SP-FORUMS

In my opinion, the 2500 is not a better build at all. Rather less solid, very much like the 500 quality, which isn't great.

Back when I looked into a 'bigger' sampler with less limitations than my SP-606 had, I looked into the 2500, 5000 and MV8000 / MV8800.

The 5000 was too expensive at the time and known to still have like a hundred bugs and was rumored to be worse than the MPC4000 (still seems to be true for the most part, despite some of it's more modern features). So I soon lost interest in the MPC5000, wasn't that impressed by the YouTube promo videos either. Info was rather limited and using it in a shop didn't convince me at all.

The 2500 looked like a great alternative, being cheaper, with it's chop-shop and all that. Definitely a serious contender, but then I got a great deal on a MV8800 that was brand new. After having used both in a shop, I knew the MV was for me.

Now, many months later I regret nothing, even though the MV costed me more than the 2500 would. (I would have bought the 2500 new as well).

Money-wise and objectively seen the 1000 is probably more worth the money, because of the JJOS. But there's one for the 2500 too now if I recall correctly.

Predictable of course, but I would really advice the MV instead. It's on a whole different level. You can do just about anything you need within the box, while at the same time have the same functionality an MPC would give you.
It's more than an MPC.

The MPC2500 isn't bad at all, just look at YouTube to see what people can do with it, but it's not comparable to say the MV8000 or MV8800. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUvW4v3pLlE )

( The mpc2500 has only 16mb memory, upgradable to 128mb, the MV comes stock with 128mb, upgradable to 512mb. MV has a much higher polyphony, more audio and midi tracks and so on. FX on the MV are a whole lot better, the MPC is a tad limited there. Then again, it costs a bit more than an MPC2500 that seem to go for about 1000 new these days. )

Pretty good overview / review kind of video of the 2500:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QTIVnGV ... re=related
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7XelPZp5ww

Well I also looked into the mv-series...
the price of the 8800 is far away from what i could smash on the table...

the 8000 is around the same price like a 1k but i got no idea of how this baby is working... i was quit satisfied with on how sequencing works on the mpc series... i think i'm too old to learn antoher machine... or maybe i'm just ignorant... maybe i should look deeper into the 8000 though i heard a lot of people saying that it's way more comlicated than a mpc... i dunno...

@wax inspektor & phemox
i don't know the price, but maybe the mpc4000 is far better than the mpc2500 and the mpc5000...plus, if you buy an mpc1000 (i got it) you can upgrade it and you got almost an mpc2500 (so they say)...
cheers

Yeah, I don't know what your budget is, but some used MVs go for as little as 1000 € though, because people don't know what they're selling. MV8000s tend to go for less: http://cgi.ebay.de/ROLAND-MV-8000-MV800 ... 7C294%3A50

An MPC2500 new costs about 1000€ at the moment, I haven't seen any secondhand go for less than an MPC1000 which often still go for at least 600-700€.

I'm not saying you must buy an MV at all though, but I'd really take a closer look at it. I disagree that it's more complicated than an MPC. It's different, but really as easy as the MPCs are.

Anyways, I don't think an MPC2500 is a bad choice. But say you're spending 1 grand on an MPC2500, then it would be worth spending 200 bucks more for a secondhand MV instead.

@ellaguru: Yeah, the MPC4000 is certainly great, but unfortunately it has some limits that are rather extremely outdated.

PHeMoX wrote:
Anyways, I don't think an MPC2500 is a bad choice. But say you're spending 1 grand on an MPC2500, then it would be worth spending 200 bucks more for a secondhand MV instead.

@ellaguru: Yeah, the MPC4000 is certainly great, but unfortunately it has some limits that are rather extremely outdated.

i agree. if i had to buy an mpc2500 i would go for an mv:for some money plus you have a more better machine.
for the mpc4000: i don't know what are those limits, but any mpc boy told me is better than the 5000 and the 2500. other says that it is the only mpc we can compare to the mv (any model).
cheers

Yes, it's the only one really comparable to the MV.

But before we get into a debate about which machine is better or not, I'd recommend people to check both machines out in real life. Mess with it for a few hours to see if you feel comfortable with the MV or MPC2500.

Coming from an MPC you probably feel right at home, but I'd really recommend giving the MV a chance.

I'm probably too much of a fan boy to really be objective, but I honestly feel the MV is a whole lot better than most if not all MPCs.

^ I could have a fully loaded 2500 (JJOS, 40GB HD, 128 MB RAM DVD ROM) for 700,- ...

The reason I wanna stick to mpc series is the fact that the 1k and the 2500 can read my 404 CF cards. Export samples on the 404 / Import on the MPC without any additional steps... (works with cards up to 128MB)
I'm not sure if this works with a 2k/CF drive...

Used MV 8000 (bulk) is about 600-700€'s ... If only could try one...

Wax Inspektor wrote: The reason I wanna stick to mpc series is the fact that the 1k and the 2500 can read my 404 CF cards. Export samples on the 404 / Import on the MPC without any additional steps... (works with cards up to 128MB)
I'm not sure if this works with a 2k/CF drive...

it's a good idea. you can also drive the 404 via midi with the 2500/1000. i never tried this until now. the 404 used to broke 1 giga cf card and , plus, it didn't liked to be driven by midi with my recorders...

why sucks the lil 500? sorry I forgot...

2FX only.. what else?

Wax Inspektor wrote:why sucks the lil 500? sorry I forgot...

i had this little mpc.
it don't really sucks, but if you want a more "visual" machine (the wave, the chop, the mixer etc), leave the 500 alone. it has also not a high volume indeed. the pads are hard as hell.
the sequencer is good, as every mpc. the battery option is a good thing. it has also the "track mute" option (as many mpc), very cool.
but if you never tried an mpc before, i don't advice to try this first: without a useful screen you loose yourself, there's too many menus. it's one reason that make me sell this rapidly for an mpc 1000.
peace

^ had a 1k.... know about the menu massacre...

I just need the voices and the sequencer from a mpc; as cheap as possible... You know sometime we're all dreaming... I really can't bring up more than 500€ and I just got 1 month left before this (?) machine got's to be on my desk (summer vacations).
I think the older generation doesn't satisfy my needs (32Ram, no cf . . .)
Though I'm still open to any directions...


I've watched some of the vids of this dude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ5qXgU_ ... re=related

Pretty cool... which has nothing to deal with the 500 I guess...

I like blue displays... 12 pads meets 12 pads via midi, mute groups and a fine sequencer... hmm... but fucking small menus.... I acually wonder if step edit isn't senseless on such a small display?

I acually wonder if step edit isn't senseless on such a small display?

Yeah, you will definitely be looking at lot of numbers and that might be more confusing than helpful.

By the way, if you know you're not going to be satisfied with the older generation for sure, I would go for either the maxed out MPC2500 or the MV8000 if you can get for 600 to 700€. You will probably want to buy a 512mb memory card so the MV is maxed out, meaning both machines will cost you about the same. In most cases you're missing out on a lot of stuff the MV can do and the MPC2500 can not do, but it's your call.

Some MPC cats don't like the MV, but personally I think most of them either wanted it to be an mpc or never really put enough effort in learning the MV.

I just need the voices and the sequencer from a mpc; as cheap as possible... You know sometime we're all dreaming... I really can't bring up more than 500€ and I just got 1 month left before this (?) machine got's to be on my desk (summer vacations).
I think the older generation doesn't satisfy my needs (32Ram, no cf . . .)
Though I'm still open to any directions...

I used to be in the same booth as you were. I wanted more than the MPC1k or SP-606. Back then I had about 1000€ to spend and the decision was equally as tough. It's why I advice you to check the machines out if possible. I probably would have gone with the MPC2500 if I had never known about the MV.

Some stores should still have the old MV too, but you could even try out an 8800 to get a feeling for the machine. They aren't all that different actually.

Anyways, it seems to me, that with 500€ you're a little under a reasonable price for both the MPC2500 and MV8000, right? So perhaps saving 200€ more would be the best solution?

I fully agree with ellaguru when it comes to the MPC500. I'd stay away from that as far as possible and rather buy an MPC1k instead.

Perhaps you could buy an MPC1k for 600€ and sell it for 700€ ? Buy an MPC2500 for 700€ and sell it for 800€? It's tricky, but might work hahah.

edit: This probably won't work, seems ever since the economic crisis, the MPC1k has been worth much less than 600€.

Wax Inspektor wrote:^ had a 1k.... know about the menu massacre...

I just need the voices and the sequencer from a mpc; as cheap as possible... You know sometime we're all dreaming... I really can't bring up more than 500€

sorry, didn't know that...if you had the mpc1000 then the mpc500 is easy. for me 'twas the first mpc, so difficult as f**k...and coming from the sp-303 the pads made me a bad impression (i yet consider the sp-404 pads harder than those of the sp-303 to make things clear).

Wax Inspektor wrote: I like blue displays... 12 pads meets 12 pads via midi, mute groups and a fine sequencer... hmm... but fucking small menus.... I acually wonder if step edit isn't senseless on such a small display?

for the rest the mpc500 is a good machine. small, small priced,reasonable volume,battery gifted,nice sequencer,12 levels function,track mute function...
...after having trying the mpc1000 the 500 is more easy to use, i think.
little question: why have you sell the mpc1000?

PHeMoX wrote:
Anyways, it seems to me, that with 500€ you're a little under a reasonable price for both the MPC2500 and MV8000

damn right...i think the 2500 and the 8000 are minimum over 700€...

Sold the 1k cause I needed the money for my move and stuff...


How much would you pay for a 500 with 128MB ?
Found a dude over here selling an one year old; looks brand new...
Price for a new one is 479,-

I mean for 300 €ggs I would grab it w/o a doubt... I checked this lil box today, and I think I could work with that. Even step edit... Of course I'd prefer a bigger one but well...

Maybe I'm too optimistic on the price? I know that re-selling might be hard with this unpopular mpc.


*
What about the AKAI S2000 Rack Sampler ?
I guess it works like a mpc or what? Sequences, tracks, programs and shit?!
Would it be possible to control it with a Trigger Finger? Is it comfortable?Anyone ever used a S2000? Shit's only about 50-70 €'s!
I'm still not sure where to go? A rack sampler sounds crazy, 50€'s for mute groups and 32 voices even more. 32 MB are still only 32MB but maybe I'm underestimating 4min's. All I need is a device to sequence my 404 samples...

Wax Inspektor wrote:Sold the 1k cause I needed the money for my move and stuff...


How much would you pay for a 500 with 128MB ?
Found a dude over here selling an one year old; looks brand new...
Price for a new one is 479,-

I mean for 300 €ggs I would grab it w/o a doubt... I checked this lil box today, and I think I could work with that. Even step edit... Of course I'd prefer a bigger one but well...

Maybe I'm too optimistic on the price? I know that re-selling might be hard with this unpopular mpc.

i bougth the mpc 500 for 270€ and without the 128mb (11€) in march and i rapidly sold it in the beginning of april at the same price. all that in france.

another cheap solution to sequence the sp-404 samples is the yamaha qy70, look at the elhau videos in youtube. it isn't an mpc, no sensitive pads no roll no 16levels no pitch, but with a reasonable sequencer, not bad synth and batteries , all that for around 70€...

Wax Inspektor wrote:
I know that re-selling might be hard with this unpopular mpc.
...

i don't know if is that hard to re-sell it...but maybe if you think to re-sell it even before buy it, i would choose the phemox-solution : wait a little for some money more for a better sampler/sequencer...

Wax Inspektor wrote:
What about the AKAI S2000 Rack Sampler ?
I guess it works like a mpc or what? Sequences, tracks, programs and shit?!
Would it be possible to control it with a Trigger Finger? Is it comfortable?Anyone ever used a S2000? Shit's only about 50-70 €'s!
I'm still not sure where to go? A rack sampler sounds crazy, 50€'s for mute groups and 32 voices even more. 32 MB are still only 32MB but maybe I'm underestimating 4min's. All I need is a device to sequence my 404 samples...

i know that all the S models sound good, in particular the s-950 and the s-3000; i have an akai remix 16 that is a more dj-look version of the s-20, they sound more or less like the mpc2000/2000xl. i don't know Trigger Finger, but i control the remix 16 with the qy70 and it's ok. in general with rack sampler you have to control them with an external keyboard. but i think they go well with them internal sequencer (some of them got also sweet fx).