wanna buy a mpc2500...some questions.

hi im looking to buy a mpc2500 since my dream is to become a succesfull producer. im just wondering about a few things.

1. is it worth buying a mpc what do u guys think, lots of producers have this as their main until and im realy keen to learn how to sample and on the pc just seems like a drag, kinda like djing on the computer i can never see myself doing that.is it worth the money?

2. would it be beter using the pc with say a mpd 24 and software or is it still best using the mpc when u wanna make beats, i mean u can pretty much buy top of the line pc for the same price?

3. whats a good price for new and whats a good price for a used one, dont wanna get ripped off?

4. im still a newb at all this but is it possible to hook the mpc up to the pc and record directly into the mpc, say for instance if u have a midi keyboard hooked up to ur pc and u use some vsti plugins?

5. are there training videos out for it and if so what would u recommend me so i can learn?

Awkward question!

First question: Do you mean you wanna be a Producer/Beatmaker or Producer/Middleman? ...because the latter doesn't *really* need his own gear (tho it usually makes life easier).

Anyways, assuming you want some musical input - the mpc is a good and reliable start... It's portable, self contained and reasonably flexible but like anything it's only as good as what you put into it.

The MPC is not a magic bullet.


On paper the mpc is arguably *very* much underpowered when compared against a decent pc/software combo but it comes without all the usual pc problems and hassles - you can just get on with making music.

As for lots of producers usings an mpc as their main unit - go take a look at some of the youtube vids or the studio shots on this site... Hope you noticed the often well chosen and/or HUGE amounts of synths/outboard gear/vinyl

It's great to say the mpc is the main unit but once again - it depends what you put into it both in terms of sounds and effort.

Yep you can connect a pc either via analogue or digital and record from another source... you can also transfer samples from pc to mpc and vice versa.

Are you gonna be doing a huge amount of vocal recording? The mpc is capable of decent recording times but is outgunned by the storage space available and flexibility of a half-decent DAW.

If it helps you any I use two powerful pcs within my music setup but mainly use the mpc (loaded with samples), a midi controller keyboard & a synth module to get things started (invariably you'll end up tracking whatever you produced into a DAW anyways).

I find the mpc allows me to get on with what I want to be doing quickly and easily - so probably aids creativity. I power it up - it's ready to go.

Going off on a bit of a tangent the mpc often helps create a better vibe when working with other people - it's not as 'insular' as working with a pc can sometimes be... It's image/status can also help - people see something they recognise as 'industry standard' and have a little more faith in your abilities (whether that's a well founded belief or not!).

my answer to this.
Do you mean you wanna be a Producer/Beatmaker or Producer/Middleman? ...because the latter doesn't *really* need his own gear (tho it usually makes life easier)?

i wanna be a producer/beatmaker. i have been messing about on fl studio for like awhile now,nothing major serious but i realy wanna take it more serious now and get the mpc2500 and just work at it.

Well if the 2500 will inspire you to work at it...

...just be aware of what you lose & gain as it's a bit of a different way of working. Have you spent any time using/testing any of the MPCs in a shop or...?

If you do buy an MPC, Get to know it before you give up on it, What you put into it is what you get out of it. I know a few fools around my city who bought an MPC, but they were so use to BOOTY LOOPS A-K-A Fruity Loops That they ended up getting rid of it, they always regret it! There is a reason that MPC's are INDUSTRY STANDARD!