SYNC'ing MPC Ren with a DAW via Physical MIDI output ports

Objective:
To use the MPC Ren like a traditional hardware MPC with a DAW. (e.g., see Tutor's eBooks on using MPCs with Logic, Reason, etc).

Tools:
MPC Ren
Cubase 6.5
Battery 3
Yamaha UX16

Process:
1. Connect UX16 to USB port of your computer
2. Connect MIDI IN1 and Out A of the MPC Ren to the UX16
3. Set the Ren as the AUDIO DEVICE is MPC Software and Cubase
4. Select UX16 as Cubase's MIDI device sending/receiving MIDI Sync
5. Set the Ren's software to send MIDI sync out of MIDI Port A
6. Add Battery 3 as a VST instrument on Track 1 of Cubase; load drum kit
7. Set Ren's Track 1 as MIDI instrument, set to Port A, MIDI channel 1
8. Strike MPC Ren's pads to trigger Battery 3; adjust buffer settings as needed
9. Record and drum pattern on the MPC Ren
* Can't have the Ren open as standalone and plugin at the sometime

Results:
1. DAW is slaved to Ren; Ren controls DAWs transports
2. Sequencing entirely on the Ren using your DAW as a plugin host
3. Option to export Ren MIDI tracks/import into DAW

Note - A more advanced set-up would to have a dedicated computer for Cubase with a multi-channel audio/MIDI interface. Have a 2nd computer (lap top) just to run the Ren on. Then connected the computers in a similar fashion with the audio outputs of the Ren connected to the audio inputs of the first computer.

Real world applications:
1. You have a 64 Bit DAW/plugins and not happy the Ren is a 32 bit app
2. You want to use the MPC Ren like a traditional MPC

Edited - Sorry...missed a step. Thanks Hellfire.

The UX16 is midi to usb device, why not use the REN's computer usb port? (page 8 in the Manual)
Is it only send/receive midi to/from the mpc software or any other DAW also?

Thanks for info like this though!

Thanks, Can you post the steps or Logic 9?
Someone said logic will not slave anymore, not sure how true that is

Toothflesh wrote:The UX16 is midi to usb device, why not use the REN's computer usb port? (page 8 in the Manual)
Is it only send/receive midi to/from the mpc software or any other DAW also?

Thanks for info like this though!

Using the Ren as a plugin to sync to a DAW is one thing. To use the Ren as a controller for another product is a little different.

This was by far the easiest, no headache method of using the Ren like a traditional MPC.

dorsey wrote:Thanks, Can you post the steps or Logic 9?
Someone said logic will not slave anymore, not sure how true that is

It is the same steps. If Logic 9 can't sync to external MIDI, that is a Logic 9 issue.

So, in this scenario, the Ren is inserted as a VST in Cubase, which in theory would automatically slave Ren to Cubase? Yet, Cubase is slaved to Ren? I don't think so. I think what you are experiencing is just Ren's ability to control the DAW transport, and triggering Cubase synths via midi from the MPC. "Slaving" anything to the MPC involves setting up Midi Clock/MTC sync in BOTH the MPC and DAW, which is not listed in your steps for the MPC.

DJ Hellfire wrote:So, in this scenario, the Ren is inserted as a VST in Cubase, which in theory would automatically slave Ren to Cubase? Yet, Cubase is slaved to Ren? I don't think so. I think what you are experiencing is just Ren's ability to control the DAW transport, and triggering Cubase synths via midi from the MPC. "Slaving" anything to the MPC involves setting up Midi Clock/MTC sync in BOTH the MPC and DAW, which is not listed in your steps for the MPC.

In the scenario, I am only using the Ren as a MIDI sequencer. Its the exact same thing as Tutor's e-books on using MPC 2500 with Logic or Reason.

JAH wrote:

DJ Hellfire wrote:So, in this scenario, the Ren is inserted as a VST in Cubase, which in theory would automatically slave Ren to Cubase? Yet, Cubase is slaved to Ren? I don't think so. I think what you are experiencing is just Ren's ability to control the DAW transport, and triggering Cubase synths via midi from the MPC. "Slaving" anything to the MPC involves setting up Midi Clock/MTC sync in BOTH the MPC and DAW, which is not listed in your steps for the MPC.

In the scenario, I am only using the Ren as a MIDI sequencer. Its the exact same thing as Tutor's e-books on using MPC 2500 with Logic or Reason.

Oh, ok! Basically using Cubase as a sound module then?

DJ Hellfire wrote:

JAH wrote:

DJ Hellfire wrote:So, in this scenario, the Ren is inserted as a VST in Cubase, which in theory would automatically slave Ren to Cubase? Yet, Cubase is slaved to Ren? I don't think so. I think what you are experiencing is just Ren's ability to control the DAW transport, and triggering Cubase synths via midi from the MPC. "Slaving" anything to the MPC involves setting up Midi Clock/MTC sync in BOTH the MPC and DAW, which is not listed in your steps for the MPC.

In the scenario, I am only using the Ren as a MIDI sequencer. Its the exact same thing as Tutor's e-books on using MPC 2500 with Logic or Reason.

Oh, ok! Basically using Cubase as a sound module then?

Exactly. And you are right. I missed a step. Thanks. Forgot to include setting the Ren's sync.

I did sync my mpc ren by slaving DAW(protools10) but gives me a latency on protools!!But what i really would like has for a my work flow is to slave the mpc ren to my daw!!! i tried many ways!!! please for the life of me if there is a way please let me know!!! thanks

popbass7 wrote:I did sync my mpc ren by slaving DAW(protools10) but gives me a latency on protools!!But what i really would like has for a my work flow is to slave the mpc ren to my daw!!! i tried many ways!!! please for the life of me if there is a way please let me know!!! thanks

Check your Pro Tools buffer settings. When I first did this, I had the same issue. Adjusted the audio device's buffer within Cubase and it was good as gold.

RTAS is not available in OS1 although there re mixed messages on many retailer sites. If Pro Tools can use VST or AU plugins, the Ren should work with it.

I also wonder how i can have my DAW(protools) be the master, just have the mpc ren be slaved to sync the MTC!!! that would make work flow the same when i use the mpc 2500!!

popbass7 wrote:I also wonder how i can have my DAW(protools) be the master, just have the mpc ren be slaved to sync the MTC!!! that would make work flow the same when i use the mpc 2500!!

In OS1, the Ren must be the Master.

Danm ok thanks for confirming that!!!! When ur looping on the mpc does it loop exactly the same amount on the DAW?

JAH wrote:

popbass7 wrote:I did sync my mpc ren by slaving DAW(protools10) but gives me a latency on protools!!But what i really would like has for a my work flow is to slave the mpc ren to my daw!!! i tried many ways!!! please for the life of me if there is a way please let me know!!! thanks

Check your Pro Tools buffer settings. When I first did this, I had the same issue. Adjusted the audio device's buffer within Cubase and it was good as gold.

RTAS is not available in OS1 although there re mixed messages on many retailer sites. If Pro Tools can use VST or AU plugins, the Ren should work with it.

Use a VST to RTAS wrapper like FxPansion.