New to the MPC production world? Got a music production question that's not really specific to any particular MPC? Try your luck here and get help from our experienced members.
By jacqueslacouth Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:06 am
Hi All,

Trying to get my MPC5000 integrated into my midi setup. I have a MOTU microlite midi interface running into a MBP using Logic and Ableton Live with many software drum machines (iDrum, Battery, RMV, Microtonic). The Question is, can I use the pads as controllers for the sounds in the software machines or any of my other keyboards/hardware synths (Alesis Micron, Novation Nova, Yamaha MO6, Korg EM1X).

I don't seem to have any problems getting Keyboards to control the MPC sounds, but I just can't get any action from the MPC in controlling the other gear. I see no MIDI activity on the Microlite when I hit the pads and nothing registers with either the external hardware or the DAW software. Am I missing some vital settings or is my MPC MIDI out not working. I have followed everything in the manual so far regarding this but nothing coming out the MPC in MIDI data. Does it send note on/off data from the pads or am I totally missing the point here.

Cheers

Jock (In Australia that is an accepted name for Scots folk, I'm not some pretentious sports wally) :D
User avatar
By dabmeister Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:13 pm
Sure you can use the pads from your 5k to control VSTi's. I do it occasionally myself. You'll have to go into the midi settings on the 5k then route the pads to the appropriate midi out (my selections are "SEQUENCER, SAMPLER A and MIDI OUT-A").

I'm not sure how you'd actually go about it on the 5k, but it's there somewhere.

Just remember to route the pads back to the seq option or you'll be scratching your head as to why sh!t at working.
By Sovereign Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:36 pm
dabmeister wrote:Sure you can use the pads from your 5k to control VSTi's. I do it occasionally myself. You'll have to go into the midi settings on the 5k then route the pads to the appropriate midi out (my selections are "SEQUENCER, SAMPLER A and MIDI OUT-A").

I'm not sure how you'd actually go about it on the 5k, but it's there somewhere.

Just remember to route the pads back to the seq option or you'll be scratching your head as to why sh!t at working.


5k doesn't work that way, the 4k is the only MPC that separates the sequencer and the controller or allows you to control mulktiple MIDI channels from a single track. :(

With the 5k you just have to assign a MIDI output to the track and turn program to OFF.
The MIDI channel determines what will be controlled and the OFF setting for program makes it not play internal sounds.
Also if you really want to use it for just control you can turn the pad to internal sounds setting to off, which will make it not trigger internal sounds.
User avatar
By dabmeister Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:11 pm
Sovereign wrote:
dabmeister wrote:Sure you can use the pads from your 5k to control VSTi's. I do it occasionally myself. You'll have to go into the midi settings on the 5k then route the pads to the appropriate midi out (my selections are "SEQUENCER, SAMPLER A and MIDI OUT-A").

I'm not sure how you'd actually go about it on the 5k, but it's there somewhere.

Just remember to route the pads back to the seq option or you'll be scratching your head as to why sh!t at working.


5k doesn't work that way, the 4k is the only MPC that separates the sequencer and the controller or allows you to control mulktiple MIDI channels from a single track. :(

With the 5k you just have to assign a MIDI output to the track and turn program to OFF.
The MIDI channel determines what will be controlled and the OFF setting for program makes it not play internal sounds.
Also if you really want to use it for just control you can turn the pad to internal sounds setting to off, which will make it not trigger internal sounds.


:shock: What? It's not as simple as just routing the pads? That makes me appreciate the 4k that much more. I'm not knocking the 5k but I noticed a lot of the go to features are really tasked oriented so to speak. I just started working with a friend of mine who recently purchased a 5k, but he's just as green as the spring grass that hasn't come up yet on it and the few times I've worked with it, I wasn't all that impressed.

But none the less, it's still a decent all in one device. And I'm sure that as time goes on, it'll hopefully gain a reputable standing as a pretty good Music Production Center.