Was hoping I could possibly get some help

For the past few years I've just been making beats on a MPC 2000XL. When I say making beats, I mean all I've been doing was putting together a beat on there and simply just shutting it off after. Now im to the point where I want to actually save my work and get a little more serious. Last night I purchased a M Audio Fast Track Pro, Pro Tools M Powered 8, all the proper cables and A Rode mic. Since Ive never really saved my work, let alone worked outside of my MPC, I kind of desperately need some help. I tried using the search box plenty of times but I guess my phone isnt really compadible with it. Hope I can get some help. Here are my following questions:

1. Is there a way I can set up my MPC to my PRO TOOLS using my FAST TRACK PRO to where I can just directly record what Im doing in/on the MPC to the PRO TOOLS? If so can someone help me with the easiest steps to do so?

2. I tried hooking up my microphone threw the FAST TRACK PRO onto the PRO TOOLS but I keep hearing feedback. Like, it records me but you can barely hear the vocals unless you turn it all the way up. My mic/software is brand new, so maybe I have the connection wrong? Does my mac book itself need to read the FAST TRACK PRO?

3. If for some reason I cant get my MPC into my PRO TOOLS, can garage band recognize the MPC? If so, can someone give me a step by step to get it to? Ive been trying this for the past weeks but cant seem to get any good outcome.

Future thanks to anyone who helps. I work full time and take care of my mom so its stressfull not being able to get these connections to work.

For simplicity, I'm going to assume you are using the latest version of ProTools ("PT") that allows you to use any sound card/interface.

1. Is there a way I can set up my MPC to my PRO TOOLS using my FAST TRACK PRO to where I can just directly record what Im doing in/on the MPC to the PRO TOOLS? If so can someone help me with the easiest steps to do so?

Yes. Set up PT to use your fast track ("the interface"). Set up channels 1 and 2 in PT as audio tracks to record from channels 1 and 2 of the interface. Plug the MPC main outs into the interface channels 1 and 2. Record-enable the tracks in PT (usually a little red "r" button), hit record in PT, and hit Play on MPC.
EDIT: For simplicity you could try this with just 1 channel of each, the MPC left out into the interface channel 1.

2. I tried hooking up my microphone threw the FAST TRACK PRO onto the PRO TOOLS but I keep hearing feedback. Like, it records me but you can barely hear the vocals unless you turn it all the way up. My mic/software is brand new, so maybe I have the connection wrong? Does my mac book itself need to read the FAST TRACK PRO?

If you're mic is recording into protools, and protools is also playing back what it is recording, then that sound is coming out of the speakers and 'feeding back' into the mic. There might be an option to turn off 'software monitoring' which would prevent this. Take note, this is completely unrelated to the MPC. Also, I'm confused by what you mean with "Does my mac book itself need to read the FAST TRACK PRO?"

3. If for some reason I cant get my MPC into my PRO TOOLS, can garage band recognize the MPC? If so, can someone give me a step by step to get it to? Ive been trying this for the past weeks but cant seem to get any good outcome.

Yes, but if you can get your MPC into Garage Band, you can also get your MPC into PT...and vice versa. I think though it might be a bit simpler to start slow...get your MPC into garage band. Once you get that, get your MPC into PT. Once you got that, try to add the mic.

Pushing16PAds wrote:Last night I purchased a M Audio Fast Track Pro, Pro Tools M Powered 8, all the proper cables and A Rode mic...I kind of desperately need some help... I tried using the search box plenty of times

Congratulations on your purchases.

What you need to do now is spend some time getting to know your new setup.

Pro Tools M-Powered huh? A common choice, well supported.

Discover stuff for yourself with the help of the manual, youtube, the avid forum.

For a newbie, it'll take weeks if not months to fully understand the workings of a new DAW/ interface combo.

This place is really focused on MPC related talk, hence the name.

There are plenty of useful Pro Tools related threads for beginners and pro's in the 'Production Skills' section.

Pushing16PAds wrote: take care of my mom .

ok.

beatsthattoot wrote:

Pushing16PAds wrote: take care of my mom .

ok.

Yeah. You want a kick in your little peanut balls for that. Cun+

probably worth having a look on you tube - as its possible that someone has a similar setup. There are quite a few pro tools videos up on there.

good luck.

Z