Akai MPC2000 (MIDI PRODUCTION CENTER) Essay, Research Paper

AKAI MPC2000

MIDI PRODUCTION CENTER

The following is a summary of the advanced features of the AKAI MPC2000,

which include a built in sampler, sequencer and more.

Here is a detailed general description of the AKAI MPC2000.

Large 248 x 60 dot LCD display with graphics.

6 functions keys under the LCD display provide various functions on each page.

Built-in 1.44 megabyte floppy disk drive to store both sequences and sound data.

Built-in SCSI interface for storing data to external hard disk.

Here is a detailed description of the AKAI MPC2000?s built in sampler.

16-bit, 44.1kHz stereo sampling

High capacity sound memory: 2 megabytes standard (22 seconds mono or 11 seconds

stereo), expandable to 32 megabytes with SIMM memory.

Digital sampling input for direct recording from digital sources with IB-M208P board.

128 sounds (samples) may be held in memory at one time.

32 simultaneous playback voices.

The envelope or filter can be set for each sound.

Optional multi-effects generator EB16 for versatile effects.

Sample files may be loaded from AKAI S1000 and S3000 disks.

IB-M208P (optional) enables you to mix and output internal sampler sounds from 8

individual outputs.

A maximum of 24 programs (sound assignments and sound parameter settings) can be

created.

A selection between poloyphonic (multiple sounds are overlaid when the same sound

is played continuously) or mono (the second sound silences the first).

It is possible to stop the playing of a sound with another sound. This is used to

simulate the open close effect of the hi hat.

It is possible to copy a part of a sound as a separate sound or paste a sound to a

section of a sound. It is also possible to mute or reverse part of a sound.

One MIDI note can play three sounds. The sounds can be played simultaneously,

switched by velocity, or with the NOTE VARIATION slider.

Loop settings can be made to a sound

The velocity can change the playback pitch.

When phrase sampling, it is possible to calculate the tempo of the phrase from the

length of the sound loop.

Since the sound wave patterns are displayed, its is possible to edit the sound while

watching the wave pattern. It is also possible to zoom in or out on the wave pattern

Here is a detailed description of the AKAI MPC2000?s built in sequencer.

Loop recording function enables quick recording by looping short phrases.

10,000 note sequencer memory capacity. (1NOTE VARIATION = 2NOTE)

99 sequences may be held in memory at once. Each sequence contains 64 individual

tracks.

2 independent MIDI outputs ports permit 32 simultaneous MIDI output channels.

2 mergeable MIDI inputs.

The optional SMPTE boards enable synchronization with SMPTE time codes.

MTC (MIDI time code), MMC (MIDI machine control) compatible.

Data can be exported to or imported from standard MIDI files.

Step edit functions enables you top edit individual events.

The velocity of each track can easily be modified.

It is possible to record 16 MIDI channels at one time.

Tap tempo feature allows the playback tempo to be set by tapping a key in the time of

1/4-notes.

Programmable tempo changes in mid-sequence or mid-song are supported.

Auto punch feature enables you to punch in or punch out automatically in the

designated sequence.

Swing feature enables you to add a swing-feel to the rhythm.

16 velocity and pressure sensitive front panel drum pads and 4 pad banks provide a

total of 64 pad/bank combinations.

The NOTE VARIATION slider controls the decay or filter value of the sound source

in real time.

Since it is possible to convert MIDI sustain pedal data to note duration data, you can

place sustain effects independently from the note data within a track.

The note repeat function and the after touch function pads enable you to easily enter

drum rolls and hi-hat beats.

The UNDO SEQ key enables you to undo sequence recordings or edits.

?Then to Now?

Akai is now known for their range of samplers which still have major

part in most production studios around the globe. And it is no surprise that it was them

that produced the world’s first sampler and sequence integrated rhythm machine with such

a flexibility in sampling. It was back in later ’80s that Akai produced the first Midi

Production Center MPC60 in collaboration with Roger Linn, one of the originators of

what is now called Drum machines. With his expertise of producing Linn Drum series

Combination of sequences and keyboards, and sound modules were becoming popular at

the time as the MIDI standard was coming of age.

MPC was designed to give us musicians the technology in one neat box that

doesn’t need qualified electricians around it to just keep on working. Surely he was

popular along producers and studio technicians whose main concern is practicality.

His name also become a mode in many hip hop producers and there are still many people

coming into studio with just 2 turn tables and a MPC.

MPC60 was then followed by MPC60mk2 which incorporated a SCSI port

and more memory, and It was superseded by the MPC3000 of which design was based on

the 16 bit sampler S3000, which was already becoming popular at the time. (But there are

still many people using MPC60s for the ‘lo-fi’ sound quality coming out of its 12 bit

sampling engine. And surely the MPC sequencer was already such an advanced system.

However, the MPC3000 was surely a great machine, but its cost (it was probably

the most expensive rhythm machine at the time, though much cheaper than other sampler

co-operated systems) prohibited the use of those who are not making music commercially.

At the same time, Akai’s normal sampler (?) division was finishing the designs of S-XL

range and the S2000 which in simple terms had higher specification with a modest price

tag, which rang the bell of their MPC division. In fact MPC2000 has almost the same

sound engine as that of S2000.

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