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.
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By scd Sat Jul 01, 2023 7:19 pm
Setup: macbook Pro with MPC software, MPC X in controller mode.
Problem: selecting third party plugins (VST or AU-version) on the MPC X works fine, but I do not see the presets for those plugins on the X. There is a “Default” preset in the sound browser and nothing more. I can only select those presets in the plugin window on the MacBook side.
Do those preset-files need to be copied/move on the Mac to some other place? Or is this just the way it is? It makes using 3rd party plugins pretty useless for me this way, wanting to get away from the computer.
As examples I tried GForce MTron Pro and the new MTron IV versions, Xils-Lab XILS 4, Valhalla Vintage Verb etc.
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By MPC-Tutor Sat Jul 01, 2023 8:19 pm
Most VSTs/AU I've tried do not show presets in controller mode, other than a single default. Some do though, like Dexed and all the Air MPC plugins (i,e. the actual VST/AU versions). But it's the same in the MPC Software, you have to use the preset browser of the plugin itself. The preset dropdown in the frame of the MPC Software plugin UI doesn't show presets either.
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By scd Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:43 am
Not sure why we should laugh about it. These MPCs are years on the market now.
I would like to know WHY this is? If their native plugins can show presets, why not the third party plugins?
By dustyslices Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:19 pm
This is due to nature of VSTi plugin format, not the DAW itself. VSTi2 let developers to pass only one bank of 128 presets as a quick recall, and since plugin presets are usually handled as multiple banks of different types, nobody is implementing this. Note that there is a distinction between native plugins and VSTi plugins, desktop software allows you to load both types so make sure you instantiate the native one.

EDIT:
Disregard that last bit (native / VSTi) - just realised that you're talking about 3rd party plugins specifically.
By ChrisX Thu Oct 24, 2024 5:51 pm
So I'm new to all this. I'm using MPC Beats and I downloaded SPitfire BBC Orchestra plugin.
I don't see a list of presets in the drop-down - just a "<?>", same for their LABS plugin. But you're all saying here, it's normal and select instrument from the app instead. OK I can do that.

When I do that, and I add a new track for each instrument, select the Orchestra as the plugin, then go to the app and choose the instrument. Now when I record keyboard pressed, I see notes appear and hear the instrument I selected. SO far, so good.

But , I can only do that for up to 2 instruments/tracks. It seems only two can be active at once.

Furthermore, if I save/reload the project, the instrument assignments are gone, and I hear whatever instrument is the default or was selected last.

So how do I record a song with many instruments on many tracks and save it correctly?

Many thanks,
Chris