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 Parastic Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:35 am
Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a MPC X and have a questions, if it fits in my setting.

My plan is to integrate the MPC in my DAW (Ableton Live) setup. I want to use the DAW sequencer parallel to the MPC sequencer for my hardware synths. So I can choose which sequencer I want to use.
What will be my midi setup? Do I connect all my equipment to the MPC (MIDI and CV/Gate) and they can still be controlled via ableton (MPC will be a MIDI hub)? Or can everthing still be connected to the PC and I can sequence them with the MPC?

Thank you!
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By quietizkept Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:43 pm
Not sure about your setup but one thing to consider is that the MPC Software's MIDI timing as master is sloppy as shit. For instance, I currently use the MPC Software (in what would be controller mode for the X) running to Reaper with the Rearoute virtual cables. If I use Reaper as the instrument host, both with a MIDI cable and ith the virtual MIDI cable included with MPC, and have MPC just record & send MIDI, it's horribly loose. If I have the MPC Software host the instruments, it's very tight. It's noticeable most of all on drum plugins. With (any) DAW hosting the instruments, the notes hit late & won't line up with MPC-sequenced drums. The notes line up perfectly inside the MPC software itself.

MPC software does have Ableton link now, I'd imagine that was pretty tight. Not sure if you could work that into your setup somehow. Also, if memory serves, Ableton has manual MIDI latency adjustment. As an experiment, I had Traktor send MIDI to Ableton & got it to line up tight.

Sorry I couldn't answer your question directly. Just some things to consider. There are some knowledgeable heads around here, good luck & welcome.
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By Monotremata Thu Feb 13, 2020 4:10 pm
I use the Network MIDI Driver to do it for the most part. That way I can keep my MIDI interface disconnected from Logic, and let the MPC work with the standalone routing I have in it instead (Logic is OMNI input just like the MPC, I hate it). Just have Logic (or your DAW) send clock to the Akai Network MIDI port and set the MPC to receive MIDI clock. Works great.