Very nice piece of kit 
by BD from Chicago, February 2007
Music Background:  Semi-Pro musicians and have demanding day job.

I have 7 sound modules/Synths, and several effects, but still end up using some samples and it works great. I thought it would be a lot harder to use, but it's not, it's simple and powerful. I import midi grooves, vocal samples, drum samples via usb, it's the brain and of my studio. I sample great perc sounds from my analogue gear and create amazing custom drum kits (Imagine a Drum Kit made of Andromeda A6 and Poly Evolver drums sounds as well as some standard 808 or 909 hits to boot)... this list goes on. It works fast, has never failed me and does almost everything I need. Great for pre-production and live use. I post in Nuendo. Would be great if it allowed some sort of real time midi edits ala 303 style, but it's not really for that.

For quasi-improv or a set I can load hundreds of midi riffs in 99 different sequences, mute them, jump from one sequence to the next sequence, change tempo's and re-route to different sound modules on the fly. I can change easily change to a different directory of hundres of different midi riffs in seconds and have a totally different set. It will load a completely directory of midi files (up to 100 with up to 64 tracks per file). I can inlude patch changes in my patterns and the MPC records and reproduces every single midi instruction to the letter, no questions asked. It's great for real time (just no real time edits). It's completely changed the way I compose and play music. Great for SYNTH MUSIC. Rap, Techno etc. It's not really for linear based composing, it's more about part based or routine based.

Once you learn all the quick-functions, it's much faster than working with a computer and no technical problems to slow down your workflow.

I got one when you could still get a free DVD-Player, but I hardly use it. You can't stream from it, just load samples, much easier via USB from my computer. To fill my seperately purchased 80G hardrive I buy the latest samples or make my own. It will take you a life time to make 80GB of samples.

Buy a good warm microphone and pre-amp so you can record vocal samples and odds sounds.

  MPC2500 
by young k the greatest alive from oldsmar fl usa, October 2006
Music Background:  everything

The mpc 2500 is plain out the best mpc out right now and for me personally the access to the chopshop and the autoloop and other sample editing features in perfect for my mpc and asr 10 beatmaking setup and a computer has its place in the studio but the mpc is still the heart of hip hop music........ Your boy young k

  This MPC is the business 
by Donell from USA, August 2006
Music Background:  Songwriter / Producer

I bought this mpc for creating grooves and basic midi sequencing. I love the feel of my beats comming off the 2500. The groove is very tight and much better than using a computer. I spent an entire week just creating beats and exporting to my computer to mix down. the sound is great, and i love those pads. Its a nice package overall. If you need some funk for your beats, this beast is all you need.

  MPC NATION 
by SP THE SPECIALIST from LOS ANGELES,CA, June 2006
Music Background:  PRODUCER /ENGINEER

CHOPPING LOOPS, DRUM AND BASS IT'S GREAT

Wow 
by HS from Hollywood, CA, March 2006

Using Software only for the last 5 years....I can't believe I didn't get one of these earlier. I make the beats on the MPC2500. Record into and Mix in Logic. Once you get used to the interface you start flying. I find myself making music more and fiddling with controls on the computer screen less.

MPC 2500 and a laptop or desktop - You can't go wrong.

With the USB, I connect the MPC to the computer - make my backups of sequences, samples, etc.. Burn a CD - file it - and feel safe

Can't lose with this one! 
by Anonymous from New Jerz, November 2005

I'm not going to bore you with a, "which gear is better debate". But I will tell you this machine is no joke. It's a break thru in modern technology, I've used the mpc 2000xl and own the 4000. If you just want to work with a hands on sequencer, this is your best bet! Compared to the 4000-it's lighter, loads samples faster and easier to work with. I have nine external sound modules, so I have no need for mutli-sampled instruments. It's the 2000xl with more features-CD/DVD drive, flash rom, 10 standard outputs and more midi options. Akai is well known for there sampling sequencers. Although no gear is perfect, you will not be disappointed with the 2500.

THE BEST MPC YET............ 
by MARC from Philadelphia, PA., November 2005

This machine is the best MPC to date. The very user freindly machine make it that anyone can just hop right on and start making music in a snap. The new options are a must for this machine and will get better with time and future O.S. updates. The best new option is CHOPSHOP which makes it easy to break one sample into multiple parts and spread them to different pads, layering samples is very easy also. If you havnt tried one yet your really missing what the hype is all about! Yo Austin! Thanks for heads up!

mpc 10/10 
by Gus Roberts , October 2005

just got one yesterday and i am really happy.
street price is heaps less than mpc4000 and it comes standard with spdif and 10 outs.this thing is the real deal forget your mpc3000 this one is better, if you dont need smpte.
anybody who thinks u can do this with fl or logic is just plain wrong(i am not going into it here)
.computers have a place but dont try and do everything on it .if you want to make hiphop, techno or any other beat music get an mpc.
they are essential tools if you are serious about music production.
"don't be square ,use hardware"

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