And one for the MPC heads...

[ColeRockLee]

Is $250 a good price for a used mpc500? Looks to be in good shape, doens't have the memory expansion. Is the 500 even worth buying at all?

[reignbear]

I'd say it's a good price. seems like it could be a pretty dope little machine, but akai's lack of love is holding it back and it doesn't have JJ to help it out.

[megamaeng]

I always was curious to see how I would get along with either the mpc500 or moreso the xr20 as just a sequencer for an sp. I hate how mpc's load sounds but maybe just triggering the sp and using the sequencer functions, in particular note repeat and appegiator and track mutes, not to mention saving tempo info. The arpegiator could be really interesting since it probably wouldn't be triggering the same sample at a different pitch note, rather individual samples loaded onto the pads of the sp. And running the xr20 sounds through the sp effects would probably make them very usable. I'm sure someone has tried this with other mpc's but I'm curious with these small ones.

Also, we as a group probably aren't too bummed out by the small screen.

[ellaguru]

Is $250 a good price for a used mpc500? Looks to be in good shape, doens't have the memory expansion. Is the 500 even worth buying at all?

good price. take it.
128 memory ram is not expensive indeed.

I always was curious to see how I would get along with either the mpc500 or moreso the xr20 as just a sequencer for an sp. I hate how mpc's load sounds but maybe just triggering the sp and using the sequencer functions, in particular note repeat and appegiator and track mutes, not to mention saving tempo info. The arpegiator could be really interesting since it probably wouldn't be triggering the same sample at a different pitch note, rather individual samples loaded onto the pads of the sp. And running the xr20 sounds through the sp effects would probably make them very usable. I'm sure someone has tried this with other mpc's but I'm curious with these small ones.

what do you mean for arpeggiator? the mpc500 (and the 1000) got one?
anyway the xr20 sequencer is nice. i got it too. i use to sequence some sp303 thing with it: Roll is ok. sensitive pads too (seem like sp606 pads, if you know them).

[PHeMoX]

Is $250 a good price for a used mpc500? Looks to be in good shape, doens't have the memory expansion. Is the 500 even worth buying at all?

I'm not so sure if any price is a good price for an MPC500. :p

There's a couple of reasons why I wouldn't ever want one and would take an MPC1000 over it regardless of price. The pads, the amount of pads, the mediocre build quality, the bugs, the lack of JJ-OS.

The retail price here is 449.00 EUR or 670.660 USD. So 250.00 USD or 167.366 EUR definitely is an excellent deal, but question remains whether you really would want to buy one.

Of course the MPC 1k will be way more expensive, even second hand, but I guess in better economic times many people would have jumped on that MPC500 only to sell it again for more.

[ellaguru]

i had an mpc500 and i sold it after 15 days, but if it isn't your first mpc, it is a good business...i confirm that the pads are very hard to play, and there are many submenus...but it was my first mpc, so...then i bought the 1000...

I always was curious to see how I would get along with either the mpc500 or moreso the xr20 as just a sequencer for an sp. I hate how mpc's load sounds but maybe just triggering the sp and using the sequencer functions, in particular note repeat and appegiator and track mutes, not to mention saving tempo info. The arpegiator could be really interesting since it probably wouldn't be triggering the same sample at a different pitch note, rather individual samples loaded onto the pads of the sp. And running the xr20 sounds through the sp effects would probably make them very usable. I'm sure someone has tried this with other mpc's but I'm curious with these small ones.

retourning to the arpeggiator question....
the JJ OS2XL is a beast...
i looked the youtube examples and frankly the 1000(or the 2500) become almost a pc with this OS...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wML9ohvt6iA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-m-tuRvj0A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTfgwA1qLMM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xpHEAqlH-o&feature=related

[ColeRockLee]

So the general consensus it seems is not to bother with the 500. This would be the first MPC I've ever owned were I to buy it. I'm not looking to buy an MPC specifically just a sampler.

I've been looking to get an SP-505 and it's still high on the list. Just looking at what's available out there. The SPs are great and all but I'm having a hard time getting past the pitch issue, the smartmedia cards (303, 505), the clunky pads (404, 555), and the numerous workarounds. I'm minimalist and only really want one box to do it all. The MV's are outta my range and really way more than I need. The ESX (the smartmedia is the only reason I haven't gotten one of these already), Microsampler, and MPC1k are my top picks atm. I dunno, I'ma just hold on to my money and keep looking. I know nothing is gonna be perfect, I'm just tired tired buying and selling 2 months later.

[PHeMoX]

Yeah, I personally wouldn't bother buying an MPC500.

I think an MPC1000 with JJ-OS might be best for you, but I would also look some more into the SP-505 / SP-606.

Esp. the 606 has awesome pads in my opinion, but you're going to be limited a bit more in the feature area compared to an MPC1000 with a more sophisticated sequencer.

The Korg Microsampler has a good pitch, but it's much less of a sequencer from what I understand.

As for the MV, I understand. But if you're dead serious about making music and willing to invest, I'd recommend them to practically everyone. Beginners or pros alike, it's a great tool for music production.

I hear many people say that they think it will be overkill and I used to think so too, but you're going to grow using them. Once you go MV, you're not going to want to go back.

[fauna]

i was always curious about the 500 cuz of the small footprint, but those pads are relentlessly hard and the sub-menus would drive me crazy.

i had a mpc1k and got rid of it, only to get another one shortly thereafter. now i'm quite happy with it. the reason i initially got rid of it was b/c i was SOOO angry that a box that was so expensive would be so non-intuitive (saving, for one), and require MORE money to make it work ideally (mem upgrade, paid-level JJ).

now i've got it more figgered out and i'm happy with the 1K. but even so, when i wanna just turn on a box and blast, i go to the sp-505. for the 1000, i have to think more about it first.

that's just me, though. there are dudes who feel the same way about the 1000, or 2000xl, or whatevs.

all that to say, i'd take the 1k over the 500. the 1000 is a very powerful machine, but finding a box that is really intuitive FOR YOU may be a bit o' trial and error. you know? i think there's always a trade off (features versus fit, price versus intended use).

[PHeMoX]

i think there's always a trade off (features versus fit, price versus intended use).

Yeah, I also think certain pieces of gear require a serious amount of getting used to before you will be able to use it to it's true potential.

Sometimes it's tempting to sell gear without really giving it a good chance.

[ellaguru]

So the general consensus it seems is not to bother with the 500. This would be the first MPC I've ever owned were I to buy it. I'm not looking to buy an MPC specifically just a sampler.

I've been looking to get an SP-505 and it's still high on the list. Just looking at what's available out there. The SPs are great and all but I'm having a hard time getting past the pitch issue, the smartmedia cards (303, 505), the clunky pads (404, 555), and the numerous workarounds. I'm minimalist and only really want one box to do it all. The MV's are outta my range and really way more than I need. The ESX (the smartmedia is the only reason I haven't gotten one of these already), Microsampler, and MPC1k are my top picks atm. I dunno, I'ma just hold on to my money and keep looking. I know nothing is gonna be perfect, I'm just tired tired buying and selling 2 months later.

if this is your first mpc, i don't advice the 500...really you could lost yourself in the submenus...this is a good sampler when you know other mpc models (they all have a big and graphical Lcd...)...the same consideration is for the pads: really too strong...

personal advice: take the 505, is a beastttttt!!!!!!!!
seriuosly, if you aren't interested to not save in .wav format, this sampler is really a good choice, cool and also not expensive...
...and is the only sp to have a sort of unique pitch scale function...

[Nothingless1987]

@ellaguru- what jj os you rockin?? im only on 1 but os1 alone changes the machine completly, work flow is super smoooooth

[ellaguru]

@ellaguru- what jj os you rockin?? im only on 1 but os1 alone changes the machine completly, work flow is super smoooooth

i never changed my os, i wasnt interested on it so i kept the one (i think is the half-shitful akai one)which was selled with the mpc...since i sawthe JJ OS2XL...this thing seems to works great...
...in reality in don't use so much the mpc1000 ...

[Dj Frantic]

I don't like the MPC500 at all. It involves 10 times more menu diving than other MPC. Way to difficult to navigate quickly...if your used to an SP at least

[PHeMoX]

The SPs I've used barely even had menus, such a streamlined work flow. Especially the SP-606 is still my favorite in this respect.