The Ultimate XL Now Available
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(Click for a close-up) |
October 9, 2002
Akai is now shipping the Ultimate XL. The Ultimate XL includes the MPC2000XL Studio Plus with 32MB of RAM, an internal 100MB ZIP drive, a 100MB ZIP disk loaded with 50MB of free sounds compiled from the "best of the best" of the Akai MPC library, and the new MFC42 - MIDI analog filter module.
Complete with mounting brackets to attach the MFC42 to the MPC2000XL, the "KIT-MFC42" portion of the Ultimate XL also includes the MFC-SN1 "snake" for neat and tidy wiring connections. With two MIDI connectors and three balanced 1/4" connectors, the MFC-SN1 is a custom cable perfectly sized for the marriage of the MPC and the MFC42.
The MPC2000XL combines a sampling drum machine and a powerful 64-track sequencer to create a unique musical instrument. The MPC2000XL features 16-bit stereo sampling and 32-voice polyphony, and comes equipped with 2MB RAM -- expandable to 32MB with widely available standard SIMMs. Each voice features dynamic resonant filters, time stretch capability, graphic cut-and-paste sample editing, and resampling capabilities. The MPC2000XL also includes built-in flash ROM for the operating system. In addition, it is easy to download new operating system files from the Akai website and load them into memory.
The MPC2000XL's 16 velocity and pressure sensitive drum pads can be programmed to four separate banks, providing up to 64 sounds per program at the touch of a button. Selecting and building drum programs has never been easier with the addition of four dedicated bank keys on the MPC2000XL's control surface.
The MPC2000XL is fully compatible with all MPC2000 disks and offers an amazing array of sample library options. The MPC2000XL can load samples from the vast Akai S-Series Sound Library, as well as the Akai MPC60, MPC60-II, MPC3000 libraries, E-Mu EIII, and Roland S750/S760 CD-ROM libraries. The MPC2000XL also supports 16-bit 44.1kHz uncompressed .WAV files from IBM formatted disks - making it easy to work with downloaded uncompressed samples from the Internet, or to save a newly created sample to an IBM formatted disk and email finished creations around the world.
The MFC42 is optimized for the MPC-Series products, including the MPC60/II, MPC3000, MPC2000 and MPC2000XL. The MFC42 features two independent channels, including 1 x stereo channel for processing MPC drum sounds, and a separate mono channel for bass. However, since the MFC42 comes with an assortment of standard inputs, plus direct turntable inputs, the MFC42 can be used in just about any application.
Although the MFC42 is described as an analog filter module, it offers a great deal more. In addition to the powerful filtering capabilities, the MFC42 provides one LFO and one Envelope Generator, plus distortion and phasing effects. Real-time control of these capabilities is what the MFC42 does best, and since most of the controls on the MFC42 generate MIDI controller data, performances can easily be recorded and saved using the MPC's sequencer.
The MFC42 offers 2-pole and 4-pole curves on the stereo channel, while 2-pole, 4-pole, and an amazing 8-pole filter is available on the mono channel. Four filter types are provided on the MFC42, including low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch filters. Toggle switches are provided to allow users to immediately switch to any filter type, with no need to scroll through unwanted choices. Dedicated controls for the cut-off frequency and resonance allow real-time sound shaping -- from sub-sonic to extreme weirdness.
To provide maximum modulation flexibility, the MFC42 can assign the LFO and EG (envelope generator) to either channel to provide real-time changes. The on-board LFO can sync to external MIDI clock to easily match the tempo of any beat. It's also possible to control the LFO rate using TAP TEMPO and BEAT SYNC. BEAT SYNC allows the duration of the LFO/Envelope to be manually controlled. And when assigned to the stereo channel, it's possible to shift the LFO phase between the left/right channels to create a completely unique sound.
While each channel on the MFC42 is independent, LINK and INVERT functions allow interaction between the channels. The LINK function allows the channels to be linked together, so that any changes made on one channel will actually affect both channels. The INVERT function allows the control of one channel to have the opposite effect on the other channel.
The MFC42 also provides built-in effects to provide additional sound shaping possibilities. The effects included are distortion, a stereo analog phaser, and EQ.
For more information, visit their web site at www.akaipro.com. | 
