Outboard Compressor

Hey MPC-ans,

I have an outboard compressor I'd like to work back into my recording flow. I want to use only my MPC X without having to use an outboard preamp.

This is my signal chain:

Mic into MPC X Input 1 for Phantom Power
MPC X Output 3 into Compressor Input
Compressor Output into MPC X Input 2

In theory, this should work, but I got no mic signal at my Compressor. Confirmed mic signal coming in via Mains (feeding Studio Monitors.)

Anybody have any clue what I'm missing? Maybe something in the software routing via the MPC mixer?

I appreciate any and all suggestions

Direct|Main knob position? Must be hard right.
You routing signal with audio tracks? If yes, then in track switch to "In", Input 1, Output 3, second track Input 2, out - default output. Dont forget to arm needed tracks and check pan knobs for both.

Vaksa wrote:Direct|Main knob position? Must be hard right.
You routing signal with audio tracks? If yes, then in track switch to "In", Input 1, Output 3, second track Input 2, out - default output. Dont forget to arm needed tracks and check pan knobs for both.

Noted and thanks for the quick reply!
Now, say I'm using the MPC as my interface while I'm using a DAW, such as SO, Pro Tools, Logic, etc, or even the MPC software, where I need to deliver a part for a sample in time to the beat I'm creating...what u suggest will allow me to record what's ONLY coming in on my vocal track withOUT recording what's playing back on the instro track, correct? And in my DAW, my recording input on my DAW should be input 2, right? Just so I'm clear, this is what I'm trying to accomplish right now.

I don't see the need for buying a completely different preamp, given the quality of the preamp on the MPC. I may still end getting one down the line (I've had my eye on the Avalon V5,) I just want to be able to do this without it.

Rhythmics.MPCforum wrote:

Vaksa wrote:Direct|Main knob position? Must be hard right.
You routing signal with audio tracks? If yes, then in track switch to "In", Input 1, Output 3, second track Input 2, out - default output. Dont forget to arm needed tracks and check pan knobs for both.

Noted and thanks for the quick reply!
Now, say I'm using the MPC as my interface while I'm using a DAW, such as SO, Pro Tools, Logic, etc, or even the MPC software, where I need to deliver a part for a sample in time to the beat I'm creating...what u suggest will allow me to record what's ONLY coming in on my vocal track withOUT recording what's playing back on the instro track, correct? And in my DAW, my recording input on my DAW should be input 2, right? Just so I'm clear, this is what I'm trying to accomplish right now.

I don't see the need for buying a completely different preamp, given the quality of the preamp on the MPC. I may still end getting one down the line (I've had my eye on the Avalon V5,) I just want to be able to do this without it.

Not sure, im get it).
You try to use mpc as preamp and compressor insert interface with multitrack capability? Didnt see problem with that.
mpcx have multitracks inside your daw (as audiointerface or plugin) and you can route and arm them as you want, including your compressed mic signal from mpc. Only you choose which and when every track start record, while some playing at the same time independently.

Vaksa wrote:Direct|Main knob position? Must be hard right.
You routing signal with audio tracks? If yes, then in track switch to "In", Input 1, Output 3, second track Input 2, out - default output. Dont forget to arm needed tracks and check pan knobs for both.

I may not be clearly explaining what I want. I use my MPC X as my interface for all my DAWs, whether I'm producing in MPC, composing in another DAW, or engineering in yet another. I want to put an outboard compressor in my signal chain. Lacking an insert input, the only way to do this is to run out of output to the compressor and back in on another input. The way the MPC is setup, it's not working the way this normally would on any other interface.

At this point, I'm pretty sure what I'm trying to do isn't possible on the MPC without an outboard preamp or a compressor with phantom. I don't want nor need a channel strip, as I do all processing inside the box. I just wanted to clamp down on the vocals on the way in and add some compressor color while I'm at it. I've settled my mind to just go ahead and get a separate preamp. Thanks for the effort, Brother

Rhythmics.MPCforum wrote:

Vaksa wrote:Direct|Main knob position? Must be hard right.
You routing signal with audio tracks? If yes, then in track switch to "In", Input 1, Output 3, second track Input 2, out - default output. Dont forget to arm needed tracks and check pan knobs for both.

I may not be clearly explaining what I want. I use my MPC X as my interface for all my DAWs, whether I'm producing in MPC, composing in another DAW, or engineering in yet another. I want to put an outboard compressor in my signal chain. Lacking an insert input, the only way to do this is to run out of output to the compressor and back in on another input. The way the MPC is setup, it's not working the way this normally would on any other interface.

At this point, I'm pretty sure what I'm trying to do isn't possible on the MPC without an outboard preamp or a compressor with phantom. I don't want nor need a channel strip, as I do all processing inside the box. I just wanted to clamp down on the vocals on the way in and add some compressor color while I'm at it. I've settled my mind to just go ahead and get a separate preamp. Thanks for the effort, Brother

connect out 8 to compressor in, compressor out to in 1 on the mpc (the i\o number is just an example, choose what you prefer). assign the track you want to process to individual output 8. go to audio tracks, set up track one to receive from input 1, put the audio track monitoring option (lower left corner of main page) to IN, now you have your processed track back on audio track 1, you hear it even without arming it. you just arm it if you want to record it. what in this setup is not working as it should? maybe i misunderstood you.

I'm not 100% it would not be possible with some default preview output trickery (the one set in settings, it's somewhere in the manual).

Or by routing main out (playing mic using direct monitoring) to the compressor, which then routes the audio to the input that is recorded in the audio track.

I think you can experiment with one or another, but there is no direct option to have outboard gear as insert plugged into the signal path.

I'm stating the obvious, but you could do it with an external audio interface that does have inserts and/or other routing possibilities.

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:I'm stating the obvious, but you could do it with an external audio interface that does have inserts and/or other routing possibilities.

This is actually on my list of options. The thing about it is, I haven't found many interfaces these days that actually offer an insert input. U find these more readily on mixers, which I don't want in my chain. I've become a bit of a minimalist since getting my MPC, but also since Apple dumped support for Thunderbolt those years ago. I understand technology moves forward and quickly, but now not only do I have a Clarett 8Pre Thunderbolt (paid damn near $1K) collecting dust bc the Thunderbolt ports on my MacBook Pro simply stopped working, but my OWC Thunderbolt hub also had no way of connecting to said MacBook Pro, making all 3 major pieces of my rig obsolete in one fell swoop. Yeah, I know I could get another interface. I'm just EXTREMELY wary of what I buy, as I don't like wasting money, but bc I spend many moons sifting thru the sea of equipment to put anything in my rig bc I know I'm gonna get attached to it...I'm gonna have to depend on it...and yes, I'm gonna love it lmao...and yeah, I know I could just use the Clarett I have as a preamp, but not only does that kick up sour patch (wink) kids in the back of my throat to see it sitting in my chain, but if I'm going to HAVE to have a single piece of gear as a preamp, it may as well be a dedicated preamp, and one that kicks a$$ doing it, not a failed, abandoned piece of gear, using 1 each of 8 ins and 8 outs, while its primary purpose is an audio interface. It just feels wasteful to me. I'd rather sell it or gift it to someone who's going to get more use out of it. Before it went the way of the West, it was my INTERFACE, u feel me? Everything went thru it. I was USING this sucker. But I no longer use much of the equipment I was using then, as a result of downsizing since The Incident. So...yeah...

handthrow wrote:I'm not 100% it would not be possible with some default preview output trickery (the one set in settings, it's somewhere in the manual).

Or by routing main out (playing mic using direct monitoring) to the compressor, which then routes the audio to the input that is recorded in the audio track.

I think you can experiment with one or another, but there is no direct option to have outboard gear as insert plugged into the signal path.

I'm not familiar with your first suggestion, I'll check that out. The latter doesn't work for my taste bc my Mains feed my monitors, and as I said, I use my MPC as my interface. This is just one of those quirky things I feel should be easily possible with a piece of gear that costs what this beast costs, boasts itself as an interface, and has a place in any studio. This shouldn't be difficult, Brother...it's a simple out and in. The connectivity simply isn't there.

It's doable. TRS? mpc out to compressor. compressor back to mpc input. then switch the channels in your program or master to the channel the compressor is on. next set up an audio track an enable preview and set the input. (end up with a loop for resampling from a program into an audio lane) or.. if you got a proper interface you can juat set up the proper sends and returns.

In settings -> General -> Audition Outputs

Ultros wrote:It's doable. TRS? mpc out to compressor. compressor back to mpc input. then switch the channels in your program or master to the channel the compressor is on. next set up an audio track an enable preview and set the input. (end up with a loop for resampling from a program into an audio lane) or.. if you got a proper interface you can juat set up the proper sends and returns.

With resampling it's simple, true. I was under the impression the idea was to record mic already processed through an outboard compressor by feeding sound from mic input into the output and then back into the input that is recorded.

ah, i misunderstood i guess.

handthrow wrote:In settings -> General -> Audition Outputs

Ultros wrote:It's doable. TRS? mpc out to compressor. compressor back to mpc input. then switch the channels in your program or master to the channel the compressor is on. next set up an audio track an enable preview and set the input. (end up with a loop for resampling from a program into an audio lane) or.. if you got a proper interface you can juat set up the proper sends and returns.

With resampling it's simple, true. I was under the impression the idea was to record mic already processed through an outboard compressor by feeding sound from mic input into the output and then back into the input that is recorded.

This