Akai MPC2000XL versus MPC3000 Sound Comparison Shoot Out

In this clip, the MPC2000XL takes on the MPC3000! Listen, to how they stack up next to each other.. And not only the does the Master Output get tested, but also an 'Individual Output' too. Enjoy!

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Technical details of 'captures'
I used only Mogami Gold 1/4" cables for this demonstration. Both Samplers are 16bit, which means any one of 65,536 values are available for the converter to choose from.. 44,100 times per second, otherwise referred to as 44.1kHz (the Sample rate).

I used an RME Fireface interface set to 24bit (which means any one of 16,777,216 values are available for the RME converter to choose from) at 48,000 times per second, also referred to as 48kHz (the Sample rate).

The signals were pushed to, what I refer to as the 'humanly-accessible ceiling' of what each Sampler could accept before 'clipping' (aka distorting). Doing this, reaches into the optimum amount of 'Bit depth', thus.. making the most of the available dynamic range from both.

Then, upon outputting from the Samplers.. or capturing the Samplers, back into the RME interface.. I calibrated both RME's using 3 'Sinewaves', one at 250Hz.. another at 750Hz and another at 2000Hz. This was to ensure my 'input signals' going in to the RME's were, as much at Unity as humanly possible.

The thing to note about the 2 different models of MPC in this clip, is that, their Output and Input stages are vastly different. So, it should be stated, that this is by no way a measure of the actual analog to digital converters.. but rather, a measure of 2 independent devices that share some aspects of various hardware.

MOGAMI 1/4" TRS 6foot **

MOGAMI XLR 15'

MOGAMI 1/4" TS 10foot w/ Right Angle

MOGAMI 1/4" TS 10foot

Unedited, 'Natural' Audio files recorded for the clip in 24bit 48kHz Wave Files.

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Index:
0:00 'The set up' rant
3:56 Round 1
7:10 Round 1 Output 4
10:09 Round 2
13:12 Round 2 Output 4
16:17 Round 3
18:06 Round 3 Output 4
19:48 Bonus Round
21:17 Bonus Round Output 4

#mpc3000 #mpc2000xl #beatmaker

[tonelab]

'Download & Play' kits for SP1200/MPC now from TONELAB!

[masonkiller]

It's not only about the sound, the 3000 is a piece of art, the 2000 a working horse that lasts forever

[nostandingonlydancin]

For myself the difference is not equal to the huge price difference. Would love a 3k - but this video helps me make a decision today, and I just bought a 2000xl. Thanks

[synaptyx]

MPC 2000XL + a Nice EQ for me. :) Would love a 3000, but not at the price they fetch, now.

[syru]

This man has the 100 % CORRECT approach!

[kannon]

Nice comparison! You should have more subscribers.

[RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I have both of these MPCs. I've even done a simple comparison and they don't sound the same plus the swing seems different. I love both MPCs so much that I'm not bothered with getting a modern MPC. I love the workflow from both of them and they give me the sound that I like. I don't mind that it takes longer. It's the end result that matters. The 3000 rules for me as it's button per function and sounds great

[dccarsonmusic]

I have the 3K and OG 2K. Folks, there is a difference. However, neither is going to make you better. I use my Live 2 and 61 Key more than anything. At the end of the day, it’s more about your creativity than your gear.

[curtis]

There’s a fade in thing happening on the drums on both units.
(Attack). (Round 2)
Otherwise the 3k has more bottom especially on keys.
Bonus round kicks are strange.
Some have click on the attack some don’t.
When one unit clicks the other doesn’t. Lol.
All from one sample.
May be an alternating velocity bug inherent on those MPCs.
Which makes good happy accidents.
Great video!

[ObieOneHHH]

They're both very similar in sound. To my ear, the attack of transients seem a bit more pronounced and I also have a feeling that there's a little bit of either a bump or a high shelf in the higher frequencies on the 2000XL. Both machines are marvelous, I'm an owner of the 2000XL and have never owned a 3000. Very cool video!

[SoundJunky]

Interesting, they both definitely have their own individual sound. To my ears the 3k had something nice going on in the low end, but the 2kxl had a "clickier" attack and a little extra grit in the saturation. Can't say one is better than the other, like choosing between a Stratocaster or Telecaster it just depends on the flavor you like. But I think they both sound sweet!

Do you still see an older MPC as a viable option in a modern studio? I don't need any of the standalone functions or software instruments that are available in newer MPCs, I just want a really good Sampler/Sequencer. However, speed and fluidity are important to my workflow. Do you notice a big difference in time it takes to work on newer and older models?

[YMBeatz]

From someone who’s a producer and an audiophile who knows a lot about hifi I can definitely say the 3000 sounds more lively, bigger and more powerful compared to 2k which sounds more dusty, rolled off in the high end. They both have good qualities to them but the 3000 definitely has a stronger more hifi sound

[tobiasneumann]

The XL 2000 sounds good.. the 3000 is legend and a bit bigger but the price difference is huge. Thank you for that video. Can you also make video for the grooves? Cause that‘s a point 3000 users mention a lot. That the swing of the 3000 is special and "better" than from the 2000ands.

[arivas]

I was afraid that I wouldn't hear a difference and also that I would. In the end I did hear a difference that was mostly revealed on the keys and 808 loop once pitched down.

[alpharisc]

I can't hear any difference apart from a slight volume difference with the DX7 sample. Looking with a spectrum it looks like the 3000 filters out the higher frequencies starting at 8khz for the DX7 sample but doesn't seem to be doing anything for the TR-808. Interesting comparison I had a 2000 back in the day and thought it sounded more or less like an S1100 which sounded like anything else really, once we hit 16bit 44.1khz the differences I could no longer pick unless someone did something that would result in a difference (running the input signal too hot, playing the sample at a higher or lower rate than what was sampled etc).

[andrebiggz]

I’m surprised how close they sound considering the HUGE price difference. The 3000 might’ve been slightly more bassy but I don’t think it’s anything that can’t be added with EQ (mpc 2000xl + s900/950) for less than the price of a 3000 is the way to go imo

[lostinjazz]

Nice comparsion. Thanks for taking the time comparing these. Personally i prefer the 3000 over the 2000XL. It seems to have a fuller and richer sound compared to the 2000XL. The 2000XL is a nice sampler as well but sounds rather flat compared to the 3000.

[lionelluney]

The difference I noticed was what Ive been knowing after playing with both of them. The 2k has a bump somewhere in the 100hz range the 3 a little lower the 4000 somewhere in between. The transients of the 3k are a little more pronounced which will lead you into trouble going straight to an interface which is why aloth of 3k heads got an affinity for analog front ends when recording. Plus the 3k came as one piece (No upgrades needed except for OS roms and memory) While the 2000 you needed to get the 8 outs expansion memory upgrades and efx. So that coupled with a variance on the sound turned alot of the linn MPC ppl off from the 2000. However Pete Rock made some heat with thie 2k along with Wajeed who got his 2k from his mentor J Dilla. The latter was able to do some things that made you think Dilla was behind it the whole time

[cireirby]

I had a battle with a close friend of mines the mpc 3000 vs mpc 2000xl, the 2000xl can read the 3000 disk, but the 3000 could not read the 2000xl disk without freezing up. we tried 5 times. no xtra memory or etc.

[subdna]

Could you test the akai mpc 500 please :D