3KXL by SimultSeq

3KXL is a patched operating system for the Akai MPC2000XL, based on official OS version 1.20. 3KXL adds timing, speed, and performance improvements that put the 2000XL’s ability to function as a setup centerpiece on par with that of the legendary MPC3000.

3KXL does not enhance the 2000XL OS with new features or workflows, with one exception: the MPC3000’s delay has been ported to the 2000XL. It works without the EB16 effects board, and functions alongside the EB16’s delay if equipped.

You need an MPC2000XL, OS 1.20 from Akai’s support site, and a floppy drive or CF card. A patcher in the browser is used to turn your copy of OS 1.20 into 3KXL.

3KXL is offered at a $29 introductory price.
One license per machine. A license is good for three patch applications.
Buy 3KXL
Already have a key? Open the patcher

Features

• Rock-solid timing. Sequencer ticks fire when clock ticks fire, like the 3000. Swing algorithms have also been adapted from the 3000.
• MIDI sync improvements. Operates at a true evenly-spaced 96ppq when synced to an external clock.
• MPC3000 delay. Three tempo-syncable delays that run on the sound chip. This delay is saved along with the program, and works alongside an EB16 effects board.
• Other speed improvements. Resampling has been sped up by about 4x, and timestretching up to about 3x. Improvements to SysEx handling and IDE waits. Pads sound more quickly when tapped.
• Classic workflow. Everything else is unchanged. The way you already work, but faster and more reliable.

Timing

By default, the 2000XL’s sequencer counts milliseconds and fires each sequencer tick on the subsequent millisecond boundary. 3KXL counts at a finer grain and fires events on the tick itself, as the 3000 does. The tick interrupt itself has been sped up to ensure reliability.

Minor swing differences have been adapted from the 3000. TC 1/16 at 66% is now a true triplet (vs. slightly early on stock 2000XL). Recording is also now swing-aware, allowing you to play swung with swing enabled and get the note placements you expect.

By default, when synced to external MIDI clock, the 2000XL processes ticks in bursts of 4 whenever a clock signal arrives, reducing the effective resolution of the sequencer. 3KXL, like the 3000, averages incoming tempo and maintains 96ppq locked to the incoming clock based on this calculation.

Delay

The MPC3000 delay has been ported to the 2000XL, as the required hardware support is still there. You can open the delay with SHIFT+0:

One delay line is shared among three delays. Each has its own volume, pan, time, and feedback controls. Time is 1 to 1486ms. As an additional upgrade from the 3000’s delay, you can also choose a note value that follows the sequence tempo.

Send pads to the delay from the MIXER page’s FXsend. Settings are saved with the PGM. MPC3000 PGMs will bring their delay settings along when imported.

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