Feature:
A little scaled down...but what do you expect for the money. I am a Producer/Remixer. I have produced 100's of records & remixes. I have owned &/or used the 2000xl, the 3000 & the 4000. It would be hard to compare a Volkswagen Jetta to a Mercedes CLK-Class...I never can understand why people dog & complain so much...Manufacturers cannot include every conceivable feature for under a grand. The fact that this baby is small & computer friendly (USB) is worth the price alone. I bought this as a little home computer MPC setup & have no regrets. The 4000 is a killer mahine...but not everyone can afford or for that matter needs a Mercedes...so keep that in mind when you're buying. on the other hand, the 2000xl...I'm a bit surprised that Akai put out a new one but the only difference is the ugly blue color. No USB, No FX, No digital spdif...So all in all, with the compact size & everything else taken into consideration.. I felt that the 1000 was better value than the 2000xl for my home setup. But it definately ain't no Mercedes!

Quality:
In general made very well. But I really don't like the data wheel. It feels kida cheap-

Value:
Like I said this is a fuel efficient, quick little Jetta...It will get you around where you wanna go but it just doesn't compare to driving a Mercedes!!! (or Porsche for that matter!!! : )

Desirability:
Don't like the blue & Red...It looks like it could be under George W. Bush's arm on the campaign trail! (Could you imagine George W. somwhere in middle america at a photo op with an Akai MPC 1000 under his arm!!! : )

Sound:
Sounds Punchy, Good bass. There's something about Akai filters on their samplers that gives it a true punchy analog tape-ish sound. No other samplers can match it...that's why the MPC series is so popular.

Support:
Have you ever tried to contact Akai? Good Luck!

Overall:
If you're a bigtime studio cat...you'll need the 4000. The 4000 is one killer machine & well worth the hefty price tag. If you don't wanna lug around a piece of gear that's the size of a small continent...& aren't so concerned about super pro features then the 1000 is a fine little vehicle to own.

Feature:
The only things I could ask of this piece are that it included a few more features to make it "computer independant" such as BPM detect for phrase loops, sample revers and Velo% per track, for fixing track levels instead of having to tweak the mixer section after you've recorded a too-quiet piece. Maybe in a new OS update.

Quality:
The unit as a whole has excellent build quality. The case is rugged and has a good heft to it, the pads can take a beating, and the screen just won't quit. The only especially flimsy feeling parts are the Q-link sliders (misleading name as they do NOT function like Q-link knobs on the Z-series samplers, only assignable to a few specific things) which feel a bit toylike. The data wheel is very light plastic but that's okay by me as it allows you to spin it faster than the old thumbwheels. The volume knobs are nice and chunky though they have the look of cheap Lego plastic. Otherwise a beautiful piece of machinery. (unless you can't deal with the colors. Break out the fat caps and spray it down!)

Value:
It's my main sequencer/phrase sampler. I have completely dumped my 2000 for this, though I don't know if I'd do so if I had an XL. It's small and easy to work with, my deskspace is valuable, and it integrates fabulously into my setup. (a turntable, an airsynth, an S 5000 and a Korg Karma, plus softsynths) Could barely ask for anything more for the price.

Desirability:
Sex appeal is a nasty term for the gear lust attributed to a piece of kit. I'd buy this again if I ever lost it, it's the most solid piece I've used so far in its price range and feature set.

Sound:
Adjustable "Master FX" (which admittedly is just sweepable EQ and a global compressor) allow for the sound of the entire unit to be sculpted as a whole, and FX, linkable, ressonant, attenuating LP/HP/BP filters allow individual pads to be tweaked blissfully simple. The usual tuning, panning, amp envelopes and velocity-based adjustment of filters add further depth to this tiny unit. Color me impressed. The sound coming off both the mains and the headphone out is great. Add to that the standard 4 additional outs and resampling capability and you're gold.

Support:
Never had need for support on this, though they've already updated the OS numerous times in the few months it's been out.

Overall:
I expect, unless it breaks down, to continue using this piece indefinitely. I love punching softsynths with it, sampling breaks, sampling a guitar riff WHILE the beat is playing, and all the other features that make the 1000 what it is to me. I can use it for almost anything, and don't see it leaving my side for a loooong time.