MPC 1000 PADS - blue MPC = bad pads, black MPC = good?

[Zarathunkya]

Sup people -

Just wondering whether you guys could help me out -

Ive heard that all blue mpc1000s have bad pads and that not necesarily all black ones have good pads. Which leads me to ask if there's any way to tell which black mpc1000s have the good pads. Unfortunatley I cant check before I buy, as I live in New Zealand and will have to import from the states.

This is the one Im thinking about getting:

Akai MPC1000 Portable Sampler Music WorkStation-BRN NEW - eBay (item 140340484403 end time Aug-28-09 00:02:31 PDT)

Cheers!

Zarathunkya

[pdiddy boy]

For that question to be answered well... you really want to go here => Akai MPC Forums - Index page

[rhodesp04]

have you owned an mpc before?

the mpc 1000's pads are unlike any other (trust me i had 3 different mpc's) IME both colors pads are not good (stiff and smaller obviously) compared to other models which are more soft. it never really bothered me much though because most of the time i have it on "full level" and "16 levels" (set at velocity) so i never had to do more than barely touch them.

if you like the soft pads better you'll have to buy them aftermarket from a website most likely.

[JaeOne3345]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

Don't buy an MPC, it will slow your workflow if you are used to software.

Thats a bunch of straight up bullshit.


Just because YOU never developed a decent work flow, doesn't mean you can pigeon hole an entire population of people.

I use both and I enjoy using both so I am not biased by any means, but that comment is bullshit.

Slow your workflow? Yea if you don't know the machine.

You've already revealed through many posts on this forum that you never really developed a work flow on your mpc.

If it isn't for you, it isn't for you, but you can't speak for other folks.

The MPC is the most basic machine ever in my opinion.

Stop.

[pdiddy boy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

Don't buy an MPC, it will slow your workflow if you are used to software.

LMAO ! ...pure comedy ...I love it !

Certainly didn't slow down this kids work flow...



...infact he just proved its childs play.

What type of music do you make Zarathunkya ?

[JaeOne3345]

Again, your preference is not everyone elses. You make blind statements about mpc's without ever even mastering it. Your posts in the past already revealed that.

I can sequence on an external piece of gear just as well as I can with an ITB application. Just cause you can't, doesn't mean no one else can.

[wax808]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

Don't buy an MPC, it will slow your workflow if you are used to software.

[wax808]

Originally Posted by Zarathunkya

Sup people -

Just wondering whether you guys could help me out -

Ive heard that all blue mpc1000s have bad pads and that not necesarily all black ones have good pads. Which leads me to ask if there's any way to tell which black mpc1000s have the good pads. Unfortunatley I cant check before I buy, as I live in New Zealand and will have to import from the states.

This is the one Im thinking about getting:

Akai MPC1000 Portable Sampler Music WorkStation-BRN NEW - eBay (item 140340484403 end time Aug-28-09 00:02:31 PDT)

Cheers!

Zarathunkya

FWIW: I have an Optimus Prime blue and red MPC-1000, after two years my pads are fine. Then again I use external pad controllers a lot for a few different reasons.

The MPC with the good pads is the MPC-1000BK. I'm not sure if there is any way to distinguish it without opening the box or not. MPC-forums should have the answer.

Don't worry too much about the pads. Just get one and you will be really happy.

[CRACKPIPE]

My MPC3000 has sped up my workflow. Less options means less opportunity to pick at my beat like a meth head picking scabs on their face. Their face never does look better afterwards.

[pdiddy boy]

Originally Posted by wax808

Don't worry too much about the pads. Just get one and you will be really happy.

NO ! Worry about the pads ...just find out which ones have the better pads. My friend just had his pads die on him but I heard there is a pad upgrade kit or something for the MPC 1000.

[wax808]

Originally Posted by pdiddy boy

NO ! Worry about the pads ...just find out which ones have the better pads. My friend just had his pads die on him but I heard there is a pad upgrade kit or something for the MPC 1000.

FYI: The Pads dont all die at once, sometimes one or more will develop less sensitivity.

Most people new to an MPC will always assign their kicks and snares to the same pads. If you are concerned about them be sure to rotate which ones you use.

And yes, there is a pad upgrade kit for $170 or so. I personally would just get an external controller and use that when you can, another controller with and extra set of pads makes the MPC quite a bit more powerful.

[The Marrvel]

Originally Posted by CRACKPIPE

My MPC3000 has sped up my workflow. Less options means less opportunity to pick at my beat like a meth head picking scabs on their face. Their face never does look better afterwards.

I totally feel you on that analogy but DAMN!

[badmark]

I've had a blue mpc 1000 for 5 years. Never had any trouble with the pads. The down cursor tactile switch has just died, however!

[Brian!]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

The old pads vs the new pads, doesn't really make a difference. They both feel sort of the same. You had to hit a teenie weeny little bit harder on the old ones. If anyone needs a replacement for their old ones, I got em, in perfect condition. The reason I bought the new ones was cause I wanted to experience the might of the MPC and I thought there was gonna be a huge difference... but no.

I think your uninformed Pro Tools hate was a bit more entertaining than your uninformed MPC hate. Could you please go back to it?

[JaeOne3345]

Oh so it wasn't pro tools after all? Who woulda thought?

[2Loud]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cheese

Yah the MPC has some qualities.... but sequencing on any external device, to me, is pointless. If you buy it just to sample, you could get away with an MPD18 and a software sampler. I've made plenty of beats with the MPC but it never was a necessary part of my studio.

Am not at the same side of the fence, but understand we each different,
and as someone mentioned - its just about workflow you develop, are used to etc..

I do sequence in MPC - everything - incl. all kinds of other hardware /N-Lead, Virus, Motif ES Rack - then sending it through some pres/dis/otb and job done

I am not using nearly any VST´synths, mostly efx plugins

being faster than monkey on speed on hw setup mentioned, and seen much other folks catching mouse on the table been as fast..

The way I described gives me variability, i can reach any knob within second, swap a synth with a touch of a button, choose track, hit rec and go, no idea forgotten, as everything happens in set of pretty fast steps..

Something complicated on the first sight for one, can be real time interaction with no limits and pretty fast flow for me,it takes some time to get used to, but since you get it - neverending joy.

so its just matter of preference..

[rawtunez]

dont get a blue mpc. i had two and both of them had bad pads

[mathewbet1]

I got MPC 2000XL they have the best pads. ask pete rock!!!!

[JaeOne3345]

Originally Posted by mathewbet1

I got MPC 2000XL they have the best pads. ask pete rock!!!!

As him what? Why he's on the 2500 now? lol...

[pdiddy boy]

Originally Posted by JaeOne3345

Ask him what? Why he's on the 2500 now? lol...

Don't get it twisted we all know him using the MPC 2500 is a promotional front. Next you'll be telling me he has the Akai approved JJ OS installed too ! lol

...we all know he goes home and uses this !



THE MPC 2000 XL ! ( Last of a dying breed of real MPC's )

[spitfire8898]

There is a certain range of serial numbers that mark when Akai starting placing the updated pads in the black 1000's.

I think I remember seeing it in this thread:

Akai MPC Forums - View topic - New black mpc 1000 has new pads inside [Updated w/Pics]

hope this helps...

[JaeOne3345]

Originally Posted by pdiddy boy

Don't get it twisted we all know him using the MPC 2500 is a promotional front. Next you'll be telling me he has the Akai approved JJ OS installed too ! lol

...we all know he goes home and uses this !



THE MPC 2000 XL ! ( Last of a dying breed of real MPC's )

a 2000xl is a real mpc? Please. How about 3000 or 60 with Linns name on it?

2000 series, real mpc. LOL.

Cats act like a 2000 series MPC is some vintage classic. It is not.

We have a 1000, 2000, and 3000 (in addition to an sp-1200) all under one roof here where I stay and there is an obvious different in construction quality between the 2000 and the 3000.

Do you not remember the ads with him holding the 2000xl? Promotional front?

It doesn't matter what Pete uses, he'd serve cats on the sp-1200 and s950 still.

The pads on the 2500 and 2000 aren't even different enough to be an issue. Cats put wayy too much into some pads.

All of the full size MPC's : 60, 3000, 4000, 5000, 2000, 2500 can use the same pads anyway.

[pdiddy boy]

" THE MPC 2000 XL ! ( Last of a dying breed of real MPC's ) "

...I'm talking about all MPC's before Numark got involved !

[JaeOne3345]

Ya. OK.

[quietizkept]

There was a whole big thing on mpc-forums about testing the pads to see if you have the bad ones. Here's the long and short:

Some, but few, of the black mpc 1000s, still had the bad pads (a new design that failed. there's even an online petition for refunds.). We thought that the ones with the serial including BK were all good, but someone found an exception. Furthermore, someone could've just put the black case + hardware from mpcstuff.com on a blue and red one with the bad pads, or a blue and red mpc may have had its pads replaced and now have the upgrade. The funny thing is the pad design in the upgrade is that same tried and true single-sensor design from the mpc 2000 days. Same test works in all situations:

Gently tug on the upper-right corner of pad 4 (the bottom right one). If any of the the surrounding pads move a lil' bit, Congrats, you got the good ones, and they will likely never wear out. The good ones are all one solid rubber piece that pokes out thru the pad holes. You never hear of one of the old mpc 60s being re-padded. The crap ones are the new single-pad design, with seperate sensors. They WILL go out if your mpc is your main instrument.

[Brian!]

Originally Posted by pdiddy boy

" THE MPC 2000 XL ! ( Last of a dying breed of real MPC's ) "

...I'm talking about all MPC's before Numark got involved !

MPCs changed drastically years before Numark even thought about acquiring Akai.

[JaeOne3345]

Originally Posted by Brian!

MPCs changed drastically years before Numark even thought about acquiring Akai.

Exactly!

Working on a 60 or 3000 with dedicated buttons and no shift/open window business is a different workflow.

The build quality of a 60/3000 is much better than anything 2000 and newer also.

People think cause a 2000/xl is grey it's classic or some shit. lol.

It's a great piece of gear. Many of my favorite artist use it, but it's not some classic/vintage piece by any means.

And no, I don't hate them. We have 1000, 2000, 2000xl, and 3000, all under one roof ( in addition to sp's and ensoniqs)

[PELicanWord]

Originally Posted by CRACKPIPE

My MPC3000 has sped up my workflow. Less options means less opportunity to pick at my beat like a meth head picking scabs on their face. Their face never does look better afterwards.

Says "crackpipe"

hahaha great analogy.