2000XL MCD purchase - some questions/need some advice please

Hi there,

I'm currently using an MPD-24 with Logic but finding the workflow quite tiresome, ie, it's not immediate enough.

From initially looking at the 5000 purely from the USB connectivity, memory etc, I think I've read too much negative about it to warrant spending that sort of money and being disappointed.

So, having done lots of research and seeing a 2000XL MCD for under £400 locally, I have a few questions:

Is that a good price? (seems fine from what I've seen on eBay).

It has the 2MB stock RAM - I read somewhere that the 32MB (ie, 2 x 16MB) is the same that's used in the S3000XL - is that correct?

What are the limits for CF card/SD card storage?

What's the best way of moving samples to/from a Mac?

Is the 8 outs board worth it (it's not installed)?

Many thanks

the price seems fine if it's in decent condition.

the 8-outs board is well worth it - otherwise you can only record a single stereo output from the MPC. with the 8 outs you can track out individual parts - ie kick/snare/loop/ etc , all on their own separate outputs. to make the mot of this you will either need a mixing desk to route these outputs into, or you will need multiple audio inputs on your audio interface so you can track into your mac.

to move samples to the mac you will need a USB card reader i believe, although i'm still saving for a card reader myself.

with regards to RAM/memory, the sticks are freely and cheaply available - here's an example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/32MB-Ram-Memory-A ... 230b5f8286

- you'll want to upgrade to 32MB asap as this hugely enhances your total sample time.

Cheers for the reply detter.

Damn, I thought there'd be a few more replies/opinions from 2KXL evangelists ... ho hum

Anyhow, I'm going to check the unit out tomorrow to make sure all the I/O and buttons/rotaries/sliders are in good working order.

From what I've seen, it's in VGC so I'm not hesitating about that.

Interesting about the 8-out board - dunno what the price/availability is like on that but I'm not adverse to bouncing down separate tracks or MIDI to Logic if necessary.

I was more wondering about transfers and storage - ie, I've got GB's worth of samples that I've gathered over the years, but if I can't move them over to the MPC easily then it's gonna really sway my decision. On paper, the 5K looks great and the USB functionality is ideal but like I said, I've read so many negative posts/opinions that at this point I'm finding it difficult to justify the expense - and not only the 5K but pretty much all the current Nukai models.

I've seen USB card readers cheap so that's not a problem.
I'm really curious about the SD card functionality (or apparent lack of?!?!?) and also I've read that only 1Gb is supported regardless of the size of the CF card - btw, the machine looks like it's got the original Akai-fitted CF/SD bay.

Basically what I'm after is - what is the definitive 'max-ed out' Akai MPC2000XL MCD?
ie, I know there's a maximum of 32MB RAM, I know that I can obtain an 8-outs/digital board/FX board, I also know about 8GB/16GB SSD from here http://www.scsiforsamplers.com/mpc_ssd.asp
But ... with the configuration on offer tomorrow (assuming I decide to part with the cash), what is the maximum storage I can expect to be able to use whether it be CF or SD?

Regards the RAM, I have an old S3000XL gathering dust from way back when but it was upgraded to 32MB and from what I've read the memory is the same type for the 2KXL - if it is then bonus, I will be swapping

Cheers ...

I just purchased an MCD. I haven't received it as yet, so I cannot verify any of this information.

What I've gathered from reading the forums/ other sites is that the maximum card capacity you can use is 1GB. This goes for SD, CF and MMC etc.

Basically you're going to have a hard time getting the samples onto the MPC from your mac. Members here have stated that the hidden files OSX places on a CF/SD card which enables it to access the drive, stop the akai device from being able to access the card.

Since I don't yet have my MPC I can't figure out a workaround for this, but it's something you should be vigilant of. I haven't tested it out though so what I'm mentioning could be absolutely false.

If you desperately need ALL of your samples on the MPC at one time then yes, I'd say the 2500/ 5000 would be better for you.

If you can handle transferring a small portion of the samples, and can live with not having all that space then go for a 2000XL.