It has to do with digital sounds inside the box. FL, has great sounding instruments unfortunately there’s many steps you’ll have to take to emulate the thickness and wide frequency spectrum that analogue equipment nature has, i.e saturation and bit rate. Best example i can give you would be checking out beat making vids made with the ASR10 keyboard/sampler and compare it to a fl studio beat vid. It mostly has to do with the bit rate in older sound equipment being low and the circuits and engineering inside the samplers and keyboard.
I hear a lot of great sounding bad beats with no structure or good sound selection. I think the sound discussion has taken away from actually making good marketable music. Subjective but most music these days is bad. I don’t care what they run it through. Out of key 808’s, not understanding producing across the frequency spectrum, song arrangement, etc…. Besides all of that, most can’t make a beat by hand in time with the metronome click. I am training an FL Studio user on the MPC One Plus and he can’t play with the click. Once we get past that, he will be fire on the MPC. Great video.
@@ceddmack2816 notice how you won’t hear this in the “mainstream” rap or any other genres…..I think you’re basing everything off of the average TH-cam producer and TH-cam/soundcloud artist. Let’s remember the words (professional) and (talented). A lot of these new rapper don’t even know what breath control is, I doubt they care what frequency spectrum is, they’ll choose a “bad” good cheap beat over an “amazing quality” okay expensive beat. Then the reality of NOT EVERYONE Will or Shall Be “Good”, and we shouldn’t want everyone to sound like the next person. Even though we are already at that point, thanks to SPLICE and Honestly, TH-cam Beatmakers. Not Producers But Beat Makers! If lil Jake decides to hop online today, and learn how to make beats, he’s gonna go find mr cliche, in which who just started making beats a few years prior had some placement and now they are Producer Gurus giving the same “chop this splice sample , now it’s time for the 808,” advice in which he picked up from 30 other TH-cam beat makers, and “learn” from that. Song arrangement is foreign language when lil Jake goes and copies the same beat step by step from a dude that learned what he’s teaching from 30 other people that all learned from each other and everyone stuck at the same level with the same loop waiting on the next man to drop something so they can pick that apart and have a new loop to teach.🫤😂 great “TH-cam Producers” need to go back and actually display talent and not just give tips and tricks. Show that it takes devotion, and practice to be great. Show what level that time spent perfecting that craft got you too. Be amazing, just how you’d be amazed watching an Araab Muzik, 9th wonder, Kanye west, Dr. Dre, or a Mike Dean create/display skill set! Make that sh*t look aspiring and not easily achievable. When people “strive” to be great then great things happen. When people wake up, turn on their laptop go to TH-cam and type in “how to” and all make the same beat using the same sample at the same time, that just leads to a bunch of bullshxt…. Most music sounds better than ever… just not in this TH-cam popular rap beat maker community….. (A producer is a special skill on it’s on). Any how Go Be Great, Be Original, Create, Grow. And at the end of the day remember the only bad beat is the one sitting in your computers or Mpcs yet to be heard. 🙏🏽
Nice setup and I agree with learning music theory because it’s the most underrated part of making music and most TH-camrs be saying you don’t need to know it.
@@mikevenus4117 Curb your feelings for a second. There's been plenty of billboard & platinum hits made without knowing theory. Period. Jimi Hendrix, Hans Zimmer & Stevie Wonder to name a few don't know "theory"
@@Official360 learning some music theory will go a long ways than not! Maybe you need to fall back before you get embarrassed! You probably need like 12 guys to make a basic as beat! Lol stfu 🤫 and stay in your lane 🤡!
U kow what Bolo u r right. I remember back in the day when I had a Roland w30 and did all my production on it it had a certain sound and style to it that DAW's just cannot reproduce. With all its limitations, whenever I created something it just had this nice feel to it.
I’ve been a mixer for over 40 years and I agree with you about the sound engine in the MPCs. There is a life to the sound that is unique. My primary DAW ax of choice these days is Ableton, and that has the “coldest” mix I’ve ever had to deal with. Same converters, same samples, same everything. I’ve found my ways to deal with it, so it’s a non-issue, but the MPC has the sound I like before I even have to touch an EQ or compressor. You mentioned the JURA plugin. I really like it. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it sounds the way I want it to sound. Or does it? I bought JU-06A, and in side-to-side comparison, the JU-06A has a clarity JURA lacks. I love the JU-06A for that “clarity” as well as the “happy accidents” aspect of it. It’s so extremely easy to experiment with and discover something totally new. It’s also really great for live techno jamming. But for building up a track, the convenience and repeatability of JURA wins out. And by the time I’m done with the mix, nobody is really going to tell the difference anyway. One note on 808s. I recently acquired a TR-8S. (Another screaming good deal). I already have the TR-6S (I shop the stores for insane deals on “anniversary editions”). I haven’t had a chance to figure out why yet, but the TR-8S is on another level when it comes to 808/909 sounds. I didn’t “need” the TR-8S, but it quickly landed in a position of importance. My “core” standalone setup right now is the PUSH3 with TR8S, HydraSynth, and PRO3.
its not the sound engine... its the sampler engine. open mpc software as a plugin in ableton and it'll sound the same way it does in a one/live2/x/etc. open battery in ableton and it'll sound like maschine. drop a wav file in the timeline of any daw, they'll all sound the same. drop it into a sampler/drumrack/drum program and thats where you'll see a difference.
@@LeeOnTheTracki think you are right, I always thought all daws sounded the same and it was the plugins that made a difference, but some top engineers said for some reason FL 10 hit harder. And since you mentioned it I don’t really notice a difference when I use the MPC software without the hardware. I agree with you.
Coming from a person who has used FL Studio since it was Fruity Loops. I always liked the work flow of the DAW. I recently bought the MPC Keys 37 and the learning curve on that since i have never used hardware is whats killing me. And im using MPC 3 since im new to the MPC ecosystem i wish there was more tutorials on the Keys 37 and MPC 3 software. But ima figure it out. Love your videos. Your the reason i bought the Keys 37
I didn't catch the live but caught the replay, and man this was a very good livestream in my opinion. Last winter, I decided to really build out my studio and add a live component to it and ended up getting the MPC 1000, a MicroKorg S, and a couple other gadgets to use while performing live online and offline, but I remembered that I could use it in the studio as well, so I've been re-learning making beats on the mpc, creating sounds on the microkorg, it's been such a dope process and finally feel like I'll be able to launch some live shows soon with them.
I will agree hardware sounds absolutely great the Only downside to me with hardware workstations is it’s extremely difficult To compose any meaningful film/sync music on them.
I agree, thats why I use Logic Pro and create my own sounds. Cant do that too much on Hardware, I feel hardware is only good for giggers and practicing music theoretics.
Most hardware keyboards aim for film, it’s very easy to achieve. Way before the computers started all the work for you like today’s DAWs the hardware keyboards was the only way. It just take that extra skill to get it. It just cost way more money that’s the only difference my opinion
@@hardbody_beazy back in the day orchestra style music took a orchestra. However there was a lot of analog synth gear used to create some very iconic musical pieces for film. Hybrid is the way. One of my last tracks to get sync was star kid and I did that solely on the Roland Fantom flagship.
I definitely agree with that as far as cinematic trailer music. You could fasho do music for ads, t.v. and film easily with hardware. It’ll still be more effective to arrange the songs in a DAW tho. Peace!
Bolo, I’d like to send you a track that was done with virtual instruments……Close your eyes, you’d swear it was done live….I have done it both ways,standalone and inside the computer…..The producers skill set means everything….
I have every Virtual Instrument and all of the sounds packs from all of the companies. They sound great, I use them from time to time. But I’ll stick to using my board for most of my production
Yes Bolo. You giving out a lot of knowledge in this video. There's too many things that you touched on to just comment on just one. From sound from the DAW and VSTs to sound from a standalone instrument, to learning our instruments and gear, to why some of us get a selection of keyboard synths, samplers and drum machines, too much to mention. Big respect Sir.
MPC BEATS is my set-up because it's a DAW, basically a digital version of analog MPCS and automatically integrates with midi controllers and live versions of MPC's.
One thing I've learnt is that The Placebo effect is real, coz I've blind tested folks with Syntronik vs actual keyboards & nobody could tell the difference 😂.. The only good thing I find with stand alone is a more fun experience with those tactile keys & knobs ect.
I know that the hardware sounds better, but I’ve been at this for a looong time and I loVe doing all that stuff that you save time on. I’m like a maaad scientist in here twisting up these beats. Knock, Envolution, and Torque alone can take any wEak beat and bring it some poWer real real quick.
For those who want to get into Standalone Hardware music production, there's plenty of QUALITY products that you can buy USED and save money...and for new, there are payment plans on certain price points of gear...but YES, you Will Be spending some money..Do your best to keep costs low
I started standalone before being in the box was a thing and I have to say that nowadays people have way better options than when I wasn't in the box. The one thing I wish manufacturers would make is a fully multitimbral sample playback synth desktop module. More than 4 channels of MIDI
I've sold every MPC and Machine Hardware throughout my lifetime. I feel that they are just eye candy. Everything it can do; Logic Pro X can do and better IMO. In reality all you need is Logic Pro X/Alchemy VST/Ozone Suite Bundle and customize your own drums in SAMPLER and its systems go! I haven't made hits yet, but I know music equipment, and most are cash grabs. MPC is only good because of Pad response/feel and pad size. I have a Roland FA-06 and NI Komplete Kontrol A-49; the last keyboard I actually see a need for is Roland Fantom EX and SYNTH wise is OBERHEIM TEO-5 (basically anything OBERHEIM).
Actually in my experience with the MPC is that it usually sounds better, but is mainly the swing compared to Logic. And playing with the pads. Same with maschine. Same VSTs, but it sounds better because it’s less rigid by default. (It can also be done with logic) Basically, thinking that the MPC software or Maschine sound different to Logic is 100% placebo. The difference is the timing and latency most of the times. Of course, if we are talking about older MPCs yes it’s different, but an MPC X is just the MPC software in a box.
MPC has zero latency. I can get a drum groove going in seconds it also sound great without out having to do tons of tweaking. Does the Force sound the same as all the other MPC’s?
Plus, with a computer, the room has extra noise, the room gets hot, Computer updates and troubleshooting, VST and program updates and troubleshooting, something called latency, and other problems. But, the computer has a unique sets of benefits as well. . . I will always have a hybrid setup myself. I think it's something called LoFi versus HiFi... VHS vs. DVD. 8-track vs. CD.....
I just want to add that I use both the standalone MPC Live II and Reason Studios with Arturia plugins and more. To achieve warmth from the plugins, I route them through outboard gear before bringing them back into the MPC and then into a 4-track Tascam. I love analog! I realized something was off when I switched from FL Studio to Reason 2.5-the sounds felt very thin until they started accepting third-party VSTs. I was still missing that richness I craved. So, last year, I invested heavily in analog gear, and there’s no turning back! 😅
Yeah buddy. I started on Fruity Loops. It wasn't called FL yet. Then moved to Reason 2.5. The cable routing and rack mounting was dope. It didn't sound so great though.
One thing I wish i knew before I personally started was the difference between a synth and a workstation polyphonic vs monophonic etc. and also multitimbral
You wouldn't know unless you have friends, family or musical background. Same story here, I watched hundreds of TH-cam videos over the years but it took me over 2 years plus buying DAWs, a lot of hardware and midi keyboards to understand what the hell is going on. It's part of the journey. Practice, exploration, and observation are the most important things to understand then progress. Knowledge is important but without those 3 principles you are wasting your time and you will forget everything the next week. Knowledge is the last piece because I feel into the rabbit hole so hard I was confused and overwhelmed. Turned out to be normal because everyone is praising their experiences.. This is the best DAW..Plugin..FX..Midi device..Monitor..Synth...groovebox...which one is first drums or melody? What is a melody? how to make chord progression? Do you know your scales? Is Logic better than Ableton? or is it FLstudio because its the most popular with youngsters? So much overlap between synths and workstations nowadays, I do have an arranger as well which is neither synth nor workstation. They are all the same basic ingredient but the sauce what makes it pops. I spent hundreds of hours on reddit around people who doesn't know sh** about music, same thing with TH-cam. But then I felt very happy when I found Bolo, he knows his art and craft and got documented experience. not to mention major success.AND engages with audience. Hats off to Bolo. I actually have notes that I wrote since day one and it's almost a random book for me for everything. Don't underestimate that tool. It will be your personal reference which will stick information to your head like the teacher with a stick we had in school. Don't regret your journey and keep looking. God bless.
I've always felt my MPC, 20 plus years old... sounds incredible, in many ways warmer and slaps more solid than virtual stuff... however, as soon as it's recorded into the DAW, it feels the same as anything I make in the box. A lot has to be toned down, transients reduced...
It’s all personal preference, one way is not better then the other, it just depends on how you like to work, I’m dabbling in both standalone hardware and my Mac set up too, they both are great but I’m trying to learn my new mpc one at the moment
I just got my first standalone this year. I've always used DAW, but a friend of mine got me into using standalone. Just like you I've been producing since like 2000. I started on Music Maker, but got more experienced through Fruity Loops, then transitioned to Reason 4. This generation won't understand the trials and hard work it took back then. You mentioned Cool Edit, I actually still use it lol. Standalone has elevated my sound to another level sonically. I don't think I will ever go back to DAW. Fruity Loops is cool. However, to me the drums have always sounded a bit muddy in the mix. The sound quality seems to be diminished a bit when I hear it.
Bro you encouraging me to show my set up! Roland SE02, Roland JX8P, Roland JV 1080, Motif Rack, MPC LiVE 2, Behringer 808, Yamaha CK 88 and etc. Man analog set up is my preferred way to cook!! Shit just smacks out of the gate!!!!
ASR10!!!!!!!! Plus MPC 2000xl with a great converter and preamp like the ISA one also please use a good mixing board or standalone tascam studio for mixing and mastering
One of the biggest reasons to go DAWless (of at least hybrid), for me, is latency. I like to play my tracks in and no matter how tight you get the latency on the computer its never zero, which really, really, really ... messes with my creativity and fun. So I am seriously thinking about how to go DAWless, or at least hybrid, for this one reason alone. I am looking at the Akai MPC Key 37 for this. I also agree that the hardware has a sound that cannot be got inside the box. Thanks for a great video
I love hardware I love close circuit. I switch the software, but then realizing that I have to make computer updates and updates. Suck hardware you pay once you’re done, but a combination of both is great too.
That shielding is no joke i just got the APC 64 and purchased a Alesis Nano Piano I tried to use regular Unbalanced 1/4 to RCA to my mixer and it sounded horrible I had to swap to Balanced 1/4 to XLR cables to get a clean sound. BTW if your not using Ableton dont get the APC 64. standalone its kind of weak but i got it on ebay for Cheap
💯I have been on stand alone and my joints always sound so clear. Is looking for a digital Daw or another recorder to just finish my joints. So I get compliments but I have a hard time with daws they just don't feel or sound the same. PEACE BRO, GREAT AND REAL VIDEO 💪🏿💪🏿👍🏿
Hey Bolo thanks for this video it answered a lot of my questions. For audio coming over USB, would that give any analog flavor in that case? Let's say using a TR-8S recording the USB AUDIO signal into a DAW? Any special flavor there? Would that be BETTER than using "in the box" drums or is that pretty much the same? Thanks for answering this! 🙂
Yes it will sound great. However you won’t be about to push the sound through pre amps and stuff like that to give it flavor. However, it will still sound very good 👍🏾
@@BoloDaProducer so better using the TR-8s out the 1/4” jacks into, let’s say a Soundcraft Mixer - then into then DAW? So nearly pushing, let’s say the kick, into the red? Should I keep the TR8S or sell it? Or am is it sufficient to push the sound out the MPC Live 2…?
I always wanted to sequence and sample/Chop in the mpc and use reason as my big rack/sound module that was a Dream set-up! I still love and use reason. I just wish reason studios would give up on making it a DAW and give us a SOLID RACK AS VST 3
Bolo how do you bounce out from the Maschine + to your DAW? It only has a stereo out so are you bouncing 1 stereo track at a time, wouldn't that take a long time to bounce out a whole beat?
Once upon a time reason used to be more professional sounding than fl studio. Wow how times have changed. I actually came from mpc2000, fl kicks just don't have the same hit as a mpc but I agree it is closet
I prefer to work in standalone because I feel like I’m actually doing something real as opposed to just clicking a mouse and plugging a midi keyboard into a USB port. That in turn affects my creativity in a positive way. But everybody has to work in a way that’s most beneficial for them.
How do you have the audio out from your synths going back into the mpc? Do you have a mixer somewhere, or a usb hub that all they keyboards are connected to?
I must agree ive used fl my whole life 15 year plus. Ive spent 1500 plus on a pc and vst's and etc. I randomly bought a juno and a mpc one plus and I can nooooooooooooooooooot turn my computer on for the life of me. The sound makes fl sound so flat and im a FL HEAD ....
Bolo! Love your channel. Question…I hear what you’re saying about the “wires” and analog to digital conversion because of the cables but, how do you explain a producer building completely inside the MPC device then, mixing down to a file? The sound is still that MPC sound but in a digital file. Just curious. Respect.
Tell them that before you could trigger separate keyboards, you needed to set the MIDI channel on the MPC to the MIDI channel of the keyboard you wanted to play first. LOL
Set up @ 32:55 zzounds has a used mpc one with a dent and scratch for $540.00 . that and the Korg Kross ( unless you think I should get new mpc 1 instead of used)
@@BoloDaProducer I'm having trouble adjusting to it. I grabbed it after seeing you and Zaytoven with it. I thought you would make some videos with it. I think ima return it for the mpc key 61.
24:26 if it sounds good it sounds good! Im telling you ive submitted beats that we didn't do shit to besides some basic leveling and im looking in the comments and alot of people were complimenting our mix😂😂😂😂. Sound selection is 90% of the mix
I think a lot of folks are doing way too much on their mixing and mastering, piling on plugin after plugin, when your using electronic instruments that’s not really necessary, it’s the live instrument tracking that is incredibly tricky
Avoid super cheap cables like the ones on temu & shein. I bought some cheap 1/4 cables and the tips broke off in my MPC key 61. I had to send it off to get them removed.
I have to disagree with you on FL Studio sounding the "closest." I make alot of my new beats from my Roland Fantom X. The Fantom X sounds 10 times better and the sound is fuller, even when you use the effects inside of the Fantom X. Lastly, you dont have to worry about latency and CPU usage with hardware.
I've learned this, TH-cam is not the place to mix or master a beat. If you focused on being a TH-cam guru, we'll go ahead and master your beats. But if you make beats to sell, don't mix or master. Just let them hear the concept. Once they talking contract. Then mix and master and send the track with a clear play back.
Im rocking a Yamaha Motif XF8 and Korg Kronos 2 88 key through an Allan & Heath CQ-18T mixer. I have a Maschine+ and MPC Live 2 run thru the mixer as well. I primarily write orchestral music, so I use a DAW (Cubase) with Vienna Symphonic Library, which the MPC and Maschine+ is just not tailored for, but, the Maschine+ and Live 2 are fantastic for writing percussion. I still dont understand the whole "beat" mentality, but I am starting to get into writing various forms of techno because I really dig old melodic techno from people like Paul Van Dyk or even older like Kraftwerk. I dont really like the modern keyboards and the direction they have gone, the only reason I have the new Allan and Heath mixer is, my 20 yr old mixer just recently died and so, I replaced it. In the chain, I have one other device, a Behringer Ultracurve DEQ2496 that sits between the mixer and my current studio monitors, the newest but discontinued model of the 8 inch monoprice studio monitors + matching 10 inch sub they sold. The Behringer Ultracurve DEQ2496 does a whole lot of things, but the only thing I use it for is the 31 band auto eq. This is the only device I am aware of that does this, you connect a microphone that has a flat sound (behringer makes one that runs about $40) and it will auto eq the output out of your speakers to give you a very close to flat sound, correcting for speaker and room acoustics. It basically can make studio speakers sound like $2000 speakers with a more flat and neutral sound. Instead of paying $2000 for studio monitors, I paid $500 total for the studio speakers, plus $300 for the DEQ + microphone and I still get better results than even $2000 speakers would have, because this even corrects for room inaccuracies.
akai mpc 1.0 is the best sounding daw ever but unfortunately the took those sonics away from us. akai mpc 1.0 sounds like original mpc. now akai daw sounds like sh//
What makes hardware sound so good is the signal hitting those circuits and DACs in the keys and rack synths. Each one has its own unique character.
It has to do with digital sounds inside the box. FL, has great sounding instruments unfortunately there’s many steps you’ll have to take to emulate the thickness and wide frequency spectrum that analogue equipment nature has, i.e saturation and bit rate. Best example i can give you would be checking out beat making vids made with the ASR10 keyboard/sampler and compare it to a fl studio beat vid. It mostly has to do with the bit rate in older sound equipment being low and the circuits and engineering inside the samplers and keyboard.
If your heart wants it go for it, don’t let nobody talk you out of it.
U ain’t never lie Bolo. I’ve been MPC for 10yrs and im actually trying to go backwards and learn FL it’s hard to get away from standalone.
Thanks!
Not only did Bolo keep it real, but he used real examples of situations from experiences he had to explain his reasoning on this. Salute! 🫡
I hear a lot of great sounding bad beats with no structure or good sound selection. I think the sound discussion has taken away from actually making good marketable music. Subjective but most music these days is bad. I don’t care what they run it through. Out of key 808’s, not understanding producing across the frequency spectrum, song arrangement, etc…. Besides all of that, most can’t make a beat by hand in time with the metronome click. I am training an FL Studio user on the MPC One Plus and he can’t play with the click. Once we get past that, he will be fire on the MPC. Great video.
Crazy part is, some people can't be taught rhythm so everybody's shxt is quantized to hell.
@@Official360 wow. Sheesh.
@@ceddmack2816 notice how you won’t hear this in the “mainstream” rap or any other genres…..I think you’re basing everything off of the average TH-cam producer and TH-cam/soundcloud artist. Let’s remember the words (professional) and (talented). A lot of these new rapper don’t even know what breath control is, I doubt they care what frequency spectrum is, they’ll choose a “bad” good cheap beat over an “amazing quality” okay expensive beat. Then the reality of NOT EVERYONE Will or Shall Be “Good”, and we shouldn’t want everyone to sound like the next person. Even though we are already at that point, thanks to SPLICE and Honestly, TH-cam Beatmakers. Not Producers But Beat Makers! If lil Jake decides to hop online today, and learn how to make beats, he’s gonna go find mr cliche, in which who just started making beats a few years prior had some placement and now they are Producer Gurus giving the same “chop this splice sample , now it’s time for the 808,” advice in which he picked up from 30 other TH-cam beat makers, and “learn” from that. Song arrangement is foreign language when lil Jake goes and copies the same beat step by step from a dude that learned what he’s teaching from 30 other people that all learned from each other and everyone stuck at the same level with the same loop waiting on the next man to drop something so they can pick that apart and have a new loop to teach.🫤😂 great “TH-cam Producers” need to go back and actually display talent and not just give tips and tricks. Show that it takes devotion, and practice to be great. Show what level that time spent perfecting that craft got you too. Be amazing, just how you’d be amazed watching an Araab Muzik, 9th wonder, Kanye west, Dr. Dre, or a Mike Dean create/display skill set! Make that sh*t look aspiring and not easily achievable. When people “strive” to be great then great things happen. When people wake up, turn on their laptop go to TH-cam and type in “how to” and all make the same beat using the same sample at the same time, that just leads to a bunch of bullshxt…. Most music sounds better than ever… just not in this TH-cam popular rap beat maker community….. (A producer is a special skill on it’s on). Any how Go Be Great, Be Original, Create, Grow. And at the end of the day remember the only bad beat is the one sitting in your computers or Mpcs yet to be heard. 🙏🏽
Nice setup and I agree with learning music theory because it’s the most underrated part of making music and most TH-camrs be saying you don’t need to know it.
You don't NEED to know it, but it helps
@@Official360 yes you do NEED IT, if you want to make good music!
@@mikevenus4117 Curb your feelings for a second. There's been plenty of billboard & platinum hits made without knowing theory. Period. Jimi Hendrix, Hans Zimmer & Stevie Wonder to name a few don't know "theory"
@@Official360 learning some music theory will go a long ways than not! Maybe you need to fall back before you get embarrassed! You probably need like 12 guys to make a basic as beat! Lol stfu 🤫 and stay in your lane 🤡!
U kow what Bolo u r right. I remember back in the day when I had a Roland w30 and did all my production on it it had a certain sound and style to it that DAW's just cannot reproduce. With all its limitations, whenever I created something it just had this nice feel to it.
9th Wonder did Little Brother’s entire first album in FL Studio. Enough said
You got to work the way you work. Standalone or in the box. Prefer to use standalone mostly because it works for me personally.
🔥
I’ve been a mixer for over 40 years and I agree with you about the sound engine in the MPCs. There is a life to the sound that is unique. My primary DAW ax of choice these days is Ableton, and that has the “coldest” mix I’ve ever had to deal with. Same converters, same samples, same everything. I’ve found my ways to deal with it, so it’s a non-issue, but the MPC has the sound I like before I even have to touch an EQ or compressor.
You mentioned the JURA plugin. I really like it. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it sounds the way I want it to sound. Or does it? I bought JU-06A, and in side-to-side comparison, the JU-06A has a clarity JURA lacks. I love the JU-06A for that “clarity” as well as the “happy accidents” aspect of it. It’s so extremely easy to experiment with and discover something totally new. It’s also really great for live techno jamming. But for building up a track, the convenience and repeatability of JURA wins out. And by the time I’m done with the mix, nobody is really going to tell the difference anyway.
One note on 808s. I recently acquired a TR-8S. (Another screaming good deal). I already have the TR-6S (I shop the stores for insane deals on “anniversary editions”). I haven’t had a chance to figure out why yet, but the TR-8S is on another level when it comes to 808/909 sounds. I didn’t “need” the TR-8S, but it quickly landed in a position of importance.
My “core” standalone setup right now is the PUSH3 with TR8S, HydraSynth, and PRO3.
Nice 👍🏾
its not the sound engine... its the sampler engine. open mpc software as a plugin in ableton and it'll sound the same way it does in a one/live2/x/etc. open battery in ableton and it'll sound like maschine. drop a wav file in the timeline of any daw, they'll all sound the same. drop it into a sampler/drumrack/drum program and thats where you'll see a difference.
@@BoloDaProducer😁
@@LeeOnTheTracki think you are right, I always thought all daws sounded the same and it was the plugins that made a difference, but some top engineers said for some reason FL 10 hit harder. And since you mentioned it I don’t really notice a difference when I use the MPC software without the hardware. I agree with you.
Coming from a person who has used FL Studio since it was Fruity Loops. I always liked the work flow of the DAW. I recently bought the MPC Keys 37 and the learning curve on that since i have never used hardware is whats killing me. And im using MPC 3 since im new to the MPC ecosystem i wish there was more tutorials on the Keys 37 and MPC 3 software. But ima figure it out. Love your videos. Your the reason i bought the Keys 37
I didn't catch the live but caught the replay, and man this was a very good livestream in my opinion. Last winter, I decided to really build out my studio and add a live component to it and ended up getting the MPC 1000, a MicroKorg S, and a couple other gadgets to use while performing live online and offline, but I remembered that I could use it in the studio as well, so I've been re-learning making beats on the mpc, creating sounds on the microkorg, it's been such a dope process and finally feel like I'll be able to launch some live shows soon with them.
I will agree hardware sounds absolutely great the Only downside to me with hardware workstations is it’s extremely difficult To compose any meaningful film/sync music on them.
I agree, thats why I use Logic Pro and create my own sounds. Cant do that too much on Hardware, I feel hardware is only good for giggers and practicing music theoretics.
Most hardware keyboards aim for film, it’s very easy to achieve. Way before the computers started all the work for you like today’s DAWs the hardware keyboards was the only way. It just take that extra skill to get it. It just cost way more money that’s the only difference my opinion
@@hardbody_beazy back in the day orchestra style music took a orchestra. However there was a lot of analog synth gear used to create some very iconic musical pieces for film. Hybrid is the way. One of my last tracks to get sync was star kid and I did that solely on the Roland Fantom flagship.
I definitely agree with that as far as cinematic trailer music. You could fasho do music for ads, t.v. and film easily with hardware. It’ll still be more effective to arrange the songs in a DAW tho. Peace!
You gotta learn to actually play parts for film… I don’t know of a workstation that makes it difficult to achieve that…
Bolo, that new MPC soft clipper ain't no joke if you know how to use it…and its real nice as a vst, Au plugin
Bolo, I’d like to send you a track that was done with virtual instruments……Close your eyes, you’d swear it was done live….I have done it both ways,standalone and inside the computer…..The producers skill set means everything….
I have every Virtual Instrument and all of the sounds packs from all of the companies. They sound great, I use them from time to time. But I’ll stick to using my board for most of my production
Yes Bolo. You giving out a lot of knowledge in this video. There's too many things that you touched on to just comment on just one. From sound from the DAW and VSTs to sound from a standalone instrument, to learning our instruments and gear, to why some of us get a selection of keyboard synths, samplers and drum machines, too much to mention. Big respect Sir.
MPC BEATS is my set-up because it's a DAW, basically a digital version of analog MPCS and automatically integrates with midi controllers and live versions of MPC's.
One thing I've learnt is that The Placebo effect is real, coz I've blind tested folks with Syntronik vs actual keyboards & nobody could tell the difference 😂..
The only good thing I find with stand alone is a more fun experience with those tactile keys & knobs ect.
I started on Magix Music Maker on Playstation 2. Then got Reason 2.5 back in 2004 and would rewire into FL to use it's sampler alongside Reason.
Setup is wicked.
Great video and even better hat. #GoBucs
I know that the hardware sounds better, but I’ve been at this for a looong time and I loVe doing all that stuff that you save time on. I’m like a maaad scientist in here twisting up these beats.
Knock, Envolution, and Torque alone can take any wEak beat and bring it some poWer real real quick.
For those who want to get into Standalone Hardware music production, there's plenty of QUALITY products that you can buy USED and save money...and for new, there are payment plans on certain price points of gear...but YES, you Will Be spending some money..Do your best to keep costs low
I started standalone before being in the box was a thing and I have to say that nowadays people have way better options than when I wasn't in the box. The one thing I wish manufacturers would make is a fully multitimbral sample playback synth desktop module. More than 4 channels of MIDI
I've sold every MPC and Machine Hardware throughout my lifetime. I feel that they are just eye candy. Everything it can do; Logic Pro X can do and better IMO. In reality all you need is Logic Pro X/Alchemy VST/Ozone Suite Bundle and customize your own drums in SAMPLER and its systems go! I haven't made hits yet, but I know music equipment, and most are cash grabs. MPC is only good because of Pad response/feel and pad size. I have a Roland FA-06 and NI Komplete Kontrol A-49; the last keyboard I actually see a need for is Roland Fantom EX and SYNTH wise is OBERHEIM TEO-5 (basically anything OBERHEIM).
Actually in my experience with the MPC is that it usually sounds better, but is mainly the swing compared to Logic. And playing with the pads. Same with maschine.
Same VSTs, but it sounds better because it’s less rigid by default. (It can also be done with logic)
Basically, thinking that the MPC software or Maschine sound different to Logic is 100% placebo. The difference is the timing and latency most of the times.
Of course, if we are talking about older MPCs yes it’s different, but an MPC X is just the MPC software in a box.
MPC has zero latency. I can get a drum groove going in seconds it also sound great without out having to do tons of tweaking. Does the Force sound the same as all the other MPC’s?
Which ozone bundle is good? Can you recommend ?
Ozone 11/Izotope? Is that the one you talking ?
In mixing. pull everything up. without distorting,,,and pull all. instruments down where you. Can hear each instrument,,,,clearly,,,works. for me!💯👍
Plus, with a computer, the room has extra noise, the room gets hot, Computer updates and troubleshooting, VST and program updates and troubleshooting, something called latency, and other problems. But, the computer has a unique sets of benefits as well. . . I will always have a hybrid setup myself.
I think it's something called LoFi versus HiFi... VHS vs. DVD. 8-track vs. CD.....
I just want to add that I use both the standalone MPC Live II and Reason Studios with Arturia plugins and more. To achieve warmth from the plugins, I route them through outboard gear before bringing them back into the MPC and then into a 4-track Tascam. I love analog! I realized something was off when I switched from FL Studio to Reason 2.5-the sounds felt very thin until they started accepting third-party VSTs. I was still missing that richness I craved. So, last year, I invested heavily in analog gear, and there’s no turning back! 😅
41:01 I just recently heard this, even the brim from a hat effect what you are hearing when mixing… great video and well explained on this topic🔥🔥🔥
thanks for sharing your knowledge and interesting experience
Yeah buddy. I started on Fruity Loops. It wasn't called FL yet. Then moved to Reason 2.5. The cable routing and rack mounting was dope. It didn't sound so great though.
One thing I wish i knew before I personally started was the difference between a synth and a workstation polyphonic vs monophonic etc. and also multitimbral
Very true!!
You wouldn't know unless you have friends, family or musical background. Same story here, I watched hundreds of TH-cam videos over the years but it took me over 2 years plus buying DAWs, a lot of hardware and midi keyboards to understand what the hell is going on.
It's part of the journey. Practice, exploration, and observation are the most important things to understand then progress. Knowledge is important but without those 3 principles you are wasting your time and you will forget everything the next week.
Knowledge is the last piece because I feel into the rabbit hole so hard I was confused and overwhelmed. Turned out to be normal because everyone is praising their experiences.. This is the best DAW..Plugin..FX..Midi device..Monitor..Synth...groovebox...which one is first drums or melody? What is a melody? how to make chord progression? Do you know your scales? Is Logic better than Ableton? or is it FLstudio because its the most popular with youngsters? So much overlap between synths and workstations nowadays, I do have an arranger as well which is neither synth nor workstation. They are all the same basic ingredient but the sauce what makes it pops.
I spent hundreds of hours on reddit around people who doesn't know sh** about music, same thing with TH-cam. But then I felt very happy when I found Bolo, he knows his art and craft and got documented experience. not to mention major success.AND engages with audience. Hats off to Bolo.
I actually have notes that I wrote since day one and it's almost a random book for me for everything. Don't underestimate that tool. It will be your personal reference which will stick information to your head like the teacher with a stick we had in school.
Don't regret your journey and keep looking. God bless.
Mad Respect BOLO💪🏽💪🏽 Always Appreciate Your Humbleness 🤲🏽 ! I’m a Gear Hoarder, and you definitely make it make sense to be one!! 👍🏽👊🏾 B.O.L.O
I've always felt my MPC, 20 plus years old... sounds incredible, in many ways warmer and slaps more solid than virtual stuff... however, as soon as it's recorded into the DAW, it feels the same as anything I make in the box. A lot has to be toned down, transients reduced...
That's is a very nice setup behind you! I have a similar setup. The Nautilus instead of the montage way easier to use and setup
Yes the Nautilus it’s definitely MUCH EASIER!
It’s all personal preference, one way is not better then the other, it just depends on how you like to work, I’m dabbling in both standalone hardware and my Mac set up too, they both are great but I’m trying to learn my new mpc one at the moment
I just got my first standalone this year. I've always used DAW, but a friend of mine got me into using standalone. Just like you I've been producing since like 2000. I started on Music Maker, but got more experienced through Fruity Loops, then transitioned to Reason 4. This generation won't understand the trials and hard work it took back then. You mentioned Cool Edit, I actually still use it lol. Standalone has elevated my sound to another level sonically. I don't think I will ever go back to DAW. Fruity Loops is cool. However, to me the drums have always sounded a bit muddy in the mix. The sound quality seems to be diminished a bit when I hear it.
Bro you encouraging me to show my set up! Roland SE02, Roland JX8P, Roland JV 1080, Motif Rack, MPC LiVE 2, Behringer 808, Yamaha CK 88 and etc. Man analog set up is my preferred way to cook!! Shit just smacks out of the gate!!!!
ASR10!!!!!!!! Plus MPC 2000xl with a great converter and preamp like the ISA one also please use a good mixing board or standalone tascam studio for mixing and mastering
I have a novation ultranova synthesizer but can’t figure out how to link it with my MPC one.
11:35 You aint lyin! I love sound designing in Ableton but I hate mixing and mastering in that DAW. My mixes come out cleaner in FL. I dont know why
One of the biggest reasons to go DAWless (of at least hybrid), for me, is latency. I like to play my tracks in and no matter how tight you get the latency on the computer its never zero, which really, really, really ... messes with my creativity and fun. So I am seriously thinking about how to go DAWless, or at least hybrid, for this one reason alone. I am looking at the Akai MPC Key 37 for this. I also agree that the hardware has a sound that cannot be got inside the box. Thanks for a great video
FL has a limiter on the master bus by default.
Why not Akai MPK Midi Kbd. with pads?
I love hardware I love close circuit. I switch the software, but then realizing that I have to make computer updates and updates. Suck hardware you pay once you’re done, but a combination of both is great too.
Making mic cable ten ft long if you solder it yourself with mogami mic bulk cable and nurtik cable ends might be 30.00 more or less
Hummm…. That might be the way to go!
RZA clipping his beats was how he got that raw sound
Copped the MPC One last year and stepped away from the Daw. Best decision ever made.
Absolutely a factual thing. Well said brother Bolo
Your so right i drop wav from my roland/ triton into Ableton
Hell Yeah! S/O Reason 2 Gang!!
That shielding is no joke i just got the APC 64 and purchased a Alesis Nano Piano I tried to use regular Unbalanced 1/4 to RCA to my mixer and it sounded horrible I had to swap to Balanced 1/4 to XLR cables to get a clean sound. BTW if your not using Ableton dont get the APC 64. standalone its kind of weak but i got it on ebay for Cheap
Thanks for sharing
💯I have been on stand alone and my joints always sound so clear. Is looking for a digital Daw or another recorder to just finish my joints. So I get compliments but I have a hard time with daws they just don't feel or sound the same. PEACE BRO, GREAT AND REAL VIDEO 💪🏿💪🏿👍🏿
No DAW drums sounds better than any MPC drums. Been that way for over 30 years. No plug in instruments sound better than that Roland Fatnom. ✅️
Meh. The lines are blurring more and more daily.
Hey Bolo thanks for this video it answered a lot of my questions. For audio coming over USB, would that give any analog flavor in that case? Let's say using a TR-8S recording the USB AUDIO signal into a DAW? Any special flavor there? Would that be BETTER than using "in the box" drums or is that pretty much the same? Thanks for answering this! 🙂
Yes it will sound great. However you won’t be about to push the sound through pre amps and stuff like that to give it flavor. However, it will still sound very good 👍🏾
@@BoloDaProducer so better using the TR-8s out the 1/4” jacks into, let’s say a Soundcraft Mixer - then into then DAW? So nearly pushing, let’s say the kick, into the red? Should I keep the TR8S or sell it? Or am is it sufficient to push the sound out the MPC Live 2…?
I always wanted to sequence and sample/Chop in the mpc and use reason as my big rack/sound module that was a Dream set-up! I still love and use reason. I just wish reason studios would give up on making it a DAW and give us a SOLID RACK AS VST 3
Reason 2.5 rewired to cool edit pro was my process for a lil while back then too .Im still in reason tho.And my mpc from time to time
Bolo how do you bounce out from the Maschine + to your DAW? It only has a stereo out so are you bouncing 1 stereo track at a time, wouldn't that take a long time to bounce out a whole beat?
I use the stereo out, usually I have about 12 tracks of an 8 bar loop. It takes me about 5 mins.
@@BoloDaProducer thanks for the insight!
Once upon a time reason used to be more professional sounding than fl studio. Wow how times have changed. I actually came from mpc2000, fl kicks just don't have the same hit as a mpc but I agree it is closet
True!
I prefer to work in standalone because I feel like I’m actually doing something real as opposed to just clicking a mouse and plugging a midi keyboard into a USB port. That in turn affects my creativity in a positive way. But everybody has to work in a way that’s most beneficial for them.
Great advice
How do you use the Tascam 12 to get the analog sound? Or can you get the analog sound sending 1/4inch cables into the tascam and then into the daw.
Tascam to daw through cables
Havnt touch a daw since 2020 when i upgraded to Live2.
Only con with tge Key 61 is no speakers.
How do you have the audio out from your synths going back into the mpc? Do you have a mixer somewhere, or a usb hub that all they keyboards are connected to?
Hey B, What do you think about the Roland Integra ?
as an mpc user, what are your thoughts of pairing the mpc with ableton live? or are you more of an mpc and logic or studio one guy?
I must agree ive used fl my whole life 15 year plus. Ive spent 1500 plus on a pc and vst's and etc. I randomly bought a juno and a mpc one plus and I can nooooooooooooooooooot turn my computer on for the life of me. The sound makes fl sound so flat and im a FL HEAD ....
Bolo! Love your channel. Question…I hear what you’re saying about the “wires” and analog to digital conversion because of the cables but, how do you explain a producer building completely inside the MPC device then, mixing down to a file? The sound is still that MPC sound but in a digital file. Just curious. Respect.
Tell them that before you could trigger separate keyboards, you needed to set the MIDI channel on the MPC to the MIDI channel of the keyboard you wanted to play first. LOL
Does this include the modern mpcs?, because i want to get the Live 2 next pay day
Yes. On top of the MPC60 & 3000 sound emulation they have
Set up @ 32:55 zzounds has a used mpc one with a dent and scratch for $540.00 . that and the Korg Kross ( unless you think I should get new mpc 1 instead of used)
Usually the scratch and dent are normal returns, most are in great shape and you get return warranty. Make sure to use my Zzounds link,
preciate the game man
No problem 👍🏾
@BoloDaProducer What about the Nautilus????
U didn't mention the Nautilus workstation.....
It’s a good board too, I ended up swapping it out though. But it’s a great board
@@BoloDaProducer I'm having trouble adjusting to it. I grabbed it after seeing you and Zaytoven with it. I thought you would make some videos with it. I think ima return it for the mpc key 61.
24:26 if it sounds good it sounds good! Im telling you ive submitted beats that we didn't do shit to besides some basic leveling and im looking in the comments and alot of people were complimenting our mix😂😂😂😂. Sound selection is 90% of the mix
I think a lot of folks are doing way too much on their mixing and mastering, piling on plugin after plugin, when your using electronic instruments that’s not really necessary, it’s the live instrument tracking that is incredibly tricky
Avoid super cheap cables like the ones on temu & shein. I bought some cheap 1/4 cables and the tips broke off in my MPC key 61. I had to send it off to get them removed.
if you had to choose between the montage m and the roland fantom, which would you pick?
I have a Roland Gaia 2 and I’m try to connect to my live 2
maybe I'm lucky or something because i us my Fantom X6 as a midi controller in FL on widows 7 🤣😂🤣 no latency ....
I have to disagree with you on FL Studio sounding the "closest." I make alot of my new beats from my Roland Fantom X. The Fantom X sounds 10 times better and the sound is fuller, even when you use the effects inside of the Fantom X. Lastly, you dont have to worry about latency and CPU usage with hardware.
I said the closest DAW
@@BoloDaProducer Pro Tools HD Ultimate is the best. Zero latency
@@BoloDaProducer I read the entire Roland manual and learned the Fantom X to the fullest. I haven't touched FL studio since.
@@BoloDaProducer The same RC 20 effects are in the Fantom X
@@BoloDaProducer You also can run audio through the Fantom X and use the effects in real time into an external board or recorder.
You said FL is the closest sounding to MPC. Well what about in comparison to the MPC software itself?
bolo when is 3.0 going to be available for everyone else I bought an MPC Live 2 today and they only have 2.1.5
Public beta is already available. Its actually on 3.4
@@yaegang4071 but when I went to look for downloads for MPC live 2 it was not there as an option I guess I am going to have to call them or email them
Bolo talk to them folk bout routing sends into sends
Id say just buy a keys 61 and that will cover it all!
I got a couple grand tied up in cables 😂
Either I’m a time traveler or you already released this video
What about mpc2?
Dope!
Which Juno was he talking about? Juno X, Juno DS61...?
The ds88 just found out they discontinued the ds61
@@BoloDaProducer Thank you!
Pro Tools is still A-1
It is👍🏾
Bolo what is your keyboard stand
Here ya go! amzn.to/4evBAbp
Standalone is where is it, if you got good ear then you know music sounds better and richer with hardware.
💎💎💎
Plus, you can sell gear, not software.
I've learned this, TH-cam is not the place to mix or master a beat. If you focused on being a TH-cam guru, we'll go ahead and master your beats. But if you make beats to sell, don't mix or master. Just let them hear the concept. Once they talking contract. Then mix and master and send the track with a clear play back.
33:56 can I use that as my tag?
If you got cottonmouth bro, take a drink of water nobody’s gonna mind
YEAH I'M BACK ON MY HARDWARE MAN I'M 67 YEARS OL
D SO WHEN I GET SOMETHING REAL
TIGHT I'LL SEND IT TO YOU SO YOU CAN FEATURE ME LOL
Bolo, because of you that's all I know is standalone. 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks!
Im rocking a Yamaha Motif XF8 and Korg Kronos 2 88 key through an Allan & Heath CQ-18T mixer. I have a Maschine+ and MPC Live 2 run thru the mixer as well. I primarily write orchestral music, so I use a DAW (Cubase) with Vienna Symphonic Library, which the MPC and Maschine+ is just not tailored for, but, the Maschine+ and Live 2 are fantastic for writing percussion. I still dont understand the whole "beat" mentality, but I am starting to get into writing various forms of techno because I really dig old melodic techno from people like Paul Van Dyk or even older like Kraftwerk. I dont really like the modern keyboards and the direction they have gone, the only reason I have the new Allan and Heath mixer is, my 20 yr old mixer just recently died and so, I replaced it. In the chain, I have one other device, a Behringer Ultracurve DEQ2496 that sits between the mixer and my current studio monitors, the newest but discontinued model of the 8 inch monoprice studio monitors + matching 10 inch sub they sold. The Behringer Ultracurve DEQ2496 does a whole lot of things, but the only thing I use it for is the 31 band auto eq. This is the only device I am aware of that does this, you connect a microphone that has a flat sound (behringer makes one that runs about $40) and it will auto eq the output out of your speakers to give you a very close to flat sound, correcting for speaker and room acoustics. It basically can make studio speakers sound like $2000 speakers with a more flat and neutral sound. Instead of paying $2000 for studio monitors, I paid $500 total for the studio speakers, plus $300 for the DEQ + microphone and I still get better results than even $2000 speakers would have, because this even corrects for room inaccuracies.
Nice setup!
akai mpc 1.0 is the best sounding daw ever but unfortunately the took those sonics away from us. akai mpc 1.0 sounds like original mpc. now akai daw sounds like sh//