I’m just mulling this over and would love some input.
Both machines will cost me the same amount of money. Although, the MPC might need a couple upgrades soonish.
Also, I have a Syntakt, so part of me feels that the MC707 is a bit redundant.
Reasons for MPC
So classic and very easy on the eyes
Very easy and straight forward to use
Dedicated to it’s strengths ( sampling )
Great UI
User upgradable parts/software
Reasons for MC707
TR Style sequencer
Built in synths are classics
Interfacing with PC is so easy
Very solid build
Sampling is pretty good
Reasons to not MPC
Interfacing with computer will require an expensive interface
Buttons and pads tend to wear out/will require more money to upgrade parts
Reasons to not MC707
Sort of cramped feeling UI
Buttons, sliders, knobs don’t feel that great to the touch, no clicking
Said synths are a tad tedious upon the smallish screen
Both are good machines, beloved by their users. What do you plan to do, and what do you want to get out of them?
Also, why do you prefer the 2500 over a more modern MPC? (Nothing wrong with older gear, I know there are 2500 fanatics out there, but they wouldn’t dream of comparing the 2500 with the 707)
I think I am just looking for an immersive music making box. I want something that is pretty straight forward. I don’t really plan to play live, just make beats at home. Also, I must say that I like the idea of owning a classic like the MPC.
I have briefly thought about the new line of MPCs, but I just cannot get behind the touch screen. I really wish Akai had just put new insides into the old form factor, as it feels so good.
MC 707 does sort of feel like it will be around and supported for some time to come and I really like how it can sort of do everything that I am looking for. My only draw back there, is that there is some overlap with my other gear, but I think it will be a very useful tool once I’m comfortable with it.
I don’t own either machine, but for me the most compelling reason to own the 707/101 is the library of JV/XV sounds included with the Xen engine. The compelling reason to own the 2500 is the UX and workflow if you are into it. You can get JJOS for the 2500, so that adds another dimension. But the underlying hardware is an early 2000s PC (roughly).
The 707/101 has an Ableton-style clip sequencer. I haven’t worked with an MPC, so I’m not sure I can do justice to it’s sequencer. But I have friends who are 2500 fanatics, and I trust that it is for good reason.
To be honest, you hardly have to use the touch screen on the MPC Live, the only time you have to is to enter names, preferences and I think to add navigation markers or edit q-link assignments otherwise it’s pretty much just buttons and shortcuts.
As an ex Mpc 1000 and 5000 owner, the benefits are just enormous, the difference in effects quality is like night and day.
But, if I only had to record and trigger samples for finger drumming, no other editing needed, I’d still get a 2500, just for the look.
Or maybe not as in my case the battery makes a world of difference…
This would be one of the current MPC machines. If you like the MPC workflow already, or the idea of it, that’s the way to go, especially if you have step seq covered with the Syntakt, which you can also sample and manipulate then too.
If you want to sample extensively, or even just regularly, the 2500 is the better option. The 707 has a capable sampling engine, but that doesn’t make it a good sampler and I expect its quirks and limitations will soon add up.
But sampling is all you’ll be doing on the 2500, so if immediate access to an excellent and huge library of sounds (as well as virtual analog synthesis) are appealing, as well as hands-on control across eight tracks, then the 707 will be a much better fit.
You’ve also got to weigh the quick & classic results of the 707’s TR-style step recording against the depth of the 2500’s MPC method - they’re very different workflows.
If I was buying a used 2500 nowadays, I’d be sure to check all the buttons carefully, because those tact switches are a common issue.
As has been noted above, if you’re budgeting for a new 707, a current model MPC is arguably a better option than an 2500, unless touch screens are an absolute no-go - and as @Automageddon says, it may not be as much of a chore as you might think (if that’s the concern).
The 2500 allow you to create full song made of sample.
With jjos you can also have 8 audio track on the 2500.
But no way to play synth on it, because it lack keygroup. Maybe jjos solve a bit this problem, but anyway it won’t be a mpc live or similar for playing keygroup.
But it’s a great and better one shot sample player.
And pad are better than the 707.
The 707 can do a bit of one shot sample. But the pad… Meehh
It has a real and strong synth engine which allow polyphony and which is really easy to mix.
Good effect also, better than the mpc 2500.
Honestly the mpc live beat the 2500… on all and every detail today.
The 707 is more for playing live.
You can change the pattern of a track the fader allow smooth transition but it’s not recordable.
The mpc are more for composing song.
Different beast for different goal.
I have a 2500, and an MC-101. Also have owned a 1000 before.
As others said, the 2500 is a sampler at heart. Of course it has a robust and powerful sequencer that can deal with many tracks and many notes. It doesn’t have is a lot of sound shaping capabilities- what you put in is basically what you get out, other than the standard filters and pitch. The effects are pretty crappy. So if you have a lot of sound sources already, or a huge sample library, the MPC is good for hosting and sequencing them. Otherwise I’d go with the MC-707.
Making purely sample based music is a beautiful but difficult art form, and it takes a lot of patience IMO so it might not be very immersive at first unless you have a lot of sound sources already.
Thank you for all the input!
I ended up ordering the 707 this morning.
Also, I ended up sending back the Syntakt, as the 707 will cover all of my needs.
