MPC 500/MPC 2000xl debate

hey fellas.

so this is my dilema. ive had my mpc 500 for a while now, i know that ish like the back of my hand, i use my 128 mb card to load and save samples on, i load my samples into my mpc via usb sometimes, or recording in through the turntable, ALSO, i get my beats back onto my mac (now a power mac) just a mac, via saving the samples on my mpc, then usb-ing them back onto my mac.

heres the dilema

in a store i found a working mpc 2000xl for 500 dollars.... its on hold right now, and tomorrow i might go in and snag it. BUT. i have no fu-king clue how im going to use it really, i mean i have a general idea obviously i know my mpc 500 really well. but theres no cf card reader? and theres a floppy disc drive? also. i dont htink theres a usb attatchment....

besides that. i basically have no idea how im going to get samples that i have on my comp (drum samples) wav files to be exact- ONTO the 2000xl. AND. i have no idea how im going to get the actual beats back onto my mac? because as i said im entirely used to saving the beat on my mpc, then usb-ing the wav file (beat) back onto my mac......

i pretty much dont have any other equipment, i have a fast track pro, and reason. but i only really use my mpc 500. so im debating weather or not i should even purchase the 2000xl. you know? im having a tough one here, any feedback is appreciated. thanks and peace

The XL wont save your beat as a WAV, only as MPC programs (APS) and sequence files (ALL), so you'll have to track the beats as audio into your DAW (Logic or whatever).

If the XL only has a floppy, you'll probably find it immediately limiting and will need to upgrade to a CF card reader, external SCSI hard drive, or zip (SCSI or internal IDE).

Basically, the XL is old school when it comes to file management, storage and memory. Using these older MPCs, in some respects, requires a different way of producing compared to the newer MPCs. Of course, there are benefits, like better pads, better build quality, some may say better sound (debatable), but unless you have a specific desire or need for an older MPC, I'd say forget it and stick with the 500.

You don't actually mention any issues with the 500 - any problems you think the XL will solve?

that's a lot of 'i dont knows' for $500.

why do you want it if you know so little about it?

no it doesn't have usb.

Your thread in the comparison forum was enough to get some good info...why double post?

greatly appreciate the comment, mpc tutor.

you made great points, really.

to be honest.. my mpc 500 is pretty glitchy, but ive managed to get used to it. (randomly when trimming samples itl say "no samples!!! and then ill have to click around and then itl go into trim mode like it should...random weird glitches, little minor hardware glitches like the mode button not staying selected, so i might have to hold mode, or click it a few times for it to get to mode....)

but basically there isnt that much in the way of problems with it, its not so much that i want the 2000xl because of a problem with my 500, its because i managed to come across it for cheap -499.00, (which is how much my mpc 500 was brand new basically), and ive also been doing my research and i mean apparently the sound of the 2000xl would be greatly better than my mpc 500?

its frustrating, because i love having effects on my 500, i love the usb, and i love the cf card, and i dont have money right now to spend on an 8 channel mixer for the 2k, or zip cards, and whatever else id need to track the beats into my computer? i wouldnt even know how to do that, im guessing id need an external soundcard to play the beats into, then into my mac? blah. this is what i mean

BUT at the same time it seems beneficial to purchase the machine, due to the price and then even if it sat there for a little bit-unused, then i could get the other equipment i need in order for me to get the best out of it. you know? i dont know, im apparently going and getting it tomorrow, so im trying hard to figure out if i should or not, because im borrowing the money off a friend aswell. hmm

Nowadays, the only thing 2000/XLs got going for it, is that they're collectible items. Plus screens burn out after a number of uses and parts are the price of another 2000. Going from 128MB of RAM to 32MB is really not so logical to me. If you're tired of your 500 then upgrade to a 2500 instead.

Btw, the Mode key has to be held down in order to access the different section of the 500, its no glitch.

You want to upgrade the OS of your 500 to 1.31 OS. I was on 1.13 and it was a world of a difference for the better.

MPC2000XL for $500 it is not a deal if you are not getting the Studio Plus version or at least one with the 8 outs and CF card reader, it looks like you don't know to much about the XL, I would suggest you to read the manual previous to make your purchase if you don't do that then you are going to buy something that maybe you don't dig and finally you will sell it on Ebay for half of what you paid, also IMO there is no debate between the 500 and the XL, 500 it's a toy next to the XL.

THX ill-green.
really appreciate your views.
as i mentioned i love my 500, but i feel like a 500 dollar 2000xl is too good to be true, but then i have to worry about a lot of other issues regarding the 2000xl, zip disks, mixers, etc
where as my 500 can be usb-d in and out, etc i dont know its easy as hell, and i work so quickly and easy ON it. but yeah. thanks alot brother.

whats the difference between the 1.13 OS and the 1.31?

not a deal eh?

and well your right, i dont know much about the xl

if youve heard my stuff on my 500 you probably wouldnt believe it was a 500, yet you call it a toy compared to the 2000xl?!

why is it such a "toy" to you, exactly?

i honestly dont get it, because the only reason i can see that the 2k is better than even a 500 is the sound-which some say is debatable if it is in fact BETTER, and besides a few more pads means absolutely nothing to me, theres a, b, c, and d banks in the 500 i dont need all of them filled up, ever

If you are cool with your 500, stay with it and save up a little more dough and get yourself a 2500. It has all the things you like in the 500 - just way more powerful.

threads merged.

New Jack wrote:not a deal eh?

and well your right, i dont know much about the xl

if youve heard my stuff on my 500 you probably wouldnt believe it was a 500, yet you call it a toy compared to the 2000xl?!

why is it such a "toy" to you, exactly?

i honestly dont get it, because the only reason i can see that the 2k is better than even a 500 is the sound-which some say is debatable if it is in fact BETTER, and besides a few more pads means absolutely nothing to me, theres a, b, c, and d banks in the 500 i dont need all of them filled up, ever

Don't take it personal, I'm talking because I know by experience, just go to ebay and check prices, XL's are selling for nothing... I bought a 2K classic with 8 outs, maxed RAM, perfect screen for $160 ($200 w/shipping) just a couple months ago... after than I bought the 2KXL SE1 for $200 (bad screen) and just a week ago I bought the XL Studio Plus (32MB RAM, 8Outs, Efx board, SCSI zip and CD drive + zip disks) for $495 shipping included...

You are worried about CF cards and floppies right? well... you can upgrade your XL to use a CF card reader for less than $30, you can load WAV files in your XL too, since you never really use all the 4 pad banks to load samples then 32MB of RAM are way more than enough to work, so at this point I already answered lot of your doubts... also the XL has a complete screen where you can also see the wave form of your samples... way better to chop and edit samples than the 500, also the XL if you follow my recommendations has 8 outs so you can track your channels to your mixer for a proper mix, more and way better feeling pads you said you think a little more pads are not good well... what about when you sample a 16 bits loop and you need to chop in 16 pads? what about 16 levels note? I really believe 16 is better than 12 you have way more sounds to play and create...

I can't remember if I addressed all your doubts but I hope... so my final recommendation is buy a XL for that price if only has all the expansion boards or at least the 8 outs and CF card reader if not then go to ebay and check what they have for you... I bet if you have a little patience you are going to pay less than $400 for a good one and like I said, upgrading to a CF card reader it is cheap and easy.

Peace.

Look... there is a XL Studio Plus w/ CF card reader for $600 but you can make an offer, offer him your $500 maybe you have luck... fyi studio plus means that it comes with the 32MB RAM, 8 output expansion board and efx board, they also have the Studio version which means 32MB RAM and 8 outs...
Check this one comes even with the original box, act fast!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Akai-MPC2000XL-Stud ... 500wt_1413

If your beats are ill and you like the 500 then keep it. I just picked up my 2000xl for 3 bills and they go all day on CL here in NYC for 3-4 hundred so 500 seems like it could be a lot unless it's mint.

bonecheckfoo wrote:If your beats are ill and you like the 500 then keep it. I just picked up my 2000xl for 3 bills and they go all day on CL here in NYC for 3-4 hundred so 500 seems like it could be a lot unless it's mint.

Definitely, if the 500 is good then why go backwards with old tech. If the 500 is limited then get a 2500 instead.