Your MPC with step-up converter or fixin to another voltage?

What's up everybody?

Got the 3k LE US version 120 V.

I got my MP from US, I live in Europe and the difference in power supply is huge as y'all know. That's why I use the step-down converter.

1) I read somewhere but can't remember where a post from a guy who wrote that one shouldn't use the MP with step-up/step-down converter because it messes up with sound. Sh*t, is it true? Did anybody came across the issue?

2) The second question: is there any point and is it worth and let's say safe to hard-fix the voltage from lower to higher one (or other way round)? I mean, this is a task for a good electrician I wouldn't do this crazy ish myself. By hard-fix I mean changing or accomodating the internal power supply unit for different voltage once and for all?

Very curious guys, I'll be very glad for any feedback.

You can convert the power supply to Europe/UK spec by swapping the transformer and changing the fuses to the values specified in the service manual. The transformer from a 240v S2800 (original not XL) is a direct replacement. I did this to my US spec 3000 and it has worked perfectly for several years, no issues. I noticed no change in sound from using a step-down converter. If you are using a step-down make sure it is a good quality one of at least 100w rating. Most cheap converters seem to be rated for their power consumption not output capability (e.g. those cheap 45w converters are really only good for 20w output) this may be why a difference in sound was noticed by others.

Wow, vout, thanks for the information!

D*MN! For last 3 years since I got the MPC3000 I was using it with 50VA converter, which is...40w, ISH. Gotta get the proper one as soon as possible then.

I've got an extra question then:

1) I've came across a strange problem when I tried to sample some sounds from other sampler which I connected directly to MP Inputs with 1/4 jacks: a quite loud BUZZ when I switched on to SAMPLING SCREEN.

2) Another problem with buzz occurs when I want to send signal from my turntable mixer to MPC and Ensoniq. It's even enough to connect cables to both samplers from the mixer and switch everything on: I can hear a buzz, espacially listening through the headphones. Then the buzz goes even louder as I switch on to SAMPLING SCREEN of MPC or Ensoniq.

Ensoniq is in the standard voltage: 240V.

May that be caused by poor converter and the difference in power supply?

Cheers, you're being very helpful.

This noise issue could be caused by several things - I would check first for possible ground loops or bad cables. There is also a known issue that seems to be a possible design fault in the 3000 to do with the internal grounding and scsi wiring which causes a high pitched noise on the headphone output. It was discussed in this thread -

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=129647

The solution shown there is to cut a trace on the circuit board near to the headphone jack, this might fix your problem.

Thank You so much vout, you were absolutely right!

For anyone who might have a similar problem to mine:

I borrowed another converter from the local shop yesterday - 200VA which is about 160W - just to see the results. It works perfectly. No buzz/no hum when I got cables hooked to both samplers simultaneously. However - this converter doesn't have grounding (I mean, it has the two-pronged slim plug). I'll order the same model but with grounding and we'll see what'll happen.

I've even made a comparison of 11s sample and 5s drum break using the old 50VA converter and then the new one 200VA. No sonic difference at all for my ears.

Thanks once again!

That's great news, glad to help you out.

Cheers