Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By Ajax Tue May 28, 2019 2:17 am
Ok, first off, apologies in advance for the stupid question. I’m sure I’ll have many more.

I just picked up an MPC X after a long hiatus away from making music. I used to use an MPC 2500 more than 10 years ago, but haven’t touched anything since. I have never used a true DAW for sequencing or effects. My prior setup was simply my desktop PC and my MPC 2500. I would sample audio sounds from my computer into the 2500 and sequence and use internal MPC 2500 FX to create my tracks.. Once I got a track done, I would play the audio out of the 2500 into my PC and record it using Adobe Audition / Cool Edit Pro (essentially a free multi track recording app) to create the mp3/wav file for uploading or otherwise distributing the track.

Since I never wanted to pursue it as anything more than a minor hobby, I never cared much about mixing/mastering anything.. so, my setup worked fine for what I wanted to do. Essentially, get audio into the MPC to sample, and audio out of the MPC to record/turn into a wav form. As basic as it gets.

Now, I just picked up an MPC X and I’m trying to get up to speed on it. I realize that it’s supposed to run as a controller with the MPC software, but right now, I’m in standalone mode only, because I haven’t learned the software yet. I have the MPC bible and intend to read it thoroughly, but haven’t had a chance to yet. At some point, I’d like to use the X to its full capability, but right now, I just want to get a feel for it again.

My question is incredibly basic (and I feel a fair amount like an idiot asking it, but for some reason I can’t get a straight answer on this — I’ve asked a couple different forums/groups). How do I recreate my setup before, given that audio does not transfer via USB (as far as I understand it, anyway) with the MPC in standalone mode? I have a new MacBook Pro and the MPC X, and that’s it. Essentially, how do I sample audio into the MPC from my MacBook and send audio out of the MPC X into my Macbook so I can record it as a wav file, without having to go into controller mode and use the MPC software?

Thanks in advance (especially given the 101 level of the question).
By wavejockey Tue May 28, 2019 6:01 am
you can just use the same workflow as before

sample in through IN 3/4 (if you use 1+2 the internal compressor is activated)

track out to computer through OUT 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 (the higher the output, the better the specs)

this depends on your computer audio interface (card)

i just use a SD card with samples from my computer that i load into MPC memory
By BeatWilson Tue May 28, 2019 6:26 am
it would be easier to explode your track and take the stems and go from there...

thats using the mpcx to its full capabilities.
User avatar
By Danoc Tue May 28, 2019 7:00 pm
Exploding only helps to separate the tracks.

If he wants to bring his ready made stems/loops he made into the Mac he needs to export to a USB stick. Take the USB stick out the X and put it in the Mac, go to the program you're using, go to the USB stick highlight all stems, drag and drop them into the DAW or program of choice.
By BeatWilson Tue May 28, 2019 8:48 pm
yeah i know thats what it does but if he does that and exports the stems to the internal hd(hes installed) he can just plug in his mpc and then not deal with a usb stick, the just drag and drop the stems from the the MPC HD to the Computer...

i feel like we are all just doing circles... why more stuff? just plug the mpc in the computer, drag and drop, done.... no need for extra stuff...
Last edited by BeatWilson on Tue May 28, 2019 8:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Bymember04959388 Tue May 28, 2019 8:48 pm
Or you get a usb or firewire mixer and directly send the 4 stereo outputs to a multitrack on mac through the mixer
By 40Beatz Tue May 28, 2019 9:00 pm
He can do it Multiple ways with the X. There is several options for you to get your finished beat into your computer. You can either...

1. Export Individual tracks, stereo Output, Sequences, or complete Projects as WAV, MP3, etc.
2. Hook the Main Output to the Computer and sample it into your favorite program
Many more ways also

Whatever your workflow is Bruh!