Thinking of buying a 2000xl

Hi,
I`m selling my MPC 3000. Call me crazy, but I think it`s a bit too unstable. Sounds and feels awesome, though, but too many times I have saved a program I`m working on and get an error message, and thereby lose lots of work.
Anyway I was first thinking of the 4000, but lately I`ve been thinking more and more on the 2000xl. It`s cheaper, smaller and has the features I need. I have a few questions I hope some lucky owners could help me with. I would be really grateful

1 -Is it stable? I mean, does it sometimes happen that you can`t save your work? Or suddenly PGMs don`t work?
2 - Do all models support wav files?
3 - Is there a partition system when using CF cards or do you make your own folders, or are all files stored in one place?
4 - Can I easily copy files fron CF card to zip disk (or vice versa) while machine is on without replacing the content?
5 - Does anyone know where to get an spdif extension?

Thanks a lot if someone would take the time to answer!

I think it's your Zip drive that making trouble, not your MPC-3000 itself. I think you'll get a lot of "offers" from other forum members ("do you want to trade with my MPC-2000XL?") soon!

Sorry, I didn't answer your questions:

1 -Is it stable? I mean, does it sometimes happen that you can`t save your work? Or suddenly PGMs don`t work?

As a MPC-2000XL user, I've never encountered such issue. I have to say that it is very stable machine. Sometimes XL makes you wait when you go to other functions, especially sampling function.

2 - Do all models support wav files?

Yes, both MPC-2000 classic and XL can load & save WAV files.

3 - Is there a partition system when using CF cards or do you make your own folders, or are all files stored in one place?

Good question, 2000 classic does not have file directory support, so all the data files will be on root directory, which can be very annoying. (I think the same goes to MPC-3000 and MPC-60)
2000XL does have folder support! and a cheap IDE CF card reader (non-swappable) can be used with 2000XL.

4 - Can I easily copy files fron CF card to zip disk (or vice versa) while machine is on without replacing the content?

I'm not sure if I understand the question, but unlike MPC-3000, partition size can be larger than 32MB.

5 - Does anyone know where to get an spdif extension?

MPC-2000's 8out board comes with digital in and out. Not optical though.

3 - Is there a partition system when using CF cards or do you make your own folders, or are all files stored in one place?

Good question, 2000 classic does not have file directory support, so all the data files will be on root directory, which can be very annoying. (I think the same goes to MPC-3000 and MPC-60)
2000XL does have folder support! and a cheap IDE CF card reader (non-swappable) can be used with 2000XL.
2kxl can do folders and partitions on your media of choice. ATAPI drives are hot-swappable, IDE is not. I have an ATAPI MCD in my 2kxl, I can snatch out the cf anytime I want and it's fine. Both types of drives can be attached to the 40pin ATAPI/IDE connector on the 2kxl motherboard.

4 - Can I easily copy files fron CF card to zip disk (or vice versa) while machine is on without replacing the content?

I'm not sure if I understand the question, but unlike MPC-3000, partition size can be larger than 32MB.
Where is the CF and ZIP installed? This question is vague and not descriptive enough.

5 - Does anyone know where to get an spdif extension?

MPC-2000's 8out board comes with digital in and out. Not optical though.[/quote]
Yep, spdif coax only

Thanks for your help guys! Really appreciated.
As for question #4. Is there a function like copy selected content from one media to another? If, for example I have an internal card reader and want to copy some files over to a connected zip drive, will that be possible?

JVC wrote:I think it's your Zip drive that making trouble, not your MPC-3000 itself. I think you'll get a lot of "offers" from other forum members ("do you want to trade with my MPC-2000XL?") soon!

I`m not going to trade it

i have a fully maxed one w/cf for sale in west oz, if interested...

Lampdog wrote:

3 - Is there a partition system when using CF cards or do you make your own folders, or are all files stored in one place?

Good question, 2000 classic does not have file directory support, so all the data files will be on root directory, which can be very annoying. (I think the same goes to MPC-3000 and MPC-60)
2000XL does have folder support! and a cheap IDE CF card reader (non-swappable) can be used with 2000XL.
2kxl can do folders and partitions on your media of choice. ATAPI drives are hot-swappable, IDE is not. I have an ATAPI MCD in my 2kxl, I can snatch out the cf anytime I want and it's fine. Both types of drives can be attached to the 40pin ATAPI/IDE connector on the 2kxl motherboard.

Lamp is correct, however, most of ATAPI (hot-swappable) CF readers won't work with 2000XL. I did see hot I've been using non-hot swappable IDE CF reader, and I don't really miss hot swap.
With IDE CF reader, basically XL sees it as hard drive, so the card has to be connected before booting, until shut down.
Transferring data between PC and MPC-2000XL with CF reader is very easy, One of the main reason to install CF reader, because back up is very easy with CF cards; just copy whole contents in CF card to PC.

Thanks Lampdog! And Checking the manual is a great idea. Will do!

JVC wrote:Transferring data between PC and MPC-2000XL with CF reader is very easy, One of the main reason to install CF reader, because back up is very easy with CF cards; just copy whole contents in CF card to PC.

Cool. Do you ever experience turds from the PC onto the cf card? (A common 3000 problem)

pchv wrote:

JVC wrote:Transferring data between PC and MPC-2000XL with CF reader is very easy, One of the main reason to install CF reader, because back up is very easy with CF cards; just copy whole contents in CF card to PC.

Cool. Do you ever experience turds from the PC onto the cf card? (A common 3000 problem)

The partition limit for CF card with MPC-2000XL (when it is used with non-swappable CF reader), it is 1GB. you can use CF cards that are larger than 1GB, but the largest partition size is still 1GB. Always format CF cards with XL not from PC.
The disk system that XL use is FAT16, so you can transfer files with Windows PC without issues. (You can use Mac OS X too, but OS X leaves annoying hidden files on CF card, so I use Windows for transferring files)
I've lost data twice with CF card, but I was using long file names (longer than 8 characters.) Since I stopped using long file names (strictly sticking to DOS file name format now), I haven't lost any data.

I think MPC-3000 uses FAT12 file systen (which is why, which is used for floppy disks), which I don't think XP can access it, unless it is on floppy disks.

JVC wrote:The partition limit for CF card with MPC-2000XL (when it is used with non-swappable CF reader), it is 1GB. you can use CF cards that are larger than 1GB, but the largest partition size is still 1GB. Always format CF cards with XL not from PC.
The disk system that XL use is FAT16, so you can transfer files with Windows PC without issues. (You can use Mac OS X too, but OS X leaves annoying hidden files on CF card, so I use Windows for transferring files)
I've lost data twice with CF card, but I was using long file names (longer than 8 characters.) Since I stopped using long file names (strictly sticking to DOS file name format now), I haven't lost any data.

I think MPC-3000 uses FAT12 file systen (which is why, which is used for floppy disks), which I don't think XP can access it, unless it is on floppy disks.

Thank you so much! 1 GB is more than enough. Think I just made up my mind to join the 2000xl league

pchv wrote:Thank you so much! 1 GB is more than enough. Think I just made up my mind to join the 2000xl league

Just curious, but could you tell us why you want 2000XL, instead of newer MPCs, such as MPC-4000 (which looks like updated MPC-3000), 2500, 5000 (maybe this one is too expensive compared to 2000XL).

pchv wrote:Cool. Do you ever experience turds from the PC onto the cf card? (A common 3000 problem)

it works much better on windows than with mac, but this i think also varies depending on card reader.

some of us have been through this a couple times now

tapedeck wrote:it works much better on windows than with mac, but this i think also varies depending on card reader.

some of us have been through this a couple times now

Good thing I`m using a PC, then
And cool that you guys who have tried and failed a couple of times, give advice. Thanks!