Best machine for a total beginner..?

Apologies from the start as i post, i am a complete MPC noob. I'm 16 and big into music. I've only ever messed about on FL studio for example before, but i really need a more interactive feeling. Huge fan of anticon and the mpc work of Jel, Alias, Odd Nosdam etc etc.. So i'm currently saving all the money i can get my hands on and hoping that around summer or there abouts i could get my hands on an MPC. I've been doing as much research as possible, first into the 2Kxl then the 500 then now i've been drawn towards the 1K. Considering where i live i'd have to purchase on ebay or somewhere similar (so no chance to test before hand) and the only machine i'd be able to afford new would be the 500 but i've been looking around and it looks like i'd be able to get a 1K second hand for about £300 /£400? Which seems to be about the price of a new 500 and is really the most i'd be able to spend. But again, i wouldn't be able to test anything second hand before hand, but from what i know the 1K looks like the best choice perhaps for a beginner like me?

I like how it has USB connection for easy transfer of sounds to the cf card, i know the 500 has this too but i've heard the 500's smaller screen can be a bit of a pain and that the OS is harder to get to grips with for a beginner (also has less pads), is this the case?

Also i have a numark mixer, 100watt pa amplifier and midi keyboard (no turntable but a fair amount if LP's, so it's being saved for also). Would i just need certain leads and i'd be able to hook all this up? And just get some speakers? Is the amp needed?

Really sorry for the long noob post, but i have been trying to do as much research as i can and i just want to make the right choice and once i decide which i want to go for i can study the manual. Any help would be appreciated so much. Apologies once again.

1K would definitely be the best choice.

I'm not a 1k user, but I think the biggest problem with secondhand 1k's would be dead pads. And the pad upgrade will cost you around $90, if not more.

Try to get you a black 1k, instead of the blue one. Or look for a seller with a very high rating, and get them to confirm that the pads are working.

Good luck.

Thanks for the help man! Gonna download the manual now and study it.
Appreciated!

Moved to..

Yes the 1K is the way to go. Try and get one with BK or BKN after the Serial #. These ones have the new pads. I was the same about a year ago, did a ton of research and then went to a sam ash and messed with one. Week later had one, I love my beast. Trust me, so will you. And do get the JJOS it turns your MPC into well " A BEAST" .

cheers for all the feedback guys! thanks a lot, has all been taken on board.
got the 1K manual and am keeping an eye on ebay!

dzilla wrote:cheers for all the feedback guys! thanks a lot, has all been taken on board.
got the 1K manual and am keeping an eye on ebay!

My word of advice:

Don't overpay for an Akai MPC 1000 with expanded memory.Inexpensive laptop memory achieves the same effect as the overpriced Akai branded RAM. There are multiple threads in the MPC 1000 section of the forum that discuss compatible RAM for the MPC 1000.