Post your views and questions about the Akai MPC2500
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By emceewhiterabbit Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:01 pm
This question has no doubt been asked before, so please have patience.

i want to record my synthesiser directly into the sequence while the beat is playing. can this be done?

the synth also works as a midi controller but using it this way seems to only trigger sounds that are in the MPC and not externally programmed into the synth (it's a microKORG XL btw).

it seems like a strenuous task of sampling the synth and adding samples into the sequence like any other sample. it is hard to compose like this and would probably require a metronome and many hours of my life.

any help would be GREATLY appreciated, as i have just been offered the chance to do the soundtrack for a bodybuilding DVD and would very much like to!!

(for anyone that is interested it's called Monster Vs 3 ;))

thanks

-RaBBiT-
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By nod records Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:04 am
you can use the direct record feat on the 2500 if you've got the Akai OS. here's a video of a dude explaining it. it will get you going, you just gotta experiment with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2O-ExYzH4

i use it a lot. it's a dope feat. you can record live into the 2500. it will quantize what you play in to whatever quantize setting you have picked on your 2500 or you can turn quantize off. after you record it, you can also assign it to a pad and it shows up in your trim screen, so if you want to edit, chop it up, etc... you can.

great feature!
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By emceewhiterabbit Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:52 am
nod records wrote:you can use the direct record feat on the 2500 if you've got the Akai OS. here's a video of a dude explaining it. it will get you going, you just gotta experiment with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2O-ExYzH4

i use it a lot. it's a dope feat. you can record live into the 2500. it will quantize what you play in to whatever quantize setting you have picked on your 2500 or you can turn quantize off. after you record it, you can also assign it to a pad and it shows up in your trim screen, so if you want to edit, chop it up, etc... you can.

great feature!


i really appreciate your help, but i just can't believe this feature has been done away with in JJOS!! what the hell is he thinking?

i really don't want to switch back to akai os, are there any alternatives?
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By emceewhiterabbit Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:15 pm
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... 8&start=15

found this after a google search, gonna have to try this out (even though it baffles me as to why this feature was taken out in the first place).

some more info here (might not be applicable to mpc2500 though :():

http://www.cratekings.com/forum/product ... eeded.html

http://www.futureproducers.com/forums/s ... p?t=207154
By jimmie Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:25 am
emceewhiterabbit wrote:the synth also works as a midi controller but using it this way seems to only trigger sounds that are in the MPC and not externally programmed into the synth (it's a microKORG XL btw).


In JJOS:

microKORG MIDI OUT ---> MPC MIDI IN 1
MPC MIDI OUT A ---> microKORG MIDI IN
Microkorg L/R Audio out ---> MPC L/R audio IN

Hit MODE+PAD9
In MIDI tab, set Soft thru:OFF
Go back to the MAIN screen
Set Track 1 to a MIDI track.
Make sure Pgm:OFF.
At bottom-right set MIDI:A1 (This will send midi data to your Microkorg on MIDI channel 1. Set appropriately according to the midi channel which you have set your Microkorg to receive on).

Go to Track 1.
Hit REC+PLAY and record some notes into the mpc with your keyboard.
Press STOP.
Go to track 2.
Set it to an AUDIO track.
Press WINDOW over where it says AUDIO.
Make sure Input:ANALOG
Go back to MAIN page.
On track 2 hit REC+PLAY.
Your Microkorg will be sequenced/played by Track 1 and be recorded into Track 2 as an audio track which will play back exactly as sequenced.
Now mute Track 1.

Simple.


The only beef I had about direct record not being in JJOS was that you can overdub record audio. In JJOS you can still record your audio stuff easily into a track but you have to do it from the mpc being in a stopped state.

I record my synths, drum machines, etc into my mpc (with JJOSXL) like this every day.

If you want to split stuff up easily you can can use CHOP, SLICE, because your audio track will be exactly the length of bars you have, so splitting it into 16ths (or whatever divisions) may make sense.

I always end up assigning the audio track take to a pad in a program afterwards and then hit it to start at the beginning of the track. This means you can filter it and such. Also, AUDIO TRACKS always take up polyphony, even when muted.
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By emceewhiterabbit Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:12 pm
:shock:

pro! thank you so very much, if i encounter any other problems with this i'll let you know.
By jimmie Thu Feb 10, 2011 2:32 pm
emceewhiterabbit wrote::shock:

pro! thank you so very much, if i encounter any other problems with this i'll let you know.


Cool beans. Fire away whenever. :)
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By emceewhiterabbit Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:21 pm
wellllll.... tried and tested now. midi data gets recorded straight into tracks, but track 2 cannot change to AUDIO track, have to go to track 60-64 to make an audio take. while recording audio takes (as you know) all other tracks do not play and timing correction does not work, both of which i desperately need.

so it seems that i couldn't follow your instructions, perhaps only on XL can you change tracks to audio at will? is there a way that my midi data (that plays what i want, how i want it) can save so that once my keyboard is disconnected it will still be present? if not, do i even need midi cables, as i can record onto audio tracks with just stereo jacks?

you've been a great help Jimmie but there's just a short step untill i can be set free...
By jimmie Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:58 pm
Maybe this thread should be moved to the JJOS section.

emceewhiterabbit wrote:wellllll.... tried and tested now. midi data gets recorded straight into tracks, but track 2 cannot change to AUDIO track, have to go to track 60-64 to make an audio take.


That means you're using JJOS Free version?

emceewhiterabbit wrote:while recording audio takes (as you know) all other tracks do not play and timing correction does not work, both of which i desperately need.


This I did not know. I've never known it because I've never used JJOS free version. I just installed the free version and it does seem that you cannot play all your other tracks whilst recording an audio track! oO lol wut? Can anyone else that uses JJOS free version confirm this? Am I missing something? Is this a bug? Maybe this is a purposely built in limitation of the free version?
It works as I described on all other JJOS versions (JJOS1, JJOS2, JJOSXL). It just seems to be a limitation of the free version.

Install JJOS1 and follow my instructions again. Without buying JJOS1 you just cannot save, but you can install and follow my instructions so you can see and hear how easy it is to do what you want.
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By emceewhiterabbit Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:40 pm
from what i can see (on jjos website) i am not able to purchase jjos1 but i have to buy jjosxl. i have no problem buying XL, i should have purchased it a long time ago tbh.

i thought it was a bit weird that i couldn't hear the audio when recording an audio take. thanks for installing the free version just to help out a humble n00b like me :P

EDIT: just bought the XL. looks alien; taking me out of my comfort zone.... should produce some good results!! i'll wait till i get my password then have a play around, i'll come back and let you know the results.
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By emceewhiterabbit Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:54 am
jjjiimmiiieeee...


thank you so much for your help, all is good (loving XL, wish i had bought it ages ago)

just one thing though...

the midi portion of your equation; i.e. record a midi track. is the purpose of this to keep timing correct in check? i ask this because recording audio tracks is fine without the use of midi cables, and recording on a midi track persuades the outcome of the audio track.

i've checked the online manual for jjosxl and it's not very helpful in this department unfortunately.
By jimmie Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:25 pm
emceewhiterabbit wrote:jjjiimmiiieeee...
thank you so much for your help, all is good (loving XL, wish i had bought it ages ago)

Ur welcome.

emceewhiterabbit wrote:just one thing though...

the midi portion of your equation; i.e. record a midi track. is the purpose of this to keep timing correct in check? i ask this because recording audio tracks is fine without the use of midi cables, and recording on a midi track persuades the outcome of the audio track.

i've checked the online manual for jjosxl and it's not very helpful in this department unfortunately.


Ya. I only suggested recording your live playing into a midi track first so the notes are quantized and you can place the notes perfect before you record it as an audio track.

Well, gratz on a fine, fine purchase :D JJOSXL is the dogs knackers.
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By emceewhiterabbit Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:30 pm
jimmie, your a superstar! when i'm rich and famous you can have my groupies, kewl?

ps. once monster vs. 3 is complete i'll post up a link, with special thanks to Jimmie in the credits :D

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