Upgrading my little classic

Hello.

First of all, I'm based in the London U.K

I'm asking if anyone knows how to install a USB 1.0 or 2.0 into my MPC2000XL?

having researched and seen you can install a CF Card reader in the floppy port, I'm wondering if the same can be done, but installing USB instead.

As an alternative, I'd be happy if anyone can advise me if a Multi-card with USB option is available, and can be installed in the XL.

SCSI I have (using ZIP & JAZ) but in this day and age, I'd be happy to go USB.

I'm not keen on spending out on a new machine (Renaissance?) when my 16 Padded, Fully loaded, beige rebel is still able to take care of business with beats and MIDI musical arrangements.

LOGIC, I treat as a multi-track recorder, taking stems from my 10 out's

All suggestions are welcome.

Spike of London

There is no USB solution/mod for the older machines as you cannot mount the mpc2000/xl on your computers OS. Your best option is an internal/external card reader.

m56p87 wrote:you cannot mount the mpc2000/xl on your computers OS.

If you have an internal SCSI card reader in your 2000XL, you can mount the card reader as a drive on your computer. You will need also a SCSI card adapter (Adaptec) on your computer to connect the MPC to the computer with a SCSI cable.
I've done it with a Microtech PCD-47B card reader (shown up as 3 drives on a computer) and my internal laptop HD in my 2000XL since they are all in a SCSI configuration. It all worked under Win XP.

I've been meaning to do a video about this but been busy.

JUKE 179r wrote:

m56p87 wrote:you cannot mount the mpc2000/xl on your computers OS.

If you have an internal SCSI card reader in your 2000XL, you can mount the card reader as a drive on your computer. You will need also a SCSI card adapter (Adaptec) on your computer to connect the MPC to the computer with a SCSI cable.
I've done it with a Microtech PCD-47B card reader (shown up as 3 drives on a computer) and my internal laptop HD in my 2000XL since they are all in a SCSI configuration. It all worked under Win XP.

I've been meaning to do a video about this but been busy.

Mounting a card is very different than mounting the machine itself. Basically all your doing is saving yourself the trouble of popping out the cf card and putting it in your computer. IIRC the machine can't be using the disk when you mount it on your computer either?

There is a USB mod that works fine on an MPC60 which is older, using a 720k USB floppy emulator to replace the floppy drive. Obviously the MPC2000 uses a 1.44 mb floppy drive, but to my knowledge nobody has tested the 1.44 mb USB floppy emulator on an MPC2000. The HxC SD floppy emulator is also out there doing the rounds too.

clint246clint wrote:There is a USB mod that works fine on an MPC60 which is older, using a 720k USB floppy emulator to replace the floppy drive. Obviously the MPC2000 uses a 1.44 mb floppy drive, but to my knowledge nobody has tested the 1.44 mb USB floppy emulator on an MPC2000. The HxC SD floppy emulator is also out there doing the rounds too.

I still wouldn't recommend it, youd be doing the mod yourself and spending $$$ just to not have to pop out the card.. you already know you can't use the card in the MPC and the computer at the same time.

m56p87 wrote:

clint246clint wrote:There is a USB mod that works fine on an MPC60 which is older, using a 720k USB floppy emulator to replace the floppy drive. Obviously the MPC2000 uses a 1.44 mb floppy drive, but to my knowledge nobody has tested the 1.44 mb USB floppy emulator on an MPC2000. The HxC SD floppy emulator is also out there doing the rounds too.

I still wouldn't recommend it, youd be doing the mod yourself and spending $$$ just to not have to pop out the card.. you already know you can't use the card in the MPC and the computer at the same time.

clint is talking about a floppy emulator now - very different. the usb ones he is referring to basically replace the floppy drive with a usb port so you can plug in a usb stick and use that as your 'disks'.

the hxc is a very good mod to upgrade almost any floppy drive.

m56p87 wrote:Mounting a card is very different than mounting the machine itself. Basically all your doing is saving yourself the trouble of popping out the cf card and putting it in your computer.

This is definitely true. I did it as a "Wow!" factor to see if it can be done on a computer. It was just a lazy way for not removing the CF card at all between computer and MPC.

m56p87 wrote:IIRC the machine can't be using the disk when you mount it on your computer either?

The 2000XL (OS v1.14c) is still operational while connected to the computer via SCSI cable. I could read, write, format and defrag the MPC's CF cards and my internal laptop HD from the computer.
I also sampled into the MPC, saved the sample file onto the MPC's CF card, edited the sample from the MPC with Sound Forge on the computer, saved the edited file from the computer back onto the MPC's CF card and loaded the newly edited file back onto the MPC's pads to play.

JUKE 179r wrote:I also sampled into the MPC, saved the sample file onto the MPC's CF card, editted the sample from the MPC with Sound Forge on the computer, saved the editted file from the computer to the MPC's CF card and loaded it back onto the MPC's pads to play.

That is dope! I didnt know you could do that.

As far as Clint talking about the floppy emulator, same thing applies. Hed be spending money for a mod I don't think has been done yet (HxC in the 2000). And it's not a direct connection between machines. But there is USB involved in the USB stick...

m56p87 wrote:As far as Clint talking about the floppy emulator, same thing applies. Hed be spending money for a mod I don't think has been done yet (HxC in the 2000). And it's not a direct connection between machines. But there is USB involved in the USB stick...

yer right about the direct connection. it is basically just like using a floppy drive only more convenient.

as far as 'not done yet'...its been done in much more hairy situations so im sure it would work

Thanks people.

Loads of options offered to me, and plenty for me to think about.

However, ideally, I want to avoid conducting an surgery on my machine.

I've looked around and seen that removing the floppy drive and replacing it with a CF card reader seems to be the most popular solution. Especially as some CF card readers allow you to swap cards whilst the machine is powered up, as you can with floppy discs.

For me, this sounds the best way forward, as most people state that its a simple process, not requiring the need for drilling or soldering. Just snap out the floppy and slap in the CF card reader.

Now, does anyone know of a CF or Multicard reader that has a USB socket, and easy to install on a 2KXL so I can plug in a USB key loaded with samples?

I'm one for opting for the simple solution, as I'm sure you all can realate to.

Once again, all suggestions welcomed.

Uncle Spike.

http://www.mpcstuff.com/2000xl-mcd-mult ... drive.html

Uncle Spike wrote:Now, does anyone know of a CF or Multicard reader that has a USB socket, and easy to install on a 2KXL so I can plug in a USB key loaded with samples?

no

tapedeck wrote:

m56p87 wrote:As far as Clint talking about the floppy emulator, same thing applies. Hed be spending money for a mod I don't think has been done yet (HxC in the 2000). And it's not a direct connection between machines. But there is USB involved in the USB stick...

yer right about the direct connection. it is basically just like using a floppy drive only more convenient.

as far as 'not done yet'...its been done in much more hairy situations so im sure it would work

I'm sure it would work too, I meant more that the op probably wouldnt want to try an untested mod with no walk through in place of more widely used 2000 classic storge solutions.

Uncle Spike wrote:
For me, this sounds the best way forward, as most people state that its a simple process, not requiring the need for drilling or soldering. Just snap out the floppy and slap in the CF card reader...Now, does anyone know of a CF or Multicard reader that has a USB socket, and easy to install on a 2KXL so I can plug in a USB key loaded with samples?

Dont try to reinvent the wheel, asking for things you've never seen or heard of.

You have three upgrade options for reliable solid state storage.

1. USB floppy emulator mod, cheap, unconfirmed on the XL but why wouldnt it work?
2. HxC SD card reader, no drilling required its now a direct replacement for the floppy.
3. CF card reader, tried and tested upgrade or OEM fitting.


USB 720kb floppy emulator mod upgrade by Milando, confirmed working 100% in MPC60 viewtopic.php?f=4&t=148895