MPC 1000, MPC 2000XL or Ensoniq ASR-10???

I have the blue/red MPC 1K at the moment, I gave it back to the seller to repair the pads. The problem is that the European Akai distibutor does not have the new pads in stock so they will not probably be able to give it back to me repaired in the 30 days limit. That means i'll get my money back and i can choose what will I buy again. I'll have about 1300 Dollars plus some more money to pay for any shipping costs. I pretty liked the mpc 1k but the design of mpc 2000xl is just incredible, i love it. If i would have bought one with a card reader and the optional FX board then the functions would be almost the same for both of them, except the usb, resampling, smaller ram for the 2000xl, normalising missing on the 2k and less outputs on it. I don't care about those too much, except the resampling and the ram. Then there is this almost old school machine ensoniq asr-10 which has got some interesting functions like the automatic sound looper and wider range of effects. The question is, should I buy a new MPC 1000 again, used MPC 2000xl with a card reader, expanded ram and built-in effects or the used ASR-10? I like producing straight from the vinyl, the computer does not play a big part in my music productions. I use it only for getting the drum samples and making bass lines. Thanks for answering

The things you mentioned about the 2kxl can easily be worked around. and theres alot more missing from the 1k on the asr-10.

So if i was you, i would go for the 2kxl-mcd.

But the 1k is more than enough to create quality..

2000xl + asr-10

get the mpc2000xl u will be happy u did


im selling one a mcd for 750$ Plus Ship

The pluses for 2kxl are just the design, four simultaneous effects, the titling screen and the pads. The pluses for 1k are: usb connection, new (guarantee), portability, playing sounds before loading them, two filters and more outputs as standard. So why should I buy it? I tend to agree with all of you, but i don't see any reasonable explanation. thanks for help

i'd pick a machine with a bright future instead of one with a reliable past

i keep it solid

I also play with the idea of buying the 2500, after i found out that the xl does not have mono programs but mute targets only, i don't want it anymore, that was a very used function on my 1k. So i'll propably wait till I've got a bit more money and buy the 2500. I want something bigger and more solid than the mp 1000, the grid edit will be a usable function too, i hope. thanks for more opinions

Quote wrote:I also play with the idea of buying the 2500

you can get a used 2500 for that much on ebay...I seem them go for as low as 1200 used.

...like nym said

Antonym wrote:i'd pick a machine with a bright future instead of one with a reliable past

I've had an asr-10 since 1994. the asr-10 has better effects and easier to loop but parts are hard to come by since it isn't made anymore and you will wear the buttons out. you are limited in storage options to floppy disc, a scsi hard drive( 2 gig limit I think) or a scsi removable drive which will eventual fail. i've had two syquest drives fail that's why i don't use it much. Finally the asr-10's greatest flaw is the sequencer. compared to an mpc it's like comparing the first hyundai to a 2008 Bentley!!! I love the asr-10 or the asr-x but if you get one you still need an mpc with it to have your sequences tight! the two paired together is almost unlimited though since you got a keyboard beast workstation and a drum pad beast!!

so what you are trying to say is, that if i would buy a used asr-10 or asr-x and let's say mpc 1k or 2kxl it would be better than buying a 2.5k? let's say i would do the looping and the sequencing on the asr, what should I do on the mpc then? I am a bit messed up right here. 1k and the asr-10 seem to be the best combo..

Definitely use the mpc for the sequencing. you can use the mpc to trigger the drum sounds if you go with the asr-10. it makes it easier to play drum sounds as opposed to using the keyboard keys on the asr. I find looping easier on the asr plus you have 50 built-in effects in the asr-10 ( not sure on the asr-x). In a fully expanded asr-10 you can record 2 audio tracks into the RAM. resample a sequence while it's playin. etc. etc. the four main drawbacks to me with the asr-10 is:

1. poor sequencer. any mpc is superior
2. can't use a card reader for storage( your choices are limited to floppy drive, external hard drive or external removable disk drive)
3. no drum pads again that's where the mpc steps in
4. hard to obtain parts.

an mpc and a midi keyboard contoller is great.
an mpc and an asr is like havin dirty harry's magnum in one hand and an ak-47 in the other!!!!