live loop w/ input thru?

I've searched for an answer to this question, so I apologize if it's been discussed before. I am pretty new to the MPC1000, but am a full-time musician, and this is what I'd like to do:

In a live setting, I want to run a synthesizer (or other instrument) into the MPC1000 and record it as part of a previously recorded sequence. So, let's say I have a drum track looping on the MPC and my synth is going into input thru, is there a way I can hit REC or OVERDUB and have the MPC record that signal? In other words, instead of OVERDUB recording the input from the pads, it would record the incoming signal.

Right now I am running Akai OS 2.1, but would switch to another operating system if it would allow me to do this. Essentially, with the help of footswitches, it would allow the MPC to function like a loop pedal. I have a Boss loopstation now, but it's close to impossible to get it to sync up exactly with the beginning and end of my drum loops on the MPC.

Thanks for any help.

In a live setting, I want to run a synthesizer (or other instrument) into the MPC1000 and record it as part of a previously recorded sequence. So, let's say I have a drum track looping on the MPC and my synth is going into input thru, is there a way I can hit REC or OVERDUB and have the MPC record that signal? In other words, instead of OVERDUB recording the input from the pads, it would record the incoming signal.

Yes there is a way. You will need to upgrade to the JJ operating system. There are two versions, os 1 and os 2. You don't need both but version 1 of the os will allow you to record audio tracks among many other great features. When you push rec or overdub (make sure your track is set to audio) it will record from your main inputs and then save that as a sample. It will still play back in your seq exactly the way it was recorded. Only thing i would see as a problem for live use is that the mpc stops the sequence to ask if you want to keep the sample, I think. I'm guessing midi would be better for playing live with a synth. JJ OS 1 costs $30 dollars and is well worth it. Hope that helps

Thanks for your reply. I was aware of the audio track feature and will switch to JJ OS after an upcoming show. What I really want to do is use the main IN signal like a pad is typically used while overdubbing - I've got a pre-programmed sequence looping, and when I press OVERDUB, instead of (or in addition to) recording pad data, it records the MAIN IN signal and immediately plays back that data when the sequence starts over. I'm pretty sure this is wishful thinking, but it seems like something that could be possible with some internal re-programming. If it could work, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier.

Yeah it sounds pretty complex, i wish i could help. I think using midi live would be your best option though right? That way the sequencer would not stop and ask you to keep the sample on your audio track, but just loop itself with your other instruments playing.

Thanks, man, I'll give it a try. Right now I'm singing, playing guitar, synth, MPC & effects all at the same time, and running all that into a Boss Loopstation. If I could run all that, analog, into the MPC (instead of the Loopstation) and loop it it would be amazing, but I'll find a way to work around it. Maybe that new Dave Smith/Roger Linn drum machine will do this...

this is cool bro - been thinking about doing something very similar of late.

i think you will still need another looper...

you can lay down midi parts on the fly and the MP will be able to drop them
into the loop.

but to loop audio you're gunna need a dedicated looper - you've got the boss
pedal... how does that go in terms of sync? can you get it to lock in ok?

cos i was looking at the Kaoss Pad 3 as a looper - mainly because it receives
midi clock, which is very attractive. the MPC can't really do this stuff on the
fly, it's just not designed for it. JJ nearly had it nailed, but it would require
more memory than is available for the OS to include such a complex piece
of code.

one thing that might help you keep your timing hot - in the later JJ versions
you can choose which output you want to send the metronome to. you can't
send it exclusively to the headphones, but you can pick any of the outs.

let me know how you go bro - i'd like to hear more about how you integrate
the loop pedal... is it fairly intuitive? or easy to drop out of sync... ?

software may be your best option for accomplishing this... you should probably read up on Jamie Lidell and what he uses. because i know he has some program which allows to record his voice live and start looping them on the fly... he just goes layering one vocal loop after another and then sings on top of it. maybe it's just a patch he made for max/msp or something, not sure... but i remember someone once telling me that they had the same live looping program he uses... so it's gotta be out there.

The Boss LoopStation I have (RC-20) is intuitive and easy to use, but it's very hard to get it perfectly in sync with a drum loop. There is a newer version that retails around $500 that has MIDI capabilities and assignable outs that looks pretty awesome, but it's a little too big for me.

crossings wrote:software may be your best option for accomplishing this...

I don't know if it's the best option but quite a few people use Ableton for live looping. The Ableton site has some vids or you could check Youtube. It's a pretty expensive option and you'll still need peddles to keep your hands free.

My band/housemate has a Kaoss Pad 3 but I haven't spent much time with it yet. He uses it for layering vocals and fx but we haven't had it synced to the mp yet. I'll give it a go if I get some time tonight.

If you want compact, somebody was recommending the new Redsound loopers on another thread.

The SoundBITE micro is the only one that does midi clock, and it's send only so you would have to slave the MPC to it, but it might work for you.

http://www.redsound.com/products/soundbitemicro

I don't have any experience with these, they just looked interesting.

Hippotron wrote:

crossings wrote:software may be your best option for accomplishing this...

I don't know if it's the best option but quite a few people use Ableton for live looping. The Ableton site has some vids or you could check Youtube. It's a pretty expensive option and you'll still need peddles to keep your hands free.

My band/housemate has a Kaoss Pad 3 but I haven't spent much time with it yet. He uses it for layering vocals and fx but we haven't had it synced to the mp yet. I'll give it a go if I get some time tonight.

you'd have to have a pretty kickass comp for it too sample and loop in real time
though right?

to me a dedicated box is better. ableton is a freakin amazing program... i'm
just sort of not into multi-use applications anymore. one thing that does everything
usually sacrifices elements of each of those functions.

tell us more about the KP3 hippotronic!

ihearanewworld wrote:Thanks, man, I'll give it a try. Right now I'm singing, playing guitar, synth, MPC & effects all at the same time, and running all that into a Boss Loopstation. If I could run all that, analog, into the MPC (instead of the Loopstation) and loop it it would be amazing, but I'll find a way to work around it. Maybe that new Dave Smith/Roger Linn drum machine will do this...

check out the Roland SP-555 - It has a live loop feature and if you get a 2GB memory card it has like 12 hours of sample time or something ridiculous (the samples can stream directly off storage -- no need to load to RAM)

After playing with the KP3 a bit this is what I've found:

It's a really fun fx unit and the interface makes your setup look like the future . However, in terms of it's sampling/looping features it seems quite limited. It syncs to the mp no worries but as far as I can tell it only allows for four layers to be played at once (one per pad). This simply is not enough if live looping is a key to your show.

But like I said it looks like the future---ture---ture---ture---

Thanks for all the replies. I don't think it will be long before live audio looping can be performed on an MPC (or similar product), but I'm an impatient guy. I just want my equipment to do what I need it to do! Just imagine the possibilities...

ihearanewworld wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I don't think it will be long before live audio looping can be performed on an MPC (or similar product), but I'm an impatient guy. I just want my equipment to do what I need it to do! Just imagine the possibilities...

i doubt the 1k will ever be able to do it...

i think the MPC's are focused on other aspects...