MPX2000XL - sampling while triggering modules via the pads/

First of all I'd say hi for all the forum heads! I've been checking on the forum once a while for some years now and I found answers for mostly all my questions whenever I came here.. I'm not a first time poster, but I didn't ask any MPC-related questions before... anyways I checked out loads of the topics, but I couldn't find any in which my problem would have been mentioned.

So here's the deal what im into now:

I've just got myself an MPC2000XLMCD, and this is the first time I've ever touched one. I've been an ASQ-10 user for years, but I never actually decided to get one real deal (I mean an MPC model) until now... I traded it for a KORG synth.

Even though I used the ASQ for years which gave me some experience with MPC-style sequencing, i am totally new to the sampling engine and all that stuff. For sampling I used an ASR-X to this day.

There are two things I couldn't achieve yet: I could not set up the 2000XL to sample the analog inputs while I was triggering an external module via MIDI from the pads, or from the MIDI keyboard which is connected to one of the MPC's MIDI INs.

The other thing which I failed to do was to sample a sequence that was played by the MPC. Every time I'm trying to sample (by pushing SHIFT + no.4 (sampling)) and after setting the threshold etc. I'm pushing RECORD, then I'm pushing the PLAY button, and the MPC suddenly switches back to strictly playing the MIDI sequence. I tried to set a different setting to the INPUT source in the SAMPLING window but it only lets me use ANALOG. I read somewhere some guy mentioned that there was an option to set a different source for sampling INPUT (im thinking maybe it's own output could be routed back digitally?).. but it could be a different model they were talking about.


I know it's some really basic stuff, but I couldn't find anything related to this problem in the PDF version of the manual. On the ASR'X it can easily be done internally.

If there were any topics related to this problem, then pardon my clumsyness.

THanks in advance. KOWAS

what you'd like to do cannot be done with that model MPC.

Thanks for the fast response Em.p.cee.j! That was something I was afraid of. This way I still have to incorporate my old gear both for triggering my modules and for sampling phrases which were actually done with the MPC. That's a bit sad because I was looking for a real fast no-brainer solution to handle my old drum racks, some synth modules and my sampling needs as well..

This feature seemed so basic for me after using the ASR-X that I didn't even bother finding out if it existed in the model I bought yesterday.

I could work around this by incorporating the ASQ-10 again. On the other hand, this would mean that any of the modules I want to trigger for sampling purposes must be driven via MIDI by another sequencer or at least a midi keyboard or drumpad. Maybe a MIDI signal merger would be a solution so that way I could trigger the modules from the MPC for sequencing and directly from another MIDI keyboard to let them play while the MP's in SAMPLING mode. But this is quite complicated.. I was hoping that the 2000XL would solve these kinds of problems.

Did any of you guys work around the 'triggering while sampling' problem? Cos I can live without being able to sample my own sequences into phrases directly back to the MP, but a simple triggering feature would be so handy.

Sorry, when the MPC is in sampling mode, that's all it can do. You cannot trigger anything anything while sampling.

Ask yourself, do you really need to do what you are describing?

Why would you have the mpc play a sequence, then record it into the same mpc, only to have that same mpc play the same sequence again, only this time, using up lots of memory, and not easy to edit? In other words, you start out as midi date flowing between modules, then you are trying to convert that into audio data that cannot be manipulated in the same way.

Can't you just live with the midi sequences? Or are you trying to sample your gear so you don't need to have it hooked up all the time? If you are dealing with lots of loops, you will probably start to dislike the 32mb memory maximum. Older mpcs are more suited for drum machines than for loop-players.

Still, consider that what you are trying to do is, in my opinion, a lot of extra work for something that in the end is a lot less flexible and more 'expensive' to maintain (meaning you now have to deal with loading the loops into ram).

If all you want to do is trigger and sample individual notes, simply plug your midi controller directly into the sound module and don't worry about passing the midi through the mpc.

Hi there Nogginj,

You're somewhat right about sampling phrases back into the MPC. However, I got used to this method with my older gear, and on the other hand, I find sampling phrases useful mainly for the achieveing a desired way how I want my stuff to sound by appying effects for specific goals. In lots of cases I prefer using specific effect presets or previously saved settings for different parts of my music.

After using the mentioned preset, I like to just have it back in audio and leave it like that. This lets me use a different preset for the same or another sound or sequence of sounds. In most cases I run out of effect processors, and I prefer to give layers of effect madness to my samples .. Other times I like to chop up my own sequenced stuff, just like it was sampled from somewhere else. It can sound mad at times when it is done that way, giving the phrase some roughness and character. I'm a house head, and I love using short loops.

So in short terms I just want to save up my effects for different uses.. and not just to build up a chain that remains constant.
Anyways, thanks for answering... I'm just gonna set up the ASRX again for phrase recording and detailed resampling, and I'll get a MIDI splitter and some merger units to work around the triggering problem.

that is a great way to work, but as you've noticed, it's not really what the mpc is best at.

However, I wouldn't give up, because if you can tweak your loops just right, the mpc WILL be very good at handling it.

You just need to find a way to overcome this hurdle: the mpc cannot sample while playing back triggers/sequence.

So, in that case, I'd say your ASQ is perfect for this. Use the ASQ as it was intended, to create these phrases to sample, and then just use your mpc solely as a sampler. I think you will quickly learn to like the way you can trigger loops with the same sequencer you are used to in the mpc.

Also, you can now keep your 'phrase creation' rig set up in the studio, and bring only the mpc out live.

Yes, that's right. I was a bit surprised at first when I discovered that it can't handle those functions, especially after some years of using an asr-x which seems to be a lot more flexible but it lacks the killer sequencer the MPC has..

The idea of making phrases in the studio with the ASQ & ASR-X and then putting them to the MPC (which in addition is portable) is great though. I'm loving all of these machines for different reasons, but now I'm totally amazed by this 2000Xl even though it has the problems we were talking about.

The only thing that comes to my mind is that why was I waiting so long to get one ... well at least I gained some experience with lots of different cheap second hand gear and tried out different concepts for making musik, that's how I got my hands on the AsQ-10..

Thanks for your answers again. Cheers from Budapest, Hungary

now I'm totally amazed by this 2000Xl even though it has the problems we were talking about.

I felt the same way... Once you get a hang of what the xl does right, you start to work around the things it does that you don't really like.

Thanks for your answers again. Cheers from Budapest, Hungary

You're welcome. Beautiful city.