What MPC, 1000, 2500 or 4000

Hello,

I've decided that I wanna get an MPC. I have always had it in mind since I started producing music, but thought I'd try the cheaper option. Since I started making music 2 years ago I have used Logic and midi controllers (keyboard, akai mpd26), but I don't prefer working on computer. I copped a Maschine, used it for a year, and now im trying to sell it because I wanna be able to make music without having to be connected to my computer. I'll only use Logic to record vocals and mix. Im really in love with that "producing with only hardware and to hell with computer screen and mouse".

I have 1000, 2500 and 4000 in mind.

1000 - I'd get jjos, and its good cause im on budget.

2500 - I'll get jjos, considering this one cause it has normal pad size and tilt screen. But I could also cop the xl lcd from mpcstuff for the 1000 or whatever.

4000 - After reading alot around this forum it seems like 4000 is the biggest maschine of the mp series? Or atleast a great buy. Correct me if I got the wrong picture.

Any other suggestions would be happily accepted.

I don't know if this has anything of importance to the post. But I might get a workstation in the future.

I want an MPC that will take me a long ass way, and the music thing is something that im shooting for. Im on a budget, but patience is a virtue.. I'll save more if I have to.

Thanks

Kgosi

If your on a budget, then the 1000 will be great for you, i saw one last week for 250$, this is probably the best time to cop one, i normally see them in the 275 to 550,675 range,here is one example.........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Akai-MPC-1000-/ ... 5af273cfda

With JJ its a blast to use, its like a different machine compared to the regular akai os

As far the 2500, the bigger pads & tilt screen are a plus, more out's, bigger q-links, Etc. With JJ tho the 2500 & 1000 are pretty much the same-thing except, of course the things i mentioned.

Now as far the 4000, that a completely different monster, it would take to much time to type everything to explain. I have a 1000 with JJxl & a 4g, so i can say this

Go on You-tube, do alittle research on-line and see what your needs are & what you can afford

^Yes to all of that.

Staring at all 3. You win on any of them.

If you can deal with the large size the 4k is the one that will give you the most to explore over an extended ownership. And don't believe the old stories of it being difficult to use it really isn't. It just had so much people were thrown off compared to earlier models.

It did take a couple OS revision to solidify it, but for a 11 year old machine a 4k is pretty impressive right to this day.

As picalo32 brought up JJOSXL is the savior for the other two machines. All three are powerful and size, budget and whether you'd those deeper 4k features are the deciding factors. So again even if you flipped a coin you win all 3 times.

I don't know where on earth you are, but right now is a good time to grab a 'cheap' MPC4000 if you can find any. While the MPC1000/2500 are both capable machines, the MPC4000 (The Beast from the East) is on another level. It is the true hybrid MPC, and comes into its own when you plug the USB to a computer and dive into Aksys control software. You decide whether to use the computer or not and benefit from in depth editing, drag and drop, pad editor, program editor, large colour screen, software audio editor, rich graphical displays and more.

Right now the price difference between a good spec MPC2500 and a standard MPC4000 is minimal and for the extra benefits you get , well worth the money.

Clint I want one or two more 4k's just to guarantee I can still rock one in my 50's and 60's. I'm dead serious.

Clint wrote:I don't know where on earth you are, but right now is a good time to grab a 'cheap' MPC4000 if you can find any. While the MPC1000/2500 are both capable machines, the MPC4000 (The Beast from the East) is on another level. It is the true hybrid MPC, and comes into its own when you plug the USB to a computer and dive into Aksys control software. You decide whether to use the computer or not and benefit from in depth editing, drag and drop, pad editor, program editor, large colour screen, software audio editor, rich graphical displays and more.

Right now the price difference between a good spec MPC2500 and a standard MPC4000 is minimal and for the extra benefits you get , well worth the money.

How much is a normal price for the 4k? I mostly see them around 1ooo usd on ebay and 1350 usd on mpcstuff.

That aksys control software, if I got it right I can use it to f. example transfer samples back ad forth from my mac to the 4k, and also edit programs?

Correct on AkSys, but you need an older 32 bit Windows box or on OS X a virtual machine running older Windows or OS 9 for full stability, there are many threads here on that. If it's a real Window 98/XP box you can get them for $25 in want ads or Craigslist if you're in the US.

4000's without the expansions boards (the extra outs are the draw there) are changing hands for as low as $600-$700 if you catch the right seller. If you go a grand or over that should net you minty fully loaded ones.

Clint is dead on. They have never been cheaper and are built like a tank.

The blue units are more likely to be maxed, have a quieter fan and have less wear on them generally as those were the last ones manufactured.

If you aren't already using his page, MPC Hunter (a very knowledgeable guy who pops in here occasionally and drops excellent help) aggregates all the listings so it's a very handy resource.

...if you want stand alone production skills at it's best, there's no way around jjos....

so the 4000 is out....no jjos and way too big...no nukai mpc but from last century...
and you need all the expansions for full benefit....and long gone os versions to backup externally.....and hard to repair....what a hussel....

the 1000 is just like a 2500...just smaller and with "only" two midi pairs and four add on single outputs.....

but not too small.....even the smaller pads are really good...in fact i like them in the thick mpc stuff version even more than the big originals....

and easy to backup with any computer...
and the cf cards are simply the best storage system for machines like this, ever....

the tilt screen is a fragile thing......

if you get a black screen for the 1000 you can read it from all angles...

the x tra tilt screen kills all portability......and thats whats it all about with the 1000....

a headphone and the 1000......and you can take it anywhere....easily....

changing places is the best cure against writing blocks......

and you can fly with it to any gig....

no doubt, my 1000 is the best of all mpcs i've touched....
and it's easy to get and easy to pay....so cheap these days that you can pimp it to max with a smile....

reeloy wrote:...if you want stand alone production skills at it's best, there's no way around jjos....

so the 4000 is out....no jjos and way too big...no nukai mpc but from last century...
and you need all the expansions for full benefit....and long gone os versions to backup externally.....and hard to repair....what a hussel....

One of the crazier things I've ever read on this site.

go for the 4000. i have a 2500 jj os and always felt like using a 4000. the timing makes the diff in my opinion, it's extremely tight, effects are better, bigger screen, etc

there are a lot to it, it loads 24 bit files its basically copy paste on hard drive. with the 2500 you ll have to convert everything to max 16 bit

take the 4000 man but make sure you have free room for it and other gear you may get

Clear a big space on your desk, sit down, and be amazed by the versatility. But you can't go wrong with the 2500 or 1000, so just do you and stick to what your budget allows.

I want a Ferrari but a Ford will still get me from A to B.

If size/portability isn't a factor disregard everything reeloy said about the 4000, just totally unfounded, nothing personal reeloy.

But everything he said about the 1000/2500/JJ-XL, absolutely true.

2500 vs. 4k is like a photo finish race. The 4k has some deeper sampling features and the larger screen, 2500 had over 90% of the 4k's features courtesy of JJ but it diverges when you get to the 4k's advanced keygroup sampler features.

And also fact it's one of maybe 2 or 3 hardware samplers that could do 24 bit 96khz, and that kind of headroom digitally can work for you in both directions, either really pristine or down and grimy. All other MPC's top out 16 bit 44khz (60 is 12bit)

It's a misconception that the 4k cannot sound thick and dirty too.

But the general opinion here is all 3 rock so long as JJ is in the newer ones. So you're happy no matter what you do.

...touche touche....in fact, the 4000 is the only one i never got my hands on....
so what do i know....

and true.....the 4000 is the finest, and very last sampling engine by original akai...
and hey, that's where all the cult comes from......

but there's nothing wrong with timing of nukai.....that timing grid is way enough to get the groove....

and the 4000 is harder and more expensive to repair...fact.

and they all need service from time to time....

and if you can't get it done with a 1000, you won't get there with a 4000 either....

reeloy wrote:and the 4000 is harder and more expensive to repair...fact.

TRUTH. This is why my 4k is currently sitting on a shelf.
Some parts can only be sourced either by another machine, or sending it to a place like Forat or VST Services. They have a good stockpile of parts, but they make their money off of repairs, so understandably they only allow you to send it in, not sell certain hard to find parts by themselves. I think it cost me like $200 plus shipping (another $100 to cali) to just get a ribbon cable for my screen. I couldn't find one like it from any computer source places....new or old stock. Now my screen has lines and needs to be replaced.

Thanks for all the replies. I have been leaning towards the 4k but the only thing keeping me from it right now is because of its age, therefore harder to get repairs or parts. I have watched a lot of videos about it and I like alot of the things it offers, but 1k and 2500 seems easier to get repaired.