which mpc is for me?

i'd appreciate some quick help here if you could:

I started learning the basics of beat making on a boss sp 505 about six months ago. As of now this is my only piece of equipment. I think i'm ready to step up to the next level since I can't do anything new with the boss. But I'm so new to the game, I dont even have an idea what the essential components of putting together a complete beat are. Everywhere I look, people say Akai's are the truth. What i'm looking for is advice on a set up that isn't overly complicated but will last me thru the next 2-3 years of beat making. This seemed like the perfect place to ask. Thanks

it all depends on what you want to do. da you want to make samplebased music or with synths? if you go the sample route i would take the 2000XL. it can be used stand alone. but if if you want to incorporate a PC or MAC i would take the 1000 because of the USB and software. if you are new to the game i would not go for the 60 or the 3000, they are killer machines but they have an oldskool style OS wich may be a bit of a hassle to learn as your first MPC. the 4000 in my opinion is way to complex, it has to much features (thats my opinion, some people like a lot of options). i suggest you read alot on all the machines you are interested in. browse the forum, google and read the manuals. know what you are buying.

some links that will get you started:

www.mpc2000xl.com ---> part of www.midicase.com
www.akaipro.com
www.forat.com/service ---> all manuals
www.vintagesynth.com

PS: akai is nice, i love my mpc, but there are other brands that make nice sampler/sequencers. check the "ensoniq EPS16+" "ensoniq ASR"
vintagesynth is a nice site to search for different machines in the same style, just check the internal links at the bottom of the page.

good luck

thanks multiman. anyone else have suggestions?

The best way is to see for yourself. At one point of time I had excess to try the MPC1000, MPC2000XL, MPC3000, and MPC4000. At this studio I used to intern at they had a MPC4000, I liked the way it felt. But the sampler on there's was broke so it was just one big expenive sequencer. I probably would have gotten into it more if it worked all the way. Plus a working MPC4000 cost to much when I was trying to get my MPC. I wished I had the features of a MPC4000, the keygroups and all, I got alot of multisamples + I bet transfering them thru usb would be quick as heck. I tried the MPC1000 2nd, I got it cuz alot of people said it was good with software. At the time, all I was using was software to make beats. My girlfriend's cousin had one so I went over to his house and messed with it. After I got my MPC1000, I got the chance to mess with an MPC2000XL and MPC3000 at the guitar center. I liked the MPC2000XL alot. It made me start wanting one, but I am not trying to get one. I think I should just learn my MPC1000. But the MPC2000XL just felt right. I didn't like the MPC3000, I looked at it and didn't know what the hell to do. Thats messed up cuz I used the MPC1000, MPC2000xl, and MPC4000 before. I never saw a MPC60 in person. Your best bet would be to goto the guitar center and try them out for yourself.

I have never used the MPC1000 but I have programed on the others...Out of those, I found the MPC 60 to be the easiest to use...but of course it has the least features and they are getting harder to come by. The MPC 4k, in my opinion, is without a doubt the best sequencer / sampler I have ever used...It does have a steeper learning curve than the others but you will almost certianly still be using it 10 years down the road.

appreciate that fader-pro. so my next question would be, is the 4000 worth the extra money and time it would take to save that extra money over the 2000? And what kind of recorder would you recommend?

How about MV8000?

i'm not even sure what the mv8000 is. anyone?

Mr. google will help you. Just type "Roland MV8000". Many has choosen that one over MPC4000.

Ok, am I gettin hated by everyone right now? At the end this is mpc-forums