Which MPC should I buy?

Hi everyone, I'm new so bare with me if I ask a few dumb questions...

I've been producing old-school style hip hop beats for a few years using Reason 4,
FL Studio and an MPK25 controller.

I've had good results and made some pretty decent beats, but i'm starting to feel very limited in what I want to create and the sound I am looking for is more raw.

I don't know if anyone else feels the same but using components such as Redrum and DR rex on reason for layering samples and drums just sounds kinda.. I don't know.. artificial?

Anyways, its time to get real and buy an MPC, really start making some quality beats and stuff. Which one should I get? Got a budget of around £600.

I've done some research and the MPC 2000XL looks and sounds dope, anyone own/used one before?

sure.. great... have you looked into the different models in your price range and what features they have? because several of the different mpc models can be obtained at that price but the differences in features is quite huge.

Just keep in mind that going from DAWs to the mpc might seem like a step back feature wise...

The problem I had with DAWs is that they are overly complexed, too much micromanagement...

I literally just work with drums, samples and baselines. This seems ideal MPC territory,

With regards to the potential models, the MPC1000 seems pretty decent but I do have a few questions...

1. Does 64-track sequencing mean you can literally have 64 separate sequences stored on the device?

2. How much memory do these things carry? I've seen 1gb memory cards for sale, but 1gb doesn't seem like alot if you have lots of samples on the machine?

3. Can you literally structure a whole song on the MPC or do the various sequences of 8/16 bars have to be organised on a DAW?


Sorry these are silly questions but its actually quite difficult to find an MPC tutorial which explains these things, coming from a strictly DAW background this is a cloudy area for me.

While an XL is a little chunkier on the low end for drums than a 1000 or 2500, it's nothing like the sound of the old 60's and 3000's (Rack mount S-950's too). That crunch is very distinct on those.

But being that it's 2013 it would probably be best to get a 1000 or 2500 as they have more features and having USB for sample transferring is a huge plus.

I have to say though I have all the software you mentioned, and it id very possible to get what is considered "that MPC" sound in the box. It just takes the right samples/instruments and maybe even more importantly good usage of FX and compression to make the sounds knock that little bit harder that is discernible.

I will admit sometimes with hardware it is easier to get that "crunch" due to the sampler having it's own character (like the 60/3000, ASR-10, SP1200 and so on). Sometimes you get a crunchier sound simply because the hardware is outputting to analog 1/4" jacks and a certain amount of pleasant harmonic distortion takes place.

A good thing is an MPC complements Reason and FL quite well. Actually if are new to MPC's it's good you were using FL. FL's pattern/song mode is essentially taken from MPC's. So the workflow would be easier to assimilate as it's similar. Although more limited and focused on a small LCD screen.

An MPC can send MIDI to your FL VST's as well as your Reason rack. You could run them in tandem quite easily, and still have the option to just work on the MPC as a change of pace from the computer. (MPC on the coffee table is good fun. Do your chops and make kits while watching the TV )

Reason can't send MIDI out, so the MPC can only control Reason. Properly synced with MIDI the MPC could control your transport controls in the software and the software can follow the MPC's MIDI clock rather than whatever internal clock your computer or audio interface uses normally. In most cases the MPC clock is tighter unless you have a $800+ interface or another outboard MIDI clocking solution.

You can get a fully maxed 2500 for you budget easily. You might even have over 100GBP left over. (2500's are generally going for $800 USD or less).

But get an MPC because you want variety, only the older ones have that "magic bullet" of a distinct sound and even then it's not a miracle machine.

BTW- do you use Recycle? I have for years chopped in Recycle exactly as I would chop it in hardware samplers. And I feel it's helped to get a more "MPC/hardware" sound as much as the FX and compression techniques I mentioned earlier.

And debauch knows way more than me. Trust that man.

I'm just extra wordy with mine.

Gooner88 wrote:The problem I had with DAWs is that they are overly complexed, too much micromanagement...

I literally just work with drums, samples and baselines. This seems ideal MPC territory,

With regards to the potential models, the MPC1000 seems pretty decent but I do have a few questions...

1. Does 64-track sequencing mean you can literally have 64 separate sequences stored on the device?

2. How much memory do these things carry? I've seen 1gb memory cards for sale, but 1gb doesn't seem like alot if you have lots of samples on the machine?

3. Can you literally structure a whole song on the MPC or do the various sequences of 8/16 bars have to be organised on a DAW?


Sorry these are silly questions but its actually quite difficult to find an MPC tutorial which explains these things, coming from a strictly DAW background this is a cloudy area for me.

That's 64 tracks containing a ton of various sequences, 99 I think. I have never maxed the amount of MIDI events an MPC can run.

128MB on the most recent ones. 32MB on an XL. 512MB on a 4000, 192MB on a 5000. The CF's are just for loading into the limited (x)MB of RAM. I feel you, but even 1GB is a TON of drums, with plenty of room for chopped loops or loops to chop.

Yes song mode allow the whole piece to be done in the MPC. It's the audio track out where you see most people bring the DAW in. There are also MIDI event lists and a step edit mode to tweak done to the nitty gritty.

And don't trip on the questions. You presented them clearly and they are well thought out questions. It's the guys who post things like "I have MPC, I am lost on sample stuff, please help..." that no one wants to answer as they're too vague to know where to begin. Everybody is passionate about beats and enjoys helping newcomers as long as we know what you're asking.

Yeah thats exactly what i'm looking for, that crunchy early-90's sound, hard hitting beats.

Recycle has been the basis of my beats for the past few years and its an excellent tool, but theres just something about those pads, damn the awesomeness that could occur, being able to have the samples in the palm of your hand sounds so cool.

After reading what you guys have said i'm really leaning towards a 1000 or 2500, or even the 2000XL (purely cos the tutorial I watched on youtube was so dope).

Input much appreciated. If you wanna see what kinda beats i'm making on Reason just check my channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e05pblerQoQ

Many thanks!

I'm still gonna say 2500 over XL, although I love my XL. Just a ton more features as well as a paid third party OS that is available (it's available for the 100 as well)

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/mpc2500/

But if it's mainly just drums and a few chops an XL is up to the task. I should also warn that XL's screens notoriously die. They lose lines in the LCD once it starts you can't stop or repair it. The last Akai OEM screen were on eBay, 3 years ago. MPCStuff has a 3rd party replacement they are waiting to re-stock. But it took a decade for someone to sort that LCD replacement stuff out.

Don't forget a Korg padKONTROL can be had for like $100USD used. And Kong is really improved with MPC style pads. Or get an MPC and you can do have it souble as Kong pads or trigger Redrum, MIDI control of all the instruments actually.

Ok, I know this can be a touchy subject, but with regards to sampling from MP3s, would the 2500 or XL be capable of this?

I'm usually a vinyl guy but for those really obscure one's you know.

No you'd have to go in iTunes or a WAV editor and convert the mp3 to a 16 bit 44.1khz wav, which the majority of the file would be empty space as the missing data and frequencies on an mp3 can't be put back.

Some 320kbps rips come out OK, all the more if you ripped it from CD yourself.

Could you chop slices in recycle and import them to the MPC?

It's all I do. Recycle for everything. You can also export the MIDI file for easier recreation of the loop in the MPC. Just be sure to turn the stretch knob to zero or it will loop the decay of the single hits in a mostly bad way.

Chopping on the 2500 is cool though. Even better on JJOSXL. But I do so many at once Recycle is the best thing for me. (In off topic I just linked a ton of sounds if you're interested)

The older Recycle versions had SCSI dumps over a cable straight to an Akai rack sampler which always seemed super sick especially in the 90's.

Ah that sounds decent, Recycle is my go-to sampling tool so thats awesome.

One final question:

What sound file format do the kicks/snares/hats etc need to be in order to import them to the MPC?

So for example, if I use recycle to sample a snare from a track, its a .REX format right? So I just need to convert it to .WAV and load it into the MPC using a memory stick? That seems like the logical way to do it, is that how you do it?

If you have loaded a WAV or AIFF file into Recycle it will default on the save/save as to the REX format. What you do is choose export instead. (The BPM must be entered to export/save remember). It will bring up a box and by default it will be set at 16 bit 44.1khz and have "export with MIDI file" checked off already.

In the save dialogue I copy the name of the loop (already in the box by default) and go right click/new folder and paste the name on the folder just to make it quicker. Then I export all the slices and the MIDI file to the folder.

Those folders end up in Maschine, my iPad, MPC's, and all my DAW programs.

BTW at the top of the Recycle is a selection "export as one sample" you choose this when you want to export a WAV as just a loop with no chops. When unchecked as you can guess it exports all your slices.

When you're actually on Recycle you'lll see all I mentioned in like under a minute as you already use Recycle. I just like to give very precise instructions as a habit.

here is the deal... you want the thumping mpc quality... for this, I never suggest transferring sounds on a memory card to load up in the mpc. This bypasses one of the main features: the analog to digital converters. I really recommend doing it all in the box... for several reasons.

first off.. you could have the audio out from your computer (or computer interface) going right into the mpc sample inputs.. now everything you are hearing through the mpc can easily be recorded by the push of 1 button. you are auditioning a sample in recycle trying to cut off ends etc.. trying to figure where you want the slices or what ever... well you could have pushed record, clicked play loop on recycle and the mpc would have started recording as soon as sound went into the machine.

Then in the trim screen it's like recycle with the waveform.. you make cuts.. you push a button to go to the assign screen and choose what pads you want each cut on.

So, here is the thing..

1) you are recording (sampling) into your sampler... which gives it the entirety of the mpc sound... one of the key reasons you are getting an MPC (it aint just so you look cool having one in youtube videos... right?) You are getting the analog to digital conversion on the sample's way into the mpc, and the digital to analog conversion on the way out (supposing you aren't using the SPDIF outputs on the mpc)

2) no need for conversion of anything.. you dont need to worry about .rex or mp3 files not loading... the sound going into the mpc can be recorded and it's in the right format there and then..

3) no transferring, having to create stacks of libraries taking up your precious CF card space for nothing. You simply keep your sample libraries on the computer... and sample every hit into your machine one by one.. choosing the best drums and the best bass notes for the current job. Use your CF card for saving those projects which will save each sample used in that project and it wont take up space with things you aren't using. This day and age, you have archivists like metatron and arkyve who probably have terabytes of drum samples. There is no point trying to get all that onto memory cards... after you made sure they are the correct file format and all that.

4) with your computer connected to the mpc inputs you can sample notes from vst pluggins... pop up that predator VST and create the perfect bass swell to sample into the mpc. You can also do a bit of tweaking of your sounds before sampling with some of your daw's effects... this may not seem like a thing you wanna do now, but maybe down the road this will be a huge plus.



yes, you could use your mpc to control daws and stuff since it is a midi sequencer... but you mentioned trying to keep it simple or simplifying it from what you currently are doing..... well controlling the daw with the mpc is the opposite IMO. What's the point.. your daw probably has a higher resolution sequencer than any mpc other than the 4000 anyways.

I always recommend the 2000xl... it's a very fun machine to work on. The older ones like the mpc60 are great sounding, but the 2000xl has that perfect balance of features and workflow.. not too much, not too little. In face, the regular 2000 classic too, but getting a cf card reader installed on that model will cost you a fortune... where as you can fit a card reader on the 2000xl for like 2 dollars.

yes, the 2000xl has screen issues.. they get lines and missing pixels similar to the old gameboys... make sure if you get one that the screen has 0 lines, and 0 missing pixels.. when you finally do see one, the rest are coming. But, if you have a nice screen it will be good for years... and by then you will have a backup from mpc stuff... the 2500 and 1000 has jjos, but the build quality of those machines are kind of cheap. The tact switched in the buttons tend to go and stop working... etc.. the 1000 you have to be careful that you get either a newer black model.. or if you get an older black model or the red and blue one... they were released with the original mpc1000 pad design that was faulty and the pads basically dont work for sh!t.. they die out... im talking about the internal sensors under the rubber pads.. the original mpc60 i have still has the original sensors and they still work like it just came out except for the first two pads... they still work great but you have to tap them just slightly harder to get the same sound as the rest. Full level turned on bypasses this issue all together... but on the 1000 with faulty pads you cant do shit if shaolin finger jabbing the pad cant be detected by the machine.

here is what I suggest.... look into the mpc2000xl, the mpc1000, and the mpc2500, and the mpc4000. Forget the other models... check around for good pricing. Look at your options for where to pick one up.. check youtube videos showing tutorials.. you want to see the screen preferably to know what is happening... find out which model really resonates with you. And if you have any questions about an mpc2000xl you want to buy but are unsure if it's a good deal.. you can PM me and ill take a look at the link... if it's a 1000, or a 2500.. ask someone like metatron who really know everything about that model.