Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By NinjaBlack Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:54 am
Before I bought my MPC 500, I either quantized my drum tracks in sonars Step Sequencer or just used a drum loop and fit my tempo. Once I got my tempo I would again use the step sequencer to create varius riffs by sending the Step Sequencer's MIDI data to an audio track containing one of a few VST instruments I compose my lead sounds with.

Now what I want is to be able to take my MPC500 sequence and play it back as a drumloop/sample, then be able to load it into my DAW (Sonar 8) for my lead synths/vocals/mastering...

The problem is when I RECORD with the MAIN setting on, although I'm able to record my sequence and save it as a good old DAW friendly WAV file, it isn't that perfect cut and dry loop I made on my MPC but has whatever amount of empty space until I actually hit the DO IT button to stop the recording.

Thusly if I load this slipshop wav file into the DAW I have to cut it myself. Not that I suck at cutting, but whatever I get won't be the same exact timing/ending as my MPC loop.

SO
Does this mean I have to make all my riffs in SONAR then import them into the MPC and trigger them as samples? I guess that could work but I won't be able to get the same results as I would if they were in still in the DAW with the VST that I could alter as I go along...

Is there some way to turn the recording off automaticly when the played sequence or song ends so I can get an exact WAV sample?

Is there some MIDI cable trickery where I can just connect that cord to the 500's OUT ports and into my computers USB port (I have no MIDI IN on my desktop)? Will it load into my DAW with correct timing etc? Is there some timelock or something I would have to do?

I know this is a strange question, but I'd like to know if I can stick to my current workflow or as close as possible to it.
I feel philosphically that if we change our workflow we change the type of music we're most likley going to create.
I actually like the sound I was getting before I got my MPC, but I'd like to use the machine to get more alive sounding drums/samples than sequenced VST nonsense. But for overal song creation I'm trying to stay in SONAR

Is what I want impossible? Is that more practical with the NI Maschine? I hope not, I hate those bastards.
By NinjaBlack Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:20 am
I'll even quote the actual question portion of my post

Now what I want is to be able to take my MPC500 sequence and play it back as a drumloop/sample, then be able to load it into my DAW (Sonar for my lead synths/vocals/mastering...

The problem is when I RECORD with the MAIN setting on, although I'm able to record my sequence and save it as a good old DAW friendly WAV file, it isn't that perfect cut and dry loop I made on my MPC but has whatever amount of empty space until I actually hit the DO IT button to stop the recording.

Thusly if I load this slipshop wav file into the DAW I have to cut it myself. Not that I suck at cutting, but whatever I get won't be the same exact timing/ending as my MPC loop.

SO
Does this mean I have to make all my riffs in SONAR then import them into the MPC and trigger them as samples? I guess that could work but I won't be able to get the same results as I would if they were in still in the DAW with the VST that I could alter as I go along...

Is there some way to turn the recording off automaticly when the played sequence or song ends so I can get an exact WAV sample?

Is there some MIDI cable trickery where I can just connect that cord to the 500's OUT ports and into my computers USB port (I have no MIDI IN on my desktop)? Will it load into my DAW with correct timing etc? Is there some timelock or something I would have to do?
By NinjaBlack Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:01 am
That well thought out sarcasm really hurts right there.

I realize it's a quasi-vague noob question, but...well I happen to be new to hardware in my workstation. Sorry I guess?

I'm just trying to find the best way to get my sequences into my DAW as loops I can more readily use. I thought maybe on the MPC 500 page someone may have a similar workflow and could point me in the right direction besides the manual I already read. Maybe I'm wrong?
By NinjaBlack Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:37 am
The user manual only mentions the USB connection and the MIDI out. If I get an MIDI to USB cable will how would I implement that in a daw to try and turn sequences into WAV loops? If I slave Sonar to the MPC am I only going to get the MIDI note input without the sample sounds?
By NinjaBlack Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:56 am
I'm not sure if I broke board manners by asking a question or if you, "Cosmic Pimp" are just a well used ****. But judging that you are an "expert" here on the board I assume it's both. Maybe one day you can suck enough cosmic dick one day to have your beat turned down by Wocka Flocka, but until then I guess it's up to you hold down the internet forum and siphon some shred of self esteem by totally owning people with jokes about shinobi and zelda. Whatever keeps your mother thinking you have a future I suppose. You really are the man, no, you are the pimp from **** outer space.

MPC Forums gets a pretty **** up rep. But I'd like to doubt everyone here is as noose-worthy as you. Does anyone have a word of advice on the most precise way to turn Sequences/Songs into a WAV loop? Or some alternate method that yields same/similar results?