microkorg XL + MPC2000XL problems

I've recently added a microkorg xl to my very basic setup of mpc 2000xl, mixer and TT. Prior to the keyboard I've been choppin samples and arranging sequences to create songs but I've always been wanting to add (play) external keyboard sounds and add more texture to my beats.

I've read the mpc/mk manual and connected the midi cables in handshake mode. First I lay drums as a drum track in track 1, then I set in midi the midi channels 1a to midi ch 1 in my mk and play a synth line on track 2. My main problem is this. When I try to lay for track 3 a second synth line with a different sound, the first synth line automatically changes as well.

Also when I go to another midi track I cant hear what's playing in the prev track.

I've run across this issue on multiple forums (including this one) and I've tried various techniques to get over the hump. I've tried multi-track recording on the mp vs single. I tried multi-mode in the mk to make it multi-timbral, and yes I make sure the midi channel on the mp matches the midi channel on the mk.

All I really want to do is play different sounds on each track. I'm sure I'm just missing some minor but crucial element right now.

Excuse the long winded post (my first) but any help would be appreciated.

PEACE.

Curt McGirt wrote:All I really want to do is play different sounds on each track. I'm sure I'm just missing some minor but crucial element right now.

microkorg + MPC2000XL was my very first set up of my own back in 2001 or so. i dont htink the microkorg was multitinbral but the microkorg XL is
the manual page 32, 33 & 81 explains

Using the microKORG XL as a multi-timbral sound module
You can specify a different MIDI channel for each of the microKORG XL’s two timbres and use it as a multi-timbral sound module from a connected external MIDI sequencer.

1. Use knob [1] to select the COMMON page.
2. Use knob [2] to select “VOIC.MODE,” and then use knob [3] to select “MULTI.”
3. Specify the MIDI channel for timbre 2. After you’ve set VOIC.MODE to MULTI, you can turn knob [2] to select the “T2.MIDICH” parameter. Use knob [3] to specify the MIDI channel for timbre 2.
4. To set the MIDI channel for timbre 1, select the MIDI page “MIDI CH” parameter, and use knob [3].
5. Set the MIDI channel of the connected external MIDI device

http://www.korg.com/services/downloads/pdf/microKORG_XL_OM_E1.pdf

Thanks for the reply.

I read those pages in the manual and I'm still having the same problem. Honestly I read pg. 81 before my first post until I was cross eyed. Do you have any other suggestions? I tried setting the MIDI channels to match the mp, then the multi-timbral stuff. Besides the MIDI channels, does the process need to be repeated for every track? I'll keep troubleshooting in the meantime but this MIDI stuff is confusing as hell. I may just go the path of least resistance, say eff it and sample sounds from the mk and play it on 16 levels, auto chromatic, etc until something clicks.

Good lookin' out tho folks. I know trying to school a noob aint easy.

I think the the way the MicroKorg series uses timbres to create a patch is what confuses people. I used to have an original MicroKorg back in the day, but couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It had some good sound in it, but it was just a bit too quirky and limited for my liking.

If what you really want is to use the MPC to sequence different MicroKorg sounds on different MPC tracks, you will be truly disappointed. Get a true multi-timbral synth (4, 8 or even 16 part multitimbral) and be happy. I think the MicroKorg XL only goes as far as using two timbres at once, which is total pants.

This is what came up on a forum-wide topic search for "+microkorg+multitimbral", all the answers are there. Hava read through some of the threads.