Music Production Center

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
An AKAI MPC2000 sampler
An AKAI MPC2000 sampler

Akai MPCs (originally MIDI Production Center, now Music Production Center) are a popular and well respected series of electronic musical instruments originally designed by Roger Linn and produced by the Japanese company Akai from 1988 onwards. Intended to function as a powerful kind of drum machine, the MPCs drew on design ideas from machines such as the Sequential Circuits Inc. Studio 440 and the Linn's own Linn 9000, combining a powerful MIDI sequencer with the ability to sample one's own sounds. Later models feature increasingly powerful sampling, storage, interfacing and sound manipulation facilities, which broaden the use of instrument beyond just drum and rhythm tracks.

The MPC has become a staple part of the hip hop culture with many references to it in songs, as well as being a must-have for most serious or intent hip hop producers. Claims have been made that most professional rap producers use either an MPC or an Ensoniq ASR-10, or both; it should be noted however, that the MPC design is fundamentally a pad sampler/sequencer, unlike traditional keyboard samplers such as the ASR-10. Whilst overshadowed somewhat by the emergence of computer based production techniques and increasingly cheaper interfaces, the MPC base models such as the MPC3000 and MPC2000XL maintain popularity due to their robust and reliable nature. The MPC has also become a stronghold in present studio environments, due to the fact the unit implements and utilizes the WAV file format. This allows material created on the MPC to then be further edited on more contemporary platforms (i.e. PC, Macintosh) using more recent software applications (e.g. Pro Tools, Cubase, etc.)

The basis for the MPC stems from Roger Linn's early designs, yet has continued as a marketing force after his involvement. Many claim Akai have let the MPC range down by poor service attention, lack of OS updates for popularly requested features and "chasing the field" media formats (i.e. re-releasing the MPC2000XL with a CompactFlash card reader in 2004). Despite this, few sampler/sequencers are as robust; and the MPCs' features still demand respect.

The MPC series is said to introduce a unique kind of groove on rhythmic patterns especially when using the swing function. There are several groove templates implemented in Pro Tools and other software which try to emulate the timing. Purists even claim to sense a distinctive difference in "groove" and "punch" between the models originally designed by Roger Linn (MPC60 (II) /MPC3000) and latter models that were based on Akai's S- and Z-Series Samplers.


Contents

[edit] MPC60

The MPC60 was a 16 voice polyphonic 12-bit 40 kHz sampler / 99 track sequencer designed in large part by Roger Linn after Linn Electronics closed. It was similar to the Linn 9000. Akai released it in 1988. It had 750kB memory standard, expandable to 1.5MB. The sequencer is very flexible and powerful, famous both for its "swing" setting, and its easy to use step programming. It had 2 MIDI inputs / 4 MIDI outputs, allowing it to control up to 64 devices. The sequencer itself was offered as a separate product, known as the ASQ10, also released in 1988.


[edit] MPC60-II

The MPC60-II was nearly identical to the MPC60, but it featured a headphone output, and a plastic case, instead of the metal case of the original. It was released in 1991.

[edit] MPC3000

The MPC3000 improved upon the MPC60 by adding 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo sampling, increased memory, 32 voice polyphony, effects, filters, and SCSI. It was released by Akai in 1994.


[edit] MPC3000LE

The MPC3000LE (Limited Edition) is identical to the MPC3000, except for its black custom design. It was released by Akai in 2000 and limited to 2000 units.

[edit] MPC2000

The MPC2000 is a 64-track sampler/sequencer introduced in 1997 and discontinued in 2000. It comes with 2MB sample memory as standard, and can be expanded to 32MB. It supports sampling rates of 22 or 44.1 kHz, in stereo or mono.


[edit] MPC2000XL

The MPC2000XL is similar to the MPC2000 but with added features; including four pad-bank keys, time stretch and resampling along with other new features. In 2004 the 2000XL-MCD version was released, which features a CompactFlash card reader as standard in place of the floppy drive or Zip drives used in earlier models.


MPC2000XL SE-2 (Special Edition)
MPC2000XL SE-2 (Special Edition)

[edit] MPC4000

Released in 2002, the MPC4000 was intended by Akai as a "top-of-the-range" flagship product. Not only was it the most fully-featured MPC product yet (building on the MPC60, 3000 and 2000XL), but it also incorporated the sampling engine from the latest model in Akai standalone sampler range (the Z8, building on the legacy of Akai's well-respect S-series samplers).

The MPC4000 gained some notoriety amongst users for having a bug-ridden OS and poor product support, with some originally advertised product features still not implemented in 2006.


[edit] MPC1000

The MPC1000 is a 64-track sampler/sequencer. It comes with 16MB sample memory as standard, and can be expanded to 128MB. It supports sampling rates of 22 or 44.1 kHz, in stereo or mono. Its features include a USB port, an internal CompactFlash card reader, two MIDI inputs and outputs, and effects and multiple analog outputs as standard. Its sequencer's resolution is 96 ppq.


[edit] Other MPC Models

  • MPC2000XL SE (3 variations)
  • MPC2500
  • MPC500 (Portable)

[edit] Comparison

The following table highlights comparison statistics between MPC models.

Model Release Date MIDI Inputs/Outputs Sampling Rate Sampling Memory/Upgrade-able Sampling Time Storage Method Pad Banks Note Capacity Extra Features
MPC60 1988 2 in, 4 out 12-bit 40 kHz 750kB / 1.5MB (13.1 sec) / (26.2 sec) Internal 3½" floppy drive 4 60,000
MPC60-II 1991 2 in, 4 out 12-bit 40 kHz 750kB / 1.5MB (13.1 sec) / (26.2 sec) Internal 3½" floppy drive 4 60,000 Headphone jack, Plastic case
MPC3000 1994 2 in, 4 out 16-bit 44.1 kHz 2MB / 32MB (22 sec) / (6 min) Internal 3½" floppy drive 4 75,000 -LE in 2000 with black case
MPC2000 1997 2 in, 2 out 22 or 44.1 kHz 2MB / 32MB SCSI Interface 1 100,000
MPC2000XL 2000 2 in, 2 out 22 or 44.1 kHz 2MB/ 32MB Floppy or Zip Drive 4 300,000 -MCD with Compact Flash
MPC4000 2002 2 in, 4 out 96, 48 or 44.1 kHz, 16 or 24 bit 16MB / 512MB Hard Drive/CD-ROM 6 300,000 IDE Bays
MPC1000 2004 2 in, 2 out 22 or 44.1 kHz 16MB / 128 MB 136 sec / 24m28sec CompactFlash 4 100,000
MPC500 2006 2 in, 2 out 22 or 44.1 kHz 16MB / 128MB 136 sec / 24m28sec CompactFlash 4 100,000 Smallest MPC

Portable/Can run on 6 AA Batteries
MPC2500 2006 2 in, 4 out 22 or 44.1 kHz 16MB / 128MB 136 sec / 24m28sec CompactFlash 4 100,000 built in 10 analog outs, optional CD drive, optional HDD

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../m/u/s/Music_Production_Center_f05a.html"
In other languages