First Impressions

Just got the 2500 from Alto Music,

Unit was brand new and in perfect condition. I couldn't wait to take this baby out and look at it.

I put it next to my 4k, wow it’s impressive. The Unit is solid, thin and most of all light weight. Not as big I as thought it would be, you can def put on your lap and start hitting the pads.

I tried out the demos which were kind of wack but who cares.

Stock sounds are fine; you really have to get your sample library into this machine to see what it can do.
I opened up the front to try and install a 2.5 inch hard drive I had laying around.
No good, it was a little too think so I t wouldn’t fit.
That sucks, but no problem.
I loaded up a 256 Meg card with some samples off me V-Synth to check out.
Very nice, very easy. If you’re coming from a 2000 XL or any machine before it you will have no problems adjusting.
The machine is a breeze to use.
I crashed Once when assigning a QLINK filter to a sample and trying to adjust it in real-time. The sample wouldn’t stop playing.
After a reboot I started making sequences and getting to know the 2500.

My first impression is this machines it awesome.
Its not a full featured sampler like the 4k, but it’s an upgrade from anything else out there.

Guys this machine is real nice, I would take a serious look at it if you’re in the market. Its gonna get busy in this fourm real soon.

Thanks.Can't wait till I get my hands on.

If anyone is serious about purchasing the 2500, call Alto music NOW!!!! I spoke to them (again) today and they are expecting 8 next week. 4 of those 8 are already spoken for. I know that I am on the list. Get on the list to get yours soon!!!

I'll put in my first impressions here;

- I'm thrilled at how this things looks, it's more visually appealing than any of its predecessors.

- The things that were missing from the 1k that I needed (which were in all my previous MPC's) are here. 8 outputs, certain sequencer features, etc..

- The chop shop is incredible. It's P-Head's Recycle INSIDE the MPC, which allows for easier functionality than using Recycle with the MPC.

- The layout is (again) the best of all the MPC's put together. Pads are in the center, flip screen, multiple Q Link faders/knobs, etc..

- The pads "feel" more responsive than the 1k. Overall it reminds me a lot of the 2k xl as far as how comfortable it is to use, and how easy it is to navigate.

- All of my PGM's from the 2kxl and the 1k transferred perfectly.

- The OS is closer to the 1k than any other MPC, with the addition of a few features.

For me (emphasis on FOR ME, so you guys don't blow up) this is the near perfect MPC for me. The only thing keeping it from PERFECT is, I feel there could be more intrigation with a computer based DAW, which I'm sure Akai is working on.

My summary;
The MPC2500 is the best of all the MPC's released in the past, and also the best looking. The MPC4k is over-kill, the 2k(xl) is dated, and the 1k is buggy, and too many corners were cut.

Again, these are my opinions.

ok, i'll jump on the bang wagon but on the other side.

True, cosmetically, this is by far the best of the mpc's. better style, size and weight (not too big and not too heavy) if anything the interface is closest to the 1k than any other mpc. i've loaded pgms, seqs and songs made on the 1k with no problem and the other way around from the 2.5k to the 1k. by me having a copy of the new OS for the 1k, i was able to move around the 2.5k pratically with my eyes closed. the new features in the 1k are 97% of the features of the 2.5k with the exception of chop shop and grid edit. dam near every other feature is on the 1k so i had no problems moving around. the thing that i like about the 2.5k is the dedicated number pad, the additional outs and the 2 knobs, oh, and the ability to use a CD. all of which, obviously, are not on the 1k. i agree, the pads on the 2.5k feel real good. the sample engine is the same as on the 1k so i didn't experience any sound quality difference. i can't forget about the color. the way the black looks is tight. (the 1k will have the option soon to purchase the black kit to lace their/our red/blue casing)

so in closing, my first impression of the 2.5k was good but does not warrant me getting rid of my 1k to run get the 2.5k. as i stated in a different thread on the 1k block, i will eventually get the 2.5k to go along with my 1k, (not replacing it) but not now.

Actually, if you have ever used an MPC 1000, 2000, 3000, or even a 60, you will have no problem with using this MPC without a manual. Some of the advanced features can be figured out by just playing with it for awhile.

sparq, go ahead and make the jump and stop stalling You won't really need the 1000 once you have the 2500...because it is light weight and with all the options, it can be self-sufficient/portable

jahrome wrote:Actually, if you have ever used an MPC 1000, 2000, 3000, or even a 60, you will have no problem with using this MPC without a manual. Some of the advanced features can be figured out by just playing with it for awhile.

sparq, go ahead and make the jump and stop stalling You won't really need the 1000 once you have the 2500...because it is light weight and with all the options, it can be self-sufficient/portable

see that's the thing jahrome, i'm already using the new os for the 1000. and the reason i said it's more like if you came from the 1000 to the 2.5k it's a piece of cake cause the interface and function keys are identical. and like i said the features on the 2.5k are the same exact features that are on the new 1k os. (0% learning curve) with the exception of the grid edit and chop shop. i'm not saying that it will not be an easy move to go from the other series of mpc's i'm just saying if you had a 1k, it will be that much easier. but eventually, i will make the jump but when i do, i'm taking the 1k with me. i am not giving that up.

I have used an MPC 2000, 2000XL, and 3000 extensively for quite some time now. When I got the MPC 2500, I only had a Japanese manual. It was a piece of cake to use. All the MENUs are self-explanatory. Besides the new functions, this MPC performs the same way the older MPCs do. Theres really nothing difficult at all about it. Anyone that has opwned any MPC will be up and running within minutes.

It reallly doesn't matter if Akai put the MENUS on dedicated keys (like the MPC 3000) or in combination w/ the number keys (like the 2000) or on the pads (like the 1000/2500), its a seemless jump either way. If you know one MPC, you basically know them all (the MPC 4000 being the exception).