All user reviews of 5/5 for the Akai Professional MPC500

Few connectors but its adequate. I used me as USB.
Effects very average, good point for its small size, but bad point for its Desktop size.

USE

The manual seems very good, learning a bit long for beginners, you do not get it direct when you see all the buttons and the small screen. But after learning, it is exploding with this machine!
Note a good point for sensitive pads has vlocit.x

SONORITS

It is we who choose the sounds, So here but even when I put 7 because the default is that big so there are no tips microphone built-duty plug in a headset, a speaker, a amp.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I for 1 year and I am glad to have. I would do this choice without hsiter, despite a steep learning curve.

- Map 128 MB compact flash: flash memory is accessed through the USB port of the MPC.
- 12 pads x 4 banks: 48 samples at your fingertips
- Sequencer with real-time quantization and overdub
- 32 CHANNELS AND deactivated reactivated -> polyphony top
- Gain input and output
- Correct timing for lees rolls
- Editable samples (pan, volume, filters and many effects for these 2 live environment can be considered but rather long because of sub-menus .... but it is possible anyway)
- Slider (a little fragile, not buggers, but used correctly no problem) with possible automation (usable on a single sample, and not all sound output, but if you have a mixer with effects (BEHRINGER XENYX - --- fx for example) can be remedied)
- OUTPUT: 2xJack Mono, Stereo Jack (phones), USB, MIDI
- INPUT: 2xJack mono, MIDI
- 128MB of RAM as an option (I have not)

A (little) damage for effects, but can be remedied: I put 8.

UTILIZATION

Welcome to MPC is a very different configuration of others!
Understand that this is a sampler with its sequencer that sequencing samples. This is the MPC philosophy. I advise you to watch (before or right after purchase) Elenelmusic tutorials on Youtube (I thank) that explain all this in a rather complete. Mine could come .......
In fact, the samples are not directly accessible. Once transferred via USB or registered, you must find them in the CFcard memory (once you've explored a bit on his computer importing, no worries) or load a program you created, ie a file that indicates which sound is where and with what modifications and the use of the slider if you have indicated.
after you sequence (one or more instruments per track) quantified in real time (génial!) and you save the sequence on the device. It will also recharge.
Then, to use the slider live, you have to put on the track sequencer sound corresponding to the slider! Hallelujah and it will work

Elenel not say a lot of these things, therefore, having watched his first tutorials, I put less than two days to take control of the machine looking ONE times the manual for the EFFECTS section (and on this point there I was pretty blond because it works like the rest ^ ^)
This manual is well explained, and each operation is specified.

For those familiar with FL Studio 10 and 11 corresponds to the MPC sequencer FL without vst.

I have not tried to sequence from a keyboard in the MPC, so I do not know yet if it is possible. I will return to tell you.

Pitch perfect. 9.

SOUNDS

The origin of the compact flash card sounds are very typical hip-hop but also cater to the techno, especially vintage. Past that, this is a sampler in which you put your own sounds and sequenced in the machine. The sampler is pretty transparent, I see still a nice little grain (haha!). The expression is pretty good: you can add nuances piano bourrinant more or less the pads, if you put "everyone at the same level and adjusted the levels in the" program ", and Panoramic Highway 10. .

OVERALL OPINION

Bought it a few days ago. Used for a day and a half, I returned home. Conclusion: this is exactly what I needed.
I do not lose sight that this is only a sampler, which would ideal companion groovebox (rm1x, electribe, depending on your choice .....).
This is my first sampler. OR was one, OR a roland + sp404sx a drum.
I got to 249 € including shipping so 234 without. Some are cheaper on audiofanzine, but already this price / quality ratio is excellent. I do not think I have to redo this choice, the machine is solid except for the slider and perhaps the wheel, but if necessary, I rechoisirai the same.

Here is a piece done on live. Only bass and pads (on which there is a filter) do not come from the beast. https://soundcloud.com/wangaerdt/magie-par-le-chapeau-mpc-track-free-dl

Hoping to help you in your choice
Ethan Van Guard.

Side characteristics, everything has already been said.
Refer to previous opinions

Edit: Compact Flash up to 2TB with the latest OS 1.31 as on MPC1000

On mine I have a compact flash 16gb + 128Mb ram + rechargeable batteries.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is very simple if you already know the MPC universe. It can become a bit more complicated if, but the manual is more than clear on the subject.
Most functions are accessible via the "Mode" button and pads. From that side, it's Akai, so either we know or are taught, but not rocket science.
A novice out a beat in 10 minutes, after reading the manual.
For an insider, 5mn enough with or without manual!

SOUNDS

Sampler "recent" so = neutral.
The effects are not bad compared to the same Mpc see previous generation.
Must master the concept of resampling in order to maximize.
They are not great as those of ASR10 for example, but do their job properly.
Side expression, you must adjust the sensitivity of the pads from the outset as the most apès mpc and it becomes a real pleasure to deal with.


OVERALL OPINION

It's been 6 years since I use.
I was the happy owner of an MPC 2000XL. I kept the last 4 years and it allowed me to understand and progress in sampling, building beats, etc ....
But whenever I was pro or personal travel, I lack the machine. So I tried many software solutions, but between the power of the pc, plugins, ddr, the master controller keyboard or noon and backups, I confess that I quickly dropped the case. With this solution, I managed to make beats almost everywhere, but it was quite bulky and not very discreet. (Imagine a guy in a park in the summer, with a computer, a headset, a master keyboard and a mouse ...)
In addition, I found myself almost disabled when I was on the plane (lack of space) or at the beach. (Pc are very fond of sun and sand)
So I looked for a more interesting alternative, which was closer to my setup "home studio" and that's where I saw it.
Once in hand, I quickly realized that I had found the machine I was looking for. More options than the MPC2000XL, effects, compressor, portability, reliability, compatibility, and all in one machine. No need for additional cables or keyboard. I just headphones and a spare battery pack and I do sound for more than 8h ANYWHERE! I took him on the beach, skiing in the aircraft, train, bus, boat and despite all that, the machine responds as the first day. Most dole is that the machine has made me grow to such an extent, that I sold my MPC2500 MPC2000XL to take, because I was too limited. Yes, you can leave the Boombap mpc2000/xl style with MPC500 is precisely the great advantage of this mpc unlike the MPC1000, where he will have to work a little more with an external Daw, to have that kind of sounds . No need with the mpc 500 is original

Nevertheless, the MPC500 is not perfect and the fact Akai has not worked more on the OS may frustrate some. But I think everything is a matter of need. In my case, being a user already initiated world MPC, the MPC500 is nothing but a "portable" extension of my home studio. It allows me to compose and put my ideas, tweaking the drums, or make a beat from A to Z. Once I'm back home, I just take out the tracks or rework all on MPC2500.
For cons, I do not really advice to a novice for the simple reason that it is not really intuitive compared to its big sisters. The screen size may discourage some and the fact of not seeing the waveforms too. We must learn to use the ressampling to apply multiple effects, and this notion can disrupt novices.
In my case, I find these limitations rather advantageous as they allow to focus primarily on the sound. (As in the old type SP1200 samplers or ASR10 with a cut ear)
Moreover, the machine is made satisfactory and can move very quickly. Besides this is THE single machine so prods A to Z without being electrically connected. For me, it is an indispensable machine for any hiphop producer who wants to have a home studio laptop, provided you like working hardware.
Edit: I wanted switched to a studio mpc / fly...mais quality Akai software as well as the fact of not being able to spend on pc this type of machine, quickly made me turn back. Indeed, although the idea is good. The fact of having to lug around in a park, the beach or train with mpc and ipad / pc does not reassure me.
With my MPC500, the advantage is that most outsiders do not know what it is. So I can get where I want and compose without disturbing not a kid or curious. Worse, it even got me to forget the train without anyone pays attention. I do not think that this will come with an iPad and an MPC "blingbling" or Fly Studio.

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!

Sampler so its unlimited bank
Effects good but not great, it's not the goal

a single output (only regret)

great pad, to do a lot with the wheel in plastoc (which could have been a bit more manageable) but overall great beast very solid and well finished, it's really one of my best machines and Compact side is very sexy.

twelve o'clock all the connections obviously

UTILIZATION

The real slap to me is my first mpc, the sequencing in the ear.
It is a pleasure and an exceptional speed of composition. Mpc concept really is more than great.

Sampling on the fly without worry

Memory: it must extend it absolutely clear, but it cost only 30 euros to 128 uper

We can only use one effect on the fly thanks to the fader ... but as I said, the side effects / single output is the weak point of the machine.

SOUNDS

The sound has a good potato, just typed but not bad. (Ca always sounds a little differently after sampling, especially when you normalize, but ultimately it farts)

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 year and overall I think it's 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, breakcore 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)

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!

Few connections but its more than enough. I do not use that USB.
Effects very average, good for its small size, but bad point for full size screen.

UTILIZATION

The manual seems very good, learning a bit long for beginners, you do not get it all live when you see all the buttons and small screen. But after learning it was having fun with this machine!
Also, a good place for sensitive pads vélocité.x

SOUNDS

is we who choose the sounds, so here is but I still put 8 because the biggest problem is that search did not Integrated Micro therefore obliged to plug a headset, a speaker, an amp.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 1 year and I am happy to have. I would do this choice without hesitation, despite a steep learning curve. Very good sampler