MPC60 .snd files into the MPC2000xl?

Hey everyone,

I have had my MPC60 for some years, and I am looking to get the more portable, faster-loading MPC2000xl for live shows. It is important for me to be able to load all of the .SND (and Program) files that I have created over the years into the 2000xl. I USE A MAC.

I've been stressing trying to find instructions on how to do this complete process. I've checked out the MPC60 bible, and most information is regarding a conversion of files TO the MPC60 as opposed to FROM it. If there is information suggesting the process from the MPC60 to 2000xl in these forums, could someone please link me?

So far, these are my inferences on how the process is done from the info I've gathered (please correct me where wrong);

1) i) Get floppy to USB emulator for the MPC60 for file transfer to the MAC *go to step #2
ii) Use the SCSI drive to transfer files between the MPC60 and 2000xl (if that option is available on both units)
2) Get the files onto the MAC (do I need a special software for this? There is mention of "Gotek" drives on the forums...)
3) Use the MAC to get the file to a CF card/SD card/Floppy Disc for reading in the MPC2000xl

These steps are working on the assumption that the MPC2000xl can automatically read the .SND and .PGM files transferred from MPC60 > MAC > MPC2000xl. Please correct me if this is also wrong.

the 2000 classic (and therefore I believe the 2000xl also) can read mpc60 floppy disks right from the 60 into the 2000.

I am guessing that the scsi hard drive should connect and also work.


now.. the thing though is that the original mpc60 APS files or .snd files actually take longer to load... so what you do is load them up, then resave the program and sounds in the 2000 as a new thing... don't keep loading the old 60 stuff up every time. Load once and resave.

the sequences will probably be no good as is though because it doesn't get the pad layout correct right off the bat. You will have to do some messing around to set everything up properly.

Does the sample conversion sound good or does it sound overcompressed? I've always wondered.

^not sure if you mean the thing I was talking about.. but yeah, loading 60 floppy disks up in the 2000 sounds pretty much the same. I don't know about pushing the volume to the limit and tracking out hot.. or those things... but the samples sound pretty much the same as from the 60.

To know the files will be read in the 2000xl is a relief, and re-saving the .SND file is an easy solution for faster loading time.

Having said that, what if I don't want to use floppies in the 2000xl? My situation is that I don't have the SCSI upgrade for the 60, and I plan to get a 2000xl with the CF card option for convenience of loading when playing live.

So, here are the new questions;
1) how do I get the .SND files from floppy to CF card?
2) which hardware accessories and software does this require?

Thanks for the previous replies!

Also, it seems that from previous forum discussions, that the floppy to floppy solution is easiest. In this case though, would the loading time of a floppy on a 2000xl be feasible for live performances, or would the crowd be waiting ages between beats?

what I mean is, 2000xl floppies load up faster in the 2000xl than mpc60 floppies do in the 2000xl.

what I think might work is.. you load up your 60 disks in the 2000xl.. then save them to new floppies.. then save those on the PC (drag n drop into folders on the PC desktop.. make sure all files are named with no more than 8 characters) then install the CF reader.. then transfer to a card on the PC and reload on the 2000xl.


that is what I would do.

^This would be a good solution if the 2000xl had a floppy drive initially, but I am planning to buy the 2000xl with CF card reader in the place of where the floppy drive usually is. Hence, I'm looking for a solution to get .SND files from floppy to CF card somehow.

To do this, I'm sure a computer needs to be involved, as well as some other potential accessories and software to do the file transfers. For example,
1) I may need a floppy to USB accessory to get the .SND files from the 60 to a computer,
2) then some sort of software for my computer to read these floppies,
3) then a USB to CF card accessory for transfer to the 2000xl.
I would like to know if I'm on the right track here, and if so, I want to know specifics. Like WHICH ACCESSORIES AND WHICH SOFTWARE I NEED.

I acknowledge that the use of floppies on both units is the easiest way to go, but I am seeking instructions and knowledge that will work with the above limitations (for both MAC and PC if possible).

My reason for wanting the CF card option is for convenience of having many beats loadable from one card when playing live, instead of floppies. ALSO, I AM ASSUMING THAT THE CF CARD WILL LOAD THE FILES FASTER THAN FLOPPIES IN THE 2000XL, but I may be wrong.

Thanks again for your prompt replies!

Yes the card reader for the 2000xl loads much faster. Your live beat set is ready in a few seconds.

well cool.. not gonna argue with you... but you need to use a program like omniflop to read and copy mpc60 disks. That program doesn't work with usb floppy drives. So go get the latest mpc60 OS if you don't have it already (v 3.10) and go get the scsi card and reader.... or go get a floppy emulator which creates floppy images. See if you can transfer those images to another memory card.. I doubt it will work... you need to open them and take out the files to put on the cf card in the XL.

anyways. i'm sure you will figure it out by buying it.. plus trial and error.

Here's what you do.
Option 1
Get your 2kxl MCD take the reader out and install a floppy drive.
Connect some form of SCSI drive to the XL load a floppies and re-save them to the SCSI drive.
after all have been put on the SCSI drive reinstall the reader and you can put things on what ever type of CF card you want.

Option 2
Go with a 4k instead and get a USB floppy drive
Use that to get the sounds to the 4k internal drive.

Option 3
Get a PC (...cough..cough..real computer) and use MPCEditor to read and the 60 files

Haha Option 3 actually sounds most appealing! I could run a virtual machine on my Mac to use MPC Editor. A cheaper option to do the same thing would be to use Bootcamp.

*For readers who don't know what a virtual machine is - it means running the Microsoft OS and the Mac OS at the same time - you need a third party software such as Parralells to do this. Bootcamp is a native Mac OS feature that allows you to boot in Mac OS or Windows. BOTH SOLUTIONS REQUIRE A COPY OF WINDOWS. I'm sure most cats already know this, but I just wanna put it up here for the Mac users who don't know.

So just to clarify, if I use a Microsoft OS, then I can use a Gotek Floppy emulator to transfer to USB, then read these files in MPC Editor on a Microsoft OS, then transfer to CF card?

I'd wanna hope its worth it! It'd suck if the attack, release, cut offs, etc for each .SND file didn't transfer to the 2000xl. If not, it'd probably be easier to just stick with floppy drives, or just re-sample the sounds by recording the MPC60 into the 2000xl!

Thanks so much for your help guys.

Your option 3 and mine are pretty different.
I was talking true system because you are dealing with proprietary floppy disk as well as MPCEditors handling of those disk.

Throwing virtual OS and emulators in the mix opens the path to problems.

Grabbing a cheap XP machine with a built in floppy or a USB floppy then going from floppy to CF card would be cheap and pretty straight forward.

You would be able to easily get things into the MCD.

I think the best thing to do in this situation is to start trying things out... and referring to the multiple suggestions in this thread if the on eyou tried doesn't work... come back here and try one of the other ones until you get it working.

IMO getting some little floppy drive for 2 bucks to fit in the 2000xl seems to me like the best option for the conversion process... and then popping it in the pc for the drag and drop and transfer to a CF card... but you may not feel the same.


give it a go, and make sure to come back and let us (and future mpc users) know what you got to work and what didn't work.

Hey guys,

I am looking into a few things. Just need a couple of things confirmed to help me with my research;

1) Can I get a confirmation that MPC60 DS/DD floppies (and files) can be read and used in an mpc2000xl?
2) I acknowledge that a Windows XP machine with an in-built floppy drive is an ideal solution for reading MPC60-formatted floppies, and copying them to the PC. The real question is - If I use the PC TO THEN WRITE THESE FILES TO A CF/SD CARD, will it write successfully and be read in the mpc2000xl? I have read in previous posts that a forum user was having issues writing to new floppies after backing them up on the computer. But, they were using a MAC.

Anyways, getting a confirmation on those two things will definitely help with my research. Thanks!