Which MPC would suit my needs?

Hi I'm new to the MPC world but have read through your forums looking for the information I need and can't quite find the answer. Clearly there are some seriously knowledgeable MPC users here so hopefully somebody can help me! I'm not a hip hop producer. I want a sampler to use on stage with my band. We will be playing some beats on in (beats I'd like to create on the MPC) and using the pads to trigger other samples (sounds effects, instrument sounds etc). I need something that can do the following:

1) Can I output a metronome click on a single channel to our drummer's headphones so he can play along to the MPC's beat?
2) Would it be easy to transfer samples from a Mac? We write the songs in garage band or logic and create some nice sound effects that I'd like to use on stage (I don't want a laptop on stage!)
3) Could I connect a controller (e.g. drum pad) which triggers the MPC drum samples to use live on stage? Ideally I'd like to have our drummer play a bar of the beat (via a drum pad controller) then loop this for the rest of the song.

From my research I'm leaning towards the MPC2500. The 1000 would probably do most that I need as I'm not really producing complex compositions but I'm put off by the poor quality pads. However, the 2500 is much heavier for me to carry around to gigs. I've heard some people say about getting pad upgrades for the 1000 but I'm based in the UK and wonder if there are any companies that offer that kind of service here? I think I'd like to buy a new unit so that it is under warranty.

An example of a track I'd like to play live using the MPC is here http://vimeo.com/19676760

Thank you for any advice you can give

I'm far from as knowledgeable as many of the guys here but I'm a certified gear whore so here goes.

1) I believe you would need JJOS on a 1000 or 2500 to put the click track on one of the 6 or 8 assignable outs. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=90698 and comparison chart http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/chart.htm
2) Provided you have a 1000 or 2500 yes. USB 1.1 CF transfer. Personally I use my Win 7 partition to do it as I've heard all those hidden files OS X puts on folders and removable media may cause slight errors, aside from that pretty sure it would generally work on OS X as it's just a drag and drop operation.
3) Absolutely but I believe the external MIDI cannot control note repeat on the MPC, and you might have to do a little MIDI CC assign editing on either or both the units.

Yes the stock pads on 1000's whether the original terribly flawed ones or the pad fix version 2 suck donkey b**lz. The upgrade would only be necessary if you bought an original blue 1000 unit or a very early black one. And even then on the second hand market the seller may have likely already done it. Posts are stacking up here on the extreme quality of the MPCstuff.com 1000 Fat Pads. Got mine last week, life changing if you're on a 1000. Do note that the Fat Pads are for when you already have have the electronic sensor array upgrade in your machine. It's the unified rubber pad sheet that needs the improvement and that's what MPCStuff is now providing for $40 USD. Provided you get a JJOS version on a 1000 and get the Fat Pads I think it's absolutely perfect for your needs, as no where did you say you need good multi-sampling capabilities that might necessitate a rack type unit. Most people on this forum have probably bought their MPC used, but I understand your wanting of a warranty. That will raise the $ outlay about 3-$400USD with general 1000 used prices being what they are.

Thanks for your help. It looks as though the click track for the drummer and the ability to sample won't be a problem (as I suspected).
It sounds like an MPC 1000 with the pad upgrades will do the trick for me.

There has been a lot of talk of the MPC 1000 pads in other posts I know but I just want to clarify when you say

the stock pads on 1000's whether the original terribly flawed ones or the pad fix version 2 suck donkey b**lz. The upgrade would only be necessary if you bought an original blue 1000 unit or a very early black one.

what is the 'pad fix version 2' is this a fix that Akai did to the MPC1000 or do you mean the one you can get from MPCstuff.com http://www.mpcstuff.com/akai--mpc-1000-pad-set--new-version-pad-fix-upg.html for $180 is no good?

If I buy a brand new 1000 and just stick those fat pads on it for $40, will that work properly?

Thanks again

Sorry about the phrasing, that was confusing how I put it.

The fix Akai implemented on later 1000's IS the $180 upgrade MPCStuff sells. Over 90% of the black 1000's were shipped with the better sensors, but sometimes you see a black one with the old pads. The flawed original pad style was 16 separate pieces with the rubber trigger and sensor unified. I never had one of those but apparently they had a near 100% failure rate after being used for a while. It's not if they will fail, it's when, usually one by one.

If a black MPC has BK-N in the serial number it has the new sensor/pads installed. N being Akai's way of denoting 'New Pads". It should also have a black colored back panel as opposed to silver. I've seen black ones with silver backs but I've never been sure if those were released like that or people were changing cases to hide the crap original pads, maybe a bit of both. Also my 1000 is all black, came with the new padfix yet doesn't say BK-N in the serial. If you are looking at a used one, press down firmly on one the corner pads and nudge it back and and forth. You should be able to see adjacent pads move a tiny bit too. Then you know it's the single sheet newer pads. If you see absolutely no movement on the other pads it's the old pads and should be avoided unless it's in the $300-400ish range because you'll need to drop an other $180.

Even with the upgraded sensors/pads there is still a gap between the sensor and the rubber, so sensitivity is not that great and triggering off center or the pad corners is difficult. But because the upgrade is actually just one sheet of rubber, MPCStuff was able to make a thicker sheet that solves all the issues.

Another reason to look at used ones is that the seller probably has already installed the 128mb RAM upgrade. Maybe 16mb is enough for what you wanna do, but better to have some headroom. Don't buy Akai RAM, total ripoff. Search this forum for the DIMM specs (and brand suggestions) and order it for $20 from an online vendor.

To cut to the chase, you could absolutely buy a new one, drop the $40 for the Fat Pads and be set. I just wanted to let you know what to look for if you decided to go the used route. I've bought 5 used MPC's, none has given me any issues. I'd bet 75-80% of people on this forum bought their machines used. They are quite easy to do basic repairs and upgrades on. I'm not exaggerating the $3-400USD savings. A used 1000 with max RAM and the improved sensor/pads should set you back no more than around $600, $650 absolute tops if the box is still minty.

Good luck with it, and thanks to all the vets on this forum whose excellent advice I'm here regurgitating
This site is a treasure trove of solid info if you have the patience to dig in it's archives. I figured no one would mind me repeating it as this is the Getting Started section.

Thanks so much dude that is crystal clear now. I am actually leaning towards a 2nd hand one as they seem pretty reliable and the pads would be the only thing to upgrade (as you say - they probably would have been upgraded by the previous user). I know I def want the 128Mb RAM upgrade, it would be dumb not to.

I'm in the UK and brand new ones seem to go for £500 (pretty reasonable - works out as under $800), whereas a new one from MPCstuff.com would set me back over £600 with the exchange rate as it is. I might just buy a brand new one and order those fat pads (loving the reviews on those on these forums!!).

Or I might just see what I find on ebay but if anyone knows anywhere else I can get 2nd hand MPCs in the UK then give me a shout.

You've made me a happy newbie

A lot of people here use Craigslist to source their gear on person to person sales. You get to see the gear and test which is a big plus. Most guys selling know the deal and are happy to load a program and show all the pads and buttons in working order. Obviously use sense and bring a friend etc. but most sellers respect the subculture around the machines and deal on the square.

If you want an aggregate of all the MPC's on eBay US,UK,DE start checking this every day.

http://www.mpchunter.com/

One last tip, any MPC1000 you come across with a pad color other than grey will 100% have the new pads based on what I described before, even if the seller doesn't specify "pad upgrade/fix".

Enjoy your 1000 when it all comes together bruv.

As for you clicking metronome question, a quick work around is to quantize your hi-hats to 8th notes or whatever you want on one track, then send that track to one of the individual outs. Every MPC that has multiple outs can do this. I use the drums on the mpc while I record acoustic instruments all the time, that's how I've always done it.