4k vs other MPC models Personal opinions)

I have worked on almost all the MPC models, but not the 4k. My uncle (who does NO type of music) has one with a busted screen just sitting under his bed collecting dust. I'm thinkin' about buying it from him but I want to gather some personal and public info before I shell out the dough. So, How does the 4k compare to other models such as the 3000 and the 2kXL? I have a 1k w/ JJ.


Thanks guys.

I worked on the newer machines the 1000 and 2500. I love the 2500 and deal with the 1000 (It's quite powerful actually but it "feels" too much like a toy to me) but would prefer to go the 1 keyboard and 1 mpc-type production unit and call it a day.

I'm actually looking for a 4000 as well as I know a few reputable shops that can fix gear.

Let me know if he's selling AS IS.

I believe the MPC4000 is most similar to the S5000/S6000 series but I could be mistaken.

Yes you are mistaken, you egregious loon -
the MPC4000 is most similar to the Z4/Z8 samplers (since it has one inside)

The MPC4000 is the best and most powerful MPC:
tighter MIDI sequence timing by a factor of 100
better quality sample rate & depth
more pad banks, more RAM,
more storage capacity....
what's difficult?

The only downside is that it appears to be too complicated and have too many features for stoopid people who can't RFM to get their head around.

feline1 wrote:
The MPC4000 is the best and most powerful MPC:
tighter MIDI sequence timing by a factor of 100
better quality sample rate & depth
more pad banks, more RAM,
more storage capacity....
what's difficult?

The only downside is that it appears to be too complicated and have too many features for stoopid people who can't RFM to get their head around.

No other MPC compares to it.
It's just more than most need or are willing to deal with.
Do understand as a happy 1k user it may not be what you are looking for.
The best gear changes come from identifying that a piece doesn't meet your needs and moving to something that does, not moving to something that's supposed to be better.
Look at how many users of other MPC's moved to the 4k only too use it (or try to use it ) the same way they used the other MPC's or whine about how it works.
Do some research read the manuals and addendums, see what it does and how it does it then decide.

I can only compare it in depth to the MPC60 - The 60 was so simple, I never botherd to get a manual.......The 4K - I really like it, but I was surprised at how different it is to navigate.....I ocassionally still have to reference the manual when using little used features. It's substantially more powerful yet almost as easy to use once you learn it. Plus there's a few power uses here who are glad to help if the question's not too stupid...I manipulate anything I sample in Sony's "Sound Forge", so there's alot of depth to the machine I only messed with once or twice back when I was learning what it could do......but AK.SYS is yet another advantage to the 4k.....Downsides - There's a bit of a learnig curve and I've decided the FX are almost unusable unless you're very creative (and sparing) but other than that, it's a good tool. European users seem to have the power supply go out on quite a few units, and the 4k is discontinued, so if you're using it to generate income, you might consider having a backup around in a few years. I used to feel secure in that if my machine went down I could "rent" one free for 30 days from Guitar Center.....

Oh yes - And for free you get Feline...who treats every question as a stupid one but when you read between the lines, his answers are usually point on and never fail to entertain...

They should suck me inside the MPC4000 OS, Tron-style, and I can sit in there with that little lady and make sarcastic error messages pop up.....

hehehhe this was nice.

I thank all of you! Great info fellas.
I think @ the very least I might buy it and then fix it up and sell it. Its got a busted display screen. I'll post pix. I got a quote on the fix from VST.
We'll see.

Well just remember if you are willing to understand the 4k you will wonder why you ever bothered with the 1k.

Is the 4k white or blue and what options are installed?

I've never used any other mpc, based on features, the 4000 was the only one that could do what I needed, I like the fact it is a full sampler, not just a phrase sampler, and the amount of memory available, as well as the storage options was a plus, if I were to get an mpc mainly for just phrases and drums, i'd get the 2500, I think it's the next in line, personally, I need the 4 midi outs lol,

I don't have any issues with my 4k, does exactly what I want/need and more, I got mines used for a great price from a friend who barely used it and he bought it brand new, so i feel good about it, only concern is the hard drive, as with anything having a hard drive, it will need to be replaced at some point, but with an external usb drive for backup i'm good

I saw the mv, it's a nice machine, but i'm very happy with my mpc, there are very deep features and i've heard many come from the other mpcs and say it's too deep, this is my first and I just do feel it's that hard to learn, some just don't want to learn it that's all....

they want a " make uh hot beeeet" button

fader-pro wrote:Oh yes - And for free you get Feline...who treats every question as a stupid one but when you read between the lines, his answers are usually point on and never fail to entertain...

not every question, only the stupid ones

nah, feline is a great help

feline1 wrote::lol: They should suck me inside the MPC4000 OS, Tron-style, and I can sit in there with that little lady and make sarcastic error messages pop up.....

feline1 wrote::lol: They should suck me inside the MPC4000 OS, Tron-style, and I can sit in there with that little lady and make sarcastic error messages pop up.....

And call it felines matrix.

the 4k wins because you can exchange samples in real time with a laptop without ever taking the mpc off line, like wise processing samples with effects in peak/soundforge is easy.
I don't believe any other has that seemless integration,

1k nice though as it fits in a laptop bag!
g

YOU'LL NEVER GET A NEW OS. GET A 2500.