"DIRECTORY error!!!" and "SYSTEM ERROR!!" messages

Just a quick though about the directory errors:

1. From disassembly of the .pgm format for mpc1000 it appears you can only have up to 16characters for sample names. (haven't tested this fully). Someone please correct me if i'm wrong.
2. I would be careful about creating folders with spaces and other unusual characters on your pc/mac and then copying them to mpc
3. Maybe it is your computer, not the mpc that is at fault. For example if you had a virus or other problem, it could write funny things to the mpc CF card and stuff up the directory structure.
4. I would just be very conservative in naming files on the mpc. Even modern computers have all kinds of trouble with file systems.


Just for the record I have been using Mac OS X 10.3.2 with Akai 1.02 OS and have had no problems so far, not a single crash, most things I thought were problems turned out to be me doing things wrong and not reading the manual. Don't take this the wrong way though, there could be something really wrong with your MPC!

Maybe you could post your computer specs as well and that might help with finding out the errors. Do you copy files between computer/mpc often?....what OS are u using?

"From disassembly of the .pgm format for mpc1000 it appears you can only have up to 16characters for sample names. (haven't tested this fully). Someone please correct me if i'm wrong."

While this is true, the MPC finds and loads the files that match the first 16 characters stored in the PGM file. In other words, the MPC will load abcdefghijklmnopqrst.WAV even though the program only stores `abcdefghijklmnop` in the PGM file. If there are more than one file with the same first 16 characters, it just loads the first one it finds. This is only from initial testing, and not to be taken as gospel.

It is still slightly better than the former model's more limited cross-platform compatibility.

I'm running 10.2.8 on a G4 PowerBook...it could have been something to do with additional folders, although I had been erring on the side of caution and keeping file / folder names as short as possible (using only alphanumeric chars and underscores for names).

Haven't had a chance to fully check and see if going back to 1.01 got rid of the problem...did a quick run through and it seemed fine though. If the problem returns, I may just consider keeping a second, MPC formatted but empty CF card handy for 'emergency' saving of seqs, songs and freshly chopped samples.

It is not the folders or the computer. I had problems using my PC at home and my MAC G4 OS 9. And I wasn't using any folder either on my CF. It is just a Bug

If you are having problems, you might consider using some basic troubleshooting skills to determine where the problem lies instead of assuming that it is `the new gear` problem.

Here's what I would try if I had an error while saving:
1) Attempt to save in other folders and the root.
2) Create new folders and try again.
3) Try another CF card.
4) Determine what format the existing card is using and make a note.
5) Attempt to reproduce the problem with different formats:
6) Try again with MPC format.
7) Try again with PC formatted CF.
8) Try different PC formats (Win9x and XP) since they all are different.
9) Try MacOS formats.
10) Format using my camera (this is likely the most reliable method of formatting).
11) Read raw data on the disk itself to see if there are anomolies in the disk structure. This requires an immense amount of familiarity with raw disk formats, but is a very valuable tool in determining where the problem lies.

Most of you are just haphazardly trying different things, and worse yet, posting incomplete data. For example, when you say you formatted the card, what did you format it under? This would be a very important peice of data and a meaningless post without it.

Just because two different people get similar issues, does not confirm there is a bug.

From what i read, the mpc1000 is using the FAT16 file system. Most of the windows users use NTFS of still the FAT32. Transfering date between two different file system is not a problem in itself, all the operating systems have the protocols for the conversion. FAT16 is an older file system, it is alot simpler and less secure. But if the OS is using a well writen driver, it should work the right way, the FAT16 will not create problems and it will be solid enough to not corrupt the data which is on it.

Also, in the manual they recomend to format the CF card using the MPC. It is under the (util) button between the (save) and (usb) buttons.

mpc3000 wrote:For example, when you say you formatted the cardwhat did you format it under? This would be a very important peice of data and a meaningless post without it.

I formatted using the MPC, which I would have thought (a) was fairly obvious and (b) could have been expected to implement the MPC's preferred filesystem.

mpc3000 wrote:11) Read raw data on the disk itself to see if there are anomolies in the disk structure. This requires an immense amount of familiarity with raw disk formats, but is a very valuable tool in determining where the problem lies.

I really can't imagine that a great number of people have either the time or the inclination to do this (particularly where a $15 CF card is concerned). I know I certainly don't.

"was fairly obvious"

It is not. For all I know you formatted it with the microwave. Correct troubleshooting does not allow one to make assumptions like that.

I can confirm this error, saving to the stock included card no less. "Saving Entire Memory" corrupted the entire sample sets for two full programs. Ugh.

mpc3000 wrote:If you are having problems, you might consider using some basic troubleshooting skills to determine where the problem lies instead of assuming that it is `the new gear` problem.

Here's what I would try if I had an error while saving:
1) Attempt to save in other folders and the root.
2) Create new folders and try again.
3) Try another CF card.
4) Determine what format the existing card is using and make a note.
5) Attempt to reproduce the problem with different formats:
6) Try again with MPC format.
7) Try again with PC formatted CF.
Try different PC formats (Win9x and XP) since they all are different.
9) Try MacOS formats.
10) Format using my camera (this is likely the most reliable method of formatting).
11) Read raw data on the disk itself to see if there are anomolies in the disk structure. This requires an immense amount of familiarity with raw disk formats, but is a very valuable tool in determining where the problem lies.

Most of you are just haphazardly trying different things, and worse yet, posting incomplete data. For example, when you say you formatted the card, what did you format it under? This would be a very important peice of data and a meaningless post without it.

Just because two different people get similar issues, does not confirm there is a bug.

I don't think so.

this is typical of an Akai techi or someone (like a sales guy) who just can't admit that a problem exists.

Akai has many issues to sort out...

they are using thier end users as the beta testers for thier 'beta' products, as that is how most would describe akai products.

they are incomplete!!!

look at the 2000xl...still has issues even after 6 years + of release.

damn.

ha! there must be something wrong with your machines cause my MPC1000 is making me crank out beats like a madman! quite possibly the greatest all-in-one-dont-need-anything-else beatbox. Just your turntables, a dj mixer, and vinyl.

checkonetwo wrote:ha! there must be something wrong with your machines cause my MPC1000 is making me crank out beats like a madman! quite possibly the greatest all-in-one-dont-need-anything-else beatbox. Just your turntables, a dj mixer, and vinyl.

but, its seems that you have not yet touch the surface of your mpc 1000.

what makes you say that?

what a minute... i just noticed that you said 'another Newbie'.... So what? I'm new to this board? WTF? why you gotta hate? I've been producing for a a couple years now. so buzz off you ignorant sob

Do not pay attention to Roopesh. In another thread today he was pumping up the MPC and in this thread he is slamming it. This is quite typical of his behavior and most everyone just ignores him.

Here's a recent Roopesh quote when someone else was complaining about bugs:

"THINGS EVENTUALLY WORK!!!
When somethings new, its bound to have problems.
i aint no MPC expert, but i do know that new things have bugs.
when i first bought my Roland XV 5050 it had issues.
My G4 MAC Dual 1.25 had issues.
My Logic 6 Platinum has crashes. "


Contrast that with today and it seems like he forgets that he `beta tests` a lot of other manufacturers stuff.