Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By roslo Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:56 pm
Hey guys!

I've done a lot of reading and haven't managed to find someone with exactly the same problem as I have, hopefully someone here may have an idea!

For no obvious reason my MPC500 became stuck on the "Count In - REC ONLY" screen while using a MIDI keyboard to playback samples from the MPC. I can temporarily access the screens for other functions such as the sequencer by pressing a combination of buttons but as soon as I let go the screen returns to "Count In - REC ONLY". I can't access the "Mode" screen at all though.

Initially I thought it could be a stuck button, however after lots of unscrewing and looking for obvious faults I found the problem only happens when the CF card is plugged in. When the card is removed the MPC works completely as normal.

I tried another two cards to see if it was a corrupted card causing problems but had the same problem with both; as soon as they were plugged in the MPC would go straight back to the "Count In - REC ONLY" screen. Furthermore I managed to access the card by preparing the MPC for USB mode while connected to my iMac while the card was unplugged, and then inserting the card - everything came up on the iMac as expected so the card itself is functioning as normal.

I've taken the MPC apart completely so I have access to all the PCBs and sockets (everything still works apart from the existing problem when it's in bits luckily!) and I imagine it needs a new CF card reader.

Firstly, has anyone heard of this problem before? To clarify, this is with the stock CF card, and the machine hasn't been customised or had any hardware upgrades. I updated the OS after this problem happened in case it happened to bring any success (without any joy). The MPC is just over two years old and in good condition otherwise.

Secondly, any idea where I could buy a replacement CF card slot? I've really struggled to find anything!

Incredibly frustrating problem as I mainly use the MPC for sample playback. The reason for choosing the MPC was for it's sturdiness and reliability as opposed to it's many other features!!



Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
User avatar
By Ill-Green Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:20 am
If you format the card in the mac its only gonna read the mac. Format it in your 500 and let it live there, imprisoned, never to leave its snuggled bosom of the card slot. You should be passing data through the USB if you looking to read, import and export tracks and samples from and to the CF card.

Other than that, did you checked for bent pins? Maybe dirty?
Clean it with electronic cleaner like Deoxit or Contact. Not the dust buster sh!t either, thats canned air like compressed farts exiting a cat's ass. This stuff is concetrated stuff and dries quick but let it dry thoroughly for an hour before powering it up.

MPC Stuff.com might have parts, those guys got everything, check them out. But stay the **** away from mpc world! Those faggots are rip offs and messy cocksuckers, stay away or get robbed.

Bent pins can be a problem though I heard you can bend them back but if you bend and crack one off, it won't be so bad, it'll still function but somewhere it'll mess up. Some cats are lucky.

Whatever happens, take plenty of dope and smoke it.