A keeper or not?

What's up everyone,

First of all, I hope I'm in the right place asking this question..

I have a 2000XL for a while now, and after I've gotten my SP-303 (which I also can make tracks on) I kinda feel like the MPC is sort of useless.. (despite it's sequencing that will beat my SP303 anyday) Yet I sense the feeling that I don't know the machine to it's full potential and that I might miss out on some (great?) features if I choose to sell it.

I've done some things like silencing certain parst in samples, timestretching, resampling, chopping, layering sounds, it has velocity pads and such. The basic stuff I suppose.
Are there any other features I might not know of that could make me keep the MPC? Mine has the 8 outs, but I don't have a mixer to use them, and it has no FX board (I can use the SP for that) and I don't use MIDI (maybe I should give that a try?). I don't wanna sell it, but if it's only gonna gather dust I'd rather make someone else happy despite it's classic history and awesome look. (I could stare at it for hours if I wanted to..)

So once again, can it do things I don't know of yet? Or should I just spend more time with it? Or maybe it's just isn't the right machine for me? And oh yeah, I'm aware that it's not some kind of magic box that can do things for me, it's the user.

Thanks for reading in advance and please, convince me to keep the machine!

P.S. Damn, I sound desperate.

I'm not a regular here either, been a while since logging in, but I was going to look for sampling techniques for the 2kxl. I am almost in the same boat as you are but I think you're further along than I. I also have an sp-303 and was what I'd consider "sampling challenged" prior to getting more familiar with sampling with the sp-303. It is so easy to use, I've had this 2kxl hanging around for when I felt more like spending some time with it, and now that I feel more capable on this simple machine (303) I feel I'm ready to look into this 2kxl. Mine doesn't have the 8 outs.. good for you.. I have a feeling that either machine is either improved upon or falls short of expectations depending on the gear you have around it, although I'm pretty sure the 2kxl is more of an all-in-one workstation and it has been said over and over that the sequencing and midi is really an area it excels in. The SP-303 can't even output midi info. The 2kxl blows it away in this category, but I wouldn't be surprised if they potentially complement each other in many ways.

The features are pretty much laid out in the manual. If you don't use it, sell it, theres no shortage of 2000XL's on the market. Get something else you're likely to use or save your money. Everyone will have an opinion, the only one that matters is yours...

modornge wrote:I have a feeling that either machine is either improved upon or falls short of expectations depending on the gear you have around it, although I'm pretty sure the 2kxl is more of an all-in-one workstation and it has been said over and over that the sequencing and midi is really an area it excels in.

Definatly! I think the first part of this quote might be the problem. Though, I dislike combining them both because to me it's such a hassle. Maybe I should stop bitching and being a lazy ass and just get to work.

clint246clint wrote:The features are pretty much laid out in the manual. If you don't use it, sell it, theres no shortage of 2000XL's on the market. Get something else you're likely to use or save your money. Everyone will have an opinion, the only one that matters is yours...

The manual.... of course! I'll look into that, even though I don't have a physical copy but I'm sure there must be a digital one out there.

And I strongly agree with that my opnions is the only one that matters and I'm aware of that. Just looking for some insight.

Thanks for the replies!

they are different tools.. but both samplers.

Thexl is great at sequencing and chopping precise samples... you can really work the samples into a proper times groove..

the sp is an fx powerhouse.. gritty... less precision (technically) than the mpc.


midi is your friend... right now you own both, and you have both in front of you. I think you should not even think of selling the mpc until you at least try sequencing the sp with the mpc. You get the best of both worlds that way.. you can be running the dirty filthy parts in the sp... and locking that onto the beat in the 2000xl... or making sure the samples in the sp trigger appropriately... etc.


You know what I highly suggest doing? There is a member of this forum called arkyve. He has a channel on youtube and I think he even has a video on that topic.. It's worth checking that out.

I just looked at his videos and there's a program that automatically maps the midi on the 2kxl for the sp-303. Unfortunately on Arkyve's link the download is expired. Anyone know of another link to that download? Thanks. I found his vids informative at the very least.

modornge wrote:I just looked at his videos and there's a program that automatically maps the midi on the 2kxl for the sp-303. Unfortunately on Arkyve's link the download is expired. Anyone know of another link to that download? Thanks. I found his vids informative at the very least.

ask arkyve here on the forums..

Just do it manually in the mpc. As in the video you create a new program and change the numbers starting A1 to 36 and then go up numerically for each other pad. Once done name it and save in a Template folder. That easy. Also i would recommend making a similar program starting at 35 so you can control any keyboard.

http://www.akaipro.com/mpc2000xl

you can download the manual from the 'Docs and Downloads' section near the bottom of the page.

I feel that if your not using it much and your comfortable/confident with the 303 then you might as well sell it. Maybe give yourself another month, if its not been touched then sell.

You will find out new things/tricks the more you play or at least ways around them if you can't find a specific formula to achieve whatever task arises. so if your not messing with it then you will not find anything new, where if your using the 303 you will just get more and more into that.


http://soundcloud.com/elemes/stealin-the-night

DJElemes wrote:I feel that if your not using it much and your comfortable/confident with the 303 then you might as well sell it. Maybe give yourself another month, if its not been touched then sell.

You will find out new things/tricks the more you play or at least ways around them if you can't find a specific formula to achieve whatever task arises. so if your not messing with it then you will not find anything new, where if your using the 303 you will just get more and more into that.

The part I made bold is some pretty good advice. Also I definatly agree on the second part of your post. I've read the whole manual and I'm still seeking for a purpose that I could give the MPC.

Once again, thanks for all the replies and giving insight and your opinions. So far it's still in my posession.. I

no worries bro, let us know what you do either way.

http://soundcloud.com/elemes