Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By tomc3084 Thu May 12, 2011 11:26 pm
Hey guys, I have a quick question: I have 256 ram in my 4k, and I know with the upgrade you can load more samples and get more sampling time etc. But my question is for those who have upgraded from 256 to 512, does it actually process faster and load samples quicker or is it the same? My only gripe is when loading a project with a good amount of large samples it seems to take a descent amount of time, but besides that I haven't been restricted with the 256 coming from a 1000 with only 128. Thanks in advance!
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By mr_debauch Thu May 12, 2011 11:30 pm
well it will take longer to load 500 megs of samples then it would to load 100 megs of samples.... but the ram doesn't make the processor go faster... it just gives you more space to load stuff.
By tomc3084 Thu May 12, 2011 11:35 pm
That is what I thought. It is just I read this on a listing for ram upgrade: "Extra memory allows you to run your AKAI Z4, Z8 or MPC4000 faster and more efficiently." So i thought it may make in faster, since well, it says so.
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By dabmeister Fri May 13, 2011 1:53 am
Coming from an actual 4k owner, yes, you'll experience a big difference in performance if you upgrade your ram.

Plus, you'll notice some quirks in perfromance if you don't up grade your HD as well. :wink:

Of course this is coming from an actual 4K user and not by assupmtion. :mrgreen:
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By mr_debauch Fri May 13, 2011 2:04 am
dabmeister wrote:Coming from an actual 4k owner, yes, you'll experience a big difference in performance if you upgrade your ram.

Plus, you'll notice some quirks in perfromance if you don't up grade your HD as well. :wink:

Of course this is coming from an actual 4K user and not by assupmtion. :mrgreen:


oh right my bad, so it is actually faster to load 500 megs of samples then it is to load 100 megs of samples... because the ram is such a huge upgrade to the processor's cpu speed that the difference in space is nullified. If I owned a 4000, I would have known better.
By tomc3084 Fri May 13, 2011 3:02 am
I did not notice where dab said it would be faster to load up 500 megs than 100 megs? Someones got hurt feelings :) I just actually upgraded from the old hd to a 60 gig western digital hd this afternoon. I will order the upgrade asap! Thanks bro. P.S. Debach why did you answer my question? If you noticed in my post I was asking for someones opinion who upgraded from a 256 to 512, not someones general opinion. Not trying to be a dick, just stating facts.
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By mr_debauch Fri May 13, 2011 4:22 am
tomc3084 wrote:I did not notice where dab said it would be faster to load up 500 megs than 100 megs? Someones got hurt feelings :) I just actually upgraded from the old hd to a 60 gig western digital hd this afternoon. I will order the upgrade asap! Thanks bro. P.S. Debach why did you answer my question? If you noticed in my post I was asking for someones opinion who upgraded from a 256 to 512, not someones general opinion. Not trying to be a dick, just stating facts.


no offense taken, I was joking around with dab... :D

the reason I answered is because I saw the topic title as "question about ram" and didn't notice upon clicking it what section it was in (I got to the topic from the new posts section) and seeing as I have plenty of other gear (computers and samplers) where I have done that exact upgrade over the years... I figured why not.
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By MoreBuck$ Fri May 13, 2011 9:14 am
what is the standard ram set up in 4K then, is there one stick of ram in there or a pair already?
i have just got hold of a 256 RAM stick, can i just install this or do i need a pair?

Being lazy, don't wanna open my 4000 up if i don't need to yet
By tomc3084 Fri May 13, 2011 11:23 am
Standard is 256 I believe. Do not need to install in pairs, like I said 256 is one so that's fine. Be fair warned opening it up is a pain, and be careful when lifting the top up or you'll pull out the ribbon for the screen, first time I did this i shat my pants. I just ordered my ram for 15 including s/h on ebay, check it out there. I also just installed a new hd. Boy do I love this machine. My only gripe is aksys and how it does the usb error when I try and copy more than one folder. I am hoping it was the old apple desk harddrive that was in there that was doing it, I haven't closed my 4k up and hooked it up to my pc to find out yet, keeping my fingers crossed. Aksys makes me want to pull my hair out. I have it on windows 7 under Vmare running xp with no usb hubs, some people have no problems and some people do, I just don't get it.
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By MoreBuck$ Fri May 13, 2011 12:01 pm
why do you recommend to get a new H/Drive, mine seems pretty sweet, can the standard not keep up with the new RAM?
By tomc3084 Fri May 13, 2011 12:30 pm
Well I can DEF recommend to replace the old HD. I just plugged my mpc 4000 into the pc and aksys and it is working flawless with a huge file where the old hd(standard apple desk mpc hd) always gave me a usb 15 or 16 error. If you don not have this problem obviously no need to switch , but in the case you do switch NOW, because it will make you pull your damn hair out, I know I did. I just ordered some new RAM too, I will let you know how that goes when I install it. Long live the 4k baby!