Pads of 2000xl vs. 2500. . .

Hi. I feel a total difference between the pads of the 2kxl and the 2500/1000. I think they are much stiffer and solid. They dont have the soft and bouncy feel of the 2kxl. Does anyone else agree with me? I want to buy a 2500 becasue i need more memory when i go on stage with my tracks but im not impressed with the pads.

Any feedback/advice would be much appreciated?

Thanks, Ben

i moved from the 2000xl to the 2500 and have no problem with the pads, they feel the same to me.

the 1000 on the other hand, those pads suck.

apparently there are 3 differences in the 2000/2500 pads. each is very technical. that being said, the 2500 pads are PLENTY adequate for live use, as demonstrated by Jel in many converts/youtube videos.

1 - no separate CPU for the pads themselves (instead, the 2500 presumably has dedicated A/D converters PER PAD, unlike the mpc1000, which has 8 A/D converters per pad)
2 - different rubber used in the mold
3 - a less solid frame in the 2500, prone to bending/causing the ghost note issue in the 2500

however, they both use Interlink Electronic FSRs, UNLIKE the mpc1000.

so how is the new compound? light gray pads seem to cost alot less than the og dark gray pads. if theyre softer, i might give them a shot tho.

Antonym wrote:2 - different rubber used in the mold

i prefer vytaflex 20 to any mpc rubber i've seen
vytaflex is almost too soft, but if you let it cure long enough before actually using it it holds up well. shows wear faster but feels better when playing them.

as for cheapness, without a doubt Akai has used cheaper rubber in the newer models. come on, i mean...it's contemporary Akai. if they were building a human being, they'd make the skeleton out of styrofoam and call it a day.

when i saw the price difference, i thought vst or akai had overstocked the pads, but didn't look into it as deeply as you. unless i go for some wild color, i doubt, ill be replacing the pads anytime soon. i dont really mind the hardness, but the 60 pads are really sensitive, so softer pads might help. i have a new sensor sheet, but i think the 60s are naturally sensitive, whereas my 3k required a rubber mallet to play with.

Antonym wrote:...as demonstrated by Jel in many converts/youtube videos.

I'm pretty sure Jel is using the blue 2000xl not the 2500.

maybe i miss looked, i'm not gonna say "i'm sure"
but i thought i saw a 2500 in one video with a middle eastern sounding violin sample.

correction, maybe wrong - http://youtube.com/watch?v=zk2KM22sbKA

dont see a 2500 anywhere in the video

Mike Feedback wrote:the 1000 on the other hand, those pads suck.

Word the !@#$ up!

If i used a 1000/2500 could i use the pads of the 2000xl to control the pads on the 1000/2500? This includes track muting etc. . .

Im trying to find a work around. What do you all think?

Thanks again, Ben