So I have an MPC 1000, one output from the stereo pair in the rear is broken, not to worry, there's always SPDIF... except that its output is distorted and it constantly loses sync with my audio interface. Enter the workaround... I bought a Y-splitter from Amazon for like 5 bucks, problem solved... except no... instead of having the sound output in stereo its basically two mono summed signals, what I'd like to do now is cut the wires in the cable that connect to the opposite output... so on one cut the wire for left and on the other the wire for right... my question is which one do I cut on each? I mean its only 5 bucks but I'd like to get it right so I don't have to wait another week (even though I used PRIME) to get a replacement. Any assistance is much appreciated!

 

Maybe I'm just being silly, but why don't you just repair the output instead of the work-around. Resell value is one reason, that is, if you ever have the urge to part with it, and the other is, why not just give it some love instead of letting it remain in drum machine pergatory, this mangled, poor half machine that it is now. You are like a god, be a benevolent all powerful being of kindness, goodness and healing.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the SPDIF output is fine. Set your audio interface to clock off the MPC.

Besides, I don't get your splitter problem. If one of the jacks on the MPC is broken then you've only got a mono signal output anyway. What do you need a splitter for? Recording a mono output to a stereo input is a waste of disk space and processing time.

 

​

 

Is that the new secret Moog Modular Project?

 

Repairing the output is an option, but its not something I have the know-how to do. I could replace the entire board but that's 200.00 that I'm not willing to spend at the moment. If one more thing stops working I will definitely pony up the cash, I'm just not at that point yet.

 

Why not take it to a local repair shop? An audio output is something that any electronics technician will know how to route. It will cost you a fraction of a new board.

Edit:
The best splitter will cost you nada: Use the one good output of your MPC. Insert it in an input of your interface. Record that mono track. Send the output to a stereo bus. Bounce the output. Voila.

 

Last edited: Sep 23, 2016

I've done this, numerous times, even at one point thought maybe my computer was the reason for losing sync; switched to my laptop... same issue. Its definitely the SPDIF output. I'm using the splitter from the headphone output, did I mention that in the original post? Nope... I didn't... sorry... I'm using the Phones output with the Y-Splitter and hoping to figure which wires to disconnect in order to cancel one side of the signal on each split.

 

I don't know much about the 1000 so excuse my ignorance but Instead of trying to rig the outputs couldn't you just track out through the 4 mono outs and then convert to stereo in your D.A.W? Or is it possible to use 2 outs per every stereo sample on the 1000?

 

I use the mono outputs for drums and the stereo for samples from vinyl. Also you can't change the output channels for whats being sampled in... it only plays thru the stereo channels which are the main out, SPDIF and Headphones... that's my most pressing issue, being able to hear what I'm going to sample

 

It's probably the same on the XL but i've never had any problems with the outs and when i track i use the 8s.
But actually,i haven't sampled into the MPC in a long long time.
Mostly i go from the Numark TTUSB into soundforge and use MPC Editor to make my programs but if it's the stereo outs/ins or the headphone jack you're probably better off just buying the replacement.Those parts are pretty cheap seperately,cause i know you mentioned not wanting to cop the whole board.(which you might have to do)

 

Repair guy. Go to two or three, get the best price and live happily ever after.

 

That would be ideal but the way my bank account is set up... I mean I'll be able to do that in a week or so but just until then I want to figure another method so I don't have to not use it until then

 

Ah. Okay, that makes way more sense then. I see where you are going.

I'd assume that your cable can't be fixed that way though. Is the end you're plugging into the MPC a tip-ring-sleeve connector or just a tip-sleeve? Because unless it's TRS then you're never going to get where you're going. I'd assume that the kind of cable you have is just mono to dual mono, in which case there's nothing you can cut to make it work.

You need a mini-stereo or 1/4" stereo connector on the headphones jack and dual mono output (1/4" probably) for your audio interface. You can use lots of different adapters to change the ends of that cable, but unless your headphone jack end has three conductors then there's no amount of cable trickery to get you where you're going.

If you've got a true stereo plug you're connecting to the headphone jack but getting the exact same signal from both mono outs then two of the three wires are connected together before they are split into the dual mono ends. The easiest way to figure out what wires to cut would be with a continuity tester. Do you have a multimeter? But keep in mind that it's entirely possible for the signals to be combined in the actual plug instead of the cable, which is going to make life way harder. You do have a soldering iron, right?

In general though, left channel is the tip, right channel is the ring, and common is the sleeve. So in the above case, tip and ring are combined to one conductor and sleeve is unaltered. That pair of leads is then split into two pairs, one pair for each mono out.

A stereo in, stereo out cable (like what you want) is three connectors at the headphone jack and the sleeve/common is split into two leads. The tip is then matched with one half of that split, and the ring is matched with the other half of that split.

 

Last edited: Sep 24, 2016

The Y-Splitter is 1/4 in. TRS to Dual 1/4 in. TRSF, the packaging says its designed to duplicate a stereo signal... ideal use as a headphone adaptor. I guess I'll have to cut it open to see whats going on inside, worst case scenario I ruin the splitter and have to buy another one. And now I google and find out I could have just bought a different splitter that does exactly what I need. I feel so stupid right now. If I had have taken just 3 more scrolls down the page... *sigh* Thanks for all you guys help!