mpc2000xl or mpc4000

I am new to this board and to the world of MPC's.

I am new to making beat driven music. I have been using reason on a mac for a few months. But - - I am now planning to move to an MPC. I have (almost) enough saved up for an MPC2000XL. But - - should I hold out and wait till I have currency for an MPC4000 ? Here are the pro's and cons of each - -

MPC2000XL

pro's
1) cheaper.
2) smaller - possibly take it out on gigs ?
3) Established technology.
4) Very simple
cons

1) No USB dumping of samples from my mac (but there are ways round this using shareware software ?)
2) old technology ? (but let's face it, people still use sp1200's)
3) No hard disk.
4) 16 bit

MPC4000
pro's
1) HUGE hard drive !
2) 24 Bit
3) USB dumping of samples
4) Built in EFX
5) Turntable preamps - bound to be better quality than my gemini mixer..

cons.

1) weighs a ton!
2) costs loads !
3) sequencer is more complex
4) Buggy OS


Anyone have any other comments/ things I should think about ?

OH, and I read the excellent MPC compression feature - how do you compress your MPC sounds - do you use software and then dump the samples back ?

many thanks,

TT

The 2000xl is a great piece of gear and if that's what your budget allows for; absolutely go out and get it. OS 1.40 on the mpc 4000 hasn't crashed on me yet; but then again I'm 2 weeks owning this unit now.

The main differences between the units aside from price is:
The mpc 4000 is based on the z8 sampling engine. It's like having the z8 sampler built in.
Your filters are now real-time and you can really get crazy with filter sweeps, reso etc... simultaneously. You can also effect the entire sequence or just that one sound or a particular PGM on the 4000. On the mpc 2000xl your filters can only be done each time a note is pressed and it can't filter the entire sequence. The mfc 42 is nice but is still no match for the 4000 filter section.
You also have 2 extra midi ports (4 in total) on the mpc 4000. This is one of the main reasons I purchased it. To keep away from sequencing on the pc (although midex 8 with cubase 5 was god damn tite) I find myself to be more creative when my pc isn't on. I still get down with Acid and sound forge (incredible editing and multitrack remixing software)
Timestretching on the 4000 is done in the blink of an eye. It takes a while on the 2000xl but it's pretty damn effective.
There's also a 2 in 8 out adat litepipe option (another reason I jumped on the 4000)
The sequencer isn't complicated at all. It's complicated if you want to go past the main screen and really f--ck around with the sequence; it's been compared to cubase 3.6 as far as power; that's pretty impressive. There
also no limit to programs with the 4000; the 2000xl has 4 pgm capability to load and that's pretty damn good.
I guess it all boils down to what's really important to you. Both units are kick ass for the price. You get your moneys worth out of both machines.
16 bit isn't a con (from your list of pros and cons on the 2000xl) It's here to stay for a while. It's also going to be the next classic (16 bit) for the same reasons people want the mpc 60 and the sp1200. The mpc 4000 is quite big but it's not so heavy. I carried the sucker under my arm for a couple of city blocks.
Most of your answers will be on the overview and specs listed at the akaipro website.
Wish you well
Peace

The rule for making decisions of this type is always: know what you're going to do and then get the best machine for the job. I have a studio built around an MPC2k xl and DPS12i. Between the MPC/DPS and my modules i have the equivalent of an MPC4000. What other gear do you have? Can you realistically do what you need to do with your existing gear and a 2000XL? If not, get a 4000. If so, get the 2000XL and get to work.

Just my 2 cents.

Exactly, what do you need versus what you want. I know this guy who went over his budget and splurged on a 4000 and could have gotten a tricked out 2000xl for a whole lot less. But if you can afford it and don't need to transport it often, I think the 4000 is the way. Much more powerful machine. Remember, its huge and heavy. If I need my 2000 on a gig or at the studio, all I've got to do is throw it in a soft case and sling it over my back. Also, what you'll pay for a 4000, you could get a 2000 and a keyboard so you actually have something to sample.