Akai MPC2000XL-MCD Product Overview

MPC2000XL-MCD

Product Overview

Product Description

The Akai Professional MPC2000XL-MCD MIDI
Production Center combines a 64-Track MIDI
Sequencer and a 32-voice Stereo Digital Sampler,
with 16
providing rock solid sequencing and drum
programming, combined with powerful sampling
facilities, in one convenient and portable desktop
unit.

T
features of the original MPC, such as the legendary
“feel”' and “groove”, so that you can be sure that
your beats and sequences just swing. It also
features the original MPC60’s intuitive transport and
locate controls, the unique NOTE REPEAT function,
plus new additions such as
effectively provide 64 pads,
playback, multi-track recording, simultaneous
playback of a second sequence, Next Sequence key,
Track Mute key, TimeStretch, Slice Sound,
Resampling, plus folder file management.
these an improved friendly and intuitive user
interface thanks to the graphic LCD, two MIDI ins
and 32 MIDI channels via the two MIDI outputs,
and options for multiple audio outputs, multi­effects, SMPTE Time Code and even Flash Rom
memory, and you have a dependable “switch on
and work” solution to computer sequencer
headaches.

Headquarters:

velocity and pressure sensitive rubber pads,

he MPC2000XL-MCD inherits many of the major

four bank keys to

multi-program

This information is subject to change

200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 U.S.A. • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Add to

The MPC2000XL-MCD comes with
memory as standard, that can be expanded up to
32 MB of RAM using standard SIMMs.
Card drive (MPC2000XL-MCD) supports various
types of removable flash memory, such as Compact
Flash, Smart Media, Memory Stick, and Secure
Digital. The MPC2000XL-MCD also includes a 50pin
SCSI interface for connection to external SCSI
drives such as CD-ROM drives, hard drives or ZIP
drives.

2MB of onboard

The Multi-

Positioning

Whether you're producing drum 'n' bass,
sequencing a rack-full of MIDI modules or
performing live; whether you're programming
intricate drum parts or triggering loop s, you'll love
the self-contained convenience and ease of use the
MPC2000XL-MCD gives you and the MPC2000XL­MCD's friendly and intuitive user interface simplifies
the expression of your creativity.

A compact and rugged dedicated hardware
sequencer/sampler that is equally at home on stage
as it is in the studio. No computer needed!

Applications/Customers

Hip-Hop and R&B artist or “producer”, as well as
DJ/Live Club performer

Dimensions & Weight

• H x W x D:

4.17” x 15.945” x 8.985”
(106mm x 405mm x 331mm)

• Weight:

12.125lbs (5.5kg )

1) Akai MPC design

• Established friendly and intuitive user

• MPC’s legendary ‘feel’ and ‘groove’: beats

• Pattern-based and linear 300,000 notes,

• 32-voice drum/phrase sampler with up to

• Great-feeling, velocity and pressure

• 16 levels function: one sound on all pads

• Note Variation slider for programming a

2) Connectivity

• Internal Multi-Card Flash drive supporting

• Up to 10 analog outputs, plus stereo digital

• Flexible synchronization capabilitie s: MIDI

• SMPTE Time Code option to synchronize

Headquarters:

MPC2000XL-MCD

3) Compatibility

interface of MPC series

just swing!

64-track sequencer with 32 MIDI channels

32MB RAM

sensitive pads for expressive programming

with varied level or tuning per pad

wide variety of dynamic changes

• Compatible with Akai, Roland and EMU CD-

ROM libraries

• WAV file support

4) Extensive sound control

• Extensive sample editing that includes cut

and paste, timestretch, slice, resampling
etc., with waveform display

• Dynamic resonant low-pass filters and

envelope generator for each of the 32
voices

• Optional internal multi-FX processor

smart media, SD card, muti media card,
memory stick, compact flash & micro
drive.

I/O with the optional IB-M208P expansion
board

clock, MTC, MMC

with tape machines (IC-M2TC)

This information is subject to change

200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 U.S.A. • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Key Features

MPC2000XL-MCD

SOUND GENERATOR

• Data format: 16-bit linear WAV

• Sampling rate: 44.1 kHz

• Memory: 2MB standard, expandable to

32MB with 72pin SIMMs

• Preset sound memory: 8MB FlashRom

option (FMX008M)

• Recording time: 21.9 sec. mono / 10.9

sec. stereo (2MB), around 6mn mono /
3mn stereo (32MB)

• Polyphony: 32-voice

• Filters: 1 dynamic resonant 12dB/octave

low-pass filter per voice

• Number of active programs: 4 (with up to

64 pads per program)

• Maximum samples in memory: 256

SEQUENCER

• Capacity: 300,000 notes

• Resolution: 96ppq

• 99 Sequences

• 64 Tracks per sequence

• 32 MIDI output channels (16 channels x 2

output ports)

• Song mode: 20 songs, 250 steps per song

• Simultaneous playback of a second

sequence

• MIDI Sync: Master/Slave, MIDI Clock,

MMC, MTC (option)

DRUM PADS:

• 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads

• 4 pad banks

• 16 Levels: Velocity, Tuning

• Automated Drum Mixer (Level and Pan)

• Note variation slider controls Level, Pitch,

Filter Cutoff, Attack, Decay

• Track Mute and Next Sequence features for

live performance

Specifications

GENERAL

• Display: 248x60 dot graphic tilting LCD

• Multi-Card drive (MCD model only):

Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Smart
Media, Secure Digital

• Standard accessories: 1x CD-ROM sound

library, Power cable

CONNECTIONS

• Record Input (L and R): ¼” jack x 2,

balanced

• Digital Input: RCA x 1, SPDIF (op tio n)

• Stereo Output (L and R): ¼” jack x 2,

unbalanced

• Individual Outputs: ¼” jack x 8,

unbalanced (option) IBM208P

• Headphone Output: ¼” stereo jack x 1

• Digital Output: RCA x 1, SPDIF (op tion)

• MIDI: 2 x MIDI In and 2 x MIDI Out

• SCSI: 50pin high density connector

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

• IB-M208P: 8 individual output and digital

I/O board, SPDIF

• EB16: Multi-effects processor board (4

simultaneous FX)

• FMX008M: 8MB Flash ROM board

• SMPTE: IC-M2TC

POWER

• 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz

• Consumption: 23W

Headquarters:

This information is subject to change

200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 U.S.A. • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

MPC2000XL-MCD

Q. What is the difference between pattern­based sequencing and linear sequencing?

A. The MPC2000XL-MCD can do both.
With linear sequencing, the whole song is one long

sequence which can be recorded continuously in
real-time, much like an audio recorder, or edited by
copying/pasting bars (such as verse, chorus, etc).
This is good when recording tracks while playing
live over the whole song.

With pattern-based sequencing, a song is made of
multiple short sequences (patterns) that can be re­arranged very quickly in Song mode or even in real­time using the Next Sequence feature.
However, unlike limited “groove-boxes” where
patterns are only one or two bars, on the
MPC2000XL-MCD, pattern/sequences can be of any
length.

With the MPC2000XL-MCD, you can work on each
pattern in a loop, switch patterns, and in Song
mode, simply specify the order the pattern playback
and number of repeats to create an arrangement.
At any time, you can change the arrangement
without tedious copying/pasting.

In addition, if you decide to modify a pattern (say,
the chorus sequence) after having created the song
arrangement, it will automatically be modified in all
the instances of the same pattern (i.e. all the
choruses in this example). With linear seque ncing,
you would have to copy/paste the edited bars
again, as many times are there are instances. Of
course, with the MPC2000XL-MCD, you can also
create of a copy a pattern if you want to modify
only one instance.

Q. Can I edit the sounds of my MPC2000XL­MCD on a computer?

A. Yes. Samples are saved as standard WAV files
and can be edited and processed in any sample
editing software, such as the ‘Audacity’ freeware for
Windows and Mac OS.

Programs can also be edited offline on a computer

rd

using 3
‘MPC Editor’ for Windows 95/98/NT/XP.

Sounds (programs/samples) and sequences can be
transferred between the MPC2000XL-MCD and the
computer either via Floppy disk, SCSI ZIP drive or
via a Flash card (MCD model).

Headquarters:

party Program editor software such as

This information is subject to change

200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 U.S.A. • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Q. I have a sample of a bass sound assigned to
one pad. How can I play it on all the pads at
different pitch?

A. Easy. Simply press the ‘16 LEVELS’ button, hit
the pad that contains the bass sample and enable
the 16-TUNING mode. Now, the bass sample can be
played across all the pads with 16 chromatic
tunings.

Q. What is the benefit of having two sets of
MIDI In / Out?

A. The two MIDI Inputs allow connecting a MIDI
controller (keyboard, drum pads) to one input while
the other input is used to receive MIDI Sync from
another unit such as a digital recorder. Otherwise,
you would need an outboard MIDI Merger.
The two Midi Outputs allow the MPC2000XL-MCD to
control 32 external MIDI Channels (16x2), in
addition to the 24 internal Programs. This is very
useful if you have more than one outboard multi­timbral sound generator (for instance, your
keyboard and a sound module).

Q. What type of memory will work in my
MPC2000XL-MCD?

A. You should use 72-pin Fast Page or EDO SIMMS
with a speed rating of 70 ns (nanoseconds) or
faster. They can be either parity or non-parity (if
parity is present it will be ignored), and should have
gold leads. The MPC2000XL-MCD supports 16 MB
and 32 MB SIMMS. However we recommend using 2
x 16 MB SIMMS because the manufacturing
specifications of 32 MB SIMMS have changed
slightly since the introduction of the MPC2000XL­MCD and we have discovered that not all 32 MB
SIMMS will work.

Q. When I hook my MIDI keyboard to the
MPC2000XL-MCD, why can't I hear the
keyboard sounds when I listen to my
headphones on the MPC2000XL-MCD?

A. MIDI connections do not transmit audio, so you
won't hear the keyboard sounds from the
MPC2000XL-MCD's headphone output. Only MIDI
data (note on/off messages, etc.) are transmitted
and recorded in the MPC. The audio from the
keyboard will be output directly from the keyboard
output. You will need a mixer to connect the
outputs from the keyboard and MPC to, then you
can listen to the headphone output on the mixer.

FAQs

MPC2000XL-MCD

What improvements were made from the
MPC2000 to the MPC2000XL-MCD

• Both have the same I/Os, use same Effects
board, 8-out expander and the sample engine
between them is essentially the same.

• Many improvements on the Sequencer section
and a few added features in the sample editing
area:

• XL sequencer memory increased from 100,000
events to 300,000

• XL has 4 buttons for pad/bank selection vs the
former 1

• XL can access 4 drum programs
simultaneously, essentially m aking it 4 part
multitimbral

• Number of samples stored doubled to 256 on
the XL

• Folder support for storage on the XL

• XL dedicated Next Sequence button: can switch

between sequences using the pads (just like
the Track Mute function)

• XL has SUDDEN button added to immediately
switch to next sequence

• XL has 2nd sequence function allows you to
associate another sequence to play
simultaneously with current one.

• XL can solo from Track Mute screen

• XL can change sequences with program

changes

• XL has Device naming for each midi channel

• XL has Midi monitor screen

• XL has improved multiple-track recording by

specifying which tracks to record and channels
for soft-thru

• XL can Resample a sound with a different bit
depth or sampling rate

• XL has Slice function. When samples are zoned
(up to 16 zones per sample), you can
automatically slice the zones and create new
program (with pad assignments and with extra
specified samples at end of each sample
because of the sample decay).

• XL has Timestretch function with adjustable
presets

• XL has automatic Chromatic assignment (16­Tuning mode). Essentially allows you to create
a keygroup across the key/pads from one
sample.

• XL has internal IDE port so you can replace the
Multi Card Drive with a Zip drive.

• XL has a tilting screen.

• XL can now switch from REC/OVERDUB to PLAY

and vice versa without having to stop the
sequencer.

This information is subject to change

Headquarters:

200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 U.S.A. • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Differences between MPC2000 and MPC3000

• MPC3000 has 2 MIDI In and 4 MIDI out

• MPC2000 has 2 MIDI In and 2 MIDI out

• MPC3000 has built in SMPTE-pulse96-FSK24-

1/4 click sync

• MPC2000 has SMPTE as an option

• MPC3000 has built in extra 8 outputs and

digital in

• MPC2000 has 8 optional extra outputs and
digital in/out

• MPC3000 has a text-based screen

• MPC2000 has more modern graphic waveform

display/editing/menus

• MPC2000 has optional onboard effects,
MPC3000 doesn't

• MPC3000 has an outboard effect send/return

• MPC2000 has Track Mute and Next Sequence

features, MPC3000 doesn't

Comparisons