Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
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By 7 1 4 Beats Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:55 am
I have a question do alot of you guys take Zip Disc's from your computer that you loaded up with SND. files in MPC EDITOR and then load that Zip Disc that has the SND.'s on it into the MPC3000? Cause the MPC will read the files and let me load them but when I go to assign the sound to the pad it will asign it to the pad but won't play when I hit the pad and the pads are not bad for sure I did atest that is too long to explain but it's no the pads?
Last edited by 7 1 4 Beats on Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:52 pm, edited 4 times in total.
By mpc3000le Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:20 am
7 1 4 Beats wrote:I have a question do alot of you guys take Zip Disc's from your computer that you loaded up with WAV. files that you conveted to SND. files and then load the Zip Disc that has the SND.'s on it into the MPC3000? Cause I have a PC with Windows 2000 and I converted some WAV's to SND's with WAVSND Program from MPC3000.com and copied them to a Zip Disc and the 3000 doesn't read my files it just says "No Files" like the Zip Disk is blank what's going on here?


Windows 2000/XP/NT systems can not read or write to an MPC60/MPC3000 formatted ZIP disk.

The disk has to first be formatted for single partition transfer with the MPCEDITOR from www.midicase.com.

Then Windows 2000/XP/NT systems will be able to read and write from and to this single transfer partition.

Also ... when using Windows 2000/XP/NT systems, you should make certain to issue the eject device command by "selecting eject from the operating system device context menu in my computer"; to ensure that all files are correctly saved to disk. ( Windows delayed write bollocks related stuff ).

Rohan.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:17 am
The MPC EDITOR will not format my 3000 formatted Zip Disc! It doesn't even give me a choice to pick what drive I want to format in the drop down box it's just blank so I can't format. Is this because it's the Trial Version?

By mpc3000le Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:50 am
7 1 4 Beats wrote:The MPC EDITOR will not format my 3000 formatted Zip Disc! It doesn't even give me a choice to pick what drive I want to format in the drop down box it's just blank so I can't format. Is this because it's the Trial Version?


Nothing to do with the program being in demo mode .......

This problem more ( possibly ) to do with a VISUAL BASIC SCRIPTING installation issue on your Windows 2000 box.

Maybe contact the MPCEDITOR software author for assistance. ( or suggestions )

Or ... Use a Windows XP installation which will be less problematic ( as much I prefer Windows 2000 over WINXP ... this will most certainly fix the problem ).

Rohan.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:45 pm
MPC Editor doesn't even let you format a disk unless it's XP. So basically what your telling me is to use Windows XP and download the VB Runtime Files and everything should be cool?

By mpc3000le Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:05 am
7 1 4 Beats wrote:MPC Editor doesn't even let you format a disk unless it's XP. So basically what your telling me is to use Windows XP and download the VB Runtime Files and everything should be cool?


The MPCEDITOR will run and detect drives for formatting by default on Windows XP systems.

Windows 2000 systems may need the VISUAL BASIC SCRIPTING HOST installed or re-installed.

This is different to VB RUNTIME files.

Try contacting the MPCEDITOR developer for some assistance or suggestions.

In the mean time I'll go have a look at how things are configured on my machine.

Rohan.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:55 pm
Well now I have a new problem and I am gettting frustrated with the 3000 and makes me want to get something else or go back to my 2000XL! My computer @ home has Windows XP but it's not a genuine copy I don't know if that has anything to do with this but it works with all my other programs but this is the problem I had last night! Any Suggestions!

1. I took a Freshly Formatted MPC3000 Zip Disk and loaded into the Zip Drive on my Computer and Opened up MPC Editor.

2. Then clicked on MPC XP Formatter in MPC Editor to partition the the Zip Disc.

3. It says " Finished Foramtting Remove Disk".

4. So I take it out the Zip Disc and load it back into the Zip Drive on the PC.
5. Then I assign some SND.'s to the pads in MPC Editor and try to "Save Program As" and pick MPC3000 create a file name for it and it's done and ready to load in the MPC.

6. So I load the Zip Disc into my SCSI Zip Drive

7. Then hit Program/Sound button then hit #1 to select a sound to preview.

8. When I found a sound that I liked and tried to load into the MPC it would say that "This sound was created on a MPC with a later Operating System."
9. But some of the sounds that I loaded were created on a MPC2000XL but I converted them again with WAVSND Program so it should not say that those sounds were made on a later Operating System.

10. I am running OS 3.11 on MPC3000 by the way.

11. So then I tried a couple other sounds that were on the Zip Disc that were SND.'s as well and I would go through the sounds until I found one I liked like a drum and hit Soft Key 1 to listen to the sound and it plays the sound but then when I go to load the sound into the MPC it will load but won't assign it to a Pad it shows it's on pad A01 with the name of the file but it will not play on the pad when I hit it.

12. It's not my pads because I loaded a Floppy with sounds on it and it loaded no problem and I could assign sounds to the pads and make a whole beat basically.

13. Do I need to install the Registry thing NoVolTrack into my computer so that XP doesn't change my zip disk and add that stupid MS KB file?



But I got these Error Messages last night too when I would try to play a SND. files assigned to pads in the MPC Editor!
1.
Image
2.Image

By mpc3000le Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:48 am
On your Windows XP system ......

7 1 4 Beats wrote:1. I took a Freshly Formatted MPC3000 Zip Disk and loaded into the Zip Drive on my Computer and Opened up MPC Editor.


Good start.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:2. Then clicked on MPC XP Formatter in MPC Editor to partition the the Zip Disc.


Which allowed you this time to select the disk for formatting.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:3. It says " Finished Foramtting Remove Disk".


A good follow up to being able to select the disk.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:4. So I take it out the Zip Disc and load it back into the Zip Drive on the PC.


Yep ... so the PC will refresh it for correct mounting.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:5. Then I assign some SND.'s to the pads in MPC Editor and try to "Save Program As" and pick MPC3000 create a file name for it and it's done and ready to load in the MPC.


In theory it would be best to assign *.wav files within the MPCEDITOR.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:6. So I load the Zip Disc into my SCSI Zip Drive


Which I assume is connected to your MPC3000.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:7. Then hit Program/Sound button then hit #1 to select a sound to preview.


After having loaded the *.SND or *.PGM .

7 1 4 Beats wrote:8. When I found a sound that I liked and tried to load into the MPC it would say that "This sound was created on a MPC with a later Operating System."


Then the *.SND you're trying to load is in the wrong format or corrupted.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:9. But some of the sounds that I loaded were created on a MPC2000XL but I converted them again with WAVSND Program so it should not say that those sounds were made on a later Operating System.


Maybe the WAVSND program version you're using is an older one ?

Or ... not doing the MPC2000XL > to WAV and back to MPC3000 *.SND conversion correctly. ( which as I understand, it is not meant to do ).

The WAVSND program is designed to convert MPC3000 SND <to and from> WAV.

If you're using the MPCEDITOR; then get the MPCEDITOR to create the *.SND files as part of its export process. ( revise the manual it comes with on how to use the export function )

7 1 4 Beats wrote:10. I am running OS 3.11 on MPC3000 by the way.


Doesn't make a difference for the problem you're experiencing.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:11. So then I tried a couple other sounds that were on the Zip Disc that were SND.'s as well and I would go through the sounds until I found one I liked like a drum and hit Soft Key 1 to listen to the sound and it plays the sound but then when I go to load the sound into the MPC it will load but won't assign it to a Pad it shows it's on pad A01 with the name of the file but it will not play on the pad when I hit it.


The MPC3000 in this instance has allowed you to assign the *.SND to a pad.

Otherwise it wouldn't show as assigned to a pad.

It sound more like the *.SND file has the SOFT START & ENDS set incorrectly.

Go into the sample edit screen and check the SOFT START & END points.

Check also the envelope parameters for the PAD this *.SND is assigned to.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:12. It's not my pads because I loaded a Floppy with sounds on it and it loaded no problem and I could assign sounds to the pads and make a whole beat basically.


Of course it is not your pads. Its nothing to do with your pad mechanism.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:13. Do I need to install the Registry thing NoVolTrack into my computer so that XP doesn't change my zip disk and add that stupid MS KB file?


Yes and no. The NoVolTrack entry can be added from with the MPCEDITOR.

No harm in adding it.

7 1 4 Beats wrote:But I got these Error Messages last night too when I would try to play a SND. files assigned to pads in the MPC Editor!


Having seen this on my own machines in the past.

The path not found error can be the result of files being located too many paths deep and paths containing too many characters.

...... and from corrupt temp folders.

Clean out your temp folders.

Make certain also your files are not stored too many folders deep.

Revise the MPCEDITOR documentation for the correct process of "EXPORTING" MPC3000 PGM & SND combinations.

Rohan.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:12 am
First Off I appreciate all your help ROHAN!! But Yeah I forgot to add to that I tried to access some files straight off the Zip instead of copying the files from the Zip to the hard drive of my computer and then putting on the Zip's and my files that I was trying to convert wree on external hard drive in folders so that could be another problem.

Is MPC Editor picky with Windows XP or is XP just picky even though it's kind of designed to run with XP?

I am gonna try this since I can get a copy Windows 98 for free from a friend. I found this guy who is going thru the same scenario as me. Here is what he says:

The MPC3000 uses a modified version of the FAT12 file system. Also, each partition on the ZIP must be 30 MB or less (most ZIPs, will end up with 4 25 MB partitions). When PCs format ZIP disks, they format them using the FAT16 file system, one partition. Make sure you format your ZIPs on the MPC3000, and you will want to have a dedicated MPC-to-PC transfer disk, as the PC can only access the first of the four partitions.

http://www.mpc3000.com/NoVolTrack.htm - The link for how to modify your system so it doesn't make the disks unreadable.

If you are running Windows XP, you can use MPC Editor to read your MPC3000 ZIP disks.

I run Windows 2000 though, so the way I do it is to run Windows 98 on an older computer with a parallel port ZIP drive attached to it. I copy the sound files I need off the ZIP disk (which can be read directly from 98, unlike 2000 and XP) onto the hard drive. Then I convert the SND files to WAV using WAVSND. This is very easy, you basically drag the file (from your hard drive, not the ZIP!!!) onto the wavsnd.exe file and it'll create a WAV file in the same folder as the original SND. Edit your sound in your favorite wave editor, then with the WAV you made, drag it back onto wavsnd.exe and it'll create an SND file which you can put back onto the ZIP.

Important note: Make sure, for the PC's sake, that all of your file names are 8 characters long or less, no spaces. The MPC and Windows do not use the same method for storing long file names.

By mpc3000le Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:49 am
7 1 4 Beats wrote:Is MPC Editor picky with Windows XP or is XP just picky even though it's kind of designed to run with XP?


Is the MPCEDITOR picky ???

I didn't write the MPCEDITOR but did contribute the cross platform safe transfer disk partition system information. ( hence the CREDIT.TO & MANSELL.R files you see in the root directory of an MPCEDITOR formatted disk )

This cross platform safe transfer disk partition is a single partition subset of what is to come in the next MPC3000 OS upgrade.

The cross platform safe transfer disk partition contains all partition information and boot record structures to force various legacy, current, embedded and non-DOS operating systems into recognising AND DEALING WITH it correctly.

As for the MPCEDITOR performance.

It works for me and many of my friends who use it every day.

Having said that...... there are many issues, people/operator related and system/program related that can some times confuse matters.

I can assure you of that use of WIN98 when accessing partition A of an MPC60/MPC3000 native formatted disk will still in the long term give you some problems. ( same goes for use with MACS in this regard )

Despite the MPC60/MPC3000 file system 12BIT FAT, WIN98 systems on standard MPC60/MPC3000 native formatted disks will write in some cases, a 16BIT FAT. ( note this applies to some MAC systems also )

This point alone will create some problems for you if you're not taking care of your processes.

So if you wish, proceed down that route with caution for now. ( IE, a unique disk for file transfer purposes only, DOS 8.3 naming convention and another disk for use with your MPC3000 )

As some thing to try.

Launch the MPCEDITOR.

FORMAT a ZIP disk with the MPCEDITOR.

Load WAV ( not files converted via WAV2SND ) files into the MPCEDITOR and assign them to pads.

Use the MPCEDITOR to EXPORT the files with a PGM in MPC3000 format directly to the ZIP disk that it formatted in a previous step.

This disk should work fine in your MPC3000.

Good luck.

Rohan.

By Sovereign Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:53 pm
It's your disk driver causing the problem.
You need to update (or correct) the disk driver that's being used.
Had the same problem about a year, year and a half ago with XP and my 3k.
Went through it with Mike and he couldn't see anything wrong.
Finally I decided to change the disk driver for the ZIP and it has worked ever since.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:20 pm
I think you just figured it out for me Rohan I have not tried doing it this way where you drag the WAV's to the pads and let the MPC EDITOR convert the files to SND's upon export.
I just tried it at work for shit & giggles on my computer here that has Windows 2000 to see if it would atleast put a Program file & Snd Files onto the Zip using MPC EDITOR and it did. It put the files on the Zip so I am gonna try when I get home and see if this owrks with my computer @ home with XP. Thanks!

Launch the MPCEDITOR.

FORMAT a ZIP disk with the MPCEDITOR.

Load WAV ( not files converted via WAV2SND ) files into the MPCEDITOR and assign them to pads.

Use the MPCEDITOR to EXPORT the files with a PGM in MPC3000 format directly to the ZIP disk that it formatted in a previous step.

This disk should work fine in your MPC3000.

By mpc3000le Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:12 am
So then ...... it looks like you might be getting some where now.

Cheers,

Rohan.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:30 pm
Yeah thanks to you Rohan! The only problem is last night I went to try it out on my computer and my Video Card went out but I am going to pick up my Macbook tomorrow so hopefully I can try things out soon.