Need Honest Opinion About Going 2 The 5000 From The 1000

Whats up everybody. Im sure this has been asked b4 so Im not gonna take too long but basically I've had my 1000 and Motif ES6 for 2 1/5 years. Its cool but I just feel like im ready for an upgrade. I've pretty much done everything I can with the 2 and Im ready for something new. At first I was looking at the Neko but I dont have 4 g's laying around. So I've been researching the 5000 and it seems like this is right 4 me. What Im thinking about doing is trading my gear or selling it and get this bad boy. The most I'd have to pay is $300 max. So what yall think? Should I do it? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pondering the same thing. I'm intrigued by the 960 ppqn sequencer. I'm tired of doubling the tempo in the mpc 1000 to get acceptable sequencing.

Yea I know...I love my 1k but sometimes I feel so limited & it drives me crazy....so I figured I'd go with the 5k....u think I should sell my stuf to cop it?

I have a 5k and all models below just can't touch it. Do it man you won't regret it. It's like something god would use if he made beats..

So how good are synth's in there? Also does it have other sounds like, bass. piano,etc....



Also, I have a bunch of one shot intruments, but what I wanna know is can I hook up my midid keyboard to my MPC so I can have that piano feeling.

I think you need to figure out if you are okay with not having the gear you currently own around.... like, you have all the beats on those machines exported/tracked and all that? you wont be screwed if your current gear is gone?


I mean sure, the 5k may be that perfect thing for you but just dont put yourself in a corner by getting rid of components to your projects you currently got going etc.. you know what i mean I'm sure.

reampcc wrote:So how good are synth's in there? Also does it have other sounds like, bass. piano,etc....

The synth isn't exceptionally warm, but nothing that can't be fixed with EQ(?) ...definitely fun to play with and a nice addition to the box. There are basses on board and I've found quite a few that I like. As for piano, Akai has available for (free) download the Grand Piano sample program; it sounds decent, but is a HUGE memory hog (takes 8+ minutes to save/load a song that uses the full program, for example, whether you used 1 note or all of them).

Also, I have a bunch of one shot intruments, but what I wanna know is can I hook up my midid keyboard to my MPC so I can have that piano feeling.

Yes. If your controller has a MIDI OUT, you can use it to play the sounds on the MPC and retain the piano feel. My advice: be sure to use a controller that has velocity and aftertouch sensitivity...it saves a lot of fine-detail editing if you can add your dynamics in realtime.

mr_debauch wrote:I think you need to figure out if you are okay with not having the gear you currently own around.... like, you have all the beats on those machines exported/tracked and all that? you wont be screwed if your current gear is gone?


I mean sure, the 5k may be that perfect thing for you but just dont put yourself in a corner by getting rid of components to your projects you currently got going etc.. you know what i mean I'm sure.

I usually export all my files, projects, and samples when I record to my DAW so I'm good as far as that....As far as my Motif, that think might as well be collecting dust. I rarely use that thing. I honestly havent been feeling that thing for a looooonnnnnngggg time...Plus I've already recorded all the sounds out of it and put it in a folder on my PC.

hayoo wrote:

reampcc wrote:So how good are synth's in there? Also does it have other sounds like, bass. piano,etc....

The synth isn't exceptionally warm, but nothing that can't be fixed with EQ(?) ...definitely fun to play with and a nice addition to the box. There are basses on board and I've found quite a few that I like. As for piano, Akai has available for (free) download the Grand Piano sample program; it sounds decent, but is a HUGE memory hog (takes 8+ minutes to save/load a song that uses the full program, for example, whether you used 1 note or all of them).

Also, I have a bunch of one shot intruments, but what I wanna know is can I hook up my midid keyboard to my MPC so I can have that piano feeling.

Yes. If your controller has a MIDI OUT, you can use it to play the sounds on the MPC and retain the piano feel. My advice: be sure to use a controller that has velocity and aftertouch sensitivity...it saves a lot of fine-detail editing if you can add your dynamics in realtime.

Ok cool. Cause Im thinking just use the sounds in the 5k and my samples that I've collected untill I save up enough money to get a cheap rack. But from what I've heard, you don't need a sound module/keyboard right??


Also, is the 5k user friendly with software? I know alot of the Akai products come with Abelton Live Lite, I was wondering if the 5K has something simular?


Thanks for yalls replies, very useful peace.

I personally don't own a 5k. One thing I don't like about it is the sample editing. I've just been spoiled by jjos but using the zoom for finer editing seems simpler to me than having to use shift to switch numerical values in the start and end point editing. Also the zoom on the 5k is strange compared to the 1k jjos. Although when you get used to I'm sure it's no trouble. I don't care much for the synth inside of it but the sequencer is very tight.

okay if u get a good price for your setup sell if not stay with it and upgrade!

i hated the lil pads on the 1k...i would ad an external controller for it.
get jjos! the motif es has nice sounds and have also the options for upgrading an VAsynth a fm synth or a drumkit or a piano board...
if you want some xtra effects for resampling get a roland sp404 or a koasspad a great ad on for any mpc!!

or a lil monotron...

I use the 5k.. the synth is actually really nice. So is the appreg. As for sounds. I'm recording mine in reason, compressing,reverbing blah blah blah. Then I just drag the wav to the mpc for sequencing. Loopmasters has synth files and so do other places online like gotchanoddin.com.
The effects bus setup is weak imo. I use mpc edit to design my kit and find the sounds I'm going to use . Then I just make a folder.with the wavs for said kit and drop it in the mpc. You don't burn up RAM loading useless wavs. And on the desktop you can master each wav first. That makes mastering each track more efficient and gives complete control of your finished work. I do use a mini moog synth more tho but its because I like having all the tools I need T my disposal. I can get almost thee same results with the 5k synth just not as much control. My motto is the long way is the short way at the end. You would be more than happy with the 5k. It is easy to sync with most quality daws. And sampling off my smart phone watching youtube owns. Keep your gear. I bought a.Casio from WalmArt last just to get that cheap oldschool sound. Good luck.

One more thing.. I do use recycle to chop samples. I'm a decay in decay out whore on my one shots. Again.. I master my chops first then put in a folder to drop in the mpc. The auto chop is nice and sounds decayed if you week it.

pull-over wrote:okay if u get a good price for your setup sell if not stay with it and upgrade!

i hated the lil pads on the 1k...i would ad an external controller for it.
get jjos! the motif es has nice sounds and have also the options for upgrading an VAsynth a fm synth or a drumkit or a piano board...
if you want some xtra effects for resampling get a roland sp404 or a koasspad a great ad on for any mpc!!

or a lil monotron...

It's funny you say the motif has good sounds cause I've had this thing for almost 3 yrs. and to be honest, I'm not feeling half of the sounds on that unit. I've spent days going threw each instrument folder individually & only the bass I like. IDK, maybe I'm not doing something right cause everybody has it & says the Motif is the best keyboard but it just doesn't do it for me, IDK...I've given this thing PLENTY of chances & it fails 85% of the time which is REALLY frustrating so Im pretty much done with it.



As far as price, I've been looking around & I'll get enough money for my stuff to get the 5k. The only issue is rather I get a used one or a new one. If I get a used one, I'll have to pay $100-200 max...If I get a new one, I'll have to pay $400-700 max.

Keep your gear. I bought a.Casio from WalmArt last just to get that cheap oldschool sound. Good luck.[/quote]



What's the purpose of this if I'm not gonna be using it? I'm planning on selling my gear to get the 5k, know what I'm saying?......I'll get a cheap midi keyboard so I can hook it up to my MPC so I can have that real piano feel for my samples.