To mpc5000 or not to mpc5000

Hello,

This is my first post here and id like to say hello to everyone.

I have been looking into getting an mpc5000 first time i saw it i fell in love with the thing.

The idea of no computer screen sounds great to me.. working in IT and all you get quite sick of doing that.

I mean whats getting me here is that the price tag on the thing is nearly 2000 euro and reading through posts i can see that there are still problems even with the os2 people experiencing slow down on the transport controls etc.

Any input would be greatly appreciated i really want this thing and will have the cash in a few week.

Please excuse my bad posting skills

Cheers Stephen

Hello Stephen


Im guessing you havent used an mpc before right ? Nothing wrong in that - but I'd suggest getting another model before the 5000. Its a lot of money to shell out, but more important than that - for the same money (if not less) you could get a slightly lower spec model and get add ons and extras that really would make a difference.
At the moment I've got a 2500 with JJOS XL. Pretty much every mpc box from the 3000 looks good in my opinion - but what is important is the workflow.. Working on mpcs is so much better than PCs in my opinion, but its very different -help files and tips of the day aren't at hand - and sometimes the only way to get better is to experiment. In other words - you get out what you put in.
So my suggestion would be to at least consider a 2500 with JJOS. The only thing Id ask you to keep in mind is that Im not sure how much longer the product line will go on for - but Im not at all worried as there are many MPC owners out there - check out mpcstuff.com if you think getting a replacement part could cause you hassle.
There are loads of resources out there - you tube videos, books, dvds - and quite honestly - spending time going through even some of these is worth just as much as the additional horsepower you can get.

Good luck.
M

Cheers Mark. Basically what I want to do is get away from the pc for making beats all together. Coming into some money fairly soon, if money wasn't an issue would you go for the 5000. I'm also looking at a keyboard workstation for all my other sounds. Is there any you guys would recommend that would work flawlessly with the mpc. I hear the fantom x is a fairly decent machine. You guys would know better.

Thanks in advanced..

Stephen

i dont know man, you have to figure out what kinds of things are priorities to you. Personally, If I had the money for a 5000, I would instead buy a 4000 and a keyboard (around the same price give or take.. depending on the keyboard you get)

stebbire wrote:Cheers Mark. Basically what I want to do is get away from the pc for making beats all together. Coming into some money fairly soon, if money wasn't an issue would you go for the 5000. I'm also looking at a keyboard workstation for all my other sounds. Is there any you guys would recommend that would work flawlessly with the mpc. I hear the fantom x is a fairly decent machine. You guys would know better.

Thanks in advanced..

Stephen

No worries - well at first I would have said yes - 5000 without a doubt, however JJOS is not available for this machine. And in my opinion that makes a massive difference.
I've not spent long on a 5000 and I guess that it can do everything a 2500 with JJOS can, but again - the thing is that I've learned to do things one way, so would have to unlearn some of that if I did get a 5000.
Note also the practical stuff - how many 5000 users are there out there ? How many JJOS users (JJOS works on the 1000 and 2500) you may find there are more people who can help you when youre asking about a machine that doesn't cost over a thousand pounds.
Now seeing as (presumably) you haven't used other mpcs for a while then maybe this wouldn't be an issue - if thats the case, I'd agree 100% with mr_debauch - I'd go for a 4000 over a 5000. I've used a 4000 - no JJOS - but the build quality is good.
About the fantom ? sorry mate can't help you there - but it does seem to be a popular unit. I run a muse receptor with a bunch of vst sounds - works for me.
M

markmorgan10 wrote:

stebbire wrote:Cheers Mark. Basically what I want to do is get away from the pc for making beats all together. Coming into some money fairly soon, if money wasn't an issue would you go for the 5000. I'm also looking at a keyboard workstation for all my other sounds. Is there any you guys would recommend that would work flawlessly with the mpc. I hear the fantom x is a fairly decent machine. You guys would know better.

Thanks in advanced..

Stephen

No worries - well at first I would have said yes - 5000 without a doubt, however JJOS is not available for this machine. And in my opinion that makes a massive difference.
I've not spent long on a 5000 and I guess that it can do everything a 2500 with JJOS can, but again - the thing is that I've learned to do things one way, so would have to unlearn some of that if I did get a 5000.
Note also the practical stuff - how many 5000 users are there out there ? How many JJOS users (JJOS works on the 1000 and 2500) you may find there are more people who can help you when youre asking about a machine that doesn't cost over a thousand pounds.
Now seeing as (presumably) you haven't used other mpcs for a while then maybe this wouldn't be an issue - if thats the case, I'd agree 100% with mr_debauch - I'd go for a 4000 over a 5000. I've used a 4000 - no JJOS - but the build quality is good.
About the fantom ? sorry mate can't help you there - but it does seem to be a popular unit. I run a muse receptor with a bunch of vst sounds - works for me.
M

and you could probably get a used fantom and a 4k for the same price as a 5k.. and you will have an actual good quality synth more RAM, better sampler.. better build quality.. and an OS that actually runs fast.

not knocking the 5k, but then again I dont really have to.

mr_debauch wrote:
and you could probably get a used fantom and a 4k for the same price as a 5k.. and you will have an actual good quality synth more RAM, better sampler.. better build quality.. and an OS that actually runs fast.

not knocking the 5k, but then again I dont really have to.

+1

The synth function in the 5k leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. You'd get so much more for your money with something like a fantom or even a modular synth that you could also patch your samples through.

Thanks for the help lads..

I have been looking around for an mpc4000 and a fantom x6. Problem is finding them around ireland. Most of the people on ebay wont ship to ireland. Anyone know any reputable dealers that sell these ****? .. but more importantly ship them to ireland.

Don't forget to check out the other international versions of eBay-- eBay Spain, eBay Germany... etc... sellers there will often ship worldwide. Also subscribe and post to the Analog Heaven Mailing Lists, there are a fair amount of dealers and synthheads on there that may have what you're looking for.