Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By beetle Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:28 pm
you need to tell us more detail please.

lots of people have written about problems like this and 5 posts later it's revealed that they bought it off ebay second hand (in which case... you're kind of on your own)

1. is this a new mpc (in which case, take it back to the shop you bought it from)

2. have you successfully used the mpc before?

3. did you just install new ram (in which case, is it the specific ram which works in mpc500s)

4. have you dropped it or taken it in the bath with you recently?
User avatar
By Bodymachine Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:57 pm
I have the same problem.
First i have to say that's my english very bad... sorry about that!

I bought my MPC before 12 months. I am the second owner. The MPC have a EXM 128 Expansion board. I had never problems with it before that shit happened.
Okay one or two times it crashed...but not ain this form and i can easy fix it with the OS update.

But at the last three days my MPC crashed over and over again.
Sometimes it doesn't start up and stopped at the point when at the display "MPC 500 start up " appears.
Sometimes its all going well and when iam into the production process (had recorded samples directly from hardware/synths etc ) the MPC crashed in the form of it restart and stopped at the "mpc 500 start up " point.
Another time i record a sequence ... the MPC crashed in form of... i can press anything- nothing happend!

Everytime i put the MPC on ( and had the session before "entire project " saved before it crashed ^^) the samples are there... the sequence are loaded ..with tempo but the sequence itself ...how i drum it in ...is disappeared!!!

Another time i put the MPC on and it shows on the display weird numbers ... (one time it shows "Search for OS 5000 :shock: ... ... mostly it shows then in this direction PC (any numbers) CPU (Any numbers).
Sometimes it search for the OS... and shows the " Press (okay) REC with "system halt ! " or something like that...

but i doesn't press shift at start up!!!


it would be really great if anyone knows about this problem and can help me !!!

and sorry about my english!!!


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1. is this a new mpc (in which case, take it back to the shop you bought it from)
i can't take my guarantee cause the seller doesn't has the brief (?) anymore.

2. have you successfully used the mpc before?
yes.

3. did you just install new ram (in which case, is it the specific ram which works in mpc500s)
i am didn't do that. but the mpc has one.
it's from Mutec.

4. have you dropped it or taken it in the bath with you recently?

no. definetly not.
User avatar
By Bodymachine Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:39 pm
the expansion board is out.
i did a OS update but the mpc wouldn't do the Initialize-step.
I press the erase button while the mpc start up but nothing happend...just load the factory-samples.


The Hd i can't took out.
I take 24 bolts out and i didn't still come to the HD to take it out or test some connection-cable is loose.
User avatar
By Bodymachine Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:35 pm
have u tried taking out the ram if u have it, hard drive if u also have it
and then do a factory reset. see what happens and let us know


factory reset doesn't work.
in this fact i think the flash-rom is damage.
how much does it cost when i buy a new flash-rom?
i had search for it but can't find any information about it...
User avatar
By robthom Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:42 am
Bodymachine wrote:the expansion board is out.
i did a OS update but the mpc wouldn't do the Initialize-step.
I press the erase button while the mpc start up but nothing happend...just load the factory-samples.....


Have you tried a different CF card?
User avatar
By Bodymachine Wed May 12, 2010 11:27 pm
i still have a problem with my mpc500:


the bugs are minimized (mysterious) but still on it.
in the past 5months i could play with much luck and a lot of nerves some beats ... but today the mpc is done.
nothing works.


the mpc shows memory problem - check the memory
i put the memory expandede card out
restart the mpc the same bug... on 2 ways:

1. the mpc doesn#t come about the "mpc 500 start up" point
2. the mpc started but after i tap4 times a pad the mpc switch to the "mpc 500 startup" point and doesn't comes about

with the expanded 128mb board... the mpc started up ...

it shows "mpc 500 startup"
a little crackle sound comes
the display shows " 128mb etc"

i tap a pad 3-4 times the mpc shows...

- sodimm test .... memory problem-check the memory

or

Inv. gen. inst. PC (884fd722)





another bugs are...
-the sequencer of the m,pc doesn't play tight.
difficult to explain but it likes a drunken drummer...
it's like...

1...2..3.4....5...6...7...8.
(samples are played between 8 and 1 !!!) ..if anyone understand :P


- the mpc crash down ( restart or which pad i tap or button i push...nothin happens... the mpc doesn't react and i have push the off button ... all datas are gone.
if i saved before the mpc crash ... and restart the mpc the sequencer datas are gone but the samples are saved)

i formatted the cards often... but it didn't help.
Os upgrade...

theres somethin wrong too:
i put the 500bin-file on the formatted card.
start the mpc while hold the shift-button
the mpc doin the "Upgrade"
the mpc restart itself but doesn't comes about the mpc500 startup point...
i push the off-button wait 30sec and start the mpc while i hold the erase button
the mpc starts up but doesn't do it- just show "erase data " all events?"

anyone a suggest what's up with my mpc ?
is it the 16mb ram... ?
can i buy a new ram to built in it?

I mind about the mpc send out to a firm that repairs Akai Mpc ...
it will maybe be expensive and i think about what costs at the end (hardware... new ram or whatever, not repairable) .
i bought the mpc for 350euro and if the repairing-costs about 130euro i will throw it in a basket ....

appreciate about any help.