Playback Problems

I just got an MPC 1000.. completely new to it, but am picking it up fairly easily. However, there some problems that I just don't understand.

Simplest thing ever: I am recording a sequence. The pads play fine, and as I'm recording it they sound fine, triggering when i want, accurate volume.. But when I play it back, the volume is all over the place.. as if there is some weird automation happening..

It only seems to work out right when I totally bash the pads.. (brand new pad upgrade kit) and even then it's inconsistent.

Any idea what's going on?

Maybe your full level is not on. If thats not the case try to factory reset the mpc.(hold erase while turning on the mpc and release it when the lcd shows MPC1000 ##MB installed.

Thank you.

Putting Full Level on definitely helps.. Is it normal to always operate in Full Level?
It is a bit on the sensitive side, triggering double hits sometimes. Could you tell me how to adjust the pad sensitivity? Been looking around and no one answers the simple questions..

Another pad related problem is that when I'm using Track Mute, hitting a pad will usually just flip the mute on then immediately back off, as if the pad is triggering twice.. Pressing it softly doesn't help. Any advice on this?