Sequencing the MPC500 via software?

Hi,

About ten years ago I used to sequence on my pc with cubase to control my AKAI S2000 (an old sampler even then…).

I am wondering if I could do something similar with my AKAI MCP500? So if I hook it up to a midi sequencer on PC would I be able to trigger samples from the software? I feel pretty sure I would be able to trigger samples within the MPC program that is selected at the time (as it is the same as controlling with my midi keyboard), but would I be able to trigger samples in multiple MPC programs at once? So say a drum program on midi channel 1, a piano program on midi channel 2, and a flute program on midi channel 3? Does putting the programs into tracks 1, 2 and 3 make them accept incoming midi messages on that midi channel?

Thanks for any comments

I originally posted a reply confirming that this would indeed work the way you described:

Yes that's exactly how it works. Each track can load a different program and can be set to receive on whichever MIDI channel you specify. Your DAW can then address each sample individually by sending out its unique "location" data (MIDI channel + note value). Keep in mind there's a 24 program limit and 32 voice polyphony.

However I just tried it on my setup, and it seems I can only trigger a program on the track that is currently selected on the MPC500 screen in track mode--eg, only the program loaded on track 1, no matter what its MIDI channel is set to. The track MIDI channel designation seems to be only good for outgoing triggering of external modules. Incoming MIDI is treated as if there is no channel data at all, which is odd since the manual states that it should be recognized.

I don't use my 500 in this mode so there might be a way to do this that I haven't discovered yet. I'm going to keep digging; hopefully somebody else will chime in with a solution.

OK well, I think found the answer...and it's not so good. Apparently the 500 is not multitimbral when triggered externally, so it won't work the way you were thinking.

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=67094

Kind of a bummer. I think the higher models like the MPC1000 can do it though.

Machine Life wrote:Kind of a bummer. I think the higher models like the MPC1000 can do it though.

With paid JJOS (OS2XL/OS-XL) yes, not a chance in life with Akai OS.

Thanks for your help. The person on that other thread is asking about the same thing as me. Shame it does not seem to work. If anyone finds a work around, please let me know.

For now, I guess I can still sequence from software as long as I am selective in the number of samples I use and put them all in one track.

Thanks