MPC4000 info needed!

my dad is thinking of purchasing one of these dream machines (which I intend to use quite a bit!), but I found out that supposedly the UK versions ship with only 16mb ram and without the HD or CD-R, compared to the US 272mb ram, 60gb HD and the CD-R (well thats what I heard). Obviously we'd like to get the higher spec version, can we get these in the UK?

Does the CD-R work? I heard that some don't. If I get one without the CD-R can I hook it up to my PC CD-R to burn tracks and if I get one without a hard disk can I save stuff on my PC too? What PC music software does the 4000 interact with?

I'm pretty new to mpc's so if these are dumb questions, sorry!

If you could post up websites of reliable mpc dealers that would be great as well, thanks.

Hi!

I got my MPC4000 here in Norway, and it was pretty much stripped to the bone (16 Megs of RAM, no HD). I put in 512 Megs and a 80 gig HD myself, but I am sure any qualified Akai dealer in the UK would be able to do this for you. It's important to get items (like HD and RAM) that are fully compatible, the UK distributor, Arbiter, should be able to help you out:
http://www.arbiter.co.uk/

Putting in a CD-R would be useful for backing up projects and making your own sample collections, but it will not allow you to make audio-CDs (that is, CDs than can be played in a normal audio CD player). Some people think this is a big deal, some don't. With access to a PC/Mac with a CD-R, you could always mix down your tracks on the MPC, transfer them to the computer (see below) and burn audio CDs there.

By connecting the MPC to your PC thru USB and using the Ak.Sys software, you can transfer all data (samples, multis, programs and sequences) back and forth between the two. This does to some extent limit the need for an internal HD in the MPC, at least for home-users with ample space on their PC HD (people on the road would definately need the internal HD, though). The MPC works fine with any software that supports MIDI, I use mine with Logic Audio Platinum.

As for dealers, I really haven't got a good answer for you, but you could check these out:

http://www.digitalvillage.co.uk/dv/amain.asp
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/index.jsp

Hope this helps!

Arne S.

thanks bitstreem!
thats cleared up a few of my questions, its good that I can transfer entire sequences back and forth on any MIDI program, i intend to sequence and mix down on the mpc then transfer to PC to check and then burn.
The RAM is the biggest problem I guess, but I can put in a couple of 256meg cards so that would be ok.
My pc hd is a mere 20gig (most of it used up) so I'd have to get an internal hd as well. It sucks that an internal cd-r won't write 'proper' cd's but I guess thats fine if I can transfer to PC.
I've checked out those websites already, not bad deals really, we might consider those.

thanks again

you could also try some american websites and see if they ship over seas then you get everythig you need you can get the 4000 with 272 ram 60 gig drive and cd-r for 2,500 american

different power though...

there are converters arent there??

yeah, it's better not to run on those, plus you have import duties so this doesn't happen.

ohh thats no good

ohh thats no good

With shipping costs and power conversion I think its best we go for a UK model. Theres quite a good deal at http://www.soundslive.co.uk that we might consider, no hd or cd-r and 16mb ram, but we'll get 2x256mb chips, an 80gig hd and cd-r separately so that'll be ok.
I hear that in an upcoming OS the cd-r abilities will be fully enabled, so I wouldn't have to connect to my PC at all (although maybe for wavelab) so that would be great.
Thanks for all the help people

Hello again,

I believe both David Whittle and Sean W. from Akai have said there will be no CD-Audio burning functionality in any (planned) future OS updates. So don't get the CD-R if you plan on burning music CDs with it.

Of course, if Akai decides to add this functionality, it would be great, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen...

Cheers,

Arne S.

It's not exceptionally high on my list of needs I just wish Akai would pull their finger out!

BTW: If you go to an Anderton's Music Store in the UK, they will price match the MPC with any UK Quote (even online) - that's what I did, and I got mine for £1,400.

jues.

so the cd-rw in my mpc4000 wont even burn anything??? (sorry newbe have not tried to burn anything yet)

With the current OS (1.45), a CD-RW drive is able to write Memory Dumps onto CD which makes backing up projects nice and easy - but that is about all it can do.

I removed my CD-Drive, made the unit a little lighter.

jues.