The TRUTH about using an MPC 2000XL in 2023

MY SAMPLE PACK to help support the channel

This is a first impressions and restoration/ cleaning of my MPC 2000XL. I try make my first beat, play around with pitching drums samples, pitching old records, playing with floppy disks from an AKAI Remix 16 and give my opinion on whether or not these machines are worth buying in 2023.

VIDEOS MENTIONED

Akai Mpc 60 classic 2000 with Jazz guitar Samples - Boombap Hip Hop Beat
Marlow Digs

You can call it a Beattape - Akai MPC 2000 XL refurbishment
Wask - Beatmaking and vintage repairs

Making a classic Hip-Hop Beat 🎹 MPC 2000XL 🚨 Lofi Boom Bap
Cookin Soul

How To Install The Gotek USB-Floppy Emulator On The MPC2000XL // Step By Step Guide

Basterdcrew Instagram Video

J Dilla "Still Shinning" Documentary
WeAreDeLaSoul

Kanye West messing around and playing Runaway on the MPC
bjossymandias

Madvillain (MF DOOM & Madlib) - Much Music's "New Music" [Segment & Interview] (4K Upscale)
MF DOOM REMASTERED

Pete Rock MPC2000XL
returnofthemega

MPCSTUFF
The website for parts

MY FREE SAMPLE PACKS (Vox pack included in video)

MY SOCIALS

[drewgrit_]

Thanks to everyone who joined since the PS1 reverb video, all the comments you guys left helped push that video. If you want to help me out this time leave a comment too. You guys are awesome, I really appreciate it✌️

[CobyComputer]

Bought my mpc2000 in 1997. These older machines had a vibe, a sound, and tightness of timing that I’ve never found again. My MPC 2000 was so quick to respond when you hit the pads. It’s spoiled me. I can hear the micro latency in all the other drum machines and controllers now, and could never enjoy using a maschine… which in my opinion is not an instrument but rather a computer programmer interface. I’ve yet to use Ableton live with the push. I’ve been trying to gas myself up for the potential disappointment there with the latency I’ve been experiencing for 20 years since having an MPC 2000 which in retrospect I should’ve kept. Of course all the other machines have so much more to offer on paper… so why haven’t I gone back to an MPC 2000? Because in today’s modern world, the limitations slow it down so much. You really have to be patient and time on your hands.

[Angelo-np]

The Mpc 2000xl belongs in the right hands.

[pegasvsmusic]

i like the honesty, and going through the whole process of shooting everything and explaining properly. I myself own a MPC 2000xl too. Was my first bit of kit i bought when i start making music (2014). I make house music but because i come from hip hop, it made sense to get one. Like yourself, i had to learn the hard way those machines. It takes TIME and MONEY to simply start using them. But for me, it helps in my creative process to get in the MOOD. Even tho i use Ableton live, and use samples through DAW, the process of switching on the MPC, with a pile of records on one side, a coffee on the other, and looking for interesting samples to use is SOOTHING, Not to mention, apparently the sound card is badass on the 2000 xl : my first house track ive released, i made the drums with the MPC and my mastering engineer was impressed by the FATNESS of sounds. Last but not least, Ive had this guy called THE JAZZ CAT installing a FLASH DRIVE and servicing the machine. IT wasnt cheap but he did an excellent job. At the end of the day, what matter is what works for you. Hardware, software, who care. Simply makes good music

[middaymeds]

As someone who started with a 2500 and recently upgraded to a One, the old ones are dope for just straight chopping samples but the new line are soooo much better as centerpieces of a music studio. The midi implementation on the classic units drove me insane so many times. Do miss JJOS tho.

[Nonsense]

I started with an mpc2000xl 20 years ago. At no point in my life have I thought “I’d love to go back to a mpc2000xl”. The new mpcs are awesome.

[DD-cgxg]

I live in LA and my Japanese roommate who was a producer left me with his MPC2000XL... I've been dying to make early 2000 beats so glad I found this.

[AyyuBX]

So I've been DJing for 38 years, producing for 32 years and engineering for 30 years

The Mpc 2000 Xl is my favorite drum machine. I like to put in the extra work to keep my signature sound.

All the programs and drum machines now do all the work for you especially sound leveling which I hate the most.

I would love to get my hands on another Mpc 2000xl.

The touch and the live and the one is dope but their more user friendly meaning those who have no skill to make a beat will be able to.

This is why the culture is saturated with the same sounding trash especially when everyone is buying the same sound kits instead of doing some actual sound digging.

[jvyskjp]

I have owned an mpc 2000xl for 20 years. Love the machine but it is very limited in terms of sample time, computer connectivity and time spent building a sample library. Made a lot of beats I never saved.

3 years ago I upgraded to the MPC Live 2 and it is a game changer. I still got love for the 2000xl but it's not the machine I use on the daily.

[hassansway]

love your honesty bro, most people wouldve lied about the overall experience

[postmalonalisa]

So fresh and so clean. Keep it up thanks for sharing again 🤠

[practicetracksdmc]

Used an MPC60 and S950 for a while, great sounding and lots of character but very time consuming and like all old gear - had to run through outboard. You can work so much faster with software but there is still an appeal for using hardware, the popularity of the SP404 really demonstrates that. Nice video,

[RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I picked up a MPC3000 about eighteen months ago. Coming from the 2000XL and the 500 meant that I didn't need to look at the manual to figure out how to use it. Everything just made sense to me on it. I've never used the new MPCs but I have Maschine and although the workflow is amazing, I'm not impressed with the sound. When you don't have your own synths and a mixing board then IMO the new MPCs or Maschine are great options for getting ideas down. They are also great portable solutions. When it comes to having a gritty sound or a slamming sound the vintage machines can't be beaten. I passed on the X to get the 3000 and have no regrets. It sounds more punchy and glues together the sound even better than the 2000XL. I have a decent home studio with a mixing board and various synths and samplers so the vintage MPCs suit me. For someone who hasn't got a large set up or doesn't want one, the X, One, Live would be ideal IMO

[christhescientist]

Been excited for your next upload for a while! Great video, answered a lot of questions I had about using an MPC. Brilliant work as always Drew

[ChannelTomsMusic]

Thanks for your honesty in feedback, because like you said, many does make good music with it, but Part of it is showing off

[AudioCheck]

I've downloaded, exported, etc etc grooves frome every drum machine known to man. Throw them in ableton and they are okay.. but You can ALWAYS tell a beat that was made on a mpc. The ogs have a sound. Just like companies remaking old synths.. it will NEVER be the same.

[DJV]

Great video. I had a Remix 16 (hated it), 2000, sold it, then got a 2000xl in 2015 and have been using it since. I like the new units but prefer the old as I have taken the stripped down approach building beats, using loops and chops manually. Something about the manual workflow vs the technical upgrades. To me, a home-made pie beats Marie Calendar all day. To each his/her own bc its always about the mind behind the machine.

[_sugr.skull_]

YOOO! I freaked when I saw footage from my video! 🙏 one thing I will say is that I sold my MPC2000XL (the one from that video) because I wanted to dive more into Maschine & Ableton…aaaand I majorly regretted it; I just bought another one and I’m loving it! They definitely bring a different feel and workflow that’s hard to replicate…as for saving, the USB is definitely more reliable but still extremely slow! Try to find an SD Card reader if you can, that’s what my new one has and it’s been a dream….cheers! Love your videos!

[mdptg]

“The people who are making the most from these are the people showing off these machines” BIG FAX

[davidMinardi]

The old Mpc’s combined with an SP-404 is magic. I have an Mpc live and had the X but I always go back to my Mpc1k jjos3. The process is longer but the beat is more me if that makes sense. Great video by the way.