Newbie question: Mpc x Mackie 1202 VLZ, amongst other things

I'm new to the forums, I've actually been looking around. But I'm not too sure if what I'm trying to do is even feasible.

So, I own an MPC 1000, I usually sample from my computer, an ipod, sometimes use my friends technics, etc. I just ordered myself a Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro, I'm a baller on a budget. I also own a casio keyboard, I mess around with and an amplifier and speakers.

So my question is, Is it wise/a good idea/ or possible.. I would like to hook up, amongst other things, my keyboard, computer, some turntables and maybe a microphone to the mixer, and make them all go into the MPC's Record In, to sample these things and mess around with the equalizer to switch the sounds up. (I also have an miniKorg that I plan on using, but that runs through the MIDI, and I bet thats a whole different ballpark,)
And would it THEN be possible to still have all these things sounding through the speakers, not just the MPC.

Thank you, don't tease me too much.
(And was it even a good idea I got a mixer,[if i might get ProTools], what EXACTLY do I need the Mixer for )

does your mixer have a manuel?

yea.. It has a diagram in there with a Drum Machine too, but simply shows it like any other guitar or keyboard being input.

Page 8 of the manual, entitled 'more hookup diagrams' shows you how to connect a sampler. it doesn't get much simpler.

mate, lift your game.

Never mind the haters, but do check the manual. The setup is there, but let me explain.

That mixer is perfect for what you are trying to do, though, good choice. I personally use that same mixer (1st gen) and an MPC2KXL w/ 8 outs in exactly the setup you are mentioning.

The key here is the 'Alt 3-4' or 'Mute Bus'...do yourself a favor and DO read the manual about how the mute bus works, it's very clever and really the only thing that allows this to happen.

Here's how it works:
Set up all your instruments normally, on the input channels (not the tape in or aux). For instance, plug a guitar into one input, a keyboard into another, ipod into another, and your sampler into however many you want.
At this point, I would test everything to make sure all devices are making sound on their own.

Now, the magic step is to get to the back of the mixer, and find the 'Alt 3-4' output. Connect this to your MPC record in.

The way this works, you can now hit the 'mute' button to send ANY channel to the MPC sampler. This has the double benefit of being able to send any arbitrary mix of instruments into the MPC, and also this mutes that channel on the main output, so you only hear it once...from the MPC record in, instead of twice...from the MPC record in and the channel itself.

You should have all you need now to set this up, and do read that manual a bit to understand what the mute bus Alt 3-4 is exactly. It really is one of the most useful features of that already excellent mixer.

Thanks a lot man.. I ended up figuring it out, especially with your help.
So it was definitely the right choice choosing to get this mixer, you think?

can't go wrong with mackie mixer, bro...

crossings wrote:can't go wrong with mackie mixer, bro...

+1