Is the MPC2000XL Worth using in this new breed of Rap?

well Im not sure that 840 will get you anything less boring than fl studio is or was... but you can get all sorts of gear for that price...

I think you need to look beyond kanye's so called influential beats in the direction of what you are trying to do... and get the piece for the job. You can get an mpc 3000 for that price.. or even a 2500 ..

Couple of things.

Owning a MPC and using it are two different things.
Never assume that a producer who owned or owns a MPC was actually using the MPC or using it as extensively as people lead you to believe.

Going from software to the MPC can be a real challenge. Going from software to an older MPC can be d@mn near impossible.
There are a lot of things you will lose in workflow that you are currently accustom to.
The MPC will give you that hands on workflow change as long as you are willing to accept the limitations it imposes.

You can almost steal a 2k/2kxl they are so cheap, they may need a new display but at least we now have a cheaper option.
You can find good deals on a 1k but you have to understand it's condition.
I was in a local Pawn shop looking at a blue 1k. He wanted $325 and starts talking about they cost mo9re than $900 new.
It was dirty, had pits, tape residue, light rusting on the rear, scratch on the display, the F keys were knocked in, a couple others buttons were knocked in and Pads 1-8 were dead.
Yet he felt the $325 was a great deal.

A 1k with JJ is probably a good jump off point for getting into the MPC game, just do your research.

Logic 10????? it's not out yet.

JUKE 179r wrote:Logic 10????? it's not out yet.

and he's already 'over it'


get yourself some MIDI headphones !

ntalec wrote:You can almost steal a 2k/2kxl they are so cheap, they may need a new display but at least we now have a cheaper option.
You can find good deals on a 1k but you have to understand it's condition.
I was in a local Pawn shop looking at a blue 1k. He wanted $325 and starts talking about they cost mo9re than $900 new.
It was dirty, had pits, tape residue, light rusting on the rear, scratch on the display, the F keys were knocked in, a couple others buttons were knocked in and Pads 1-8 were dead.
Yet he felt the $325 was a great deal.

A 1k with JJ is probably a good jump off point for getting into the MPC game, just do your research.

Well, anything become great deal, if you ask a pawn shop owner.

A fair condition MPC-2000XL would go around $4 hundred bucks usually, which I wouldn't call it "so cheap.", at least not by me. You will have situation where you want to replace tact switches and rotary encoder. If you know how to solder parts, it is totally reparable. I am very picky about switches and pots, so I've replaced majority of tact switches and rotary encoder on my MPC-2000XL.
As you might have heard, MPC-2000 series' LCD screens are known to dead pixel lines after years of use (considered the worst part of owning MPC-2000 series), but now brand new LCD screens for MPC-2000 is finally available! This is the greatest development for MPC-2000 users! (Mad props to both Dan Elec and MPCstuff.com for endorsing it.)

As far as I know, used MPC-1000 worth a bit more than MPC-2000XL. Most of the case, you will have to replace the drum pads to the new version pads, which is around $200.

Either MPC-1000 or MPC-2000XL, those are stable machine. If you are planning to MIDI up other hardware, MPC will do great job, very unlikely to have latency issues.

One thing I don't like about MPC-1000 is that it does not have numerical keys, and the drum pads are used as numerical keys, which I am sure I won't be fond of. (I even wish that MPC-2000 had the dedicated function keys like MPC-60/3000/4000.) Although majority of MPC-1000 users are fine with it, it might drive you crazy.
(I feel that general specifications, i.e. sampling time, number of functions, is way overvalued than those tactile usability. I think those quality are way more important when choosing hardware.)

I've had the opposite situation of the OP, I've tried Logic Express, but I couldn't really figured out how to use! I use MPC-2000XL mainly, and Electribe ES-1 sometimes (I'm a sampling guy.) I know some people can be productive with DAW, but I know I'm not that type.

Basically, you should try out to see if you'll like it. It took me a few weeks to totally get used to MPC-2000XL, ... from Korg Electribe ES-1 (LOL)!

But, let me say this. Your choice of tool, whether MPC, FL, Logic, or other DAW, should not dictate the style of music you want to make. For instance, DJ Mark the 45 King (one of my top influences, if not top one) is a long time Logic user. I'm pretty sure "Hard knock Life" and "Stan" beat was made on Logic.

harry.ethics wrote:

JUKE 179r wrote:Logic 10????? it's not out yet.

and he's already 'over it'


get yourself some MIDI headphones !

Beats By Dre are the best ones!

Nothing is going to really put you ahead of anyone I thought for years that when i get a 2000xl im gonna be on top lol. but nope theyre just there to work for you the same way a hammer works for you to put nails into a wall or a chair works for you to sit down If you're bored of logic '10' so soon (dudes from the future) then i doubt an MPC is going to do much for you. Just find something comfortable and easy to use that you can get the fastest flow of work from and stick with it, **** all these overhyped gadgets.

Thanks everyone.... And for the "Logic 10", I have a auto-type thing going on lol I meant "Logic 9" haha.... My Bad...

We must shop in different circles based on your pricing scheme.

JVC wrote:Well, anything become great deal, if you ask a pawn shop owner.

A fair condition MPC-2000XL would go around $4 hundred bucks usually, which I wouldn't call it "so cheap.", at least not by me. You will have situation where you want to replace tact switches and rotary encoder. If you know how to solder parts, it is totally reparable. I am very picky about switches and pots, so I've replaced majority of tact switches and rotary encoder on my MPC-2000XL.
As you might have heard, MPC-2000 series' LCD screens are known to dead pixel lines after years of use (considered the worst part of owning MPC-2000 series), but now brand new LCD screens for MPC-2000 is finally available! This is the greatest development for MPC-2000 users! (Mad props to both Dan Elec and MPCstuff.com for endorsing it.)

As far as I know, used MPC-1000 worth a bit more than MPC-2000XL. Most of the case, you will have to replace the drum pads to the new version pads, which is around $200.

Either MPC-1000 or MPC-2000XL, those are stable machine. If you are planning to MIDI up other hardware, MPC will do great job, very unlikely to have latency issues.

One thing I don't like about MPC-1000 is that it does not have numerical keys, and the drum pads are used as numerical keys, which I am sure I won't be fond of. (I even wish that MPC-2000 had the dedicated function keys like MPC-60/3000/4000.) Although majority of MPC-1000 users are fine with it, it might drive you crazy.
(I feel that general specifications, i.e. sampling time, number of functions, is way overvalued than those tactile usability. I think those quality are way more important when choosing hardware.)

I've had the opposite situation of the OP, I've tried Logic Express, but I couldn't really figured out how to use! I use MPC-2000XL mainly, and Electribe ES-1 sometimes (I'm a sampling guy.) I know some people can be productive with DAW, but I know I'm not that type.

Basically, you should try out to see if you'll like it. It took me a few weeks to totally get used to MPC-2000XL, ... from Korg Electribe ES-1 (LOL)!

But, let me say this. Your choice of tool, whether MPC, FL, Logic, or other DAW, should not dictate the style of music you want to make. For instance, DJ Mark the 45 King (one of my top influences, if not top one) is a long time Logic user. I'm pretty sure "Hard knock Life" and "Stan" beat was made on Logic.

I have the MPC /MV8000/8800 Protools/Reaper/ various synth work stations etc... etc.. and i find myself using my Electribe SX1 (which chops samples up lovely) if i get bored or need to switch it up... My point is it really dont matter what you use to make beats if you learn the equipment you have.. For the amount you have saved you can get many things... Both MPCs and MVs can be had at crazy prices and for those that dont think so just consider all the folks who copped them when the price tags were 2geez and better!!! technology is a **** but how is it that some machines still retain thier value? and people are still using them!! Just do your research and get the best that your money can buy as the machines are only as good as what you put in them!! with so many sound shaping tools and programs that can do it for you your sounds and musical style is really unlimited!!! On another note... stop jocking these catts and do your own thing!!

Mr.Chris wrote:I have the MPC /MV8000/8800 Protools/Reaper/ various synth work stations etc... etc.. and i find myself using my Electribe SX1 (which chops samples up lovely) if i get bored or need to switch it up... My point is it really dont matter what you use to make beats if you learn the equipment you have.. For the amount you have saved you can get many things... Both MPCs and MVs can be had at crazy prices and for those that dont think so just consider all the folks who copped them when the price tags were 2geez and better!!! technology is a **** but how is it that some machines still retain thier value? and people are still using them!! Just do your research and get the best that your money can buy as the machines are only as good as what you put in them!! with so many sound shaping tools and programs that can do it for you your sounds and musical style is really unlimited!!! On another note... stop jocking these catts and do your own thing!!

Mr Chris is exactly right. In some cases owning equipment just complicates everything... for me my set up had to be upgraded and over complicated when i added the 2000xl! Where as if i just stuck with my 2009 set up of just a pc, m audio pci soundcard, crappy behringer mixer and krks with fl studio cubase and vsts id still be making 10+ beats a day as opposed to the 5-10 per week lol.

twisted-roots wrote:Mr Chris is exactly right. In some cases owning equipment just complicates everything...

So true!

I think it's not the owning that's the problem, it's the more the reason for acquiring the gear.
Very few people seem to buy things out of need or application.