MPC2000XL vs classic drum machines

Hello hello,

I've read a lot but haven't found the exact answer to this.

To cure my desperate lust for more gear (right now I'm looking at a SCI Drumtraks) I just wanted to get opinions on the MPC2000XL (which I have) against machines like the Linndrum etc.

I have the 8 outs, and my pitch slider works.

So if I load the Linndrum, Drumtraks, 808 etc into the MPC (which I have) would you say that functionally it's actually superior to those machines?

I mean, it can sequence, pitch, play pads. Send MIDI data. Receive MIDI.

I'm basically looking for a reason not to spend £300 on a Drumtraks. I'm 80% with keeping my money and staying headsdown on the MPC.

Thanks in advance – I have used a Linndrum, but not the others.

T

TigerD wrote:Hello hello,

I've read a lot but haven't found the exact answer to this.

To cure my desperate lust for more gear (right now I'm looking at a SCI Drumtraks) I just wanted to get opinions on the MPC2000XL (which I have) against machines like the Linndrum etc.

I have the 8 outs, and my pitch slider works.

So if I load the Linndrum, Drumtraks, 808 etc into the MPC (which I have) would you say that functionally it's actually superior to those machines?

I mean, it can sequence, pitch, play pads. Send MIDI data. Receive MIDI.

I'm basically looking for a reason not to spend £300 on a Drumtraks. I'm 80% with keeping my money and staying headsdown on the MPC.

Thanks in advance – I have used a Linndrum, but not the others.

T

I think it's a solid idea to view and use an XL in that way. You're probably right in saying it's MIDI capabilities are superior to any old school drum machine.

Samples never quite capture the originals and you lose whatever hands on experience a particular box offered, but quality samples are available freely and from vendors in pro libraries. (GoldBaby, Wave Alchemy and others have great old school drum box samples).

Personally I use a lot of software so I'm used to this kind of (sensible) rationalization to save the investment on older gear. But if money was no object...

Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear I'm not crazy.

Having spent the evening with the MPC, I can safely say it satisfies all needs. I mean, why would you want to use a Linn or Drumtraks when you could an MPC?

The bitrate is better, the features, the pads.

It's an instrument where those first drum machines were tools.

That said, when money becomes no object, every synth with wooden panels is getting purchased.

For my as-yet non-existant wooden-panelled studio.

Metatron72 wrote:
Samples never quite capture the originals and you lose whatever hands on experience a particular box offered

+1

Using samples on an MPC is convenient and productive, but sometimes you want to see how creative you could be with a drum machine and it's inherant limitations. Certain older drum machines can be picked up cheaply while others will cost you more than an MPC2000XL, but if you buy at the right price you wont be out of pocket if you later decide to sell.

These are the kind of drum machines I'm thinking of:

SCI Drumtraks, Oberheim DMX/ DX, LinnDrum, Akai XR10, Roland TR X0X, E-mu SP12 basically anything produced between 1980 to 1990 is worth a shot. Some will be 8 bit, some 12 bit and a few will be 16 bit. Once you've played with a drum machine with dope sounds, you'll quickly realise that the samples fail to capture the magic and sound almost 'dry' or 'flat' in comparison. A good example of this is the Roland TR-808. If money is an issue, samples offer a close approximation and not many people can really tell the difference in the mix. I see old drum machines as investments that I can actually play with, they also might force you into learning to think differently about how you go about the task of creating tracks, which is a good thing. Sometimes less is more...

For me the trade off is unmatched... Granted I may loose the analog feel or the limitations defined by that unique drum machine. But for me being able to turn quantization off, and have a real groove, or mix and match kits etc... The ability for expression is just to great IMHO.

But I have a less romantic view of analog machines than most. I like their step sequencers that's about it... for full disclosure I streamline the shit out of my workflow whenever possible, and love just having my MPC and that's it. So my desire to follow that guideline might overwhelm my sense of "what sounds best" sometimes. A big taboo on this forum..

The only time I've been like damn I need the real thing, are those 808 kicks. You cannot fake that shit. Or the 909 for that matter, coming straight out of the machine.. Wow. Even resampled into the bass heavy mpc60 you loose a decent amount of low low end.