Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
By Deta!L Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:29 am
I'm just sitting here thinking that I want a larger mixer, a dp4, an SP1200, a bass station, a Juno, a new mic and a new mic pre...so I naturally was thinking of selling off one of my MPC's since I don't need both.

I have a perfectly refurbished S950 so I was leaning towards keeping the 3K and maybe getting an SP1200 then I'd have the best of all worlds...but my 60 is my baby and I could get more for the 3KLE should I sell it, than I would for the 60.

If I keep the 3K I could do the drums in the SP1200, highs in the 3K and some other shit in the S950 haha, or resample stuff from the S950. I don't need the sample time of the 3K but it processes faster and is louder and has filters. BUT, If I go with the 3K I'd be closer in sound to the mpc 2000 heads which is something I don't want

but I really wouldn't be using that many sounds from it (I don't think) which is why I was thinking that I should keep the 60, although the 3K does bass really nicely. I think even if i didn't get the SP, the 3K/950 combo would be ill.

decisions decisions...I would regret selling the 60 I think, because I learned on it and it's in such good shape and the 3K too since it's limited edition


ARGH!

what would you do?

By peezie Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:44 am
thats a tough one. which machine do you use more often now? you should lock one of em for week at a time and see which one you prefer at the end of two weeks. if you HAD to get rid of one for $, youd get more for the 3kle, but it seems redundant to keep the 60 if you plan on using 950 and sp. ju air a lucky mang.
ps: my 911th post!
Last edited by peezie on Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar

By Something Like That Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:00 am
"If I go with the 3K I'd be closer in sound to the mpc 2000 heads which is something I don't want "


first of all, that sh*t is far from true, can't believe you said that. You need to do a side by side comparison. Rethink that homie.


Anyhow, sell the LE and keep the 60. I owned a 3000 for a while and its nice but like the SP1200, the 60 forces creativity out of the user due to its limitations. As you already know, you can do everything on a 60 that could be done on a 3k (especially if you have a s950) its just the process of getting there is a little different. Ultimatly, the decision boils down to what you decide, but I had the same dilema about a year ago and I kept the 60. Even though I already have a SP1200, if I was in your boat I would bypass the emu with the fat stack you'll make off the LE and get some nice rack gear. Like an ill pre-amp, compressor, mixing console and maybe a fresh mic...then you can make all your gear sound better without having an SP, plus you already know you can dither down sounds on the S950. I would sell every piece of gear I have before I got rid of my 60 and just keep a 4 track for recording. Anyhow, the choice is yours, you ain't gone get 5 pennies for that 60 anyhow but that LE could bring you a grip....

By Deta!L Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:35 am
^^^true, that's the way I'm leaning...pick up a dbx 160 for the drums, that dp4 and start stacking up one of those API lunchboxes

By Deta!L Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:36 am
on the 2000 thing I'm just saying it would be 16 bit that's all, gay comment, strike that from the record
User avatar

By c.toon Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:58 pm
I must say though I've recently using 2 mpcs side by side and it is def. a boost to my working process, as I make 2-3 beats at the same time and go from one to the next, stayin vibing.

I was just currently redoing some older beats on the 2kxl and it really sounds like junk (sorry 2k heads....I've been in the 2000 boat for about 5 years :roll: ) compared to the 3k. Eventhough I'm still alot faster on the 2kxl I'd never sell my 3k for anything in the world apart from a fresher 3k perhaps ;)
I guess its a personal thing, but to me the 60 is almost the same as a 3k if you have 12bit on rack or something. Also the 60 doesnt have a filter like you already stated. Sequencing on the 3k is very smooth as you probably know...I've tried almost all mpcs and for me, personally the 3k is IT. I might add a 4k or another 3k to the setup some day as I'm really feeling the double MPC thing right now!

Do what your heart says man,...
DONT get hung on that "im a 60 head for life" thought. The only reason one piece of gear is doper than the next is that YOU might be able to work it better and/or feel an advantage for your technique and style with a certain piece.

P.S.: About the 16bit 3k thing, I know you meant something else, but let me remind you about the 60 vs 3000 vs sp1200 thread. Alot of ppl thought the 3k was a 1200. I know y'all dont like this idea but to me the 3k is the BEST machine for drums. You can get the gritty 12bit sound if you sample it right and you still can get those stupid clean fresh drums on it. You decide, not the machine...

.toon
User avatar

By THE ADVERSARY Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:23 pm
Reality?
Will the money you get for the 60 or the 3k really get you anything that will really make a difference.
Sp's are some of the most dangerous boxes out there, if you start out on them, but as far as knowing other gear then getting an SP, it's just not the same.
You never learn the nature of it because you have a way of thinking based on what you have experienced with other boxes.
That's one of the biggest reasons why the SP fails short to most, they can't learn it because they are already based on methods that the SP won't adhere to.

DP4+ is a nice effects unit but a ASR rack is a better investment since you can use it as a DP of as a sampler.
DP's typically $275-300, ASR rack typically $350-400.

New mixer?
what mixer are you thinknig of?

Mic/Mic pre (hand in hand) again, what are you looking at?

Juno or Bass Station?
Are they really what you want?
Can't say that for the prices they go for that they are really worth it.
Worse thing about a Juno (6/60/106 and even the MKS-50) is that after you start using them you will realize how many times you have heard them in song.

The 60 vs 3k?
They are both a piece of crap.
They are both killer boxes.
In other words the line between the two is pretty minimal. If you like one you like the other, if you dislike one you dislike the other.

The thing about owning multiple MPC's is even if you haven't noticed you actually have a preference between them.
Could be that one is in better condition, could be that some feature on one (like the filters on the 3k) makes you use it more.
Could be something like the arrangement of the buttons, who knows, but you already do.
Getting more for the 3k is getting less if you like the 3k.

Think through your needs and goals more than anything else.



Then after you have done all your planning sell both (60 and 3k) plus the 950 and go with a MPC2500 :lol: :lol: :lol:

(couldn't resist that last part)
User avatar

By Tal Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:29 pm
Ive had both the MPC 60 and 2000. Now im on a 3000 Le. Made the switch because of hardware/malfunction reasons. honestly I love the 3000Le. I love the feel, I love the uniqueness, the sound quality is not as Gritty as a 60 but not ultra clean either. If you want to recreate that early 90's sound I guess go with a sp 1200. I personally would wouldnt get one because of the limitation of it in todays music. Can you still make bangin music on it. Ofcourse.
Again it really depends on where your at musically at where you want to take it. I got caught up in all that shit a while back. had an asr, then a triton pro, etc. Now im just on the 3kle and protools and shit is just fluid. My time at work really takes away from the time I have to make music so when I do I dont want to worry about firing up two samplers, two sound sets,etc. I think your good with what you have to be honest

By Deta!L Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:50 pm
good thoughts yall, thanks. I guess as far as the Juno/bass-station goes you're right...and if I kept the 3K I could do bass on the pads easier than on the 60 (i suppose I'm one of the few with that problem) The mixer I was thinking of either saving for one of the new ones coming out by Toft that will be around 3K or a Tascam M2600MKII...I just need more than 6 ins (preferably 16 at the min) or else I'll have to get a patchbay and that's unknown land for me. I've always wanted an SP for that sound, and everytime I hear one I get jealous. I admit that I really don't need one, and it probably won't help me in anyway besides that so maybe I'll hold off for a while on that. I did have an ASR rack and I don't really want another sampler so the DP remains on the list.

I dunno
User avatar

By switch18 Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:30 pm
Deta!L wrote:good thoughts yall, thanks. I guess as far as the Juno/bass-station goes you're right...and if I kept the 3K I could do bass on the pads easier than on the 60 (i suppose I'm one of the few with that problem) The mixer I was thinking of either saving for one of the new ones coming out by Toft that will be around 3K or a Tascam M2600MKII...I just need more than 6 ins (preferably 16 at the min) or else I'll have to get a patchbay and that's unknown land for me. I've always wanted an SP for that sound, and everytime I hear one I get jealous. I admit that I really don't need one, and it probably won't help me in anyway besides that so maybe I'll hold off for a while on that. I did have an ASR rack and I don't really want another sampler so the DP remains on the list.

I dunno


I don't agree entirely, with previous comments about the Juno & Bass Station. Yes its true sometimes they sound the same. Thats because lazy people dont program synths. If you are getting one of those for presets, dont. If you want to program, and I mean program those are all great synths. I could problably just keep a couple of my synths and get similiar results, but I am synth freak. I spend hours programming sounds & I don't think mine sound anything like what I hear on records. Still, like you said you could play synths off of the MPC pads. Do you do any editing on your computer?

My opinion on the samplers is this... Anyone of those samplers, if used properly can give you great results. If you just had one, you could achieve great results.

I have a Behringer mixer and I think the only thing I lack is a mixer and a nice mic-pre. Someone before said a good mic pre will do you good. I agree. I'd like to get a nice Avalon 737. Thats a 2k investment though. Especially for recording.

The DP is a good choice.
User avatar

By erkl Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:33 pm
i moved from a 60II to a 3k... and im very happy with the decision.

but if u have a mint 60mk1, just keep it youll miss it down the road

when i have a bit more resources ima buy myself a mk1 for keepsake
User avatar

By issues Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:38 pm
keep the 3000le...period

sell the 60...same thing without all the extra sample time...12 bit, too, but ur gonna get an sp1200..

keep the 3000le. damn...i dont even see ur dillemma. 3000le...nuff said
User avatar

By Tal Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:46 pm
issues wrote:keep the 3000le...period

sell the 60...same thing without all the extra sample time...12 bit, too, but ur gonna get an sp1200..

keep the 3000le. damn...i dont even see ur dillemma. 3000le...nuff said


No doubt. I have the 3000Le and honestly I would not sell it for anything. I got attached to the Le. I think they are pretty hard to come by. Shit just looks bad as hell. The sound and feel is second to none in my opinion. Thought I havent messed with a 2500 or 4000. I was losing time on thinkin about shit to get when I shouldve just been hit the beats real hard. thats all u need man.
User avatar

By switch18 Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:51 pm
[/quote] I was losing time on thinkin about **** to get when I shouldve just been hit the beats real hard. thats all u need man.[/quote]


That's perfect. We should all listen to that.
User avatar

By THE ADVERSARY Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:40 pm
Deta!L wrote:good thoughts yall, thanks. I guess as far as the Juno/bass-station goes you're right...and if I kept the 3K I could do bass on the pads easier than on the 60 (i suppose I'm one of the few with that problem) The mixer I was thinking of either saving for one of the new ones coming out by Toft that will be around 3K or a Tascam M2600MKII...I just need more than 6 ins (preferably 16 at the min) or else I'll have to get a patchbay and that's unknown land for me. I've always wanted an SP for that sound, and everytime I hear one I get jealous. I admit that I really don't need one, and it probably won't help me in anyway besides that so maybe I'll hold off for a while on that. I did have an ASR rack and I don't really want another sampler so the DP remains on the list.

I dunno


That's the key right there the more you think about your methods the clearer your view will be.
It's about how you like to or want to work.