Akai Debuts MPC2000XL at NAMM
 |
MPC2000XL
(Click for a larger picture) |
February 17, 2000
Building upon Akai’s MPC2000, the MPC2000XL
adds a host of new hardware and software features. 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, new 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.
Enhanced real time controls also include a Next Sequence Key, Track
Mute Key, and a large (248 x 60 dot), hinged LCD for greater visibility.
New software tools include timestretch, resampling, device naming capability,
MIDI soft thru, multitrack recording, simultaneous playback of a second
sequence and powerful file management options.
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 MPC2000 can record on all 16 MIDI channels simultaneously and users
can freely assign any MIDI input channel to any internal MIDI channel
to transfer sequences from an external sequencer in a single pass. Volume
and pan controls are included and the MPC2000XL supports Akai’s advanced
SampleVerb™ 4-bus digital multi-effects processor -- allowing users
to work with up to six different effects simultaneously. Effects can be
routed to the stereo outputs or as stereo pairs to any of the individual
outputs of the optional Multi-8D/m.
SampleVerb offers two multi-effects channels that include distortion,
EQ, flanging, chorus, phrasing, stereo pitch shift, ring modulation, auto-panning,
rotary speaker emulator, delay/echo and reverb. It also provides two reverb
only channels, for a total of four reverbs. SampleVerb provides 100 user
programmable presets (50 multi-effect and 50 reverb) all of which can
be extensively edited and saved.
Offering a wide range of storage options, the MPC2000XL supports a variety
of devices via the high density 50-pin SCSI port on the rear panel. Supported
external devices include hard drives, CD-ROM’s and a variety of removable
media such as Zip™ or Jaz™ disks for larger projects.
Akai also offers optional equipment for the MPC2000XL, allowing users
to configure their MPC to specific tasks. An 8-channel parallel analog
output and digital S/PDIF I/O is available as well as a 4-bus multi-effects
processor allowing the creation of complete mixes entirely in the digital
domain. An optional SMPTE board is available for multi-frame-rate timecode
reading and generation and users can add their favorite samples to the
optional flash ROM memory card for on-board access.
The MPC2000XL is available now at a suggested retail price of $1649.00.
For more information
visit Akai on the web at www.akaipro.com. | 
