Using an 808 for hip hop production

13 Nov 2007, 10:54

Hello, i am a complete newb in production. I just got this machine last night. I have messed with it this morning and I like the sounds in this machine.

I have a question. How many of you use it for hip hop production and what advice do you have for me.

I want to use it like an MPC and I want to know if that's possible to do so.

I'm not a fan of the TR-Rec feature, so is Step-Rec the better way to program drums in this?

Help me out here. Also I want to know if you could hook up a turntable to it and how to go about it?

Thanks

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

13 Nov 2007, 23:14

It's not gonna be like an MPC.

Is it the MC808 you got?

There's an SP808 (and 808ex) and of course the TR808 as well you know...

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

14 Nov 2007, 11:17

MC-808

That's what I have.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

14 Nov 2007, 12:04

Hi 808man32,

welcome!

Think of your mc-808 as a synthesizer without a keyboard and with a sequencer.

If you do not like the tr-rec you can also record in realtime what you are playing on the pads (or an external keyboard of cause).

You can use the mc-808 like a mpc (i never had one in my hands

) in the sense that this is a device that handles midi data. You can also add your own samples, program your own sounds and so much more.

Please be sure to read the mc-808-faq in the documents section of this forum. It will give you many hints that are not given in the official manual.

Ciao, Dirk.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 08:45

one of the few hip hop production videos (with the 808) that I found on youtube... (there are probably more)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6h8BWPMQU

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 10:19

Hi 808man32,

welcome!

Think of your mc-808 as a synthesizer without a keyboard and with a sequencer.

If you do not like the tr-rec you can also record in realtime what you are playing on the pads (or an external keyboard of cause).

You can use the mc-808 like a mpc (i never had one in my hands ) in the sense that this is a device that handles midi data. You can also add your own samples, program your own sounds and so much more.

Please be sure to read the mc-808-faq in the documents section of this forum. It will give you many hints that are not given in the official manual.

Ciao, Dirk.

yeah i downloaded it and it has some really useful info in it, thanks

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 10:21

one of the few hip hop production videos (with the 808) that I found on youtube... (there are probably more)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6h8BWPMQU

yeah there's not many videos on youtube. most are trance or edm type of music.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 10:30

I also want to know if you can hook up a turntable to it. I've looked on the back of the machine and I don't see any RCA inputs on it.

I'm thinking that you have to use 1/4" to rca cables. The one's that are individual cables and not the one's that are two rca plugs and one 1/4" plug.

would this work if I plug the RCA plugs into my mixer and then take the 1/4" plugs and plug them into the L & R inputs on my MC-808?

Let me know if this will work

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 11:02

Hi 808man32,

connecting a turntable directly is no good idea. You need a special preamplifier

Therefore if you connect to turntable to your mixer and then the mixer to the direct input this will work.

Do you use your turnable as an instrument for scratching or for mixing?

When using the turntable for mixing the best setup should be to connect turntable and the mc-808 to your mixer and then fade there.

Ciao, Dirk.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 11:19

you answered my question and I was thinking the same thing. I was talking about connecting to my mixer and if that would work and you say it does, so thanks for that.

I want to use it to sample and do a little scratching as well. I'm not that good at scratching yet, know a few basics, that's it. I'm trying to get the whole thing working together.

I'm maxing out the RAM next month along with getting a CF card. Is it still only compatible up to one GB on the CF card? or is it 2?

The reason I was saying about using it like an MPC has to do with me wanting to sample from my records and chop the samples and make beats that way as well as from scratch.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 13:27

Hi,

chopping works good.

cf-card: max. 1gb

Ciao, Dirk.

Re: Using an 808 for hip hop production

15 Nov 2007, 21:54

you have been more than helpful.