Akai MPC500 user reviews ( 7/10) - 16 user reviews

• 05/08/12

  AlanForPresident's review "compact but lacking great features"

  Characteristics

  The MPC 500 to me just wasn’t worth the purchase. Not saying its not a good machine, because it is. But to be honest it is no where near the experience you will get when using one of the other models (1000,2000, 2000xl, 4000 or 5000) . With the MPC 500 it just seems as if they took the very basic features and put them into the little machine and left out so many of the other capabilities that the other models provide that make them great. If you are going to ge the MPC 500 you mine as well save up your money for a 1000 or just say for the MPC all together and get a SP 400 or something because it has a lot more effects.

  Utilization

  The MPC 500 is very easy to understand, you will have no problems understanding it. No manual is needed though it does come with one that’s not very big so if you did need to open it up you could probably find exactly what you are looking for very fast.

  Sounds

  The MPC 500 just lacks so many qualities that the other models have. One of the main problems with it is you cant really chop your samples right on the machine itself. When I think of the MPC 500 I think of more of a controller pad like the mdp. Which you mine as well get also, because without a computer the MPC 500 is pretty much useless , well it was for me.

  Overall Opinion

  Overall, I don’t see anyone wanting to downgrade from another model to this one. So if you are a new MPC user don’t get this, just save up the few extra dollars and get a used 1000 if you have too. The only thing that I really do like about the MPC 500 is that its very compact and you can take it anywhere and I think it runs off of batteries too, but im not 100 percent sure because I didn’t keep it long enough to fin out.
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• 11/27/11

  ericthegreat's review "Just ok"

  Characteristics

  The MPC 500 is ok in my opinion. The issue is the screen, because I am used to the 4000 and 1000. The 500 comes up really short. Good thing about it is that its so portable you can take it anywhere and do some sampling. But unfortunately you cannot chop samples on the 500. You must use your computer and then load them from there to the 500.

  Utilization

  Great price right for this machine. You just have to time it's a small sampler / sequencer super tough for the pros who want to really put a bottom in the delirium mpc I would recommend instead a model above.
  
  Personally I would look to repeat that offer other models, but for now I have and I will not part with it I love it!

  Sounds

  The sound has a good potato, just typed but not bad. (Ca always sounds a little differently after sampling, especially when you normalize)
  
  the pads are responding really well and are top comfort (my fingers are enjoying), I admit that not I do not play drums with the velocities.
  
  The effects are not extra-extra I must admit, and that it have only one output limits the use of external effects ... So here is the smaller less.

  Overall Opinion

  It's been a while and overall I think this a sampler / sequencer exceptional, especially with the composition by ear I think it's really huge! It is a blow to take if you do not know but after the madness MPC is a real breath of fresh air.
  
  Do not think that only the hip hop with this kind of gear, I may as well electro and jungle, break core or even, with disconcerting ease, the foot.
  
  Only regret: the effects good but not great (well who cares it's not what you asked) but mostly there is only one exit. At least two would have been nice, the top four, but I understood that I would have a more compact and less fat (like the 1000 or something like that)
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• 11/22/11

  vsavagellc's review "smaller mpc 1000"

  Characteristics

  Akai Mpc 500
  
  
  
  Specs and Features
  
  
  
  Battery powered/AC powered
  
  16 midi channels/48 track sequencer
  
  32 voice sampler
  
  128 ram max
  
  velocity sensitive pads (12)
  
  USB port (storage/transfer usage
  
  Compact flash storage
  
  Wav/Midi file support
  
  Headphone/Analog/Midi I/O
  
  Low-pass filter
  
  On-board effects

  Utilization

  Like other mpcs it's best used for 4/4 timing pattern based music. I've used it for other types of music again as most music production applications or hardware units, it all comes down to the units and the needs of that producer. I like to use the little box to get ideas out while I'm traveling on the road, it comes in handy when doing production projects for clients:
  
  
  
  Artists
  
  TV companies
  
  Video game companies
  
  Websites
  
  
  
  That's just a small list but I think you get the what throwing out there.

  Sounds

  The akai mpc 500 comes with some pretty good stock sounds, nothing I would throw away but nothing I would use for all of my production. The sounds are good but please do consider getting your sound by purchasing them or creating them yourself. The A/D converters are not bad I would suggest getting a third party sampler such as a Sp303,akas950 or something with a little bit of character in it. This will give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to production as well as your own sound.

  Overall Opinion

  The akai mpc 500 comes with some pretty good stock sounds, nothing I would throw away but nothing I would use for all of my production. The sounds are good but please do consider getting your sound by purchasing them or creating them yourself. The A/D converters are not bad I would suggest getting a third party sampler such as a Sp303,akas950 or something with a little bit of character in it. This will give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to production as well as your own sound.
  
  
  
  
  
  In my personal opinion If you are after portability then this is a great unit if you are after more features then the mpc 1000 would be a better option. The 500 unit is a really slim cut version of the 1000 and you can't install JJOS on it which means you will have to get use to the OS that Akai supplies which isn't so great but again that's my person opinion. Also, you can't directly record into the 500 (this is a big draw back) but again still a great machine if you are needing to creat music while you travel
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• 09/05/11

  yoTrakkz's review

  Characteristics

  The MPC 500 is the lower end model of the MPC brands. This 500 is ok but its nothing that I would go crazy for. For the price you are better off just saving up a little more money and getting the 1000. Because the 1000 blows the 500 out of the water. You are extremely limited with what you can and cant do on the MPC 500.

  Utilization

  everything was extremely easy to use.

  Sounds

  Everything with the MPC 500 was extremely easy never once had any issues with it except for the fact that it felt cheap. I don’t recommend this to anyone that uses any of the other MPC models on the market. I purchased this thinking that it was going to be for my portable mobile set up which it is very portable and mobile and you can take it anywhere its even smaller than the 1000. But its just not worth it, the screen is horrible and you can edit on board. You have to hook it to your pc or mac to do the chopping and then import that sliced parts into the 500. That’s ridiculous I don’t know why they would even come out with a model like that.

  Overall Opinion

  Maybe I am just bias because I have been using the MPC’s for a long time and too see them created one that is sub par like this machine is it just upsets me. But to someone that hasn’t every use the other mpc’s before this might feel special to them. It could be just what they need to take on the road with them and do some drum patterns or sampling. But if you are a MPC fan and have used other modules don’t purchase this one, it feels like a toy and will limit your creativity, leave the mpc 500 to the newbies.
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• 01/28/13

  Elenel's review ( translated ) Improve this translation "The must have to start"

  Characteristics

  I have since the beginning of November 2012
  
  The connection is really sufficient to begin, the effects are very useful but a bit limited, I use it for hip hop / boom bap but you can do anything with this beast p'tite, the USB cable is really cool for live rock samples on the card (which the original is too small, it has quickly narrow)
  
  Worse it's tough, j'lai put in my bag to go to school, traveling several times, it has been very cold ... Impeccable, it runs like new yet it is a second hand.
  
  € 30 to keep thinking to buy the extension of RAM, it happens on some beats that follow my MPC more, it cuts the sample coarse tros and let others think also has a high-capacity card, I'm already has the narrow, yet I remove the beats once posted ...
  
  
  
  2nd hand and I just wheel that has the game but works impeccable ...

  Utilization

  The menus are really fucking despite the two lines of the screen, only after we spent a sleepless night on the manual that it is better to have. Now that I know well, I beat my shapes tit for tat, all functions can be quickly accessed and live is simple with the use Track mute you can do anything. The manual is at the top, I just learned that, never one video tutorial on youtube. Step edit modes, but must be understood after it is powerful to add or reposition the drums etc ... Mode seq. edit as it is super convenient to copy several steps (no need of any type, just a hop and measurement, copiable infinity, transposition of midi notes, timing correction on the extent to swing, Velocity, time .. .)
  
  Custom workflow in akai MPC, I am a fan, it&#39;s like: hop I take my sample, I load on a pad, I set the BPM and the pitch, I&#39;m running in a loop, I go to my folder drums, I look at what goes well with prefetching thanks, I hop the load a little layering, dépitchage, and I put my drums, "shit j&#39;me Gouré&#39;m in the swing," hop undo button just to the snare ... It&#39;s just a pleasure. To sampler is cool too! Although ergonomically, with automatic start has a programmable threshold. By Chopper cons for the sample does not even think about, no waveform that figures so trim, well to standardize and trim the beginning and the end and ESPECIALLY for Timestretch (Gem <3)
  
  So for a sample chopper 2000XL way ----> MPC Maid! Utility (engineering)
  
  For mobile use, j&#39;lai done once with batteries half empty, it&#39;s not required 10min then see if the block has 4h batteries are feasible.

  Sounds

  For what I do is, frankly, well, what ideal. Velocity is good, really. After the pads, when I received j&#39;me myself, "Damn this is the concrete below, it is very soft or plastic?" And in fact you quickly understand that something is too soft, it&#39;s soft beats and then with the FULL LEVEL function, the sensibility that sensitive you can type with a pen. Have to think about turning the original sounds on the card and the internal memory after testing quickly, take it to the place. After that, hey, this is a recent akai, do not expect out of pure BOOM BAP BAP BOBOOM as a 2000XL or 60mkII, so the kick is pouet the entrance, he pouet the output ... No grain, if you want a potato, keep 700balles and take a 2000XL S950 with full options ...
  
  If not for the "fake" grain, you can cheat, VST rested on the internet, low pass, detune, grunger: nice distortion effect but rather according to the random sample.
  
  But it is only that, it will never really sound like the first, Pete Rock, Damu, Muggs and RZA ....
  
  The preset EQ master basic is good! I always use it with my little mods

  Overall Opinion

  I want to clarify that I base my opinion on mine I got a 180 €, at this price it is a quality / price ratio of crazy! For 380dolls I would have been less enthusiastic ... If you find a price not cool, check the PDM, it is always that.
  
  
  
  
  
  I use it for two months now and I thoroughly exploits, so to start at MPC is based, this is my first and I was already dreaming of 1000 or 2500se ...
  
  It is perfect to start the beatmaking ALL STYLES TOTAL.
  
  The possibilities are almost endless! I personally weigh the samples from the computer, I do my beat, mix. And then I do the mastering on a computer! Then you have the impression to have a machine to do everything under the fingers, a real instrument. Before I was on fruity loops and it is true that the possibilities are downright better, but it&#39;s boring s&#39;que click all the time! The machine then you take your what you play! For nothing in the world I go in FL (Except one or Akai MPD36 renaissance ^ ^)
  
  
  
  The +:
  
  Perfect for start-level MPC
  
  Akai MPC-Usability made
  
  Akai-Pads inflexible as bourrinage
  
  -Do not let go soon
  
  Memory Cards-reliable, robust and up to 2GB
  
  -Cheap (had j&#39;lai 180 in Cygnus, nose all over the net, because for 300 €, go to maschine ...)
  
  -Everything is possible with this
  
  
  
  
  
  The -:
  
  Ram-option (clips from Big akai)
  
  Screen-small (but super well done, tough)
  
  No-chop just because of the screen
  
  -12 Pads rectangular, has a little cramped but adequate
  
  
  
  If you want to start in beatmaking, painting the TOP is the ultimate weapon to start! But not above 250 € ...
  
  on the other hand after a moment should not stagnate and move on to the next level!
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• 03/09/12

  laurent1407's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " not for me"

  Characteristics

  twelve o'clock with a proper connector that is out thru
  
  no prb when it sends a MIDI clock
  
  it does not crash
  
  
  
  yes but the effects just troubleshooting
  
  
  
  the general buzz knob often
  
  the quality is cheap

  Utilization

  configuration of the first worthy mpc akai they stayed in the stone age (maybe it's better on other models I know that the mpc 1000 and it is much better)
  
  
  
  Unlike others, I can not create a mpc.
  
  menu submenu ect .....
  
  
  
  
  
  I think we must prepare the sounds on computer and then use the mpc 500 as sample player and turn your live. everything is controllable by noon and then she does a good job (except for the preset change that I have not been able to order MIDI)

  Sounds

  it is a sampler that is correct despite the buzz knob flight usually quite common on many models.
  
  
  
  I do not use the pads I preferred the controlling midi

  Overall Opinion

  I had several in troubleshooting, it does its job but for me it is not an instrument. I have sold quickly
  
  to my knowledge no model worthy competitor to be (a rigor in roland)
  
  there is certainly a prb with respect to invention rights to akai
  
  I would have to give one opinion: try Ableton Live (there are free versions on the site ableton) on the other hand need a computer
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• 03/03/12

  Merluche's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " It's good but it is long!"

  Characteristics

  Audio / Midi
  
  Some built-in effects
  
  This is a sampler while the number of sounds ... ben all you want!
  
  MPC Maid handy utility!

  Utilization

  Simple, I know not, be sure to read the manual which is pretty much done.
  
  
  
  Many menus, submenus, small tips, tricks and lots of parameter to be set individually for each pad ... Too bad we can not make broader parameters ...
  
  
  
  Although accessible on the other hand "mode" key number pad and screen printing with ptite above!
  
  
  
  But hey, that's where we train ... Lil screen, and still be config config import ... I still advises Maid MPC in terms of the transfer with the PC ..

  Sounds

  Yeah, I sound gets off the well.
  
  It sounds cool, hip hop, to dub it does it well too.
  
  After that of course depends on what he puts in, "a bass that is plop plop plop plop will exit", there is no magic!
  
  
  
  Velocity is excellent (MPC pads) but I use it often in "12 levels" where everything is played back.
  
  
  
  Average effects .... Galley and manage cursor to move ... I fouled a little on the effects of automation but it must be good for someone of patient ...

  Overall Opinion

  For 3 years she has been a year almost to the closet, the day I bought myself a good computer ...
  
  
  
  But I the spring to play drums and send his little guts!
  
  With this bike, be patient, choose the sample we want him back in, set everything up ... Geekage assured but once configured properly for live manages it!
  
  
  
  I often pollutes the forums wanting to use it as a loopstation, ie in samplant on the fly ... I got the idea that the beast was unable ...
  
  I plan to use in south soon with a Miniak of the same brand.
  
  Here it should do so for synth lines sampled on the fly!
  
  
  
  I do it again this choice or when the sisters of the top (1000, 2500) that look more ergonomic (screen, more pads ...)
  
  
  
  Very good bike, good sound, is not. Then it's a pleasure to bourriner Akai these pads that really are not junk!
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• 02/24/12

  bayesikim's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Not to my taste"

  Characteristics

  See reviews for other specifications.

  Utilization

  A real headache programming. Cest only through Youtube .... and RIOSBEATS (Big Up) have argued that jai -
  
  Basically I was wrong in thinking that I could use it to use so-called 'live'.
  
  The manual reads like a scientific journal! LOL!

  Sounds

  The samples are entered by the user. The reproductions are accurate.
  
  The effects it will unfortunately not easy to handle in real time.

  Overall Opinion

  For studio use cest perfect .... and possibly capture spontaneous rhythms thanks to its portability.
  
  
  
  I'm sold after three months of use / headlock!
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• 10/16/11

  math24's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " complex"

  Characteristics

  it looks great given the characteristics!
  
  see sheet manufacturer.

  Utilization

  Then it's not easy, or I'm not very smart ...
  
  You really spend time to get somewhere.
  
  Maybe I'm not motivated enough to have the energy to learning the beast.
  
  It must have to tackle it for a while so that its use becomes fluid.

  Sounds

  The sound is very good.
  
  I love these pads.

  Overall Opinion

  It looks great, good pads, full of possibilities, good converter, good sound ...
  
  But for me it takes too long before being fun ... I still have to delete an entire project because the function program, save, project sample is incomprehensible ... basically very complicated just to save what just made?? I do not really have time to write for hours on forums to understand the functions that should be easy as the backup!
  
  I said that this is my first sampler. I never try another.
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• 05/22/11

  circus prod's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " my son too expensive"

  Characteristics

  minimum connection 'output and stereo input) MIDI In and Out
  
  section mean effect but complete (delay, reverb, flanger, phaser, distortion, auto-pan ...)
  
  good sequencer, stable
  
  portability
  
  128 mb of ram and plyPhon 32 votes enough to make the old boom bap

  Utilization

  it is easy to use, suitable for a beginner in my opinion
  
  the manual is well done and if we want to know more there is a book in English on mpc forum detailing all you can do with
  
  lacks a built-in function chop chop (I use the slicer on wavesurgeon computer to compensate for that) although chopper to the ear is not impossible and there are 4 pads, which have functions to help them (play all, play loop , to play, play from)

  Sounds

  the sound is fairly neutral, not its strong point but I find it not bad for a small sampler and a sampler mpc done to the vinyl for the grain!
  
  the pads are velocity sensitive and quality even if there are only 12!

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for almost 4 years and it is sturdy, just the cursor that is a little less sensitive than at the beginning
  
  I used the MPC 2000 (XL), the mpc 1000 and Ensoniq asr x pro is that it is less safe to use kiffa Because the surface is less impressive but has any of a high level feature!
  
  j'la see € to 370 in some stores now J'lui not really see the competitors in this price range!
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