Technical questions for the MPC2000xl and the MPC2000
By lac Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:57 am
I'm trying to slave my MPC using Midi Time Code, but it isn't working for some reason. I've set my MPC sync screen up to accept the MTC on midi input 1. However when I press play it immediately begins playing without waiting for an incoming signal from my master sequencer.

It's been a while since I've used my MPC as a slave but I thought it was supposed to put up a prompt that says something like "Waiting for Time Code" or something like that... but I don't get any prompts... it simply plays right away.

Anyone know how to get this bad boy to behave? Or does this mean something is actually wrong with my unit?

Thanks for any help!
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By Lampdog Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:28 am
Your master sequencer is supposed to be the "play" control.
Press play on your master sequencer.
By lac Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:02 am
Thanks for the reply. That's part of the problem. Pressing play on the master doesn't work. I was just pointing out that it isn't even waiting for the sync signal (which I believe it's supposed to when working with midi time code), so I'm not sure if there is something wrong with my MPC or not.

If I send midi clock from my master, then the MPC will chase when I start the master but I need it to work with Midi Time Code.
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By tapedeck Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:57 pm
lac wrote:Thanks for the reply. That's part of the problem. Pressing play on the master doesn't work. I was just pointing out that it isn't even waiting for the sync signal (which I believe it's supposed to when working with midi time code), so I'm not sure if there is something wrong with my MPC or not.

If I send midi clock from my master, then the MPC will chase when I start the master but I need it to work with Midi Time Code.

well yea clock and time code are different things, so i would say first make sure that both the master and slave are set to be using the same protocol. my first guess is that one is set to tc and the other to clock.

and finally yea just dont hit play on the mpc.

very unlikely that something is wrong with your unit - that's too narrow a problem.
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By Lampdog Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:44 pm
tapedeck wrote:master and slave are set to be using the same protocol.

I was just about to ask that, lol.
By lac Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:35 pm
tapedeck wrote:well yea clock and time code are different things, so i would say first make sure that both the master and slave are set to be using the same protocol. my first guess is that one is set to tc and the other to clock.

and finally yea just dont hit play on the mpc.

very unlikely that something is wrong with your unit - that's too narrow a problem.


Thanks for the reply tapedeck. I'm familiar with the different protocols. And yes both the MPC and the master device are set for Midi Time Code 30 frames. I was just letting you all know that the problem I'm having is with MTC.

Any other ideas? Also, are either of you using MTC to sync your MPC?
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By tapedeck Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:38 pm
yes ive used it but i prefer clock. i dont like having to set the tempo manually and on some devices that dont even show me bpm, i totally rely on midi clock.

also i avoid situations where i have to slave the mpc - i want it as master whenever possible (damn you logic).
By lac Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:26 pm
I feel you... I've used both as well and usually don't have a problem. I just happen to need to use MTC on this occassion with the MPC as a slave, and what should be simple is not behaving.

I've run through the basic configuration check-list about a million times and don't see anything obvious sticking out.

If anyone can run an experiment where you use your MPC as a slave syncing with MTC and let me know your results, that might answer a lot of questions of whether there is a problem with my MPC.

Thanks