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Category: Projects/DIY

Published: Friday, 27 February 2015 00:07

I had not seen this anywhere online so figured I would try it myself and it worked.

So for those who want their 2500 to look a bit more of the classic Akai MPC's, there was the skin offered by MPC-STUFF, and a couple other sites had them also.

I went with the one from MPC-STUFF. But it just still wasnt looking enough like a 2500. When I was looking at the custom MPC thread, and seen someone had done a custom (fully painted, not skinned) 2500 it had the buttons, everything matching.

That being what I wanted, I wondered if any of the buttons from the 2000XL were interchangeable with the 2500.

Well I found out the key pad buttons are, being that all the other buttons look the same already (except Window) of course which I will get into shortly.

So for me a while back I had replaced my 2KXL buttons with the black ones from MPC-STUFF and kept my old ones in a bag. So today I took off the top case, removed the PCB with the number pad buttons, popped them out, popped the blue keys in, and it worked out great. Nice look too.

By the photos for anyone not firmillar with changing keys, you can see the process is incredibly easy.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

• Black Jog Wheel (MPC 5000)
• Blue Number Keys (MPC 2000XL)
• Orange Window Key (MPC 2000XL)
• GAIN / REC Knobs (MPC 2000XL)
• White LCD (MPC 2500 - MPC STUFF)

Remove the shell, unhook the ribbon cable at the bottom by pulling the two black edges forward (ribbon slides right out with ease), and all the molexs

Remove all the screws holding the PCB down, and lift it off the board.

From the bottom side you can push the plastic bottom bits toward each other and they pop right out.

Then from top side, pop the new ones back in

 And bosh

Really helps the overall look.

You can then take some old knobs from the 2000XL to add into things

White LCD. Second step.

You can see it compared to the green one, looks just like the 2000XL when turned off

PERFECT!

Third step, the window key. I had to have an orange window key. So I took some old buttons and trashed them.

Then started assembling it.

Then installed

If you think it was a terrible button build, then this should change your mind.

Even lights up

And there we are with the Classic Skin, 2000XL number buttons, 2000XL Rec/Vol Knobs, orange Window key from the 2000XL, black Jog Wheel from the 5000, and white LCD.

And an added optional bonus. Screen lines if you really want to feel the pain of nostalgia, adjust the contrast right and you'll have this

Everything here can be purchased from MPC-STUFF except the blue buttons and orange window key. You might search earlier models to see if any purple or blue buttons pop up, but right now you will have to make the window key yourself, and it's very easy. Just clip the button off it's holding, cut the top off a clear button, make sure to shave it down completely flat with a razor blade, glue the orange on top of it, and bosh.

What you will notice about the window key, you might be wondering WHY did I do something so stupid like cut the arms off. Was not me. Previous owner I found out had attempted to super glue a bunch of broken buttons, prolly from watching Youtube videos and thinking you have to slam the shit out of your buttons to really look cool making beats. So I used a broken key, as this was just a test run to see if it would work. 

So buying a new key, just snipping the top off, remove the old orange top and put it back on. It clicks fine, just looks a bit un-centered for my taste. Had to make note of that real quick.