MPC3000 - Worthy enough? VS 2500 VS Maschine Studio

Hi folks!

I'm about to cop an MPC3000 and I'm looking for some advice. Some background first:

- I've had an MPC2000XL & an MPC2500
- I've had a Machine MK1 and have now a Maschine Studio

I've recently sold my 2500 and cop the Maschine Studio. Don't get me wrong, is a great machine but I'm a graphic designer and I'm almost all day on the computer. When using Maschine, I try to stick to the controller all the time and never touch the mouse. But even with that mind-set, having to switch on the computer to make music piss me off and a lot of times I spend time doing other computer stuff (mail, ...) even if I initially didn't want to do that. I decided I want to stay away from the computer as much as I can that's why I'm thinking about going MPC again.

I have the possibility here in Spain of copping a 3000 (which are rare here). My all time favourite producer J Dilla + Hi-Tek & other folks use it and I've always ear amazing thinks about the maschine workflow and psychology behind (no graphical interface make you push you musical emotion harder VS seeing thinks). Don't get me wrong, the machine doesn't make a musician so avoid lesson about this please. Some mythology like swing doesnt interest me cause I'm no quantizing.

I'm thinking about copping this MPC3000 (with the CF card installed) and a Moog Sub37 but I love the resampling cappabilities of my 2500 so I'm also thinking about letting drop the 3000 and go for a 2500 or even a 1000

Thanks 4 reading fellas, drop some thoughts please!

Best

G.

Hey hey hey!!! Waiting for some love here!

I went through a similar path, from 2500 -> Maschine -> 2500.

I would go for a 1000 or 2500 because of JJOS, which gives you a lot of options that you might take for granted coming from the Maschine. I've never tried the 3000 but supposedly it's got its own sound, which may or may not be something you want.

Also it'll be easier to find spare parts for the 1000/2500

Thanks for that love!!! More opinions for this hommie pelase!!!

Other than being a classic machine, it might be overkill. 3000 is 16 bit just like the 2500. Only thing is that, the 3000 is only a 1/4 of what the 2500 is.

I'm not sure about the 3000's frequency and that could have effects on the sound but it can be between 22kHz to 44.1kHz. Under the 44.1kHz range, it can give a grimey sound. But if at 44.1kHz, you might as well keep the money, for the 2500 is also at 44.1kHz.

Just my 2 centavos.

The 3K is, in my opinion, the greatest MPC that was made, but it is an old machine with many limitations. Whether or not you should get one I think depends on your workflow & how you like to make music. Judging from your post I think the 2500 might be a better shout (disclaimer: this & the 5k are the only ones I've never used) just based on the capabilities of the machine.

Like I said, the 3k is great & you can do a lot of different styles with it, but you also have to remember it's a very old machine. I love working on old MPCs, but I certainly can't do all of my professional projects on them due to their limitations.

Thanks my friends!

The final goal here is making music without switching on the computer. I'm considering a MPC1000 too, I've found a cheepo one.

Drives me to the 3000:

- Curiosity, I wan to use a Roger Linn machine, I never use one. A lot of people says the 3000 is the best MPC ever made.
- A different workflow, it looks like the 3000 IOS keep you working in certain ways (no graphical interface)
- Sound
- My all time favourite producers used it
- Good resell value.

Drives me off:

- Limitations on FX/resampling capabilities
- Storage limitations, the one I would cop has the SD Card option installed so no floppy discs here tho.
- Price: 1.100 euros (about 1.200$). With that cash I could get a MPC1000 + Teenage enginering OP-1 or a Roland Sp-606 for resampling/FXs

I keep hearing bros, let me know your opinion!

Best

just get the 3k. if you dont like it, sell it and buy a 2500.

More feedback please!

I started on a 2500 and switched to the 3000. I much prefer working on the 3000 but it's far less forgiving. when you get a great sample and chop/sequence it right, the 3000 is the best thing going. But it's easy to spend time chopping samples, only to realize you can't do anything with it and that you've just wasted an hour.

Thanks to the on-board effects/filters/lfo, it's much easier to take a sub-par sample on the 2500 and morph it into something great. You can't do that on the 3k, although having an effects box (I use a sp505) helps. The other thing, if I'm not totally sharp--if I'm tired/high/drunk--then i can't really do much with the 3k. The 2500 is much easier to work with in those states.

Bottom line: the 3000 isn't the practical choice. I use it because I love working with it, listening to it, looking at it, and handling it. i find it inspiring.

Thank u so much for the answer, super worthy!

Anyone else can give this brother an opinion?

Gracias!

Hey man - I have a 3000 here as well as a 1000 w/ JJOS. Since the sound engine and OS is the same from the 1000 to the 2500 I figure this is a relevant comparison. Everyone so far is bang-on about the benefits of each. To me, the 1000 feels and sounds a little like a toy after spending some time on the 3000, which was an expensive no-compromises machine built for professional recording studios in its day and built to last.

That said, once you get deep into the JJOS, the 1000 is almost as flexible as a laptop-ableton setup, so great for more complicated and modern work, as well as great for a live setup (I would never take my 3000 to play live anywhere). I use the 1000 sync'd to the 3000 as an audio track recorder / fx box / keygroup style sampler, with drums and chops coming out of the 3000 which gets me the best of both worlds. I bought the 3000 out of curiosity, but after making my first beat on it fell completely in love. It just sounds and feels so right. If you have ears and an appreciation for classic, well-made things it's a very noticeable difference from the newer MPCs. If you are looking for an all-in-one box (sample/record/mix/bounce), the 1000/2500 jjos setup can't be beat, but if you don't mind using a computer, or some other hardware (secondary sampler / FX boxes / cassette deck etc) and don't mind taking a little longer to put things together, the payoff will be there in the sound and vibe of your work.

Thank you so much 4 your comment man

It looks like the 3000 has definitely some mojo regarding its workflow capabilities. And with this I mean that its limitations can bring benefits too.

Nevertheless, I'm currently more into a 1000 for its size and capabilities. I really value audio tracks and resampling capabilities. My main goal is to stay away from the computer as much as I can and I want to avoid cluttering my workspace with another FX/resampling unit (Sp505 or similar) and a mixer. Comming from a 2500 I think it might be the right way. I also use a 2000XL for about 2 years and found it a little bit limited withouth a computer

Un abrazo and keep commenting if you feel like

Best!

granma wrote:Thank you so much 4 your comment man

It looks like the 3000 has definitely some mojo regarding its workflow capabilities. And with this I mean that its limitations can bring benefits too.

Nevertheless, I'm currently more into a 1000 for its size and capabilities. I really value audio tracks and resampling capabilities. My main goal is to stay away from the computer as much as I can and I want to avoid cluttering my workspace with another FX/resampling unit (Sp505 or similar) and a mixer. Comming from a 2500 I think it might be the right way. I also use a 2000XL for about 2 years and found it a little bit limited withouth a computer

Un abrazo and keep commenting if you feel like

Best!

I also own a 3k and I'm loving it, It has everything I need but I also havent used anything newer than a 2kxl so I havent been spoiled with functionality. However as you've probably figured out you do kinda need a studio mixer to which you can send the 3ks outs to considering it doenst have any EQ in the box.

I have a outboard compressor, a sp303 and a Ensoniq Dp4 (multi-fx unit) so I do have a cluttered workplace. I record it into my computer and mix it there (nothing added tho).

I was like you once and wanted to get rid of the computer but after a while you realize that it just makes mixing so much more simple and effective.

Did I further confuse you or help you?

Thanks 4 the reply! I love to just 2 track my beats and spice them up/master in the computer or a little here and there, but I wont to stay away from computer as much as I can

Thanks hommie!