Prolly 'cause the price difference
The price does figure into the equation of how many MPC 4000 vs 2000XL users. But that isn't the only factor. Even with all the power of the MPC 4000, there are many producers that prefer the XL over the 4000..producers that can afford any piece of gear that they want..but still prefer the XL.
So instead of 24 programs with 4 banks why not 16 programs with 6 banks each, that way you can have an 88 key piano program instead of just 64?
The MPC 2500 is not the MPC 4000. If you need an 88 key piano program, get the MPC 4000 or another stand alone sampler. It is not designed for what you are talking about...nothing we can do about that.
Why no host USB, just a slave USB, so you cannot hook up external USB devices?
Good question. Is that a feature the majority of people want?? and what do ypu intend to do with that feature? Is this function available on similar units in the same price range?? Unless I am mistaken..no. But it is something worthy to talk about if potential buyers do want this feature. But why we are at it..why even use USB. Why not firewire? We would be going on for days trying to add features to this thing.
32 note polyphony? If your using a different program on each track, you need more than 32 note polyphony.
Correction...if you use a different program on each track...you MAY need more polyphony. Polyphony indicates how many notes will be played back at the same time. This MPC is not a fullfledge sampler like the 4000. The ideal use is for sampling drums and phrases/loops and sequencing external MIDI gear (thus the extra MIDI outputs). Polyphony may never even come into play..anymore than it has come into play with any of the other MPCs.
I could keep on going (I think my 2000xl has more notes per sequence) but I don't care enough to. Point is, that for $2400 I can get a 4000, so why sepnd $400 less to get $1000 less worth of features?
Until the MPC 4000 and the software upgrade to the 2000XL...100,000 notes was about all the previous MPCs could handle. Even with 100,000 notes..that is plenty for doing what most people are using it for. I seriously doubt you will run out of notes. If you are using more than 100,000 notes in a single sequence, just create another sequence and link the sequences together in the song mode.
The 2500 has several key features that even MPC 4000 users want and don't have today. It seems like the MPC 4000 is the machine for you since it has these 'vital' specs that you need. If you can get a new $2400 MPC 4000 with 8 outputs expansion..that is a pretty good deal but you will still be missiing these great features (and not everybody can get an MPC 4000 for that price..they usually go for over $3000 when the 8 output board is installed).
The great thing about these units...you have a choice. Yiou can get the MPC 4000 or a more streamlined 2500..although it doesn't have the same power as the MPC 4000s sampler..it can hold its own with these great additions.