Testing the 2000xl with no zip

I just bought a 2000xl off craigslist. Couldn't pass the deal up, but it didn't come with anything besides the main power cable. I want to test it out by just getting some samples in there, anything. I have a Presonus Firebox and a Mackie mixer if it helps. Also I have an analog synth. I'm sure I will end up ordering a zip drive and some disks on ebay but for now I just want to know it works. Thanks.

It's a sampler.

Sample something :]

Check the manual for the details...but it involves plugging your synth into the record-ins, going into sample mode, sampling a sound, assigning it to a pad, then hitting the pad to play it.

Got a few sounds sampled from my moog, sounding good. Only thing is the pads seem fairly worn and I think a few of them might not work. Compared to my padkontrol You really have to hammer the pads down to get a sound to come out, and also I'm getting double hits randomly, making it impossible to make any kind of beat. I can get used to hitting the pads harder, but would there be any reason for the double hits where it triggers the note twice one on top of the other?

The answer to both of those it that the pads on this MPC are way more playable than your korg and you will get used to it.

It's an instrument and you have to learn to play it.

You could try the 'full level' button to hear the full volume of sound with any velocity on the pads.

Lastly, I can't remember, but I think you can adjust the sensitivity of the pads. I wouldn't do that yet, just learn to play it.

This is the same thing as the first time you played a guitar.

Having a blast on this beast! Its nice being away from the computer without all that mess.

But now I have sequences I want to save and no way of doing it.. Damn!

Guess I'll have to order some stuff on ebay. Should I get a CF reader or a Zip Drive? What's the difference between the two? Why do I get the impression that the built in zip drive is not any good? It doesn't seem like anyone uses it?? Is it a memory thing? Also, so once I have the zip drive or card reader, then can I save sounds/sequences to the zip discs? What is the process in that? How do they load the next time the MPC is turned on?

A lot of questions ha. I've been reading the manual as I go but help me out!

I would say go for the CF reader.

Yes you can save them, and load them another time you open your MPC.

Just read the manual. It has everything and makes it very easy.
You could also go for the BeatMaking On The MPC 2000XL

Thanks but why a CF reader over a zip drive?

solid state. zips will fail much faster.
more storage. 1gb > 100mb.
easier to find media. try buying a zip disk from wal mart.

having said that, the proliferation of 'does this card reader work' and 'how do i get card reader in mpc', clueless threads is appalling. when I got mine, I did it without help, and I amazed that the game could have really changed this much. my point is, if the number of useless card-reader related threads on this very forum are any indication, you might be better off sticking with a more idiot proof zip.
not saying because you personally couldn't figure it out, but something must have changed that has made it much more difficult these days.

would you mind sharing which reader you have, i am hving no luck getting my mpc to recognize the reader i bought. And yes I am no idiot, built plenty of machines but my addonics reader and sandisk ultra II are not being seen for some reason.

ddrumguy wrote:would you mind sharing which reader you have, i am hving no luck getting my mpc to recognize the reader i bought. And yes I am no idiot, built plenty of machines but my addonics reader and sandisk ultra II are not being seen for some reason.

+1. I've got a 2000XL and no luck with an Addonics ADIDECF. Same exact cf card as well. Desperately want to get this thing up and running!

I just copped one with no manual where can I find it?