Akai MPC-60 II

V2.02

Easiest bit of kit to use. Set your pad, your sample time, prepare and move on to the next until you've got a full kit. Couldn't be simpler and more pleasurable. There's something immediate about it that just lends itself to being used for music. So often technology seems to put up barriers before the creative process starts but here its just blissful.

18 notes of polyphony, more than enough for this bad boy. It has 1.5mb RAM (just over 26 seconds) at 40khz/12 bits and no built in FX. It does have send and returns so plugging in your favourite FX unit is no problem. The Linn expansion (v3.01) allows scsi etc, but I've not bothered to update because I've not yet found the need to. 4 midi outs and 2 ins make it a real centrepiece for a good percussion set-up and all sorts of pro sync options still make this very able to intergate into any studio.

The sequencer is simply superb. I use Cubase SX2 for most of my work, but for percussion tracks this is the main instrument. All my percussion is run from it, including Battery, Microtonic, the EWQLSO symphonic percussion, Orbit v2 an akai S950 and S2800i. Why?. Its rock steady. The swing and shuffle feature is great, the stuff of legend.

I use this for mainly for film and tv music to accomodate for World and Hip Hop style music and it works a treat. I've created masses of "Percussive Adventures" style tracks on it and many sounds I've created are as good as the Stormdrums I've just bought - albeit in mono. Considering its 12 bit, the fidelity is really good. Of course, its main raison d'etre is to sound thumping and dirty and I don't think anyone could say otherwise.

I'll just add that the MPC60II is way more flexible than to just be confined to hip hop and R&B. It can handle a lot more!.

Its pretty reliable. I've had very occasional freezes over the years but other than that its perfectly able to handle gigs, although its age may suggest a little prudence here.

N/A

Oh I'd definitely buy it again. I'm going to purchase a Roland MV-8000 to compliment it sometime soon but I can't imagine not using it. It has a special sound and a very well designed sequencer.

My current equipment list is detailed elsewhere in the Juno 6 or MP9500 review.

Anyway, definitely one to buy and love.

I use OS v. 3.10 (MPC3000 OS) - Very easy to use. I had never used Akai samplers before (I have an Ensoniq) and I learned the MPC in 2 days.

No effects - No filters - Short sampling time. This is the reason why I recently bought an MPC3000 (NEVER a 2000, always trust the Roger Linn signature!) As for the MIDI capabilities it has 2 INS and 4 OUTs, which is perfect. The sequencer is the best I have ever used. I do everything on it, it has a feel that no other machine/software has (and that includes teh MPC2000).

Sound is incredible. The MPC makes everything sound HUGE.

I have never encountered any problems in 10 years of use. The only thing is that the LCD screen on mine is almost dead, I need to replace some kind of battery I have been told. (which is not surprising after 10 years of use!).

N/A. I got the OS upgrade from Roger Linn, that's it.

I recently bought a MPC3000, but I am keeping the MPC60II, for the sound (lo-fi). I fell in love with this machine, (as probably every other user thereof).

I'm running os 3.10e (basicily a mpc3000 without filters, 12bit,less memory)

It's a sampler! But whatever you put in it sounds super intense,
giant bassy crusty drums. When you compress the sounds (giving you
twice as much sample time!) it makes it even more lo-fi!

Editing is a snap! A little different from the MPC2000
but anyone that can speak Akai will have NO trouble.
Hell, even if ya don't you'll be kickin beats in no time.

Well I was given the MCP60II and 3000 manuals.
Your gonna be lookin at the 3000 manual most of the time
becuase the new os makes it a 3000! Same screens an all.
The 60II manual I guess just for hardware specs.

16 I think...maybe 32. Sorry ;I

The pads feel 1000 times better than the MPC2000's.

No effects.... well you can make you own delay and flange
with a lil manipulation.

Expansions include: scsi interface, new os, more memory
(visit roger linn's site for these)

I'd have to say the sequencer is GOD.
I'll never use a computer, or anything else fro that matter.
It's sooo well layed out.

99 sequences with 99 tracks.
With it's 4 yes 4 midi outs you can have
64 different sounds all goin at the same time.
(16ch x4) The possibilites are endless.

Editing is really detailed. You can pull anything off.

Oh yeah, these's this little odd feature, somtimes
it does an automatic memory cleanup! NICE!
I guess it takes care of any wasted space.

Uhhmm it's a sampler..... that's kinda up to you.

It excels at hiphop no doubt.

DJ Shadow cut a whole album with just THIS.
I mean, if you're innovative enough you can
do anything with this machine.

Try and find his interview, it was in a keyboard magazine
titled (samplers rule) Or pick up his albums,
Entroducing, Preeptive strike.

Listen to it for yourself. Damn, I don't even think he has
the new os. Or even uses the scsi for that matter!

Weeeell one little problem.

The 3.5 drive......it sucks.
It's totally unrelaible, use a zip drive, you'll be happier anyways.

Other than that I have encountered NO problems with this baby.

So the 60II's a little more plasticy, still would beat a 2000
in a fight. ^_^ Looks like sumthn outta 2001 space oddsey shit.

Built VERY well. Pads and buttons are still perfect after all these years.
*note* I had a MPC2000, the buttons got all loose after 4 months
of use. This was built WAY better.

Foratmusic will fix her, Linn will supply you with the new OS
and Marion will get ya the SCSI.

Forat is the nicest guy, visit his site: Forat.com
just make sure ya sittin down when ya look at the prices.

If it were stolen, well I be skrewed for awhile...
couldn't just run out an buy another ya know... (poor)
I'd get another or a MPC3000, NEVER a 2000. That thing is a TOY.

I only wish there was a program to bounce wav.s into it :(

I've been using it for about 5 months.
I currently have it hooked up to a *sigh*
Yammy Tx81z....well 8 parts multi-timbral can't whine bout that.
TB-303 via Msq-100

I love everything about it! Only little insignificant gripe,
setting the number of bars per seq. gotta go to another sceen.

It definetly helps, the sequencer makes everything good.
And you come up with the greatest beats in no time.

It gets a 10..... just cause you can find them pretty
cheap if ya shop around. And their just amazing machines,
excellent quality. built like a tank, easy to use, sounds
perfect for hiphop, techno, industrial.