Worth swapping my MPC500 for the 2000(non XL)

OweMoney wrote:Let's get back to the OP's topic 500 v. 2000. I know there is already info available through searching but I am interested in everyone's feedback on this too. I have a 2000XL and 2000. I got the 2000 cheap off Ebay and might be going to trade my friend for his 500.

Anyway, from my experience with the 2000 and 2000XL I would say to save that little extra to make up the difference in a trade for an XL. There are so many features I take for granted going from knowing the XL to trying to mess around with the 2000.

in all honesty, I personally would keep the 2000 because I am not a fan of the 500 layout. okay even the 1000 does a lot of multitasking of buttons but the 500 it's even more crammed. sure the machine has great specs for such a small portable device but that and the pads on the 500 gets on my nerves.

Sovereign wrote:500 shouldn't freeze are you using a generic power adapter?
If anything hold on to it get your money right and get a used 1k.

At this stage in the game the 2k and 2kxl are the worst MP's. ARE YOU FU-CKING MENTAL
Not old enough to be classic and not new enough for modern workflow. TELL THAT TO 90% OF PRODUCERS

After all these years of owning MP's here's how I rank them. WHILST STICKING MY FINGER UP MY OWN ASS

1. Maschine SUCKS SHLONGS (w/ Komplete and Miroslav )
2. 5k v2 SUCKS MASSIVE SHLONGS
3. 1k w/ JJ and new pads NUKAI ISHT NEW PADS, MY ARSE
4. 2500 w/ JJ NUKAI ISHT MK 2
5. 500 A FUC_KING TOY
6. 3k A SERIOUS CLASSIC
7. 4k A BEAST OF A MACHINE, A REAL SAMPLER
8. 60 THE FOUNDATION OF ALL MPs
9. 2kxl A DOPE MACHINE
10. 2k ANOTHER DOPE ASS MP

Aren't you that guy i read about in the news who had his brain replaced with donkey balls?
You need to get your head right mate...

Sovereign wrote:500 shouldn't freeze are you using a generic power adapter?
If anything hold on to it get your money right and get a used 1k.

At this stage in the game the 2k and 2kxl are the worst MP's.
Not old enough to be classic and not new enough for modern workflow.

After all these years of owning MP's here's how I rank them.

1. Maschine (w/ Komplete and Miroslav )
2. 5k v2
3. 1k w/ JJ and new pads
4. 2500 w/ JJ
5. 500
6. 3k
7. 4k
8. 60
9. 2kxl
10. 2k

It is all his/her preference, so I don't think this person should be dissed that much (although I completely disagree with the ranking...) I think Sovereign likes software solution better than hardware (nothing wrong with it), so I kind of see why he/she ranked MPCs that way.

MPC-500 is known for its bug-ridden OS. I've read a lot of horror stories with 500 on MPC Forums.
MPC-5000 and MPC-500 were probably entirely developed at Numark / Alesis company. (The original Akai company completely folded in 2005. (You might see AKAI branded products still, but they have zero connection with the original Akai company) MPC-4000, MPC-2500 and MPC-1000 were developed by the original Akai Professional.)

Most of used MPC-1000 suffer pad problem (faulty pad issue is the main reason why people are selling it...) Now, it is quite possible that old MPC-1000 and MPC-2500 are well-build than the current ones.

Un-related link, but I found an interesting e-book:
http://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-ODonnell-Professional-Herewith/dp/B00081SA94

MPC-60 and MPC-3000 were both manufactured in Japan. I think that really contributed the solid feel of both machines.
There are never-ending debates regarding sound quality of MPC-3000. I think the reason why MPC-3000 sounds better than 2000 has a lot to do with power supply. I think that those older MPCs have better power supply than the later MPCs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think switch power supply is used in 60/3000.
(Un-related side note: old Numark and GLi DJ mixers were made in Japan. They were great, solid mixers.)

MPC-2000 classic and 2000XL are cool machines. If XL had 2000 classic's jog wheel, it would've been really nice. (I have XL with a brand new rotary encoder from MPC Stuff dot com, but it does not feel great.)

Back to the original question, it is not a bad idea (at all) to swap to 2000 Classic, but make sure all pots, switches, pads, storage device, and LCD screen work as it should. Real weakness of 2000 Classic is its limited storage options (floppy and SCSI only) and lack of folder support. The feel of jog dial is really awesome, jog dial on XL sucks (even with newly replaced one!) It is a bit hard to compare those two MPCs, but I'd pick 2000 classic over 500 any day.

I must be on my period

JVC wrote:

Sovereign wrote:500 shouldn't freeze are you using a generic power adapter?
If anything hold on to it get your money right and get a used 1k.

At this stage in the game the 2k and 2kxl are the worst MP's.
Not old enough to be classic and not new enough for modern workflow.

After all these years of owning MP's here's how I rank them.

1. Maschine (w/ Komplete and Miroslav )
2. 5k v2
3. 1k w/ JJ and new pads
4. 2500 w/ JJ
5. 500
6. 3k
7. 4k
8. 60
9. 2kxl
10. 2k

It is all his/her preference, so I don't think this person should be dissed that much (although I completely disagree with the ranking...) I think Sovereign likes software solution better than hardware (nothing wrong with it), so I kind of see why he/she ranked MPCs that way.

MPC-500 is known for its bug-ridden OS. I've read a lot of horror stories with 500 on MPC Forums.
MPC-5000 and MPC-500 were probably entirely developed at Numark / Alesis company. (The original Akai company completely folded in 2005. (You might see AKAI branded products still, but they have zero connection with the original Akai company) MPC-4000, MPC-2500 and MPC-1000 were developed by the original Akai Professional.)

Most of used MPC-1000 suffer pad problem (faulty pad issue is the main reason why people are selling it...) Now, it is quite possible that old MPC-1000 and MPC-2500 are well-build than the current ones.

Un-related link, but I found an interesting e-book:
http://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-ODonnell-Professional-Herewith/dp/B00081SA94

MPC-60 and MPC-3000 were both manufactured in Japan. I think that really contributed the solid feel of both machines.
There are never-ending debates regarding sound quality of MPC-3000. I think the reason why MPC-3000 sounds better than 2000 has a lot to do with power supply. I think that those older MPCs have better power supply than the later MPCs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think switch power supply is used in 60/3000.
(Un-related side note: old Numark and GLi DJ mixers were made in Japan. They were great, solid mixers.)

MPC-2000 classic and 2000XL are cool machines. If XL had 2000 classic's jog wheel, it would've been really nice. (I have XL with a brand new rotary encoder from MPC Stuff dot com, but it does not feel great.)

Back to the original question, it is not a bad idea (at all) to swap to 2000 Classic, but make sure all pots, switches, pads, storage device, and LCD screen work as it should. Real weakness of 2000 Classic is its limited storage options (floppy and SCSI only) and lack of folder support. The feel of jog dial is really awesome, jog dial on XL sucks (even with newly replaced one!) It is a bit hard to compare those two MPCs, but I'd pick 2000 classic over 500 any day.

i disagree with that list soverign put down, but i respect his opinion. i have an MPC 2000xl which i love, but im not trippin on him for having an opinion. he's down for the DAW/computer route and thats cool. gear, software, hardware - its all relative guys...and whats with this talk about "modern workflow?" even though the 60 - 2000XLs are old doesnt mean they cant compete with software/DAWs of today. its all personal preference. my homie runs his whole set off his maschine. he doesnt even look at the computer screen when navigating through songs/beats. i find that to be dope.

JVC -of course the 3000 sounds better than the 2000/2000XL. the 3000 had the better sampler. after the 3000s were made AKAI got cheap and didn't put the signature roger linn sampler in the 2000s and on. also, like you said manufactured in japan. yuh wonder why the MPC3000 is so prestigious. I do hear a bit of quality loss in my XL, but its nothing i cant fix in Logic these days.

to the thread starter - sorry for ^^^^ and go with a 2000 or even the 2000XL. my friend who has the maschine hates his MPC500 and it currently dwells under his couch. ive had an XL for over 10 years and i could only show him basic features on the 500. its so different and awkward. comes to show lack of quality and reliability = portablity. upgrade bro!!

...haha Okay everybody let's tak it easy. Sovereign has already been chewed up like 400 times already.

clint246clint wrote:

Sovereign wrote:At this stage in the game the 2k and 2kxl are the worst MP's.
Not old enough to be classic and not new enough for modern workflow.

Is this fact or opinion.

My 3000LE is a certified classic, released in 2000. When were the 2k's released?

Audio comes out of the outputs and you have midi ports, thats all you need. WTF is 'modern workflow'?

2k's have midi, multiple outs, SCSI, digital I/O, zip drives, card readers, 16 pads. Who needs USB to make music?

Misguided opinion, but thanks for sharing.

MPC 3000 came out around 1994 and the 3000LE came out around 1999. The 2000 came out around 1997. The 2000XL in 1999. I have owned everyone of these maschines.

The MPC 2000 has the most solid sequencer out of any MPC. Its simple...has no bells and whistles. I can't put my finger on it exactly..but it is just tight. The MPC 3000/3000LE also have very basic sequencing. Do they sound great...yes? Better than any other MPC? All subjective. The 2000XL is a little more powerful as far as the OS..and adds support for multiple programs.

As for powerful and straight forward/easy to use...the MPC 2500XL would be my #1 choice. The MPC 4000 is powerful but not as easy to use as the other MPCs. MPC 5000 is powerful and easier to use than the MPC 4000. Its OS is similar to the MPC 2500 but adds numerous features that are not possible with any other MPC. But you may find that you don't necessarily need many of these functions.

Ok...that was my 2 1/2 cents.

mumkai wrote:JVC -of course the 3000 sounds better than the 2000/2000XL. the 3000 had the better sampler. after the 3000s were made AKAI got cheap and didn't put the signature roger linn sampler in the 2000s and on.

For MPC-60 and MPC-3000, Roger Linn was not involved with sampler development. MPC-60 and MPC-3000 was Roger Linn sequencer with Akai sampler integrated.
(I think Ill-fated Linn 9000 would be only one sampler that has "Roger Linn sampler.") Akai already had already released samplers on the market before MPC (Akai S series.)

Sampler engine (AD/DA converter) is not only thing that decides sound quality and characteristics. There are other things (circuit design, power supply, etc.) that affect overall sound of electric music devices.
I've seen inside of MPC-2000 Classic and XL. I don't think Akai they decided to use cheaper parts, but I can tell you that soldering job on the boards in 2000 series are not impressive. To me, it looked kind of rough job.
I haven't had a luck of using or even seen MPC-3000. I've been hearing that MPC-3000 sound better than other MPCs (to me, MPC-3000 LOOKS better than another MPCs. It is like Cadillac (I mean Cadillac's glory days) of MPC.)
I hope I'll have a chance to test out MPC-3000 some day.

The guy with the 30 year old equipment is the same guy that most people sample from so how could he not compete??? Did the Beatles not wreck shop on a 4 track?? did any of the artists we sample have any of this easy button pushing equipment that we have now?? could any of your favorite Producers compete with the likes of A Barry White/Norman Harris/Thom bell etc...(and thats just Soul) Folks get caught up in believing that they need all this hype and advanced equipment to make beats but in reality it all comes down to talent!! Those old Neuman michs are still old... but then why do so many people still desire them?? And as far as the 2K goes I can (like others who use them)Bang out a beat that can compete with either of the machines that were listed!! as stated its not the machine its the person using it!!! and thats real...

i bought the 500 when it first came out.my boy had an xl so he showed me the ropes i later sold my 500 and bout a 2000 classic.it was def a good swap.i have the xl now but i would def chnge to the 2000 over the 500 and throw a cf card reader in it and you would be set