FL and MPC1000, How to connect?

Hi,

I am still not sure what type of cable I need to connect my mpc 1000 so that I can trigger the FL software on my sony Vaio laptop. I was told that I need a midi cable, but when I go to the local electronics store, the midi cables they sell don't look like the right ones, and the people there are clueless. Is there more than one kind of midi cable, and if so, which one do I need? I have a Sony Vaio

Also, I have heard that I need a mixer. I don't really have the $ for that right now, but why would I need one if I just want to play fruity loops from my mpc1000?

Additionally, I can't remember where I read it, but is it possible to set up my laptop to where I can just transfer the compact flash memory card between the PC and MPC, and not have to hook up the USB cable to transfer files?

Thanks

to use a mpc wit any sofware u use midi cables wit joystick at one end here a link to an example pic http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=SEARCH

dudleydawson wrote:Hi,



Additionally, I can't remember where I read it, but is it possible to set up my laptop to where I can just transfer the compact flash memory card between the PC and MPC, and not have to hook up the USB cable to transfer files?

Thanks

buy an external cf-drive for your computer

3 things:
1.) only 1 type of MIDI cable, and your laptop doesn't have it built in. You'll need a MIDI adaptor first. try Midiman.com, or look at musiciansfriend.com and look for midi. The joystick thing won't worlk for your laptop (no joystick port)...but a usb<-> midi adaptor will.
2.) midi is only event info (note on, velocity etc). NOT audio. so "playing fruity loops through mpc" doesn't mean very much. You will have stereo outs (audio) from the MPC, and presumably stereo outs from the computer. That's 2 sets of audio that need to be heard....you could get some cables from the mpc into your pc, and use the pc to mix them. that'd make your mpc sound like dirt, but it's almost free.
3.) see big-slick's comment.

Thanks for all the feedback, all.

I wouldn't want my mpc to "sound like dirt." As far as this type of set-up, what do most people do in this situation, assuming one has some $ to spend, but just not a whole lot of it.

To recap then, I need:

1) A Midi cable

2) A usb - Midi adapter

3) ....?

if you have an MPC you should forget about fruityloops, just put all your samples into the MPC and learn to sequence with the MPC. its very easy to do and far far less complicated than trying to run both at once. put your money towards a good pair of headphones or monitors so you know you are hearing you music right.

you can use your computer to make and edit your samples (the large screen on a computer is very well suited for this) and then its very easy to load them up into the MPC via USB or via the compact flash card. if you don't want to hook the MPC up to your computers USB you can get a ~$10 compact flash reader for your computer or a PCMCIA adaptor the same way you would for a digital camera. the you could move the card back and forth to move files around. its the same difference.

hope this helps....

/p

big-slick wrote:

dudleydawson wrote:Hi,
Additionally, I can't remember where I read it, but is it possible to set up my laptop to where I can just transfer the compact flash memory card between the PC and MPC, and not have to hook up the USB cable to transfer files?

Thanks

buy an external cf-drive for your computer

No, it's a laptop, all you need is a cheap PC-Card/PCMCIA <-> CF adaptor ($10 approx). I do that all the time now, almost never hook up the USB cable. Just be careful to stop the card properly ("Unplug or Eject hardware", so that you don't unplug it while writing and corrupt data...

I've been making my samples with Fruity Loops and then loading them into the mpc. I find just having my pc keyboard to manipulate the the FL software keyboards doen't allow me to really free-flow -- even w/ piano roll. I'd rather use the mpc pads.

Do most people sample the FL notes (multisample the FL sounds) to the MPC to get better control?