Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By StickiFingaz Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:37 am
my boy just sold me an akai mpc 2000xl today. Its got the zip drive installed on it and he gave me what looks like half of an SCSI drive that was taken from a desktop computer.
He also gave me a total of 4 cords. One power cable, and 3 midi cables (2 of which have female midi connectors on one end and the other ends just smaller male components. Then the last cord has a male midi connector at one end and a smaller female component on the other end.) Also was given a little adapter for a male midi piece that plugs into that smaller male component [with the female midi connector on the other end.]
IDK WHAT TO DO WITH THESE CORDS!
I do have a usb interface (Alesis iO2 express), should I somehow try and connect the interface to the MPC with these cords?

He also threw in a bunch of zip100 drives. Will these still be functional?

And how do I upload sounds onto the MPC? should I get a usb zip drive and write sounds onto the zip disks and upload onto MPC?
Or is there a way to do that via the interface?

Theres no sounds on my mpc! and I don't know how to save or anything!

PS
I know I should probably download the manual/handbook offline
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By crossings Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:40 pm
sounds like those cables probably aren't MIDI either... female on one end and male on the other?? not MIDI.

you've got some learning to do... start with reading up on the differences between MIDI and actual AUDIO...
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By SimonInAustralia Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:45 pm
StickiFingaz wrote:IDK WHAT TO DO WITH THESE CORDS!
I do have a usb interface (Alesis iO2 express), should I somehow try and connect the interface to the MPC with these cords?

Yes, you should, and you should then post photos of it!
By Clint Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:53 pm
StickiFingaz wrote:He also gave me a total of 4 cords. One power cable, and 3 midi cables (2 of which have female midi connectors on one end and the other ends just smaller male components. Then the last cord has a male midi connector at one end and a smaller female component on the other end.) Also was given a little adapter for a male midi piece that plugs into that smaller male component [with the female midi connector on the other end.]


Generally speaking the midi cables you need will have male connectors at both ends. Any midi cables/adapters with female connectors could be used to join two regular midi cables (male > female-female > male) to extend their length, or they are not true midi cables to begin with. Avoid using adaptors if at all possible, and keep your midi cables as short as possible.
By StickiFingaz Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:58 pm
pretty sure he's got some XLR cables confused with MIDI here... :lol:


haha chill out fool I aint that dumb, midi has the 5 prongs, xlr is the 3 prongs. :fku: I kid you not these are the weirdest midi cords ive ever seen. im just gonna go out and buy some cords, now that stores open and its not too late for me to cop that stuff.

Image

these are the cables he gave me. One with the male, two with the female, and all have these smaller components on the end.
By StickiFingaz Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:00 pm
I'd say it's safe to quickly skim the official manual and then download the Tutors book.


Ive downloaded the manual, still looking over it. That tutors book it costs a little extra right?
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By SimonInAustralia Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:58 pm
StickiFingaz wrote:
pretty sure he's got some XLR cables confused with MIDI here... :lol:

haha chill out fool I aint that dumb, midi has the 5 prongs, xlr is the 3 prongs. :fku: I kid you not these are the weirdest midi cords ive ever seen.

Image

these are the cables he gave me. One with the male, two with the female, and all have these smaller components on the end.

No, actually, XLR can also have 5 prongs, they are commonly used for DMX lighting control (MIDI for lights).

And yes, they are weird looking MIDI cables, have not seen any like that in the 20 years or so I have been into it.

Look like they are for some specific sort of MIDI interface that uses those small connectors, they look like old style keyboard/mouse connectors.