MPC + Synth

Hi there,

i am basically new to the hardware world (former software user that now needs to FEEL the music) and I would like your advice for building a very simple setup.

For the moment I have only my MPC 2500, which I love. But I need to add synths to my tracks. So I plan to purchase a Korg M1, I love its sound.

Do I need anything more to combine the two ? Like a mixer or something else to coordinate the two ?
Or can I just plug in the synth into Audio IN of the MPC and that's it ?
I would like to have a pretty flexible setup to be able to play the synth before recording in the MPC and hear it on my speakers (obviously)

Thanks for any of your advice, I know it sounds pretty dumb but I am a total rookie in hardware.

Best,
Matt

I believe with the MPC2500 you can route your synth via the recording inputs (analogue or digital) and use the INPUT THRU function to mix it with your MPC audio (and apply effects and Q links). Otherwise a more usual way would be to use a mixer of some description which can then be routed to your speakers/amp or via a computer etc.

Thank you for the answers guys! So I guess I have two options here :
- using only the MPC as the sequencer and the synth to record keys in the MPC
- using the MPC as a drum machine, a synth for the keys and a mixer to record the two together in my computer for example ? (With logic or whatever DAW)

You can use the MPC as a drum machine/sampler with both options. Option 2 is your best bet moving forward IMO, MIDI sync all your external synths, grab yourself a decent budget mixer and route everything through that, get a reasonable audio interface for recording, a reasonably priced DAW like Reaper or Logic and you're good to go.

korama wrote:Do I need anything more to combine the two ? Like a mixer or something else to coordinate the two ?
Or can I just plug in the synth into Audio IN of the MPC and that's it ?
I would like to have a pretty flexible setup to be able to play the synth before recording in the MPC and hear it on my speakers (obviously)

Yes, this will definitely work; just hit the Input Through button and choose Analog for source and make sure Input Thru is ON. Then you'll always here what's happening on the synth without needing to mess with the MPC. Routing things this way allows you to just hook the MPC to your speakers and monitor both machines from the single source (MPC).

Next step is to get MIDI cables. You'll definitely want to be able to record a MIDI sequence in the MPC and then send it out to the synth so that's one cable. If you also want to use the synth as a keyboard controller you can usually go into the synth's menus and set it up so the keys only send MIDI info to the MIDI OUT port which you'll want to connect to the MPC's MIDI IN. In this setup you need to make sure the synth is being controlled by the MPC and that you're using a track that is sending the MIDI out on the correct channel the synth is monitoring. But this setup is nice because then you can also use the keys to trigger samples alongside the pads, which can be easier for bass or chords sounds inside the MPC, etc.

Once you understand this very simple setup you'll have a lot of knowledge that is applicable to adding more and more gear and creating complicated setups. Once you end up with another synth or module you'll probably want to get a mixer or interface that gives more flexible options for routing the sounds. A good mixer allows you to hook up several instruments and reroute sounds using the bus or group outputs; you'll want to set up a group that goes out of the mixer and into the MPC to make it easy to sample anything hooked up to the mixer.