want to buy an MPC. lots of pros and cons

Yes,
I'm an Ensoniq user whos EPS has finally died. Looking at an MPC because I love the pads, very confortable and posiitoned well. I've been searching around and I've gotten some mixed feelings about Akai and certain bugs they may have. Can anyone shed a bit of light. My main concern would be with the unit crashing. Would I be better off with a new rather used unit? Any known issues with certain used models? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Lastly, since I'm comfortable with Ensoniq I considered the Ensonic ASR-X, but the pads were far from the feel of the Akai's.

I have used the asr-X and I dont care for it because: the sequencer is a POS to use. Just TERRIBLE.

the MPCs sequencer is actually pretty easy to learn. Most peeps I know just dove right in and used the manual as a reference for looking up stuff, so thats how easy it is, you really dont even need the manual, everything is right there in front of you.

I dont recall hearing too much about MPC's crashing. I get some problems, but when I power down and go back they go away. I'd say the MPC 2000 series is pretty darn solid.

cons
no advanced sampling, multisampling and laying stuff out on the keyboard of your midi controller will be a pain, but it is doable, it just takes a little more work then a tradional sampler as the mpc is mainly a drum sampler. But it can be done and it works quite well.

fliters are ok, nothing exciting.

efx are ok, nothing exciting.

pros

best sequencer ever
midi is rock solid
pads are nice to groove out with
can still use other midi stuff and use the MPC's timing assuring rock solid timing of all devices.

basically if you want to build a studio piece by piece, the MPC 2000 makes an excellent centerpiece to build out from, if you add a second sampler (ESI32 etc), a keyboard and some sound modules, well you got all you need right there.

I had a ASR X Pro when they first came out (before my MPC) and I REALLY didn't like the pads.

I also didn't like the two parameter adjust knobs that you constantly have to play with like ecth a sketch. The sequencer to me was a little confusing and lended to me doing too much looking around for the next menu other than leting my music flow on. I had it for about 3 months before I finally had enough.

I played with a MPC2kxl in Guitar Center and I loved it. I sold my red ASR X Pro and bought a 2kxlse2. Don't hurt your self with those "anvil" like pads and somewhat confusing menus.

If I had to do it all over again and know what I know now I would have gotten the MPC first off. I own an ASR10 and that was the reason for me going into the ASR X Pro in the first place.

As for crashing, my 2kxl has never crashed on me, my friends 2k has never crashed on him, we both have the latest OS's available.

Sometimes new gear has a few bugs that are corrected later on with OS patches/revisions so don't be scared in getting a 2kxl or 4k if you got the loot. Both are good machines.. Happy beat making..

Thanks for the quick info, it's well appreciated. One more question;

1. Does the MPC's sampler have loop position
2. Does the MPC have bi-loop (forward, backwards, foward, backwards, etc.)?
3. How about resampling?
4.What range of sampling frequencies?

The 2kxl doesn't have bi-loop like the ASR series. But you can copy and reverse the copy and place it in the sequence to have the same effect.

2k and 2kxl don't have resampling capability like the ASR10. I used that alot and I wish I still had it. I don't know if the 4k has it or not. You'll have to check the forum or the owners manual for that info.

There is also no range of sampling frequencies.

THanks,
That will get me started. I'm still weighing the MPC-2000 vs MPC-2000xl vs MPC-4000 on wether I really need a built in burner or hard drive. Most likely I'm going to pickup a MPC-2000xl with a built in zip. I'm going to my local ripp off music super stores try play with an MPC this week.

Get 2kxl instead of 2k.. 2kxl is a little more flexible.

4k has had alot of complaints in the forum but maybe all the complaints will be addressed with a new OS version release. If I had to choose I would still get the 4k if I had the loot.. There is a big difference between the 4k and 2kxl.. 4k is way meatier in terms of options and capability..

Look throught the 4k forums also for more specific problems and love hate issues people have with it.

I have a 2kxl w/internal 250. Every since I changed out the floppy my love grows more and more for my MPC. I've also helped a couple of my friends install max RAM and 250 zips. They can't imagine living without ZIP now, neither can I but I still know how to just in case..

safe for the info on this thread nuff helpfull.