OVERVIEW
I partnered with JT Podojil to create a miniature version of an MPC, short for Music Production Center. This project was originally going to be an 8-key piano, but we switched gears and focused on an MPC instead. The inspiration for this came from Kanye West’s Runaway short film, where he plays on MPC in the shot shown right, playing a version of the song “Power”.
Kanye West playing on an MPC2000XL (made by Akai) in the short film “Runaway”.
Overview
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MPC2000XS Case Study
PROCESS
The process began with two important stages. First, we used a Bare Conductive Board and loaded it with code to use the sensors as a MP3 touch board. Hitting one sensor would trigger a pre-loaded sound file from the SD card. Second, we used Illustrator to draw the sides to our MPC box. This consisted of 6 sides, laid out on an 18x24" canvas. These would then be laser cut out of a sheet of standard Plexiglass. We were going to use Lexan, but it wouldn’t cut.
Screenshot of our 18x24 Lasercut file, laid out in Illustrator CC 2019.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
We also sourced parts from a real MPC, in order to maintain accuracy. Kanye’s MPC has teal buttons, but we could only find orange buttons online.
We remedied this by applying spray paint to the buttons to closely match. The worry was that the buttons would crack, but they only did at the bottom.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
With the buttons painted, we moved on to assembly. However, we ran into a little problem. The first faceplate we cut had innacurate measurements (my fault), so we had to cut a new faceplate piece out of wood. It ended up fitting perfectly with the other pieces, and the change in material had a nominal effect. Our newly cut and measured wood faceplate.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
From there, we assembled all sides of the box after painting them in matte white. The pieces fit nicely after a bit of sanding on a few edges, to account for gaps. The open side uses a magnetic hinge to allow for access to the board and any internal pieces if need be. The box, assembled on all sides.
After drilling two holes in a sheet of 8x10 plexiglass, we affixed the board to the plexi, and used copper tape to extend our sensors to the areas where the buttons would be triggering below the pad. We used a sharpie to trace the areas from where the copper would extend. The box, assembled on all sides.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
We affixed the buttons to the edges of the box, and drilled holes in the side of the box to snake through the USB and 3.5mm cables. On the left is how the box looked when test fit, including the buttons and knob. This was before we included the “skin�. A test-fit of all the other surface elements to the faceplate.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
Finally, we cut out all the individual squares and holes from the faceplate skin, and did numerous test fits to ensure accurate fitment.
Cutting in process.
We then used spray adhesive to put the skin on the faceplate, and let that sit overnight.
The faceplate skin glued to the faceplate.
Process
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MPC2000XS Case Study
CHALLENGES
Kanye West perfectly mirroring my “challenged” expression.
Overall, there were a few challenges: •
At first, we couldn’t figure out a good way to code this project, until we realized the proximity MP3 pre-written code worked quite well for this application, just with some modifications.
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We couldn’t re-cut the faceplate out of plexiglass, but we were able to use some thicker wood, all the same.
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Getting the plexiglass mounted directly below the buttons was a challenge, but we found a way to mount it as close as possible with Krazy Glue holding the edges.
Challenges
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MPC2000XS Case Study
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Kanye accurately displaying my disappointment face.
There were a few dissapointments: •
Seeing as the buttons were painted, they ended up cracking quite a bit during final assembly. They looked quite clean in their first iteration.
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The 12-sound idea didn’t work, due to the interference caused by running 12 things of copper tape.
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The lasercutter broke for a few days, which delayed the assembly aspect of our project.
Diappointments
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MPC2000XS Case Study
FEEDBACK
Overall, our feedback was positive. People were first a bit confused when looking at our project, because many don’t know what an MPC is. After explaining it, though, they caught on. They said we could possibly include some instructions to help in that department. Otherwise, we were told that the project looked the part and it was unique, especially considering the origin of its inspiration.
Kanye about to deliver the gospel of feedback to me.
Feedback
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MPC2000XS Case Study
RESULTS
The final result was a project that certainly looked the part. It may not have worked perfectly every single time we tested it, but in the end, it worked as it should. It looked legitmate, and it’s held together strongly. It looked exactly how we conceptualized it to look, and one can’t really ask for more.
The final product.
Results
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MPC2000XS Case Study
THANK YOU