Tutorial: Using Logic Pro 8 With Your MPC4000

clint246clint wrote:First up, let me start by saying I have seen a couple of videos on YouTube in particular one entitled “How to use Logic as a sound module with a MPC”. While this video may have helped many, it wasn’t helpful to me as it involved messing with the environment.

@REO

That was the actual video that led to my posting this thread. Although It was easy enough to follow, it just seemed like overkill for what I wanted to achieve which was 16 channel midi input from the MPC. At the time I didn't fancy getting bogged down in Logic's Environment either.

What you want, however, is to use more than one midi port from your MPC enabling you to use 16, 32, 48 or 64 seperate midi channels with Logic. The only way to achieve this is by getting your hands 'dirty' in the Environment.

The Logic Environment has some powerful tools hidden within, but has always been a daunting prospect for users unsure what exactly to do there without messing everything up! I was like that once, didnt want to go there at all.

Why dont you try the SOS method, try the YouTube method and dig into the manual at the same time?

Understanding comes easiest from knowledge, experience and by trying to do things yourself (with a little help).

Hey Clint...

I tried using the template you spoke about with logic 8 and the MPC. This works perfectly allowing me to sequence the logic sounds using my 2500. I tried to incorporate the rewire thread into this and one small problem. I was able to get Reason sounds routed through the aux track but whenever I click on an instrument track to bring up a logic sound the midi info from reason get passed to the selected logic track. Why is this??

Blue Haze wrote:

clint246clint wrote:I put in a request for some of these threads about using the MPC with the various leading software DAW's to be stickied or better still get a section of their own on the forum.

Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase and Reason are probably the most common DAW's used by the MPC fraternity and certainly warrant at least a sticky if not an exclusive section.

As it stands 'Studio Environments' only has one sticky (Pics of your cribs) and 'Production Techniques' only has one too (and that is dedicated to the Subtractor for some reason (couldnt resist the pun!).

The lack of a MPC + DAW section is an obvious oversight in my view, but hopefully it will be implemented soon (Tutor?)

I second that a NEW section dedicated MPC + DAW would be a great FORUM for all. MPC Tutor san how about it???

cosign +1

trackheadz wrote:whenever I click on an instrument track to bring up a logic sound the midi info from reason get passed to the selected logic track. Why is this??

Sounds like either a midi or track selection issue. By default midi input is sent to the selected track in Logic.

Apply some 'Logic' to the problem and you should find a solution or workaround.

@clint

great tutorial!

very well explained. i have only one little question:

how do you record your midi data from the mpc to logic?

i mean in which sync mode:
mpc as a master or as a slave?
midiclock or mtc?

thanks!

No form of synchronisation was used for this tutorial, it was unnecessary.

Record the midi data 'tape-recorder' style into the Logic sequencer, adjust the alignment afterwards.

Is there any chance you could explain how to do this on the 5000? I have been wanting to record into the MPC using the VST's on logic but can't figure it out. I prefer to sequence layout my beats on the MPC rather than Logic. Dude, if someone could explain the steps I would be MORE than appreciative!!

Thanks

U-BANK RECORDS

The principles outlined in this tutorial can be applied using any MPC, I just used the one I have which is a 4000.

The details are all here in this thread, so give it a shot...

clint246clint wrote:The principles outlined in this tutorial can be applied using any MPC, I just used the one I have which is a 4000.

The details are all here in this thread, so give it a shot...

Good looking out bro!

Hi guys, been a logic user for a few years now and recently got my first mpc2500 - yayyy, i love it. I've been working real hard following tutorials, reading the manual for it and generally playing and experimenting with my new found love.

My setup is logic pro, mpc2500 and my access virus polar synth. My audio interface is the Presonus firestudio.
(i sample stuff from cd's through my cdj1000's which in turn go through my djm800 mixer and into the 'record in' jacks on my mpc).

Basically, this tutorial by Clint is exactly what i was looking for, but i've had a small glitch. I followed all the steps and sure enough it works a treat (many thanks Clint)

My only problem being now is that i can't record anything into the sequencer on my mpc - and the play/stop/rec/overdub/play.start buttons now don't work on the mpc. For example when i press rec and play It comes up with a message at the bottom of the screen (where the 'T.C/Click/TR-/TR+/Mute/Solo buttons are) saying - 'Waiting for midi 'Play'

Say i load up a load of samples in the EXS24 in logic, well i can record them no problem, using the virus keyboard or the pads on the mpc, just fine. I click record (IN LOGIC) and the midi data shows up in logics arrange window, and when i click play in logic it plays back just fine.

What i was hoping for was to be able to record some tracks on the mpc (say a sample i had recorded in), and also record a synth from logic (say the exs24), and be able to then press play on my mpc and have both play back.
E.g - the sample i had recorded into the mpc would be recorded onto track 1 in sequence 1, and the exs24 would be recorded into logics arrange window on it's corresponding channel strip.

If anyone has any help or advice on how to achieve this i would be more than thankful, i've tried to avoid posting questions on these forums, i'd rather do my homework and search for the answer or get my head in the manual, but i just can't find the solution to this one, even though it's probably staring me in the face.

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and advice.

Tom

Ok, a quick update guys, i've now got over the problem i had (explained above).

What i did was connect a midi cable OUT of my audio interface (presonus fire studio) and IN to the mpc. So now i have midi going out of the mpc into my soundcard, and out of my soundcard going into the mpc.

This cured the problem i was having. I can now record tracks on the sequencer in the mpc AND record midi in logic. And play both back together. My play buttons and recording buttons on the mpc now work too.

The only 2 small problems now is that i have noticed the timing is out with the 2 metronomes (the one on my mpc and the one in logic), only slightly but it's quite clear they are out of sync.

Also when i hold down 'rec and play' on the mpc, i get no count in time now, the metronome plays but it just goes straight from bar 1.

I have gone through loads of the midi time code and midi machine control settings, both in logic and the mpc, but i just can't seem to sort these 2 little problems out.

Any help or advice would really be appreciated, can't thank you enough for the help and advice,

Thanks,

Tom

Here are some images of my midi settings on my mpc and logic if it helps.......

You are using logic which means you are using a mac computer right? Why isn`t your CoreMIDI setup up right? If your mpc 2500 is connected to your presonic midibox then your mpc should show up in Transmit MIDI Clock at an destination rather than setting to transmit all.



I hardly ever use mmc with logic as it is mainly for tape machines and I may be wrong logic sends mmc out but it might not the other way around.

Good luck but I suggest you may sure your CoreMIDI is setup up right.

You updated your question so you can skip some of what I said before however, you will have to choose your workflow for sequencing either program a drum sequence on the mpc first and then record that midi sequence into logic with logic set at no count in and logic`s metronome playing through your build in speakers.

Or have the mpc as your main sequencer and logic as a sound module still set up logic with no count in, set up an input channel or aux channel to route your mpc`s metronome through so that you can hear your mpc`s metronome through logic. Record and sequence on the mpc and record the audio into logic as audio tracks. It is up to you as your preference to work.


Most people do drum sequencing on the mpc and record it either by midi or audio into logic (either one is fine now with flex audio editing on logic 9) and continue the other instruments keys, bass, and etc sequencing with logic (extended quantization options along with groove templates or more extensive within logic`s environment). A big plus is logic`s environment gives your synths added objects like appregiators, instruments, transformers and etc it is your choice but the midi options are great.

Thanks for your advice and help blue Haze, but sadly, i still can't get my head around what is going on.

I will do my drum programming in my mpc, that's for sure, and like you said, do my bass, keys, etc in logic. And when i want to bring them together i will export the drum tracks as audio from my mpc into logic, and then sequence my track there.

Does that sound like a productive workflow to you?

I would export the drum tracks from the mpc to midi into logic, but i don't understand how that would work.

I'm still having the 'no count-in' problem and the 2 metronomes out of sync problem.

Anyone any ideas?