1000, 2000xl, 2500

I want hardware in my workflow.
I will be sampling most -- if not entirely -- from vinyl.

I want an MPC for two reasons: Pads and an outboard source of sound (to be sent through outboard compressor / EQ / etc.).

I know the 1000 and 2500 are boss with JJ, but I know the 2000xl is straight to the point and more user friendly.

I won't be using much sequencing except for jams and live situations (as far as recording goes, I will just be sending the master to Logic).

So my question is: will the 2000xl be suitable for this, or should I go ahead and cop a 1000/2500?

I know this topic has been covered, but I would like answers regarding said workflow specifically.

Thanks, peace.

Do you know anybody who owns one of these near you? I advise hooking up with someone and trying them out. You are going to get answers "across the board". Any of these three can do what you described without too much difficulty. Try them and then buy one.

I have had all three and as far as I am concerned the 2500 is better than the 1000 as an overall bit of kit, however!... My first mpc was an xl and it was perfect.
So much so, that I just got a 2000 to stop my 2500 killing my inspiration.

On a classic 2000/xl
Os is better
Easier to use
Easier to save
Better machines
Sound better
Better filter
I really could go on...

But... The 2500 does more

LFO
High pass, band pass, low pass filters
Resample abilitys
Ect

Plus with a modern cf card or hd option

For what you want, my honest opinion is this:

Get an mpc 2000xl with zip discs or convert one to zip or cf

Ultimately you want to be able to back up samples on a CPU

If you don't get what you want, sell for same money and go all tech

Thanks for the replies yall.

To Krush, no, I don't know anyone who has an MPC. I was thinking of putting out an ad on Craigslist to find someone who locally had one or more, but I'm worried the response would be from a 60 year old creeper/serial killer who's never heard of an MPC.

And to jazzcat, I'm pretty sure you just sold me on the 2kxl -- unless the filters are going to be better than filters on a Moog Little Phatty, I have no use for them on the mpc; same goes for LFO, etc.

I've been sampling for years now, but it's all been in software, and to be honest, I feel a huge lacking in the inspiration department. I don't feel involved in my music at all, and it suffers because of it.

What's the likelihood of finding a good-working CF reader that's xl-compatible?

There is a thread on here somewhere. Any studios near you. Book and hour and go play around. I am sure there are some beatmakers that would book some time with you as well. Let the forum know where you are located and see who responds. Lots of katz on here do this for money.

Hahaha to be honest mate the newer the mpc, the cheaper it's made. I see cf readers on eBay all the time so you should find one quite easy

You can't beat hardware! Anything else is just an emulation.

If you are into sampling the xl will be the best thing you ever buy.

i have to disagree pretty strongly that the os on the 2000xl is better than jjos2xl for the mpc1000/2500. for real.

Nym wrote:i have to disagree pretty strongly that the os on the 2000xl is better than jjos2xl for the mpc1000/2500. for real.

Ok... I must admit I have only got the free jjos on my 2500

Jjos1 looked dope tho

I still prefer the earlyer machines, everything on the later mpcs is just over complicated for no good reason

doesn't that depend on what you're trying to do, though?

Yes of course it does... And for what he wants to do ^^^ a classic mpc is better

Beatdiggerjazzcat wrote:Yes of course it does... And for what he wants to do ^^^ a classic mpc is better

I'm confused... why can't he do what he wants with a newer mpc? Pads, ability to route through outboard gear, ability to sequence (which is a snap, btw)...sounds like what he wants in a hardware setup, right?

Obviously

However; a modern mpc is only good if you pay for a software upgrade (jjos1/2)
This is reflected in nearly every review I have read so I am not alone with this view.
I also found the sound of a modern one too clean and needed resampling into an older sampler to sound near good... More money to spend

I am recommending (as standard)

A classic mpc is great without any additions appart from maybe an exciter.

However! If you want to use it with software... Buy an mpd

Beatdiggerjazzcat wrote:Obviously

However; a modern mpc is only good if you pay for a software upgrade (jjos1/2)
This is reflected in nearly every review I have read so I am not alone with this view.
I also found the sound of a modern one too clean and needed resampling into an older sampler to sound near good... More money to spend

I am recommending (as standard)

A classic mpc is great without any additions appart from maybe an exciter.

However! If you want to use it with software... Buy an mpd

I don't believe any indivudal that have owned both the XL and 2500 would make such a claim regardless of which OS you install in the 2500. The authors of the reviews you read were smoking crack.

I owned the three: kind of Apple VS Pear beef.

Both 1K abd 2.5K sound exactly the same and are equal feature-wise. The 2KXL sounds slightly different, mostly due to the different filters, AD/DA etc etc etc.

Expanded to 32 Mega, the 2000XL got enough to get no matter which job done.

The only plus (but is big one in my opinion) is that with a newer machine you could arrange a full fledged live-set, due to the greater memory and better management of programs (only four active at the same time in the 2000XL)...

Indeed the JJOS XL compars to the OG 2KXL one as the newest version of Cubase compares to Cubase 3... it's made to accoplish the same job, but has tons of addded features, just D/L and check it for yourself.

The 2KXL is slow as **** at processing... even visualizing the waveform of a longer sample could take loooong seconds. JJOSXL is **** fast on both newer MPCs. Timestreach/pitchshift/load/save are not only faster but also easier.

Is it easier to get a rawer sound out of a 2KXL than from a newer MPC: yes and no. Yes because without filter card you're stuck with a LPF per pad and you will easily get darker/bottom-heavy shit going out...

No because you can really mess the sound within the newest machines (more control on filters, effects, resample...) to get it where you want.

More, you can get your hands on EQ units for VERY cheap('70 HIFI equipment often had a very effective stereo eq module you can buy at pawn shops for a few bucks), and you can make your sounds before sampling...

That said, each couple of months I think about getting another 2KXL to make company to the 2500... but that's just me liking to deal with LESS features from time to time. Not that there is anything magical about it...