Memory Poll

Just trying to get a feel for what kind of MPC 60s there are out there. I am making a few memory upgrade boards for myself and wonder if it would be worth it to get a batch made professionally.

Thanks,
Everett

I think this would be a great idea. I'm curious which RAM chips you were planning on using though, and if you had tested them yet?

I have sourced the original chips although I don't believe it matters because I have another aftermarket card that uses a set of surface mount chips. Regardless I should have a working prototype in the next week or two. The cost for the original model chips is quite high compared to other options, so I will definitely experiment a little to see if it matters. I think the main problem related to the memory hack is either RF noise or timing compatibility with the faster chips.

Everett

I'd pick some up off you if its tried and tested and the price is right. How much (estimate) are you planning on charging? If you work it out right, you could have a nice product on your hands, trying to find memory for the 60's is getting tougher & tougher.

my memory is upgraded, but I don't know if it is a hack or not.

The hack looks like this:



The legit memory upgrade is a board that plugs nicely into the socket and is secured with a screw (most of the time

@SV1200, I am looking to break even or make a small profit. I am personally tired of all these places charging out the a$$ for old technology just because it's rare. For now I'm shooting for "lower than what's available". That's the reason for the survey because I don't want to get stuck with 50 upgrade boards in my closet. That would be a waste of time, money and effort.

Everett

I will buy quantity if the price is right. if the price is right.

I got a expansion card i would sell for $150 shipped in the usa. PM me if interested. i only use the 60 to sequence, i have a 3000.

i got the memory from SOUNDLOGICUSA back in like 04... too bad he lost all his stock or whatever he had in those fires a couple years back...

serious_lee wrote:I think the main problem related to the memory hack is either RF noise or timing compatibility with the faster chips.

Everett

Soldering is most likely creating many of the issues with the DIY upgrade. This is not a beginner's project. The smallest flake or blob of solder can create issues.

Timing issues can be introduced by improperly soldered wires, wires that are either too long or too short, bad solder joints or all of the above. Also, ESD damage from improper handling of the components may also be a factor. As well as capacitance/inductance from the hookup wires.

Keep in mind that Akai/Roger Linn are experts at sound processing, not RAM timing, so any deviations from what they designed in may be causing issues. The fact that there are capacitors next to the onboard ROM sockets leads me to believe that they fudged a little bit with the timing and use the caps there to reduce ground bounce/noise....

I've installed the hardware hack in a friends 60 and it's been running strong for at least a couple years now.

OK, so there are 4 people eligible... that's what I was worried about. I'll let this ride for a minute, but it looks like this may be a homebrew project board.

Thanks for that insight on the hack working out. I have been wondering how tight the timing could really be with these things. It would be nice to come out with something using newer technology so it's not so hard to get parts.