Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By objektivone Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:51 pm
This is completely weird to ask, because I own a 1000 with JJOS, but I love MPCs.
I have always thought the 2000 was such an interesting machine, and I don't mind using an older system and actually like the idea of ZIP discs, etc...

Is there any benefits to a 2000 (or XL) besides its classic quality?

Thanks.
By K-Mello Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:06 pm
objektivone wrote:This is completely weird to ask, because I own a 1000 with JJOS, but I love MPCs.
I have always thought the 2000 was such an interesting machine, and I don't mind using an older system and actually like the idea of ZIP discs, etc...

Is there any benefits to a 2000 (or XL) besides its classic quality?

Thanks.


Heavier. Better strength workout in between working on beats.
By objektivone Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:16 pm
K-Mello wrote:
objektivone wrote:This is completely weird to ask, because I own a 1000 with JJOS, but I love MPCs.
I have always thought the 2000 was such an interesting machine, and I don't mind using an older system and actually like the idea of ZIP discs, etc...

Is there any benefits to a 2000 (or XL) besides its classic quality?

Thanks.


Heavier. Better strength workout in between working on beats.


LOL. Good I can get my weight up then.
By objektivone Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:17 pm
diatonic wrote:Many people have said the jog wheel.


How so? I mean I would buy one just because I love learning different gear all the time and I can cop a 2000 for like $500 or something like that......

Are they pretty durable? And what does repairs run? Because if I buy one used I will def have to get repairs probably? It only runs Akai OS too right?
By K-Mello Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:42 pm
objektivone wrote:
diatonic wrote:Many people have said the jog wheel.


How so? I mean I would buy one just because I love learning different gear all the time and I can cop a 2000 for like $500 or something like that......

Are they pretty durable? And what does repairs run? Because if I buy one used I will def have to get repairs probably? It only runs Akai OS too right?


Built like a tank, almost. I bought my 2k classic used and the only things I've done repair wise are replace the LCD, replace the floppy drive (twice, though the second one was just an aesthetics things - black drive) even though I don't use the floppy, and replaced the power button (previous owner or USPS dropped it on right rear corner). Everything else has been expansions/peripherals - 8outs, EB16 (haven't even used this yet. Caught it cheap on eBay), (external) SCSI card reader. If I can ever find that ROM board for it I'm good.
By objektivone Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:55 pm
K-Mello wrote:
objektivone wrote:
diatonic wrote:Many people have said the jog wheel.


How so? I mean I would buy one just because I love learning different gear all the time and I can cop a 2000 for like $500 or something like that......

Are they pretty durable? And what does repairs run? Because if I buy one used I will def have to get repairs probably? It only runs Akai OS too right?


Built like a tank, almost. I bought my 2k classic used and the only things I've done repair wise are replace the LCD, replace the floppy drive (twice, though the second one was just an aesthetics things - black drive) even though I don't use the floppy, and replaced the power button (previous owner or USPS dropped it on right rear corner). Everything else has been expansions/peripherals - 8outs, EB16 (haven't even used this yet. Caught it cheap on eBay), (external) SCSI card reader. If I can ever find that ROM board for it I'm good.


I don't know a lot about the 2000. I def want the 8 outs, and floppy or ZIP. What is the EB16, and SCSI card reader? And what is the ROM board?

Sorry I just want to know as much as I can if I invest in one. I know I love the classic style and for the price now I would love to own one just to have it even and use it in my studio.
By K-Mello Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:05 pm
objektivone wrote:I don't know a lot about the 2000. I def want the 8 outs, and floppy or ZIP. What is the EB16, and SCSI card reader? And what is the ROM board?

Sorry I just want to know as much as I can if I invest in one. I know I love the classic style and for the price now I would love to own one just to have it even and use it in my studio.


EB16 is the FX board for the 2k/2kXL. SCSI card reader is just a storage device that allows you to use CF cards (and SD cards with mixed results) instead of using floppies (too little storage per disk) or ZIP/Jaz discs (click of death prone, moving parts, no desire to have a ZIP or Jaz drive installed in/attached to my studio PC. I have a combination floppy drive/multi-card reader in my studio PC instead.) The ROM board allows you to boot the OS, and load a limited number of sounds, programs if I understand correctly) from the ROM instead of some storage device. 2kXL has this feature built-in.

But on some real shyt, I don't know that I would bother if I already had a 1000. Feature-list-wise the 1K destroys the 2k/2kXL. I don't know about the difference in sound, durability, etc. The 1K is just too small for me.
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By deck daddy Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:00 pm
I have several friends moving from the 1000 to the XL, and all of them were very happy with the decision.

If you're getting one, you should try to get one with the FX card + 8-out card and a internal storage device like a card reader built in. It's going to be cheaper than buying those parts and installing them yourself, the boards are about $200 each, and a drive can be expensive too if you want quality. And if you never end up using the FX or 8 out boards you can take them out and sell them.

I can't see why you would want to use floppies or Zips, it may seem romantic and charming because they are retro, but they are slow, unreliable and are becoming hard to get and expensive.

Features are really becoming less important to me regarding all equipment, and user friendly products that makes me get good results in a short time with minimum hassle are more important together with sound quality. The XL definitely has a good interface to me, and I wouldn't change that with the features of a newer machine.

Maybe you can try the 2000 out before you buy it? Hook up with somebody near you, maybe someone from this forum.
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By Fung45 Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:47 am
I use the 2000, there are limitations but I don't notice because I just tailor my techniques to fit the machine. Samples always sound great especially if you run them through an EQ or compresor first and the low pass filter sounds warm and nice, the machine just sounds nice period!
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By jigga Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:31 pm
yeah i bought mine for about 1 week!!! 450€

With a brand new display, 8 outs! No scratches, Its like New, One year guarantee ,all Manuals, 2 zip drives,20 zip disks !!

And i love it, But at the first time i thought maybe i switch to a xl......No Way out.....its a classic ;)

The Style is better! And Build solid too!! And of cours it has a Track-Mute ----- Yaaazzuur


Can someone help me out to find that 8MB Flash Rom!! I searched everywhere!!
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By vinyl_junkie_1620 Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:59 pm
Both the XL and Classic are great machines
But please note that the classic doesnt accpet pc WAV files if you want to transfer stuff from your pc to ZIP then MPC...
Also I dont know if you can fit an internal ZIP drive to the classic...But you can with the XL which I find as a plus point especealy if you are on the move all the time..no messy scsci cable and power leads for the thing
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By vinyl_junkie_1620 Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:09 pm
EarlGreenMusic wrote:lol @ built like a tank!

I love my mpc 2000. i'm so glad i didn't choose the 500 instead i've got big phat buttons to bash! yeahhh!


Oh hell yeah and a nice big screen and waveform editing and and and lol
But the 500 has it's use...beeing battery powered and so small
Even better feel wise is the MPC-3000 but I can't afford one of them..