MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

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MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By rw11279 Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:36 pm
I have a 3000, and I was wondering what I am missing out on as far as features go not having a 2000xl, is there that much difference in features? I am thinking about selling my 3k and switching to a 2000xl because if anything ever goes wrong with my 3000, replacing the machine, getting it fixed, finding/replacing parts and reliable sellers/repairman, is getting more and more difficult and expensive every year. If I switch I'm considering buying a akai s950 to sample and chop with and using an xl to sequence with, or do everything in the xl and run it through the the s950, so I can keep "that sound" but also benefit from the features of the xl.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By mr_debauch Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:39 pm
well maybe get a newer mpc with even more features then that?

the XL has some great features though... but if you are making a switch because of cost then the 2000xl isn't that much cheaper to maintain. the screens are 350 bucks often, if you can even find one (if yours ever gets ligns) and the 8 outs, eb16, and those addons are not cheap either.

Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By rw11279 Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:45 pm
The reason why I considered a 2000xl is because, I have heard that the 4000 has a high learning curve and you should know the 2000xl before you go to a later model.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By mr_debauch Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 am
rw11279 wrote:The reason why I considered a 2000xl is because, I have heard that the 4000 has a high learning curve and you should know the 2000xl before you go to a later model.



i disagree.. i believe in order to learn a model, you should get that model. If you know the 3k well... then you basically know the XL, except for the few things it has that the 3k doesn't.

if you ever plan to get a 4k, then get it. the learning curve might be higher then the mpcs, but that is because it has a lot more stuff it can do. you gotta learn each of those things.

Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By MPCHunter Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:04 pm
mr_debauch wrote:
rw11279 wrote:The reason why I considered a 2000xl is because, I have heard that the 4000 has a high learning curve and you should know the 2000xl before you go to a later model.



i disagree.. i believe in order to learn a model, you should get that model. If you know the 3k well... then you basically know the XL, except for the few things it has that the 3k doesn't.

if you ever plan to get a 4k, then get it. the learning curve might be higher then the mpcs, but that is because it has a lot more stuff it can do. you gotta learn each of those things.


+ 1

Anything worth doing takes some work to figure out.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Retrofreak Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:17 am
I've got a 3000 and 60 and would never trade them for a 2000XL as it has more features, but sounds inferior and the groove is stiff imo.

If anything the 5000 is a nice replacement for 3000 workflow wise and I'd sooner go for a 2500 JJOS over a 2000XL anyday.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Grouphome Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:14 pm
Retrofreak wrote:I've got a 3000 and 60 and would never trade them for a 2000XL as it has more features, but sounds inferior and the groove is stiff imo.

If anything the 5000 is a nice replacement for 3000 workflow wise and I'd sooner go for a 2500 JJOS over a 2000XL anyday.


you define the groove not the machine
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Lampdog Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:04 pm
MPCHunter wrote:Anything worth doing takes some work to figure out.

+100
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Retrofreak Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:33 pm
Grouphome wrote:
Retrofreak wrote:I've got a 3000 and 60 and would never trade them for a 2000XL as it has more features, but sounds inferior and the groove is stiff imo.

If anything the 5000 is a nice replacement for 3000 workflow wise and I'd sooner go for a 2500 JJOS over a 2000XL anyday.


you define the groove not the machine


Not exactly,

When I program in 16's on a 2000XL it is allot straighter compared to the 60/3000.

I get around this on the 2000 by only quantising the snare and playing the reset free.

The 60 I can leave the quantise on and it feels natural in comparison to the 2000XL.

The soft sound on the 60 might help this?? as when drums are over punchy they can throw the groove off a bit as they don't sit as well.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By mr_debauch Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:04 pm
Retrofreak wrote:
Grouphome wrote:
Retrofreak wrote:I've got a 3000 and 60 and would never trade them for a 2000XL as it has more features, but sounds inferior and the groove is stiff imo.

If anything the 5000 is a nice replacement for 3000 workflow wise and I'd sooner go for a 2500 JJOS over a 2000XL anyday.


you define the groove not the machine


Not exactly,

When I program in 16's on a 2000XL it is allot straighter compared to the 60/3000.

I get around this on the 2000 by only quantising the snare and playing the reset free.

The 60 I can leave the quantise on and it feels natural in comparison to the 2000XL.

The soft sound on the 60 might help this?? as when drums are over punchy they can throw the groove off a bit as they don't sit as well.



it's quantization, that is what it is supposed to do. It takes your inferior timing and fixes it according to the computerized clock.

and if the drums are over punchy then you need to turn them down or edit them. you get what you put in.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Retrofreak Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:55 pm
Yeah obviously..

What I'm saying is the 60 grooves much better.

I've been using MPC's since the 90's and my personal preference for timing, groove and sound is the 60 then 3000, the 2000's sounded thin and stiff in comparison, but offered more features.

From the current breed of MPC's, I prefer the 2500 and 5000 to the 2000XL.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By mr_debauch Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:33 pm
Retrofreak wrote:Yeah obviously..

What I'm saying is the 60 grooves much better.

I've been using MPC's since the 90's and my personal preference for timing, groove and sound is the 60 then 3000, the 2000's sounded thin and stiff in comparison, but offered more features.

From the current breed of MPC's, I prefer the 2500 and 5000 to the 2000XL.



after a decade going on 2 decades using MPCs ... you are probably good enough to turn off the timing.

the 2000xl has a desired triplets timing that is often heard in hip hop boom bap tracks. it is even immitated sometimes on other machines and software.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By Retrofreak Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:40 am
Yeah most def,

All I'm saying is I prefer the 3000 as I don't have to struggle with trying to make it sound natural...with or without quantise the 3000 feels better than the 2000's to me, so my work flow is faster.

I'm not conscious of the sound as it sits well any way, whilst with a 2000 I'm always going that extra mile to make it sound like something else.

I also like having dedicated buttons for features as opposed to using "open window" all the time.

I also prefer the build quality of the Roger Linn machines and the "gain switch" on the back.


In summary:

I prefer the MPC 3000 and as i've previously stated the 2K sounds at it's best without quantise as it's stiffer than the 60/3000 imo.
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Re: MPC 3000 vs. 2000xl?

By BlackC7 Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:41 pm
I can't believe y'all are even having this discution. MPC 3000 all the way, hands down.
You all ready have a 3000 and you're considering a 2000XL???
Just buy a 4000! Don't take two steps backward. I think you should learn the 3000. Your question tells me you have no clue.
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