MPC 4k or Add S5000/z4/z8 to 2kXL?

Im currently looking to finalize my drum machine setup. I might be selling the 2kxl to get a 4kxl or just add a s5000 or z4/z8 to the 2kxl. I want to expand the capabilities of the 2kxl or get a unit that will do it all as far as drums go. I like to work on my drums as Im creating so adding effects after printing my drums isnt the workflow I want. I have my dedicated sound source, sound editing and daw recording taken care of, but I feel like my sampling/drum machine setup is the weakest link to complete the circle (or square ). I'm doing my research, gathering resources and just wanted some help in the right direction to make the right decision. All (serious) suggestions will be taken into cosideration, thanks for the help.

I'm not sure about the z4 or z8 samplers, Jim. I wanted to buy a z4 when some online retailers dropped them down to $500 or so a few years ago. But I read somewhere (most likely this forum) that the z4 and z8 had some problems (which I can't exactly remember now).

I think feline1 knows what's up with those samplers, since I remember him talking about them over here. Maybe some other members can tell you more as well.

As far as the s5000, I never heard anything bad about them at all. My friend Ryan (3001) used to own either that or the s6000.
Nice samplers. But I really never got the time to put them to the test, since he sold his fairly quick.

As for the 4000, I know you're aware that it's a hell of alot deeper of a learning curve compared to the other MPCs. Hopefully Akai will come through with one last update, since Boele has communication open with them and is reporting all the reproducable bugs. Now if that happens, I'd even be tempted to buy a 4000. I know Lamp and Jacpot have been considering the 4000 in the past, and I'm sure they'd both buy one if it gets that bugfix OS update.
My advice to you would be to wait a bit and see what happens. But if you find a really good deal on the 4000 (without the fake ebay auctions), don't let it pass you by. It'll still hold a good resale value even after the MPC5000 hits the streets.

cant go wrong with 4k or 2xl and s5000/6000 IMO.

s6000 are dope

Either or.
But you want to buy the 4000.

I'll comment on this from experience. I was a long time XL user and it was only a matter of time before I eventually upgraded in sampler power. I got a z4 off ebay since they were and still are super cheap. This combo gives you about 85-90% of the features of the 4000. The main advantage is cost. If you consider a s5/6000, I recommend finding one with USB, this feature is really helpful (standard on the Zs). The disadvantage of the combo is the added complexity, wiring and space it takes up. Granted you can still take the XL solo as needed, but when using the two together, you need to load up files on both machines and make sure they are communicating properly. If you plan to use it like a sound module, this probably isn't so bad especially if you already have other synths. If you want to use it for your main drums, it is a bit of extra work to get started every time. The screen also sucks on the Zs. The S5/6000s have a nice screen for editing. Both have ak.sys for editing on a nice computer screen though. If you have any intent on going 4k in the future and want a sampler now, the Z is the way to go since it has the exact same sample engine as the 4k, and the migration will be easy. They pretty much fixed all of the bugs before they discontinued it and is solid. S5/6000 does have a few features the Z doesn't have like direct from disk streaming samples, so its worth reading up on the differences.

I eventually got the money to go to the 4000. I sold the Z right away as everything about it is in the 4k. Most of my XL material transfered very well, so I eventually sold it as well. I miss my pretty SE-3, but it was just collecting dust and as you probably have noticed, their resale value is going down quick. That screen on the 4000 is just great, its hard to go back to the other MPCs after using it. Having ak.sys built in and having a bad-ass sampler and sequencer in one unit just makes it a breeze to use. You also have internal drives and the USB port for mem sticks, drives and keyboards. The Q-links are great to have and make the Note Variation Slider look like a toy. The one downside is the added complexity and change of the way some features work. It still keeps the basic structure of the XL, but there are some changes you will need to learn, so you need to give it some time before you are back up to speed.

So any one of your options will do wonders to your sampling ability. It is much cheaper to get the stand alone sampler if money is an issue, and you can upgrade to 4k later. But if you can get the 4k, have the room for it, are not interested in the Numark MPCs, and are willing to spend some time learning, I highly recommend it. This gives you the killer sampler, extra sequencing features and a great interface all in one box.

if you have a laptop the 4k and aksys sat next to it on a laptop it is a really nice combination.
If u have bias peak and recycle too then that its a really really nice combo with the 4k. Simply load a sample in recycle do its thing export as an akai program, sooo easy. THe integration is much better than any other MPC by miles and miles and miles.
g

thanks for the responses and the help

I'm all up for learning the 4k and would accept the challenge but I've been lurking the 4k section and I read the about the possible update after the 5k drops, so this has me leaning a little more towards a 4k. I've been reading up on the z4/z8 series and even found a forum but there werent too many members and it was mostly complaints about bugs so I strayed away from the z series. But now I read what MCSmooth said about the updates before discontinuing them. I want to rack mount the unit to the side of my desk so the detachable screen on the s6000 is something I'm really considering. I did notice that the screens on the z series are small and wouldnt be too comfortable to work with where I want to rack it. I could probably rack it over the mpc2kxl. I was looking up the EB boards last night and found out that VST has them for 250 on ebay now and 1 guy had one up for $215. Since the fx is something I need now, to continue my workflow, I think I will be adding that to the 2kxl and waiting on news about the 4k update. I would much rather have 1 unit than a mpc and s6000 or extra outboard gear. I'f this fix comes out, I will be sold on the 4k. I know its a monster and thats what I want in my studio I just dont want to spend 1500 on one and turn into a monster in my studio after something goes wrong I can easily break sh!t but I dont break my gear, I've broken mouses and keyboards and anything else I can pound my fist on

thanks alot for the input fellas.

The FX boards on all the Akai gear are not that great. I use it more as a scratchpad and for live, hardly ever for recording. You said you are using a DAW, so I bet that has better effects. Don't get me wrong, it is nice to have, but seems like an odd thing to buy when you are still considering selling it for a 4k. I got by with no FX on the Z, then 4ks have them standard.

If you are considering a 4k, you have to consider what it is today. Even if they do the bugfixes, it isn't going to change much. It is already a solid machine with a few quirks (not on critical features) that mostly have workarounds. They are not going to add any features.

Tough call but for certain the 4000 is the Sh*t! I upgraded from a 2500 and have never looked back. But IMPO, do yourself a favor and do the research on the 4000 and see if its for you. Why are you not feel'n the 2K, is it just an fx issue, cause like Smoove said your gonna prolly find the DAW to be better suited for efx. I rarely use much the MPC's efx besides a little reverb and compression here and there to see how things sit with efx. I usually go into DAW for efx in mixing and add my efx there. my2cents. peace

In terms of effects the keygroup programs are so powerful i prefer to render my effects in bias peak and have two copies of samples for example drums dry and with room reverb. and assign the volume of the room reverb samples to a CC, thats the great thing about running a full blown sampler you can create more complex programs.
g

I used to use a 2KXL SP1200 and a S950 and that was a great set up,just slowed up my work flow a little.Now I use a 4K and S5000 and it's a good combo because of aksys. I have all my drums in sight which makes it easy for me to edit and process them. Plus I don't think I could ever live without keygroup again.

I went from a 1k to a 2kxl when I found out akai dropped the mpc500 with the sensor grid and were charging 200 for the pad fix. I like the 2kxl but I feel like it slows me down alot. No sample preview, only 4 pgms, no EQ, comp, reverb. Theses were features I got used to working with. I like to fix my drums as I'm making the beat and with the last beat I tracked into Pro Tools 7.4 when It came to fixing my kick, I ended up not even wanting to use that sound after I added the FX, so I replaced the kick in the mpc and re-recorded the the kick track and it sounded better after applying a lil comp and EQ. Thats not the workflow I'm going for though. I want to be able to fix my drums while I'm working on them. I know they arent world class FX, but even a lil EQ will help. I used to love using them on the MPC1000. I was looking into the outboard FX gear and I figured thats just complicating things more. If I'm going to be working on my tracks in the daw, I rather just sell the 2kxl, cop a MPD24/32 and make the whole beat in pro tools. I want to make my beats outside the DAW, Track into the DAW, Take the session to the studio for mixing and mastering. I kind of want to wait for the update on the bug fixes before I make my final decision. Sorry if I'm flip floppin but I'm just trying to finalize my home studio and get a steady work flow going. This thread is helping me for sure though, thanks for the input fellas.

I keep hearing about keygroups but I never really looked into it in depth. I think thats what I will look into next.

TheFirstJimBo wrote:Im currently looking to finalize my drum machine setup. I might be selling the 2kxl to get a 4kxl or just add a s5000 or z4/z8 to the 2kxl. I want to expand the capabilities of the 2kxl or get a unit that will do it all as far as drums go. I like to work on my drums as Im creating so adding effects after printing my drums isnt the workflow I want. I have my dedicated sound source, sound editing and daw recording taken care of, but I feel like my sampling/drum machine setup is the weakest link to complete the circle (or square ). I'm doing my research, gathering resources and just wanted some help in the right direction to make the right decision. All (serious) suggestions will be taken into cosideration, thanks for the help.

There are numerous producers doing just fine with an MPC 2000XL for their sampling/drum machine set-up. There are also numerous producers that use older models with less capabilities. I doubt getting an MPC 4000 will do anything amazing for your samples and drums that the 2000XL can't. With the low cost of the S5000 and Z series samplers, simply buy one and use it for awhile.

I'm aware of all of that. I'm not looking for the 4000 to make my samples sound better. I want a faster workflow and have everything at hand when needed and while working on the beat before any tracking gets done.

^ Yup, thats the point, the 4k's workflow is the best reason to go that route. Sure you can get by with a lesser sampler, but you CAN improve your sampling with a better one. If you want to do more than simply play back samples as is and get creative, there is a lot a full sampler can do for you.