Everyday Use/General Upkeep

So I've been using a 60MKI for a little bit now. I can't say enough good things about it. I've been very happy with it.

I don't have the SCSI port, but the floppy drive works great. I'll be getting the SCSI hookup eventually, but for now I'll be using floppies.

My machine is in great shape, and I intend to keep it that way.

I have a few questions about everyday use and basically general upkeep type stuff...

Should you leave a floppy in the drive when not in use? Does it matter? Is one way better for the drive vs. the other way?

What about the outputs? I have a snake running from my 8 outs to a mixer. Should I be leaving the snake plugged into the outputs all the time, or should I plug and unplug everytime and I go to use it? This is probably more of a general audio equipment question, and not really a question specific to the 60.

And lastly, I plan on replacing all the buttons on it, because some are discolored, and that is the biggest problem with my unit cosmetically, so I want to get it looking minty fresh. I have noticed some of the buttons are harder to press than others. All of them work, but sometimes I have to press kind of hard. It's not a big deal at all, but I also know you can replace the tact switches below the buttons. Is it worth proactivly replacing these, or should I wait until a button fails to replace the switch?

I would appreciate it if anyone who's got some long term experience using this machine could share any general upkeep tips. I want to treat this thing with the respect it deserves. Thanks in advance.

dr.tadwinslow wrote:
Should you leave a floppy in the drive when not in use? Does it matter? Is one way better for the drive vs. the other way?

It really doesn't affect the drive, though the floppy could fail over time since the media is exposed.

dr.tadwinslow wrote:What about the outputs? I have a snake running from my 8 outs to a mixer. Should I be leaving the snake plugged into the outputs all the time, or should I plug and unplug everytime and I go to use it? This is probably more of a general audio equipment question, and not really a question specific to the 60.

Not an issue unless your setup is not properly grounded.

dr.tadwinslow wrote: Is it worth proactivly replacing these, or should I wait until a button fails to replace the switch?

Yes. If you are going to replace them, replace them all at once. It will take the better part of an afternoon to remove and replace all the switches but it is well worth the time. You will be surprised at the difference between switches you thought were OK and brand new switches.

Dope! Thanks, MPCHunter. I appreciate it. I'll go ahead and replace the tact switches..

One other question, I found the part number on Mouser for the tact switches here on the forum... Are the switches the same under the small buttons (the numbers/sounds/disk/edit etc.) and the locate buttons play/record/playstart etc...? Obviously the buttons are different sizes, but it's not clear to me if they use the same tact switch underneath the buttons or not...

Thanks again!

On the MPC 60 the tact switches are all the same even though the buttons are different sizes.

Great, thanks again!