Akai Mpc Vs Fantom G

computer would be cheaper and better

if you don't want to sample... then i think an MPC would be a waste.

I tried briefly to send my fantom through an interface and into a computer using ACID PRO and hated it.. So I went and purchased a KORG D3200 which I love.. I still have the lap top and interface sitting around so would you recommend me somehow integrating the comp with the KORGd3200 ?? And what program would be the best for hip hop beat production?? Your input is greatly appreciated!

I make Hip Hop / Club / POP / Metal / Rock Ect... Everything but country. I use a Korg PadKontrol for the drums. Works amazing. I wanted a MPC too. But I realized that I could program a sample onto each of the 16 tracks and use the pad Kontrol to play them. You can record it / chop it / throw effects onto it. It has a x/y mod for rolls and flams ect... You can get more complex than what I have explained , but this is the easiest method ive found. If you spent the money on the fantom, you basically have a MPC if you incorporate a MIDI controller, Just extra work.

I'm curious if anyone has this combination in their kit. Specifically, I wonder if the MPC has a better workflow with a lot of sampling. The Fantom's have the power, but if you've got a number of samples the interface/file system is not exactly user-friendly; not to mention preemphasizing samples is a definite boar.

I also understand the MPC5000 supports multiple format/sample rates/bit-depths? You have to pay for it, but that seems quite a convenience to me.

I don't know tho, sequencing on both the MPC and G together might be enough to drive any mortal crazy.

Is it pretty well the general consensus that the Fantom pads are less than special compared to the MPC?

I think it would be useful if the original poster clarified the extent of their previous experience in music-making.

@fantomDD: I may be misinterpreting you, but saying that you want to make your own beats suggests to me that you haven't done that before or at least not very much. If that's the case, then I would recommend that you persevere with the Fantom-G for the moment. Unless you have unlimited time as well as unlimited money, trying to learn several different hardware and software systems at the same time is likely to produce very little music but lots of frustration.

Akai MPCs are clearly very popular among hip-hop artists but that popularity rests mainly on their ability to manipulate samples for making beats and putting together tracks. If, as you say, you're not actually going to be using samples all that much, then the Fantom-G should provide you with more than enough tools to do the job.

If you want to go down the software route, you'd be best off downloading the trial versions of the various digital audio workstations (DAWs) where they're available and experimenting with them. Choose the one that you take to the quickest. The DAW that inspires you to produce results quickly is probably the most suitable choice. In terms of capabilities, they're all pretty similar; the differences mainly reside in their working methods and the most important thing is finding the one that most closely matches your own way of thinking. For quick results, many people like Ableton Live. But some don't. It's a personal thing - not a case of one being better than the others.

Just from my perspective having owned a MPC 5000 and then selling it. The G has great sampling capabilities as well as creating beat capabilities. I am an old dude who still likes hip-hop and you can do the same thing on the G as the MPC but in a much simplified work flow.

Some people love the MPC and that's great but for me, I find the G much easier to navigate and put together beats and sequencing.

i have both FG7 & MPC 5000

differents phylosophy ...

but if you use sampling just for drums and little addition, if you do moderne hip hop with a kind of dancy sounds (usually made by synths) you dont need a mpc

plus FG 1go ram > mpc 5000 192 Mo ram ...

I think your dead on.. I have had the Fantom for about 9 months and I am still learning on a daily basis with it.. Considering what I said about not using alot of samples from what Ive heard It seems to be a waste to purchase the MPC.. Plus your right, I do not have unlimited time and money so learning a few differnt operating systems may not be the best Idea... BUT.. I always am Looking for new creative outlets for beats and music.. I think I need to do some research about this midi controller.. I was also recommended a comp program called "reason"??? As I am still learning is it easy to intergrate a comp program like that with a fantom and A Korg d3200?? Sorry for the long response..thank you guys for your input!!

I use the Korg D3200 just like the old multi-track records I had, while it can mix and has a built in drum machine, it is not a MPC or FG. I commonly sample, play pads and keys on the FG and other keyboards I have on the D3200. While the other items mention could do somewhat the D3200 does (recording), you can 't sequence on the thing or use it in the manner you would a sampler. I do believe, with a little work the FG could be used in place of the MPC's very effectively.

I use the Fantom G slaved to my MPC 100. When i hit play on the mpc it plays the fantom and lines up perfectly... If you do hip hop then the MPC is the only way to go. I do 90% of my drums on the MPC 1000 and i do that because it gives you that hip hop swing(sounds retarded but every good hip hop producer uses one in conjucntion with keyboards.. Try doing a drum seq on the fantom, then do the same on the mpc.....The mpc just rolls out better, especially for kick seqs. snare rolls, and hi hats. I make beats for DTP and i have chilled with numerous super producers including DJ Toomp(t.i's producer) and every single one of them uses some form of Mpc combined with racks and or keyboards...FANTOM G IS NOT A COMPLETE PACKAGE. You are competing with people who use both, dont sell yourself short.

Thanks superchris it is always good to hear both points of view.. Knowing me Ill end up buying some kind of MPC.. I think i just need to be more open minded and realize the possiblities with using all of these powerfull machines to write and record music.. I have been songwriting for 10 years or so but i am only recently finding out what a "midi" controller is.. is that what you mean by " a slave" ..Basically you set up the fantom to be controlled by the MPC?? yes yes I know still learning

sorry, I disagree, the Fantom G is a complete music package. But, MPC's are cool and I wanted the 5000 for some time now. There is also the MV8800, also on my want list. The one thing I would agree with is that the Pads on MPC's are excellent controllers for creating drum beats. I have a HPD10 and it work's great for my applications, I am not much of a drummer with sticks, but look out for my fingers.

I would suggest that if your keyboard playing is not that well developed, pads will help accomplish your beat making goals. Playing free standing samples via pad (vs keyboard) is much more ideal.

Utilizing the Fantom G as a simple sound module in a slave function is a waste of the vast feature set it comes with. There are more options (maybe even better) available for this type of application.

Good luck and buy as much gear as you can afford.

Yeah midi out on the mpc to midi in on the fantom.If you listen to any southern rap beats, 99% of the drums are done on a MPC. Ive tried to do my drums on the fantom and it comes out sloppy. All those crazy snare rolls and crazy triplet programming is done on teh mpc...Most of them actually use the old mpc's, but im not a big fan of them due to memory issues and no usb. If your not into super tight drum sequencing then i guess you should just stick with the fantom. Personally i couldnt make beats without it. Also, the pads on the fantom are trying to replicate the pads that the mpc has, and they do a HORRIBLE job at it. People are gonna get mad at me for saying this but i dont really think any REAL producer uses just one piece of equipment. Fantom is good for sounds and SOME sequencing. All efx, delay, and what not is done after u record your song into pro tools, logic...ect.... Dont listen to these guys on here about how this machine is the total package cuz these dudes arent producers, or at least not hip hop producers. U wanna hear the results of an mpc drum programming can give you....ok....listen to "duffle bag boy" by Playaz Circle. That song pretty much sums it up. It was made with an MPC
and Fantom X. BTW buy the cheapest mpc, the mpc 1000 cuz u can download an upgrade that will give you all the workings of a 5000 for only 60 bucks. Its called the JJOS...