what's so great about an mpc??

[j1]

i've never used any hardware sampler and i've wondered about this for a while.
is an mpc (or any hardware drum machine or sampler) in any way better than a good software sampler and a midi controller?
the only drawback to midi i can think of is latency issues, but that's pretty easy to fix.
since so many people here seem to use mpcs maybe someone can explain it to me

[Truthmusik]

I dont use one on the regular, but I have used them on several occasions...It all depends on you personally...Using an MPC is just so much more hands on, sure you can use a midi controller...but having everything in front of you in one console...with the pads, it's just a completely different experience to beat making. Although with software, your only limitations are your imagination. The MPC is a solid piece of gear...If I could afford one right now, I would have one, But if your comfortable and completely confident with your beat structure with whatever your using...there is no need to dive into anything else...BUT...Learning new systems & structures is always a good thing...You could learn something from an MPC and apply it to your beat making software. This is why I love hip hop production...The possiblities are endless.

keep making music.

[bigvernthearkitekt]

I try to keep my options open. Truth hit it on the head by saying
"learning new systems and structures is a good thing".

For me the mpc is a tool I use for many things, mostly for my drums. I also chop samples to try to be as creative as possible. I like the swing that the mpc has. It has a groove that I just prefer over other machines and software. That's just my opinion.

I started making beats on software and now will try any and everything I can get my hands on, whether it is an mpc, asr, fruity loops, acid pro....the list goes on and on.

The thing I've noticed for me is that a piece of hardware such as an mpc allows me to get creative by involving a body movement, (bangin the pads) which to me is more like an instrument.

It is very easy to creatively flip a sample when you have chopped it up, transposed it, changed pitches, filtered parts, etc. Sometimes I don't know what the final product will sound like when I chop a sample, I just get creative with the pads and whatever sounds dope, I keep.

I don't see a reason to choose only one or the other (software or hardware). I try to stay up on as many beatmaking methods as possible, I have my favorites and the MPC is one of them. Sometimes I get bored with the MPC, so I switch it up and move to reason or fruity, when I get bored with them or I'm not making anything that I would consider dope, I go back to hardware.

I have to keep my options open to stay creative and not just make the same sounding beats over and over and over.

[bluevelvet]

it's all preference really i used to use reason but then one day i was able to actually afford an MPC and don;t really use reason anymore unless i want to make a synth beat really, which is usually never...but it is all preference really...

[j1]

makes sense
i know the first time i used a midi controller i was doing stuff i never would've thought of before, so i guess it's similar

[thefirstjimbo]

sometimes you just gotta bang them pads, you seen kanye dancin and shit ;D