Need some major help

im new to all this and what i mainly want to do is make my own music and beats - some dancehall/dub-reggae and hip hop. now what i was wondering was would a MPC2000 (XL) be the right thing for me to get to do this or are their cheaper alternatives? and also is a MPC 2000 be all i need to get started with? im new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated. cheers.

If I was just starting I would look for an MPC2000xl studio plus..

i'll look into it thanks

The effects card and 8 out is included in the studio package.
The standard XL doesn't have them.

what i am looking at is a second hand MPC2000XL with expanded memory and a zip drive second hand for quite a nice price, funds wont allow me to get anything else right now. do you think that would keep me going for a little bit until i can add to it? one more thing, can you record your samples that youve got from minidisc and turntable directly into the MPC2000xl? im not sure how that works.

Yeah, that's cool and it will keep you going for a long time.

You need a TT to pre amp to MPC in order to get samples in there.

With the MD just plug up the headphone jack to the MPc, I got a couple of MD players as well..

Many people start out with just that what you stated. So many people I know right now have just an MPC, TT and that's it. They soon afterwards get the effects card and internal 250zip and then they are on a roll..

To answer your question, yes. However keep in mind that this is possible via these means.

1) using a digital/COAXIL line
and
2) using one or both of the MPC 's record in ports (1/4 sized)

As for financial solutions try American Musical Supply. They have some great payment plans. Play your equipment while you're still paying for it.
www.americanmusicalsupply.com

thanks again for the quick responses. you been most helpful. just got a couple more questions.

do you think EB-16 4 channel effects board is worth getting? they useful?
and what is a TT?
cheers

IF you want onboard MPC effects then get the EB16. If you have other effects on your PC or outboard gear then you don't really need it and you can save that money.

I have both, PC effects and EB16. I usually (not always) use the eb16 in conjunction with producing but I use the PC effects for coloring, polishing and mastering..

TT is Turntable..