Problem with MPC 2000

Got a new to me MPC 2000 that was working OK for a day but now it has an intermittent problem. Sometimes I get some horrid electronic static noise when I load samples from the floppy disk. It usually occurs as the note decays. It doesn't happen all the time. When it does I re-boot a few times and then it functions perfect. Any ideas what could be causing it? I noticed the note slider isn't working either, not sure if that is related.

I am comfortable opening the machine up if I have to. I've fixed a lot of old electronics, repaired amps and built effects pedals.

The unit is does not have any extra RAM and is running the 'current' OS for that machine. I hope I can get it running reliably because this thing is SICK! I love it and wish I would have got one year ago.

Thanks

I would have thought RAM seating/connection might be an issue, but you say it doesn't have any extra RAM.

Do you mean that it only has the 2MB of onboard RAM, and that the 2 SIMM slots for additional RAM in the MPC are empty?

Yes I believe it only has the 2MB on board. That's what the guy I bought it from said anyway. It occurs to me that he didn't know a lot about the unit at all, so I'm going to open it up and look for myself. If they are there, I'll clean and reseat them and report back. Seems like a common problem with these.

Lampdog wrote:2mb on motherboard as default. When you install any ram stick the default mobo 2mb is ignored.

Only ignored when 2 x 16MB SIMMs, and I assume 1 x 32MB SIMM (not listed below), are used?...

"MPC2000 Operator's Manual, Page 166 wrote:Please note the following memory configurations that are possible in the MPC2000.

Well I opened it up to find two SIMMS staring me in the face. The guy did not know. I cleaned them off. Lot of junk on them. Whole machine is dirty as hell. Still testing to see if it's all fine.

Yeah! I'm calling it fixed for the noise problem. I booted it 10 times in row and it's rock solid. I tried to clean out the note slider with DeOxit but it's still dead in the water. Guess I'll check it with a DMM and see what's up. Not a huge deal if it doesn't work.

Thanks guys.

Are you assigning a pad and parameter to the slider, in the Assign screen (Shift-Assign)?

You can test the slider on the Pad test screen.

If it is an MPC2000, and not an MPC2000XL, the Pad test screen is accessed by pressing...

- Shift-7/Mixer
- Open Window
- Shift-0 to enter test mode
- F2 for Pad test screen
- Main Screen to exit test mode


EDIT: Actually, maybe not, the slider value on the Pad test screen does not seem to change on my MPC2000XL, not sure what it does on the MPC2000.

OK I tried that and got no response. It just stays at three. Doesn't move.

Yes, sorry, it doesn't seem to do anything on my MPC2000XL either, so might not actually be a slider test, even though it looks like it should be.

Are you assigning a pad and parameter for the slider to control?

SimonInAustralia wrote:Are you assigning a pad and parameter for the slider to control?

Yes I am. Do you have to do something to save it or just exit the screen? Will it work on any kind sample?

Just exit the screen.

But, it looks like my NV slider is not working either. It seems that it should change values on the Pad test screen in response to the slider moving. If I blow into the slider slot, while on the Pad test screen, the Slider value does change.

I think you either have a dry solder joint, or dirty/bent slider tracks/contacts. Maybe try reflowing the solder on the slider, pull the cover off and clean it/adjust it, or replace it.

Pulling the slider cover off to clean/adjust it is shown here, on an MPC2000XL...
http://vimeo.com/33156297

Thanks. I might attempt that at some point. Probably after I have a backup slider standing by!