MPC 1000 + Studio Monitos .... Mixer???

What's good ya'll, this is my first time being on the site. I found it after looking online for some information on my mpc1000 (bought it yesterday). I also bought some studio monitors because I figured I would need them to hear any sound.

I have a couple questions now that I tried to get it going..

Can I hook up the mpc 1000 directly to the studio monitors or do they have to be routed through a mixer?
Also,
I have a m-audio midi keyboard which I'm assuming connects with midi cords (sherlock holmes deduction lol) from the MIDI out of the keyboard to the MIDI in of the MPC?

Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

If your monitors are "active" then yes you can attach them directly to the "Stereo Out" on the back of your 1000. However if they are "passive" then they will need to be connected to an amplifier. Your MPC will then connect to that instead using the same output.

You're right, the M-Audio keyboard connects using MIDI cables. Out --> In as you say. BUT this will only work if it has a genuine MIDI connection like this:



The only reason I warn you about that, is because some smaller keyboards only have a USB-Midi connection.

Good luck.

ohh ok, so it sounds like youre saying a mixer is only neccessary if i have passive monitors. (a little off topic but is that kind of how turntables would work, if they have a preamp built in, then they can connect straight to the mpc1000?)

i checked the box and information that came with the speakers but they don't mention being active or passive. i did a online search though and it says they are "Active protection units" and "High-resolution, powered studio reference monitor" .. i assume the word Powered implies that they are active?

--> http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 5mk2&SID=0

the m-audio keyboard i have is a keystation 61, it has a midi out in the back but no midi in. does the not having a midi in option have any effect?

Thanks 4 the response scooby.

Yep all correct! I've had a check and those monitors are definitely active, so you're good to go.

Well consider MIDI IN as a way of controlling the device from another source. So the fact that your MIDI keyboard is just that, and not a synth, means it doesn't really need to be controlled from another source. However it does need MIDI OUT so it can be used to control other bits.

Whereas with the MPC it's very useful to have both because it means you can "play" samples using your keyboard in a more traditional way, but you can also use the MIDI data in the MPC to control other hardware like synthesizers etc...

Ok, thanks for breaking that down..some of this can get a little confusing.

1 more quick question before i go out and buy the neccessary cables.

i bought some xlr cables to hook up my mpc to the monitors. the monitors have xlr inputs but it looks like there is no spot to hook up xlr outputs on the mpc1000.

on the back of the mackie mr5mk2's, there are options to use RCA, TRS and XLR inputs..do you have any suggestions on which cable to use?

my assumption after reading up a little bit is using 1/4" stereo to RCA, but i also read somewhere i might need an adapter for this.

thanks again for helping me bypass the trial & error way of going about setting this up.

You can get 1/4" jack to XLR cables mate, for example:

http://www.dv247.com/cables/dv-studio-cable-dvscstx110m-3m-stereo-jack-to-xlr(m)-audio-cable--28263

But don't forget to check it the XLR connections on your monitors are male or female (prongs or holes).

Scoob beat me to it...

Edit: if you decide to go the XLR route, get 1/4" to MALE XLR. (just checked the sweetwater page.)

Yup, thanks for checking up on that b.read..i just looked myself, they are female on the monitors so i need some male xlr's.
& thanks 4 the help scooby. i should be all set after i pick up those cables.

Checked again and it looks like you've also got 1/4" ins on those monitors...that would be the way I'd go, just 1/4" to 1/4", unless you really want to get the XLR's.

Yeah they also have the 1/4" inputs, i juss went with the 1/4" to xlr's though.

Everything is up and running now, got the sound comin through the speakers, controlled by both the mpc and the keyboard.

Ya'll were real helpful, i'll try to pass along the knowledge to the next in need.

Word bird...