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So I have owned an Akai mpc60 and an AKAI S950 for about a year now. My drums sound chunky, my drum patterns are dope. I have a great collection of samples/records.
But I think I might suck at chopping samples. I can't seem to make cohesive smooth transitions from sample to sample. I'm realizing I might be forcing it. It's always been a goal to produce my own beats, and do a completely independent album. I thought that way, I would develope my own signature sound.
Im considering giving up and just rhyming over other peoples beats.
What do yall think?
Try this, Record 1,2, or 4 measure loops from the MPC into your PC, start with the drums (make intros, rolls main phrases, bare sounding patterns, and climaxes) then record various tight sounding instros from various samples. Then use Ableton, Qbase, or cool edit to put it all together see if that helps plus you can use reason3 to make aditional loops.
I know you're tryin to help, but that seems like a lot of unnecessary steps. Maybe start with synths instead of samples Ginsu? I started with synths and it definitely taught my ears to recognize harmony. Do you DJ at all? Mixing records is key in sampled production. After you've been blendin for a few years you can hear somethin on one record and be like "DAMN" that would sound fresh with these horns from this other record and so on. Another step that took me forever to realize is that it's not how many records you have or how dope your records are. It's all about knowing the records you have so when you have a sound in your head you already know which one of your records to use. Shit, I got about 3000 pieces of vinyl and if you pick one up I can tell you what's dope about it. Everytime you get a record chill on it for a minute. Let that initial hype wear off while you take it in in its entirety. You'll start noticing things like "whoa, that drummer, or that guitarist is sick." Then you know who to look for when you're diggin. Things that you like. Not status quo sample records.
I would say to just keep trying. Maybe you just haven't figured out a sound yet, or maybe you should try to sound like a favorite producer at first, then mix that style up with other favorite producer styles to then develop your own. Eventually you'll develop your own signature sound, it takes time. Besides, you've only been doin' it for about a year now, right? And I assume you haven't mastered your equipment yet, right? Afetr you become friendly with the machines, trust me, they'll become friendly with you.
benny, im gonna hit you up later about your tips. thats exactly the kind of advice i was looking for. remember though, that im working on strictly hardware, my pc is not involved at all. im running an mpc60 I, an s950, turn tablels, a mixer, a whole lotta wax, and house speakers. My goal is to maintain a warm gritty sound, but not sound like a preemo, pete rock, dilla biter. eventually i want to pick up some soft synths like Absynth, and maybe start using reason.
defshyn:
lately, ive been doing exactly what you are saying. the problem is that i cant seem to find out how my favorite producers acheive what the things they do. for instance, how the hell does preemo chop up 3 or 4 samples about 1 sec long, and create a cohesive melody?
maybe what i should do is post some beats im working on, and then pose questions about things im having difficulty achieving with that beat. and yall can school me that way.
i only know 1 other guy that uses the mpc60/s950 combo, and he is a maaajor flake. hes real stingy with his production.
Damn sounds like you got the right gear for sure, but we are living a digital age of amazing software, wheather having issues finding your sound, or a seasoned producer, everyone can benifit from putting a PC or laptop in the loop matter of fact there are no limits as to what you can do with a computer musicly. Hit me up and I'll give you more info on what specificly and the process to achieve results wiath a PC, wait do you have a PC that is music production ready?
I would probably have to use my Toshiba Laptop. I'll send you the specs when I get home. U can tell me if my computer will work at all, and it it will what I need.
