Bug reports & end-user support for Akai's MPC Software 'controllers' including the new MPC Studio 2, the MPC Touch, MPC Renaissance & original MPC Studio and MPC StudioB lack.
By TXDelta1010 Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:48 pm
Hello MPC Members,

I just got the MPC Studio, and spent almost 2 days non-stop trying to get it to work properly with Cubase 5. Can anyone help me out, I'm try to get it work and respond to any midi to transmit to the daw. I know this is possible, and seen it with other daws, so anyone out there who has this setup could help? I have teamviewer as well, if can spend probably 5-10 minutes to help. Thanks in advance!!!

Details are below:

- Yes I read noterepeat.com, and followed all the steps to the tee.
- Yes I downloaded the latest drivers, and internal midi thing it as you when you go to preferences.
- Yes the transport controls work on Cubase. I just cannot trasmit any midi data to the mpc plugin nor Cubase.
- Yes the mpc is in "DAW" mode under transport. I tried switching back and forth, and no luck.


Here are my screenshots:

Image

Image

Thanks
User avatar
By Airyck Sat Jul 27, 2013 2:59 pm
Choose MPC Public for your MIDI input in Cubase. You Also will want have input monitoring "on" on the tracks you want to receive MIDI on in Cubase.

In the MPC software you have to select a MIDI type track and choose the correct MIDI channel that is associated with the MIDI channel for the track you are trying to play in Cubase. You can sequence up to 16 different instruments from the MPC in Cubase; 1 for each MIDI channel.

Controlling the MPC software from Cubase is only good for sending program changes, you can't use the MPC software as a sound module because it is only Mono Timbral on the input side (you can only play the selected track in the MPC software).

It looks like you have everything setup mostly correct just change your input to MPC public, turn on monitoring in Cubase (so it always plays when you move away from the track in Cubase) and use a MIDI track in the MPC software.
By TXDelta1010 Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:43 pm
Hi, I did all of those steps, but no sounds now, and nothing is recording in cubase?

Image

Do you mean I can't record any midi into Cubase (I dont mind if I lose the mpc quantize)? I just couldnt see how they want to you use it as a plugin when you can't sequence the track in your daw.
By aldred411 Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:06 am
u can record midi into cubase but u cant do it "live" u have to first record midi data into mpc seq then record that data into a cubase track u have to switch the mpc track to midi from daw on the track setting not in pref in cubase track u have to set the midi in to mpc out disconnect the midi out or vice versa , you can then record the data by play /rec the seq u made in the mpc sequencer u wont be abel to hear it tho until its recorded then u have to switch the mpc track back to daw and switch the cubase midi track input output to midi in mpc out midi out mpc in
its limited as you can only use one programme in the mpc
u cant record separate tracks at one time u can do it individually

its would be better to just record your midi into the mpc seq and just route the audio onto vst tracks and i think u can send midi automation from cubase to the mpc

i posted on here a while ago with a more in dept description u may find it if u google mpc studio and cubase 7 or something
User avatar
By Airyck Sun Jul 28, 2013 3:19 pm
TXDelta1010 wrote:Hi, I did all of those steps, but no sounds now, and nothing is recording in cubase?

Image

Do you mean I can't record any midi into Cubase (I dont mind if I lose the mpc quantize)? I just couldnt see how they want to you use it as a plugin when you can't sequence the track in your daw.


FYI: All the DAW and PLUGIN settings in the preferences do is decide whether or not the record button works in the MPC software, or if it sends the message to the DAW to turn record on there instead.

I guess you're probably not understanding what the plugin version can be used for.


1) Load an instrument in Cubase (not the MPC) Change the MIDI input to MPC Public (on the instrument track that is loaded in Cubase). You can then write a sequence in the MPC and it will play the instrument that is loaded in Cubase. You can play right from the pads and you can record the notes in Cubase or the MPC software.

It is not designed to have MIDI that is recorded in Cubase play the MPC. While it can do this on one track it makes no sense to do it.

so to really break it down.

The MPC can play Cubase, Cubase cannot play the MPC. (except to tell it to change sequences)

What Cubase "can" do is send Program Change messages to the MPC software in order to tell it to switch to a certain sequence to match what is happening in Cubase. This and what I've written below are really the only main reasons to use it as a plugin in Cubase. (there could be other creative things but these are the main 2 reasons).

2) The other reason to use it as a plugin in Cubase is to route the individual sounds and tracks to Audio channels/Group Channels in Cubase so that you can apply FX on groups of sounds.

Overall breakdown:

The MPC sequencer and everything inside it play along with the Cubase sequencer but Cubase does not sequence the MPC, it can only send program changes to change the sequences in the MPC software.
You can also route sounds to 8 individual outputs to tracks inside Cubase for further FX processing and/or recording.


Thats it... those are the main things it's used for as a plugin, it doesn't do anything else really.
User avatar
By comtox Sun Jul 28, 2013 4:14 pm
Airyck wrote:those are the main things it's used for as a plugin, it doesn't do anything else really.


I can confirm this answer.

I use the REN to build my song standalone, then route them in cubase with the plugin to bounce tracks/mix tracks. Or I use the REN to control Cubase. That's it
By aldred411 Mon Jul 29, 2013 5:27 pm
not trying to start an argument but i disagree slightly
i have recorded midi notes from the mpc studio to a cubase track tho it limits the mpc to one programme/kit but u can use 8 banks i have made a loop kick,snare,hats toms on four separate tracks in the mpc then recorded that loop/midi data onto the midi track in cubase i then copied it a few times set the mpc to one bar switched loop off i have a one bar offset in cubase ,press play the mpc plays its one bar and stops cubase continues and plays the mpc pads i even duplicated the cubase track and splits the kick snare etc and it worked .and i can pencil notes into the cubase drum editor and the play the mpc and at one point i think i was using my motif to control the mpc and record notes in cubase .
agreed that its only mono midi but she does go both ways but only one at a time
just from what i experienced
and from what i experienced i decided to do my sequencing in the mpc lol
maybe that midi icon they are adding (the picture that someone posted ) will sort this out
switch on sends midi data to daw ,switch off sends it to mpc
User avatar
By Airyck Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:35 pm
Yes it's "possible" to do that but I'm just trying to keep things as simple as I can. While you "can" play the MPC monotimbrally from Cubase there is no directly inherent benefit in doing so (IMHO). That said you can come up with ways that this would be useful (such as making use of the drum grid in Cubase) but for someone who is just trying to grasp the main idea of the plugin and it's uses inside a DAW it just makes it more confusing.
By aldred411 Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:11 pm
true it confused me when i got mine back in december worked it out in the end and agreed the best way is to use it like u say and seq in the mpc, tbh tho i did expect to be able to record midi straight into cubase so it was bit of a let down but on the flip side it introduced me to the mpc sequencer and i like it so much i sold cubase and ive just been using it on its own with halion sonic 2
By InfiniteMusic Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:59 pm
Hi- I hope this will be quick since I don't want to bother anyone.. I have managed to add the MPC as a plug-in, success. Now, if I want to play the keyboard with sounds in the MPC (even if it goes into the MPC sequence) how do I do that, without connecting the keyboard into the MPC midi input/output? Is the DAW function described, the answer to making that happen? I simply want to use the keyboard to play chords or melodies over beats without having to use the drum pads for that, while in cubase, because I like some of the sounds in the MPC.

I hope that makes sense.

Thank you!

Lea