Input gain is maxed out yet recording is still very quiet!

I recently purchased a Yamaha MX61 to pair up with my MPC X. I connected the MX61 to my X using 1/4 balanced cables. One cable goes from OUT of the MX61 into input 1. The other OUT from the MX61 goes into input 2. I turn the two gain knobs for outs 1/2 all the way up and I can hear my synth perfectly. In fact, it's at the point where it's actually too loud! Despite this, if I record a new track the audio after recording the new track will be very very low! I'm talking like -15 to -20 dB too low! It sounds fantastic when I'm just casually playing the MX61 while connected to my X. But everything I record to a track is incredibly quiet. Why is this happening? When I google search the only thing I can find is to "raise your input on the MPC" or to "raise the master volume on my MX61". But this then makes the MX61 so loud while casually playing it that I can't even wear my headphones because I'll damage my ears!

I simply want my recorded levels to be the same (or at least very close to the same) levels as when I'm casually playing my MX61 when I'm trying to come up with melodies. My headphones are connected directly to the 1/4 input on the front of the MPC X. Trying to provide you with as much information as possible to see if I can finally get this issue corrected. How can I turn up the actual instrument (MX61) that I'm trying to record without it turning up WHAT I HEAR in my headphones. What I hear in my headphones is perfect. It's only AFTER I record that to a track that it suddenly drops levels!

I forgot to mention that I can normalize that recorded audio, and that definitely is a work around (albiet an incredibly annoying one).. but I've seen many others on YouTube record their synths and the levels that are recorded are the exact levels they hear when casually playing. In the meantime I'll just keep normalizing every last track I record from my MX61 until I can find a better answer.. ugg

I don’t have an X but you want to adjust your INPUT gain. It’s on the back of Live and One. Not sure where on X

On the X it’s located on the knobs on the top right.

I checked the manual and I couldn't see anything to say the outputs on the MX61 are balanced or TRS. It's the standard that synths are unbalanced (Of all of mine only the Hydrasynth is balanced). It's unlikely to effect the signal level but the Ring on the TRS could be be shorting. Have you tried unbalanced cables? I'm doubting this is the issue, but I would check it to rule it out.

The only work around is basically normalizing everything I record in from my MX61. It's a bit annoying to do and slows down work flow a bit but at least it's an option for now. I have input gain up loud and that doesn't seem to be the issue.

You’re definitely missing something here. It’s a sampler. There’s no needed work arounds for sampling.