Mac Platform software integration/Which model is best?

Hello!

I use Ableton almost exclusively for music production in the studio, but when I perform I'm using a lot analog synths and I mostly use the laptop for central midi control (and in some cases convert midi to CV).

I'm thinking about using an MPC as that central control, but I want to be able to dump a lot of my midi files from Ableton into the MPC. It would be really helpful for me to have an MPC software or VST to work with on a larger screen (without drilling down into a lot of menus). I see that MPC has its own software for PC and Mac.

My question is: Which MPC models work with the PC/MAC software integration and is that a good way to get my live sets organized, so I can have all the midi loaded on the MPC and use that to control my synths when I play out?

Sorry if that seems kind of convoluted. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

H

You can use any MPC to integrate with Ableton Live - launching clips, using Ableton as a sound module, MIDI sync etc. All MPCs will do this, JJOS on the 1000/2500 will give use some additional control via Qlink sliders (as will the 4000).

If you want something small, low cost and reliable on stage, a second hand black MPC1000 running JJOSXL would fit the bill perfectly (most black MPC1000s have better quality pads).

Obviously the new MPC Software/Renaissance can integrate with Live, but a little differently and at this stage the Ren isn't what I'd call stable for live performance.

I wrote a book about integrating hardware MPCs with Live, covers pretty much all you need to know

http://www.mpc-samples.com/product.php/ ... eton-live/

That's great! I'll definitely check out the book too. Good to know, I'm really looking forward to giving this a try.

Just to make sure, can I transfer I live set or performance into the MPC and just use the MPC in live shows?

Thanks!


Thanks!

Tom

Do you mean take audio and midi from Live, import it into your MPC and then go on stage with just the MPC? No, you have to take both. The MPC can trigger clips and software instruments from Live, it can act as the main sequencer and you can fire off MPC program samples and loops from the MPC, but if you've written songs that use both MPC and Live, I don't see any massively practical way to cut Live out of the equation for a live gig.

Hull wrote:That's great! I'll definitely check out the book too. Good to know, I'm really looking forward to giving this a try.

Just to make sure, can I transfer I live set or performance into the MPC and just use the MPC in live shows?

Thanks!


Thanks!

Tom

OK, that makes sense, thanks for the information!

One other option - How about if I merely wanted to send all of the midi files from Live to the MPC in some relative/organized way without any sounds? If I just want to have midi data on the MPC and use it in a live setting as a sequencer and generate sound with synthesizers receiving their midi clock/note information from the MPC?

Thanks again!

Hull wrote:OK, that makes sense, thanks for the information!

One other option - How about if I merely wanted to send all of the midi files from Live to the MPC in some relative/organized way without any sounds? If I just want to have midi data on the MPC and use it in a live setting as a sequencer and generate sound with synthesizers receiving their midi clock/note information from the MPC?

Thanks again!

Yes to all of that. It would just be a choice of which is the MIDI master. MPC/Controls Live or Live/Controls MPC. Ableton also provides the External Instrument plugin for a channel where you could have the MIDI and Audio from the MPC in one track for a more streamlined flow when the MPC is the master. I use 1000 and 2500 with Live it works great especially if you save some 16 track template in live and the MPC to set it up faster.

Thanks, Metatron!

So could I just leave the Ableton machine at home after porting the midi data to the MPC and use the MPC in the club to run the midi clips that send midi data to my hardware synths and drum machines and use them as the audio generators?

I'd like to work the computer out of the equation in the live performances, and only use it in the studio to compose sets of clips for live shows. In the club it would just be the MPC and the hardware synths and drum machines.

If I am able to do that, which Mac software would I use to port the clips over to the MPC in the studio? Also, which model of MPC is best for this kind of thing?

Thanks again for all the advice!

H

Hull wrote:n!
So could I just leave the Ableton machine at home after porting the midi data to the MPC and use the MPC in the club to run the midi clips that send midi data to my hardware synths and drum machines and use them as the audio generators?

Yes no problem.

If I am able to do that, which Mac software would I use to port the clips over to the MPC in the studio? Also, which model of MPC is best for this kind of thing?

You don't need any software at all, other than Live. You can export MIDI clips under 'File > Export MIDI Clip'. You can then just load that MIDI file into your MPC.

All MPCs are fine with this, so it's really down to your budget and technical requirements. 1000/2500 are stable machines. If you need MTC sync at all, then the 1000 only has this with a paid JJOS installed. 6 outs on the 1000, 10 outs on the 2500 and more MIDI ports. Just depends on your exact requirements.

Wonderful! Thanks so much guys, really looking forward to getting started with this.

One last question: Is there a safe/preferred resource for buying used MPCs?