Which is superior MPC-JJ? MPC25K-JJ OSXL or MPC1K-JJ OS2XL?

OK,

So we've all been digging deeper into our JJ OS's, so tell us what you have found. Are there any major differences between the XL JJ OS's for the two differing MPC models? Looking at the two JJ XL manuals (25K & 1K), it does look like the JJ XL OS's do differ in terms of features across the two models. But, it was my own assumption that the two OS's would make the 25K and 1K the exact same MPC (except for hardware differences/limitations) in terms of OS: One JJ OS specially designed for the 25K hardware, and one for the 1K hardware. Are the OS's essentially the same for each MPC, or are they, in fact, different, depending on which MPC model you own? What are your comments?

My concern: I own an MPC25K w/JJ OSXL, and I really love it. But, I'm toying with the idea of selling it for an MPC 1K with the JJ OS2XL, because I am attracted to the 1K's smaller and more transportable size. Even though the 25K has more individual outs, more MIDI outs, and more Q-Links, I just think I would rather trade all those extra hardware features and gig with a 1K rather than my 25K. In other words, for MY use, I am finding that the MPC w/JJ OS XL is a better live tool than a studio tool. I find that I am not using the 25K's extra Q-links, individual outs, or MIDI outs when I have an MPC3000 for the MIDI. Heck, with a 1K and JJ OS2XL, you really don't need all the extra individual outs as one can assign tracks much easier through the JJ mixer! So, in your experiences w/the JJ OSXL's for either MPC, is the MPC1K w/JJ OS2XL a better suited machine for LIVE performance use? Remember! I'm not interested in it so much for its utilitarian potential in the studio, but more as a live performance tool. I cringe to see a laptop on a stage! : P

Please, share your thoughts : )

I think with XL they're the same except for hardware. With OS2, the recent updates for 1k have not been forthcoming for the 2500.

I switched from the 1k to the 2500le. The only thing I miss about the 1k is the smaller size. Everything else is better on the 2500. The pads and controls are better on the 2500, plus it has the tilt screen and I do use the extra audio and MIDI outs. If you don't use the extra outs or the qlinks or OS2, then the pads vs size/weight will be your main concerns. And the tilt screen if that matters to you. Also the tap tempo and note repeat buttons are combined on the 1k.

If I was using a MPC for live shows, I would probably keep the 2500 in the studio and get a 1000 for live, unless I was doing a lot of live drumming. But then I don't have a 3k in the studio like you. I assume you have checked out the 1k in person before, but if you haven't, definitely do that before you sell your 2500.

Thanks for your input. I will definitely keep that in mind. I hear a lot of MPC1000 users complain about their pads and say that the MPC2500 pads are better, but I was in guitar center the other day playing around with a 1K and its pads felt so much better than my 25K. The pads on the 1K and even the MPC5000 feel softer and have a certain "bounce" to them as though you can press them like a button. The pads on my 25K are stiff as concrete and feel absolutely terrible. They work fine, but the feel is just so stiff especially when compared to a 3K! This is another reason I am being turned off by the 25K. Maybe its just my 25K? Can anyone else attest to stiff feeling pads in the 25K? Perhaps mine is an earlier model in the production line. I mean after all the 1K was plagued with bad pads and sensors before the induction of the BK-N models. GrantB, was your 1K a BK-N model or earlier model? Anybody know if new pads could cure the stiffness of my 25K pads?

Thanks again!

My 1k was a early one, purchased when they were fairly new (before they got so expensive). I got rid of it before the pads had problems. My 2500 is a LE, so it has the black pads, which I'm told are softer. I have put it next to a 3000 and the 3000 pads are nicer by far. I have to put MPCs side by side to compare the pads. I thought the 2500LE pads were the same as the 3000 until I tried them together. I would get a 3000 just for the nice controls and pads, but I like the feature set of the 2500 w/JJ a lot more and I have too much gear to keep both around.

Thanks Grant, your comments were very helpful.

the point you raised about how your pads feel on your 2500.. I think that is just your unit specifically. I would try removing the top cover and repositioning the pads and replacing the top cover making sure to align all the screw holes and everything properly.
I have seen a top cover mounted a little slightly off make buttons, data wheel and pads feel stiff to , push, turn,tap, etc. If you look at the bottom side of a pad set, you'll notice circular portions of plastic in the center of each pad square that make contact with the actual pad sensor. These need a little bit of room between the pad sensor to create that "bounce" when you hit the pads. If the cover is off center, or sandwiched together and screwed into the mpc's frame too tight, that small gap can become compressed and lost, resulting in still pads. I mean we are talking a very very small margin here.. but enough that it can result in what your describing. for example, my top cover is mounted in such a way where I can actually slide my pads slightly with the top cover on, using the small amount of play in the pad cutouts on the top cover. in other words, the pads are NOT smooshed or sandwiched so tightly that they cant move a bit. if they are, they would certainly feel stiffer, since that circular center on the underside has no room for movement, thus the pads lose their bounce. (you can test this theory by playing the pads with the top cover removed)

as for the pads themselves... I would also recommend maybe replacing the stock pads with some from mpcstuff or vst. I have two sets of black pads... one from an mpd16 and one set from mpcstuff, and can definitely say the ones from mpcstuff are a tad softer.
my pads have that button-ish feel you were describing.

I can also say that having played 1000's that agree with the common statement of the pads on them feeling much stiffer than the 2500/5000. I recently experienced it at a sam ash with the 1000 and 2500 side by side thinking to myself.. "DAMN the 1000 pads are stiff as hell.

Dammn theres no way the 1000's pads at Guitar Center could feel better. Do the pads on your 2500 have that little click on them when you press against?

No, there is no click when I press. You press upon the pad and there is no bounce back. It is like hitting rubberized concrete or something. Not sure how to describe it. Obviously, the pads are rubber, but striking them doesn't feel soft like rubber. It's just an extremely stiff experience. Looking at the 25K's screws, it appears that the previous owner had opened the casing, so I think I am going to take the advice of Triple-X by removing the casing again to reposition the pads, so that they fall better into placement.

Thanks