New to mono samplers... question about sampling sources and

So i'm the happy new owner of an MPC60 and an S950. I'm still learning the machines as we speak, but there's one thing that really puzzles me...

I sample from a turntable, which is connected to an amp and the amp output (stereo) usually goes into my samplers inputs (stereo). Now with the MPC60 and S950 i'm a little confused about this... What's the theory behind it? Am i supposed to use the same cables, but only plug one channel into the MPCs mono input (whichever i decide sounds best for the particular sample)? So far i've been doing it this way. But what if i want both channels combined into a mono signal?

Is there some sort of Y-cable that has rca connectors on one end (stereo/L/R) and a mono jack on the other? I couldn't find anything like this and i'm wondering if it's even technically possible to combine a stereo signal/two channels into one mono channel...

Any input that helps me get my head around this subject is appreciated!

EDIT: On my amp there is a mode selector for whatever input is selected... i can switch from left-/right channel, mono and stereo. So if i select mono, would this mean that my signal from the turntable gets combined to a mono signal in the amp already and both channels on the output cable would put out the same mono signal (combined L-R channel from the amp)?

well if you have a mixer (the regular kind.. not the dj kind) each channel has a pan.. leave those centred.

but a y cable would work... it aint the proper way technically because it essentially increases the signal current coming from the source from what I hear... but I dont know that it would do any harm.

Unfortunately, a mixer is something i still need to add to my setup...

I read something about the increased signal current aswell on my research regarding this issue... i'm not the technical type of guy really, so it was a bit over my head... but people wrote something about having to put a resistor inside the y-cables because of this.

If you read my edited post above, the part with the amp mode selector... what do you think about this? Would this basically be the same as a Y-cable? I'll make some tests tonight...

oh, you have a mono switch? that would do it.

I just saw the pics of your gear. Veryy nice stuff! You can try the Mode Selector on mono but I guess this will only affect the speaker outs and not the Tape Outs (I guess you connect the sampler in with the tape out)

peace

Thanks, i just love old vintage stuff...

I was thinking about it again before, and came to the same conclusion, the mode selector will probably only affect the speaker outputs. And yes, i record from the tape outs.

the reason a simple y adapter wont work is one of current and flow and shorting, but yea the basic principle is dont do it.

its really easy to build a proper 'mono' y cable ... just put two resistors of the same value on each signal and you should be ok (10k maybe?).

however, when you start talking about mixing a stereo signal to mono, you're asking for just as many problems as you're saving by not doing one channel at a time. phase cancellation could, in a worst case scenario, give you a totally dead signal after you mix the two stereo channels together - i mean straight SILENCE (but more likely, just really awful, quiet, thin sound).

so you basically have three options, left channel, right channel, or mix of both, and they are all going to work better/worse depending on the situation.

having said that, i dont think you'd be terribly off if you only ever sampled from one, lets say the left. youd make it work.

you could build a nice switch box that would let you choose, pretty easily using a dpdt switch.

jibber wrote:On my amp there is a mode selector for whatever input is selected... i can switch from left-/right channel, mono and stereo. So if i select mono, would this mean that my signal from the turntable gets combined to a mono signal in the amp already and both channels on the output cable would put out the same mono signal (combined L-R channel from the amp)?

ther is no cables that transform a stereo signal into mono
but if your amp got a stereo/mono switch that's what you need for this task
set the switch to mono
the r+l channel will merge in one mono signal that goes to the l+r outputs
but i don't know if it came out from the headphones out (i've seen in the picture you posted in the 'cribs' thread that you have a jack cable plugged in one of the phones out

I have a quite similar question. If you use 2 machines, for example an MPC and a S950, and want to use both as samplers, like the MPC for the longest samples and S950 for drums, what kind of connections do you do?
I was wondering cause I have a mixer with 2 outputs, 1 out is connected to my speakers, the other to the MPC.So if I want to add another sampler, do I need a mixer with more outs or something else?

i don't understand exactly what you mean, sorry
can you explain?

If for example you want to use 2 samplers, how do you connect everything for sampling?
I have a quite basic setup: turntable, connected to a DJ mixer, connected to an MPC.My mixer got 2 outputs:one goes to the MPC, the other to my monitors.If I want to add another sampler in this setup, what would be the easiest way to connect everything, so you don't have to move the cables everytime between the MPC and the other sampler? I hope it's clear now

the easiest way would be to use multiple aux sends.

send1 for one sampler, send2 for the other.

another option is to 'daisy chain' the output of one into the input of the other. then put them both in sampling mode when you want to use the one further down the chain so the audio passes from the first to the second. depending on how you have them both hooked up to the mixer this might not work for you.

i would just swap cables, or use a mixer with a whole lot of sends.

probably just swap the cable though.

ok got it
if you use a mixer with 2 outputs and you want to sample in 2 different samplers without plug/unplug the cables you have to use a switch to double the stereo signal
something like this:
http://electronicsusa.com/mk1and2.html

thx wrote:ok got it
if you use a mixer with 2 outputs and you want to sample in 2 different samplers without plug/unplug the cables you have to use a switch to double the stereo signal
something like this:
http://electronicsusa.com/mk1and2.html

edit: i see there are two devices on that page and yes the second would work...but who wants to use 1/8" plugs

you can use a y cable to split a signal but not to mix one.

Ok thanks! I was thinking of something like this, but didn't know if it exists.