sample conversion/note assign errors

As i'm a new mpc2000xl user i 've got some questions...
Why does the cd that comes with the 2000xl have files with names that exceed the 8.3 format? I've written the files to a zip and of course some programs can't load as the mpc doesn't find the soundfiles with long names? Would this also happen if i loaded the programs through an external scsi cd-romdrive? doesn't make any sense to me
I've already used the machine for a live performance sending midi clock to a software sequencer and using it as a drum machine. Playing sounds live is, with some practicing, an interesting option. Using the note varation slider live can also be cool but here is my problem. 1 times to ten when i assign my pad to the fader the mpc gives an error (mostly in overdub mode). Has anyone encoutered this problem too. This error makes it too dangerous to use this feature live.
I've also got a whole bunch of s5000/s6000 cd's from my sampler (i've sold it using software for that now) Is there a way to convert the akp. files to .pgm to use them directly on the mpc ? Any software that does this? CdXtract seems to support both formats but can't convert them.
There's more I wanted to ask but maybe later on...

looking forward for some replies...

nah fraid not- akai programs cant be read by the mpc- i just open them up in cd xtract analyse the keyspanning and recreate in the mpc....would be a great feature but purely impossible in that the mpc doesn't have the parameters the s5k has......

"Why does the cd that comes with the 2000xl "

I have written <free> software that should extract and convert those programs from that particular CD. See www.mpc2000xl.com

"1 times to ten when i assign my pad to the fader the mpc gives an error (mostly in overdub mode). "

The NV slider has been very problematic and has a couple of bugs still associated with it. For live work, I only assign the NV slider beforehand and do not go into that screen on stage. It can be somewhat limiting, but if you want to manipulate different sounds and have spare program slots available (<24) I would duplicate the program and use another NV assignment for it. This was I could switch programs on the fly and the only change is the NV assignment. No sure how you would this into overdubbing.

"Is there a way to convert the akp. files to .pgm to use them directly on the mpc ?"

I have been meaning to expand .akp import in the MPC Editor. It will acutally import AKP's created from Recycle2.0 but that .akp might be a little different than what you have since Akai modified it a few times. It is something I could look at in the next couple of weeks.

"The NV slider has been very problematic and has a couple of bugs still associated with it."

Are these bugs OS related? Guess there no chance for an update four years from the release date, right ? I've read about this beta os for improved zip performance (i've put it there by myself using a very old iomega 100 IDE drive, no problems at all) Any chance this would improve problems with the NV slider?

"It is something I could look at in the next couple of weeks."

Would be very much appreciated! Keep me up to date on this...

"I would duplicate the program and use another NV assignment for it. "

But you only have four drum slots when i'm going live i need a big variation of samples and drum sounds. Is it possible to switch your program during playback?

Any other tips on what is possible going live with the 2000xl?

The way i worked was: 8 bar sequences with many tracks. We've had reason synced with 8 or 16 bar synth loops etc. (we've also did some aux filtering with an old analogue yamaha synth)
Further on i'm more into dark deep electro (dynamix ii etc.) Is there anyone who knows where to score good samples to get started? All these packs for sale seem to be hiphop oriented.

It's a bit off topic but is there a way to select all your samples used in a certain track to an effect of your EB16 unit ? Any other handy techniques ? because i find it rather confusing usin the fx send mixer without being able to hear which sample you're sending