My first MPC: 500 or 1000?

Greetings everyone! I'm new to this forum, and I am about to buy my first MPC

I'd like some advice as to which model should i get, the MPC500 or the MPC1000. I've been reading about the differences between the 2, and i really cant make up my mind.

First of all, i never had a sampler, but im not new to music production... i've had several synths and drum machines, etc, so its not like im completely new to this world. But as i said, i never had a sampler...

Now, that said, what worries me is if i get an MPC500, it might prove 'too small' or limited in a short period of time... I mean, should i aim for the MPC1000 for starters and just stick to it, or should i get the 500 to learn, being a 'sampler-noob' as i am?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can give me ;d

Get the 1000. 500s are lame.

Get the 1000. Look at how many 500's are always going up for sale. The 500 is a joke (sorry 500 owners)

poundaproblem wrote:Get the 1000. Look at how many 500's are always going up for sale. The 500 is a joke (sorry 500 owners)

Id go with a 1k but I wouldnt call the 500 a joke. The only huge advantage I see on the 1k over the 500 is the JJOS...

Though I do plan on buying a 2500 or 1k in the future I stand by the 500 as a solid piece of equipment for its size, portability and price.

I have also heard plenty of good beats on the 500.

I own an MPC500.

Just because the 500 is the cheapest unit in the line, I don't think you should automatically view it as the 'beginner' unit - 'cause that's not what it's supposed to be. It's got its own unique benefits, and it's got its own limitations.

The reason I opted for the 500 over any of the other MPCs were:

- It runs off batteries - I can make beats on the sofa, I can make them in the garden, I can make them in bed.
- I've already got a DAW/Mixer/etc, so it's a supplement to my studio - not the lynchpin.
- It cost me £300, which I could afford to drop, even with a money-hungry kid and the looming CREDIT-CRUNCH.

If you're only going to use you're MPC on your desk, next to a power socket - maybe the 1000 makes more sense.
If you don't have a computer to edit and chop your samples - maybe the 1000 makes more sense.
If you're craving the JJ operating system - maybe the 1000 makes more sense.

You need to weight up the options and then make a choice. Once you've spent the money, you'll go through a period of 'oooh, did I do the right thing', but then you'll be happy - and, most importantly, making sweet beats.

Different units make sense to different people. To say that a particular box of software and hardware is 'a joke' is a bit short-sighted, no?

So ultimately, its your choice.

Chris

Oh yeah - and with the 500, a couple of cables, and an SM57 mic in my bag, I can take my beats wherever I like and get any old vocalist/musician I meet to just gimme some samples.

That'd be a damn sight more difficult with an MPC5000 - whatever it's obvious superiorities!

I own all currently available MPCs and have written books on all of them bar the 5000, and unless serious ultra-portability is required, the 1000 with a JJ OS is clearly going to give you the best value-for-money. I simply detest using the 500, which I have to do frequently when writing tutorials or checking sample pack compatibility - after using it I can't wait to switch back to one of the the less stressful MPCs - basically the 500 is too 'claustrophobic' for me. The song mode bug is also a deal breaker.

But that's just my opinion. Of all the MPCs I own, the 2500 wins it for me, but perhaps that's because the 5000 is currently too buggy to work with. So if you have the cash, go for the 2500 with a JJ OS as well. The 1000 is defintely the best all-rounder though as it's still pretty portable, cheap and fully featured (with a JJ OS installed). The 500 will suit some because of the battery, but working that little screen gives me a headache.

I am biased because i own one, but I truly think the 1000 is the way to go (As said above unless you need it to be portable). I have used the 1k, 2kxl, and a 500, and I always think I am glad I got the 1k... I originally went to get a 500, but after doing some reading here and asking a few ?'s at Sam Ash, I was convinced the 1k would give me the best bang for the buck, and there would be no true limits to what I can do on it.

I like my 500, especially after the last OS update. I'm from the old school and still believe starting out on more limited hardware forces you to be more clever and creative in the long run.

After all the answers and gathering some more infos im pretty much decided to get the 1000.

As i can see the biggest pro about getting the 500 is portability, something i dont really care at all ;D Also the whole 'battery-powered' thing doesnt appeal to me ;D

On the other hand, it seems the 1000 is a good all-arounder so i think ill get it and just stick to it... and if when im comfortable with it i feel it needs an upgrade i can always get JJOS, right? ;d

you should get the JJOS from day one dude...

Theres no point on doing anything on the Akai os. Start with the JJos and never look back.

not to to make u change ur mind or nun but maybe u should try something more older like a mpc3000 or mpc60 very easy to use an once u master them u can work any mpc

Every mpc has it's advantages/disadvantages (apart from the 2K classic ).

500's out since you don't need the portability advantage.

If you can try out some mpc's with friends or wherever you can and see which ones you like best. If you ask me as you don't have a reference, you can't go too wrong here.

If I had the money I would buy a 2500 over any MPC.