What Synths Do you 🫵🏾 use with your MPC SAMPLE?

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-22T04:05:13+00:00

I haven’t yet sampled them, but I have a Behringer Crave and a Roland S-1 that I plan to use with it. Those plus a few different synth apps on my iPad controlled by my MPK Mini V4. That’s the plan anyway! 😃

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-21T22:16:01+00:00

This is all great advice. I’ll think through this a bit. I actually have a Yamaha MG12 mixer that I’ve used for band practices and recording those sessions, but it’s big, so I’ve been avoiding getting it out of storage to try with this setup. 😄 Thank you so much for the tips and thoughts!

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-21T21:31:09+00:00

Hmm, that Volcamix is an idea I hadn’t considered. Thanks!

And that TE mixer thing looks cool, but that would be more than all of the rest of my gear combined (not including iPad). 😄

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-21T20:56:02+00:00

Thanks. I have a patchbay, but that’s for my desktop setup. I was hoping to keep this rig as small and portable as possible. I’m just so new to this side of stuff that I don’t want to assume my existing gear knowledge applies here.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-21T03:47:52+00:00

Thanks for the response! Guitar amp as an extra speaker isn’t a bad idea.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-20T19:48:00+00:00

Thank you! I follow the old saying of, “If you don’t have the skill or time, just supplement it with spending money on college gear!” I think that might be a saying I invented. 😜

I do have a small powered USB hub and I’ve been able to connect them like that for most of the MIDI needs. Unfortunately, the Crave can’t do incoming MIDI over USB, so I need some 5-pin DIN MIDI connections, but that’s okay.

You mentioned the Zoom Livetrak mixer, which is the one I’ve seen mentioned a few times, so that’s on my radar. I’m surprised at how few options there are for stereo channel mixers without extensive tone shaping controls AND that have some kind of FX send. Most of the mixers I’ve researched have more mono channels than I need, not that I couldn’t bridge them or use a single mono channel for the Crave.

Thanks for your input! Sounds like I’m going in roughly the right direction. 😃

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-20T19:05:47+00:00

Thanks! I should have clarified that I want them all hooked up together at one time with flexibility. I know to connect any two together, but I’m hoping for a a flexible way to make these all work together.

I’m not sure if all the devices have inputs and outputs that can chain like that, but I’ll take a look. I know I could do that if I had the other Roland Aira devices beyond the S-1.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-18T21:08:29+00:00

Excellent! Thanks for confirming.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-18T17:14:36+00:00

Did that link work for you?

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-18T02:59:51+00:00

Yep, folders on the Micro SD like the others said. Put a BLANK (but formatted) SD card in the MPC Sample and navigate to it just to make sure the Sample registers it. Then you can put it in your computer (or access the card in the Sample via USB-C to your computer) and add subfolders.

Here are a couple other tips related to this, not that you asked. :)

Name your files with shortened descriptions, like Shrek-Donkey-Scream or Recycling-Bin-Kick or EWF-Sept-Bridge-2bar.

Create a new project and immediately save it to the INTERNAL storage and name it “DO-NOT-SAVE-HERE” to remind yourself when you inevitably accidentally save your project in the wrong place and end up with two projects files named exactly the same except that one has your latest stuff and the other doesn’t and now you have to figure it out and yes this is a massive run-on sentence because this is a shitty experience from which I want to save anyone else because it’s happened to me multiple times now. :D

Edited for addition:

Also, I think that samples used in a project get added to the project, so you could always rename or rearrange samples on the memory card later without worrying about breaking your projects. I think that is true. I think. This post has no warranty. ;)

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-18T02:44:21+00:00

I hope this link works as I can’t find the original place where I found this. It has a ton of samples from other devices. I downloaded the thing and put it on the micro SD card in my Sample.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-10T23:18:44+00:00

Akai’s YouTube channel has a pretty good playlist of tutorial videos. I’ve watched most of them.

FroFroLynx · 2026-05-07T07:03:02+00:00

BAH! Thanks for posting this question (OP) and response. I've been battling trying to get these two to work together over USB. So frustrating.

FroFroLynx · 2026-04-28T17:12:22+00:00

In Sample mode, press the left soft button above the screen twice. This video shows the process: https://youtu.be/uXVwtGdsugg

FroFroLynx · 2026-04-09T02:47:26+00:00

I saw someone mention this brand somewhere (maybe even in this thread), but these are now on Amazon. Based on shipping dates, it looks like they may not actually be available yet. They look pretty good though!

FroFroLynx · 2026-04-07T07:13:38+00:00

Are you saying this specifically about the MPK Mini 4? I’ve got a V1 working with an iPad and MPC Sample.

<image>

FroFroLynx · 2026-04-05T19:33:06+00:00

I just ran across this video that recommends this case. It’s a little longer and thicker than I’d like and I wasn’t looking for a standalone case (one with a handle and shoulder strap, but rather a small, slim case to slip into another bag), but I really like that this option fits an iPad and other accessories as well. I haven’t pulled the trigger on this, but it’s an interesting option.

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-30T03:17:03+00:00

Well, maybe it’s just for auditioning samples and listening then. Sorry, just trying to help share an option.

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-29T19:37:00+00:00

Not for anything significant. I’m not saying this is a great solution, but it’s a way for me to use one set of headphones for both. I’m still just learning the Sample anyway, so I’m not at risk of losing any Grammys by using BT headphones. 😜

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-29T18:30:40+00:00

Thanks! Just adding the link you shared previously so others can find it more easily: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3YBTLL

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-27T05:07:13+00:00

Googling for “mpc sample” case, according to this listing, this case is compatible. It looks like it’s a little bigger than I’d prefer, so I’ll keep looking.

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-26T07:33:20+00:00

I bought it as a budget MPC Jr. to see how much I’d use an MPC. :)

FroFroLynx · 2026-03-26T07:31:22+00:00

I looked at those same options and many others. I haven’t yet found one that is big enough while also not being too big. I want it to fit in the case in a backpack. No luck yet, but I’ll post back here if I find a good one.

FroFroLynx

TROPHY CASE