MPC 2000XL Analogue Mixing Service

AE offers a mixing service unlike any other as far as we know - specializing in full analogue only mixing for MPC 2000XL users only. AE boss Mr Fantastic uses an MPC 2000XL without the use of a DAW for production and does the entire mix using only analogue outboard equipment which is then recorded down to DAW used only to get the final mix into the digital domain to pass onto MC's.

Mr Fantastic realised during a conversation with a friend and fellow MPC user about mixing using only analogue gear that we are perfectly positioned to help others achieve a more professional mix than can be achieved without the experience or benefit of having enough outboard equipment to process individual tracks. The only option usually available is to book studio time and take an MPC with you, at a cost charged per hour that is not justifiable to many of us.

The MPC has the 8 output expansion card and therefore can split 8 tracks out across the console and through different dynamic, eq and effects processors for each track. Over the years Mr Fantastic has accumulated everything needed to be self sufficient in terms of mixing and only using outside engineers for mastering. He also has the benefit of being a dedicated MPC 2000XL user since 1999 so knows useful tricks such as utilizing the main stereo pair to increase the available outputs to 10 at final mixdown and also useful production techniques such as parallel processing.

Mr Fantastic has invaluable experience with such things as which compressor works best with different sources to achieve the required result. We have available Vari-Mu, Valve (Tube), FET, Diode Bridge, VCA and Multiband compressor types along with other dynamic control such as the SPL Vitalizer and Transient Designer and also Pendulum Audio Opto De-Esser. A De-Esser but not for vocals you say? It actually works brilliantly as a high frequency compressor on harsh cymbals for example. On the master bus we have an Elysia Audio Xpressor bus compressor to add glue to the final mix.

Equipment list:-

Akai MPC 2000XL with 8 output expansion card - choice of 2 with floppy or MCR

Soundcraft 328XD analogue/digital console

IGS Audio Panzer, Elysia Qube and A Designs 500HR 500 Series Racks

Dynamic Processors: Locomotive Audio, Elysia, SSL, AML, IGS Audio, UBK Kush Audio, Pendulum Audio, TL Audio, TC Electronic, SPL

Equalizers: A Designs, Pope Audio, UBK Kush Audio, AML, SPL, DBX, Vintage Fairchild

Effects: TC Electronic, Lexicon, Roland

We have updated this service and can now accept files sent via email - much easier so we can therefore reduce the cost a little. We can now offer this service for £35 per song and can arrange a discount for multiple song projects. We can still accept floppy disc or zips if you prefer but we recommend emailing which does not affect the files at all.

Turnaround is usually around 2-3 days per song depending on our workload. We can do individual stems but this would be an additional cost and also take longer. We can also just run perhaps your drum track through one of our nicer character compressors such as the Locomotive Audio Weight Tank or AML 52F20 (Neve style Diode Bridge) for you to snap back into your DAW project if you want to add just a little of the hardware flavour to your own mix or if you want to hear what a particular bit of gear does to the audio.

This is just to give the beats direct from the MPC that finishing touch - vocal mixing is not included as that requires a DAW but would also suit instrumental tracks perfectly. This service does not provide you with a final professional master but the final mix that you would forward onto your mastering engineer of choice. We can recommend our mastering service of choice Khameleon Sounds in Bristol who can also handle additional vocal mixing prior to mastering.

Please contact phantasm38@yahoo.com for more information.