Effects engine failed to load error? 2nd machine broken in a

Do these 5000's actually work or what- its driving me mad this. This is the second machine iv had now, the first broke and lost its sound in the right speaker, now i have the following error after getting a horrible buzzing sound generated after playing around with the effects settings:

After turning on the unit (and also after initialising factory settings):

'Effects Engine failed to load. Checksum 2 is Invalid'

then i get a second message saying:

'(FX Eng) Not operational'


I'm wishing i had maybe bought an MV as these 5000's seem to break so so easily. Great machine when and IF it works but if they break after only mere hours worth of use then there's something very wrong with them.

Its Version 2 software incase that makes a difference.

Can anyone offer any advice on how to resolve this error or is it once again back to Akai to replace/mend?

Cheers

daveyP

sorry to hear that!
my machine has been doing that once in a while since day one, but I thought it was an OS issue.
Since not everyone has had these problems, it must be a hardware problem.
I'm now taking my machine back to the shop, for replacement.
/jocks

All the newer MPCs were made in Malaysia. Akai used to manufacture them in Japan but now its cheaper to assemble them in sweat-shops.

Nightmere. Basically the hardware breaks on them after mere hours of use. Ive thrown away over £1000. If i get this fixed and get a third problem surely there's a case for a refund on the unit as it seem almost obvious it doesn't work (stay working long enough to get any use out of it).

Damn it, i can't believe all the bad reports im reading on the 5000 now ive spent my hard earned cash; the software crashed, the hardware faults (see youtube video of a guys screen problem where smoke comes out of the unit as he's using it, Akai refusing to replace it). So it's under warranty to be fixed for free for up to a year so it looks like i'll be sending it back and forth to Akai (who pays the postal costs) for the next year then what- i have to start paying for them to fix it. They should recall the product and provide refunds to all the suckers like me who have been unfortunate enough to part with our cash for it.

Two months, two different machines. Two different problems which have made the unti unusable.

Wish i'd listened to that Just Blaze fella's review of this machine warning people not to buy it.

Damn it.

Be aware that in the UK, the 12 month manufacturers' warranty is in addition to your statutory rights. Under general consumer selling regulations in the UK, it is assumed that any product you buy will last much longer than 12 months, but the amount of time really depends on the type of product and it's usage. The exact length of time is up to a small claims court to decide, but generally speaking and based on a long history of court cases, electronic goods like this should last at least 3 years, but up to 6 years.

So if your MPC breaks after 2 years, you should still be entitled to a free repair, or at the manufacturer's discretion, an exchange or partial refund. And if they don't want to play, you can take this to small claims and will likely win. Be aware that it is generally the retailer who is responsible for arranging all this, not the manufacturer, regardless of what the retailer may claim. However, you may have more luck going straight to the manufacturer.

As for your MPC, if you've accepted a repair already, a refund is unlikely, but you have a strong case for an exchange, and another, and another until they give you a unit that works. I went through this with my MPC2000XL (via the retailer, many many years ago) - two repairs, then it failed a third time, so I demanded they source me a completely new model (which was probably their shop demo model, but it's still working to this day, so I'm happy).

BTW, I forgot to add - it's always worth emailing the manufacturer of any expensive product you buy (or intend buying) and have them confirm their opinion of the realistic life expectancy of the product. This provides fantastic evidence should you ever need to go to small claims.

Cheers for all that advise. I'll add that question to my next email (the expected lifespan).

My Br1600 is running like a dream after 5 years (not that id expect something i treat very well to pack up behond repair just yet).

Anyway, they swapped the first one which i actually suspected was a demo or returned model as the menus where a little suspect; There where random sample sounds saved in the first menu (hardrive section) where on the replaced unit that i requested (since id only had it one month) the menu looked tidyer arranged as you would expect it. Plus the pads on the first machine where like solid rocks that you had to hit really hard and always use full volume button turned on.

They'll look at it and sort it no doubt but im really not now wanting to play around with it trying out different things to learn it incase it melts down on me yet again. I just want to know if they'll be paying for the postage as its a massive heavy box and ive already spent a thousand pound purchasing it i dont really want to spend out on getting a new toy fixed! haha. man, it certainly has some features on this 5000, but that old saying about quality and quantity springs to mind.

dave

Hey MPC tutor,

Akai wont give me an expected life span of the 5000. They say 'its difficult to say, it depends on how often you use it, what the environments its in is' etc etc.

ah, you get no where s like talking to politicians. Not that i talk to politicians!

Im hoping my replacement is sorted this week. Here's hoping i get a unit that will last at least until iv finished one complete beat!