my 500 vs XL story

so i figured i'd update the forum on my quest for the right MPC.

I went to guitarcenter flint and tried out an MPC 500 and I found it really painful to use actually, compared to my XL. the pads sensitivity was wierd, even with modifying that it was sort of sketchy.

I really just tried to use it like I would my MPC, even though my idea was to use an MPC as a bank of samples for my QY. I still wanted to check out the 500's usability in normal MPC realm, and those pads really made the difference in me no longer considering it. my finger was actually sore by the time i was done testing it!

we'll see if I ever use the XL in a live situation... the 5 would be better for that... but right now i'm not gonna make the switch.

Honestly, good move... I like the 500 for the batteries and 128mb of ram... but hate the low number of pads, and most of all... the menu hopping.

I still think the 1k is the true "portable" mpc, with jj os, and if the pads are straight, its a beast with a small footprint.

I agree on the 1000 statement. I am interested to hear someone using the 1000 with the "fat pad" upgrade....I love my 4k, but I agree that the pads even on that machine can't touch the 2kxl(at least the broken in pads on my 2kxl)

sirparksalot wrote:I agree on the 1000 statement. I am interested to hear someone using the 1000 with the "fat pad" upgrade....I love my 4k, but I agree that the pads even on that machine can't touch the 2kxl(at least the broken in pads on my 2kxl)

I have all 3 you mentioned, and I feel the same about the XL being a little more sensitive than the 4000. I'm happy to say the 1000 Fat Pads give it sensitivity on par with the 2000XL. I replaced a button today, so I've been using the 1000 all night, the pads are fantastic. They're good right to edges of the pad corners, no double triggers at all. They're absolutely worth the $40.

I agree that the 2000XL has the best pads.

That was my first machine and it's never felt as good since I sold her.

Since used 60, 60 II, 3000LE and 4000.

I've never tried a 500, 1000, 2000, 2500 or 5000.

Wouldn't mind trying out some fat pads/ corx.

i'm happy you are done with the mpc quest!
the 500 pads are actually hard, i've got bullies on my fingers... but i thought the 1000's pads were the same thing, am i wrong?

The pads are like rocks on the 500, but you can get softer ones from mpc-stuff.com.

Never had a problem with my green glow-in-the-dark pads. With the stock pads I had to put my shoulder in to it to get full velocity. These, its just how hard to finger-strike the pads, I recommend heating up a cauldron with gravel and sand in it and strike into it with your bare open hands. Another alternative is to get a manual labor job and toughen up those hands.

i added three little squares of electrical tape under each pad on my 500 so there is no gap between the pads and the sensor sheet.

they're still super hard, but they are way more sensitive so you don't have to bang em real hard. finger drumming like you would on a table is enough to trigger them at low velocity.