By
Dr.Foo
Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:17 pm
the os aint a big deal as you can download it from the akai pro site.
#1 check the memory, on the load screen it should tell you how much memory is available, make sure its what they say it is, either 2, 16 or 32 mb.
#2 make sure the stuff they sell as "add ons" are there and working, open the case and make sure the eb-16 efx board, 8 outs unti and digi stuff are there, then check them, check the 8 out by going into the mixer and assigning a sound to each of the 8 outs and tesiting it, same w/ the digital i/o, the eb16 test the same way.
#3 test the floppy or built in zip to see that it formats disks and readas em, although id this aint working it can be easily replaced by u for less then 10 bux (the FDD)
#4 check to ensure all the pads work, and are velocity sensetive, IE dont let him hit "full level" since when you take it off full level the velocity stuff may be messed up and u didnt know.
#5 check the butins, make syure they all weork
#6 check the jog wheel, its not supposed to be loose and is a major apin in the butt to fix.
check the screen it should not be dim, nor should the higes be loose, replacing a screen costs some serious $$$ too.
#7 check the knobs and the sampler.
I suggest sampling a sound, and then using that sound to test all the other stuff to save time,
#8 last, check the midi and ensure all the midi I & O can recieve/send midi data.
#9 last but not least, there is a thing called "implied warranty" simply have the seller write down, "this mpc 2000xl, serial #XXXXX with add on gear serial # XXXXXX is working 100% perfectly to the best of my knowledge, has no problems etc."
this is good if its a pawn shop or store, if it is broken or craps out fast, the law (in CALIFornia anyway, but it should be similar throughout the US and canada, since we all have similar consumer protectoin laws.) states that a seller, by selling it as a unit they imply that there is a warrany period, determined by your state, it could be 1 month it could be a week. its a consumer protection law to stop people from selling lemon cars to people.
but it applies to all gear NOT sold "as is" and even to that "as-is" stuff in some cases, IE if its sold as is, but they guy dont tell you "the eb16 isnt working and the memory is bad" he is liable for lying to you, since even though its sold as is, he REASONABLY should have know that the memory was bad and the EB16 was too (kinda like they cant say "oh! I didnt know the car I sold you needed a new transmission!")
this is froma buddy who copped a reg. 2000 from a pawn shop only to have it break in 6 days. he went down and argued with the dude, then went to the cops, reported him and called the better business bureau, the shop called him to refund his loot. this is why I suggest buying used gear from the pawn shop. they are heavily regulated and watched and no owner wants some bs "i sold some broken gear" on their head when the cops come looking for some stolen property, they try to stay clean, so I'd skip ebay and buy it used from a music shop or a pawn shop. if its not an ebay thing, and its and individual some of the same rules apply.
if you dont live in the USA hell, good luck.
