MIDI into DAW

I'm trying to connect my MPC500 and XR20 into Fruity Loops, but I have a few questions:

1) When recording drum machine loops into the DAW, will the track be similar to a VST? Can I edit the drum hits or notes?

2) Do I simply use a MIDI Interface and connect it into my computer and fire up my DAW? (I know there's a few settings you have to change in the MPC500/XR20 to make it a 'slave')

3) Am I better off just using my MPK Mini for my DAW Instead?

Cheers,

- Falox

1) If you mean would the MIDI patterns/notes you record from the outboard Akai gear be the same as MIDI patterns you create for VST's when only using software, yes. And the same is true in the other direction if you send MIDI patterns/notes from the DAW to the Akai outboard boxes.

2) Yes pretty much. The DAW/MPC MIDI walk through on Akai's site explains it very simply.

3) If what you're doing would benefit from having actually piano style keys, maybe. You could hook that one up over USB and have the DAW route it's MIDI output to the 500 or XR-20.

Both Akai boxes only have one set of MIDI I/O so you'll have to do something like use MIDI thru on one of them to have everything hooked up at once. Although if your MIDI interface has two sets of I/O you could have an easier time of doing any MIDI routing you want without any cable swapping.

Even with some cable swapping/use MIDI thru you can set up the two machines and the DAW pretty easily. And also be able to make the MPC the master if you want it's timing controlling the DAW's timing.