MPC X in standalone & sound card for computer at same time?

If I have my main outputs on my X feeding into my studio monitors, can I also plug into my Mac via USB and use the X as my sound card (for general purposes outside of using my DAW)?

Transmisser wrote:If I have my main outputs on my X feeding into my studio monitors, can I also plug into my Mac via USB and use the X as my sound card (for general purposes outside of using my DAW)?

If I understand your question. When the X is plugged into your computer via USB. You must selected controller mode, in order for your computer to use it as a sound-card. In controller mode the X or LIve can be used a general sound card for your computer.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Transmisser wrote:If I have my main outputs on my X feeding into my studio monitors, can I also plug into my Mac via USB and use the X as my sound card (for general purposes outside of using my DAW)?

If I understand your question. When the X is plugged into your computer via USB. You must selected controller mode, in order for your computer to use it as a sound-card. In controller mode the X or LIve can be used a general sound card for your computer.

Then does that mean that it's not possible to run the x as a sound card and use it in standalone at the same time then? I'd have to open up the MPC software to be able to use the X?

Transmisser wrote:Then does that mean that it's not possible to run the x as a sound card and use it in standalone at the same time then?

Correct. It works as a Sound Card in Standalone only. It's not a true hybrid, where it can be used simultaneously as a Standalone/Soundcard.

Transmisser wrote: I'd have to open up the MPC software to be able to use the X?

No once the drivers are installed, your computer should be able to see the the inputs and outputs of the X or live as a soundcard. But if you want to work on the X. You'll need to have Software open or another DAW with the Akai Software opened as a plug in.

CharlesRandolph wrote:

Transmisser wrote:Then does that mean that it's not possible to run the x as a sound card and use it in standalone at the same time then?

Correct. It works as a Sound Card in Standalone only. It's not a true hybrid, where it can be used simultaneously as a Standalone/Soundcard.

Transmisser wrote: I'd have to open up the MPC software to be able to use the X?

No once the drivers are installed, your computer should be able to see the the inputs and outputs of the X or live as a soundcard. But if you want to work on the X. You'll need to have Software open or another DAW with the Akai Software opened as a plug in.

Ok, that clears things up for me. I have a line 6 Helix that I use as my main sound card and it allows you to do what I was asking about - get sounds from the unit itself in standalone and also have it process regular audio at the same time (Youtube, etc.). It's no biggie, but it would be cool if the X was capable of this at some point.

Thanks for your help.

Transmisser wrote:Ok, that clears things up for me. I have a line 6 Helix that I use as my main sound card and it allows you to do what I was asking about - get sounds from the unit itself in standalone and also have it process regular audio at the same time (Youtube, etc.). It's no biggie, but it would be cool if the X was capable of this at some point.

Thanks for your help.

I'm not sure why they could not do it. Audio interface mixers have been doing hybrid for years. Use it as a mixer and midi controller at the same time. Just have to press a button, no restart required, and all the audio routed into the mixer continues to work.

It's either hardware limitations, not implemented in software, or both.