Akai Professional MPC2500

Most of the famous hip hop producers consider the AKAI MPC as a main tool in the process of creating music. It is a drum machine, which isn’t created for hip hop, but has shaped the genre in the form you can see today. Numerous drum machines have been released, but the products from AKAI have always been outstanding. The AKAI MPC 2500 is technically an upgrade from the MPC 2000 and the various characteristics will prove that. Multiple analogue outs, digi in/out and the additional filters are some of the new features, which can’t be found in the previous AKAI drum machines. Experience the new effects, the ability to use more memory and the opportunity to connect to other MIDI instrument as a master, or a slave. 16MB RAM is offered in this version and you can sample about 136 seconds of mono sound. A laptop can be connected to the drum machine, but there is a CDR-W drive, which can be convenient if you are interested in recording everything on CD. A compact flash card is something a user must have when it comes to MPC 2500 because the sounds should be saved there.

UTILIZATION

The operations on the AKAI OS are almost the same as the MPC 2000. Of course, there are certain changes because the OS should also be upgraded. Due to the new effects, filters and programs, the OS offers many more options and you will have to spend a little bit more time to adjust. Most of the MPC users will easily get familiar with the details of this device because the functions are almost the same. The core sequencing, main window and mode button are the same since they are essential for the AKAI drum machines and there is no need to complicate them. Maybe the sequencing features will disappoint the fans because it is still characterized with 64 tracks per sequence, the polyphony is at 32 voices and be careful if you are interested to transfer everything from the old AKAI MPC because you can only take the seq, pgm, wav or snd files from the AKAI OS. I wasn’t satisfied from the MPC 2000 pads because they weren’t responsive enough. It is great that there are positive changes in the 2500 version since you will feel an excellent responsive level. Also, you can adjust it on each pad individually, which is a great feature that wasn’t available in the past.

SOUNDS

Real-time control has suffered some positive changes and you will love them. The two faders on the left side of the drum machine, are known as ‘Q-links’ and the users will be able to assign a filter to a specific pad. The filter can be controlled by the faders because it is much more convenient. They will change the workflow and make your music even better. It is crucial to use the faders to your advantage, but they are easy to be implemented, too. It is a surprise that the AKAI developers have provided new additions to the OS, which are the Grid editor and Mixer automation. You might figure out right away that the Grid editor is an upgrade from the step editor, which a few new adjustments. But, you will understand its work right away. The Mixer automation is great because you can easily record volume and pan changes with the Q-Links. But, keep in mind that you won’t be able to automate effects sends and sometimes it is a crucial characteristic in the workflow. The effects are EQ, compression, delay, reverb, modulation and bit grunger, and they are a standard feature in the new AKAI MPC and you will be able to add effects to either FX1 or FX2.

OVERALL OPINION

One of the characteristic features of the AKAI drum machines, is the crunchy sound, which isn’t available in the other drum machines. It is probably the best feature in the AKAI MPC 2000 and the users loved it. The MPC 2500 is recorded at 16-bit 44.1 kHz, which is different because the previous version is recording the samples at 12-bit. Of course, there is a good thing from the 16-bit since the sound has a lot more quality and it is easier for the final mixing of the record. Many people are wondering if it is a good thing to purchase the AKAI MPC 2500 and put the MPC 2000 in the other room. My opinion, is that is it a better option, but don’t forget the drum machine that taught you how to create your music. There are a lot of benefits from the MPC 2500 and you will learn them easily. Features such as chop shop, more RAM, direct recording and mix automation, aren’t available in other drum machines, so you will make a smart choice if you upgrade your studio equipment.

Pros:
- More RAM memory
- Mixer Automation
- Better Pad sensitivity
- OS upgrade
- Direct recording
- 16-bit 44.1 kHz recording samples
- Q-links

Cons:
- No 12-bit crunchy sound
- No upgrade from 64 tracks per sequencer
- No automate effects send
- Huge price

The best MPC yet! CHOP SHOP is truly amazing and the grid edit it cool.

Price paid

$1,700

UTILIZATION

If you already own an MPC you'll be okay but it's def. not for a newbie of anysort. They'll be LOST. I haven't encountered any bugs with the OS--I took the day off from work to just sit and fool around with it.

SOUNDS

Good sound quality--I love the effects and real time capabilities with the q-link faders and knobs. 4 midi outs! Got my JV 2080, Motif, and Ion all connected! Comes standard with BALANCED 8 outs.

OVERALL OPINION

Built Ford tough! It's not going out of my studio.

I'll give my unborn child for one of these! The features are AMAZING--the 8 outs a effects are standard and I don't have a SINGLE COMPLAINT.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: bhardman ( 9-, 2005)

The features on this machine are hot, there are some things I feel that AKAI could have improved on or done differently such as the effects, the effects in this new machine are hot but why change the layout? The way the layout was in the 2000XL was good, you could use 5 effects on 1 sound and you had reverb 1, 2 and Multi 1 and 2. Here on the 2500 you can only chain 2 effects together then you have one main effect. The machine has its good and bad parts, but who am I to talk, I’m just an Invisible man! All in all I like it.

Price paid

3 months teaching private gym lessons=1999.00

UTILIZATION

If you are new to the sampler/sequencer lingo you will get lost of course but MPC's have always been some easiest machines to use, I have owned the ASR 10, MPC 2000, 2000XL, Triton and now the 2500 and the MPC's have always been the easiest machine to use. I think AKAI should have never changed the functions off of the number keys but it is something that all the new cats to MPC's won't have issues with all the old heads are still looking for the same layout but we will get used to it.

I have only had it for a few weeks and it looks very sturdy. AKAI seems to make very durable stuff; I don't intend to put it in the cage with my Assonate gorilla so it's durable enough.

SOUNDS

I think the sound quality is better than the 2000Xl and I own both machines. Strong points-AKAI added new features such as chop shop, Grid edit, four MIDI outs etc. Weak points- some of the things like chop shop need OS system upgrades before the will work at full capacity (It works great on small loops w/ drums only but once you go beyond just drums and a certain length, you will run into issues) Due to experience I know how to get around the those things

OVERALL OPINION

I'm feelin it enough to know that I will have it for years to come, so the love is there.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: The Invisible Men (January 2-, 2005)

The features are good, I think AKAI dropped the ball on certin things such as the effects (They changed from having 5 effects as on the 2000xl to having 3 on the 2500) There is no more Auto chromatic tuning and no more stereo to mono conversion but some of those things people did not even use but they should have still been there. There are new features that are cool such as Chop shop and a few others.

Price paid: $2100

UTILIZATION

I feel that the MPC series is still the most user friendly sampler on the market, the interface did change, I am not sure it was for better or worse but I have no issues with it (Still easy)

I think it is pretty durable, I mean I am not going to have the gorilla from the Samsonite comercial come and jump on it so it's OK.

SOUNDS

I think the sound quality of the 2500 is good (very accurate) One of the strong point's is what you put into it is what you get out of it.

OVERALL OPINION

I love it because it's easy to use, compact and it allows me to come in and put down an idea quickly and easily

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: The Invisible Men ( 1-, 2006)