Need info on how to set up MPC

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and a total noob in beatmaking... I worked on some software to make beats... just for fun and now I want to make something that sounds more "pro"... So I need hardware.

I want to make beats, essentially from samples taken from old vinyls or loops from internet... I think I'm going to buy an MPC 1000 because I like retro stuff But I need some info.

So for the moment, I have an audiophile set up (Two Cabasse Monitors, a turntable Marantz TT42 and a Pioneer Amp)
I have a Macbook Pro which I would like use to work my samples (just cut off) and drop them on MPC.

My idea is to buy some pro Studio Monitors (Is RKR a good choice ?) but I just don't know how to connect the MPC to them. Do I need a mixer, or some external audio interface ? For the moment I just want the MPC but maybe in the future I will connect a MicroKorg XL.

Do I need something special between Studio Monitors and my MPC ?


Thanks for your help... I tried to be precise as possible because I'm French...

the mpc 1000 is not retro.

the turntable is coo for now just to start off with. u def wanna get a better turntable in the future

never heard of the monitors. not sure if there really "monitors".

RKR? u mean KRK?

I cant really tell u what u should do. u need to do a lil more homework and figure out what all works for you. the mpc 1000 is a good choice, but if your using a computer now y do u want a mpc?

Well, yes I was talking about KRK, these ones http://www.krksys.com/product_r6.php

Because hardware offers more flexibility and I need to feel what I do. I want to act with my prod... Not stay behind the screen. Yup, it was fun to build some instrumentals on logic and else but now, I need some better control. That's my choice.

My only question is : Can I hook up the MPC directly to the KRK R6 ? Or do I need a mixer between them ? I mean, for the moment, I just want to work on simple loops. Not make huge things but in the future, if I want to add a keyboard for example, I think I need a mixer to hook up all the stuff right ?

anyway, thanks for your reply

Mixer no. Audio interface and powered monitors yes. Pre amped turntables yes.
Mpc 1000 or 500 . Sounds like your a Daw guy that wants to make drum paterns and finish in the daw. So 500 will be fine.1000 better 2500xl best. I say interface so you can trigger the sounds in the daw. Powered monitors is the key word. Use balanced xlr cables.

Thanks !

This is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Yeah I want to have the possibility to finish in the daw.

MPC1000
Powered monitors (Alesis, Mackie, or KRK, maybe better dunno)

and audio interface... well there is so many models :d

Is the http://www.alesis.com/io2express a good choice ?

thanks again, very helpful advices

you don't need an audio interface. you can use usb or the digital in/outs on your mac and mpc to get your beats into your DAW.

beach_break wrote:you don't need an audio interface. you can use usb or the digital in/outs on your mac and mpc to get your beats into your DAW.

Your are right. He dont need an interface if he ONLY wants to use a half arse set up. Audio jacks from a computer to monitors??? So now he has to unhook and rehook cables just to listen to the mpc. And im still trying to figure out what computer can do this CORRECTLY.

There is a right and wrong way to do even the wrong thing. Some odd ball dongle to the monitors is the wrong way to do the wrong thing.

Map the signal flow.
Mpc out = midi/ audio jacks/usb/rca in
Computer outs = usb
Computer in=usb
Monitor outs =none
Monitor in = trs/xlr

Now how to network the devices together with a master output(control room) volume.
These are the options without mentioning a control surface.

Rack mounted firewire with multi midi in/out firewire 800 in/out. Usb 2.0 audio out jacks
Line/mic in/out studio grade headphones(monitors) out jack with indipendent volume control speaker(monitor) volume control

Stand alone audio interface with usb 2.0. Midi in/out line/mic in/out headphone jack with indipendent volume control, master monitor volume control, phantom mic power.

Rack is the best most expensieve option. Faster more accurite and flexable as far as in/outs and number of devices connected. Needs a mount tho. Best for volume industry / radio standards when mixing creating.

Stand alone good with a great stand alone interface . Limited device connections , cost effective and non external gear/ desk dependent not loud enough to get -4 db radio standards on a finial mix to loud on these and you Think its clipping when its just all the device can handle as fas as headroom goes.

Here is the map

Mpc-- usb to computer , audio L/R to line/mic in on rack/sandalone. Rca in from turntable. Midi in/out to rack/standalone
Computer-- audio via usb to rack/standalone. Mpc usb in. Usb/ firewire in from rack/interface
Turntables(pre-amped) -- rca in on mpc.
Rack/standalone -- midi in/out from mpc. Usb/ firewire to computer. Audio in from usb/ firewire on computer . Audio in from audio out on mpc. Audio out to monotors and headphones.

There you go. A flexable real world set up that allows growth. He can trigger sounds in the daw, track in to the daw and setup a balanced volume between the devices without trying to hit a moving target. With one volume control.

When i test a -12 db signal in logic the hit that same signal wav on a pad in the mpc. Its -12 as well. The control room volume is also the same. I know what im mixing and creating as im doing it. No guess work. Good luck. One..

ghosty wrote:

beach_break wrote:you don't need an audio interface. you can use usb or the digital in/outs on your mac and mpc to get your beats into your DAW.

Your are right. He dont need an interface if he ONLY wants to use a half arse set up. Audio jacks from a computer to monitors??? So now he has to unhook and rehook cables just to listen to the mpc. And im still trying to figure out what computer can do this CORRECTLY.

ok, so you don't understand how digital i/o works.

beach_break wrote:

ghosty wrote:

beach_break wrote:you don't need an audio interface. you can use usb or the digital in/outs on your mac and mpc to get your beats into your DAW.

Your are right. He dont need an interface if he ONLY wants to use a half arse set up. Audio jacks from a computer to monitors??? So now he has to unhook and rehook cables just to listen to the mpc. And im still trying to figure out what computer can do this CORRECTLY.

ok, so you don't understand how digital i/o works.

I just explained to him how to go about a setup. My experience is not the question in this topic. If you have an helpful reply and a little explanition to help get your point accross please tell him. My advice is the best option period.

ghosty wrote: I just explained to him how to go about a setup. My experience is not the question in this topic. If you have an helpful reply and a little explanition to help get your point accross please tell him. My advice is the best option period.

+1 get an audio interface you NEED one.

there are some cheap ones too, you dont need to spend a fortune.

**** making a sequence into an audio file then usb'ing it and draging the file to a DAW and not being able to utilize your monitors from your computer speakers because you dont have an audio interface.

Thanks everybody. Especially Ghosty

Do you recommend an audio interface ? I don't know what to get :s I have less than 200$ to spend on it.

thanks again

Kami75 wrote:Thanks everybody. Especially Ghosty

Do you recommend an audio interface ? I don't know what to get :s I have less than 200$ to spend on it.

thanks again

your $200 will probably only buy a cheap two channel audio interface. it won't give you anymore connectivity than the set up described below. plus, it will give you inferior sound - your signal will go through at least two more sets of analogue/digital digital/analogue convertors.

here's how you can set things up without an audio interface.
plug your monitors into the outs on the mpc. run the digital ins/outs on the mpc into the audio/toslink input/output on your mac for recording into a DAW and for sampling from plug ins etc on your computer to your mpc.

plug your turntables into the record ins. if in the future you buy any external gear other than your turntables, you can use a patchbay or mixer to avoid having to plug/unplug any gear.

if you do want to buy an audio interface, save up some more, and buy one that either has lots of connectivity and/or something with quality preamps.

http://mobile.musiciansfriend.com/product/Focusrite-Saffire-Pro-24?sku=523333

$240.00 and it has firewire ports. Gutair center will sell it for 10% cheaper than any add if you bring the add or show them the price at the store. They have a compiter there for it. Just ask for the gc price match or beat deal.

The focusrite site link the the device
http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_24