MPC 2000xl Volume Issue

A video to help describe the problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shEXv2MXStQ


I have been having issues with my new MPC 2000xl. I have an old Optimus STA-2170 receiver with some old speakers hooked up to them. the receiver works with my 2 computers, Ipod, etc. so the receiver works. I just recently bought a MPC 2000xl and I have the rca (red/white) cables (With the adaptors) into the receiver and into the 'Stereo Out Left/Right' and the 'Record In Left/Right' outputs on the back of the MPC.

My problem is that the volume is very low when I try to use my mpc with the receiver/speakers. I have to turn the 'Main Volume' knob as well as the receiver volume knob all the way up in order to hear the Metronome when I record. *Weird thing about this issue is that when I take the red cord and plug it in to the headphone input on the back of the mpc it plays with good volume.

This is also how the 'Record In' Left and Right inputs are acting. I tried recording from my receiver and then I put my Numark PT-01 Portable Turntable directly into the record in inputs and I can barely hear it.

Any suggestions? I tried looking for any threads with this issue and I couldn't find any. Could it be that I have the wrong adapters? That's my only solution. I think I once saw one guys saying he had volume issues but then got different adapters. Any Help would be appreciated. Thanks.


These are the adapters that I got - http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

shift+mixer-->setup-->master volume, set to +6 or +12dB

For Recording, use the red rec. gain knob to turn your samples up.

Thanks for the response man but I have already tried that. turning the rec gain knob all the way up doesnt help and neither does switching the mixer settings to +12 db.

In the video you're showing STEREO adapters, they should be MONO, both. Each one (for the white and the red cable) with only one black stripe, meaning solo cable.

Other thing is, you may need an amplifier conected to the reciever, so ur sounds come... amplified.

Thnanks man, Yea I ordered the new mono adapters yesterday so I hope that fixes the problem. but other people are tellin me I might need a small mixer? I didnt think a receiver needed an amplifier. I always thought that a mixer and a receiver kind of served the same purpose. Im going to see how the mono adapters work and if there still is an issue Ill have to evaluate all my options. Im pretty low on cash, and I gotta save for many other things as well. If the adapters dont work, how much do you think Ill have to spend in order to get an amplifier?

I appreciate the video, but honestly, I really don't want to watch an 8 minute video.

But I am...

1) RCA->1/4" adapters - what you have is not entirely correct. Ideally, they would be mono...1 stripe. However, that kind of adapter looks kind of stupid because, I just can't figure out what the **** it's good for! It's got to have mono on one side...how can it have stereo on the other? My assumption is they just put a stripe on there to fool people and it really shouldn't get in the way of what you are doing....they should work ok, as you are using them CORRECTLY on mono ins/outs, but they are definitely wacky. I can't check because your link is broken. Can you fix that?

2) The commenter on your video is wrong on almost all accounts. You CAN go 1/4" to RCA on ANY mpc, and it DOES have to be mono. The Tape input should be FINE! YT commments are the downfall of civilisation...ignore everything that dude said.

My theory: your connectors are whack. When you plug them into a mono output...they try to treat the mono signal as a stereo signal, and it cancels itself out. When you plug them into a stereo output (headphone jack), there isn't the exact same cancellation happening.
I cannot speculate much further because I don't know what the hell those adapters are, or what they are used for, but all signs point to the fact that you are using a psuedo-stereo adapter where you should be using a mono.

One time my friend was wondering why everything he plugged into his sampler input was so low...it was because he was using a stereo adapter going into a mono jack, and everything was canceling. I'm very sure that is your problem. Get proper MONO RCA to MONO 1/4" adapters and you'll be fine even with the tape input.

Also, receivers are generally amplifiers, so that is not the issue.

EDIT: SO MUCH misinformation...
You do not need a mixer.
You have an amplifier (it's your receiver).
A mixer and a receiver are totally different.

The adapters are wrong. RCA is a connection with 2 electrical poles. The adapter is RCA to 1/4 TRS (tip,ring,sleeve) wich is a connection with 3 poles. I cant see a reason why someone manufacture such an adapter and how the poles are connected internally. Its just curious.
The outs of the MPC is unbalanced (uses 2 poles) so the TRS is the wrong connection. 1/4 TS to RCA would be the correct connection type.

I can explain it further if you want but to solve your problem you just need to get the correct cables. You could get TS to RCA adapters but I recommend direct connections without any adapters cause every part you put into the signal path can cause a loss in quality or could be broken. 4x 1/4TS to RCA and everything will be fine.

peace



EDIT: Sorry. This post is whats happen when you open a thread, then went to eat something, come back and aswer the thread. Everything is said

I cant see a reason why someone manufacture such an adapter and how the poles are connected internally. Its just curious.

Amen! I'm trying to figure it out.

peterpiper is also totally correct that the ideal thing would be to get proper cables, not adapters, but both will work. Those adapters just tend to fail after a bit of use...you get what you pay for in this case.

Alright, first thanks to all of you, before I decided to post on the forum I was going crazy. I was tryin to ask some computer science majors I knew lol but that got me no where. sorry about the long video, just thought it would help. And yea the comments on the video were confusing me so Ill just ignore them because the help i have been getting on here and futureproducers.com seem to be consistent and clear.

So i updated the link for the adapters that I have now (that were shown in the video), and I just purchased 4 of the mono 1/4" adapters yesterday. Here is the link to them: http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2. I hope these are the right ones lol.

So Im hoping that all I would have to do in order for this to work is just switch out the stereo adapters with my new mono adapters when they come in the mail. Is there anything else I should worry about? Im glad that I dont need a mixer or some sort of amplifier lol.

And to peterpiper, where could I get direct connections without adapters and how much would they cost me.

Thanks again.

I dont know where you are from but any guitar center or stores like that should have them.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cfu_15_pc.htm

http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_spr2015.htm


peace

Thanks man, I from the states, but the nearest guitar center is at least an hour away from where I live, I found these on ebay when I was looking online earlier, I could probably get them cheaper so Ill keep looking but I want to make sure Im looking for the right ones. will these work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Audio-Link-Cabl ... 1263815825

Thanks again you guys have been life savers haha. If you could let me know about this link Id appreciate it.

Those cables will work fine. You just need to search for 1/4" to RCA cables.

MCM Electronics has them for cheap. I've bought belts from them and they were great dealers.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/24-675
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-8640

nogginj wrote:EDIT: SO MUCH misinformation...
You do not need a mixer.
You have an amplifier (it's your receiver).
A mixer and a receiver are totally different.

Sorry to bother you again, but If Im just gonna be sampling with my MPC, Turntable, and maybe doin some no sampled stuff with reason and a midi keyboard. Do I need a mixer, I mean other than editing the output of the sound why would I need a mixer if I have a receiver?

Ha ha how you gonna ask me if you need a mixer, while you quote me saying "you don't need a mixer"? ;p

A receiver will let you switch from one output to another, ONE AT A TIME. Hit a button, hear the mpc. Hit another button, hear reason.

A mixer will let you MIX many sources at one time. Turn a knob, hear mpc. Turn another knob, here reason AT THE SAME TIME.

I would still say you don't need a mixer, until you mentioned reason. Now, the only reason you would need a mixer is if you want to hear both the MPC and reason at the same time. If that's not a big deal, then you will be just fine with a receiver.

You are so new to this, I would say, quit buying gear and master your current setup. Then consider getting a mixer when you absolutely need it. Until then, one thing at a time. You've got a dope little setup get off the internet and enjoy it ;].

lol Thanks man I appreciate the help