Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By jellyjim Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:40 am
This pops up every few years .. it goes nowhere.

Yes you could disassemble an image of the ROM but this would just give you a very long list of machine language instructions. It certainly won't give you any C or C++ source code with meaningful variable names and helpful comments!

An even bigger challenge is understanding how the operating system interacts with other parts of the system such as file storage, sample playback and record and there will be no cosy API. This is all very low-level stuff. The engineers who developed the OS knew as much about electronic engineering as they did programming.

Most of the chips are off the shelf so theoretically somebody with enough smarts could start over. That is until they hit the custom ICs in there that are proprietary to Akai. Given the changes they've gone through I doubt even they know where all the documentation and development tools are.

It is possible but entirely improbable. I'd love someone to probe me wrong but I doubt they will.
By jellyjim Thu Nov 25, 2010 3:27 pm
Of course if somebody was very clever they could do a zombie mod - where you bypass the main processor and operating system of a device entirely with a new processor and operating system piggy backed on the old typically rendering the old one paralysed, hence "zombie"
By smokeme442200 Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:11 am
this is deffinatly not impossible, i know because ive done it, just very simple things like changing text using a hex editor, you can change things install it when you reboot its going to ask for the os on floppy, then put your new os on the floppy then bingo nigro, new os. The reason it dose this is akai built in a protocol to make sure you dont have a **** up os, you will have to change this in order for it to boot normally this is very possible just more work then my lazy ass is willing to do
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By peterpiper Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:34 pm
^^changing text and updating an os are 2 different things. I tried to chnge the default name for a new sample but had no luck but my startup display show my name :)
But this is no serious MPC hack. It would be great to see some people working on a hack like nuedge did for the TX16W

http://nuedge.net/typhoon2000/Typhoon2000.htm

I can't imagine what the 2000 would be like with an OS created by such genius minds.
I guess we could fly to the end of the universe with the 2000 or something like that ;)



peace
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By jonestown massacre Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:49 pm
For what could potentially be added to the XL, it is almost worth it to buy a 1000, upgrade to JJOS 2xl and MIDI it up to the 2kxl.

By the time anyone gets around to a new os, you could have had all the features for $300-$500. Even a 1000 with broken pad sensors are all good, since you are using the 2KXL pads.

Seems like a ton of work when a somewhat reasonably inexpensive solution is already available.
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By mr_debauch Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:40 pm
what would anyone even add anyways? mute groups in addition to the current mute system? One thing I like about the 2000/xl is that it's straight to the point. I dont see why we need one machine to do everything known to man...
By JVC Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:35 pm
For MPC-2000XL, I wouldn't ask for adding new features, but I wish someone could change the followings.
(I don't think it'll be any updated OS available in future, but I can dream, right?)

1. In trim mode, if you double click F-button for "edit", it'll trim the sample, because "Edit" and "Do it" use the same button. Changing button location for "do it" (after click "edit") would prevent making such mistake.

2. Option for disabling displaying waveform in trim mode. While it is useful, I find it a bit annoying sometimes, because displaying waveform (during writing on the screen) slowdown MPC.

3. Option for disable auto-naming (when copying samples) longer than 8 character name. On XL, using long file names is like asking for problem; PC won't recognize the files, and from my experience, it is likely to have data corruption with long name files.
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By peterpiper Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:05 pm
I wouldn't want to much change either. Just some things to work faster and bugfixes. Although I usually dont use the waveformdisplay to set the start/endpoint I don't like te fact that the displayed endpoint i not what you hearing. If you set the endpoint by eye you get rid of some ms at the end.
The SHIFT & Slider trim thats included in the 2000xl should be included in the 2000.
It would be great to be abl to change sample start / end while the sequencer is running.
Folder support for the 2000.
no need to hit enter all the time

peace
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By mr_debauch Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:42 pm
yeah, those I actually do agree with on the 2000 classic, peter.

I like the classic jog, but shift and slider to get the cursor in the general area is nice... one other thing from the XL I would like is when you spin the jog it has the acceleration like on the XL.

The other day on the classic I was trying to flip a sample into reverse but couldn't think of how to do it... I seem to remember being able to do that but I rarely need to do such a task... anyone remember on the classic if and how to do that?
By pittmantechno Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:10 am
@Abscrete

Damn This Post was a supper long time ago !

Id like to put in some thoughts - hacking the OS on the 2000/2000XL

adding a feature to monitor your record inputs would be absolutely amazing - thats the one feature I miss from the 1000+'s however I Feel the MIDI timing on the 2000XL and prior systems has a better chug ( way more booty ) so I'm not willing to go with the Systems - I am a drummer with excellent timing I can feel and hear the difference... its night and day- So the rest of you bloggers please avoid telling me different. i'll triplet cycles around you =D ++ Plus the EFX Card on the Older Units is a little different and I prefer it's options to the new models. I guess the ability to 16 level the Filter is pretty neat on the 1000+ models as well.... any way I know their plenty of Old Schoolies out here that would drop some cash on a solid hacked OS.

PEACE !
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By Maxillaa Sat Jan 21, 2012 7:44 pm
I`d be fine with the xl os on the classick, exept time stretching and resampling. sampling while seq playing would be GREAT !
shouldn`t it be easier, making the xl os working on the classick ?
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By mr_debauch Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:53 am
Maxillaa wrote:I`d be fine with the xl os on the classick, exept time stretching and resampling. sampling while seq playing would be GREAT !
shouldn`t it be easier, making the xl os working on the classick ?


well I wouldn't mind folder support, the shift+slider for the trim screen, forget the resample and time stretch... I agree with you on that... the halfing the bandwidth thing some s series has would be cool...
By teevee Wed Jan 01, 2014 9:57 am
I asked the JJOS guy if there was any plans about making a JJOS version for MPC-2000XL and he said:
Code: Select all“no”


However, I be willing to donate some gold if someone would take the time to write a improved OS for MPC-2000XL by a Kickstarter project.
http://www.kickstarter.com/
By teevee Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:12 pm
The JJOS guy also said:
Since hardware(CPU etc.) is old, if a function is added, processing will take time.
Therefore, in a sequence, delay arises and does not become useful.
The programmer said such.
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By MPC-Tutor Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:15 pm
Less and less MPC2000XL's out there each year, a rapidly diminishing and at best a finite potential user base, I cannot see how someone like JJ would be interested, certainly not from a commercial POV, I seriously doubt he'd make any profit when you factor all the development time and support.

Labour of love potentially, but given the technical hurdles to overcome it does seem like this is a highly improbable project.

TBH even the 1000/2500 OS is more than likely becoming less and less appealing to JJ now that Akai has long stopped making them and many of the remaining units already have JJOS installed.