CUBASE / MPC60 SYNCING AS MASTER W/ MOTU DIGI TIMEPIECE ?

Hi All fellow 60 users,

I have a 60II with 3.10 and never been able to sync it to Cubase SX3 as slave ( to use it as a multitrack ).

From what i read everywhere, the 60 doesnt send MTC but only midi clock. It seems to also be able to generate smpte.

My question is, would a module like MOTU's Digital Timepiece, a syncronization hub, be able to slave our DAW's to the MPC60 without a problem ? It can convert smpte to mtc or any incoming signal to another type of signal.

Has anyone ever thought about it ? The timepiece can sync a tape machine as master to DAW's, so i dont know why it wouldnt allow a MPC to be a tight master.

Never seen it discussed here after long researches on the forum...

Thanks in advance...

Jerzzey DEEP wrote:
From what i read everywhere, the 60 doesnt send MTC but only midi clock.

True.

The MPC60 can receive sync signals via FSK24*, PULSE 96, MIDI CLOCK, MIDI TIMECODE, SMPTE and 1/4 NOTE CLICKS.

The MPC60 can send sync signals via FSK24*, PULSE 96 and MIDI CLOCK.

Cubase SX3 sends midi sync signals via MIDI TIMECODE and MIDI CLOCK so you have plenty of options.

To use Cubase as a multi-track recorder (tracking out) I would set it as the master device and send either midi clock or midi timecode to the MPC60 which will be the slave device.

When you press play/record in Cubase the MPC60 will start playing and the tracks will be recorded in Cubase.

The point is, for tracking out the MPC does not need to be the MASTER DEVICE.

There are some issue particular to Cubase SX3 so I suggest you read this article until you understand.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun04/a ... enotes.htm

Read Section 8 of your manual for the lowdown.

*FSK24 is also known as DIN SYNC.


Regarding the MOTU Digital Timepiece, you shouldn't need it to cure your issue. It has a role to play in studios using lots of analogue gear, digital gear, tape machines,computers etc and makes it easier to manage all the connections.

Thanks Clint,

So now my ultimate question, that will seal the deal is :

When the mpc60 receives sync signal from Cubase and is therefore now in a slave mode, does the sequences play exactly the same ? If this is the case it could solve some of my problems... I know some of us are all under the mystical influence of the 60's groove and the "swing" and we dont want it to sound differently on a slave mode.

I will try it, but would deffo appreciate some peeps opinion... Would be cool to finally put and end to the Master VS Slave debate, if there ever was any.

Easssy

Jerzzey DEEP wrote:When the mpc60 receives sync signal from Cubase and is therefore now in a slave mode, does the sequences play exactly the same... I know some of us are all under the mystical influence of the 60's groove and the "swing" and we dont want it to sound differently on a slave mode

See this thread for some opinions on the 'million dollar question'.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=147680

Essentially we just want the DAW to START and STOP the MPC sequencer when tracking out. Midi Timecode is what I would use for this purpose. But when I use the MPC as MASTER I prefer to go with MIDI CLOCK so that any changes in tempo are recognised by the slaved midi devices.

Regardless of the opinions of others and the theory, you'll just have to experiment and find what works for you.

I use the MPC 60 slaved to MIDI clock when I'm writing parts or just noodling around and the computer is not recording/sequencing anything.
When I'm recording I use smpte or FSK24.MPC60 still in slave mode.
Clint is right, you just need to experiment with what you've got and see what works best for you.

Ok so i tested to slave the mpc to cubase with MTC and...its DOPE ! it basically just sends a start/stop signal which means the mpc's sequence work exactly the same with the mpc's internal sequencer and groove...

I also found out that it doesnt even pick up the tempo on cubase. i can put 60 bpm and my sequence at 124 is still rolling... I'd just set it on cubase at 124 if i'd be recording vst's or recording the audio from the mpc... There's a tiny offset to ajust to but its normal...

Thx

Nice.

Some people just don't get it and become obsessed with the MPC being sync MASTER.