Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By alysdiggin Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:53 am
I've had my mpc 2000xl for awhile and just upgraded to 8 outs. I bought a 12 input with effects mixer & a boss br900cd digital recorder. My computer is all messed up so I'm trying to go the hardware route only. Avoiding software for right now. I'm assuming I just use the typical instrument cables (better known as guitar cables to most) to connect my mpc to mixer right? Also should they be gold plated? Any brands or no name brands I should not buy? I'd like to just buy eight of them as a lot on ebay. Though I need to know what to get for sure. I know the xlr cables are only for mics and nobody at guitar center really isn't helping on mpc knowledge.

What am I missing? What would you recommend?
By sorgekind Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:33 am
common instrument or guitar cables wil do. they don't have to be gold plated -some cheap gold plated connectors are worst than solid neutrik/rean connectors.
Stay away from HOSA, they will eventually die on you -intermittent cables are a pain.
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By jibber Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:34 am
Instrument/Guitar cables will be fine. They are the same as line cables, except they have a lower impedance and are better shielded, but both will work.

Don't buy the cheapest cables you can find (unless they seem to be of decent quality... plugs on cheap cables can be a problem (soldering quality, repair friendliness)), but don't fall into the expensive cable trap... you don't need gold plated ones. Neutrik is a good brand.
By reeloy Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:17 am
....yep....keep it solid but simple.....and short.

and it's pretty cool to go for the pure hardware trip....for a while....but end of the day, you need a studio to tweak all the best out of it....so, the computer will return....
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By tapedeck Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:04 pm
stay away from monster cables.
over priced and actually garbage.

honestly i would consider learning to make your own. plugs are cheap on ebay and 2-conductor shielded wire probably is too, and will actually allow you to make balanced cables (which actually wont be any benefit on the xl ;] )

if your mpc sits close to your mixer consider getting short (>2ft) cables ... when you start getting a lot you will come to appreciate a right-sized cable

you could also get an 8-cable 'snake'.

ps. the key word you are looking for when looking for these cables is ' 1/4" ' (quarter inch).