Going Back to the Sound of the 2000s
There is something special about building a beat with hardware that makes you slow down, listen, and make decisions. In this Globe Made It session, I went back to that classic 2000s production workflow by combining an Akai MPC 2000XL with a Yamaha Motif ES7.
The goal was simple: start with a sample, chop it, build a groove around it, bring in the Motif for musical colors, and turn the individual patterns into a complete beat. No complicated setup—just classic hardware, a good sample, and the creative process.
The Core Setup
The centerpiece of the session is the Akai MPC 2000XL, a fully modified unit with 32 MB of RAM, Compact Flash storage, the IB-208P eight-output expansion board, and the EB16 effects board.
For the keyboard and workstation side, I used the Yamaha Motif ES7, a 76-key workstation from the early 2000s. The combination works extremely well because the MPC handles the sample-based rhythm and sequencing workflow while the Motif brings in acoustic and keyboard-based sounds.
Why I Upgraded the MPC 2000XL
32 MB of RAM
The RAM upgrade gives the MPC considerably more room for samples. In the video, I mention getting around 300 seconds of mono sampling time, which makes the machine much more practical for a modern sample-based workflow while keeping the classic MPC experience.
Compact Flash Storage
The Compact Flash setup replaces the original internal floppy or Zip-based storage with a faster and more convenient workflow. Compact Flash storage options can make managing older hardware much easier.
IB-208P Eight-Output Expansion
The eight-output expansion is one of the most useful upgrades for a hardware-based production setup. Instead of keeping everything on the stereo output, individual elements such as the kick, snare, hats and melodies can be routed separately to a mixer or DAW.
EB16 Effects Board
The EB16 adds four buses of digital effects, including reverb, delay and chorus. In a machine like the MPC 2000XL, having those effects available directly inside the hardware helps keep the workflow focused and immediate.
Building the Beat: From Sample to Groove
1. Load the sample
I started by loading the sample into the MPC 2000XL and listening for the parts that could become the foundation of the beat.
2. Chop it into 16 parts
The sample was chopped into 16 sections. This turns a linear recording into a playable instrument and opens up many more rhythmic possibilities.
3. Adjust attack and release
I worked with the attack and release settings to make the chops feel more playable. Small envelope changes can make a huge difference when triggering sampled material.
4. Establish the tempo
The beat was built around 95 BPM in a four-bar pattern. That gave the groove enough space for the sample, drums and Motif parts to breathe.
5. Add the drums
I built the rhythm progressively, starting with the snare, then hats and kick. Instead of filling every space, the goal was to find a groove that supported the sample.
6. Bring in the Motif
The Yamaha Motif ES7 supplied piano, bass, flute, strings and additional drum sounds. These parts added harmonic and melodic depth around the chopped sample.
7. Build the hook
Once the sample and instruments were working together, the combined arrangement became the hook of the track.
8. Create patterns and variations
The final stage was sequencing patterns by muting and combining tracks, then exploring new melodies using different sample chops.
The Magic of Combining the MPC 2000XL and Motif ES7
What I like about this setup is that each machine has a clear role. The MPC 2000XL gives the beat its sample-driven character, punch and hands-on sequencing workflow. The Motif ES7 expands the palette with keys, basses, orchestral sounds and workstation-style instruments.
That combination is a big part of why this setup feels so connected to the sound and workflow of the 2000s. Instead of trying to make one machine do everything, each piece of hardware contributes something different.
The Creative Lesson: Don't Overcomplicate the Beat
One of the biggest takeaways from this session is that a strong beat can come from a relatively simple idea. The sample provides the identity. The drums establish the groove. A few carefully chosen Motif parts create movement and emotion. Then the arrangement comes from combining and muting patterns.
This is also why older hardware can still be inspiring today. The limitations force you to make decisions instead of endlessly searching for another plugin, preset or sound.
Affiliate Links
- Akai MPC Sample
- 🎛️ Antelope Audio Orion Synergy Core Interface
- 🎹 Yamaha Montage M8x – The Ultimate Production Keyboard The Yamaha Montage M8x is an incredible workstation for producers, composers, and musicians looking for powerful sounds, deep synthesis, and professional performance capabilities.
- 🎧 Get your tracks release-ready with eMastered! Use my referral link below and save 20% on your subscription. It's a fast and easy way to add polish and loudness to your mixes before releasing your music. 👉 refer.emastered.com/7hbsvw
Watch the Full Beat Session
If you want to see the entire process—from the first sample chop to the finished sequence—watch the full MPC 2000XL & Yamaha Motif production video on the Globe Made It YouTube channel.
💿 Get the official 320kbps MP3 here
🌐Support the channel directly. Your purchase includes the premium, untagged audio file for personal playback, delivered instantly via secure Stripe/Paypal checkout.
Final Thoughts
The MPC 2000XL and Yamaha Motif ES7 may come from another era, but the creative principles still work: find a strong sample, chop it with intention, build a pocket, choose complementary sounds, and arrange the ideas into a song.
Sometimes the best way to make something new is to go back to a workflow that already knows how to get you focused.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, Globe Made It may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only link to products and resources that fit the studio and production workflows discussed on this site.
