Understanding In & out

Hello buddies. I'm getting headache each time I'm trying to figure this out. I've found out that it is important to understand how the sound is processed. I think it would be much easier for me if I had any experience with midi controllers or something like this, but I don't. I've spent all of my money and borrowed some to get this 4k beast, still thinking it was gr8 choice and don't think I'm gonna change my mind soon. It might be funny and very easy to some of you, but all of us was newbie once hehe. So let's get to the point:
What is the diffrence between connecting midi controllers to MIDI IN or MIDI OUT. We have 2 midi in and 4 midi out.
Does midi in means MPC just recieve midi messages and don't affect them? To go deeper: Can I connect same hardware to MIDI IN and MIDI OUT? I've noticed when using record mode from MAIN OUT it records the sound coming FROM mpc not TO, but that's not so big discovery as it leads me to nothing more...
And this 8 output upgrade, does it work in same way as midi out? I connect guitar or other instruments through RECORD IN? And what about outbourd FX ?

Was reading this:
Q. What are the benefits of having two MIDI Ins and four MIDI Outs?
A. The two MIDI Inputs allow connecting a MIDI controller (keyboard, drum pads) to one input while the other input is used to receive MIDI Sync from another unit such as a digital recorder. Otherwise, you would need an outboard MIDI Merger.

The four Midi Outputs allow the MPC4000 to control 64 external MIDI Channels (16x4), in conjunction with the 128 internal Programs. This is very useful if you have more than one outboard multi-timbral sound generator (for instance, your keyboard and a sound module). This also allows using a dedicated MIDI output MIDI Sync.

Well, we all got started somewhere and it probably was easier for some than others. I know I read up a lot on different devices and how they'd interact with others when it comes to midi.

My suggestion would be to read and thoroughly familiarise yourself with midi in general. And the reason the 4k has multiple midi ins and outs is because that's one of its greatest assets. The first generation MPC's were considered "midi production centers". That acronym was later changed to "music production center" as Akai implemented more workstation features in their MPC's.

But read this and absorb as much as possible. It'll help you understand midi way beyond just the MPC.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_get_started_with_midi.html

shimmyshimmy wrote:Hello buddies. I'm getting headache each time I'm trying to figure this out. I've found out that it is important to understand how the sound is processed. I think it would be much easier for me if I had any experience with midi controllers or something like this, but I don't. I've spent all of my money and borrowed some to get this 4k beast, still thinking it was gr8 choice and don't think I'm gonna change my mind soon. It might be funny and very easy to some of you, but all of us was newbie once hehe. So let's get to the point:
What is the diffrence between connecting midi controllers to MIDI IN or MIDI OUT. We have 2 midi in and 4 midi out.
Does midi in means MPC just recieve midi messages and don't affect them? To go deeper: Can I connect same hardware to MIDI IN and MIDI OUT? I've noticed when using record mode from MAIN OUT it records the sound coming FROM mpc not TO, but that's not so big discovery as it leads me to nothing more...
And this 8 output upgrade, does it work in same way as midi out? I connect guitar or other instruments through RECORD IN? And what about outbourd FX ?

Was reading this:
Q. What are the benefits of having two MIDI Ins and four MIDI Outs?
A. The two MIDI Inputs allow connecting a MIDI controller (keyboard, drum pads) to one input while the other input is used to receive MIDI Sync from another unit such as a digital recorder. Otherwise, you would need an outboard MIDI Merger.

The four Midi Outputs allow the MPC4000 to control 64 external MIDI Channels (16x4), in conjunction with the 128 internal Programs. This is very useful if you have more than one outboard multi-timbral sound generator (for instance, your keyboard and a sound module). This also allows using a dedicated MIDI output MIDI Sync.

You are heading in the right direction use your intuition as much as possible it will serve you right in the end.

Two midi Ins you could have a midi controller on INT A and another sequencer such as your DAW or another midi controller on INT B. You would use the midi controller to play keygroup programs like piano, assign the knobs of the controller to like cutoff in your programs, and such. You could use the INT B to sync your MPC to your DAW or you and your friend can play two separate programs on the 4k using two midi controllers. You using INT A and your friend using INT B to control different programs in your one 4k.


Midi outs A, B, C, and D control your other hardware in your studio.

MIDI A to your Motif workstation

MIDI B to your Rack synth

MIDI C to your DAW

MIDI D to another drum machine Korg electribe if you wish.

Each channel outs has 16 midi channels making a multitimbral setup.


This is a simplify setup but DAB reference to tweakheadz site is the best advice to get you up to speed on midi setup.

Yea, that's cool. Like Blue Haze said it only seems hard, but it's really not when you get the basics. This is the point when I also started to value Propellerheadz Reason, on the other hand I always dreamed to switch to hardware never had money to, but now I have MPC and shit goes on .

Blue Haze wrote:Each channel outs has 16 midi channels making a multitimbral setup.

Just to clarify, when you say "channel", you mean a single sequencer track in the 4000, right?

LvngDead wrote:

Blue Haze wrote:Each channel outs has 16 midi channels making a multitimbral setup.

Just to clarify, when you say "channel", you mean a single sequencer track in the 4000, right?

Not exactly,

See a sequencer works like a multitrack recording all my midi notes, events, and etc onto a track.


A channel is the connection pathway to send the midi info from the track to the sampler containing the programs aka instruments.


So I record my pattern on the track and by setting the PART aka Channel I decide to which programs it goes.


I can select as many programs to a track that I want by changing PART to INT A CH: 1 then going to the Multi multi page and setting all of the other programs midi channel to the same 1A and you are set.


Ok Obama is coming out the WH I got to get back to ya later. History watching!!!!