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I'm sort of leaning towards the 2000/2000xl but not quite sure. I'm drawn to a more standalone unit, not something closer to a mere midi controller.

Don't know much, I had a MPC1000. Sounds were pretty awesome in it, they had a ton of punch to them. Felt like I was screwing around with a computer running DOS when using it, cumbersome and tedious. Replaced with a Maschine (midi controller/software thingy) that was super super easy to use and powerful without being overwhelming but annoying in its own ways (constant software bugs, reinstallations that took ages, constant registration issues).

I own a 2000xl, and I've always found it to be a fairly intuitive breeze to use. I've never used any of the more modern units (I hear complaints regarding them being cumbersome more often than not it seems), so I don't know if the interface has been kludged in the more recent stuff, or if I am coming from a background of truly stubborn old drum machines and simply no longer notice.

Tried the mpc1000 and was instantly angry/frustrated with it. I got a Yamaha su700 instead and like it much better. Still don't use it much though. (I put it in a box and kind of forgot about it now...remodeling haha).

Rustywire knows a ton of MPC stuff. I think he preferred the 2000 and older units (mpc60?).

ST got rid of his mpc1000 quick too for the same reasons I did...it was just annoying and not fun.

I have an mpc1000. I really like it. I got it used, when some of the midi mpc units were coming out and I didn't want to have to use a laptop.

My friend got a maschine and I was jealous at first but then it started bugging out.

The mpc1000 can do a lot, especially with the JJOS. It really comes alive when paired with a KP3 too. My biggest beef with it is that it's tedious to navigate everything with directional arrows and a wheel. Yesterday I saw that they have an MPC touch now, but it's probably not a standalone unit.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the 2000 level.

if u want more modern, 1000 w/ jj is by far the way to go. everything is much faster than even the 2000's and there are many more sound shaping options.

XL over 2000 classic. i'm pretty sure you need a boot disk everytime for the classic.

2000 is a nice in median between the older units (60/3000) and the more modern ones (1000, 2500, 5000) and i think the price is pretty low on them in comparison to ~10 years ago.

get a 60/3000 if u want the sound and nostalgia.

also don't sleep on the lil 500 if u can get by w/ 12 pads and don't care about the slicing features. its the only mpc that is battery powered too.

all in all, theres a lot you can say about each model. they are all a lil different, have a different sound & vibe & workflow.

lordgalvar wrote:Tried the mpc1000 and was instantly angry/frustrated with it. I got a Yamaha su700 instead and like it much better. Still don't use it much though. (I put it in a box and kind of forgot about it now...remodeling haha).

Rustywire knows a ton of MPC stuff. I think he preferred the 2000 and older units (mpc60?).

ST got rid of his mpc1000 quick too for the same reasons I did...it was just annoying and not fun.

cats sleep on the SU700. even the smaller models too!

ipad+controller>mpc.

I use a 500 b/c I got one stupid cheap ( like just under $100 ) . I don't miss the slicer feature, it is easy to do with the extract function. The pads and RAM needed to be upgraded but that is cheap fix from MPCstuff or Ebay. I would probably pop for a 1000 if a food deal came up.

Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:if u want more modern, 1000 w/ jj is by far the way to go. everything is much faster than even the 2000's and there are many more sound shaping options.

XL over 2000 classic. i'm pretty sure you need a boot disk everytime for the classic.

2000 is a nice in median between the older units (60/3000) and the more modern ones (1000, 2500, 5000) and i think the price is pretty low on them in comparison to ~10 years ago.

get a 60/3000 if u want the sound and nostalgia.

also don't sleep on the lil 500 if u can get by w/ 12 pads and don't care about the slicing features. its the only mpc that is battery powered too.

all in all, theres a lot you can say about each model. they are all a lil different, have a different sound & vibe & workflow.

This is a solid reply.

As for the 60/3000... 60 has THE SOUND for drums & golden era hiphop, acid house & jungle in general. 3000 is more hifi but still can get close to the 60's vibe with sample-rate reduction. They both have the best overall build quality [Linn is a legend] best converters & rock solid timing, even with midi thru [might need to tweak buffer in the menu]

Last year I left my 60mk1 running for 2 months straight. No lag right up til the end. It was still largely cool to the touch, even over the heatsink & vents.
FWIW I use voltage regulator & had UPS otherwise I wouldn't advise adopting such a practice.
Anyway...

If I were to rank MPC models in terms of personal fav:
60 [mk1 or 2]
3000
2000xl
2000
4000
Renaissance
5000
2500
500
1000

But they're all good for something and can function as a very capable electronic cornerstone.

Thanks, definitely some of the info I was hoping for. I'd say 2000xl is top contender still, I'd certainly prefer a 60/3000 but the 2000xl's are like less than half the price, far more realistic for me. I'd certainly like a more retro sound.

If you want the old 12 bit sound you can add an old outboard rack sampler and trigger it via MIDI, though that's eating space. The S-900 takes 3U of deep rack and weighs like 30 pounds, but sonically it's enjoyable.

Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:XL over 2000 classic. i'm pretty sure you need a boot disk everytime for the classic.

I'd forgotten about that. I spent a summer with a MPC 2000 in '99 and it did indeed require manual load of the OS every time you turned it on. Only thing I missed was the two piece scroll wheel.

2000XL + S900 is an outstanding combination, probably best bang for the buck if you want a setup capable of coloring everything (900) but also able to pull off neutral red book audio cd standard (2kxl).
I went the 60+950 route a few years apart, when prices were a bit lower...but also it was fortunate timing and both have fairly dim backlit displays...but they're readable and with a small desktop lamp it's a nonissue. Bargains can be had if you score one that *needs some tlc but fully functional!* and/or get lucky.
Part of me regrets not saving for an sp1200 when they were still under $2k in 2012. IDK wtf happened (probably Kanye tweeting a pic of one he used on Life of Pablo) but now they're 4500-6000
For those kind of monies I'd rather buy another mpc60 and s950 plus a real Pultec EQP 1a3 (filter chip shmilter chip!) ...and still have enough leftover for a weekend getaway

I'll chime in just to add to what others have hinted at: don't my a Maschine. They suck. Clunky, not intuitive, bad software (improved in revisions but still sucky), and most importantly/lamely: requires a computer.

If you're considering the controller route, maybe just get something like a Beatstep Pro. Sure it's simpler than a Machine, but it's much more fun and easy to use, is cheaper, and can control hardware.

All that said, you should still get an MPC

What sort of controller would you recommend for a S900 or the like?