Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By mataiotechnia Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:53 am
Hello everyone!
I have a strange problem. I´ve connected MPC500 as a slave to my LittleDeformer 2. I use LD2 as a main sequencer for other gear in the same time. Everything is woking fine until i tweak knobs on LD2. In that moment MPC500 starts to "lose" tempo. Faster i twist knob on LD2 - slower MPC500´s sequencer is. After i stop twisting knob, MPC´s sequencer is in tempo again, BUT off beat! I turned off any control change transmition from LD2 (there is cc knob menu - and every parameter is at zero level!) I searched MPC 500 for some control change settings - and there is non (?). I have no problem with my other gear.
:hmmm:
PLEASE HELP!
Thanks!
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By motosega Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:13 pm
try looking at the midi messages on a pc with midi ox.

is the sequencer sending sysex messages, or mmc timecode?

the mpc500 only slaves to midi clock. mmc might send it crazy.(mmc is basicly just alot of sysex messages)
By mataiotechnia Sat Feb 07, 2015 1:47 pm
Thanks for reply! It is sysex. I´ll try to look at the midi messages... But how is it possible that every other gear (SP-404sx, OP-1, Waldorf Pulse 2) is not making problem, only MPC?
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By motosega Sun Feb 08, 2015 12:26 pm
maybe the mpc isn't perfect?


generaly speaking though, you shouldn't send stuff over midi unless you actually need it. midi isn't high bandwidth, and todays synths and sequencers can easily saturate it with sysex messsages.

there should be an option in your sequencer to turn off sysex transmission or mmc timecode(which is a kind of sysex message).

really though its not strange that some midi devices choke on excess sysex messages, there are even companies that sell midi filter boxes that strip out unused midi messages. e.g. http://www.midisolutions.com/prodevp.htm
By mataiotechnia Sun Feb 08, 2015 4:55 pm
I see! I did not know that. I use midi in the band only to sync different sequencers of other members of our group. We are improvising alot and we need to be in the same bpm.
There is only parameter "xmit" on/off in my sequencer. And when it is off, no clock is sent. So i suppose it will be necessary to look for midi filter box. Thanks for sharing!
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By motosega Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:57 pm
before buying a midi filter box try using midi ox set up to filter unwanted messages. then when you are sure it actually helps, buy a midi filter.

i just looked at the littledeformer webpage, thats a serious little box, and for what you paid for it i'd expect the developer to help you out with a firmware update.(or maybe he has another solution, hidden in some menu somewhere)

read the ld2 manual back to front then if there is nothing in the manual to help you out ask the developer.
By mataiotechnia Wed Feb 11, 2015 12:16 pm
So i tried to monitor midi messages in midi ox and there is a lot of cc messages going on while turning the knob:) I filtered them, and it worked fine. So i emailed Mr.Gotharman (creator of LittleDeformer). He replied immediately that he will add filter otion to upcomming firmware update:) He is a very nice person! But anyway i finally ordered midi filter box, because we are starting concert tour next week:) Thank You very much for Your help!
All best!