Soulful Bass. Made For MPC
MPC P-Bass features a deeply multisampled Fender Precision Bass which captures the classic tones of the 60s and 70s Motown, Soul and Funk.
We've taken full advantage of the latest MPC3 features such as advanced keygroups, complex mod matrix programming and custom Q-LINK macros to create a collection of expressive MPC instruments built for producing incredibly realistic sounding bass performances in your MPC.
Sampled For Every Nuance
The bass guitar recorded was a left handed Fender Precision Bass (American Pro II model), strung with a set of LaBella flat wound strings and recorded using the following three playing articulations:
- Foam mute - the classic James Jefferson sound achieved by stuffing a piece of foam directly under the stings at the bridge end, giving the classic 'pillowy' muted sound heard on so many funk and soul classics.
- Open sustain - all notes played with no muting of any kind, capturing the full ringing tone and all natural fret and string buzzes
- Palm mute - recorded by placing the palm directly over the strings to produce a short 'staccato' muted sound.
All notes were recorded with up to 7 velocity layers with each layer featuring up to 4 round robins giving a hugely realistic recreation of the guitar's natural nuance and tone.
Each instrument is configured with a split key range, with palm mute articulations covering the lower keys, sustains or foam mute notes covering the main range and natural sound FX & noises on the keys inbetween.
Hands-On Sound Design
We try to push the boundaries as to what's possible with MPC instruments, and combinations of sample chains and deep MOD MATRIX programming mean we can deliver unparalleled Q-LINK control to a range of sound design features:
- Sensitivity - change the entire character of any performance with the turn of a dial, from soft and gentle to hard and 'buzzy'.
- Natural sound FX - control the volume and probability of string 'squeaks' and fret noises to create a more natural sounding bass performance.
- String Damping - vary the level of damping applied to the strings.
- Dynamic range - set low to create a more consistent note volume regardless of how hard you play; increase to create a more nuanced, dynamic performance.
- Tone - modelled on the original P-Bass tone control, dial it down for that classic deep funk sound.
- Transient - generate extra 'bite' to the start of each note
- FX plugins - control the level of drive, saturation, compression, EQ, amp model and noise to craft the exact tone your bass needs.
Ready-to-Play Presets & MIDI
We've created a total of 43 ready-to-play presets covering a wide range of bass guitar sounds, including classic soul and gritty funk, overdriven rock tones and epic cinematic soundscapes utilising a range of FX and filters.
Instruments are all fully compatible with 'pad perform' mode and can also be played with any attached keyboard controller, with full support for pitch bending and vibrato (via the mod wheel, channel pressure or even via the touch strip on supported MPC models).
And for instant inspiration, drop in a pattern from the included melodic MIDI library of authentic sounding bass riffs, all built from real bass performances to ensure natural feel and groove.
MPC Sample Instruments Included
The dedicated MPC Sample Edition provides two unique ways to create realistic funk and soul bass performances in your MPC Sample:
- 16 LEVEL One Shots - one shot instrument samples multisampled across multiple octaves for use in the 16 LEVELS feature, perfect for dropping into any existing MPC Sample project to add thumping bass riffs to your beats
- Starter Projects - 3 pre-built projects (one for each articulation) which load a ready-to-play multisampled bass guitar across multiple pad banks, with 4 round robins per note to prpduce a slightly different timbre each time you hit a pad.
With a starter project, your bass instrument is pre-loaded into banks B and C, leaving all other banks for your drum kit and other sounds. Alternatively if you prefer to add the bass to an existing project, use the 16 LEVELS option instead. Read more in the User Guide
Optimised For Standalone
As with all our MPC instrument expansions, memory and CPU usage is highly optimised to ensure you have absolutely no problems dropping these instruments into any MPC project. Not only do you get a significantly more realistic sounding bass guitar compared to the presets in a plugin like Fabric XL, these instruments use less memory, less CPU, and don't eat into any of your allotted plugin slots.
What's Inside
- Deeply multisampled Fender Precision Bass guitar
- Multi-articulation keygroup instruments with keyboard splits covering different playing techniques
- Up to 7 velocity layers and 4 round robins per layer for natural tonal variation on every note
- 43 ready-to-play instrument presets covering a range of different bass guitar sounds
- Melodic MIDI library providing a collection of riffs adapted from real bass guitar performances
- 32 Q-Link macros for hands-on control of FX and sound design including sensitivity, transients, releases, dynamic range, string dampening & FX.
- MPC Sample Edition featuring 'Starter' projects and 16 LEVEL one shots.
Built For MPC3 & MPC Sample
MPC P-Bass is compatible with all modern standalone MPCs, MPC Software, Force & MPC Sample.
Please note that MPC2 is not supported.
FAQs
-
Do I need any additional FX plugins for this expansion?
No, only native stock plugins are required - just make sure your MPC is running the recommended minimum MPC version.
-
Is this easy to install in standalone MPCs and the Force?
Yes, we provide two separate installers, one for 'standalone' use and one for installation directly into the MPC Software/MPC Beats. The standalone version is simply copied directly to the 'Expansions' folder on your MPC/Force disk, the MPC Software XPN file is just dragged directly into the software. Full instructions for both standalone and MPC Software installation are provided in the included User Guide.
-
Does this work with MPC2?
No, this expansion was made specifically for MPC 3.9+ and the MPC Sample (1.3.0+).
-
How does the sensitivity feature work?
This utilises a combination sample chains and mod matrix programming, allowing a dedicated Q-LINK to effectively shift the focus of the velocity layer range in real time. When set low the guitar skips the higher range velocity layers so even aggressive playing will continue to sound relatively mellow and gentle. Crank it up to re-introduce the more 'buzzy' notes that are often heard when playing a bass guitar with a harder, popping playing style.
-
What are the 'natural sound FX'?
These are the squeaks, bumps and thumps that are generated during real bass guitar performances. Adding these to your sequences can give an extra sense of realism. We've provided dedicated notes for long and short squeaks, bumps and percussive 'chugs' so you can manually trigger these whenever you wish. Additionally, 'string releases' (the subtle click made when releasing a note) are automatically added for you, but can be completely turned off via a dedicated Q-LINK. Additionally, 'squeaks' can optionally be configured to play back randomly while your sequence plays.
-
How do I configre the randomly generated string squeaks?
We've provided two dedicated track Q-LINKS for this; one controls the probability of the squeak occurring, the other controls the maximum volume. For example, set probability to 30% and the string squeaks are only triggered 30% of the time. Set to 0% to completely turn off this feature.
-
Whar's the best way to play the instruments?
All instruments are standard MPC keygroups so fully support pad perform and the arpreggiator, and you can also play via an attached MIDI keyboard (or with the built in keyboard on MPC Key models) which also allows for string bends and vibrato control. You can also use the Q-LINKS for additional control over aspects such as string damping, string release noises, sound design aspects and FX tweaking, as well as Q-LINK control of string bends and vibrato via MPC3's built in MIDI macros. More details are available in the User Guide.
-
How do I use the MPC patterns?
The included patterns each contain pre-recorded MIDI performances - just load to a track and you'll instantly have a usable riff or melody line that automatically adapts to the tempo of your sequence. Use the transpose feature in GRID EDIT to easily change the pitch to suit whatever key you want to work in; all patterns are labeled with their native pitch and the tempo they were originally recorded at.
Technical Specs
| Contents: | Fully multisampled bass guitar, sound patches, MIDI patterns |
| Format: | 24 Bit WAV, XTY, MIDI patterns. |
| Compatibility: | All modern standalone MPCs & MPC Sample. Also suitable for the Akai Force & MPC Software 3 |
| Supported Hardware: | MPC Sample, MPC XL, MPC Live 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Live, MPC Live 2, MPC X / SE, MPC Key 37/61, Force |
| Minimum Software/Firmware: | MPC 3.9+, Force 3.9+. MPC Sample 1.3.0+ |
| Disk Space Required For Installation: | 650MB |
| Developer: | Pad Pimps |
| Delivery: | Download instantly after purchase |
| More Info: | MPC P-Bass User Guide |
Built For MPC3 & MPC Sample
MPC P-Bass is compatible with all modern standalone MPCs, MPC Software, Force & MPC Sample.
Please note that MPC2 is not supported.
FAQs
-
Do I need any additional FX plugins for this expansion?
No, only native stock plugins are required - just make sure your MPC is running the recommended minimum MPC version.
-
Is this easy to install in standalone MPCs and the Force?
Yes, we provide two separate installers, one for 'standalone' use and one for installation directly into the MPC Software/MPC Beats. The standalone version is simply copied directly to the 'Expansions' folder on your MPC/Force disk, the MPC Software XPN file is just dragged directly into the software. Full instructions for both standalone and MPC Software installation are provided in the included User Guide.
-
Does this work with MPC2?
No, this expansion was made specifically for MPC 3.9+ and the MPC Sample (1.3.0+).
-
How does the sensitivity feature work?
This utilises a combination sample chains and mod matrix programming, allowing a dedicated Q-LINK to effectively shift the focus of the velocity layer range in real time. When set low the guitar skips the higher range velocity layers so even aggressive playing will continue to sound relatively mellow and gentle. Crank it up to re-introduce the more 'buzzy' notes that are often heard when playing a bass guitar with a harder, popping playing style. Can be applied to new or retrospectively to existing performances.
-
What are the 'natural sound FX'?
These are the squeaks, bumps and thumps that are generated during real bass guitar performances. Adding these to your sequences can give an extra sense of realism. We've provided dedicated notes for long and short squeaks, bumps and percussive 'chugs' so you can manually trigger these whenever you wish. Additionally, 'string releases' (the subtle click made when releasing a note) are automatically added for you, but can be completely turned off via a dedicated Q-LINK. Additionally, 'squeaks' can optionally be configured to play back randomly while your sequence plays.
-
How do I configre the randomly generated string squeaks?
We've provided two dedicated track Q-LINKS for this; one controls the probability of the squeak occurring, the other controls the maximum volume. For example, set probability to 30% and the string squeaks are only triggered 30% of the time. Set to 0% to completely turn off this feature.
-
Whar's the best way to play the instruments?
All instruments are standard MPC keygroups so fully support pad perform and the arpreggiator, and you can also play via an attached MIDI keyboard (or with the built in keyboard on MPC Key models) which also allows for string bends and vibrato control. You can also use the Q-LINKS for additional control over aspects such as string damping, string release noises, sound design aspects and FX tweaking, as well as Q-LINK control of string bends and vibrato via MPC3's built in MIDI macros. More details are available in the User Guide.
-
How do I use the MPC patterns?
The included patterns each contain pre-recorded MIDI performances - just load to a track and you'll instantly have a usable riff or melody line that automatically adapts to the tempo of your sequence. Use the transpose feature in GRID EDIT to easily change the pitch to suit whatever key you want to work in; all patterns are labeled with their native pitch and the tempo they were originally recorded at.
Technical Specs
| Contents: | Fully multisampled bass guitar, sound patches, MIDI patterns |
| Format: | 24 Bit WAV, XTY, MIDI patterns. |
| Compatibility: | All modern standalone MPCs & MPC Sample. Also suitable for the Akai Force & MPC Software 3 |
| Supported Hardware: | MPC Sample, MPC XL, MPC Live 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Live, MPC Live 2, MPC X / SE, MPC Key 37/61, Force |
| Minimum Software/Firmware: | MPC 3.9+, Force 3.9+. MPC Sample 1.3.0+ |
| Disk Space Required For Installation: | 650MB |
| Developer: | Pad Pimps |
| Delivery: | Download instantly after purchase |
| More Info: | MPC P-Bass User Guide |
