questions from a new owner

so my 500 just got here,and didn't come with ram or any cf card(Not even the 128mb one)...so i have some questions.Ive purchased a ram upgrade,but until that gets here how do I 1)Delete the factory programs off of the 500? 2)I have a 1gb CF card but I can't seem to get it formatted...do I need the extra ram for the 1g size or is that irrelevant and maybe my card just doesn't work or Im doing something wrong? 3)When connected to usb it seems to freeze,is this due to the lack of a CF card?
Thanks for any and all help,
bc

bcwarlock wrote:so my 500 just got here... 1)Delete the factory programs off of the 500?

I think that "deleting" factory programs off the MPC would mean "resetting parameters"; so it would go back to the same parameters cause they haven't been changed. (if they came *normalized*)

If you start playing around with it, learning how to use it, changing the parameters to get a feel of the MPC, and then you want to reset the parameters, it would go back to how your MPC is now. How it shipped from the store. (supposing it's a new one or factory preset)

If by programs you mean the songs, I think they autoload from the AKAI library CF card (or any other CF card). There's a function called "autoload" where you can turn off that setting, or change them altogether.

I'm still learning and a new user here too. Hope this helps.

The MPC500 has a small amount of internal flash memory, which comes loaded with demo sounds/program/sequences from the factory.

You can stop the internal flash memory from auto-loading when you power up the MPC500, by turning off the Autoload function.

You can also save your own data into the internal flash memory, so that it auto-loads your own data on power up, rather than the factory demo data.

If you power on the MPC500 with a CF card inserted, which has an Autoload folder on it, it will autoload the data in that folder regardless of how the Autoload function is set.

MPC500 options:
Formatting the CF Card:
1. MODE+SAVE[PAD 3]
2. Scroll the wheel all the way to the right.
3. Press 12 LEVELS/DO IT, you're done.

Deleting everything off the Internal memory:
1. MODE+SAVE[PAD 3]
2. Scroll the wheel 6 steps to the right, it should say
"SAVE:To internal/All sq&song|pg&smpl"
3. Press 12 LEVELS/DO IT twice.
4. Something will pop up saying "Replace memory/Press REC bttn", press the REC/Record button.
5. When it's done erasing the flash at 100% TURN THE MACHINE OFF ASAP!, then you're done.

Connecting the CF card reader on your MPC500 to the PC:
1. MODE+SAVE[PAD 3]
2. Scroll the wheel 2 steps to the right until it says [USB :] on the screen.
3. If you have your USB cord connected to the MPC and PC it will open up a new drive displayed in My Computer. Done.

Purging/deleting samples you didn't enable on any pads off your CF card:
1. MODE+PROGRAM[PAD 6]
2. Scroll the wheel all the way to the right.
3. It will say "Purge unused/Press DO IT"
4. Press 12 LEVELS/DO IT. You're done.