First MPC, primarily as a sequencer

I started buying samplers as a way to get some new timbres into my DAW-based productions a while back. I'm a student, pretty broke, so I've collected a handful of what I could get for cheap, while keeping my sound palette diverse. I've fallen in love with working out of the box as much as I can--oftentimes 2-tracking from my samplers into my DAW--but I'm tired of doing the MIDI programming on a computer screen.

I've got an S900 for 12-bit grit. I do most of my drums through it.

I've got a Roland S-760 (well, I've got two). This sampler sounds like butter. It's simply magical. The filters are incredible. It's got a bit converter for when I want that really low bit-rate grime (like 8-bit claps).

I've got an EPS-16+. I'm not real happy with this one. It has a sound that doesn't lend itself to anything I do. It's dark and boring. The sequencer doesn't do anything for me, so I've stuck with sequencing with my mouse thus far.

Now I've got some money saved up and I wanna get in on that legendary MPC sequencing so I can turn off my computer and sit down and focus on and feel my music. I'm just not sure which one to get, which is why I'm here.

The ones I'm considering the most are the 3000 and the 2000XL.

I'm interested in the 3000 because it does have a character I don't have in my current set-up--16-bit but dirty. It's just such a classic. While I'm mainly looking to use an MPC as a sequencer, I feel like with a 3000 I could plug it in in the living room and leave most of my studio behind sometimes and be perfectly satisfied with the sound.

The 2000XL is appealing because it's cheaper, it's well-built, and does everything I'd need it to. Its sound is pretty uninteresting from what I've heard but there are some producers I really respect working them and maintaining a good sound, so I'm not sure whether I'd actually use it as a sampler.

My decision basically comes down to this: would the 3000's sound benefit me enough to go in that direction? I've got grit with my 900 and pristine with my 760. Do I need something in-between? Should I look at another third MPC?

Whaddya think?

A sequencer does not have a sound. You knew that already.

So, if you're not going to do much sampling on the MPC, go for the 2500 or 1000, with JJ OS. There's nothing wrong with the samplers on those models, anyway. Plus there's much more you can do with the sequencer, compared to older models.

A "sequencer" doesnt have a sound.... BUT the combo of the ROCK SOLID sequencing and hevenly sound of the MPC3000 makes it worth purchasing.

If you want a high resolution sequencer in an MP there's only 2 choices - 4k or 5k

If sound is more important - 3k or the 60

Build quality - any pre Numark model is solid

The most fluid workflow with the best chopping, continual development and cheapest to repair - 2500 or 1k with JJ OS

Thanks for the input everyone.

And yes, I know a sequencer doesn't make noise...what I was asking is whether or not it'd be worth it to pick up an MPC known for its sound so I could use it as a sampler as well. In other words, given the list of samplers that I use already, is there anything I could get out of an MPC as a noisemaker that I don't already have? If not, I'll just go for the 2000XL I think.

(not trying to over complicate things but....) The question you ask is very subjective. You could ask 10 people the same question and get 10 different answers/opinions. There are many more factors a person should consider other than sound. I would say search and read up on a comparison of pros and cons on both machines. I wanted a 3000 but could not afford one at the time. I copped a MPC1k (jjos2xl) and a S3000 rack dirt cheap as an alternative to the MPC3000. It seems you are comfortable with working with hardware racks and such so you could grab a cheap MPC2kxl and a S3000 rack (for that 3000 sound) thats if you wanna save some money..... But to answer the original question... As you have stated you enjoy working out of the box. i think you would enjoy and be more than satisfied with an MPC3000. You would DEFINATELY use the sampler on the 3000. With the 2000xl you get out what you put in. A thinner sound than the 3000 but alot of people touch up samples by EQ'ing them before they are thrown into the sampler (ah la Pete Rock) In my opinion again, the 3000's combination of a rock solid sequencer and buttery sound is unmatched and would add a differnt flavor to your current setup. So for your situation/needs thats what id recommend for you. Again, my opinion

faze1 wrote:(not trying to over complicate things but....) The question you ask is very subjective. You could ask 10 people the same question and get 10 different answers/opinions. There are many more factors a person should consider other than sound. I would say search and read up on a comparison of pros and cons on both machines. I wanted a 3000 but could not afford one at the time. I copped a MPC1k (jjos2xl) and a S3000 rack dirt cheap as an alternative to the MPC3000. It seems you are comfortable with working with hardware racks and such so you could grab a cheap MPC2kxl and a S3000 rack (for that 3000 sound) thats if you wanna save some money..... But to answer the original question... As you have stated you enjoy working out of the box. i think you would enjoy and be more than satisfied with an MPC3000. You would DEFINATELY use the sampler on the 3000. With the 2000xl you get out what you put in. A thinner sound than the 3000 but alot of people touch up samples by EQ'ing them before they are thrown into the sampler (ah la Pete Rock) In my opinion again, the 3000's combination of a rock solid sequencer and buttery sound is unmatched and would add a differnt flavor to your current setup. So for your situation/needs thats what id recommend for you. Again, my opinion

Well, everything's subjective, no? Thanks for the info.

Moved this thread.

On the front page of the comparison forum you will have seen this...no?

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=140054

In depth discussion on the merits of the MPC sequencer.

You have a very cool collection of hardware samplers, congratulations.

I use the MPC2k classic as only a sequencer. I'm pretty happy with its software, because it's loop-oriented. This may not seem sth too remarkable to those used to the MPCs but try using a linear hardware sequencer like a roland mc50 and you'll see the difference.
I'm not too sure buying a 3000 is a good idea if you only want it for its sequencer. I've never used one but the sequencer in the 3000 (the same as in the 60 i guess) looks a bit harder to use, it looks too... numerical?
Besides, not using the sampler would be a total waste of money and resources.

As far as solid timing, the 60 and the 3000 are the ones to get, general consensus.
To me the timing on the 2k feels slightly looser than i'd want it to be. It could also be that i'm paranoid and/or need music to be ahead of the beat to feel tight.

i forgot to mention that the software in the 2k classic and in the 2kXL is almost the same