MPC 4000 Pros and Cons: another chill perspective for 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- MPC 4000 Pros and Cons: Should you buy one ?
Whether or not you should buy an Akai MPC 4000 in 2023 depends on your individual needs and preferences. The MPC 4000 is a powerful and versatile sampler that can be used to create a wide variety of music. However, it is an older machine that is no longer in production, and it can be difficult to find one in good condition. Additionally, there are many newer and more powerful samplers available on the market today.
If you are a serious music producer who needs a powerful and versatile sampler, then the MPC 4000 may be a good option for you. However, if you are a beginner or on a budget, then you may want to consider a newer and more affordable sampler.
Here are some of the pros and cons of buying an Akai MPC 4000 in 2023:
Pros:
Powerful and versatile sampler
Can be used to create a wide variety of music
Durable and well-built
Large and responsive pads
Wide range of effects
Can be expanded with additional RAM and storage
Large community of users
Cons:
No longer in production
Can be difficult to find in good condition
Expensive
Uses outdated technology
Not as user-friendly as newer samplers
Remember, these are just tools, the ultimate creativity lies in the hands of the person using them. Its always great to try out new gear but ultimately what makes your art special is you.
Thank you for watching these videos. I will continue to make more content involving the machines i have had personal and in depth time with. If there is anything you want to discuss about any particular machine, please feel free to post in the comments.
I'm going to be putting together some part swap videos on a few of these machines if anyone is interested in basic repair or installing new parts.
I run a 5000 and replaced the HD with a SSD, now its silent. Its an incredible machine, but cheaper than a 4000 because some producer hated the 1.0 firmware ut shipped with
I had one a while ago and really actually liked it!
Excellent video, I go back to the MPC 60 day's LOL. I have a recording studio and the MPC 4000 has been the brains/heart of my studio for years. I use out board hardware and yes I still use tapes machines in my work flow from time to time, so the 4000 fits my work flow nicely. (Sorry I am old school that way LOL) I started with the MPC 2000 and jumped up to the 4000. And I agree its a beast of a machine, then NI came out with the Machine and I watched tons of folks sell their MPC's for one. I picked one as a back up in case I had issues with my 4000, also for its portibilty and faster work flow . I had my 4000 for I think 10 yrs now more. Only had one issue with it. So I took it to Amen's in Manhattan years ago, he worked his magic and no issues since. Fast forward to the MPC 5000, which also was a beast IMHO with 8 tracks of audio, built in synth etc. Just sadly it got a bad rep in the beginning which didn't allow it to get off to a good start sadly. I still want one to add to the collection. Then fast forward to the MPC X which I was going to buy when it first came out, but I thought the 4000 sounded better to me and I have a special connection to my 4000. But the work flow on the X is amazing and to be able to load up vst's is nice. Since the MPC X SE has come out I am thinking about picking it up to add to my work flow also the original MPC X is pretty reasonable in price on reverb. Or I my just get the MPC One + because the price is low, then I will have the best of both worlds. I will never get rid of my 4000 and will always use it. But having a MPC One + or MPC X SE will increase my work flow for certain things :)
I agree with all of this. I do think the 50000 was kind of slept on. I used to have one kicking around the studio but actually swapped it for a 2000xl. I had an MPC one as well. I liked it better than the live due to more tactile buttons. Where can I hear some of your work Bro, Have a great day and thanks for checking us out !
This was a thorough review
I agree that it’s hard to recommend the 4000 in 2023 to all but people who really know what they are getting into but I do think it’s amazing quite how it still holds its own against the new boxes. In some ways it’s still WAY ahead; midi clock stability/jitter, general midi capabilities (filtering, sysex) and sampler modulation matrix. With the exception of the ability to load samples into RAM faster there is almost nothing I miss from the X or things like Ableton Push. I’ve got a wireless SD card plugged into the front USB slot and I can even wirelessly transfer samples back and forward to my computer/phone.
Ps. You should replace your fan / mine is significantly quieter than that 😮
Yeah I’m going to replace it soon I’m currently rehabbing a 1000 but I agree it is an all encompassing machine. I haven’t messed with the x I’m sure the new akai OS is better with more dedicated buttons.
I'm a little late on this video! I had the Akai S5000 from the beginning and after that I am an akai fan until now. When I got hold of an almost new MPC4000 I had to buy it. This thing is a monster, completely replaces the DAW! I only mix in Reaper and do the finishing touches. The center is definitely my MPC4000!!!! With Korg M1, JV-2080 and Korg MS-2000 it's an absolute OTB dream.
For those who are interested: I have completely upgraded my 4000. 1) IDE SSD (special SSD built for synthesizers and big stage pianos). It has the correct IDE connection from the factory, so no tinkering with adapters! 2) The 4000 is loud, no way! So I replaced the fan with a high-end Noctua fan, which is whisper-quiet with silent-mode adapter. Together with the SSD, the 4000 is almost inaudible (I disconnected the CD drive). 3) USB interface card retrofitted. A MUST! I have set up a new PC with Windows XP because I want to use the AkSYS software. This is a game changer! I installed Reaper as Media Explorer (Yes, it runs on XP! It was obvious with Reaper lol). There I can preview the samples and DIRECTLY drag and drop the samples onto the pads...... 4) FX card retrofitted: Absolutely do it! 5) Individual Outs retrofitted. Now I can route to my outboard and integrate everything. From the patchbay it goes directly into the TL Audio FAT TRACK for summing and tube saturation, a dream come true!!!!
This is dope, I wonder if Aksys would run correctly on a virtual machine running xp. I might have to try that. Thanks for watching your mpc4000 mods are awesome. i might need some pointers when I start upgrades on mine.
@@re-sampledI tried on a virtual machine, it runs but a little bit unstable! I said something wrong: The MPC4000 has the USB interface from the factory! I completely removed my S5000 sampler at the same time, you have to retrofit the card there! Mods on the S5000: additional voice expansion card (64) to a total of 128 voices, USB expansion, 256mb RAM, FX card, and additional 8 channel individual out card (16 outs in total!). But that's another topic..... I have set it up so that I can switch the Keyboard with a KVM switch between the WIN10 main computer, the WIN XP computer (running AkSys for the MPC4000 and S5000), the MPC4000 (name input only) and S5000 (name input only). I have a remote control for this switch, so it's very handy. Then I have a video/mouse switch to switch the screen between the main computer and the XP computer (I think this is a better solution than Virtual Machine). This results in a very smooth workflow!
😃
Nice video! I really think the 4000 is for the experienced MPC user as you mentioned in the video. The fact that you basically have an entire Z4/Z8 Sampler inside the box is what makes it very interesting for me.
Totally agree with this statement. The sampling is DEEP
just got a 5000 took it apart cleaned it up deoxit the whole nine. I have a ren too i use for stems and some chopping but everything sounds closer to radio ready from the ol' fiver. Unless they make a new one like the old ones i'm sticking with my 5000.
The 5000 got a bad rap when it came out. I wish I still had mine honestly. The built in synth was really useful.
While you can and probably should replace the fan the biggest noise factor is the internal HD. All you need is a scsi to ide adapter and an internal ssd both of which are pretty cheap. With that and the fan you will have a silent machine.
Good point, I’ll have to ram an ssd in there soon. I did record the machine start up through a mic for emphasis. Partly because I like how old stuff sounds when it starts up. Still going to replace that fan though!
Subbed!!!!! I was suppose to get this in 2017 because the Rs7000 sequencer I had was falling apart so it was sold. But I found out the MPCX was about to drop that December. Mpc Live already was out by summer of 2017 and it was hit .but I wanted the X.
How do you like the x?
@@re-sampled I love it. I use it daily and it now has a MoTU audio interface to make it sound much better. The sequencer is amazing and it's also my drum machine. I sample a lot of one shots.
@audiolego Cool!!! I wasn't sure MOTU interfaces were class-compliant compatible with the MPC. What specific model of MOTU interface are you using for your MPC X?
@@kvmoore1 it now does after 2.11? It's great. Definitely a change in sound, more clearer. MOTUM4
@audiolego Thanks. I may consider getting a new interface with better converters and maybe more than 8 outputs for my MPC X at some point. I honestly think 8 outputs is not really enough. My older MPCs each have 10 outputs altogether, including the main outputs.
bought a mpc4k for €700 and mv8800 for €400 in quite good condition. guess i was lucky. recently updated the mv8800 to 512mb ram. only cost like €20.
What's the mv8800 good at ? There's on lurking on my fb market
I have a Live 2 and a 4000. If my producer friends asked me to come and play drums. I’m definitely bringing the 4000 over the Live. There’s a big difference. And they notice it too.
But if I’m sampling and chopping and playing synths I’ll stick with the Live 2; because it’s faster and I can’t tell the difference with the high end. That 4000 low end is 🔥🔥🔥
both good points !
Mpc 4000 is a steal if you could get one. If you get it fixed, you’ll winning!
Definitely agree, and I'm definitely going to be throwing some money at upgrading the one I have. I actually had the mic really close to kind of show off the startup sound because three's not a new machine I can think of that sounds even close. Thanks for watching!
Do you guys run in double triggering issues (pads) ?
I’ve replaced the pad sensor but didn’t fix the issue…
I used MPC since 60mkII until 3000, producing, recording and live (yes I'm old haha). They're beautiful solid swinging nice sounding unique inspiring instruments, but well, nothing cannot be done with DAW and computer now, even better, so I had to say goodbye. Sometime I miss them though
I’ve always wanted to get my hands on a 60 or a 3000. They are beautiful machines. I will admit the experience is a lot different when using a dedicated piece of hardware so it try to keep them as two different worlds. What Daw are you using now instead?
Word, man, I understand. I just thought of simplify, rather than going 'wild' with devices (hardware alike) like when I was young LOL. (Of course I would love it if I can still making music also with all that old beautiful vintage hardwares, but, many things made it not possible for me now, so) I mostly doing In The Box now and my main DAW is Ableton Live@@re-sampled
Ive had mine for about 15years and keep deciding if to sell. But everytime i fire it up it sounds so good i cant part with it. New 16bit mpcs dont come close sound wise. But the new workflow is much better. Ive out a ssd drive in so nice and quiet. Probably will keep for ever
Do the video 2000xl vs 4000
Sounds like your hard drive is about to go out any day now. I have a 4000 as well and it doesn’t take that long to search for disks and isn’t as loud as this. Replacing your hard drive might fix both issues.
yeah the plan is to see if it can read an ssd
@re-sampled I have a 4K and replaced the old hard drive with a 120 GB ssd and it works great. Definitely quieter! I believe 120 GB is the max the os can read. You'll need an IDE to SATA converter and a 2.5" hard drive mount.
What mic did you use to amp the sound? It sounds as if you but the microphone inside the 4000
The sound coming out of these is like no other out the box And the two I have don’t sound like yours sounds like you need a fan
definitely
Wow - you’ve got a very noisy copy. Mine doesn’t produce that plane-like sound on boot up.
mine was quiet lol replace those drives
32 chop limit????
Yeah per program
Glad mine don’t sound like that
my 4000 doesn't make that kind of noise man. one of us got a problem lol
lol it sounds worse than it is cause of the way I recorded it but I’ll be swapping those fans soon
I have a solid state hard drive in mine.. the fan comes on when you first turn it on but goes off when it boots. But this guys 4000 sounds like he uses diesel fuel and a ignition to start it.
4000 is for someone who will produce without computer and has other analogue gear. I see no point other than that because 4000 has no special sound and every daw is way more capeable. And i would use external effects too while roland mv 8000 had superb effects but weird workflow
True DAWs can do more but sometimes you just wanna chop records on an old machine. The Mv8800 is an upcoming video also
@@re-sampled i have mpc 2000 xl for that atleast i get alittle bit of sound out of it
The 4K has definitely a sound and has the 4 layers capabilities that only work in this mpc without flanging the 4K is a win and I have them all apart the X and live series.
Hello
Do you mean phasing issues with layering drum sounds? My 2500 do that also. Is this also a problem in tve 2000xl,2000 & 3000?
The fx card tho 🤣it's almost like c64 reverbs ! delays r ok tho.
Agree!
That sounds like a bad fan bearing.
Totally, its also an sm7b on a cloud lifter sitting super close to it for emphasis.
Promo>SM