2000XL OR 2500?

Hey, I'm a Hip Hop producer. Joined the forums cause I need help deciding which MPC I should kind of get. I've been kind of playing around with music the last couple of years but I'm now starting to take it more seriously and wanna do something with it. I've begun putting together my little studio and I'm gonna start buying some things soon. I'm kinda tired of using a computer (FL Studio) to make music and want more of a "FEEL" making my music. Computers are cool but they're not for me. So I've been looking into the legendary MPC's. I'm kind of new to MPC's and I've never used an MPC before. Doing some research, I've kind of narrowed it down to the 2000XL or the 2500 one (would love a 3000 or a 4000 but a bit too expensive for me right now.)

I'm gonna be doing my sequencing/sampling and drum programming on the MPC and use sound modules and a couple of vsts for my sounds. From the MPC, I'll track everything out to Pro Tools and just mix everything there.

Just some questions:

1. 2000XL OR the 2500? I've heard only good things about the 2000XL but have heard a lot of bug talk with the 2500. Love the prices 2000XL's are going for. The only reason I'm considering the 2500 is because I heard it's a bit just like the 2000XL but has more modern features like a Hard Drive, CF support, 8 outs, more ram, etc which I love. The 2000XL is kind of old hardware using zip disks, replacing pieces etc.

2. How bad are the bugs on the 2500? Would it make it impossible for me to work? I was so close to buying one but then withdrew after hearing all this talk about the bugs and problems it had. (Heard good things about the JJOS but also heard some bug talk with that as well.)

3. If I get the 2000XL what else do I need to get up and running? I've heard of things like zip disks, zip drives, 8 outs, etc.

4. How is the work flow on these MPC's?

5. What are some essential things I need to know before getting an MPC?A

JayXL wrote:Hey, I'm a Hip Hop producer. Joined the forums cause I need help deciding which MPC I should kind of get. I've been kind of playing around with music the last couple of years but I'm now starting to take it more seriously and wanna do something with it. I've begun putting together my little studio and I'm gonna start buying some things soon. I'm kinda tired of using a computer (FL Studio) to make music and want more of a "FEEL" making my music. Computers are cool but they're not for me. So I've been looking into the legendary MPC's. I'm kind of new to MPC's and I've never used an MPC before. Doing some research, I've kind of narrowed it down to the 2000XL or the 2500 one (would love a 3000 or a 4000 but a bit too expensive for me right now.)

I'm gonna be doing my sequencing/sampling and drum programming on the MPC and use sound modules and a couple of vsts for my sounds. From the MPC, I'll track everything out to Pro Tools and just mix everything there.

Just some questions:

1. 2000XL OR the 2500? I've heard only good things about the 2000XL but have heard a lot of bug talk with the 2500. Love the prices 2000XL's are going for. The only reason I'm considering the 2500 is because I heard it's a bit just like the 2000XL but has more modern features like a Hard Drive, CF support, 8 outs, more ram, etc which I love. The 2000XL is kind of old hardware using zip disks, replacing pieces etc.

2. How bad are the bugs on the 2500? Would it make it impossible for me to work? I was so close to buying one but then withdrew after hearing all this talk about the bugs and problems it had. (Heard good things about the JJOS but also heard some bug talk with that as well.)

3. If I get the 2000XL what else do I need to get up and running? I've heard of things like zip disks, zip drives, 8 outs, etc.

4. How is the work flow on these MPC's?

5. What are some essential things I need to know before getting an MPC?A

You mean: I'm -Kind of- a Hip Hop producer!

and..

We need more details, please provide way more information so we can help you.

Well yeah "kind of" hehe.

I mean I just want an MPC to pretty much sequence & program my drums on. I'm just having trouble picking which one I should get. They all have their strengths and weakneses. I'm trying to stay at an $800 budget. Faster workflow would be nice. I mean what else would you want to know so that I can tell u guys?

JayXL wrote:Well yeah "kind of" hehe.

I mean I just want an MPC to pretty much sequence & program my drums on. I'm just having trouble picking which one I should get. They all have their strengths and weakneses. I'm trying to stay at an $800 budget. Faster workflow would be nice. I mean what else would you want to know so that I can tell u guys?

Just messing with you bro.

If I were you...
I would get the 2500 with JJ. Parts for XL get really pricey, and becoming more scarce as time passes.

Yeah the 2500 is the one I've been leaning towards to more just because of the extras & features. Do you have the 2500 and if yes, have you ever experienced any bugs or problems?

JayXL wrote:Yeah the 2500 is the one I've been leaning towards to more just because of the extras & features. Do you have the 2500 and if yes, have you ever experienced any bugs or problems?

What kind of bugs and problems are you worried of? I never used Akai OS, so no comments on that. Got my 2500 with JJ OS1 already installed, never experienced anything major. Stayed a few months with the simpler OS1, learned the basics, then upgraded to OS-XL. At the moment, version 2 seems to be still in development, bugs are being ironed out. Anyway, even the free JJ OS is supposed to be better (faster, sturdier) than Akai OS.

JayXL wrote:Yeah the 2500 is the one I've been leaning towards to more just because of the extras & features. Do you have the 2500 and if yes, have you ever experienced any bugs or problems?

I have the stock Akai OS 1.21 in my 2500 - I added Ram, the Hard Drive, and the Burner myself. It has never had any problems - even when doing 8 to 9 hour sessions. I haven't even upgraded to the Akai 1.24 OS yet. I say get you can afford right now and learn it inside out. Then your needs and skills will show you if you need to upgrade. Don't think about it - be about it. I have heard heat from members here created on EVERY model of MPC. Different workflows, limitations, BUGS and in spite of it all - the heat is still being created. I had the 2000XL before and I liked it also. I learned on an SP 1200 and an MPC 3000 before I owned any MPC's.

So just get one and get to work!!

Well I was reading a couple of reviews from this website:
http://www.sonicstate.com/synth_reviews/akai_mpc2500/

Many people seem to have issues with their mpc's not functioning right.

But I mean I'm pretty sure that either mpc would be good. I think I'm still gonna go with the 2500 tho. I just like the features and the hard drive storage more. Plus I don't know if I really wanna deal with zip disks.

I'm gonna check on ebay.

JayXL wrote:Well I was reading a couple of reviews from this website:
http://www.sonicstate.com/synth_reviews/akai_mpc2500/

Many people seem to have issues with their mpc's not functioning right.

But I mean I'm pretty sure that either mpc would be good. I think I'm still gonna go with the 2500 tho. I just like the features and the hard drive storage more. Plus I don't know if I really wanna deal with zip disks.

I'm gonna check on ebay.

good choice... but just to clear it up... you can have hard drives on the 2000xl also... and you only have to deal with zip disks if you have a zip drive. I would suggest getting a CF card for the xl which is the cheapest upgrade you can do to the machine if you know where to get components.

Look before you post.

The exact same thread on page two of this forum.

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=127807

This can continue there.