Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
By fooddude Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:04 pm
Middle of working on a new song; and unfortunately, my MPC60 is starting to have problems. It happened a few times, only very recently. When it did, i just re-loaded my floppies and reloaded the sounds/samples and it worked again. But, I know for sure it's def not the floppy disk itself (since I tried some of my old disks, and the same thing happened). Idk if it's the floppy drive or something inside, maybe the sound generator chips, memory, sound electronics/chips, etc.

The problem: After loading samples from my floppy disk, all of the sounds (especially the samples with oomph/bass/kicks/meat) sound super super distorted and very quiet as compared to normal output. Kicks and other meaty sounds, or mid freq sound, all sound very distorted and sound like a "zipper", but a deep zipper of course, since a kick is low to begin with, lol. Did that make sense?

Anyways.. is this a common problem? Has it happened to anyone else here before? If so, any ideas what the problem is? And is there any easy fixes/solutions; or do I have to spend loot on having it fixed?

Lastly, if it needs to be sent in..any recommendations on affordable, but good, MPC service techs in the NYC area? I've been to Main Drag before to have a synth fixed; and they are really great and at the same time affordable. So, I may just go back to them. Although I am unsure if they specialize in MPCs too; but I assume they are also great with MPCs too I bet.

Any help appreciated.


1st Edit/Update: I just tried sampling in a fresh sound (ie: not using a floppy disk nor the drive), a kick; and, it sounds normal as before - not super distorted & quiet. What does this mean? Since it plays a new fresh sample normally, does this means it's the floppy drive or something with the memory?

2nd Update: N/m the 1st update... I just reloaded some samples from my floppy, and it started working again; so, I am unsure if the 1st update is true or not and/or if it can pinpoint the problem to the floppy, since the loaded floppy samples work again.
By Clint Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:37 pm
Perhaps your floppy drive is giving you advance notice of its impending death?

Maybe you are using HD floppy discs with the hole covered?

Maybe neither of the above?

Check that all cables and connectors are properly reseated inside the machine.

As a precaution I would back up your floppies and prepare to replace the drive should it die. Sounds like your issue could return at any time but its good to hear you're up and running again, for now.
By fooddude Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:37 pm
Clint wrote:Perhaps your floppy drive is giving you advance notice of its impending death?

Maybe you are using HD floppy discs with the hole covered?

Maybe neither of the above?

Check that all cables and connectors are properly reseated inside the machine.

As a precaution I would back up your floppies and prepare to replace the drive should it die. Sounds like your issue could return at any time but its good to hear you're up and running again, for now.


I don't think it's just the pads

I'm using DD disks.

Haven't reseated and cleaned the plugs yet. But I've been planning to and will do that soon.

Yes, the drive could be a possibility.

Another forum (gs), many say it could be a faulty memory.

So, for now, I thinkin it's either the memory, or the floppy drive.

For now it's good again..so when the problem arises again, I'll def look into the above tips.

Thanks!