mpc 500 or 2000?

Im going to get an mpc but can't decide between a 500 or a 2000. But the thing is I need it mainly just as a sequencer (for external synths), i'll probably use the sampler as well but what i'm really concerned with I guess is the usability and intuitive-ness of the MIDI sequencer.

Is there much difference in the way the software works (I.E the way you edit notes on the screen etc) from the older generation mpc's to the newer ones like the 500/1000? What im really looking for is something like my electribe MX, it's sequencer has 16 pads for each bar, then if u want to change the pitch/duration of a note you just select it and use the jog dial (however it only has 8 bars per pattern so it's not much good for doing whole tracks). What I really want to avoid is trawling through endless menus when I just want to add one note or something. Iv'e downloaded the manual for the mpc 500 and it seems OK but sometimes manuals are so technical they don't actually help that much, on the other hand I can't find that much out about the 2000. I'm guessing that the newer generation models would have better and easier to use software as thats often the way things are but then I saw all this people on these forums praising the older models

help me out here cos I really am stuck

in the case of the mpc series, the older models are easier to use IMO, and no, the pads are not a step sequencer like on roland machines and the electribes. you generally hit in your sounds in real time and the sequencer corrects the timing according to the resolution you chose (1/8, 1/8 triplet, 1/16, 1/16 tri, 1/32, 1/32 tri... etc) and of course you can turn that off. There is an event page where you can click through the frames and see exactly where the notes are hit and make the changes manually but I dont suggest it. Then for removing notes while the sequencer is still running (while overdubbing... cause it loops unless you turn the loop off) you can remove notes by holding the erase button and making sure the proper pad is held down during the part you want removed... so only the notes from that pad will be affected... plus only things in that current track with be affected.

I dont know about the 500, some people around here should be able to drop some info on that, but with the one single midi out and midi in on the back of the machine... plus you got a screen that displays like 2 lines of characters so maybe it may be a bit tougher then on one of the full sized units.

Well me coming from the ESX, I can say that the MPC kinda functions the same. You can somewhat create songs the same way and resample the songs too. Their language in beat-making is not so far apart.

In terms of selecting between the 500 or the 2000, I would agree with Debauch in what your preferences are. If you plan on using multiple devices and the MPC as the sequencer via MIDI then the 2000 is the way to go for its multiple ins and outs. 500 is a beast too with its sequencer and the tech is above the 2000, but can you live with its limited ins and outs?

Thanks for the reply's, that is a lot of help, Im definitely leaning towards getting the 2000 then, and thats really good to hear it's similar to the electribe, I love my emx, making music on it is so quick and intuitive, the only problem is each pattern is only 8 bars so you just end up with endless 4 or 8 bar loops and no finished music so an mpc should be wicked

Are there any features the 500 has that the 2000 doesn't (apart from more memory and a card slot/USB), a hard drive is the only storage option with the older models? there is no flash memory or anything right? also im still not completely clear on the OS's, is it like all the older generation models come with the same software and the newer ones come with a new version? or does each model's OS work differently? It's just i've heard good things about certain old models like the 3000

Also does anyone know what the main differences are between the mpc 2000 and the 2000xl? I ask cos it would just be the 2000 I would be getting

one last thing is Im not actually sure if 1 midi in/out would be a problem cos I have a midi patch bay that might be able to merge midi channels (im not sure, ive never tried)

Thanks a lot for the help anyway, I really appreciate it

So many questions.

All the information you need is already posted here.

We have a 2000/ XL forum and a 500 forum full of information and years of experience.

Moving this.

the 1000 and 2500 with JJOS give you piano roll style step editing.
if you're primarily interested in the sequencer, then look at JJ operating system on the 1000 and 2500.

Actually I did spend a couple of hours trawling through the posts on this forum b4 I started a new thread. I even did a site specific search of this site on google to try and find the information i needed (although I didn't notice the 2000/2000xl forum thanks ). It's because I am trying to find out specific things about the OS and sequencer and there aren't many other threads relating to this.

yea I read about JJOS it did look really good but a 1000/2500 is a bit out of my price range i'll think about it tho thanks

basically im just wondering which sequencer is more smooth and intuitive to use. Im thinking the 2000 tho, cos of what people said and also i'm assuming the larger screen and greater number of controls/buttons etc make it quicker/easier to operate.

thanks again for the help

I would suggest the 2000xl over the classic because the classic needs to boot from a disk to work. Also the price difference is not much... you can grab an ex for like 400 if you dont rush into it.

the 500 is portable and easy to use. has more memory than the XL, but a lot of people prefer the XL for its design and some say it has a "unique" sound that the newer MPC's do not have

personally i may sell the 500 and pick up either a 1000 for its chopping feature xtra outs or i may pickup an XL.

dont think you can go wrong either way honestly. i've used the 500 for 2 1/2 yrs, i just think its time for a change...

OK thanks a lot for your help everyone, i'll probably go with the 2000xl then. Originally I said 2000 cos someone was selling one for a very good price but it's gone now so never mind

thanks

just wanted to mention there is a song mode for the EMX by korg.