Unresponsive pads

I just bought a mpc 2000xl (studio plus) all maxed out in mint condition (so it’s wasn’t cheap) from reverb and it arrived with 2 unresponsive pads. The seller said he is sending me new pad sensors but I have 3 days left until the reverb return policy window is up. I don’t think the pad sensors will arrive to me in time to get a refund if they don’t work. How confident should I be in the new pad sensors resolving the problem, has anyone had dead pads that a new sensor didn’t help? I really need some advice.

Someone is willing to come out of pocket to send you a new set of pad sensors.

All the other pads are working fine for you.

The only issue is whether you have the fortitude to swap out the pad sensors or not.

Talking about potentially returning a mpc over 2 non working pads is retarded.

Yea ok I’m retarded then and you’re right I should just accept a $1k item that was listed as fully functional but not (I specifically asked him before buying “do all the pads work, he said yes”. Btw he lied about buying the new pad sensors and never sent them. Would you list and sell a mpc as fully functional with pads not working and just expect the buyer to be cool with that? I’m sorry but I find that “retarded”. Thanks for being helpful. Btw I posted this same thing on the mpc user subreddit and 10 out of 10 people said I should’ve returned it immediately.

spend few more bucks and get new pad sensors.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mpcusers/s/aekh4BbMlx

Idk why your searching for links but that’s the wrong one. It was posted as “mpc purchase issue” on mpcusers subreddit and also in the reverb subreddit. I’m keeping the mpc in the end and am paying for the sensor sheet myself even tho the seller told me he would. Also I wouldn’t really call $84 “a few” especially since I just spent over $1k on a unit described as fully functional

ABiggz313 wrote:. Btw I posted this same thing on the mpc user subreddit and 10 out of 10 people said I should’ve returned it immediately.

That's right - Because they don't know any better.

What they should have suggested at minimum would have been to clean the pad sensor sheet, remove and insert the ribbon connector from the pad sensor sheet to the top control pcb, there are other things as well but unfortunately you don't seem to want to do the minimum.

Here's a nice suggestion that a person made on the reddit thread, you didn't acknowledge it:

"Did you clean the bare copper trace at the part of the membrane that seats into the connector? That's where the rubber meets the road, when those get a bit corroded it's game over but a buff with a clean cotton cloth and a smidge of deoxit might limp it along"

You didn't even mention trying to work around it either.

And no, I didn't call you retarded but I can if it's something that'll make you feel better.

I love you

ABiggz313 wrote:Idk why your searching for links but that’s the wrong one. It was posted as “mpc purchase issue” on mpcusers subreddit and also in the reverb subreddit. I’m keeping the mpc in the end and am paying for the sensor sheet myself even tho the seller told me he would. Also I wouldn’t really call $84 “a few” especially since I just spent over $1k on a unit described as fully functional

How is it the "wrong" one when you deleted the original post?

It's still on google cache man.

Someone sells you a "mint condition" unit and you're losing your mind posting all over the internet about it because 2 pads are not "working"

I'm putting you on the list.

All that stuff you mentioned on how to fix the issue would’ve been helpful when I asked for help the first time, instead you started throwing around words like “retarded” and gave me no advice on how to fix the situation. Btw I did remove the pads sensor sheet and clean the copper trace, sensor sheet and pads. It didn’t help. Also the seller told me he was having a new sensor sheet sent to my address but never did. I apologize if I’m ignorant on how to fix MPCs. I was mostly looking for advice on if the new pads sensors would fix my problem or if there was a high chance I would need to send the unit in for repairs which I was quoted a price of $300 for repairs on top of $84 pad sensors on top of $1k for the mpc. Maybe you’re really Richie rich out here but I would rather not spend that on a unit that should’ve been working properly to begin with, that’s why I was asking around since Ive never dealt with dead pads on a mpc (excuse my ignorance on this) Anyways, there’s really no need to discuss this any further. But good to know I can come here for help

The new pad sensor sheet *may* fix the problem, but nobody will know without looking at it themselves. It's entirely possible that there is other circuitry issues... though the most likely culprit is the pad sensor sheet.

The problem you're in is that these devices are no longer manufactured, and getting parts for them, repairs for them, or anything else is all super expensive.

Good luck with the repairs.

Thanks Neartao, appreciate that info, that’s what I was wondering about. I bought new pad sensor sheet so I guess I’ll soon find out. Thanks for helping

But I didn't call you retarded man.

When you said that you removed the sheet, I'm hoping for your sake that you do not actually mean that you peeled it off the plate. Doing so will damage the pad sensor sheet even more, unless god intervened and some how still worked.

One thing I should have mentioned as a part of a sanity check, when you cycle through the pad banks (load samples on them( A to D), do those 2 pads that were not originally working suddenly work? If so, then that would be interesting to see.

Spending $300 to send to a repair shop that'll then tell you that you need a new pad sensor sheet ain't the move man. Replacing the pad sensor sheet isn't that expensive but I know money can be tight for some people. If that seller didn't provide you with the pad sensor sheet, at the very least they should refund you the difference for purchasing one from mpcstuff.

But really man, if you're not happy and want to roll the dice in finding another unit, go ahead and return it. If the unit is truly in mint condition and only needs a pad sensor sheet, then dropping $1k + a new pad sensor sheet doesn't sound that bad. All you'd need to do is peel off the existing one from from the plate, clean the plate thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and replace the pad sensor. It's a big sticker. You just need to be careful that you place it on properly the first time as its got super strong glue on it, attempting to peel it off and re-seat will just mess it up.

The main issue here is you bought it thinking everything was fine but turned out it wasn't, so I get where you're coming from.

just to emphasize this:

All you'd need to do is peel off the existing one from from the plate, clean the plate thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and replace the pad sensor. It's a big sticker. You just need to be careful that you place it on properly the first time as its got super strong glue on it, attempting to peel it off and re-seat will just mess it up.

THOROUGHLY means that no glue from the old pad sensor sheet remains.
You have to feel the plain metal over the full size of the plate.
Even the thinnest „film“ of residues will influence pad response in a negative way.

Take your time to carefully apply pressure while placing the new one to avoid air bubbles.
Slow and gentle, but constant, firm pressure.

Btw I had to do this with a near mint MPC4k, which I picked up at the seller.
Of course all pads worked, but I was too unexperienced to notice uneven response and limited velocity range.
It took me an hour to get the old glue completely off. (no isoprpyl available here...)
Anyway, the operation succeeded and 2 years later I‘m still happy with pad resonse.