Tracking beats with swing

New to the forum so what's up.

I don't have the 8 output expansion for my MPC 2000XL so i'm tracking beats through the stereo outs. I just solo each track and record it into FL. The problem is i can't retain the swing attribute because i can't determine the starting point of each recording. I've tried some dubious solutions i came up with (like using a kick drum for example without swing as my starting point for a hihat loop then playing back the loop a second time without the kick so i can theoretically retain swing on the second go of the hihat loop...don't know if my description makes sense).

So my question is this: Is there a good method to track beats with swing using only the stereo outs of my MPC ? Or do i have to invest on an 8 out expansion ?

Thank you.

My sound interface doesn't have a midi input. Will a midi to usb cable do the trick?

I've got a Focusrite 2i2 audio interface ,an MPC 2000XL and that's really about it. All the other stuff i do on my computer. I also got an MK2 but i guess it's irrelevant.

Thanks for your input man appreciated.

Don't really think i will be needing more ins so i guess it's a good choice. But nevertheless why won't a midi to usb cable work?

i'm gonna jump in and say you don't midi for this.

do the hihat thing - put hihats on the 1 before every recording, line these all up later and you'll be perfect. swing doesnt affect the first downbeat so you'll be fine.

That's what i've kind of been doing so i guess i'm ok.

Thank you both.

@Gorilla Funk, you're doing the right thing but I know it makes the process much more annoying.

If I were you man, I'd put some money together and get a better sound card/interface. That way you can sync the start over midi and record from the 8 outs in one shot. The problem with the XL is that every time you hit play, the clock is not 100% accurate, so you'll always have some sort of variance in the swing, not a lot but others know what I'm saying.

But yeah, get a better interface, record the 8 outs in one shot - From there once in your FL playlist view, you can do whatever you want.

richie wrote: The problem with the XL is that every time you hit play, the clock is not 100% accurate, so you'll always have some sort of variance in the swing, not a lot but others know what I'm saying.

Didn't know about that either. I felt something was off but i always blamed it on poor trimming on my part.

The more you know i guess...

Look into getting something like
1. Roland UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface. (Only a MIDI interface.)
2. E-RM Multiclock USB Sync Interface (MIDI Interface and Master Clock)
3. Roland SBX-1 (MIDI Interface and Master Clock)

Then do like @Lampdog said place 1 to 2 bar before the sequence. Number 2 and 3 will help with jitter when making multi passes while tracking.

Yeah Charles, telling him to spend more on a clock than what it would cost him to get a proper interface to actually help him do what he wants makes so much sense.