Keys necessary with MPC?

[TheDeen]

Are keys really necessary to sequence beats on an MPC?

Are the pads only good for drums/bass or can they be successfully used to control other sounds?

 

[mgorsuch]

I imagine that you don't HAVE to have keys, but they sure do come in handy.

I use a cheap 25-key midi keyboard for my beats. If price is of concern, take a look at something by M-Audio.

 

[Chrono]

currently I strickly use the mpc by itself.. but when i get a few songs finished this way i'll probably begin to use my keys with it again. The mpc is so powerful i think it's nice to use it by itself for a while to know everything it's capable of doing

 

[Fury]

keys arent neccesary u can make melodies wit the pads its just more time consuming and tiring

 

[classic]

i would say yes, its 2006

 

[bigdmakintrax]

if you have a supply of records, or riffs, you could get by but if you really want to play chords easily a controller is a must, its something you probably want to add to the setup.

 

[Formant024]

i would say yes, its 2006

lol, no you cant stay behind

 

[SlickVikNewman]

I use my keys as the last ingredient of my joints. Its almost like putting icing on cake, for the lack of a more hip hop phrase, LOL. I feel like I have more control of exactly what I want to add. Thats just ya boy though

 

[Formant024]

In general, whether its hiphop or not, I think its a basic tool in your setup and preferably something bigger than 3oct.. Its not that you need to be a virtuoso but a bit key action does expand capabilities...

 

[bhunt]

I have keys now, but i have made a lotta beats wihtout them. I just play the samples out, I can even play the basslines with the pads. IT does help to have thought if you got a layed out bass or guitar program that you wanna play. Having the keys helps. But if you are mainly a sampler you don't really need the keys.

 

[misscc803]

I Use keys all day everyday. I compose more than sample. But i have made beats on jus the mpc alone. Get you some melodic programs(bass, guitar,ect..) and you could do some work with that. But if you are a sampler do u think u need keys? Cause u usally have a melody come from the sample itself.

 

[Ash Holmz]

i think keys are essential to producing .. making beats without some kind of keyboard is really limiting imo ... but i actually know a grammy award winning producer who doesnt use keys .. just the mp pads .. but then again he hasnt done much in the last few years and like class said ..it is 2006 lol

 

[TheDeen]

I do have keys lying around somewhere [Yamaha DX7], so that isn't a problem. I just wanted to know y'all's opinion on this issue.

Thanks for the feedback,

The Deen

 

[TymE]

You can use the MPC to play keys on VSTi through MIDI M.P.C. Midi Production Centre so you can use it it like a midi controller

 

[misscc803]

You can use the MPC to play keys on VSTi through MIDI M.P.C. Midi Production Centre so you can use it it like a midi controller

Im pretty sure he knows that but playin actual keys is way different than playing pads.

 

[TymE]

Im pretty sure he knows that but playin actual keys is way different than playing pads.

From the question asked it doesn't seem like it. But your right playing pads isn't playing keys, although you can achieve the exact same outcome

 

[Bully Beatz]

i think that the pads work best for drumz and whatever else you have to play but its always nice to lay down a nice melody or baseline on keys

 

[mpc-samples]

I always use pads for drum parts and have a cheap Evolution midi controller to play multisample programs in my MPC - stuff like piano doesn't really sound too natural when played on the pads (IMO).

 

[misscc803]

I always use pads for drum parts and have a cheap Evolution midi controller to play multisample programs in my MPC - stuff like piano doesn't really sound too natural when played on the pads (IMO).

Just out of curiosity which MPC u using?

Nicole

 

[mpc-samples]

Just out of curiosity which MPC u using?

Nicole

I've always used the XL for most stuff, but after writting the 1K book I started using the 1000 for a lot of stuff as well - still can't settle on those 1000 pads though. Getting an MPC2500 in a few days, so will no doubt start using this for most things.