mpc 2000xl and sound modulators

I have a mpc2000xl its been in the pawn shop for a cool minute though. I'm getting it out in a few days and I was asking a friend what kinda keyboard I should get. He said it would be better if I got a sound modulator with all the sounds sence I dont no how to play the keyboard. Anybody have any recomendations on some good ones that would have good quality sounds like a korg/triton or in that area.

First thing......your friend meant a sound module, not a modulator. Modules are synths without a keyboard, however most people will have at least one synth with a keyboard because that keyboard can control any other synth modules using midi.

Now, you could play the sounds in a module with the pads of the MPC but a keyboard would be better......because if you think of the keys like MPC pads there are lots more of them.

You say you cannot play keyboards so........I think it is actually better to get something with a keyboard so you start to learn a bit.

You might find two notes that work together as a bass line but might not find a third just using the MPC pads, but you will if you have the full range of a keyboard. A lot of us learn by hitting random keys & working things out that way.

Check this recent thread which is pretty much the same question as yours:http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=16656
The good example there is the EMU Mo'Phatt which is a module full of essential funky sounds. The EMU MK-6 is a keyboard with exactly the same set of sounds.

You'd have everyone scratching their heads or trying to sell you some complex music software if you'd gone into a music store & asked to check out some sound modulators.

good lookin homie

ima check out that thread

Also, to play the keyboard, you don't need to be some kind of master at it, or know all the notes/chords that are used with it either. Every song has a key that works with it. You just have to find that key that sounds good with your beat, and bang on those same keys in a pattern up and down the scale. The more you mess with it, the better/faster you get at it. I've had people ask me how I learned to play... It's just practice is all...

But for you, I would suggest a sound module, with a MIDI controller. Them Tritons and Motif keyboards are heavy! But don't hold me to it! Go to Guitar Center (or local music shop) and ask to demo some sound modules and keyboards. Those guys are usually pretty cool and can help you out with a few things to get you started. Good luck man!