MPC 1000's pads different from the others? (eg. MPC 5000?)

I just got my MPC 1000 a few months ago...
And I have a couple questions about the pad... since so many people were talking about the bad pads...

I am wondering how do I know that my pad is the new fixed one? or the old bad one?
I heard that the old one has individual sensors and individual pads, that if I try to move a pad, the other pad will not move because they are belong to a big pieces of pads? On the other hand, the new fixed pads are all in one piece so that if I move a pad, the others will also moved?

Also, I have tried the MPC 5000 in a shop, and the pads feels quite different. It's much harder than the MPC 1000 ones.
The MPC 5000 is noticeably very sensitive compared to the MPC 1000 one as well.
On my MPC 1000, it is very hard to play "note-on" samples because i need to push it quite hard to get the sound, and i have the "full-level" on.

I am wondering if the problem is my pads, or the pad sensors.... Is it possible to make MPC 1000 pads feels like MPC 5000 ones?

I mean, will the pad-fix kit make the MPC 1000 feels like the MPC 5000? or MPC 2000XL?


Thanks a lot!!!

Sup Fam - I'm convinced that the MPC 1000, even with the pad sensor upgrade, feels different (less responsive) then the bigger units. I have the 2000 classic, 2000xl, and the 1000. I love the features and bigger screen of the 1000 but hate the pads with everything in me. I do have the upgraded pad sensors but I still have to bang harder than I do when I'm using my other MPC's. I did go in and adjust the sensitivity on the pads but they still don't come close.

– “Keep Bangin”

need to do more than change the sensitivity settings (including note on threshold setting, not available on akai os's)

look into filling the gap in between rubber and sensor

the sensors used are identical to those used in the 500, 2500, and 5000, as is the rubber.

Hey Nym, what do you recommend I use to fill the gap? I am using the JJ OS 3.08 and I only see settings for Pad Sensitivity and Curve.......Where do I look for the Note On Threshold?

the free jjos was created before the FSR pad fix was released by akai
it doesn't have code to support them, hence why you're having to hit them so hard.

when akai released the FSR pad fix they put out a new os with a lower note on threshold
jjos1 allowed for a lower note on threshold too
jjos2 was the first to let you have a note on threshold that could change
jjos2xl has the same thing

upgrade your OS, the problem is software, not hardware

as far as the gap, i used silicone glue, but others have used a couple strips of electrical tape

Cool, so you're saying that if I go back to the original OS that it shipped with, which I believe was Akai OS 2.12, then I should be cool? To tell you the truth, I don't think I even tried it out first before I loaded the JJ OS. I opened the box and went straight for JJ. I'll try tonight when I get to the Lab and switch the OS. Thanks for hittin' back.


- "Keep Bangin"

Ya I think the gap between the pads and the sensors make a lot of differences!
Is there a aftermarket pad set? Instead of DIY?

Thanks man~

$lang - i advise you UPGRADE your os, not downgrade, to get the proper FSR pad software.

no aftermarket pad set, DIY is much more cost effective and actually physically better due to the softness of te silicone

nym im sorry im going to have to advise against using "electrical" tape...i know u havent done this,so i can see why u would advise it...but the fact is that electrical tape will bleed the glue under heat and the sensors are a good place for this,..and u will end up with a big sticky mess under your pads,,,i dont have the 1000 but i do have the 500 with the same problem and i fixed it with four layers of "masking" tape..no disrespect nym,ur a very wise dude!!!

a good observation - it does get gummy after a while. that's why i like the silicone fix.

korg padkontrol response in a post 2002 mpc.

Sup Famz - You know, the more I read on this subject it’s obvious that there are a number of fixes for a problem that never existed until now....The MPC has always been known for its Rock Solid Timing, Ease of Use and most importantly, for the HEAVENLY FEEL of its pads. I have owned, practically every pad laced Drum Machine known to man and none come close to providing the Legendary Feel and Bangability of the MPC Pads. Why sacrifice the one thing that makes a Drum Machine a "DRUM MACHINE" we wanna bang on stuff! When you get behind a 60, 3000, 2000, 2000xl - you're not thinking about tearing out pads to trade them for buttons or pouring glue all over the place....All you can think about is banging out the illest track so you can one day sell out Madison Square - Ya Feel Me! If all of this extra work is necessary just to get back what shouldn't have been taken away in the first place....then I'm starting to feel like I should just skip over the 1000 and move up to the 2500 or just stick to the 2000xl. Sorry to rant but look at what they got us doing just so we can use a dang CF or USB up to the laptop. By the time we get everything connected and feeling right we will have forgotten why we bought the Dang Thang in the 1st place........Urrrrg! Anyway....I'm gonna give it some more time and effort but if it doesn't come together quickly I may be sporting a 25 hunnit in a few days. Peace to my Fam! I appreciate you hitttin back Nym - You a helpful dude.....Stay Up!


- No matter what ---- "Keep Bangin"

Nym wrote:a good observation - it does get gummy after a while. that's why i like the silicone fix.

korg padkontrol response in a post 2002 mpc.

i had the padkontrol too,,man the pads were dope on that thing but i am computer illeterate so i ended up selling it for like half price shortly after i got it,,,i think i am going to try ur silicone idea..i seen somewhere that somebody said silicone had a funny smell to it..is this true?,,and if not can u tell me what siliconeYOU use..thanx

$ l a n g wrote:Sup Famz - You know, the more I read on this subject it’s obvious that there are a number of fixes for a problem that never existed until now....The MPC has always been known for its Rock Solid Timing, Ease of Use and most importantly, for the HEAVENLY FEEL of its pads. I have owned, practically every pad laced Drum Machine known to man and none come close to providing the Legendary Feel and Bangability of the MPC Pads. Why sacrifice the one thing that makes a Drum Machine a "DRUM MACHINE" we wanna bang on stuff! When you get behind a 60, 3000, 2000, 2000xl - you're not thinking about tearing out pads to trade them for buttons or pouring glue all over the place....All you can think about is banging out the illest track so you can one day sell out Madison Square - Ya Feel Me! If all of this extra work is necessary just to get back what shouldn't have been taken away in the first place....then I'm starting to feel like I should just skip over the 1000 and move up to the 2500 or just stick to the 2000xl. Sorry to rant but look at what they got us doing just so we can use a dang CF or USB up to the laptop. By the time we get everything connected and feeling right we will have forgotten why we bought the Dang Thang in the 1st place........Urrrrg! Anyway....I'm gonna give it some more time and effort but if it doesn't come together quickly I may be sporting a 25 hunnit in a few days. Peace to my Fam! I appreciate you hitttin back Nym - You a helpful dude.....Stay Up!
- No matter what ---- "Keep Bangin"

dude i have the 500 the 2000 the 2000xl and the 2500
if ur looking at getting the 1000 or the 2500,,def go for the 25...the feel is very similar to the 2000xl except a little more juiced up and a lot faster..and everybody can say what they want but for some reason the mpc1000 looks like a toy to me..it looks like something that was pushed out to fast. jusmy2cents

If all of this extra work is necessary just to get back what shouldn't have been taken away in the first place....then I'm starting to feel like I should just skip over the 1000 and move up to the 2500 or just stick to the 2000xl.

I feel you but all the Numark MPCs have the same stiff pads. Not just the 1000 but 500, 2500, and 5000. The glue plus jj OS2 or higher will give you great response. The pads still won't be quite as soft and cushy as the older models though. I talked to VST and they said the pads are identical and that the pads get softer over time. The older models I tried were all used so I don't know how true this is. Not sure if the black pads are different either or if the dye application soften them a bit?

sonseelye wrote:nym im sorry im going to have to advise against using "electrical" tape...i know u havent done this,so i can see why u would advise it...but the fact is that electrical tape will bleed the glue under heat and the sensors are a good place for this,..and u will end up with a big sticky mess under your pads,,,i dont have the 1000 but i do have the 500 with the same problem and i fixed it with four layers of "masking" tape..no disrespect nym,ur a very wise dude!!!

Thanks Nym and Sonseelye, I am pretty bad at DIY so I don't really dare to try to use silicon for the fix... but I did use masking tape as sonseelye suggested. I have used 5 layers instead of 4, if I am not adding more later....

Now the pad has a nice firm feel of it, I think I will play it like this for a while and see if it feels good enough....

seriously though, I might add another layer of masking tape...................