The MPC1000 is the latest in a long line of sampling drum machines and sequencers from Akai. But not the sound quality. Akai MPC1000: only good for Hip. Download Free MPC1000 Sounds and Free Akai MPC1000 Samples. Pre-Programmed Sounds are also available for Today's popular Hardware & Software Samplers.

Items you will need • Memory card • USB cord Akai's MPC 1000 drum machine includes a full set of built-in drum samples for you to turn into beats. If you want to move beyond the preset sounds, you can load sounds in WAV format into the MPC 1000's memory, then assign them to pads on the drum machine. To do this, transfer the sounds from your computer to the MPC 1000's memory card, then load them using the drum machine's controls. Insert the memory card into the memory card slot on the MPC 1000. Press the 'Mode' key, then press 'Pad 2 / Load. Font - Natasya Font Extra. ' Connect the MPC 1000 to your computer using its USB cable.

Press the Windows key and 'E' together to open Windows Explorer. Navigate to the folder that contains the sounds you want to load into the MPC 1000. Drag and drop the sounds onto the Windows Explorer icon for the MPC 1000.

Right-click the MPC 1000 icon and click 'Eject.' Disconnect the USB cable. Press the 'Mode' button on the MPC 1000, then press 'Pad 2 / Load.' Use the up arrow cursor key to highlight the 'File' field. Press the 'Window' key. Scroll through the files on the memory card using the up and down arrow keys. Open folders by highlighting them with the cursor, then pressing the right arrow key.

Highlight the sound you want to load into the MPC 1000. Press the 'F5' key, which is located directly underneath the MPC 1000's LCD display, to load the sound into memory. Press the 'F2' key to preview the sample.

Assign the sample to a pad by pressing the pad. Press 'F5' to save the change.

Photo: Mike Cameron Akai's famed Music Production Centre goes mini. The MPC series of hardware sequencing and sampling workstations have an undeniable cachet in the field of hip-hop production, and the enormous success of this style of music in recent years has ensured their continued development well into an age otherwise dominated by computer-based MIDI + Audio sequencers. In SOS January 2007 I looked at the latest update on the 'classic' MPC feature set, the MPC2500, and was delighted to find that Akai had managed to introduce a set of important improvements without compromising the streamlined operation central to the unit's appeal. With interest in hip-hop at an all-time high, Akai understandably want to reach out to new customers. To this end the MPC4000 developed the concept way beyond the original MPC brief, using top-flight sampling technology from the company's Z-Series rack monsters, while the MPC1000 cut down the hardware and software options to hit a more entry-level price point. The subject of this review is the new baby of the family, the MPC500, which, although roughly a quarter of the size and weight of the MPC2500, still exudes a reassuring sense of robustness.

Uniquely for the range, power comes via an external supply rather than an IEC mains lead, and as a nice side-effect of this cost-cutting measure you can also stick six AA batteries in the back if you want to 'keep it real' on the 6.55 to Peterborough. The core MPC features are all present and correct: drum sampler, MIDI sequencer, rubber velocity-sensitive pads, and audio and MIDI I/O. Some of the more recent refinements are also included, such as the Q-Link real-time controller slider, two basic multi-effects blocks (offering EQ, compressor, tremolo, phaser, chorus, flanger, auto-pan, reverb, delay, or lo-fi processor) and a master stereo effect providing simultaneous EQ and compression for the main audio outputs. Internal sample memory is 16MB RAM as standard (although you can upgrade to 128MB as a cost option) plus a further 5MB of internal Flash ROM which, although loaded with preset sounds by default, can usefully be overwritten with your own data instead. All files must be backed up to the Flash ROM or a Compact Flash card, via a slot on the front edge of the unit, if they are not to be lost on power-down.