Selling MPC 2KXL for MPC4K ... Mistake?

I'm looking to sell my MPC2KXL for an MPC4K. For all the features but most of the AK.SYS. I use pro tools, recycle, reason and a Motif with my XL and its great. I would love to control my MP from my mac....

Does the AK.SYS measure up and do what AKAI says.

I'm using a MAC OSX 10.6. Soon upgrading to panther.

Thanks for the help

The great thing about Ak.sys is that, you can basically turn your MPC into a software module with full control over it from just your pc

Not that you can't link up a 2k via midi, but the 4k takes that even further

If you have to ask if it was a mistake 9 times out of 10 it was, but I've noticed for alot of cats that go from a 2kxl to a 4k they tend to complain, because the 4k is much deeper than a 2kxl

Ak.sys isnt without its flaws, but its great, something to consider if your really interested

I changed from a 2KXL and I haven`t looked back. Biggest improvements were full sampler with great filters, seq edit grid, higher resolution up to 960 ppq, internal storage, sampling while the sequencer is playing and the ease of editing samples with editors on the computer and transferring back thru AK.sys. Resampling rate and edit menus are quicker and faster than the 2KXL. The q-link function is great and hell of fun for live performance and usage in seq automation. The pad mixer and part mixer is excellent also. My only compliant would be that it`s bigger and heavier than my 2KXL which I carried out for live performance. Plus I really had learn new functions that the 2KXL didn`t have put it is worth the time.

all sounds good. Iceberg ... you mention

"Ak.sys isnt without its flaws" please eloborate.

What flaws have you encountered with AK.SYS. Really interested in the pad editor. Does it work the way AKAI says it will.


Thanks for the response gents. Any other comments are appreciated

ya pad editor works good no complaints there

My only real problem with Ak.Sys is it crashes sometimes on large files(typically these are also weirdly named files that I have to rename)(improved alot on the last usb driver, havent crashed yet but then again I havent done massive uploading either)

and the file movement could be a little more flexible, currently if you want to move things inside of the mpc, you have to save to pc, and then resave in the new spot, nothing major really

Only problems I've ran into everything else runs smooth

Man, I was one of the first to switch from the mpc2Kxl to a MPC4K, almost 2 years ago to the day. I had to sell a bunch of stuff (MPC2KXL, ASRX and RM1x) to buy the machine and let me tell you... it was ALL WORTH IT. You will have ZERO regrets.

Even back then when the OS was full of bugs it was still miles beyond the MPC2Kxl and all the gear I sold. Basically, if you have a computer set up with the MPC4K it's probably the best setup one could possibly imagine.
(if you dig hardware sequencing). I found that using the MPC4K as the master sequencer and using VST instruments, my mo-phat, Nord and my sp12 as midi modules/synths was the best setup.

If you can imagine this scenario: take a drum break on the computer use recylce to chop it up and create the Akai program file. Drag and drop that into Ak.sys, it loads up in as a sequence/program on the MPC in a fraction of a second. Screw around in SEQ EDIT to re-program the break. Go to the Drum mixer (new in 1.51 OS -- which is DA SH*T !!!) to add effects or vary the velocity of each pad/part. If there's a specific effect that I want that's not available on the MPC4K, I just go to Ak.sys, click the sample I want ; edit in SoundForge or Wavelab, save it and it's atomatically updated on the MPC4K (via Ak.sys). After the break is nice and unique, screw aroud with the q-link to give it some filter effects. Add my other tracks (synths, pads etc.). Then utimately record into CUbase OR record each sequnece as a loop and drop them into ACID 4 to do some really wicked arrangements (this what I do nowadays -- and save cubase for mixdown/mastering).
All this takes very little time because everything is integrated (thanks to Midi and Ak.sys). You see what I'm sayin? THIS is the beauty of the MPC4k. It's the best machine I have ever owned and with thenew rock solid 1.51 OS, nothing can even come close (hardware wise)

Longwinded but you see my point as to why you will have NO regrets about getting the MPC4k (and you won't either).

Respect!

Thanks fellas . DJ Grinch ... I'm feelin what you are sayin'. I use recycle, pro tools, reason, and a motif with the 2KXL . I want to have the 2KXL more integrated with my software system. "The drag and drop routine" into a hardare sequencer with pads ... oh ya! ... It's all about the harware sequencer. I have all my outputs routed into my pro tools system ... so when I have what I need ... I sync and record the midi and then track vocals/guitar/live bass.

I don't mind creating programs on the 2KXL, but I find myself just triggering motif sounds from the 2KXL pads. I've set up a midi template that matches tracks with devices in the motif's multi-timbre mode ...and off I go. Its fast but I still don't have the quick "I want this sample here" ability when the flow is happening.

I appreciate the details. peace
G

Are most of the bugs fixed in the 4k with the last OS? Is Ak.sys a program that comes with the 4k or do you have to buy it separately. If it has to be bought how much is it roughly?

I've seen the downloads for different OS versions of ak.sys on akai pros website but I'm very confused as to whether it's a program that you have to purchase separaretly from the 4000 or exactly what the deal is. If someone could please answer that'll be great.

you can automate everything except midi volumes and it records the track mutes. shit that all i needed

it's free > you can download the full current Aksys and USB drivers at Akai's site.

the whole deal free, and the old Aksys CdROM comes with the 4K and a disc of their old volume samples.

^^^good deal! can't beat free!

I just won a bid for the 4k on E-bay. I won it for $1875.00, 272 Ram, 60 gig HD. I'm shitting bricks because this puts me in the red. But the 1000 isn't enough for me. I'm thinking the 4000 may be the best standalone unit out there......Hopefully! I really need to sell my 1000 now!

MAKE SURE YOU GET PHONE NUMBERS AND REAL NAMES ALONG WITH THE ADDRESS. PEOPLE PULL SHIT AND THATS ALOT OF MONEY.
AND CHECK WITH INFORMATION (411) TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PHONE NUMBER MATCHES THE ADDRESS.

GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THA FAM

dj_grinch wrote:Man, I was one of the first to switch from the mpc2Kxl to a MPC4K, almost 2 years ago to the day. I had to sell a bunch of stuff (MPC2KXL, ASRX and RM1x) to buy the machine and let me tell you... it was ALL WORTH IT. You will have ZERO regrets.

Even back then when the OS was full of bugs it was still miles beyond the MPC2Kxl and all the gear I sold. Basically, if you have a computer set up with the MPC4K it's probably the best setup one could possibly imagine.
(if you dig hardware sequencing). I found that using the MPC4K as the master sequencer and using VST instruments, my mo-phat, Nord and my sp12 as midi modules/synths was the best setup.

If you can imagine this scenario: take a drum break on the computer use recylce to chop it up and create the Akai program file. Drag and drop that into Ak.sys, it loads up in as a sequence/program on the MPC in a fraction of a second. Screw around in SEQ EDIT to re-program the break. Go to the Drum mixer (new in 1.51 OS -- which is DA SH*T !!!) to add effects or vary the velocity of each pad/part. If there's a specific effect that I want that's not available on the MPC4K, I just go to Ak.sys, click the sample I want ; edit in SoundForge or Wavelab, save it and it's atomatically updated on the MPC4K (via Ak.sys). After the break is nice and unique, screw aroud with the q-link to give it some filter effects. Add my other tracks (synths, pads etc.). Then utimately record into CUbase OR record each sequnece as a loop and drop them into ACID 4 to do some really wicked arrangements (this what I do nowadays -- and save cubase for mixdown/mastering).
All this takes very little time because everything is integrated (thanks to Midi and Ak.sys). You see what I'm sayin? THIS is the beauty of the MPC4k. It's the best machine I have ever owned and with thenew rock solid 1.51 OS, nothing can even come close (hardware wise)

Longwinded but you see my point as to why you will have NO regrets about getting the MPC4k (and you won't either).

Respect!

Actually that takes hella time.

Can't you just use the slice feat. on the 4000 to chop?