mpc4000 bouncing tracks thru midi/main outs

don't wanna sound too noob, but is this possible?

say for example that the record button in pro tools is linked to the play button on the 4000 thru midi. And the main outs of the 4000 are plugged into inputs in your soundcard.then you could record each track in sync on separate channels in pro tools.

* pro tools is just an example software, you would think this would work with any professional recording software.

anyhoo, is this possible or is it just easier to bounce wavs from the main outs and transfer wavs to computer?

This is how it's done.

Well you learn young jedi...

I would think it comes down to personal preference. I also think it would take longer to bounce down to wav and then transfer to the PC/Mac Via Aksys or an external USB device than to record directly into your DAW of choice. Personally I choose to record directly into Ableton through the main outs, obviously two tracks at a time. However, if there was a bounce feature to audio like on the 1k/2.5k I would use that like I did with my 1k so there was no audio loss/change whatsoever, but there isn't so I don't. I do find it fun though now to track beats out since I was never doing it before, something about it I just enjoy it, when everything lines up perfect and you can master it , it just feels complete/finished and makes me happy, lol. Hope I was of some help to you. Enjoy

samplebum wrote:don't wanna sound too noob

Have you RTFM?

samplebum wrote:don't wanna sound too noob, but is this possible?

say for example that the record button in pro tools is linked to the play button on the 4000 thru midi. And the main outs of the 4000 are plugged into inputs in your soundcard.then you could record each track in sync on separate channels in pro tools.

* pro tools is just an example software, you would think this would work with any professional recording software.

anyhoo, is this possible or is it just easier to bounce wavs from the main outs and transfer wavs to computer?

Nothing new, I do it all the time. Activate the sync option in your daw and make sure the routing to the mpc is right.

Then on the mpc you set it to recieve that particular sync.

Easy!

samplebum wrote:don't wanna sound too noob, but is this possible?

say for example that the record button in pro tools is linked to the play button on the 4000 thru midi. And the main outs of the 4000 are plugged into inputs in your soundcard.then you could record each track in sync on separate channels in pro tools.

* pro tools is just an example software, you would think this would work with any professional recording software.

anyhoo, is this possible or is it just easier to bounce wavs from the main outs and transfer wavs to computer?

DabMeister is pretty much correct.

However, the more outputs you have (ADAT Card or 8 Analog Outs Card), the quicker/better your tracking experience will be.

You can bounce .wavs when you're doing 3 tracks every 4 days, but if you're scoring a film, pitching music to 10 Rap Acts, 10 R&B Acts, 5 Pop Acts and auditioning for a staff producer position, then you don't have time for all that 2-track bouncing. That process will drive you insane.


Keep Banging!

Sample your whole performance to one pad then transfer via aksys or hot swap save to 2gb flash drive for easy transfer.

note:do all your mixing inside of 4k no need to further mix in DAW if you take your time.

SHAKIR47 wrote:do all your mixing inside of 4k no need to further mix in DAW if you take your time.

I just got the 4000....I'm looking forward to trying to do this. I feel like DAW's are overkill for what 'beats' are nowadays. You have any tips?

One big thing I've noticed is the need to turn the gains on instrument programs down to like -36 or -40db to maintain any kind of headroom on the machine.

mQueue wrote:

SHAKIR47 wrote:do all your mixing inside of 4k no need to further mix in DAW if you take your time.

I just got the 4000....I'm looking forward to trying to do this. I feel like DAW's are overkill for what 'beats' are nowadays. You have any tips?

One big thing I've noticed is the need to turn the gains on instrument programs down to like -36 or -40db to maintain any kind of headroom on the machine.

Don't use the current state of music production as the standard to which you measure yours aspirations. Most of today's music/ production is Pre-Produced...a sample of someone other Producer's/ Engineer's hard work.

MPC technical proficiency is the first step, but you have to become a student of sonic quality and varied production textures. Strive to know how to make your recordings/ production mimic the Motown Sound or The Sound Of Philadelphia, Hi Records or the sound of Cadet Records...and know the Production Brands behind those labels...Norman Whitfield, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Baker-Harris & Young, Charles Stepney, Willie Mithcell, etc.

Real Mixing can't be done inside the MPC alone. You can record different Automation Passes (Volume, Panning, Filtering, etc) which a sector of the mixing process.

DAWs are a necessary part of professional production. It's the closest thing to a production/ mixing console via circuitry design.

The MPC can help you sketch your ideas and get a (Pre-Production) knock if you're going to play tracks for artists. However, the MPC sound alone is not enough to create that "Wall Of Sound" and frequency balance found in all respectable Records. (Shout out to the twisted genius of Phil Spector).

Try to take an A&R Meeting at Interscope Records with music mixed just with the MPC...they're getting tracks from Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, Ryan Leslie, Scott Storch, Denaun Porter and JR Rotem, etc.


Get Started and Keep Banging!

I can understand your argument...DAWs open another world of creativity. It's just too much of a pain in the ass to track things out. I had the 8 outs on my 2000xl....they didn't see much use. Even when I'd track stuff in I'd do a rough mix and bounce it out.

The beats are going to sound like they came straight out of an MPC...I think there's alot that can be done with that. If by some crazy happening I started working professionally that would change things though.

mQueue wrote:I can understand your argument...DAWs open another world of creativity. It's just too much of a pain in the ass to track things out. I had the 8 outs on my 2000xl....they didn't see much use. Even when I'd track stuff in I'd do a rough mix and bounce it out.

The beats are going to sound like they came straight out of an MPC...I think there's alot that can be done with that. If by some crazy happening I started working professionally that would change things though.

Sure, I understand.

Tracking is a pain/ pre-production grunt work, which is why the young engineer is usually assigned to do it. However, it is the professional way to work and will make sure your production is sonically received as you intended.

If you're doing music production as a hobby, then I get it. If not, then be prepared to work like a Quincy Jones before you become a Quincy Jones. You don't have a young version of Bruce Swedien at your side, so you have to be Bruce Swedien and Quincy Jones. Good habits move you through when you're exhausted.

The MPC 4000 is a Ferrari. Witness her power.

If you're ever in Brooklyn, look me up.

This was an enjoyable Thread...I would bounce the tracks straight from the L Output of the MPC which is Mono to the Input of whatever Hardware Interface youre using...then to track out your tracks in a DAW such as Logic or Pro Tools...those are pretty much industry standards especially Pro Tools...

Jay Quentin wrote:

mQueue wrote:
If you're ever in Brooklyn, look me up.

I actually live out in Queens lol