My 2kXL is gone, now what do I do -1000, MPD, other or 2500?

Hey all. ( I apologize for the long post up front, but if you bare with me, I could use your advice)
Okay, so I decided to get rid of my beloved 2kxl. It started as a financial thing/desire for something newer, however, now that it is gone, I still want an Akai-like MPC or MPD for my studio. (Dare I consider other brands? I have been reading about the NI Maschine) But seriously, here are a few things I am looking at.

First off, I still have all my work from the 2KXL on zip disks, I want to save as much of that as I can for use in the future. Can I just transfer the data to a CD or HD and use it if I get a 1000 or MPD? (This is a chief issue, since I really wanted to get away from the archaic zip disks IMO)
Also, as I said, I wanted to upgrade and get newer, so I was looking at an MPD32 or 24, but it sounds like the 1000 or 2500 would most like be what I had. I honestly loved the 2000XL but was sick of the zip disk thing more than anything (even though I had SCSI CDR, it obviously didnt save to CDR). Nevertheless, what is done is done.
I think I would go with an MPD, but since I have never used anything in that manner in the past, I am afraid I would miss the MPC-like functionality. Hence I am considering the 1000 or 2500 (although realistically, this might be too expensive as of today).
I have Pro Tools with MBOX 1 on a PC but want to switch to Mac (since I have an Intel iMac but dont really know how to use it much, since I have always been a PC guy) Also, I have Reason 3 for PC (not Mac, I dont think it is compatible in that version with Mac is it?). I also have an XP-30 Synth which I think I might sell, but I kinda like the fullsize keys and I have a Novation Remote 25, which is essentially a midi controller, but I dont really know how to use this much either. The only thing I ever knew how to use well at all was my 2kXL.

So, with what I have, does the MPD make sense (should I just learn to use it with Reason and move on from all my nice Audio outs and the like) or should I get a 1000 or 2500 (if I had to) in order to be at my best. Understand, I am a hobbysit at best at this point, hence all the older gear. I move so much, I havent been producing much in the last few years but I feel the urge to create and the MPC was my trusty standby. My budget as of today is about $1000, but I would gladly spend less on an MPD so that I can actually pay rent!! Ultimately I dont want to have something that is gonna be archaic in a few years again, hence I am slightly skeptical about CF but it seems safe?) I appreciate you sticking with me through this long post and any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Peace.

if you are looking for software that is mpc style check
NI Maschine
MOTU BPM
GURU 2 (annouced 2009)

but they are all fresh and much debugging and updates will come/ are nessesary

read MASCHINE and BPM forums before buy!

i think the lyn drum 2 will be interessting hardware but expensive

check out the "beat thang" groovebox with changeable grillz

I should probably note that I really am next to clueless when it comes to MIDI. I feel as though I need to learn it in order to be more than a decent beat maker, but that was always a hindrance with my 2000xl. I never really could use MIDI on more than a play one program over a beat type of level. I couldnt even get it to play the 16 programs individually. Thats how hard it was for me to learn.

well..

there is nothing wrong with grabbing an mpd used off craigslist... you might find one for cheap. grab one and plug it into your pc with reason... reason is reason so dont bother buying it for mac when you have it for pc already.

now, you seem to be very comfortable with the 2000xl, it may be a bit old but it is still a nasty beast when it comes to making beats and awesome sounding stuff. dont rule out getting the blue xl with the cf reader (2000xl mcd)

maschine might be a good plan... it is new and you can get them for like 500 bucks brand new on ebay. It will work on mac and pc so you could install it on both your machines. Maybe that might get you on the right path. you wont even have to deal with CF cards, or any type of card... it is in your computer. and it would go with your other equipment such as your midi controllers you already own.

if you go with the new motu BPM then you will have to get an MPD style controller too anyways, where maschine comes with one.




check out the threads here on the forums related to bpm and maschine, read what people are saying.... then go to google and check out some more info on the two.

Mac + Logic + MIDI controller / MPC of your choice. Personally I would go with a MIDI keyboard rather than a MIDI drum pad because I end up doing keys, so I might as well do drums on it.

Not to beat a dead horse, but i think you jumped the gun getting rid of the 2kxl. If the zip disk was your only problem than you should've bouht a card reader for it. It sucks when you get rid of something you are comfortable with. If you were really comfortable with the mpc then you coould grab a used 2500. Mac+Logic+midi controller with keys and pads would be good too. See if you can get your 2kxl back and throw a card reader in it!!!

faze1 wrote:Not to beat a dead horse, but i think you jumped the gun getting rid of the 2kxl. If the zip disk was your only problem than you should've bouht a card reader for it. It sucks when you get rid of something you are comfortable with. If you were really comfortable with the mpc then you coould grab a used 2500. Mac+Logic+midi controller with keys and pads would be good too. See if you can get your 2kxl back and throw a card reader in it!!!

This is interesting, only because I still technically have it, but I would have to send money back and etc., etc. Its actually wrapped and ready for me to ship out tomorrow morning. I'll be honest, I am ready to move on to something else that works faster and is a little more future proof. Hence, I am thinking the 1000 or an MPD. I also wouldn't mind downsizing my gear a bit, in particular my XP-30 since it is a 61 key board and I am so uncomfortable with MIDI. In actuality at this point, I am more of a hobbyist than anything, so I want something that can do bigger things at some point, but I really just like making beats. I loved the XL but I always felt it was a little slow for my tastes in the "modern" era (or else I just was never as fast as DJ Premier is!). Also, my girlfriend bought me that intel iMac and she wants me to learn it, and I somewhat feel obligated to do so. Having 3 computers for different uses is kind of feeling illogical for one person. 2 I get, but 3 seems much.

Any other opinions on the 1000, vs. MPD for my situation. I sadly, think my XL is gone and I am okay with that at this point. I got a good price for it.

I think that Ableton Live 8 (as MIDI sequencer) + Akai S950 + Akai MPD24 or Korg Padkontrol would be a good setup for you (and you have more sampling time than a mpc
). You have the sound of an mpc 60, the feeling of an MPC and much more! I have this setup (plus ensoniq EPS).

If you are comfortable with the MPC way of working then don't look much further than a 2500. The pads are pretty much identical to the 2kxl, but you also get the benefit of being able to add a hard drive and backup all your old projects and sounds. The bigger tilt screen, USB and JJ os are also a huge bonus and take the MP to another level above the 2kxl.

Adding more computer related gizmos to your setup may confuse you further, so maybe just stick closer to what you know and get the 2500 or 1000.

Don't do the 'MPD', whatever you do !

I bought the MPD32 and it was phucking nightmare, truly - the only good that came out of it is that it's sale led to my lovely MPC1000 !

Honestly, the unit is a bas.ard to sync up properly and half of the functions either won't be available to you, or just won't work fully in any kind of manageable way.

Just don't do it ... go for a 'Maschine' - now that's a unit that does far more than it states on the tin ( and it states a lot ).

Coz wrote:If you are comfortable with the MPC way of working then don't look much further than a 2500. The pads are pretty much identical to the 2kxl, but you also get the benefit of being able to add a hard drive and backup all your old projects and sounds. The bigger tilt screen, USB and JJ os are also a huge bonus and take the MP to another level above the 2kxl.

Adding more computer related gizmos to your setup may confuse you further, so maybe just stick closer to what you know and get the 2500 or 1000.

After one of the last posts, I am fretting getting rid of the XL, so this kind of makes the most sense to me. I am intrigued by the NI Maschine too, but I trust the MP's that have been around for years. Can I do the hard drive backing up with a 1000 too? I have read that I will lose my .SND files and .APS if I am correct, but I can retain everything else. I want to transfer my old work from zip disk to be used in the future, but more than anything I care about the sounds, the sequenced stuff I did is slightly secondary (or I wouldnt consider leaving an MPC). Also, the 2500 of course, is more money, something I dont have now, but I could always hold out for one. Its just that I am impulsive and waiting/getting the funds might take a while and in the interim, I will sit with nothing. A 1000 is doable today, but I am concerned about being able to retain my older type of setup. I DO love computers though, so I am not averse to working with them at all, but I am not on the level of most of you in here in terms of speed of use and all, so I kind of try to keep it semi-simple, hence your (not to further confuse me) part makes sense. IS JJ OS also available for 2500? I thought that was for 1000.

IMO, cf reader in the xl makes it the best MPC in the <$1200 range. Shouldnt sell it, youll regret it hard even once you have a 2500!! (If I had to get a newer model mp it would be a maxed out JJOS'ed 2500, or find a used 4000)

So buddy you have around 1000$. I personally started from Reason, moved to MPC 1000 and finally sold it and exchanged for MPC4000. I had limited budget so I've decided to sell 1000 and get MPC4000 as it can do nearly all in one box, but with MPC1000 you can do fine - it is still in stores which means akai will support it and it has HDD (I had 120 GB inside). The best way would be to combine MPC and computer, but if you really want to make beats and you're not comfortable with old machines then you should cop either MPC1000,2500,5000 or 4000(this one is not supported but still most advanced since 2002! :O). You don't have to buy new gear it can be used.
Personally I would recommend used 2500 as it is nicer than 1000 IMO, but if money is so big issue then go with 1K.

shimmyshimmy wrote:So buddy you have around 1000$. I personally started from Reason, moved to MPC 1000 and finally sold it and exchanged for MPC4000. I had limited budget so I've decided to sell 1000 and get MPC4000 as it can do nearly all in one box, but with MPC1000 you can do fine - it is still in stores which means akai will support it and it has HDD (I had 120 GB inside). The best way would be to combine MPC and computer, but if you really want to make beats and you're not comfortable with old machines then you should cop either MPC1000,2500,5000 or 4000(this one is not supported but still most advanced since 2002! :O). You don't have to buy new gear it can be used.
Personally I would recommend used 2500 as it is nicer than 1000 IMO, but if money is so big issue then go with 1K.

Yeah, money is an issue, if I move quickly. If I wait a while, it might not be as big a deal down the road. The XL is gone, I let it go and it is no longer in my possession (had to keep my word when I sold it, even though there are some cold feet). I really prefer the HDD capability of use on something newer. I would be willing to go used if I had to (even my XL was used). I am leaning towards either the 2500 or 1000. I am gonna try to get my hands on them at a local store today and play around, ask questions. When someone says a CF Reader on an XL is the best, that worries me a little, it usually seems newer equals more future proof (IMO). I really want to start using my Mac too and get rid of working on the PC (if I have to, I have the Intel iMac, so I can technically do both on the Mac with Parallels, I just dont know how to do it). I think 2500 or 1000 will keep it close enough in terms of what I am used to. In truth, I was hoping more people would recommend an MPD, due to price and size (space it takes up), but it sounds like that is not the way people would go. I think that I need the traditional inputs like on an XL since I still have a lot of outboard gear (though again, I am trying to cut it down to size some). 2500 is a bigger footprint and seems like with CDR and HD it would be SUPERIOR to an XL, but 1000 has a lot of XL features and benes without the footprint or cost. Hmmm...

Is it easy enough to get my .PGMs and sounds/etc. off of my zip disks and onto something more user friendly (CF or HD, preferably) in order to use them with a 1000/2500?

jonestown massacre wrote:IMO, cf reader in the xl makes it the best MPC in the <$1200 range. Shouldnt sell it, youll regret it hard even once you have a 2500!! (If I had to get a newer model mp it would be a maxed out JJOS'ed 2500, or find a used 4000)

I sold my XL (with card reader installed) and bought a fully maxed out 2500, and I don't regret it for a second. The only thing I would like on the 2500 is the white screen as it would give more clarity than the green one. Other than that it is a far more capable machine than the XL.

The BsK wrote:2500 is a bigger footprint and seems like with CDR and HD it would be SUPERIOR to an XL, but 1000 has a lot of XL features and benes without the footprint or cost. Hmmm...

The 1000 and 2500 can both use the JJ os, so there's literally no difference in that department. Unfortunately the pads are inferior on the 1000 and have a habit of going bad, so if you want a 'similar' feel as the XL you may have to buy the pad upgrade which costs $180... or hope that you buy a 1000 with the pads already upgraded. I was initially looking at buying a brand new 1000 but I couldn't source any of the BK-N models (with new pads), but I was lucky and got my nearly new 2500 for the same price.

The BsK wrote:Is it easy enough to get my .PGMs and sounds/etc. off of my zip disks and onto something more user friendly (CF or HD, preferably) in order to use them with a 1000/2500?

What you will probably need to do is buy a USB zip drive and then use something like Chicken Systems Translator to read and convert the files onto your computer. Then you can transfer the files to the hard drive on your MP no problem. The sequence files may not transfer too well but your sounds will do. Happy days.