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By faze1 Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:20 pm
This is kind of an unfair comparison cuz these machines are on different levels. The mpc1k has gained alot of ground thanks to good ol' JJ. THings to remember about the 4000 is that its the only mpc with a "true" sampler built in and also excels in regards to midi/audio outputs. I believe it also samples at 24bit. It really boils down to the features the user will benefit from. (and their wallets!!)
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By Menco Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:11 pm
In hardware it's a bit of an unfair battle.(however, the 1k comes with the 4 assignable outputs already installed)
But on OS I think JJOS narrowed the gap between those two. With keygroups, instrumental programs and all those detailed amp and filter envelopes and stuff like that...
Yesterday I had a nice day with my s3000xl and realized how close the JJOS brings the 1k to a full fledged rack sampler.
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By Grouphome Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:04 pm
I have both, the 1k is layin here somewhere just in case anyone comes in with 1k stuff or wants to mess around with it in another room. 4k just works better for me, I have used the 1k for one week, that was when I was on vacation and couldnt take my 4k with me, haven't touched it since I came back
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By dabmeister Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:23 pm
Even after eight years of existence, the 4k still sets the benchmark that the others haven't come close to as of yet.
By ntalec Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:14 pm
Menco wrote: But on OS I think JJOS narrowed the gap between those two. With keygroups, instrumental programs and all those detailed amp and filter envelopes and stuff like that...

Any honest 4k user who knows the JJ OSxl thoroughly would agree that JJ took all that they came up with while he was working on the 4k OS and applied as much of it as possible to the 1k/2500.
He then gave it some modern tweaks that the 4k could really make use of.
It not a cut and dry comparison, and becomes even more complicated if you use the 2500 for the comparison.

The 4k is a strong machine but it has a lot of outdated aspects the are a burden to many potential users.
The best thing that could happen for the 4k would be a re-write of AK_SYS or a variant that works consistently, effectively and faster.
AK_SYS is too important a tool for the way the 4k works for it to give the inconsistent results it gives.
I know someone will now say it works for them because everytime someone says they can't get it to work we see those responses.
Unfortunately most either don't use it or use it for small transfers.

The only other factor that can't be overlooked is that we now have way too many 4k in the used market that the seller knows has issues but don't disclose.
The treat for people getting used 4ks that were semi-functional got really high earlier this year.
Really sad because the 4k was a rugged machine (even the blue ones) so it takes heavy abuse to break aspects of the machine. :(
By ntalec Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:32 pm
séance wrote:I finally buckled down and bought a used mpc 4000 with 512mb ram (white) for 700$ It's getting shipped from NY. Coming from a mpc 1000 jjos2xl and new pads. Hope I did the right thing.


D@mn I wish you would have asked your question like a real potential buyer not just another comparision. :wink:
For $700 I hope it's not a 4k with a personality, way too many broken 4k's floating around out there that people lie about. :(

Here's the deal EVERY MPC that has been made since the company did the big re-up has had bad pads.
When they added their variable sensitivity they killed the response of the MPC pads.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #1) pads have proper response.
The small physical pads work but don't feel as functional as the full size pads
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #2) even the 2500 and 5k pads feel better
The 1k is actually too compact and lacking physical controls.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #3) decated buttons and easy screen switching.
The JJ OS has taken the 1k to great heights but the OS feels forced in the placement of the functions.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #4) the main screen has a lot of info and control that is well placed. The sample edit screen with the dual view is nice. The info on the various screens has a consistent flow and doesn't feel like you just put something where you could fit it.
JJ added INST PGM and a lot of features that the 1k CPU and polyphony just can't deal with.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #5) you will get a major ligt in the CPU ability tio carry out functions, the sequencer won't glinch and you won't drop notes because you are 28 or higher.
The 1k screen color and size are horrible, changing it to blue did help the view but it was still cramped.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #6) the screen on the 4k has a lot of well managed real estate per screen.
Nothing JJ could do to improve the lack of connectivity.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #7) NO MPC should have less than 2 MIDI IN and 4 MIDI out. That's where it started and should have always remained.
JJ has had problems adding control features and removing control features and the limited CC of the 1k structure.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #8) Modulation, Modulation and more Modulation on the 4k (once you understand it). True Sys-Ex and straight forward Q-Links and Q-FX.

Could go on but why bother.
Hope your 4k isn't trouble prone.
By séance Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:07 pm
ntalec wrote:
séance wrote:I finally buckled down and bought a used mpc 4000 with 512mb ram (white) for 700$ It's getting shipped from NY. Coming from a mpc 1000 jjos2xl and new pads. Hope I did the right thing.


D@mn I wish you would have asked your question like a real potential buyer not just another comparision. :wink:
For $700 I hope it's not a 4k with a personality, way too many broken 4k's floating around out there that people lie about. :(

Here's the deal EVERY MPC that has been made since the company did the big re-up has had bad pads.
When they added their variable sensitivity they killed the response of the MPC pads.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #1) pads have proper response.
The small physical pads work but don't feel as functional as the full size pads
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #2) even the 2500 and 5k pads feel better
The 1k is actually too compact and lacking physical controls.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #3) decated buttons and easy screen switching.
The JJ OS has taken the 1k to great heights but the OS feels forced in the placement of the functions.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #4) the main screen has a lot of info and control that is well placed. The sample edit screen with the dual view is nice. The info on the various screens has a consistent flow and doesn't feel like you just put something where you could fit it.
JJ added INST PGM and a lot of features that the 1k CPU and polyphony just can't deal with.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #5) you will get a major ligt in the CPU ability tio carry out functions, the sequencer won't glinch and you won't drop notes because you are 28 or higher.
The 1k screen color and size are horrible, changing it to blue did help the view but it was still cramped.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #6) the screen on the 4k has a lot of well managed real estate per screen.
Nothing JJ could do to improve the lack of connectivity.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #7) NO MPC should have less than 2 MIDI IN and 4 MIDI out. That's where it started and should have always remained.
JJ has had problems adding control features and removing control features and the limited CC of the 1k structure.
The 4k will immediately show you this. (improvement #8) Modulation, Modulation and more Modulation on the 4k (once you understand it). True Sys-Ex and straight forward Q-Links and Q-FX.

Could go on but why bother.
Hope your 4k isn't trouble prone.


Damn I appreciate the input. The retailer I bought it from said cosmetically it was near flawless, they said the original owner sold it to them but there is no real way of knowing. If there is any trouble with it I can just send it back. I was on the fence about the whole thing for a while but for the price I knew it would be a good idea.

Question, can you zoom in on samples while editing?
By ntalec Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:13 pm
séance wrote:
Question, can you zoom in on samples while editing?


The 4k has a dual sample view on the edit screen allows you to see 2 views of the sample at the same time.
It's similar to the Fantom X but has much better overall view.
Zooming is good because you have such a big screen to see it on.

You should be downloading and printing all the manuals and addendums.