NEED HELP! Tracking my beats/ setting up my studio

Well first off I just bought an MPC 2000XL for 300 bucks on ebay. I also have a Yamaha PSR-230 keyboard(has midi in and out) I bought at a thrift store for like 60 bucks, have ProTools and Reason on my computer (thanks to a buddy), and have a 2 GB Jaz drive that came with the MPC. I also have a M-Audio 2 in/out MIDI mixer on the way.

Now I'm starting to get the hang off the MPC but can't ever track my beats. I have my Jaz but it says it has 0 memory left and when I try to format it says "Error at 0000:D197" on the MPC. So now whenever I sample, chop my samples up and start a sequence I have to much memory to save it on a floppy disk.

Now I'm guessing my Jaz drive is shot (big surprise there) so what other options do I have? I have a new MacBook Pro so the whole Y- cable to the mic slot in won't work because there is no mic slot that isn't USB. Should I spend the money on the card reader set for the 2000XL? I have the money to do so.

Also is there anything else I need? I'm going to get a decent record player soon because I am just sampling off my Ipod now and I will get a receiver so I can have a better stereo system hooked up to the MPC to hear the knock better.


Any help/input would be great. Thanks!

I think the guys around here want you to pay before you play. One post looking for help and no contributions...IDK slim.

I would just get the MPC500.

How am I supposed to contribute to the blog if I am just getting started? Seems ridiculous. I'm sure there are people on here who get helped out who are new otherwise there wouldn't be a "Getting started" section.

And I already have the 2000xl seems illogical to sell it and downgrade to the 500.

I say get a scsi hard drive or a card reader if possible. Zips are unreliable. I know people who only use floppies and they make good shit with only their MP and records. In which case you'd just have to chop small and record sped up material and tune it down in the box. As far as trackin out... that cable should work fine to start out. The headphone out of the Macbook also serves as an analouge/optical digital input. Just adjust your system preferences. I also say **** a reciever. Get a mixer or audio interface and powered monitors.

^^Thanks man huge help. I'll probably just get a card reader I think that will be my best bet.

As far as tracing out though if I want to set my stuff up through Reason which I will Re-Wire into Protools.. what do I need to do that? My keyboard has a Midi In AND a Midi Out slot. I just don't know if I need an audio interface or a mixer or both?

I was looking at this but I dont want to get it if I don't know exactly what I would be getting out of it.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP2496

re-read what Em.p.cee.j said about an input on your mac

You can use an external USB sound card.

dabmeister wrote:I think the guys around here want you to pay before you play. One post looking for help and no contributions...IDK slim.

FreshPrinceofEC wrote:How am I supposed to contribute to the blog if I am just getting started? Seems ridiculous. I'm sure there are people on here who get helped out who are new otherwise there wouldn't be a "Getting started" section.

And I already have the 2000xl seems illogical to sell it and downgrade to the 500.

Easy dude, no need to get uptight. I was only kidding when I made that statement...

Em.p.cee.j wrote:I say **** a reciever. Get a mixer or audio interface and powered monitors.

This is some wise info here. Getting a decent soundcard plus bi-amped monitors vs using what you already have, is like night & day.

You do want your music to sound pro right? Then your answer is sitting right before your eyes.

Thanks a lot for the info I'll most definitely look into a good soundcard and some powered monitors.