why??

I was going to buy the 2500 in a few weeks and I have a few questions.
1.Is the 2500 superior to the 2000xl and if is then why do most producers novice and experienced alike, seem to use the 2000xl?
2.What are some of the features that make the 2500 better than the 2000xl. Thanks.

Ok, I'll start

Upright wrote:1.Is the 2500 superior to the 2000xl and if is then why do most producers novice and experienced alike, seem to use the 2000xl?

Of course it is superior to the 2000XL - it is almost 10 years younger, which is ages in computer terms. The reason why experienced producers still use their 2000XL is, because they have it, and see no need yet to upgrade. And the "novice" use it, because they see the oldies rock it

By the way, novices use the 1000 actually

Upright wrote:2.What are some of the features that make the 2500 better than the 2000xl.

Well, just for a start... faster CPU (just compare the waveform view in Trim Mode), included CF reader, 8 outs, effects, possibility for internal harddrive and CD (making it a real stand-alone box, no need for external storage)...

Opinions on single features will vary depending on who you ask. Some find the Direct Recording feature great, which I don't really feel myself. Then there are the Q-Links, Grid Edit, highpass/bandpass filters, 1/4" footswitch jacks, interactive window button, larger screen...

So if you decide between a 2000XL with memory, 8 outs and effects and a 2500, which will cost about the same, get the 2500.


Cheers.

i'll continue. as an avid mpc2k user for the last 8 years, i can say this: re-learning and re-training yourself with the 2500 is not easy. i mean, you get what you put into it. i think the number one thing that humans are scared of is change, so seeing this new super MPC with a different layout and OS scares the crap out of old time MPC 2k users.

Then, there are the specs. If you compare them side by side with AKAI's comnparison chart, the 2500 doesn't "look" all that different. But it IS... i mean, there is "elastic" audio (tuning in real time for samples, which is one of the features that excited me on the 4000), extremely fast wave drawing in trim edit mode (that alone can save you 5 minutes an hour), loading whole folders instead of indvidual programs and .APS's, and internal HD and CD features. I hated lugging around my external hard drive with my 2000xl. Oh, and loading times are 4x... no... 8x as fast. Plus, more memory.

other benfits of the 2500:

you can layer 4 sounds to a pad. Multilayered samples, anyone? great for strings. My favorite feature? you can RECORD track mutes. track mutes is how i play live.. i use the pads to turn my tracks on or off... now you can record those into your sequence.

internal flash memory. it's small (5 megs, i think?) but it's good enough to hold some essential kits and default PRGs.

recording while playing back a sequence. grab that kitten with the hot voice, have her spit in the mic over the track, then take the vocal track and cut it up. then you can use vocals you recorded with any sequence you want. i've done it to experiment with my 4k, and it's come in handy. also good for live guitars and bass. havn't tried it on the 2500 yet.

You should consider yourself lucky for not being "corrupted" with previous MPC use. You will learn the 2500 with no problem, compared to re-training yourself.

Oh, and I have not had one problem yet with my 2500 (had it about 5 days). Myabe it's because i know what to expect out of it... who knows.

P.S. get your 2500 from VST. They rock. Next day service, fully loaded 2500 for $2099. Plus a six month exteded warranty. They even do lay-a-way!

Wow!!! I really appreciate the replys guys. Now I know to step right up to the 2500. I am so excited I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!

gabberjungle wrote:
i'll continue. as an avid mpc2k user for the last 8 years, i can say this: re-learning and re-training yourself with the 2500 is not easy. i mean, you get what you put into it. i think the number one thing that humans are scared of is change, so seeing this new super MPC with a different layout and OS scares the **** out of old time MPC 2k users.

If you stand by that statement..we have to agree to disagree. As a long time user of MPCs, I found the MPC 2500 very usuable right out the box. There was no learning curve. Most of the features the 2000/XL and the 2500 have in common, pretty much function the same.

true... i mean, i was making a beat right out of the box. BUT, things arn't where they used to be. it is a different OS, and the only thing that is the same is the main menu. everything... and i mean everything else... is different.

but, to stay on topic, this being day 6 of having my new 2500... i am VERY impressed with the speed of the overall OS. i would highly recommend getting the 2500.

Everything is different? Of course there are some differences. But it functions pretty much the same way. Anybody with real experience using an MPC can easily use the 2500 to create music right out the box. Now, for the added extra features, I do agree that some may need to read the manual to fully understand these functions....but I am not one of them. I was able to easily jump from an MPC 3000 to a 2500 without a hitch. I guess I am special like that.

Staying on topic? The question has already been answered several hundred times over in other threads and as well as the few who responded to this thread. The 2500 is superior to the XL in dozens of ways. The Xl is superior in terms of its stable OS.

yeah, jahrome. i guess you are special.

here's a link you might want to read. or maybe not.

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=48600

and, yes... that is my license plate.

I must say I find it pretty easy to use too. Of course some buttons are in different places, and some menus look different, but you'll manage it pretty quickly if you ever used any MPC before.

gabberjungle wrote:
yeah, jahrome. i guess you are special.

here's a link you might want to read. or maybe not.

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=48600

and, yes... that is my license plate.

That's Mr. Jahrome to you

So why are you directing me to that other topic? I must be missing something. What I am not missing is that your lack of experience with MPCs. I came to that conclusion by you saying that you had to re-learn and re-train yourself to use the 2500. Ok..I will leave you alone since you are MPC-challenged

... well ...

that link was straight from the main man. to be considerate, not bash and jump down people's throats, and generally use the discussion forum for what is is... a helpful tool for new and old users alike to share knowledge and information.

i think that me and stilo helped out the thread starter with his question. there is no need for you to start attacking me for my views on how i learn. my work flow is important to me, and all i was saying was that if you get a new car with the gas and brake pedal reversed, and the steering wheel on the other side, you will have to relearn. I was faster than a typrewriter on my 2kxl. already, i have begun to flow smoothly in my creative process on the 2500.

this is my first time in a forum setting. i thought i knew what it was all about, a community of MPC users helping each other out. but in the reality of it all, it's just like life. 5% of cats are cool, real, and know what they're talking about... and the other 95% are just trying to be seen and heard for their own selfish reasons.

glad i found this topic. i'm going to be in the market soon and i'm considering the 2kxl mcd or 2500 (heavily and have been leaning towards the 2kxl mcd from vst). i will be adding this new unit to my existing SP1200/S950 setup.

i've read all the threads and info i can find on the 2 mpc's and am 95% sold on the 2kxl mcd for the simple fact that the 2500 has the kinks that need to be smoothed out in the OS. it's just not worth it to me as i am a mac user as well. almost half the posts on the first page of the 2500 thread are about bugs and a better OS.

from what i've read the 2500 sounds like it will be the ultimate piece once the OS is stabalized. thanks to everyone that posted their thoughts on this subject. appreciate the insight.

have fun with the 2500 Upright!

Jahrome, please stop being so obnoxious.

lol...forums never change. everyon tryin to be the alpha-male. but theres a great feature on here called PM (private message) where you can filter out the BS...and talk one on one with fellow users outside of public eye.

helped me out a great bit back in '03 when i was a newbie, and needed quick and direct answers. and YES, the 2500 is the shiznit...i'm about to sell my sp1200 cuz i dont need it no more.