Akai Professional MPC1000 Music Production Center  

This is my first MPC that I bought. I used my friends a few times and loved everything about it. Learning curve could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days but it's great once you get use to it.

Die hard MPC users complain constantly about the pads, I've had the 1000 for over a year and I'm still not interested in upgrading the pads.  The only way I can see the pads wearing out if you use the velocity feature a lot, which I personally don't. Other than that the pads are fine. I will say they use to make MPC's a lot more solid then they do now, the plastic buttons on these are the biggest problem, they tend to break easy if you're a type of person whose rough on pressing keys.  But easily replaceable. The only thing that I'm really disappointed about is the USB function.  How hard would it be for akai to let you render down a beat inside the mpc and drag it out USB?  You would think they would let you do that, but you can't.  On the other hand it is nice being able to drag samples and drum loops from my computer into the MPC. Bottom line, this is a hiphop beat legend. You wont find another groove like the MPC's. Thats the only reason software hasn't taken this device out the market. The MPC sound is not replaceable to anything else.  That's why it is a industry standard drum machine. The 1000 Isn't the best MPC on the market obviously, but its very good for the price.

You have to be into making beats to really need the mpc 1000.  I first bought the mpc 500 (the smaller version) and found it cramped and hard to use as compared to this one.  I then got the 1000 and moving from the 500, it was like night and day.  This thing is a legend for a reason.  It has been developed and tested through many years and has really got the beat making process down.  It is limited in a way that only spawns creativity.  I find that the reason to use hardware samplers like this over computers (or with computers) is that you get the tactile feel and most importantly the limits and work flow.  With this puppy, i have been pumping out beats way faster and better than i had with only my computer.  It should also be said that you need JJOS to make this thing the monster that it really is.  The Akai OS does suck.  But is should also be noted that the pad problem was fixed on all new units. I highly recommend this.

I owned the 1000 before I got the 2500. For all of you people trying to get into an MPC, please know that the 1000 and 2500 are exactly the same. Only difference is size and a little different in layout. I learned on the 1000 and I love them both equally. Don't worry about other mpc's - check out the 1000 first and you'll be glad you did.

I love my MPC 1000.  Its a very powerful unit in a small portable size...It fits into a lap top bag, but has most of the power of a 2000.  Add a computer and out board effect processor, and you're good to go.  This small unit rivals any sequencer/sampler out there and gives you that signature AKAI swing and sound