Marco Polo Making Beats + Sample Layering w/ MPC 2000XL

Another producer who has no problem rocking the MPC 2000XL while easily holding a cigarette, Marco Polo discusses his philosophy of creation and the influence of Pete Rock while offering a glimpse into his method for making beats.  Along the way Marco Polo explains tuning and pitching drums, layering multiple sample sources, and the importance of experimenting with sound.

30 thoughts on “Marco Polo Making Beats + Sample Layering w/ MPC 2000XL”

  1. This is by far 0ne 0f the best p0sts ive seen up here. Marc0
    p0l0 is def. d0pe! If T0ny Traxx says that this was wack, he needs t0 be banned!! haha just playin

  2. i totally agree one of the best beat videos ever i have just became a fan of marco polo

  3. how did he get all them sound in his mp? you sure he’s not running any midi into it?

    dope vid also…

  4. Gentleman, thanks for the love on the post.

    To clarify, all the sounds i was hitting off the mpc 2000 XL were samples off vinyl in my collection.

    The sounds I was playing off the mpd pads were triggered from Reason but had nothing to do with the beat in the 2000 XL.

    That was just some other shit to show y’all in my setup but wasn’t a part of the beat you heard me making.

    hope that helps. Marco

  5. Hell yeah, I see what you’re talkin about Polo. Like, not just layering samples from different pieces,but also combining software w/analog equipment. Really fuckin scavengin for sounds. Thanks!!

  6. Marco polo is carrying on that bomb squad tradition of adding a lot of diffrent samples to the joint.

    not sure how many cats are doing that nowadays?

    am i right or is that now people are using multiple keyboard sounds to gel together (which is still gansta) instead of say tuning a whole bunch of different records to make the track???!

    maybe im just too drunk?

  7. I don’t understand the fascination with holding a cigarette while rockin the MPC. how does that make you a “master of the MPC?” Sematik all Polo did was light the cig not once i saw him hit the pads.

    dope vid by the way….just saying.

    Im gonna make a vid’ of me holding a Kings staff made of gold. Hitting pads on the MPC with only my thumb.

  8. @Rokwell
    Marco Polo creates a great video and that’s the most interesting comment you can come up with?  It’s clear that you missed the entire meaning.

  9. Did I not say it was a “dope vid” I’m just saying whats your fascination with the ability to hold a cig and rock and mpc. you used that with Havoc, how does that make you a master of the MPC?. I am just stating a question on previous vids.

    I’m sorry Semantik I did not know I could not post my thoughts on here. This is the comments section right?

  10. @Rokwell
    Exactly where was it said that holding a cig makes you a master of the mpc?

    The previous post regarding Havoc read:
    “Only a true MPC master can work the pads with ease while holding a lit cigarette.”

    This post reads:
    “Another producer who has no problem rocking the MPC 2000XL while easily holding a cigarette,”

    Both comments imply a certain ease of movement resulting from familiarity and expertise with the machines, which both Havoc and Marco Polo possess. Absolutely nowhere does it state that smoking makes you a master of the MPC.

    As I said earlier, it’s clear that you missed the entire meaning.

  11. The previous post regarding Havoc read:
    “Only a true MPC master can work the pads with ease while holding a lit cigarette.”

    @Rokwell
    Exactly where was it said that holding a cig makes you a master of the mpc?

    read your sentence again…..

    F’k it why we beefin’ over stupid shit keep pumpin dope vids and thats that peace.

  12. OK… let’s take a closer look at the sentence. We can make it somewhat easier by replacing a few words to create a more extreme version.

    Original Sentence: “Only a true MPC master can work the pads with ease while holding a lit cigarette.”

    Extreme Sentence: "Only a true tightrope master can walk the highwire with ease while juggling torches."

    It’s clear from the second, more extreme sentence that "juggling torches" does not cause mastery of walking the tightrope. Instead, having the skill of a master tightrope walker allows for the ability to easily walk the highwire while performing an additional task, in this case juggling torches.

    Also pay attention to the use of the words "with ease" and how they describe the performance of the primary skill.

    The causal relationship is not in the additional, secondary tasks of juggling or smoking, but rather in mastery of the primary skill involving the tightrope or MPC.

    In fact, the secondary task is so inconsequential that you could replace "holding a lit cigarette" with virtually anything and the inherent meaning of the sentence would still be the same: Only a true MPC master can work the pads with ease while performing an additional task.

    In other words, MPC mastery allows for the ability of one to easily use an MPC while performing additional physical/mental tasks. However, performing additional physical/mental tasks does not cause MPC mastery.

    Again, nowhere was it said that holding a cig makes you a master of the mpc.

    Yes, stupid argument to have when there could be a much more interesting discussion about the video and music making. Instead we’re talking about logic and grammar… nice.

  13. Marco Polo is dope ! I Love watching him make beats .Very inspiring . He makes real gritty beats that sound great ! He knows what sample to pick and he just kills it everytime.

  14. this is a bbokmark real inspiration !!

    in afew years Marco Polo will be will be in top5 beat maker
    The Radar & Hood Tales off Port Authority is on heavy rotation in my car

  15. Damn Semantik you you ain’t “The Teacher.” you straight dissected that shit, haha…lets move on.

    Peace

  16. @Cai

    Was not a diss to beatmakers. Nothing said on twitter about making music was out of line with any of the larger themes and ideas that have been presented on this site.

  17. Semantik tried to roast me on the other post . If you knock something he likes and you don’t like he will put you on blast.Little does he know I like everthing but I just like this marco polo post today a little more ‘ depends on how I feel that day.I guess im just a hater. lol
    Shout out to Semantik If it wasnt for him we probally wouldn’t be able to find alot of these jewels.

  18. @Tony Traxx
    “If you knock something he likes and you don’t like he will put you on blast.”

    Not true at all. All opinions have always been welcomed and encouraged as long as they are constructive.

  19. Dope , I’ve been a fan every since I heard the Masta Ace joint with Big Noyd . I get the best results from layering too . Thats where the “magic” is .

  20. @Semantik you said something about how being a producer was so much better than being a beatmaker…

    seem to me you were dissing beatmakers…

  21. @Cai

    Please don’t misquote me… producers were never mentioned and that’s not what the quote says.  I can almost guarantee that during the act of rewriting or rereading the quote, you’d clearly see that there was no attack on beatmakers.  Instead, you’ve incorrectly paraphrased my words and we’re now discussing a quote that has yet to be presented.

    Also, considering that you’re referring to something I said on Twitter, it probably would have been more appropriate to submit a response using Twitter rather than the site’s comments section.  At the very least, the exact quote could have been provided for clarification and legitimate discussion.  Of course, that’s if discussion and clarification is the real goal.

  22. Marco has been sick for along time. I don’ know why he’s so slept on in the mainstream. I know he’s more of an underground producer but he has some stuff I feel alot of mainstream artist should be rollin with

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