please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

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please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Rasisaiah Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:58 pm
hello,
I have an MPC 4000 that I use pretty much only for drum sequencing. I use logic to layer soft synths and live instruments over the MPC drum grooves.

I want to be able to record my drum sequences into logic, but I need to do it so that each drum (eg kick, snare, hihat) is on a different track in logic. Whats the best way to get each track from the MPC to a separate track in Logic? Should I buy the 8outs board? Should I use the EXS 24, load my own samples into it, and then use the MPC to trigger them?

Also, I'm having trouble syncing the MPC and Logic. I can get the MPC to play using the play button in logic, except that the spl never moves in Logic. If I hit record in Logic, the MPC plays, and the top of the arrange window goes red in logic, but it doesn't begin to record.

Any hints are greatly appreciated!!! Please, if there is some better way to do this let me know!
Thank you,

Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By foge1 Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:02 pm
2 choices

sync mpc to logic via midi clock and do it two tracks at a time (left and right) this works I do it myself with logic 7.2 and mpc. The first bar will be crap as it takes a bar or two for the sync to settle! :D

or
resample each track in the mpc sending a note on as a trigger signal to record, see the tips thread which is a sticky at the top of the forum.

buying the 8outs would make all of this much easier!
however I haven't done it myself as it seems a bit steep on the price.
g

Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Rasisaiah Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:33 pm
Foge1,
Thank you for the reply!

A few questions if you don't mind...

How do you assign specific tracks to specific outs? As in, how do I get the kick on track one going to out 1 and the snare on track to going to out 2?

Also, any ideas as to why logic won't begin playing or recording when I have them (MPC and Logic) midi synced? I have it setup to transmit AND listen to MMC, is that right? When I press play in Logic, the sequence starts on the MPC, but logic doesn't move. When I record its basically the same thing, except I get a white region in the arrrange window with a single note and an "x" above it. Never seen this before, I imagine that I have some routing confused or something like that.

Again, any help is appreciated!
I

Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By djflame Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:37 am
I never understand the basic workflow, if you have MPC and Logic or any DAW
working together.

Okay this video for example,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7amdOKocv0
Whos the master?
Is it 4000 / Neko?
And whos recording the midi note?
Is it the master instument or still on each instrument?

What are the advantages of working syncd up?

Can you guys please explain.
(sorry im a newbie)

Thank you.
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Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Kalei Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:08 pm
In that video it looks like theres no syncing goin on. He is just recording the midi notes on the mpc4000 and letting it play back the sounds from the neko. Making the neko a sound modul, basically.

Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By foge1 Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:36 pm
Rasisaiah wrote:Foge1,
Thank you for the reply!

A few questions if you don't mind...

How do you assign specific tracks to specific outs? As in, how do I get the kick on track one going to out 1 and the snare on track to going to out 2?

Also, any ideas as to why logic won't begin playing or recording when I have them (MPC and Logic) midi synced? I have it setup to transmit AND listen to MMC, is that right? When I press play in Logic, the sequence starts on the MPC, but logic doesn't move. When I record its basically the same thing, except I get a white region in the arrrange window with a single note and an "x" above it. Never seen this before, I imagine that I have some routing confused or something like that.

Again, any help is appreciated!
I


have u gone into logic an in the sync preferences, enable sync to midi time code from an external device?

u have to set one to send (mpc) and one to receive (logic)
MMC just controls the transport functions.

if in doubt load up the logic reference manual from within logic and type in sync and read the section on syncing to external midi clock. You have to select it for it to work.

g

Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Rasisaiah Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:39 pm
Word, thanks again for all the replies. Somehow, when I turned everything on yesterday, the sync was working perfectly...can't reallly explain it as I restarted everything multiple times in the past, but anyway the transport controls in logic now control the MPC.

For me, the advantage of working synced up is this: I like to make drum beats first, then layer bass, guitar, organ, piano, etc, on top. So, once I've added other tracks, there are usually changes I'd like to make to the drums. If its all synced, I just go back and change the sequences on the MPC, re-record as audio into Logic, and I'm set. Otherwise you will never have the timing right on.

Haze,
I've tried the method in the link you posted. It works well. Its just that I have samples on the MPC already, and I like using its sounds better than those of the EXS 24 (for some things anyway). Am I correct in assuming that the method described in that post would require me to load my own samples into the EXS 24? Is this what you do? I'm curious to see how other people do things. I tried loading samples into the EXS 24, and it seems almost as tedious as with the MPC. Let me know what you think.
I
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Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Blue Haze Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:48 pm
Rasisaiah wrote:Word, thanks again for all the replies. Somehow, when I turned everything on yesterday, the sync was working perfectly...can't reallly explain it as I restarted everything multiple times in the past, but anyway the transport controls in logic now control the MPC.

For me, the advantage of working synced up is this: I like to make drum beats first, then layer bass, guitar, organ, piano, etc, on top. So, once I've added other tracks, there are usually changes I'd like to make to the drums. If its all synced, I just go back and change the sequences on the MPC, re-record as audio into Logic, and I'm set. Otherwise you will never have the timing right on.

Haze,
I've tried the method in the link you posted. It works well. Its just that I have samples on the MPC already, and I like using its sounds better than those of the EXS 24 (for some things anyway). Am I correct in assuming that the method described in that post would require me to load my own samples into the EXS 24? Is this what you do? I'm curious to see how other people do things. I tried loading samples into the EXS 24, and it seems almost as tedious as with the MPC. Let me know what you think.


Yeah i load into exsp just recycle it or drag and drop not much more to do.
I
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Re: please help...logic 7.2 and MPC 4000

By Kd Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:49 am
Yeah, I have had similar issues with syncing in logic. Usually as you have experienced, restarting does sometimes correct the problem. FYI Also, keep in mind if you go the 8 outs option you still need 8 ins. You probably already know that but just in case.
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