MPC2500 vs Live

I use both of these, only recently got the live, its dope and has lots of improvments, some things the 2500 does better still, definately a punchier sound when comparing the same program on both machines, the pads on the live are way better than any 3rd party fat pads you can get for the 2500 so for long haul finger drumming sets the live wins, they are the biggest improvment for me, dont much care for the touch screen. it works. 2500 tacts are a major pain and make a 2000xl look great cuz they are the main problem with 2500 in regular repairs unless you can solder nicely, its a tough decision and i dont think either is a clear winner but both are dope mpcs, collect them all. i can make my 2500 glitch and **** out pretty easily, the live has crashed several times on me and the build quailty of the casing seems like i may have to return it already, see how it goes

You don't have to track out on the live. I love that l can save my stems bring them into ky DAW and do my thing. Got tired of the wires.

Caustic Yoda wrote:I use both of these, only recently got the live, its dope and has lots of improvments, some things the 2500 does better still, definately a punchier sound when comparing the same program on both machines, the pads on the live are way better than any 3rd party fat pads you can get for the 2500 so for long haul finger drumming sets the live wins, they are the biggest improvment for me, dont much care for the touch screen. it works. 2500 tacts are a major pain and make a 2000xl look great cuz they are the main problem with 2500 in regular repairs unless you can solder nicely, its a tough decision and i dont think either is a clear winner but both are dope mpcs, collect them all. i can make my 2500 glitch and **** out pretty easily, the live has crashed several times on me and the build quailty of the casing seems like i may have to return it already, see how it goes

Whats the issue with the build quality? My friends live seemed pretty solid. As you mentioned the crashes and bugs are my main concern with the live... hope they work that out in the future...

The build quality of the live appears ok but ive notivce it makes a weird click if you press down on the top chassis near the midi ports and main outs, like its not sealed properly, still under warranty so not gonna try fix it myself but interested to know if others noticed this. it may affect performance of the touch screen if its not seated right

i use the fully upgraded 2500 with jjosxl128. ive messed around on the 1000 and thats about it. I'm hoping to purchase a live someday but i would never sell my mpc2500. jjos is definitly the way to go. its the best thing you can buy to upgrade your machine.

Caustic Yoda wrote:The build quality of the live appears ok but ive notivce it makes a weird click if you press down on the top chassis near the midi ports and main outs, like its not sealed properly, still under warranty so not gonna try fix it myself but interested to know if others noticed this. it may affect performance of the touch screen if its not seated right

funny, i noticed that too

saltmcgault wrote:i use the fully upgraded 2500 with jjosxl128. ive messed around on the 1000 and thats about it. I'm hoping to purchase a live someday but i would never sell my mpc2500. jjos is definitly the way to go. its the best thing you can buy to upgrade your machine.

Yes, no doubt JJOS rocks.
I'll make a decision of weither the Live or the 2500 will be my MPC soon. Both have their features, both have their pros and cons. It's a matter of preference. I thank everybody who took their time to help me out c:

Peace and greetings from germany

Its pretty hard work to get the live to sound as good as 2500 in my short time testing it, will do some more proper ones but currently songs ive made on 2500 come across a bit weak and lost some magic feel when playing back the projects on the Live. its all there and doesnt sound bad but also not right compared to what im used to, i have first gig since purchasing the Live tonight and thinking im just gonna end up lugging the 2500 for the sound im used to, not sure if its output transformers or something but the live has pretty weak output volume compared to 2500 but even when the live is cranked an extra couple db louder than 2500 it sounds lame. Will get to some proper tests and upload results when i got time as i want to do live sets on the Live, i finger drum so need full size pads otherwise would go back to a 1000. be good if they could ad some vibe to the output of this mpc with a software update 2500 vintage mode haha, but no its more than that

Caustic Yoda wrote:Its pretty hard work to get the live to sound as good as 2500 in my short time testing it, will do some more proper ones but currently songs ive made on 2500 come across a bit weak and lost some magic feel when playing back the projects on the Live. its all there and doesnt sound bad but also not right compared to what im used to, i have first gig since purchasing the Live tonight and thinking im just gonna end up lugging the 2500 for the sound im used to, not sure if its output transformers or something but the live has pretty weak output volume compared to 2500 but even when the live is cranked an extra couple db louder than 2500 it sounds lame. Will get to some proper tests and upload results when i got time as i want to do live sets on the Live, i finger drum so need full size pads otherwise would go back to a 1000. be good if they could ad some vibe to the output of this mpc with a software update 2500 vintage mode haha, but no its more than that

maybe a tad of eq and comp on the master could fix that. i guess you deactivated the default master fx from the 2500?

2500 hands down, u seriously comparing one of these new half assed mpcs to the 2500??? That 2500 especially with JJOS will take a dump on anything Akai is selling at the moment. Real talk from a true mpc veteran of over 15 years

Rokgod wrote:2500 hands down, u seriously comparing one of these new half assed mpcs to the 2500??? That 2500 especially with JJOS will take a dump on anything Akai is selling at the moment. Real talk from a true mpc veteran of over 15 years

2500 build quality is cheap.
Also, before you make fun of the new MPCs while celebrating JJOS, you gotta remember JJOS was not by Akai.

ummmm
2500 against the MPC X?

I don't think you're looking at the big picture. Technology on the X and live is better hands down. 2500 can't compete with the X even with jjos or ggep or any jjtp you and to it.

Maybe the Live but the X come man.

I would pick the live over the 2500.

Rokgod wrote:2500 hands down, u seriously comparing one of these new half assed mpcs to the 2500??? That 2500 especially with JJOS will take a dump on anything Akai is selling at the moment. Real talk from a true mpc veteran of over 15 years

I have the Live and 4000 nowadays. I sold my 1000 (and a bunch of other stuff) to fund the Live and haven't looked back.

The live has become my go-to jambox/demo machine/scratch pad. I rarely turn on the computer until I'm ready to mix/master & bounce.

Not sure if I will ever turn on the 4000 again but I will keep it forever and slowly upgrade/modernize it (max ram, ssd conversion, upgraded fans, 8 out card, etc) because that's what it deserves

some say theres definitly a change in sound from Live to 2500... dont get it tho. some say the 2500 nor the live colour the sound in any way... so, whats right?

I have live and 2500 set up next to each other with same program loaded, nothing on the master, all samples at full volume, no filters or fx, same inputs on sound card, master volume on both at -6. ive recorded the same pattern out on each, they are close but 2500 has nicer top and bottom frequencies and is clear and punchy where live gets a bit mushier, also the live is at full volume on the output dial while the 2500 is only at 50% i think running off mains power rather than step down converter/batteries might have a bit to do with it, i can upload results if anyones interested, it is quite subtle but also what makes diference between a beat great and a bland one too. will be testing this more as i have extensive library of songs written on 2500 and alot of em im really not feeling when i load them up on the live