hey-old 200xl user here thinking about 4000.....advice?

i am not a big learning gear type of guy, but am curious about the 4000. any ex-2000xl users in here? fyi-i have been doing records on the xl for years, and know the thing in and out. dont want a 2 month homework assignment, but damn, that piece looks crazy. any experience advice?

lol.

this really rj?

if so, im guilty of being a fan. good luck with your next album

peace

rjd2 wrote:i am not a big learning gear type of guy, but am curious about the 4000. any ex-2000xl users in here? fyi-i have been doing records on the xl for years, and know the thing in and out. dont want a 2 month homework assignment, but damn, that piece looks crazy. any experience advice?

Stupid question but, r u real? No way to tell if your str8, we here in the forums are living on the code of honor here homie...

yea, im really the rjd2 from def jux/soul position, if thats what you mean. the parts guy at akai told me to look at this website about the 4000, so figured id drop in. good or bad, im wondering whats up with that ****. mostly would like to know about:
a: stability of machine

b: how long would the learning process be? like i said, coming from someone who has probably seen more different error screens on an xl than you could possibly imagine............

a. There are a few issues with the OS.To me everything's workin' ok,but many others post some bugs for the latest version (1.50).Although,the previous version (1.45) is better for sure but you can't take the advantages of the new one.Everything else is workin' perfectly.You can load multisampled programs as keygroups,the effects are descent,the sequencer is solid and you can have plenty of ram (512 mb max.) and HD as a storage sollution (80gb HDs workin' perfectly).Editing samples has now many new features than the previous models.

b. I'm feelin' this,cause i was ready to sell my 2kxl something that finally didn't happen.Anyway,learning the mpc4000 is easy if you're a good mpc2000xl user,but there are some things that you must learn about the structure of the machine,because many new "terms" are introduced in this.

My opinion:Buy the 4000 and keep the xl (you can make crazy re-sampling tricks and to have them both synchronized it's the ultimate freedom)

rjd2...if you're all over the 2kxl, then you'll have no prob with the 4k. Plan on a month maybe to learn the new features, many crossover features that will assimilate easily into your brain from the 2kxl...others that will take a clear head and some twisting your brain to get it soaked in. If you're heavily into sampling, the 4k is miles beyond the 2kxl...miles man...and you'll work way faster. The sequencer is lightyears better.

I'm listening to your limelighters right now and it sounds like a fair bit of samples and deff beats..so you'll love the 4K

I'm coming from a 2kxl and have had the 4k for a very short period and I'm completly psyched..it kicks.and the learning has been way easy..like I said just a few hurdles.

The OS is not an issue...small problems Akai will hopefully fix but that you can still get around -

go for it -

Bop

don't forget to cop the MPC 4000 with at least 256 MB or RAM and a 60 GB Hard Drive (maximum is 80 GB)

I like your work by the way

keep the good music goin'

RJ, It’s rumoured Deadringer was made with just an MPC2000xl, were your tracks (after completion) recorded into pro-tools for the mastering, or did you use outboard FX units etc when making the tracks. And did you use a computer for chopping/editing the samples or was it all done in the MPC?
Was the Soul Position album an MPC only product also?

The reason I’m so curious is that I hear track by the like’s of yourself and The Molemen (who are also MPC users) and sometimes find it amazing/unbelievable that your tracks were recorded on the same instrument that my friends and I use, but we hav’nt locked down the art of producing to even a fraction of the level you guys are at. So it sort of give’s us something to aim for, knowing you guys are using the same samplers.
If you could be so kind to answer that would be highly appreciated.

Cheers
DWM

actually used the plain old 2000 for my album-last two years was xl. no computers or nothing.

DONT SWITCH!!! if you aint rjd2, then do what you like... but if you are, you should stick with what youve been using...

the 4000 will be a) a learning curve that you dont want to mess with (as you are right now on the top of your game). b) problems with operating systems, updates, and a whole new (bigger) set up...

im not saying you wont be able to master it, but you should spend your time and money on somethign else and just keep writing the tracks with the set up you have (which sound fine as they are).

if akai wants to give you free sh!t, however, take them for all they are worth...

I agree to a certain extent ...If it aint broke etc...

However, I know a few guys who were MPC 2k/xl masters and they are killing it on the 4k now.

Its like gettin a new car in a way...You know how to drive etc...You were use to the clutch or steering whatever on your old car, blah blah. But......This new car is actually better and with a little gettin use to runs smoother (it consumes petrol a lil better too)

If the opportunity is there to try for a week or two, take it. It'l probably be all your dreams come tru...Especially since you been killing the 2k for so long

Just my opinion.

well, it can also be the other way around...you know, you buy a new car, and everything seems better... faster, more comfortable etc...but it just doesnt feel right.
That thing happened to me when i changed from TR 808 to Machinedrum. the Machinedrum is a Monster, with capabilities beyond comprehension. It just doesnt feel right to me. So i am gonna sell it soon, and get the 808 back.

i am by no means an expert for the MPC4k, so i suggest you check it out for a while, and if it fits with your style of producing, then its okay. If you have to change a lot to get into the groove, better think twice, and give it back to the shop.