Every sampler is more flexible than the mpc60’s sampler 
Even a Casio SK-1 has envelopes!
S7000/X7000 too.
You know I hadn’t even considered the envelopes.
In this light the MPC 2K seems light years ahead but very unlikely it sounds quite as good as the 60!
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Excellent post and to the point - to dispel some of the 60 myths. The mpc 60 pretty has nothing going on with basic sample manipulation, let’s say, compared to the s950. The 60 is all about the sound. The 60 swing is freaky and head nodding… and an utter classic. All depends on what you want to do and achieve.
Not sure, I always sample right into it. I don’t see the need to own one if not, honestly. You can drive it a bit if you want and it can sound good. I rarely even save samples on it, just sample in, pitch and record.
But one thing I did since I have a USB on mine is sample and chop up drum breaks so I have those chopped and ready to go. Also the default Sin wave is awesome for bass, used on a ton of jungle records.
A good way to chop breaks is to just chop the start point and don’t worry about the end since it will cut off when you trigger the next chop. This way the break flows better and you can get more creative with when you trigger the next hit.
funny enough… I was randomly poking around an SP-1200 thread on GS and someone basically said “back in the day, using an SP-1200… you always wanted something like an S-950 around as well… because you didn’t always want the character and aliasing that SP-1200 has.” made me think of this thread, and buying it for its character, when others used to buy it because it was a “cleaner” option. times change, I guess. 
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This is exactly why the s950 is heard prominently on nearly every 90’s hiphop album. People used their mpc60 or sp1200 with the s950 to resample loops into, use the filter and generally have more clean sample time. It does have a character, though not as prominently as the sp1200.
Throughout my years of using different (old and new) samplers, I’ve found that all samplers have a ‘character’ which might be to your taste or not. The sp404mk2 sounds different from the 404sx or the digitakt, even though all three are modern 16 bit samplers. Some 16 bit samplers sound more lofi than 12 bit ones, and different 12 bit samplers can sound somewhere from quite clean to completely lofi. My conclusion is: just find a sampler which you like the sound of, and don’t worry about the specs.
The s950 might have a sound you like, but it isnt the easiest sampler to work with, especially if its sitting somewhere in a rack below.
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Yeah try not to put it in a low spot in a rack. You’ll never get any decent use out of it.
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I know right! I can’t imagine what things must have been like during the fidelity wars.
I do think that old technology can definitely be re-harnessed to make new ideas? Image sampling a super complex spectral reaktor patch into an S950?
for example. It doesn’t always have to be about breaks and boom bap right?
Although I love those too.
noted. My A 3000 is going to need a new spot!
“Good” is subjective. The 60 has a unique sound for sure. There’s like glue inside: every sound glues together. Very nice, but the mpc2000xl sounds dope too, in a different way. Also has a sound of its own. Very different, but very nice. IMO the 2000xl is the best sounding MPC. I find the 3000 sounding a bit neutral and bland.
But none of it matters anymore, now that we have The Rytm 
If you want a Akai rack sampler, I would get a cheap S1000. You can still find these for 200’ish.
If you want “lo-fi”, get one of the Roland S-series samplers or Ensoniq EPS.
If you want an old MPC, get the 2000XL with SCSI2SD (its hot swappable and reads WAV-files)
Thanks for the advice.
I already have an MPC 2K so fine on that front for now.
I also have an OT,Yamaha A3000 and MDUW although non of these apart from the MD are 12 bit hence my intrigue.
I don’t know enough about roland or Ensoniq EPS but the EPS does look super intriguing. Timestretch is also another big pull for me with the s950 and who knows, if I don’t get along with the S950 I could always trade it for an EPS
I found this thread,
https://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=187287
unfortunately examples have been deleted but interesting to find out a bit more on the topic and the generous exploration by this OP.
Maybe @NearTao can pop his head in here and may have the audio still…
It is quite possible I can find the audio backed up someplace. When I get home I will try and take a look.
Incredible thanks so much. Invaluable!
Here’s the new links:
They should be available for anybody to download, if that’s not the case definitely let me know. I found a bunch of other stuff I’ll probably get posted up from the S950 over the next few days, though I think it is available off of my blog.
the 60 definitely has envelopes… its a drum machine!
I believe the MDUW uses an algorithm/emulation to achieve its 12-bit sound.
As opposed to what?
Serious question, I never really understood what the difference between 12bit here and 12 bit there and 26.01khz here and 26.01khz there