Newbie questions, help appreciated!!

'sup pholks!
I've been checking the forum out now and then for a couple of months now, but there's been no reason for me to register, until now. After years of fiddling about i finally got my ass up and managed somehow to save some money to buy me a mpc. I ordered it two weeks ago through a local music shop (since i live in finland, no MPCs on the shelves..) and should be getting my hands on it soon, probably in another two weeks or so.
Anyway, i have little experience with the MPC (1h of playing, about 3years ago!), and i've read all the FAQs and articles i've found and everything, but there are a few things i'd like to have answered.
1. I do not own a computer. my friend has a home studio of some sorts (sampler,drum machine, mixer,keyboards, efx pedals, and a computer and some other stuff) and i'll be taking the MPC there every now and then,but i'll be mostly using it at my house. All i have is my hifi set (amp,cd-player,vinyl player) and i'll be hooking it up through that. My question is will i be able to upload samples from the akai sample-cd using my cd-player, or do i have to have a "computer cd-rom"? I don't know much about computers so i don't know if there is a difference between a normal cd-player and a cd-rom player..
2. I read the article about compression, and maybe i'm just stupid, but i got the impression that the MPC itself has got a compressor, that it is a programme already in the machine. Am i right, or is the compressor an external device that you hook up (and have to pay mad cash for) ?
I have a thousand questions in my head, but that's all i can think of now, thanks in advance for your help!!
btw, my english is not too good, so sorry if i have trouble getting to the point with these long ass sentencessssssssssssss
peace.

Welcome!

Don't worry too much about compression yet, learn your MPC! ok, now said. The CD Player will not work with your MPC, read FAQ and it will tell you what you need, that is an External SCSI CDROM DRIVE, yes the CD player and CDROM are different, CDROMS can play wav files (music) and read data files, normal cd players cannot read data unless purchased to do so (e.g. mp3 player + CD's). Well, you will need to invest in two more things, an External CDROM (SCSI) to load samples and a Mixer for your compresser issues or get software that is the equal to that of, if you have a PC you can use several low cost software to add compression or you can purchase a mixer (which you will need) that has compression. Have fun and don't worry about EVERYTHING too soon! First and foremost, upgrade RAM and Read Manual and tuturials on this site and FAQ. Plus, go to www.mpc2000xl.com for questions as well. Mainly, LEARN the machine first and worry about upgrades later.

PeAcE

bboutit, Thanks for taking the time to answer.
I know i have to learn the machine first, and that it will take some time for me to get to grips with everything.
the thing is that i should be getting the machine soon, and i wanna learn as much as possible before i get it, so that when i do get it i'll actually be able to make something with it, instead of just turning it on and looking at the screen. I just found the manual today on the net and i've been reading it, but there are a couple of more questions i need help with,so..
1. i do not have a computer and i won't be buying one for a long time. I don't have money to buy both a scsi-cd and a zip player, so which one should i get for now?
2. Is the cd that comes with the mpc strictly data, or will i be able to sample the sounds manually through my cd-player?
3. The compresser is not yet that important, but i was wondering if you meant like a dj mixer? Because i could probably borrow one of those..
That's it for now, I'll be back to bother you with more questions. Meanwhile i'll be reading the manual.....
peace.

If you dont have a comp.... then if i were you i would just make sure to buy the correct cables to: record turntable in, record cd player in and anything else you plan on sampling from...

as far as zip and cd players go, I dunno a whole lot about the scsi-cd player..... but i have a zip and it works great for me

peace

Thanks aaron, i will get all the right cables and stuff and i'll be sure not to stick em where they don't belong , but what i meant was:
when you buy a new 2000xl you get a sample-cd with it.my question was about the cd.
Is it strictly a data cd-rom (so that you have to upload the samples using a scsi cd-drive) or will you be able to play it on a normal cd-player so that you'd be able to sample the sounds manually,piece by piece?

Strictly data bro. What you can do is use your friend's computer, listen to the files you like, then put them on the desktop and then burn and audio disk from these files, and then sample the disk from home cd player usin a dual rca to 1/4 jack cable.