Akai MPC 2500 Samples, Sounds, Tutorials & Review
MPC 2500 Quick Review
The MPC 2500 is the 'ex' flagship MPC, now overthrown by the MPC5000. Basically the MPC 2500 is an MPC1000 'with knobs-on'. It's the true upgrade from the MPC2000XL in my opinion - from a build perspective, the two seem quite similar with their tilting screens, similar size, 8 outputs and sturdy builds. Internally, the MPC 2500 is a completely different beast to the XL; the operating system is the 'new breed' OS from Akai and is basically the MPC1000 OS with a couple of additional features (e.g. Chop Shop, Direct Recording etc).The pads feel great and while the whole machine doesn't quite
have the quality feel of an XL, it's still great and a worthy contender for 'best MPC'. Price-wise it's reasonable, but those on a budget may prefer the MPC 1000, especially with the JJ OS upgrade which makes the 1000 OS very similar to the standard Akai MPC 2500 OS. Personally I love it and use it as my main MPC these days.
MPC 2500 Samples Info
Like the MPC1000, the MPC 2500 uses WAV as its native format. Basically anything created on a MPC1000 will work perfectly in an MPC 2500. You can also load up any programs and sounds created on older MPCs, although anything created on an MPC 2500 will only work with the 1000, 500 and MPC 5000.
Free MPC 2500 Samples
Want some free MPC 2500 sounds? We've put together a handful of free MPC 2500 drum samples
, which include some kick, snare, snap, clap, hat and percussion.
If you want lots more free MPC 2500 samples, a free ebook on setting up a home studio, and access to regular sample pack and MPC tutorial discounts at MPC-Samples.com, subscribe to the MPC-Samples newsletter
today - it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
If you are looking to buy some ready-processed and tweaked samples, check out MPC-Samples.com
- we have tens of thousands of drum samples, percussion, loops, breaks and multisamples, all of which come highly recommended from producers such as Public Enemy's Earle Holder, and legendary Hip Hop producer, J Rawls.
MPC 2500 Manual & Tutorials
Akai have their official MPC 2500 technical manual
which covers the basics of all the buttons and knobs on the MPC 2500, but it certainly won't teach you how to become a 'beat maker'. There's no 'real world' production examples, no tips or tricks and it assumes you really know a lot about music production already - basically you're really left to work out how to make music on your own!
We've written a 280 page book called 'Beat Making on the MPC 2500
' that contains 52 MPC 2500 tutorials
, all of which teach you the skills you need to create hip hop beats with an MPC 2500. Each tutorial is written in a clear, easy to follow style and includes screen shots and files to recreate the tutorials in your MPC 2500. You can read two free preview tutorials here on the MPC-Tutor web site:To experience all 52 tutorials, you can buy and instantly download 'Beat Making on the MPC 2500
' from the URL below - you can also read reviews, testimonials, and see a full listing of all the tutorials included:
MPC 2500 Operating Systems
There's also an unofficial operating system by a bloke called JJ, you can buy it here: Unofficial 'JJ' MPC 2500 OS
MPC 2500 Discussion Forums
Talk to fellow MPC 2500 users at our own MPC 2500 forum:
Do you use the unofficial JJ OS? If so, we also have a forum for you: