Upgrading an MPC X to an MPC X SE

Is it possible to upgrade an MPC X to an MPC X SE? In other words, has anyone here ever successfully installed an MPC X SE motherboard (called a carrier board or carrier PCB) in a regular MPC X and got it to work without any issues?

I have an MPC X that needs the carrier board replaced. I was looking at the possibility of getting an MPC X SE carrier board as a way of upgrading my MPC X to an MPC X SE. However, I'm not sure if the regular MPC X hardware is compatible or not. I contacted MPC Stuff and was going to have them do it. However they've never done that before and told me they can try to test it out. However, I would have to buy the board first and it would be non-returnable if they install it and it doesn't work.

As a result, I just want to find out if anyone else has actually done this with success before I decide to purchase the SE board. Otherwise, I'll just forget about trying to upgrade (and potentially taking a $415 risk) and just get a regular MPC X replacement carrier board installed instead.

Any input you all can provide would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!

I have been researching this question since the release of the MPC X SE..

Could as if it has the same pins/connector and or sample size pcb baord? It worth the replacement for X owners to upgrade to 4gb..

Even if it would work which I'm pretty sure it won't, but if you tried to download any plug in it would see the serial number of the mpc and know it is not an x so you couldn't get the plug in's I think. I'm not sure if it's worth the risk, that's why nobody has tried it.

kja wrote:Even if it would work which I'm pretty sure it won't, but if you tried to download any plug in it would see the serial number of the mpc and know it is not an x so you couldn't get the plug in's I think. I'm not sure if it's worth the risk, that's why nobody has tried it.

It is an X only thing added was 2gb of extra ram and classic color..

It is a difference model and I'm not a linux guy but I'm sure there could be a hardware conflict.

But one difference is that all the extra plugs come loaded on the internal memory, so I'm not sure how that would work, if it would let you still download them? Or download them for free? I don't think they're is any way to know unless you take a big risk..

kja wrote:But one difference is that all the extra plugs come loaded on the internal memory, so I'm not sure how that would work, if it would let you still download them? Or download them for free? I don't think they're is any way to know unless you take a big risk..

I don't think that would be the problem I would point to different hardware.. I wouldn't try it unless there a strong reseller market for the pcb board..

Yeah, I agree with you all. I didn't think about it from a software/OS/firmware perspective. The firmware could be intentionally coded to prevent it from working, even if the actual physical hardware is compatible. So no, I'm not going to risk it.

I'm going to stick with just getting a regular MPC X replacement carrier board and call it a day. While the 4GBs of RAM would be nice, it's not necessary for me. I was only considering upgrading because the SE board only cost $65 more than the regular one and thought maybe this would be a good opportunity to inquire about it, since I'll have to replace the board anyway. With that said, I don't plan to buy a bunch of Akai/AIR instrument plugins. For a sampling "drum machine" and sequencer, 2GBs of RAM is plenty. I have other dedicated hardware synths, so I'm good on that. I'd be happy just knowing I'll have a perfectly working MPC X.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.

On a side note, I personally think the MPC Key 37 could've benefitted from 4GBs of RAM and having all the plugins because it's a keyboard and IT'S PORTABLE!!!!......Definitely a missed opportunity for Akai in my book.