MPC 2kXL Standard??

Wassup,

Finally i've got my loan approved and my brand spanking new 2kXL is sitting in the shop ready to be paid for - so i'll most likely have it this weekend. **** i cant wait for this - but i've got a few questions just before i get mad dissapointed.
I'm buying the MPC standard - no memory extension or zip drive. Now am I gonna be able to still produce shit with it until i buy some more RAM, or is it not gonna be enough? I got the drift from another post that you can only load and use 2MB of samples at a time if you only have 2MB RAM - ****, this is like **** all, a few kicks and snares! Please tell me this aint right!
chur chur
ess.

am I gonna be able to still produce **** with it until i buy some more RAM, or is it not gonna be enough?

You know back in the olden days samplers had about 64k and we managed. But seriously, 2MB is not enuf, u can still have some fun with single hits, but if you start to load in a stereo sample 1 bar loops you'll be outta memory in no time, so I'd start looking for the 32MB expansion. I've owned an s2k and an mpc2kxl and I got the memory installed by the retailer, but I'm lazy. You need to max out the memory, particularly when you spend that much on a piece of equipment.

The zip drive option is almost as important in my opinion.

HTH

That is right, this is really a subjective issue though. Some people find that 2mb's isn't enough for serious production but I know a guy who refuses to install more ram cuz he feels it would comprimise his creativity. He manages to turn out some very lush productions with just 2mb's. I myself find it more convinient to have 32 mb's but you can get by without it. If your sure you'll be getting the mpc this weekend you should go ahead and get the ram for it now so you can install it when your mpc arrives. It shouldn't cost you more then 20.00 at the most and you can get a scsi zip drive w/cable on ebay for about 35.00

OK, sweet thanks for those quick assed replies!
I'm in NZ, in a little old place called New Plymouth so i'd need to order the RAM from the capital. You reckon $20? So that be about $50 NZ? And i can install it myself? Would it be harder than say, installing a PCI network card into a computer? Cause i'm relatively good with that sorta stuff but i dont wanna **** anything ya know, and i dont know anyone else with an MPC in my town...
Is the ease of install the same with the zip drive?

churr
ess.

It's very easy to install the ram, the manual has detailed instructions on how to do it.

If you go with an external scsi zip drive then it's as easy as hooking the scsi cable to the scsi port on the mpc, if you opt for the internal drive than it's a liitle more complicated but still pretty easy.

Go for the internal Zip 250. It's not that hard to install. I use 2 Zip 250's so I can edit samples on the PC, save it to zip and then beat them out on the MPC.

I agree, the memory is the top priority, go to google, and search for a place that sells ram for old apples (the old mac's use simm's 16mb & 32MB, and you can get them online for SUPER CHEAP, as in less then 30 bux shipped.) Some say use 2 16mb but I have a 1 32mb and I've got no problems (knock on wood) so far.

the zip drive is key. any kind, internal or external is cool, but the zip and memory are 100% needed.

Dr.Foo wrote:you can get them online for SUPER CHEAP, as in less then 30 bux shipped.)

I JUST ordered mine (as in 5 minutes ago) and i paid 14 bucks. Shipping included. Ebay.

Hauler.

sweet as - after all that i found out tonite that my MPC is actually coming with an internal zip drive!
So thats all very well - but still the RAM issue, apparently i't'll cost me $200NZ for 32MB RAM here, so thats about $90US i suppose - way too *** much.
The RAM is the same as old Apple PC's you say? I'm keen to look into this - how will i know if the RAM is or isnt *****?
And what is the RAM i need exactly? I've heard "pins" being used in the termology - is it just 32MB SIMMS?
And if i dont have a credit card, can i still order off Ebay, living in NZ?
How much is shipping?
One more thing - what sort of ZIP Disks do you think i should buy?

Thanks guys - wicked help so far, i'd be ***** without it
ess.

90.00 is way too much. Check ebay, type in "akai mpc 2000xl" and you'll get a lot of listings for memory for the mpc. Most of the sellers on ebay accept money orders. Check the sellers feedback for negative responses to their services. You should be able to find the memory for about 25.00 including shipping.

Oh yeah, as for the zip disks, the internal drive on the mpc is 100mb's so any 100mb pc formatted zip disk should work. Iomeag disks are probably the most widely used. By the way, zip disks can also be found on ebay for much less then what they would cost at a retail store.

When I was searching for an s2000 on eBay yesterday I came across the 32MB chip you need for $9.95. I agree with everyone, 32MB is a must.

eightsixteen wrote:When I was searching for an s2000 on eBay yesterday I came across the 32MB chip you need for $9.95. I agree with everyone, 32MB is a must.

Thats how much i paid for mine yesterday. After shipping charges, it was still only 14 bucks.

It is a necessity, though i must say... i've made some very successful compositions with only the standard 2mb.

I'm really looking forward to being able to actually FILL UP programs tho, instead if running out of room......!

Aiight, i've just found a post on trade me for some SIMMS, is this the right gear for a 2kXL??

"2 x 32Mb 72pin EDO Simms"

I realise this would give me 64MB but i aint worried, i'll sell off the other 32 or bid for just 1 set of 32MB

chur chur
ess.