MPC as master, sync SEQ change with Electribe (E*X) Pattern

Hi all,

Still haven't got this working so thought I'd stop by and ask for some more help ..I'm using the MPC500 as a Master, and when I change sequences in real time I want to transmit a program change message to an EMX, so I can effectively sync an MPC sequence with an Electribe Pattern, e.g SEQ 1 = Pattern A1, SEQ 2 = Pattern A2..(the idea is to use this live, not using song mode).

The EMX manual has the following from the MIDI section.."when you switch patterns, the EMX-1 will transmit a program change message[Cn,pp](and Bank Select[Bn,00,mm](control change #00),[Bn,20,bb](control change #32)(mm:bank number upper byte, bb: bank number lower byte). If the EMX-1 receives a program change message on the appropriate MIDI channel, it will switch patterns within the same group (e.g. from A01 to A02). If the EMX-1 receives a bank select message, it will switch groups (e.g. from A01 to C01) so that patterns of another group can be selected. The MIDI mode MIDI Filter setting determines whether the EMX-1 will transmit and receive program changes."

So, sounds like if I can get the MPC to transmit a program change message at the start of a sequence, this is all possible. To do this it sounds like I have to insert a PC "Program Change" event using Step Edit of the particular sequence. The confusing part here (for me at least!) is I thought "Program" on the MPC talks about the set of sounds/params used, but I'm not using the EMX as the sound module of the MPC, I just want to sync a sequence on the MPC to a pattern on the EMX so they play in time and I can change to another sequence on the MPC and the EMX will follow/mirror it's own pattern.

If anyone has this working I'd be grateful to know if I'm working on the right lines with the above. I've tried it and with no joy, but I might need a reset/deep-breath, and take my time. I'll keep at it meanwhile.

Cheers,
LW.

Well..you know when you get frustrated after a few failed attempts, post for help, try again, then again, and then..you find the solution? That's me right now

So, daft me didn't go to Track Param and set the MIDI channel..so my PC wasn't transmitted anywhere. Set it to 1 (which is the global MIDI s/r on the EMX) and hey presto, it works.

I need to check if the timing is on, but as a quick test it sounds OK, need to fiddle with where the PC goes and might need a fake/empty sequence at the start of the set as it seems you need to send the PC "before" the start of the sequence (due to how the queuing works on both units) if that makes sense. I'll keep trying things out.

Cheers,
LW.

I intend to get an electribe at some point so thanks for posting. You probably saved me a ton of frustration in the near future too.

Hi, cool - that's good to read. Overall I've had more success with MPC as Master, which isn't ideal for me as I prefer the tempo and dials on the EMX for live (i.e. bigger). But hey ho not the end of the world, so after a bit more testing I've found some more things to solve:

- not sure how you send a "bank change" to the EMX, sending PC let's you send a value of 0-127, so that only covers the pattern banks A and B, not C & D (each bank has 64 pattern slots)

- might be because I used note off filtering on the EMX but the arp/gate wasn't working, think this is down to my config needs more testing

- placing the PC at the start of the sequence sends the message but the EMX receives it as "ah OK I'll queue that up for the next time I loop round" rather than a real-time change in exact sync with the MPC.

Overall I'm not sure if this is more fiddly than simply changing patterns in two places (as both MPC and EMX have the auto queue to keep things in time)..but ideally it would be one change in one place.

Cheers,
LW.