MPC Ren & Pro Tools High End Studio Workflow & Setup

IMAKEMADBEATS wrote:

DJ Hellfire wrote: But again, this would only solve the midi sync issue. You still only have 2 outs on the Ren.

Might as well track via RTAS insert since you say you only want to track the beat as a stereo track

I think they are trying to take advantage of the vintage modes, and run through external gear. And they'd track it the same way you'd track any mpc with only a stereo out. It'd be nice to be able to slave it via midi to Pro Tools to do that.

And yes, I've run the Ren software standalone while running pro tools. It works fine that way.

I have been working this way most of my career. I explained this to an Akai rep at AES. I track through high end pres and DI boxes, compressors, etc, so I need to be able to space the Ren. I was told "maybe in a future update". Not what I wanted to hear, so I hope Akai reps are watching this forum to pick this up. What's the point of vintage mode if you can't use it?

Exactly, thats why I'm not getting the Ren right now. I have a 4000 so MPC workflow is already there, Ableton Push however looks interesting. As ableton has rewire its a breeze to get it to run alongside PT10HD

The vintage mode shouldn't be what stops you from getting it. The vintage mode (button) still works ITB because its software emulation. But the actual real MPC 3000 analog "sound" only comes the 2 outs. This is a separate thing than the mpc 3000 vintage mode the button creates. And honestly, the vintage mode ain't all that, IMO. It sounds good, but so does non vintage mode.

DJ Hellfire wrote:The vintage mode shouldn't be what stops you from getting it. The vintage mode (button) still works ITB because its software emulation. But the actual real MPC 3000 analog "sound" only comes the 2 outs. This is a separate thing than the mpc 3000 vintage mode the button creates. And honestly, the vintage mode ain't all that, IMO. It sounds good, but so does non vintage mode.

Than there is still the matter of no being able to track from the Rens outputs.

But, I have som ideas and will report back later.

Is the vintage mode really software emulation?

cos that MPC 60 mode does wonders on boom bap drums and 808s

I am currently using the Ren as an RTAS plugin within Pro tools 10 and it works fine! This is good because my live audio (i.e: guitar parts) are recorded at any given point with ease in the song and all in sync with soft synths and MPC. Plus the 8 virtual outs are great to track your audio out of the Ren plugin!
My only beef with this is that the Ren does not currently send MIDI out in plugin mode Which means MPC sequencing in plugin mode is limited to drums and samples, and Pro tools takes care of the rest (i.e: MIDI out and soft synth sequencing).

Now I have also tested the MPC as stand alone to sequence soft synths in Pro tools 10, and this is fine too with my Ren Audio interface and RME fireface running on the same computer. But the disadvantages here are having to track out 4 tracks at a time, and then setting that empty bar to let pro tools catch up while tracking out audio, recording audio, and playing back audio tracks along side the sequenced soft synths. Seems a little bit more of a hassle but 1 advantage is everything can be sequenced inside the MPC Ren this way. Worry about your Audio outs later ...

Plugin method will be my workflow of choice, plus I am sure Akai will address the MIDI out issue in plugin mode very shortly