that works well.

[@gaarakabuto1]

You ain't into sampling till you actually start sampling.

[@tuesdaynightmachines]

Indeed 🤘