Help request with studio setup (new interface)

This is the setup I'm using:

MPC 500
Laptop (with garageband/logic)
M-Audio 49 Keyboard
Rokit 5 in studio monitors x2
M-Audio MobilePre USB Interface

Im trying to streamline the keyboard and mpc so i can record both as tracks in garage band.
So far I seem to be able to get one or the other (keyboard or mpc)

Ive tried connecting the following together:
MPC - Interface
Laptop - Interface
Keyboard - Laptop (via usb)
Interface - Speakers

Ive also tried this with putting the mpc output into the input slot on my laptop with no success.

If anyone has a link to a turtorial on setting up something similar to what im trying to do, that would be greatly appreciated. Or if you know how to make this would, that would be freaking awesome, technical difficulties are giving me lots of frustration! Thanks!

-Dod

dude you should have bought a mixer/interface with MULTIPLE outs so you could hook both your keyboard AND mpc up at once.

With your mixer, your only option is to constantly unhook the audio cable from your keyboard and hook up to your mpc, then vice versa when you want to record your keyboard again.

Check the mackie u 420. It has multiple outs, currently i have my speakers, microkorg, and mpc 500 hooked up all at once. Im also able to play all these machines at once and record one while the other is still playing, but its firewire. so if you dont have fw, look into a USB with multiple outs.

i think he has just the m-audio keyboard... so that is USB... no need for mixer inputs there. Unless I am wrong and m-audio makes non-midi/usb controllers.. or he has an additional keyboard not listed.

do you have your interface configured properly?

Mr_debauch, yeah i have the m-audio49 keyboard (which is a midi controller for use with software via USB)

I have tried various configurations for the interface, but I will give it another go.

Thanks for the quick replies, wanna get this setup so i can finally start doing some serious recording!

-Dod

Hey I'm back, sorry it's been so long (school shit and whatnot). I did some more messing around with my setup, and I did manage to get everything streamlined, which is **** amazing.

I got the m-audio 49 key connected (via USB) and the mobilePRE usb (usb) to the keyboard, and I have the outputs from my mpc goin to the input 1/2 on the mobilePRE interface. I can now add tracks using the keyboard and a second later add another track from the mpc without having to move cables. YES!!!

However, now I have a new problem.

I'm picking up a radio station, and I'm sure it's being picked up through the interface. (by taking the mpc and the keyboard out of the equation and it still persists) I'm wondering if anyone has an idea how to remedy this or if there are sound adapters/noise reduction jacks I can just pick up.

Just wanna say thanks for the support cause I'm sure you guys are aware of how frustrating technical issues are.

-Dod

I am not entirely sure what component is acting like a radio antena... but get yourself a furman power conditioner. They are like 80-120 bucks depending on how fancy you want to go... but they help cut out that radio signal and RF also. The most important reason to get one though is to protect your gear from power surges and things like that. When it comes to thousands of dollars worth of gear you shouldn't cheap out on something like that.

mr_debauch wrote:I am not entirely sure what component is acting like a radio antena... but get yourself a furman power conditioner. They are like 80-120 bucks depending on how fancy you want to go... but they help cut out that radio signal and RF also. The most important reason to get one though is to protect your gear from power surges and things like that. When it comes to thousands of dollars worth of gear you shouldn't cheap out on something like that.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Nady-PCL-80 ... 1324583.gc
if on a budget

Thanks, Ill look into that piece of equipment, Im kinda tight on budget as of now though :/

Still looking to resolve this problem and get down to some serious recording.

Edit: Theres a radio station fairly close by (few minutes drive) thats probably the source of the signal, but I cant find out how to cut it out.

Dodobrains wrote:Thanks, Ill look into that piece of equipment, Im kinda tight on budget as of now though :/

Still looking to resolve this problem and get down to some serious recording.

Edit: Theres a radio station fairly close by (few minutes drive) thats probably the source of the signal, but I cant find out how to cut it out.

the radio station might be the source if the antena is on the roof of the place...

either way, a power conditioner is a good move. Furman conditioners start at like 50 bucks or something.. they aren't that expensive. Just look at the features it has and do some research.