Syncing Logic with the MPC 2000XL

I'm having a really hard time syncing my MPC 2000XL to Logic Pro 9. Here's what I want to do, set up Logic as master and my MPC as slave so that I can record my different sequences that I've created in my MPC to do the final sequencing and mixing in Logic. I've searched a bunch on this site, have tried a couple different ways including trying my MPC as master, but cannot get anything to work. Here are the directions I have followed:

http://www.akaipro.com/synclogic

...I'm guessing setting up the 2000XL would be similar to the 2500. I can't seem to get the two syncing together where one will control the other. Could it be the audio interface's fault? I run with a TASCAM US-144 audio interface. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me out? Thanks for your time.

Search for 'Logic' in these forums and you're good.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=93193

I've just finished my book on using Logic with the MPC (should be available on Thursday 8th, just doing some last minute proof reading). I've never had a problem syncing any of my MPCs with Logic, there's not really that many settings to complete. In the book, I choose MIDI Clock as this is present on all MPCs. with the MPC as SLAVE.

On the XL, go to the MIDI page and for sync in, select 'In:1', MIDI CLOCK, and RECEIVE MMC: ON.

That's it for the MPC, apart from connecting a MIDI cable from MIDI IN 1 to the MIDI OUT of your audio interface.

Now in Logic, go to ‘File > Project Settings > Synchronization’. On this page, just make sure ‘Sync Mode’ is set to the default ‘Internal’. Now click the MIDI tab (not the MIDI icon, the third tab along under ‘synchronisation’).

Here, make sure ‘Transmit MIDI Clock’ to ‘Destination 1’ is checked. In the ‘Destination 1’ select box, you can either choose ‘All’, or choose the specific MIDI port you wish it to go out of. The other settings on this page are not required.

That should work - go to MAIN in your MPC with whatever sequence needs playing, and hit play in Logic. The MPC should start playing and the MPC sequence should display EXT as the sequence BPM.

I just double checked this in my XL using the project template from my book, and it worked first time.

MPC-Tutor wrote:I've just finished my book on using Logic with the MPC

Nice.

The sync question comes up a lot.

If only Apple would allow Logic to slave to midi clock...like it used to.

clint246clint wrote:The sync question comes up a lot.

mainly due to a misinterpretation and over-generalisation of the term.

'sync' and 'transfer' = very abused terms

MPC-Tutor wrote:I've just finished my book on using Logic with the MPC (should be available on Thursday 8th, just doing some last minute proof reading). I've never had a problem syncing any of my MPCs with Logic, there's not really that many settings to complete. In the book, I choose MIDI Clock as this is present on all MPCs. with the MPC as SLAVE.

On the XL, go to the MIDI page and for sync in, select 'In:1', MIDI CLOCK, and RECEIVE MMC: ON.

That's it for the MPC, apart from connecting a MIDI cable from MIDI IN 1 to the MIDI OUT of your audio interface.

Now in Logic, go to ‘File > Project Settings > Synchronization’. On this page, just make sure ‘Sync Mode’ is set to the default ‘Internal’. Now click the MIDI tab (not the MIDI icon, the third tab along under ‘synchronisation’).

Here, make sure ‘Transmit MIDI Clock’ to ‘Destination 1’ is checked. In the ‘Destination 1’ select box, you can either choose ‘All’, or choose the specific MIDI port you wish it to go out of. The other settings on this page are not required.

That should work - go to MAIN in your MPC with whatever sequence needs playing, and hit play in Logic. The MPC should start playing and the MPC sequence should display EXT as the sequence BPM.

I just double checked this in my XL using the project template from my book, and it worked first time.

Here's my problem. I am OK with everything on the MPC side of things. Also, I'm OK until we get to the 'Transmit MIDI Clock' to 'Destination 1'. However, when I try to select 'All', or the specific MIDI port, my audio interface doesn't even appear. I know my computer recognizes it because in my system preferences it is available as US-144 as an input and can transmit sound from my MPC when I hit play on the system. So I don't think it is a problem with the driver software because my computer clearly recognizes it. I'm just having trouble with Logic recognizing it I guess. Here's a screenshot of my problem.

So Logic doesn't recognise your audio interface at all? Not even under 'Preferences > Audio'?

Have you tried one of the Logic specific forums, as that does sound like either a driver issue or a Logic bug, especially if your mac recognises it in system preferences. Are you able to output audio out of it via iTunes, but selecting it in system prefs?

MPC-Tutor wrote:So Logic doesn't recognise your audio interface at all? Not even under 'Preferences > Audio'?

Have you tried one of the Logic specific forums, as that does sound like either a driver issue or a Logic bug, especially if your mac recognises it in system preferences. Are you able to output audio out of it via iTunes, but selecting it in system prefs?

No, it does. That's why I'm so stumped. It recognizes it and I can play sounds out of my MPC through it. The only problem is I have to manually time them and set up the same BPM in Logic and on the 2000XL and they are usually off due to human error. The only time when Logic doesn't recognize it is when I'm trying to select it from the 'Destination1' in your directions. Nothing appears. I'm going to try and download the driver and firmware one more time and go through your steps again. I'll let you know what happens.

Yeah, its a no go. I suppose I'll just have to do the timing manually and make sure Logic and the MPC have the same BPM. Thanks for all your help guys.

Sorry to change the subject, but my MPC is freaking out on me now. I'm a little nervous because today I noticed that a screw in the bottom fell out. I bought it on eBay a couple months ago, never had a problem, made a move to a new apartment, and noticed the screw is missing. I found the screw, but now the screw is not fitting. I went to the hardware store, bought a couple new ones of the same measurement, but there's just always going to be one screw missing on the bottom of the machine because they do not fit.

Here's where it gets bad. After fiddling around with the screws, I tried to turn the machine on again. It works, the screen lights up, but the main screen does not appear. In fact, no words appear at all. It is just a blank screen. The only other light working on the machine is the pad bank "A" light. When I press any of the other buttons nothing works. None of the pad banks, recording, nothing. What could I have possibly done with those screws to cause that problem? I hadn't even opened the machine on the bottom or messed with the interior. Any suggestions on the source of the problem?

mjay wrote:Yeah, its a no go. I suppose I'll just have to do the timing manually and make sure Logic and the MPC have the same BPM. Thanks for all your help guys.

i wouldnt give up so easily...this is not impossible to do. there are just lots of different ways to do it and a few settings to select.

at the most basic, use midi clock and have logic output it to a particular port on your interface. then set up your mpc to receive midi clock. then when you hit play in logic the mpc will start at the same tempo.