Using 16 Levels (MPC) for Bass...

  • Thread starter Thread starter d_marz45
  • Start date Start date
D

d_marz45

New member
Ive heard people say they sample bass and then put it on the 16 levels but i found some nice bass sounds and tryed to put it on the 16 levels and it sounds way off key on most notes... any tips???
 
You may need to fine-tune if they came off of vinyl/CD. Not every song is tuned to A 440.

Also, make sure your bass sounds are pure... nothing extra going on in the background.
 
Its basically limiting you to 16 keys on an 81 key piano...get yourself a $100 midi keystation and play out the bass sample on there.
 
You really only need 16 different pitches of bass you know... i have a midi keyboard but id rather just play in on the mpc... what do u mean fine tune it? I have one bass sound and all the other pitches sound off except for the original bass note..
 
d_marz45 said:
I have one bass sound and all the other pitches sound off except for the original bass note..
Click to expand...

Are you saying only 15 pads in 16 levels mode are playing sounds, and one just does nothing?
 
man look, 16 levels just alters the speed at wich the sample is played back at wich in turn changes the pitch, you need to listen to what notes you need to play. just cause you have a 61 key keyboard doesn't mean that you can just play any old note and expect it to sound good.... hence why it's nice to learn how to play keyboard (or any scaled instrument for that matter) additionally some times with the pitch change a note may not be directly on. in that case you have 2 options 1) map out your bass notes manually to be sure your pitch is where you need it. 2) and this is less precise way, when you 16 level a note you can adjust the pitch on the params screen till you get closer to the notes you'd prefer.
 
yeah...i noticed the pitch is off with the 16 levels...you just got to copy your bass to another pad and tune it to how you want it to sound...build a bassline ....that's it..
 
I always thought bass sounded really bad, well anything with 16 levels. So i would just chop up some bass loops or make my own bass loops and chop them up, pitch to fit the sample. I found that much easier.
 
flux302 said:
man look, 16 levels just alters the speed at wich the sample is played back at wich in turn changes the pitch, you need to listen to what notes you need to play. just cause you have a 61 key keyboard doesn't mean that you can just play any old note and expect it to sound good.... hence why it's nice to learn how to play keyboard (or any scaled instrument for that matter) additionally some times with the pitch change a note may not be directly on. in that case you have 2 options 1) map out your bass notes manually to be sure your pitch is where you need it. 2) and this is less precise way, when you 16 level a note you can adjust the pitch on the params screen till you get closer to the notes you'd prefer.
Click to expand...

Maybe I am wrong....

But I THOUGHT the "16 Levels" feature put the SAME sound on each pad at a different VOLUME Level.....

I could have Sworn i saw a video for the new akai midi controler where the guy demonstrated this....

Please confirm or deny....I would really like to know
Thanks
:hello:
 
BigBrotherMotown said:
Maybe I am wrong....

But I THOUGHT the "16 Levels" feature put the SAME sound on each pad at a different VOLUME Level.....

I could have Sworn i saw a video for the new akai midi controler where the guy demonstrated this....

Please confirm or deny....I would really like to know
Thanks
:hello:
Click to expand...

It can do both, pitch or volume.
 
I don't believe im leaving a post on here after reading the others that seem to be very old, but maybe your still looking for help. I have the mpc2500 and I don't use 16 levels for bass only to change the tune of a sample or the velocity. I sample the bass tone I want make it a perfect loop. turn it into a patch phrase chopped over 16 pads. what mpc are you using... it should be the same for them all,,, I think???
 
thelonelyest said:
I don't believe im leaving a post on here after reading the others that seem to be very old, but maybe your still looking for help. I have the mpc2500 and I don't use 16 levels for bass only to change the tune of a sample or the velocity. I sample the bass tone I want make it a perfect loop. turn it into a patch phrase chopped over 16 pads. what mpc are you using... it should be the same for them all,,, I think???
Click to expand...

You got it! Patch phrase then 16 levels keeps the bass in tune and able to play. Its like a poor mans multi keygroup. You can only do it on the 1000 and 2500. 4K can do keygroups. 2K and 2Kxl can only do 16 levels.

Watch Kev make his bass line on the xl:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHOXXsu4ehc

2500 using p.p. and 16 levels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--GzodmsZtI
 
d_marz45 said:
Ive heard people say they sample bass and then put it on the 16 levels but i found some nice bass sounds and tryed to put it on the 16 levels and it sounds way off key on most notes... any tips???
Click to expand...


Hit me on the IM I'll send you a few basses PGM'd up... By the Way, which MPC do you have???
Peace
S II
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top