MPC2000 and 2000xl are fat especially for drums but after seeing what can be put into the tiny 1000 I am wanting more and personally I want the option of 24bit and 96khz. Akai have the Z series with these samplers so hopefully they will use this technolgy for the new mpc. I need to travel and the 4000 is just too big, especially if you are going overseas. I love my MPC2000xl and the 1000 doesn't have enough to convert me to it, but it definitely leads me to believe there can be significant improvements to a 2000xl. 24bit is standard in computer soundcards these days as is 96khz and the difference is significant. The choice of having it gives the producer more power. To me everything is about the sound and second is the interface. I have a laptop and going to use it in conjunction with the MPD16 pads. Akai need to bring out a Midrange priced MPC with these specs or they will lose people most notably perspective customers. The MPC interface is legendary and the 2000 and 2000xl will always have their place but it aint cutting edge and that is where the world is at. Hendrix once said, when asked by Johnny Carson, where music will be in the future he said it will all be electronic man. The audience laughed.
By no means whatsoever am I claiming to be Hendrix but I am merely using the master to make a point, 16bit is the past, it will always have its palce as does 12 bit but it is time AKAI moved on. Akai are still dishing up new 2000's. They need to get with it and be in the now like they once were or they are going to get left behind. I could go on and on about this talking all the angles but I shouldn't.
This is my basic hope on another thread:
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=7701
Go there if you are interested in getting this cool company to give something fresh not old, ie MPC1000 aka The Emperors New Clothes