I think my along inputs are messed up but not sure

okay I've tried twice to record something off my phone with a 1/8 to 1/4 cable directly into the rec in inputs and switched input source to analog in. All I'm hearing is static and even when i don't have a cable hooked up to the inputs i still can see that there is signal going on in the metering from the static that Im hearing. i have the gain button to high put still all i get is static,what could be the problem and did i not do something right?

I just recreated exactly what you tried. iPhone/iPad unbalanced 1/8" to 1/4" got the same thing, and a huge amount of static/hiss with high gain engaged. So I tried it with 2 balanced 1/4"' TRS cables from a different source (an XL with no issues), same thing.

I had always used the digital in on my 4000, so I'm as taken aback by this as you are. I know the few times I used the analog ins prior this was not an issue.

I let you know if I figure out what is causing this and if I determine for certain that something is faulty with our analog ins.

Metatron72 wrote:I just recreated exactly what you tried. iPhone/iPad unbalanced 1/8" to 1/4" got the same thing, and a huge amount of static/hiss with high gain engaged. So I tried it with 2 balanced 1/4"' TRS cables from a different source (an XL with no issues), same thing.

I had always used the digital in on my 4000, so I'm as taken aback by this as you are. I know the few times I used the analog ins prior this was not an issue.

I let you know if I figure out what is causing this and if I determine for certain that something is faulty with our analog ins.

well i assumed that the analog input were the 1/4 inputs put i tried my phono inputs with my turntable and that signal came in threw the analog inputs. The only thing was that the input seemed to be overdriven even with the record gain low and gain button low so I'm kinda freaked out. i haves tried the digital input cause i don't have a cable for that.

i really don't know why I'm getting static even without any input source going in the inputs tho

You'd need a proper SPDIF digital source anyway to use the digital in. I usually use the one off my audio interface. I would want the analogs to work too though as I have outboard gear with no SPDIF and it's nice to be able to sample to the 4000 without the computer being turned on.

But yeah, same exact overdriven thing going on here too, with high gain engaged it's insane the amount of noise. One thing I noticed on the PGM that I had running out the XL was the only two of the sounds were even barely audible through the noise. Both were in the upper frequency ranges and what came through was clearly playing at a higher pitch than they should. That might indicate some kind of crazy phase cancellation of the input signal somehow being replaced with straight noise.

I'm gonna have to pop the lid tomorrow and make sure nothing is amiss with the internals. I also will try some other input sources (mixer, a couple keyboards). But yeah man this is weird and a tad bit disturbing.

BTW - same here on your last post.

the only source that has no problems at all is the internal cd player which is clean as a whistle but i love sampling off records and this sure does put a stop to that so guess i have to find another hardware sampler. I am kinda thinking about getting a s3000xl but not sure if the sampling will affect my creative process cause i have always done none destructive sampling in maschine.

dmajor100 wrote:the only source that has no problems at all is the internal cd player which is clean as a whistle but i love sampling off records and this sure does put a stop to that so guess i have to find another hardware sampler. I am kinda thinking about getting a s3000xl but not sure if the sampling will affect my creative process cause i have always done none destructive sampling in maschine.

You could in the meantime record the vinyl to the computer and use AkSys/a burnt CD-Rom/USB thumb stick or HD to get those sounds in the 4000.

Personally I can live with destructive chopping provided I know I have a copy of the original file somewhere. Obviously recording and cataloging sounds on a computer is great for that. But yeah I feel you generally as every other thing I use software or hardware has some manner of NDC.

yes I think I'm gonna have Record on my computer and just transfer them to my external hard drive and call it a day. But thats kinda a work around and a bit more time consuming of going back and forth but then again i can record a entire song and not run out of time. I don't have that software that works with the mic 4000 but i here a lot about it were can i get it and is it easy to use?

So basically its a software program and you connect a usb cable to your computer and you can controller all of the 4ks functions from the software? Im guessing you can choose any sound from your computers hard drive or external and you can also choose from the 4ks hard drive or any drive that is connected to the 4k? MMMMMMM seems cool enough but I'm wondering if the sampler on the software is more user friendly and not so complicated as the 4ks interface with all the parameters.

AkSys is freely downloadable from Akai's website. When you go to get it just enter an "a" or "*" for the give us your email spam crap they force you through.

You will need an older OS X (or OS 9 if you have a real old Mac around) or a 32bit version of Windows. XP/Vista/Win 7, any of them. But it must be 32-bit because the driver for your USB port on the computer to communicate with the 4000 is only 32 bit.

For 64-bit Windows, Windows Ultimate and emulated XP Mode is the only way to install and run AkSys.

It crashes at times when you load large folders or a lot at once, but it has tons of cool features. If you're accustomed to software you'll notice they thought of some cool stuff considering it was way back in 2002. You can load folders, make PGM's amd set up Keygroup PGM's tweak PGM and FX settings. It's pretty useful if you have the right computer to run it.

BTW- How much RAM is in your 4000? 512MB gets you a decent 31 minutes of sample time.

http://www.akaipro.com/mpc4000/?tt=5

Get the 2.00 USB driver unless you have a Win98 PC somewhere (2.01 for that).
And the AkSys installer is right below that.

I played around with the pan control on the REC Gain and now I'm thinking the pot/encoder itself might be part of the issue too. Will have to determine if it's the ins themselves, the encoder and it's board or all of the above. I'm no expert so hopefully other 4000 owners might know something.

Closest I found here was this 2500 thread. But the issue was global in that case not just when in REC mode. - viewtopic.php?f=21&p=1335838

And your last post - YES. It is precisely that. Again, it's from 2002 so it's a little clunky, but still covers most of what you're looking for.

I hope this doesn't require replacing parts. The one is $192 and the other is $200. And I just passed on a 2nd 4000 for $800 a few weeks ago.

http://www.mpcstuff.com/1al4016a502b.html

http://www.mpcstuff.com/1al4016a502c.html

Man thats a whole lot of tasking if I'm just needing a software controller, naw I'm good i rather not go threw the trouble and still keep having issues with it not working.

dmajor100 wrote:Man thats a whole lot of tasking if I'm just needing a software controller, naw I'm good i rather not go threw the trouble and still keep having issues with it not working.

No, no audio runs on the computer. AkSys is just a utility to control what's in the 4000 and send or copy data to and from it. Your 4000 is still totally standalone, AkSys just gives you a larger graphic interface to do the same stuff faster. It's too old to be like Maschine or Ren where any audio processing is actually taking place in the computer.

If you have a 32bit Windows it would be handy especially if the analog ins are a no go or it's a pain or not possible for you to use the digital in.

I read your one post too quickly so sorry if I gave the impression the audio/sampling would be going on in the PC.

i have a lion mac so no can do on that software stuff but i haven't tried in digital in yet so I'm not sure if it doesn't work or not but i still should be able to get what i need done in my computer then dump it on my hard drive. its a hustle but i gotta work for what i need to get done by any means. It was a gamble buying the 4k since i already had maschine and the workflow was fact way faster but it just seem kinda lacking inspiration and not organic enough for me since i started on hardware with a triton back in 2000. But even not sampling i still love the feel of a complete hardware set up and the sequencing is on point 100% and the drums are tight

I have Maschine and use it frequently and like it quite a bit. If you're a hardware guy from way back I don't think you'll regret the 4000. The 24/96khz aspect of it is dope as hell. It has the reputation of being too clean and it can be clinical clean if you want. But with that much headroom with 24/96 you can actually make it dirtier than some realize. Just in general I prefer higher bit rates as more space to operate and feel it's not automatic that it will only give you (too) clean sound.

The full keygroup aspect of the 4000 is dope, you could conceivably recreate the Triton patches and stuff like that. I have all the E-MU sounds in my 4000 and those and the 4K filters get along great.

Anyway here's where I admit I'm really stupid. (This was the 3rd different static thread i was in today, my feeble defense ). The phono switch is on and the 4000 is expecting a low level phono out hence the ridiculous noise. Put the switch on Line in.

Nothing's broke, we both have awesome MPC 4000's. Exhale....

And it says "valued member" next to my name.