Can't sync logic pro9 (slave) with mpc3000 (master)

hej hej dear midi-sync-heads!

after several days of searching i'm still not able to get a solution for my new setup (i changed my software form cubase sx3 to logic pro9 recently). i just want to know if it's possible to use logic pro 9 as i used cubase sx3 for my way of recording my songs:

I've got big issues to sync my good ol' mpc 3000 as a master device to logic pro 9 (=slave).

what i want to do: i want to use logic as a multitrackrecorder for song with 23 single tracks. i've just 16 inputs via my soundcard (motu 828mk2 + 8pre). I want to do two recording sessions to get all the all the single audiotracks in one logic project. For example: hit start on the mpc, logic starts recording. my aim is to have the same start point for the tracks each session and to use the sequencer of the mpc which is controlling all my other gear.

My Intention: syncing via MTC (Logic pro9 is not able to receive Midi Clock ... so mtc seems to be the only solution)

My Problem: logic starts the recording after i push the start button on my mpc ... but it freezes somehow:
-the position counter jumps from 01:00:00:00.00 to somewhere like 00:59:37:08.72
-same happens with the beats displayed: from 1 1 1 1 to somewhere like 8 1 2 171
- i could figure out that logic wasn't able to receive the correct bpm. (there's no change in the bpm display field after hitting start on the mpc).
after i hit stop on my mpc, logic also stopps the recording ... but nothing was recorded. for me it looks like logic is running freaky wild and totally diffused by the incoming mtc from the mpc.


what i did (settings):

Mikd out (MPC) to midi in (motu 828mk2).

MPC3000 (master)
sync out: Midi Time Code (MTC) (30 Frames)

Logic Pro9 (slave)
sync-mode: internal ... but automatic switch to external sync is enabled
frame rate: 30 ... plus automatic detection of mtc-framerat enabled

what am i doing wrong? or isn't it possible to hook up my mpc as a masterdevice with this new logic version?

thanks a lot for your troubleshooting.
albert

This has been discussed.

Search for some Logic Pro threads in the Studio Environments and Production Tech forums.

1. Remember that MTC does not recognize tempo, it locks to absolute time.

2. Try it with Logic Pro as the master device, no loop.

hi clint,
believe me i studied the forum, read the logic manual and did much more research on the net. otherwise i wouldn't have posted my thread.

first of all: I want my mpc 3000 stay as my master.

maybe this is not common and my production style seems to be ancient, but I like the sequencer of my mpc plus controlling all my other gear with it. there is no need for a computer to me till it comes to the final stage when i've to record my finished song. so why should i give up this well working structure? This why I just want to use logic as a recorder, following my mpc when I press the "play"-button. this is helpful when i need more than one take to record my single tracks (For example: I've got 16 inputs but my song contains 21 single tracks - so i record all the single tracks in two sessions), because my recordings will have slightly the same startpoint in the logic project. I've less hustle with displaced tracks in logic.

I've still got issues to sync logicpro9 with my mpc ... but i've got no problem to connect my mpc with cubase (both via mtc).

logic freezes in freaky way somehow, although i do the same connection/settings as with my cubase sx setup.

...and yes you're right, clint. mtc differs from midiclock (which logic pro9 is not able to receive as a slave device). my fault! but the question remains why the time position and beat-positon displayed in the transport field jump to a strange number and seems to steady count up & down in little, very small steps, while the position marker behaves like stucked and locked by this very tiny bandwidth.

albert wrote:maybe this is not common and my production style seems to be ancient, but I like the sequencer of my mpc plus controlling all my other gear with it. there is no need for a computer to me till it comes to the final stage when i've to record my finished song. so why should i give up this well working structure?
.

So why cant you slave to Logic at the final stage ?

albert wrote: This why I just want to use logic as a recorder, following my mpc when I press the "play"-button. this is helpful when i need more than one take to record my single tracks (For example: I've got 16 inputs but my song contains 21 single tracks - so i record all the single tracks in two sessions), because my recordings will have slightly the same startpoint in the logic project. I've less hustle with displaced tracks in logic..

Most people have less trouble doing that by having their computer as master.

albert wrote:
I've still got issues to sync logicpro9 with my mpc ... but i've got no problem to connect my mpc with cubase (both via mtc). ..

Why not use Cubase ?

albert wrote:...and yes you're right, clint. mtc differs from midiclock (which logic pro9 is not able to receive as a slave device). my fault! but the question remains why the time position and beat-positon displayed in the transport field jump to a strange number and seems to steady count up & down in little, very small steps, while the position marker behaves like stucked and locked by this very tiny bandwidth.

I am right.

Unless you've got the two synced properly (or satisfactorily) don't expect the markers, loop points and time positions to behave correctly.

There are plenty of threads on this topic, I've posted in many of them. Logic Pro 7 was the last version to receive midi clock.

If you do not use tempo changes in your tracks do what Acid Mitch suggests by slaving to Logic for the tracking stage only with Logic as Master.

hi acid mitch, hi clint.

I like the sequencer of my mpc 3000. i'm controlling all my other samplers, romplers etc. with it. why should i dumb it and let logic take over? maybe I'm narrow minded, but i've worked with other machines like the 2000xl or sp1200. I've also tried to use cubase as my mastersequencer ... but the 3000 suites very well for me.

all i wanted to know is, am i'm doing something completely wrong? maybe i'm thinking in the wrong direction or if the new logic software version isn't able to sync with my mpc i will never have a chance to succeed. I try to sync this new combination for over two weeks ... but after reading anything and asking everybody i know I'm not sure what's right or wrong right now. there's nobody left in my area i could ask for this special midi-task.

so thanks for the hint that logic pro 7 receives midi clock, but i knew that already. that's why i use mtc. maybe i try to get this older pro7-version to give logic a last try. I need a logic project because a a friend of mine is only logic ... and he teams me up with the mixdown and mastering in his studio. it would've been nice to work on the same system without indirect steps like exporting the project from cubase to Omf, waves or whatever.

but nevertheless thank you very much for spending time & thinking,
albert

albert wrote:hi acid mitch, hi clint.

I like the sequencer of my mpc 3000. i'm controlling all my other samplers, romplers etc. with it. why should i dumb it and let logic take over?

What are you dumbing down by letting logic send MTC to your MPC ?
I dont get what you mean. The MPC will still be controlling all your other samplers, romplers etc and you'll still be using the MPC sequencer.

albert wrote:. maybe i try to get this older pro7-version to give logic a last try. I need a logic project because a a friend of mine is only logic ...

Dont you need to use the same version of Logic as your mate ?

We both tried to help but it seems you simply don't get it.

I don't think you'll find a better or easier solution, so I'm out...

Peace.

some daws dont slave... is logic one of them? id find another program if so...

Literally months and months and months of research...

i have posted a thread about something similar ...

did little but a guy named a working setup : viewtopic.php?f=4&t=140536

here's the true solution :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qufCoSpCCKQ

seriously... dont sleep on it. and it takes one of your mpc audio outputs to create a grid and let things play against it.. so its like using your mpc as the master sequencer.. you dont loose the so-called (i doubt it exists) feel, of the 3k...

the guy sells it at a pretty high price but its worth it... its the answer to our problems..

the website is very inspirational as well

and im by no means related to him..