Complete Newbie

Whats up people. Jus got an MPC 2000xl and Im stuck on learning how to use it. The manual gives intructions by following along with a cd that comes with it(yall probably already know this). I dont have a SCSI cd rom, and my question was what cd rom is a good buy.

Also any help in getting started as far as how to sample from other cds I have and stuff like that. Just found this website today and plan on doing alot of reading.

All I have so far is a computer, the MPC and a stereo.

I appreciate any pointers on getting started and what SCSI cd drive to buy.

THankz,
ONE L

Hows it going? I just got an MPC 2000xl that was left to me. I have no clue how to use it though. I am trying to go along with the manual that teaches you by using the cd that came with the mpc.

My problem is that I dont have a SCSI cd rom to use the cd on the mpc. Can someone tell me what is a good cd rom to buy. Should it be external or internal.
Can some one please help me in choosing a good SCSI cd rom drive, that is what I need to use the sample cd that came with the mpc right?

Thankz,
ONE L

I have searched the archives and cant find an answer on which cd rom is a good buy.
Some one please help.

cd rom got some samples...its better to purchase a zip drive..

Okay, I found some recommedations. http://www.mpc-tutor.com/faqs/compat.php

Is the plextor good, should I get an external or internal. ANd if internal, what else will I need, a SCSI card for my computer? cables?

Thankz for the reply, the reason I want a cd rom is to follow along with the manual. I have never produced before and Im new to everything, from the techs to the language. I know having a mpc for me is like being in the deep end without knowing how to swim.

But I am really hungry to start using this mpc but getting frustrated not knowing where to start. I turn it on and cant do anything with it. So Im trying to follow the manual to get started.

Can someone give me some advice and pointers. What else will I need with the cd rom to start learning. Piece by piece.
Sorry if I need it told like a little kid, but I am not only new to producing but anything technical(computers, etc.)

Thankz,
ONE L

This is just an opinion; i read the manual and you don't need the cdrom to understand the manual, to me it seems wiser to make sure that you can save bigger projects first (especially if you have more than 2MB internal memory in the mpc) because saving all your work on floppies is just a plain nightmare so in my opinion you should first buy an external SCSI zipdrive or get an internal zipdrive installed in the MPC (if you only have 2mb internally then you can skip this step but you will want to have more than 2MB memory trust me ).

Here's a way to learn how to work your MPC:

Just start with the basics : learn how to load a sample from a floppy if you have some floppy lying around with samples on if not then it's a great opportunity to start immediately with sampling your own sounds as is explained in the manual,then edit the sound (trim,zone and whatever other stuff) then learn how to assign sounds to programs save those programs, make a sequence with a program save the sequence make a song save a song .. This seems the most logical way to start out. Anf the good thing is that you don't need the cdrom for that.

If however you really feel the need to buy a cdrom drive then my advice is to buy an external SCSI one to connect to the MPC (see manual) and yes PLEXTOR will do the trick (make sure to get a SCSI one)

I hope this helps you a bit further. Good luck and happy learning for more info just ask but don't forget to read the manual and search the forum. If you're willing to learn then there are enough friendly people here who will happily help you out

there are more bad sounds on that cd than there are good. & like the other guys are saying, you dont need that cd to follow along with the manual. if i were you i'd download a few drum sounds from somewhere, put em on floppy & use those when the manual asks you to load from the cd.

i love my cd rom drive but having full RAM & a zip drive are way more important. you should make sure you have both of those before you think about getting a cd drive.

oh, & you cant get an internal cd rom drive for your mpc

sampling from your stereo is a cinch. the manual explains it really well. you just need to make sure you have the proper cable.

I agree with pt3r and lowbudget and Javascript.

Java explains that CD-ROM is load only, get ZIP. It is a good start when you have NO library of your own though.

pt3r says learn the basics before you spend more money cause if you spend more money right now you will just fall into gear lust. Know what you are doing AND/OR want to do before expanding and coming out of pocket.


LowBudget says I love my cd rom drive but having full RAM & a zip drive are way more important. That's real right there..

www.mpc2000xl.com <----- check out that site and the tutorials on this site (mpc-tutor from the top left corner of your screen)

That should pretty much get you started.


Also don't try to learn everything at once. Just start with a basic drum pattern on track one, then add a little something on track two, then three etc....

Be patient, in a couple of weeks you'll be banging out beats like it's nothing.

Thankz everyone. Im gonna get started on it today. Where can I get good drum sounds from and what kind of cables do I need to sample from my stereo?

I appreciate all the help fellas, Im a get started and I hope I can return the help when I get some experience.

ONE L.

ps The mpc I have was bought about 4 years ago(2000xl), is the manual the same or are there new versions and if so, where could I download the new manuals.

first:the CDrom you get with the MPC is never the same, so you can have bad sounds or good sounds on it,that's why the CDrom drive is important.Then you must know that many people here use their MPC with a ZIP drive(internal or external)and a SCSI CD-rom drive which are very usefull for workin' on this machine.And least the MPc 2000 or XL is quite easy to use i mean to use it in the beginning,when you are a "newbie"...;but master it takes a long time...so the best for learnin' is to have songs to make......

[off topic ]

hey mpcvore, do you know DJINXX marseille??

You have a computer right?!

Why not just use the cd-rom in your computer to play the sample cd and hook up your PC to your MPC? Then you can sample the sounds in like that! Thats what I do anyway

But like people have said I don't really think that cd is going to make or break you! When I first got my MPC I just searched some old records for some open drums and messed about with them for a bit.

Good Luck with it all anyway