how do i check out my new MPC?

I am awaiting the arrival of my mpc 1000. I bought it used, but seems to be in excellent condition and comes with a 1G flash card. It is a red and blue one, so I am expecting to have to do a pad upgrade, so no need to get into that here. I'd like to do everything at once so I dont have to keep opening it up.

Can anyone tell me how can I find out how much RAM the unit has without opening it up? Im figuring on maxing it out anyway, so whats its limit? Is there any specific brand of RAM I should buy that is reputible and compatable? If it doesn't have the JJ OS I plan on upgrading it, so finding how much this piece is coming with through the software may vary. Is the free version of JJ good enough?

Is there really any need to expand the hard drive, or just stick with the Flash Cards? The cards seem like the practical route to me, but then again, I'm a newbie.

I got some tutorials, and really want to get the hang of this thing before I start throwing other $h*t into the mix. However I currently have the mpc on its way, a berhinger xenyx802 mixer, 2 yamaha HS 50M, n an MBox 2, and a dual proccer (2.33ghz 4GB RAM) PC. Can anyone direct me towards some good info about using the mpc with pro tools? Thanks

Read The Manual.

Download it @ Akai website.

Test all outputs and inputs. Pads and Buttons. Use it.
Go through all the functions in the manual.

Do a Search. Most of your ?'s has been answered already

I only use Akai ram.

Hard Drive = More Onboard Storage for your growing Sample Library.

it will say how much ram it has when starting up... and flashcards work fine for me. no need really for a hard drive.

And free JJ is already better the the Akai one...

wow, you guys are great.. For the few who actually answered one of my questions, thank you.

However, I never thought about reading the manual. Even though every post I read says your questions were already answered and read the manual. What a novel idea!

'What a novel idea!'

Sarcaism will get you nowhere with these cats on here, especially with you being new to the fold.

You seem to know the deal with the blue/red units anyways and that really is your biggest concern of all - the pad upgrade is a cost in itself and there is plenty of video footage available on You Tube to show how it's done.

I would do all of the above, but really check the buttons and dials work properly and don't skip any ? As for ram, it holds 128 meg max upgrade and I used the official Akai Ram ( came with mine luckily - I just had to pop it in ).

As regards using the MPC with a PC ... it is a sinch. Just connect up your midi leads to the unit and into the midi in on your audio device on the Pc. Also, run your audio outs to the PC audio in's and simply make sure that your MPC is set to the correct midi port ( in my case 1A ). It will then use your DAW as master and sync with it. I do not use Pro Tools, however, but Cubase SX ... but I think you'll find the basic set up is the same regardless.

Good luck and welcome to the world of the 1000.

Thanks again inthemix and everyone else. As for the scarcasm. I was just wondering the point of posting - read the manual. My only guess would be to increase his amount of posts.

Anyway, thanks again everyone. Disreguard the scarcasm unless it was directed towards you! Ha

At least you can spell 'sarcasm' ; sarcaism ... where the hell did that come from ?!!





As for the advice, you are more than welcome.

You know, your absolutely right. I should have checked the mpc manual for the correct spelling. However when your replying to these things quickly, and from your phone at work, you don't really worry about spelling. There goes my gold star for the week!

Smack it up, flip it and rub it down... that's what I did.