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Average Price: $475
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Description
Introducing the Akai MPC 2000XL, a beloved evolution of the iconic beat machines of the 90s. This powerhouse effortlessly carries the legacy of its predecessors, while introducing a range of intuitive features. Its vintage vibe is fused with modern functionalities, making it a go-to choice for renowned artists like DJ Shadow and Kanye West. With quick bank access through four onboard keys, multi-program playback, and the handy Next Sequence key, the MPC 2000XL ensures a seamless production experience for the contemporary home producer.
Key Features:
- 32 voices of polyphony
- Floppy disk storage
- 64-track sampling capacity
- Four onboard keys for quick bank access
- Multi-program playback
- Next Sequence key for swift section changes
Product specs
| Brand | Akai |
| Model | MPC2000XL MIDI Production Center |
| Finish | Grey |
| Year | 2000 - 2005 |
| Categories | Drum Machines, Samplers |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI |
| Number of Pads | 16 Pads |
| Polyphony | 32 Voices |
FAQs
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What are the main differences between the Akai MPC2000XL and the original MPC2000?
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The Akai MPC2000XL features enhancements over the original MPC2000, including a more advanced operating system, additional effects, and a tiltable screen for easier viewing. It also offers improved sampling capabilities and expanded memory options.
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How many sounds can the Akai MPC2000XL polyphonically play at once?
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The Akai MPC2000XL has a polyphony of 32 voices, allowing it to play up to 32 sounds simultaneously.
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Does the Akai MPC2000XL have USB connectivity for MIDI?
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Yes, the Akai MPC2000XL includes USB MIDI connectivity, which facilitates integration with modern computer-based production setups.
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How many pads does the Akai MPC2000XL feature for beat making?
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The Akai MPC2000XL is equipped with 16 responsive pads, ideal for creating beats and triggering samples.
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Is the Akai MPC2000XL suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Akai MPC2000XL is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, intuitive interface, and reliable pad response, making it a popular choice for live beat-making and sample triggering.
Videos
Drew Grit
The TRUTH about using an MPC 2000XL in 2023
Reviews
PROS
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Backbone of productions for simple workflow and visual wave chopping
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Capable of controlling external MIDI synths effectively
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Upgradable storage from floppy to compact flash drive
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Precise and clear sampling quality without added color
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Creamy sound with good dynamic range from 16-bit audio recording
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Intuitive use, less complicated than newer MPC models
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Powerful sequencer with 64-track capability
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Encourages creativity by overcoming hardware limitations
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Ideal for sampling across genres like hip-hop, house, breakbeat
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Durable pads and compatibility with external SCSI drives for expanded storage
CONS
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Lacks the distinctive sound character of MPC60/3000
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Screen can fade over time, making it hard to see
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Some units may have sensor issues with the pads
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Limited in-built storage, requiring upgrades or mods
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Learning curve due to unique control interface
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Requires additional equipment for optimal file management and workflow
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai MPC 2000XL.
Comparisons
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The MPC 2500 with JJOS is recommended as an alternative, offering a similar vintage feel with more modern functionality, including a better time-stretch feature.
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Some owners note that the MPC 2000XL's lack of a touchscreen can be less distracting, although it complicates editing tasks compared to modern MPCs.
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The MPC One is praised for quick and convenient workflow and better integration with modern DAWs, making it suitable for beginners, unlike the more complex 2000XL.
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Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
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Some owners express concern about the 2000XL's price for a legacy machine, suggesting potential buyers look for deals, such as those available from Japan.
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User experience
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It's reported that the 2000XL can occasionally experience full OS crashes, even when well-maintained.
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The 2000XL’s unique sound is attributed to its stereo outs, where everything is summed, offering a distinct character compared to the 8 individual outs.
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Owners highlight the MPC 2000XL's superior sound quality as being "pro" and weighty, contributing to its appeal for those seeking a retro sound experience.
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Mods and upgrades
Features and functionality
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The 2000XL's workflow is described as straightforward and less dependent on touchscreen interfaces, which some users find less distracting.
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The FX card for the 2000XL is considered valuable but expensive, offering limited effects compared to the expansive options on the MPC X.
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The MPC 2000XL offers a nostalgic 90's sound profile, highly valued for its groovy and phat sound compared to the MPC One's slightly thinner output.
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The MPC One allows for immediate use out of the box, providing faster setup and quicker beat production than the 2000XL, which may require additional setup.
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Build quality
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 15 Reviews and 76 Ratings
This is my best hardware sampler in all time.
This is the best investment I made in my life.
a major game changer for customizing my tracks out of a computer box.
I use it programmed, also for finger drumming, my machine is expanded with a maximum of 32mb, 8 analog audio outputs, 12 audio Fx routable to the internal mixer buses.
Creamy sound, great quality of 16-bit audio recording, good dynamic range in the audio output.
It's old, but very intuitive, not as complicated as the new mpc.
Its greatest power is its sequencer, actually a 64-track machine for sequencing midi or audio samples.
146
A True Classic
I bought a MPC2000XL because so many of my favorite producers have used it at one point or another in their career (many of which are still using one). The limitations imposed by this hardware pulls something out of you. When you have to find creative ways to get around its limitations, you start to come up with ideas that you wouldn't have come up with in a DAW. I use it to generate a skeleton idea and then flesh that idea out in a DAW, but I'm almost always happy with what comes out of this classic machine. It's rare to find a studio piece that teaches you how to be a better producer, but the MPC2000XL is definitely a piece that has pushed me to become a better producer. Hardware limitation does NOT mean creative limitations. I will NEVER sell mine. Never.
41029
technical limitations are a great spur to new heights of creativity
75
Regret selling it
Had two of these through the years, and had to sell them both at some point, back when i was a student and strapped for cash :p Now that i actually have the money, they're totally impossible to find. Really would love to get a 2000XL again at some point, its a lovely machine and it just sounds amazing like no other.
Only drawback is having to track the beats into the computer one by one.
957
the real deal
This is usually my studio midpoint when doing hiphop (or the MASCHINE). You can do anything sample-based on this machine, whether it's an easy loop or a full-blown triphop track. I dig this machine 100%. All my tracks start out from this machine - I sequence the entire thing - and then track it all into Ableton for mixing.. 10/10
If you want to get into sampling and making hiphop / house / breakbeat - whatever fits your style, I would suggest starting with this machine. You'll be learning a lot just by trialing and erroring this machine for a month. If you can make a great track on limited equipment, think about what you can do with a DAW.
339
Love the workflow
The 2KXL is really an amazing piece of gear on which you can work very quickly once you get the hang of it. The pads are some of the best I've ever tried. I have an external scsi drive to make up for the only downside of this machine to me: the use of floppy disks.
105
It's great
This machine is great if you're just getting into hardware samplers. The control interface is a little strange but you get used to it after a while. Try to get the upgraded or modded version because it adds more storage for sound and increases the load time for samples.
101
best sampler ever imo
always wanted a mpc but i thought it was too expensive, had a lot of other samplers and drum machines but now that i also have a 2000xl everything changed. i also like it`s made by akai, not nAKAI :D
Artist usage
Add artist
In this interview, Fred Durst says, "I use a lot of Neve pre-amps and Neumann U47 microphones. Gibson Les Pauls and Legend acoustic guitars. Akai MPC 2000 XLs. I use the Korg Triton and Roland 5080."
"We use an API 1608 desk, various compressors like the Universal Audio 1176s and the blue DBX 160 series. I still prefer my old Lexicon 480L to the digital plug-ins. The latest version of Pro Tools is great to have, because it is very easy to combine all the old gear with that. In ATR, we use the Roland TR-909 as the main drum machine; it’s part of the band’s sound, really. Then we still use the old Akais for ATR, like the S1100 or the S6000 or the MPC 2000XL. They are also part of the band’s identity in a way. Especially when you apply distortion. We also have a lot of modular synths, from the Metasonix Wretchmachine, the ARP 2600, Analogue Solutions Vostok, the Sherman Quad Filterbank and the Moog Voyager with all the external CV gate stuff. We find the Voyager better suited for ATR. My Minimoog just sounds too retro. I love the machine, as so many others (my Korg Trident, Roland Jupiter 8 etc...) but ATR has a certain sound that we stick to. I use all that other stuff more for the Alec Empire solo works. The Atari 1040ST is still the main sequencer for everything. Pro Tools is slaved to that."
Can be seen left to his laptop and explicitely mentioned at the end of the video...
confirmation at 1:56 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_bKFyJYA1c
In an AMA on r/indieheads, a fan asked what Clarence uses to sequence his drums. He responsed, "used to be an mpc, last couple of years its just ableton"
In this Ableton promo video Mad Zach's MPC 2000XL can be seen on his studio desk.
Jessy Lanza: “I bought that because I wanted to make music that sounded like DJ Rashad [laughs]. I found out that they primarily use an MPC to make their tracks and it kind of appealed to me. I talked to Spinn about making tracks, and they would make them in a night or a few hours. The MPC is cool because you can just load the samples up and work really fast. It has a really great sequencer on it and the effects are cool. It sounds really good, so I wanted to try it. The song it was used on primarily is Oh No.”
Album Usage
The Akai MPC 2000XL has been featured on the following albums:
Day In The Sun (Gettin' wit U)
De La Soul & De La Soul & Q-Tip (2025)
A Life in Bloom
Creature. (2025)
UTOPIA
Travis Scott (2023)
80 Blocks From Tiffany's II
Pete Rock (2020)
The Funk Lord Instrumentals
Erick Sermon (2018)
Oh No
Jessy Lanza (2016)
A New Place 2 Drown
King Krule & Archy Marshall (2015)
Down To Earth Vol. 2 (The Standard Bap Edition)
Ras G (2014)
Simple & Sweet
Jon Bellion (2014)
A Color Map of the Sun (Remixes)
Pretty Lights (2013)
A Color Map of the Sun (Deluxe Version)
Pretty Lights (2013)
Unorthodox Jukebox
Bruno Mars (2012)
The Renaissance
Q-Tip (2008)
In My Mind (Deluxe Edition)
Pharrell Williams (2006)
MM..FOOD
MF Doom & King Geedorah (2004)
Live In Chicago
Ween (2004)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Akai MPC 2000XL, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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