I have a few questions before buying.

I have a chance to get a MPC2000 to try sampling and to use as sequencer for the rest of my hardware. I have a few questions. Should go for this or a new MPC1000.

To record from vinyl to the MPC 2000 can I plug the deck straight into the record in sockets or does it need to go through a mixer first to get the level right?
The memory is at 32mb, can this be increased easily and to what max?
Is there a good range of effects on-board?

Should go for this or a new MPC1000.

Thats up to you, it really depends on what you wanna do. the 1k has more functions but the 2k has a more vintage aproach and a sturdier build.

To record from vinyl to the MPC 2000 can I plug the deck straight into the record in sockets or does it need to go through a mixer first to get the level right?

You could, but it would probably not sound as good as when you go through a djmixer/preamp first.

The memory is at 32mb, can this be increased easily and to what max?
Is there a good range of effects on-board?

32mb is max so no needs to worry there (32 is plenty).
Effects ? depends if your 2k has the EB-16 effects expansion. It adds distortion, reverb, echo, delay and a sort of 4 band filter (that dont really filter that good but has a nice wah-wah effect).
It does have a resonant low-pass filter tho.


Since ive never used a 1k im kinda biased, but i'd go for the 2k, but thats just ME.
Depends on what you wanna do with it.

marrelarre wrote:

To record from vinyl to the MPC 2000 can I plug the deck straight into the record in sockets or does it need to go through a mixer first to get the level right?

You could, but it would probably not sound as good as when you go through a djmixer/preamp first.

Sorry, that is what I was getting at, is the input designed to handle the turntable level or did it need a pre-amp.

Thanks

depends on the turntable... if it's a cheaper portable or usb turntable it can probably run directly to the MPC, but a higher-end turntable like a Technics is going to require a phono preamp... so it depends on your turntable.

the key words here are 'phono output' (needs a preamp) or 'line output' (does not need a preamp)

some not 100% accurate advice might be...
if the cables on the turntable have a ground wire (two rca plugs and a wire), it is s phono out.
if the cables on the turntable are red and black, it is a phono out.
if the cables on the turntable are red and white, it could be a line out.
black turntables (80's models) usually are line out.

these are by no means hard truths - more just observations i have made over the years. there will always be exceptions so use at your own risk.

marrelarre wrote:

Should go for this or a new MPC1000.

Thats up to you, it really depends on what you wanna do. the 1k has more functions but the 2k has a more vintage aproach and a sturdier build.

To record from vinyl to the MPC 2000 can I plug the deck straight into the record in sockets or does it need to go through a mixer first to get the level right?

You could, but it would probably not sound as good as when you go through a djmixer/preamp first.

The memory is at 32mb, can this be increased easily and to what max?
Is there a good range of effects on-board?

32mb is max so no needs to worry there (32 is plenty).
Effects ? depends if your 2k has the EB-16 effects expansion. It adds distortion, reverb, echo, delay and a sort of 4 band filter (that dont really filter that good but has a nice wah-wah effect).
It does have a resonant low-pass filter tho.


Since ive never used a 1k im kinda biased, but i'd go for the 2k, but thats just ME.
Depends on what you wanna do with it.

I would agree with marrelarre, but iv'e got the 2kxl an i wouldn't trade it, i'm keepin this until it dies an i hope it doesn't it's a monster, the build on the older machines were solid not like the newer one's, an i might be biased but i love my 2kxl.

I know about the different level, I worked as a sound engineer about 10 years ago. Some guides I saw reading on using the MPC's just say to connect the turntable, no mention of pre-amp/mixer. I think the guide I was reading was not for the 2000.

It'll be a while before I do get anything, bill's to pay! So far I have just being playing with hardware synth's, drum machines and sequencers just as a hobby.

I have posted similar queries in the 1000 section of the forum so I have a bit to think about.

Thanks for the advice.

I'd go with the 2000 personally. And I gotta agree with Wal^^^, the jog on the 2000 is butter.