Drum Machines Edition
The evolution of the MPC
In this Large Arena of Pro-Audio Equipment we as creators, producers and composers arrangers etc. have a vast array of Pre and Post Audio production equipment and software to choose from.
Music creation has become a global pastime and there are plenty of options to choose from.
In my opinion Analog Recording provides a sound that only can be mimicked by Digital, Analog Recordings are full of inaudible mistakes that create a great and more original sound recording.
If it were not for the ease of options to save and back up your Material in the Digital Domain I would lean towards Analog equipment and recording; although The Digital Domain provides an ease of use and compatibility amongst a host of Digital Devices and Computer software.
Digital can only be a reproduction of Analog and with that said let’s take a look at how the Drum Machine has evolve.
There are many Electronic Music Devices that I can discuss in this Blog but I am going limit my discussion to Drum Machines as this is the most Common tool used in Music Production for all Genres of Music.
The Drum Machine
1980
The LINN Drum LM-1
The LM-1 made its Debut in 1980, Created by Drum Machine Pioneer Roger Linn. This machine was compiled of Drums Sounds from digital Samples that were converted in to Analog Audio. This Drum machine was used heavily in the Production of Princes albums 1999, Purple Rain and Sign O’ the Times. The LM-1 was also used on Justin Timberlake’s Album Future Sex/Love Sounds 1n 2006 just to name a few.
Roland TR-808
The Roland TR-808 also debuted in 1980; this machine was not received as well as some of its predecessors. The Roland TR-808 used Digital samples using digital samples was becoming popular as Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and Electronic music genres begin to take center stage. In 1982 The Roland TR-808 was used to create Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing and Afrikaa Bambaataa’s Planet Rock just to name a few.
1987
SP-1200
The SP-1200 Drum Machine and Sampler was released in 1987 famous for its Gritty vinyl like sound and resonant tone. The SP1200 was well received by Hip Hop Producers and was used by most of my personal favorites Including the Legendary Pete Rock, J-Dilla, Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, DJ Clark Kent just to name a few but this list can go on and on. In my personal opinion I believe the SP-12 and The SP-1200 Set the Stage for what we know today as Hip Hop production. The SP1200 streamlined the production process and reduce the money spent in the studio during the Song Creation process. The SP-1200 was used to create EPMD’s Strictly Business (one of my personal favorites from the Rap DUO), it also was used on Jay-Z’s Album Reasonable Doubt and used on Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Blanket just to name a few.
1988
MPC 60
At this time Roger Linn of Linn Electronics creator of the LINN Drum began working with AKAI Electronics and the Drum Machine that was created from this Union was a Series of Drum Machines that never loses its relevance or its flair. The MPC 60 became popular for its SWING setting and the ease of Programming Drums Sounds and Samples. This machine became cornerstone of Music Production and Heavily used in Hip Hop Production.
1991
MPC60 II
The MPC 60 II is a Replica of the MPC 60 but the 60 II offered a headphone jack and plastic case.
1994
MPC 3000
The MPC 3000 is the Flagship of Drum Machines, the MPC 3000 is my personal favorite and how I learned how to use the MPC, at the time I was in a production team and My production partner just got one in 1995, he was learning but was already familiar as he had been using The MPC 60 and the 60 II. The most amazing Hip Hop Creations and explorations were made on this machine. At the time I would see J-Dilla over at a basement on the eastside of Detroit, I never knew or met him personally but we did sample from those same albums from that basement. I included him in this section based on his talent on the machine dude had some amazing Natural Music talent but was phenomenal at using that drum machine…
1997
MPC 2000
The MPC 2000 was the first AKAI drum machine that I purchased. I had been learning on the MPC 3000 so when I purchased and started working the machine personally I felt I like I had been robbed in my opinion the look the feel the dynamics was just not the same, but with a little effort I was able to make the 2000 work in my favor, at the time I owned 2 MPC 2000’s One was just basic with 2 stereo outs and just 2 MB of sampling time, my other 2000 had 8 outs and 32 MB of sampling time and the 4 multi effects processor. I could remember my girlfriend at the time would refer to My MPC as my other woman and often in arguments would tell me to go be with the one you love, I often laugh to myself about this. I spent so much time with my Girl AKAI I never got mad at her statements it just made me realize that I was serious about mastering the MPC and my production.
1999
MPC2000XL
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to collaborate with other music producers other beat makers and at the time I allowed my GOD brother to learn how to create beats using my equipment that inspired him buy a MPC 2000XL, I reluctantly would show him how to use the 2000XL this machine had me so frustrated, anyone who knows anything about creating music… creating beats know you want the most simplistic route to creating your content and I was upset that AKAI added extra steps in the creation process but Once Again after a few days with it the process became seamless, in short all of the AKAI drum machines were capable of amazing productions it is more about the individual and how they feel.
2004
MPC 2500
2002
MPC 4000
2009
MPC 5000
2013
MPC Renaissance
This machine is a very powerful tool, in my personal opinion it gives you a vast amount of Technical and Creative options for your Creative process. The only drawback is that the machine is not stand alone it depends on PC or MAC power, but still ranks as one the most powerful production tools on the market.
The Import, export and save options are simple and very efficient, I think these options are most important in this Digital age of recording….you need the ease of accessing and backup up your material and you need to be able to use your files in other applications based on your workflow.
Technic 1200
The Most Awesome Sound module on the Market (Sounds not included)
I recently was at a Studio and there was a MPC 2000 in there and it had notebooks and some other stuff on top of it, I was like wow yall got that 2000 over there…the studio owner look at me and said yeah but that boy don’t have no sounds ( I Laughed)…Then looked around and don’t see a turntable in sight and think to myself ain’t no real ones working in this Lab…The Technic 1200 or any Turntable can provide you an endless supply of sounds via the way of samples…if I start talking about the technic of getting sounds and drum sounds I would be saying to much in my opinion if you a beat maker etc…etc…You will discover the art of sampling paying YO dues..simply stated.
Honorable Mention
Ensoniq
ASR 10 1992 ASR X Pro 1998
Roland
MV 8000
I remember when this machine was released there was a lot of hype about how clean and effective it was I kinda let it go in one ear and out the other cause I never was a fan of Roland products based on the workflow of their products; but for some reason after researching the device I found myself looking to buy one.
1972
Eko Computer rhythm
One of the most rare Drum Machines only 20 of them were produced this machine was used in the creation of ED O.G’s be a father to your child. The Eko computer rhythms technology is mimicked in most every drum machine software.
In conclusion Drum machines have become the cornerstone of most production of all music genres.
Drum Machines have become not only a Key tool in music but has become an item to collect and sometime used as visual art as a tribute to how it started.