Is a MPC 2000 worth $350?

[contakt321]

Maschine is a good steer but it has the same annoying problem that Live has that the MPC cures, latency. one could say the same about an MPD, it's a good MPC replacement (it's MPC pads with Live's brain) but there's still that annoying latency which really blows when making beats.

the 2000 is an interesting idea but you'll be starting off life with the thing with limitations, the SCSI, the drives the bulk. if you want an MPC, look for 1000 series you can get them for like $500 used. there won't be any compromises with the tank sized archaic 2000.

MPCs are fun but they are their own thing. you can't just walk up to it and start slicing beats, you have to learn it, read the manual, go through tutorials and practice. this is time spent you could be improving your Live skills.

be aware that some units have flaky pads, so try it before you buy it.

I think this is spot on advice.

[contakt321]

Thanks Everyone!!! I always wanted an MPC, I'm not so good at making hiphop, so I won't be sampling really long samples. I just have this side industrial project That I want to make with hardware only. My JP-8000, Electribe, ____(sampler), and an Virus Indigo I'm also looking at. I know all about the SCSI zip drive thingys, I used to work at a studio that had one and fucked around with it all the time. It's just fun and I need a piece of gear that's fun, not for work. With my electribe I like to make a simpler more restricted piece. I feel I could have a lot of fun with this thing. Besides I'm gonna get it on a trade in (plus some cash back) for a shitty Roland SH-201(I bought it, played it maybe 8 times, put it back in the box and it's been sitting there since last November.) I went to the store to see what I could get for the keyboard and saw the MPC.

MPC would be good for sequencing hardware and running samples.

PS: MPCs are good for more than hip-hop, techno guys like Octave One used them back in the day as well.

[res308]

Maschine is a good steer but it has the same annoying problem that Live has that the MPC cures, latency. one could say the same about an MPD, it's a good MPC replacement (it's MPC pads with Live's brain) but there's still that annoying latency which really blows when making beats.
.

Hmm, i find it quite the opposite,hardware is normally between 5-11 ms, good soundcards go lower then that. (and if you connect hardware to your soundcard in, thats 2x times latency..for recording that is not playing the pads)
I had a mpc 1000 at one time, great to make beats/ pieces of music on, but when it was time to import into the pc/mac it was latency hell, to get everything lined up properly.
With maschine's drag n drop audio feature, it saves me LOTS of time compared to that way of working.

[starving student]

Maschine is a good steer but it has the same annoying problem that Live has that the MPC cures, latency. one could say the same about an MPD, it's a good MPC replacement (it's MPC pads with Live's brain) but there's still that annoying latency which really blows when making beats.

the 2000 is an interesting idea but you'll be starting off life with the thing with limitations, the SCSI, the drives the bulk. if you want an MPC, look for 1000 series you can get them for like $500 used. there won't be any compromises with the tank sized archaic 2000.

MPCs are fun but they are their own thing. you can't just walk up to it and start slicing beats, you have to learn it, read the manual, go through tutorials and practice. this is time spent you could be improving your Live skills.

be aware that some units have flaky pads, so try it before you buy it.

I think this is spot on advice.

I concur except for the mpcs are too big part, I think that's part of their workflow charm, the mpc 1000s suffer from some weird mysterious phenomena they seem like a great size, compact and powerful but they don't feel as good as the 2000/xl to make beats on, I'm talking about just the feel but if you're making beats that can be an issue, I've learned to adapt to mine but I'm still after a 2000xl or 2500 for that reason.

I wish that the pads were on the right and all of the controls were on the left on the 1000. anyway you can get an xl with outs and maxed out for a pretty good price these days and I'm seeing mpc 1000s all over the place for 350, I wouldn't get a 2000 at this time.

[najrock]

yeah i think it is. the original 2000 is a workhorse... the xl kinda sounds shitty in comparison IMO... the 1000 really sounds pretty bad... i like the sound of the 2500... and i like the 4000 but you have to kinda work to make the drums as punchy as the 2000...

but overall... 350 is a good price.


my take on mpc's is that they are just way more fun to bang on... they sound pretty cool and when playing live you dont have to worry about crashing... haha

for me that is the most important... it is a great dedicated sampler... i use it almost everyday and i have pad controls and all that other crap... alot of the time i am writing midi in ableton using drum racks assigned to the pads and recording the actual output of the mpc... nothing beats drums out of a mpc for me...

so really its all personal... but yes its a good deal and mpc's are really fun... get a 2500 if you dont like waiting for scsi.

[Tone Deft]

the 1000 really sounds pretty bad...

Maschine is a good steer but it has the same annoying problem that Live has that the MPC cures, latency. one could say the same about an MPD, it's a good MPC replacement (it's MPC pads with Live's brain) but there's still that annoying latency which really blows when making beats.
.

Hmm, i find it quite the opposite,hardware is normally between 5-11 ms, good soundcards go lower then that. (and if you connect hardware to your soundcard in, thats 2x times latency..for recording that is not playing the pads)

you're the only person in the history of DAW forums to say that dedicated hardware has more latency than a computer. computers can get low latency.

5-11mS of latency on the MPC? that's a lie.

[contakt321]

the 1000 really sounds pretty bad...

Maschine is a good steer but it has the same annoying problem that Live has that the MPC cures, latency. one could say the same about an MPD, it's a good MPC replacement (it's MPC pads with Live's brain) but there's still that annoying latency which really blows when making beats.
.

Hmm, i find it quite the opposite,hardware is normally between 5-11 ms, good soundcards go lower then that. (and if you connect hardware to your soundcard in, thats 2x times latency..for recording that is not playing the pads)

you're the only person in the history of DAW forums to say that dedicated hardware has more latency than a computer. computers can get low latency.

5-11mS of latency on the MPC? that's a lie.

Agreed. Hardware, specifically the MPC is super tight.

What seems to be the issue on a computer is that the latency fluctuates (my guess would be dependent on what the computer is processing etc).

I tried recording straight sequenced 1/16th from my MPC into into Ableton as midi input (not synced, w/ record quantization off) and the notes were all slightly scattered. Some rushed, some were behind and they amount changed over time (even as short as 2 bars). If they were all late I could deal or all off by a consistent amount, I could deal with that, unfortunately there was no rhyme or reason to this.

[res308]

^ you're the only person in the history of DAW forums to say that dedicated hardware has more latency than a computer. computers can get low latency. <- what do you mean now when you reread the last half of that sentence, mpc's are tighter or soundcards can be just as tight (wich is my opinion)

No you misunderstood me or i didn't make myself clear enough, when RECORDING into a daw you can't argue with the fact that external hardware is latency in + latency out, while a plugin is only latency OUT.
I know playing the pads on a mpc is realy tight, but how many burn their song straight from it instead of tracking it in a daw for finer adjustment, fx tec...

5-11mS of latency on the MPC? that's a lie.[/quote]

When in your seat in front of your monitors, backup 2 meters, you just added 6 millisecs latency to your system, so don't tell me 5-11 ms is not credible.

[Tone Deft]

^ you're the only person in the history of DAW forums to say that dedicated hardware has more latency than a computer. computers can get low latency. <- what do you mean now when you reread the last half of that sentence, mpc's are tighter or soundcards can be just as tight (wich is my opinion)

you can go get a nice $1,000 sound card, run very few tracks with few plug ins at 192kHz sampling rate and get insanely low latency. BUT most people don't spend $1000 on a sound card. when giving advice to a general population of people you can't give advice thinking they all have $1000 sound cards, few do.

No you misunderstood me or i didn't make myself clear enough, when RECORDING into a daw you can't argue with the fact that external hardware is latency in + latency out, while a plugin is only latency OUT.
I know playing the pads on a mpc is realy tight, but how many burn their song straight from it instead of tracking it in a daw for finer adjustment, fx tec...

I'm only talking about writing drum patterns, putting ideas into sound, which platform is the most pleasing to use (low latency.) recording into a DAW is another issue altogether. I bounce to Live then remove time according to my latency checker or do it by site.

When in your seat in front of your monitors, backup 2 meters, you just added 6 millisecs latency to your system, so don't tell me 5 ms is not credible.

yes, we're up to speed with that, it's been posted many times on this forum. I disagree that the MPC has that much latency. 11mS is really small but dedicated hardware need not have that much latency, that's forever in computing time. you can state that all you want but I'd like proof of that. maybe you are right, but IMO that's a long time in terms of hardware. neither of us have actual evidence, so what can we do?


everyone has come across this, bang out a beat on the desk with your hands, then open up Live and play the beat with a drum rack and the latency throws off your timing, feel and groove. use dedicated hardware and it's a no-brainer, turn it on and go.

I acknowledge that computers can be as quick, you just have to throw money at the problem and keep your computer happy.

[v00d00ppl]

look around and wait..try craigslist or the used section of guitarcenter.com

.....i've seen 2000xl's with card readers go for starting at 350.

[aizo]

look around and wait..try craigslist or the used section of guitarcenter.com

.....i've seen 2000xl's with card readers go for starting at 350.

I'm in Japan, Shipping is expensive as fuck for heavy things. Also here in Japan it seems that all instruments cost at least $100 more than anything in the states. There are a few chain music stores here but not enough that things can be super cheap like Guitar Center

[v00d00ppl]

look around and wait..try craigslist or the used section of guitarcenter.com

.....i've seen 2000xl's with card readers go for starting at 350.

I'm in Japan, Shipping is expensive as fuck for heavy things. Also here in Japan it seems that all instruments cost at least $100 more than anything in the states. There are a few chain music stores here but not enough that things can be super cheap like Guitar Center

Then look around the random instrument shops and pawn shops in akihabara district. Pick up the japanese keyboard magazine there are some advertisers on the back that can give you a good deal on either a 2000 or 2000xl. But i would definitely recommend saving up a bit more for the 2000xl in decent condition so you can do the compact flash upgrade and just load the samples from there.

[aizo]

Decided to go ahead and get the classic 2000. Right now the machine is fun and for a relatively easy project. I have a USB floppy drive and loading samples on it is a cinch. I forgot how ridiculously easy this thing is to use and how fast the work flow can be once everything is loaded up. FUCKING KILLER!!! It smells really good too. Like old instruments. i guess that's a good thing considering launchpads will be released in Japan on Wednesday.

I love this thing.

One more thing is that maybe I'm just fooling myself but samples sound so fucking punching on this bitch.

[contakt321]

I love this thing.

One more thing is that maybe I'm just fooling myself but samples sound so fucking punching on this bitch.

Nice one!

I agree, samples do sound compressed and punchy in a pleasing way on the MPC2000, not exactly sure why, but I hear it too.

Pro Tip: Use "Open Window" on the different cursor items on the screen, it opens different sub menus that are really useful (Swing, Track Mutes, etc).

[delicioso]

I agree, samples do sound compressed and punchy in a pleasing way on the MPC2000, not exactly sure why, but I hear it too.

It's because MPCs have the eq and compression turned on in the master by default. Go have a look.