Topic: Korg MR-1000 HDD Replacement/Upgrade

[rigpimp]

I am working on large cassette archiving projects and need a larger HDD.

Has anyone successfully done this? It appears the limit is 100GB and SSD does not play nice. I do not mind buying a couple of used drives in case of failure.

[jb63]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a 2nd MR-1000?

Or archive the files elsewhere when it gets close to full?

[FOB_Taper]

I bought a MR-1000 when they first came out (over 10 years ago) and successfully replaced the internal with I think a 120GB, I will check when I get home from work. It was the largest size replacement at. the time. Works fine. I now have 3 MR-1000s, and was going to upgrade the two others to bigger hard drives. The stock hard drive is 40GB, and although that may sound large... and average show can be about 14-15GB. So doing a festival, you are going to max out after three bands. So having bigger hard drive just made it easier. There should be an old post here somewhere where I showed how I replaced the hard drive. It's an older 1st gen type ZIFF that has a ribbon cable interface. I do know that someone tried using an adapter to try using a newer SSD and never got it to work. Only the same type ZIFF drive can be replaced. I tried calling Korg direct to ask them details, and there were ZERO help - BUT I did confirm that the OS for the Korg is built into a ROM chip, even if you do Firmware updates. Why is this important? At first we thought the OS was on the internal drive, so we were "cloning" the original 40GB to a newer larger one (so that we had the Korg OS "on" the hard drive). You would install it, then reformat the hard drive to see the larger size hard drive. The cloned drive would appear as 40Gb unless you did a "format", then the hard drive would jump up in size. I can confirm you just put in a new SSD and the deck will still boot up and you can just format the new drive. No need to clone the OS onto the drive you want to install. This took a month to figure out... back in 2012.

So how did you confirm that 100GB was the largest size? Did you try installing a big hard drive. I want to install 256GB drives. What replacement drives are you using to upgrade, I want to do my other 2 Korgs. I don't think there is a size limitation, but the Korg is very finicky as to which ones work. They need to be the 1st gen older models.

Also, the 12V AC in is a non-standard pin. I am in the process of replacing that connection with a standard 12V locking pin, which will then allow me to run a SmallRig V Mount Battery VB99 via D-Tap out to (important: 12V regulator built inside cable) to 12V locking 5.5mm, same connector as Lunatec V2 <-- which I use with the Korg. I can run the SmallRig battery via D-Tap out and power both the V2 and the Korg. The AC power supply that comes from Korg is NOT a standard 5.5mm plug.

I run ALL my gear (MixPre 10ii) via D-Tap batteries now. I got special cables made by Alvin's Cables on Amazon to regulate the 18V coming out of D-Tap to 12V max! So as not to fry the Lunatec V2 or the Korg. I can post more details about the cables, but they are easy to purchase right on Amazon.

I will post photos of the cables I am using later tonight.

[FOB_Taper]

here is the old thread about how we replaced hard drives from 2012:

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153842.msg1949339#msg1949339

The hard drive used has an old ZIFF ribbon connection. There were many people who tried using a ZIFF to Compact Flash Adapter... thinking we could record to compact flash media. We never got it to work reliably. See the post that went like 100 pages. In the end, only larger ZIFF style hard drives worked. These are old slow drives, but there is something in the Korg OS that looks writes to these type drives, and everything else you get glitches.

I remember 80Gb and 120GB were the largest size over the stock 40GB. So have you tried larger than 100GB and had troubles? I can confirm my 120GB works fine. Where are you getting your replacement drives?

[FOB_Taper]

I converted the DC IN on the back of my Korg MR-1000 to this 5.5mm locking barrel, just like already on my Lunatec V2. Now I use same cable for V2 and Korg powered by D-Tap.

Alvin's Cables Store on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/AlvinsCables/page/9ABD92C7-C4D3-4C9F-BC8F-3622E6AD8179?lp_asin=B0CDW2H8Q1&ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto


You can contact Alvin's Tech support and they will make any cable you want. You can get the regulator to be 12V, 9V or even 5V.
Note that D-Tap battery default output is 13.3v - 16.8 - which will fry most any audio gear. So you need a regulator in your power cable to bring down the voltage. Cables are roughly $20-30, so easy choice considering these D-Tap batteries are very small, and now standard in the camera and video world.

[rigpimp]

No, I did not try a 2nd MR-1000. If I were going to spend money, I would buy a 1000SD or 2000SD

I haven't tried anything yet, but I'm certain I saw a post on GS that stated their OS only recognizes 99GB or 100GB, even if a larger drive is installed. Can you confirm that you can get 120GB onto your drive? Does it see it all? Have you tried to fill all 120?

I am just looking for a drive and a cable. I can figure out the "how to" part

[FOB_Taper]

I will take a screen shot of mine with the 120GB, showing the free hard drive space.

But I have two more Korgs that I bought in the past year that are still stock, so I want to upgrade them, and it's been like 10 years since I upgraded - so finding these older hard drives is hard.
I was searching yesterday and only found like 5 on Ebay. They are like $60 for a 128GB - but these might be too new. I remember back 10 years ago they were all like 40, 80, 120GB increments. I think these newer ones that are 128 and 256 might not work. That's why I contacted you to see what drives you were buying.

I will do more research and post updates. The good thing is it doesn't ruin the deck... if the drive doesn't boot up, you can just put the original one back in.

[FOB_Taper]

quick Ebay search... I think this is the exact drive I used... 120GB from Toshiba

https://www.ebay.com/itm/317134831569?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=317134831569&targetid=2274564709393&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9003674&poi=&campaignid=22105572456&mkgroupid=176335598114&rlsatarget=pla-2274564709393&abcId=10164975&merchantid=675167887&geoid=9003674&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22105572456&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3aLHBhDTARIsAIRij5-4tbhluuNMu36WzImCxMYhYeevxKKwhL_yZzMR7k1slKisnKS-yQYaApyfEALw_wcB

[FOB_Taper]

Here are more Samsung 120GB on Ebay that were from Apple laptops, I remember hearing that these drives worked in the Korgs:

New Samsung HS12UHE 120GB HDD Hard Drive For Apple MacBook Air Rev.b Rev.c A1304

Only $29

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303845076307?_skw=1.8%22+ZIFF+HDD&epid=84994779&itmmeta=01K77C87G27DG07R8E5W47D58Z&hash=item46be93ed53:g:lk0AAOSwq8lf~hsX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fQmb1L837mvQY3zG%2FJQgaf20e7w61U8DyrW2HZ09DmV0z9zQ24Ob2TBoEu0Dh8lQs3kbYmcBBHv%2FdOK1ZQ5D8gsQ4IsAHbwFTIRrKatCs4kuRuzqQH7cGfrFOmjRHdNibelfmFrQV%2B6IGI3iWi3FZH8d2D74Dvn%2BRvDgR3VPSm7rhCpB71SMSDufOM2epKm1WMZ9tPNC2K%2BgJQWttPEyr5qkSOPtWQvf29Q%2Ba0oL%2FoCKM8%2Fm4HDTCtd2Me%2BzLNb%2FotGfwmBwE73u4uNM%2B2KIwWvFhPcFbfrIw08iSgklRDbw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4T6oOy5Zg

[rigpimp]

Here are more Samsung 120GB on Ebay that were from Apple laptops, I remember hearing that these drives worked in the Korgs:

New Samsung HS12UHE 120GB HDD Hard Drive For Apple MacBook Air Rev.b Rev.c A1304

Only $29

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303845076307?_skw=1.8%22+ZIFF+HDD&epid=84994779&itmmeta=01K77C87G27DG07R8E5W47D58Z&hash=item46be93ed53:g:lk0AAOSwq8lf~hsX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fQmb1L837mvQY3zG%2FJQgaf20e7w61U8DyrW2HZ09DmV0z9zQ24Ob2TBoEu0Dh8lQs3kbYmcBBHv%2FdOK1ZQ5D8gsQ4IsAHbwFTIRrKatCs4kuRuzqQH7cGfrFOmjRHdNibelfmFrQV%2B6IGI3iWi3FZH8d2D74Dvn%2BRvDgR3VPSm7rhCpB71SMSDufOM2epKm1WMZ9tPNC2K%2BgJQWttPEyr5qkSOPtWQvf29Q%2Ba0oL%2FoCKM8%2Fm4HDTCtd2Me%2BzLNb%2FotGfwmBwE73u4uNM%2B2KIwWvFhPcFbfrIw08iSgklRDbw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4T6oOy5Zg

The image says this is a SATA drive and without opening the KORG I think that 1.8" HDD is PATA. The Toshiba looks more likely to work

[FOB_Taper]

You are correct , it a PATA drive, not SATA.

[rigpimp]

I ordered an open box Toshiba 120GB MK1214GAH 1.8". I will see if I can swap it out this weekend and take some pictures

[rigpimp]

The Toshiba 120GB MK1214GAH does not fit, and the drive that I received was in horrific shape despite the ad saying open box, like new.