MPC 3000 Superior??

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thasyndicate

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People always say the 3000 is superior. I've never actually worked on one or heard\seen it in action (besides the final product that the greats have put on shelves). I want to know why would Akai not follow the same blueprint in making all of their units afterwards? Or do they? Did Roger have exclusive rights to the design or something, if he was working for Akai while designing it I would doubt it. I just find it hard to beleive that Akai would totally scrap the 3000 plans and start from scratch when they started making 2000XL's, 2500, 4000, etc. I would think that a lot of the technology and components are still incorporated in today's units.
 
An MPC is just a concept. The new units still follow that same concept.

Yes, some of the newer ones are more cheaply built, but that's universal with all electronic components these days. If you want the good stuff, you have to pay for it. The MPC2000 was originally introduced as a low-cost alternative to the MPC3000. The MPC4000 is built like a tank just like the 3000.

I have a 3000, and it is very nice, but yes, it is overhyped. No machine is nearly as legendary as its users would have you believe.
 
Big R pretty much got it on point. The 3k was built like a tank with top notch electronics. It will prob last longer than a 2kxl which was made cheaper and you had to add extra stuff like 8 outs and what not. The MPC 4000 was the real replacement for the 3k
 
And you have to understand that there are countless steps that takes place after the beat leaves any machine. Even if DR. DRE burn a CD directly from the 3000 it would sound horrible because it hasn't been mixed or mastered.
 
Okay..

To add on..I agree myself that the 3000 is a little over-hyped. I've worked with the 2000 classic, 3000 and 60, and I find they all have different sound qualities, with the 2000 being the worst of the bunch. The 2000 has this overly mid-rangy 'punchy' type of sound with no low end worth talking about. The 60 has a great low end, but has trouble with crispier sounds like cymbals and hi-hats. You can still freak it though with good EQing. And the 3000 is sort of in between the two. Not quite the low end of the 60, but def. just as good on cymbals as the 2000, but with a better low end than the 2000. I like the 3000 cause you can get some really loud, in-your-face snares with it. The 60 is great for kicks when they gotta bang and 808's that tickle the trunk. If I had to pick, I would roll with a maxed out 60 or 60II of the 3 mentioned here. But I would really miss those 3000 snares..LOL.

I think the 3000 def. stepped the game up in terms of punchier, better sounding hip-hop records. And also, improved on the sound quality of the 60 series. Other than an SP-1200 or Studio 440 (depending on who you talk to) the classic MPC's (60, 3000) have created some of the best drum sounds ever recorded. There's a reason why they are still in use. Gotta love the 4000 for that 24/96 though..only MPC that got that..should have added that to the 2500 and they would have had something.
 
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I was going crazy not long ago trying to choose between a 3k and 4k. I read all the reviews and opinions of others. I used to own a 2kxl and 1k. I prefered the 1k of those two. I went with the 4k because of newer tech and features. No regrets whatso ever!!!! Never used a 3k so I don't know what's true about it. I tried the 2500 at the g center and wasn't impressed. You obviously want opinions and without trying out the 3k I say the 4000 is hands down the dopest one. Atleast for me!!!!!
 
Is the navagation the same for all MPCs?

What I mean is do all MPC series function the same way. (track +/- minus key via the sequence screen. Window key functions / trim and edit setup menus... I have a 1k... but looking into a vintage MPC for a classic sound (60II or 3000)

P.S how does the 2500 compare with the MPC of old?
 
Most of the navagation is the same but each has it's own feel. The 2500 felt like a big 1k to me. What sold me on the 4k was the hard drive, usb, size of machine, cdrw (cdrom), turntable gnd and input, 24bit sampling. It just has all the goodies. I don't think anyone of them can do anything the 4k can't do. Filters and eq can get the sound you want to achieve out of most equiptment. The knowledge is underated, the machines are overated. My gear is like my women. What's inside is what counts but you gotta look good too. That 3000 limited edition turns me on!!!!!
 
What about the speed and processing... since the 500, 1k and two5 are the latest editions to the product line... Is the 4000/3000 just as fast... I remember the triton... the only reason I didn't buy the classic was because of the slow loading time... floppy disk are out of the question... I heard the 3000 using zip disks and suzzy drives... how fast is the 3000 with those? I know the 4000 is the king... but If I can't get it done in the 1k... I use Protools to finish it... but I would prefer a all in one production piece (not the say the 1k isn't) just options for imagation and musical growth...

True about the two5 though... it does feel like a 1k...Built in 8outs, CD/DVD drive, four MIDI out...(all the extra chop shop, timestretch, patch phrase stuff I don't use, I prefer manual chops) but I'm leaning in that direction...
 
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I don't have a problem with the speed on the 4k. I'm about to sell my asr10 because of save and load time/processing time. That's what kept me from the 3k but I don't know. Maybe the scsi hard drives and zip drives are satisfactory. I don't want to invest in scsi drives if I don't have to. If your loading a lot of samples then you gotta wait a second on most machines. If you get a great deal go for the 3k. Other than that move into the future with the 25 or 4k.
 
1k

I bought a 1k when it came out. I'm F-ING impressed with this laptop beat machine. Is the 4k so much better that I should buy one and sell my 1k? Can you put sound library cd's in the cd-rom and snatch samples that way. I know about the 24/96 sampling, and a few more effects and all that jazz. But really what else can it do. I normally make a beat/song then throw it in sonar and finish it up on there. Just wondering.
 
I use a 1k and 4k, If you are content with the 1k then I wouldn't suggesting upgrading. Some features about the 4k I miss. I had a little secret weapon in there that none of the other MPC's have, but what you gain from the flexability of JJ's os is worth keeping it, plus what machine this size can have a 1000 gig hd fit in a backpack. all you gotta do is keep it full with samples and you can make tracks anywhere
 
Yeah that jj os made the 1k a real live monster!! I would recommend it in a heartbeat. I didn't like the blue but that black one is ill. It gotta look the part for me. I had it sitting on my es8 and it felt like I was trying to make a phantom. When I felt the differece after being on the 4k I was like damn. The pads feel like big rubber stumps!!!! Aint afraid to bang em!! Put it in record mode, input souce internal analog, sample off any disc (format willing), with same track fuctions of a cd player! !!!! Can the 25 do that? If you buy the optional cdr drive.
 
I still don't know how to make patches and play them from a midi keyboard. Once I get that it's on 4 sho!! I wonder if they'll ever top this one. I haven't even dug deep and I'm convinced its the baddest ever. I stacked a couple of kicks, filtered alittle, balanced volume ,resampled to one banging kick!!! Same w/snares ,claps, etc......
 
Okay...

But does the 1K or 2500 SOUND better than a 60 or a 3000?? Cats can keep the card reader and 512mb of ram or whatever. I've heard the 2000 and XL and they are aiight. I run Protools myself for tracking and composing so who needs ram and all that. I'd get a Mac Book Pro if I want compact portable power. I'm just sayin cause the price of a 2500 is a good chunk of change you could put into a good tube mic or some quality outboard. Also, swing and all that is played out. Most DAW's give you at least 960 ppq vs. 96. Waaaaay more flexibility than rocking swing percentages and amounts on an MPC sequencer. With Cubase, Logic or Protools you can have variety inside and outside of your 'swing' values. To me Akai is really reeling people in with bells and whistles. Fat sound and more gear or quality plug-ins will do more for your music than MPC 'features'. Seems cats don't evaluate what they spend their money on for the long haul. I'd take an Ibook with Protools M-Powered and an MPC60 or 3000 anyday over a 2500. Capability wise..it's no comparison. And the cost is pretty damn close from what I can tell.
 
The original question was mpc related so I figured more info on the different models would help. I love my 4k. It's missing nothing I want or need out of a drum machine/sampler. The software debate is another story. Dedicated computers do a slew of amazing **** that mpcs' or keyboards can't. If that's the direction were going then skip a mp altogether and go mobile( laptop, mbox, headphones ). As far as mpc superiority, if you make a hit record with pots and pans then they become superior!!!!!
 
I'm just curious about if the 3000 was such a successful and better sounding machine as everyone claims, why wouldn't the 3000 design be the foundation for building their newer model machines. Or is it, and people just dont think they're still designed after the 3000 for some reason.
 
I personally never used a 3k, but it can't sound that much better if any than the rest of them. You got to assume as they sqeeze them into smaller units the parts are also made cheaper. Like the asr, the 3k must have some noticable warm or fat sound. I'll put the 60, 60(2), 3k, 2k, 2kxl, 4k, 2500 on about the same level. The 1k is on they ass!!!!!
 
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