General MPC 3000 Questions

Hello

I'm considering buying an mpc 3k and I already have a good offer but I have a few questions about it and it would be great if someone could spend a few minutes and answer them:

1. The mpc 3k i'm offered runs os 3.10. I won't have the 200 bucks for buying the 3.5 so I think I would upgrade to 3.16 or something, but is it possible to store the os on the mpc? Or is it necessary to boot it from a floppy every time I turn the mpc on?

2. Is it possible to transfer samples (.snd) from the computer to the mpc with zip discs? I have a Iomega Zip-Drive with USB for my Computer (Msc OSX/ Windows Vista), but will the computer be able to read the mpc formatted disks? If no, is there a Software, which allows this?

Thanks in advance
seriouz

seriouz wrote:Hello

I'm considering buying an mpc 3k and I already have a good offer but I have a few questions about it and it would be great if someone could spend a few minutes and answer them:

1. The mpc 3k i'm offered runs os 3.10. I won't have the 200 bucks for buying the 3.5 so I think I would upgrade to 3.16 or something, but is it possible to store the os on the mpc? Or is it necessary to boot it from a floppy every time I turn the mpc on?

2. Is it poosible to transfer samples (.snd) from the computer to the mpc with zip discs? I have a Iomega Zip-Drive with USB for my Computer (Msc OSX/ Windows Vista), but will the computer be able to read the mpc formatted disks? If no, is there a Software, which allows this?

Thanks in advance
seriouz

Yes.

and......

Yes.


It is all POOsible!

thx crusher. Could explain that a bit closer? Can Vista/ MAC OSX read the mpc3000 formatted Zip-Disc or do I need a certain application for that?

seriouz wrote:1. The mpc 3k i'm offered runs os 3.10. I won't have the 200 bucks for buying the 3.5 so I think I would upgrade to 3.16 or something, but is it possible to store the os on the mpc? Or is it necessary to boot it from a floppy every time I turn the mpc on?

Any operating system booted from a floppy on the MPC300 is held in RAM for operation purposes and lost on power down.

The floppy will need to be inserted each time at boot.

Another thing to consider.

It is possible that a MPC3000 fitted with an operating system less than version 3.11 will have problems booting any newer floppy based operating system

All this has been covered on this forum numerous times.

seriouz wrote:2. Is it possible to transfer samples (.snd) from the computer to the mpc with zip discs? I have a Iomega Zip-Drive with USB for my Computer (Msc OSX/ Windows Vista), but will the computer be able to read the mpc formatted disks? If no, is there a Software, which allows this?

Reliable methods ?

MAC OSX --- MPCPGMMAKER/RSX16 - No support for MPC3000 disk partition systems. Works fine with Vailixi 3.50 Hybrid Partitions fine.

For non Vailixi upgraded MPC3000 machines it is possible that the current Chicken Systems Translator may simplify file transfer.

seriouz wrote:Thanks in advance
seriouz

Rohan.

mpc3000le wrote:For non Vailixi upgraded MPC3000 machines it is possible that the current Chicken Systems Translator may simplify file transfer.

I would consider Awave studio. I've found it a much better product for translating sounds (wavs, mp3 etc) into the correct format for an mpc 3000. I use this all the time now.
Also, Chicken Systems has what is undoubtedly the worst customer service I've ever seen. Do some searches on the net to find more. They've been accused of being a non-existent company several times, due to their lack of response to customers.
Z

zippertafari wrote:I would consider Awave studio. I've found it a much better product for translating sounds (wavs, mp3 etc) into the correct format for an mpc 3000. I use this all the time now.

I agree that it is a superior converter in terms of reliability, speed, format support and more.

Chicken Systems Translator was only recommended because:

a) it runs on OSX and WINDOWS.
b) when its MPC SND mode is switched to 3000 format its disk support is switched to MPC3000 native mode.

So in essence where the original posters question of:

seriouz wrote: wrote:
2. Is it possible to transfer samples (.snd) from the computer to the mpc with zip discs? I have a Iomega Zip-Drive with USB for my Computer (Msc OSX/ Windows Vista), but will the computer be able to read the mpc formatted disks? If no, is there a Software, which allows this?

For a non Vailixi upgraded MPC3000.

Remembering that the MPC3000 native disk format is often the stumbling block where file transfer is concerned.

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PC running Windows XP, The MIDICASE MPCEDITOR will create a cross platform partitions for file transfer.

The transfer partition allows for easier moving of files between computer and MPC3000.

PC running FMJ SOFT AWAVE STUDIO will allow rapid batch conversion from just about any format to MPC3000 *.SND.

Awave will happily write to a transfer partition created by the MIDICASE MPCEDITOR.

See the many posts on this forum regarding the two.

Note: The MIDICASE MPCEDITOR is not known to work reliably under VISTA.

__________________________________________________________________

On a MAC under OSX, S'WORKS RSX16/MPCPGMMAKER .

File transfer can be hit and miss.
__________________________________________________________________

Translator may well be "a" solution.

zippertafari wrote:Also, Chicken Systems has what is undoubtedly the worst customer service I've ever seen. Do some searches on the net to find more. They've been accused of being a non-existent company several times, due to their lack of response to customers. Z

Sadly this may be true.

Not may place to comment though.

Rohan.

Rohan, so with 3.5 I can read/write MPC3000 formatted zips with MAC OSX and Vista without any extra application?

How much is shipping to switzerland and do I need to pay customs? Do I need to open the mpc for installing 3.5 and can this be done easily?

seriouz

seriouz wrote:Rohan, so with 3.5 I can read/write MPC3000 formatted zips with MAC OSX and Vista without any extra application?

____________________________________________________________________

MAC OSX ... Yes.

Of course you will need to use a sample format converter program like S'SWORKS RSX16 as outlined already in order to "port" samples from other formats into the MPC3000.SND type.

The S'SWORKS RSX16 program also helps with creating MPC3000.PGM files off line from the MPC3000.

http://homepage.mac.com/seishu/ssworks/mpcpgmmaker/mpcpgmmaker.html

http://homepage.mac.com/seishu/ssworks/rs16x/rs16x.html

Writing and reading from the Vailixi Hybrid-Partitions under current MAC OSX versions should be carried out with precautions outlined at:

http://www.mansell-labs.com/faq.html

____________________________________________________________________

Microsoft VISTA ?

AWAVE STUDIO will work well with creation and conversion of MPC3000.SND and MPC3000.PGM files.

http://www.fmjsoft.com

Writing and reading from the Vailixi Hybrid-Partitions under VISTA should be carried out with precautions outlined at:

http://www.mansell-labs.com/faq.html

Access to Hybrid-Partitions will be governed by Microsoft limitations on removable media devices.

http://www.mansell-labs.com/faq.html

seriouz wrote:How much is shipping to switzerland

Clearly outlined at:

http://www.mansell-labs.com/purchase.html

seriouz wrote:and do I need to pay customs?

Best discussed via email:

http://www.mansell-labs.com/contact.html

seriouz wrote:Do I need to open the mpc for installing 3.5 ?

Roughly explained here:

http://www.mansell-labs.com/faq.html

Detailed instructions provided via email.

seriouz wrote:and can this be done easily?

Others have installed it with relative ease.

I guess you could too ?

seriouz wrote:seriouz

Rohan.

sorry to thread hijack,

i just feel like this post could become a full-on resource on that theme..

what type of zip drives (destined to be hooked to the mac) will work and produce mpc 3000 compatible zip discs...

does the capacity matter in terms of compatibility?

There are only Iomega Zip drives and they come in 100MB and 250MB models. Either should work okay with your MPC3000. You'll also need a USB Zip drive in order to move files from the computer to your MPC3000. Or if your computer has a SCSI interface, you could switch the SCSI Zip drive back and forth but that is kind of a hassle, so investing in a USB Zip drive is probably worth it.

If you wanted to install an internal SCSI Zip drive inside your MPC3000, then you'd have to go with the 100MB model. Iomega never made an internal 250MB SCSI model. If you do want to go internal with a 100MB Zip drive, my company sells an easy-to-install internal SCSI drive kit for the MPC3000 that will work great with a Zip drive. You can read more about it here:

http://scsicardreaders.com/installkits.asp

Feel free to contact me about your options for SCSI storage and the MPC3000 - I'll be glad to help.

thx for answering both posts, you're answer is very appreciated!