MPC to ableton, effects on certain tracks

I was wondering how I could set up my MPC with ableton and apply certain ableton effects on certain tracks on my mpc

for example, lets say I had a saxophone sample loop on track03 and I wanted to apply this reverb effect from ableton ONLY on that track, how would I go abouts doing that?

thank you

1. Which MPC do you have?

2. How many inputs does your audio interface have?

3. Are you using an external mixer at all? If so which one?

There's a few ways of doing this really so if you answer those questions I'll try and suggest some.

use the extra outs on your mpc-(?) into your interface, running into ableton..

one trick i like to do is; (pro tools)

say ive found a sample that is hard panned, so instead of sampling in mono and chopping twice, i just sample in stereo, chop as usual, copy the program and name (L) and (R) accordingly... so now i want to take the left channel and make that stereo(L)+(L), i then route into pro tools through the extra outs on my 2500, create an audio track in pt and duplicate it assigning both tracks the same out channel from the mp, then hard pan those tracks...

done, now you have simply created a a stereo track ready to remix back into your song.. one of the main benefits to this method -(besides not having to copy a sample, convert each to mono, chop each mono sample, copy the program and then hard pan the program), is i've found you can re-MIX the song seamlessly and have everything sit really nice in it's own space..

try it!

i know thats a big side track, but its the same theory as routing & adding effects etc.
although i dont use ableton but have done in the past, im sure its very similar..

but then you will obviously be dependent on your DAW for that session.

if you dont understand im happy to elaborate..

peace!



droppin gems on 'em

scoobylol wrote:1. Which MPC do you have?

MPC 2500

2. How many inputs does your audio interface have?
3. Are you using an external mixer at all? If so which one?

I'm using this mixer, Yamaha MG102c

I have 4 inputs for that mixer(?) but my turntables and MPC are connected to the 3rd and 4th ones, I actually don't know why it doesn't work when I plug them into the 1st and 2nd inputs... but that's another problem/question for later

There's a few ways of doing this really so if you answer those questions I'll try and suggest some.

thank you, I appreciate it

padlock wrote:use the extra outs on your mpc-(?) into your interface, running into ableton..

one trick i like to do is; (pro tools)

say ive found a sample that is hard panned, so instead of sampling in mono and chopping twice, i just sample in stereo, chop as usual, copy the program and name (L) and (R) accordingly... so now i want to take the left channel and make that stereo(L)+(L), i then route into pro tools through the extra outs on my 2500, create an audio track in pt and duplicate it assigning both tracks the same out channel from the mp, then hard pan those tracks...

done, now you have simply created a a stereo track ready to remix back into your song.. one of the main benefits to this method -(besides not having to copy a sample, convert each to mono, chop each mono sample, copy the program and then hard pan the program), is i've found you can re-MIX the song seamlessly and have everything sit really nice in it's own space..

try it!

i know thats a big side track, but its the same theory as routing & adding effects etc.
although i dont use ableton but have done in the past, im sure its very similar..

but then you will obviously be dependent on your DAW for that session.

if you dont understand im happy to elaborate..

peace!



droppin gems on 'em

I think I know what you mean, but I don't use pro tools. Could you explain that a bit more? Thanks

If it was me I'd be using the aux send and return option on your Yamaha, using Ableton as a sort of mega-multi FX tool. That way you can control the level of reverb being used both in the DAW and also with the Yamaha, which is nice and hands on, and will give you a bit more scope for the correct balance of effects being applied.

Luckily you have the 2500 which means you've got 8 assignable outputs, so on the internal mixer of the MPC you should send the track to whichever you want to use. You will therefore need space in your Yamaha mixer for one extra channel from the MPC as well as your main output.

So let's say you've got it set up like this:

MPC master outs ---> Channel 1 and 2 Yamaha mixer
MPC Assignable out ---> Channel 3 Yamaha mixer

You'll then need a cable that goes from:

Yamaha mixer send ---> Computer/Ableton in. Inside Ableton you'll have to set the correct input channel. On this track you put your effects.

Computer Ableton out ---> Yamaha mixer return. Don't forget to set the correct output channel in Ableton.

Now if you use the Aux knob on channel 3 of your Yamaha mixer it will send the signal to Ableton. You can select some of the signal or all of it for processing depending on how much you turn the knob. Then using the Return knob on the Yamaha mixer you can control how much of that signal is mixed back in with the original.

I have a Mackie mixer and I have a compressor that I use in this way all the time.

Hope that helps you dude.

scoobylol wrote:If it was me I'd be using the aux send and return option on your Yamaha, using Ableton as a sort of mega-multi FX tool. That way you can control the level of reverb being used both in the DAW and also with the Yamaha, which is nice and hands on, and will give you a bit more scope for the correct balance of effects being applied.

Luckily you have the 2500 which means you've got 8 assignable outputs, so on the internal mixer of the MPC you should send the track to whichever you want to use. You will therefore need space in your Yamaha mixer for one extra channel from the MPC as well as your main output.

So let's say you've got it set up like this:

MPC master outs ---> Channel 1 and 2 Yamaha mixer
MPC Assignable out ---> Channel 3 Yamaha mixer

You'll then need a cable that goes from:

Yamaha mixer send ---> Computer/Ableton in. Inside Ableton you'll have to set the correct input channel. On this track you put your effects.

Computer Ableton out ---> Yamaha mixer return. Don't forget to set the correct output channel in Ableton.

Now if you use the Aux knob on channel 3 of your Yamaha mixer it will send the signal to Ableton. You can select some of the signal or all of it for processing depending on how much you turn the knob. Then using the Return knob on the Yamaha mixer you can control how much of that signal is mixed back in with the original.

I have a Mackie mixer and I have a compressor that I use in this way all the time.

Hope that helps you dude.

Sounds dope! but I'm not quite sure what cables I will need to get.

At this moment, from the MPC I have a 1/4" cable from "stereo out" into channel 4 on my mixer. My turntables take up channel 3

So I will need a solo(?) 1/4" cable that connects from an assignable output from my MPC to where exactly on the yamaha mixer?

And what cables do I need to have the mixer go into the computer and then back to the mixer?

Just need those clarifications on what to buy and where exactly to put them and I'll get right on it. Thanks again scoobylol

For this idea you will need:

1. 1/4" Stereo Jack for MPC Main output ---> Yamaha Mixer input channels 3 and 4.

2. 1/4" Mono Jack for MPC Assignable out ---> Yamaha Mixer (Or there's nothing stopping you using another Stereo cable and having two Assignable outputs running from the MPC to the Mixer, but you will need an extra channel don't forget).

3. Ok you need to tell me how your computer is currently connected to the mixer, and this is specifically why I asked which audio interface you were using.

I've knocked up a very poor digram to show you the basic connections that should be a good start for experimentation:



In the process of doing it I also found the manual for your mixer, which you should read through because it's got some excellent information in it.

http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/mixers/mg82cx_en_om.pdf

scoobylol wrote:For this idea you will need:

1. 1/4" Stereo Jack for MPC Main output ---> Yamaha Mixer input channels 3 and 4.

2. 1/4" Mono Jack for MPC Assignable out ---> Yamaha Mixer (Or there's nothing stopping you using another Stereo cable and having two Assignable outputs running from the MPC to the Mixer, but you will need an extra channel don't forget).

3. Ok you need to tell me how your computer is currently connected to the mixer, and this is specifically why I asked which audio interface you were using.

I've knocked up a very poor digram to show you the basic connections that should be a good start for experimentation:



In the process of doing it I also found the manual for your mixer, which you should read through because it's got some excellent information in it.

http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/mixers/mg82cx_en_om.pdf

I don't have an audio interface. My computer is connected to my mixer through an RCA to 1/8" cable which is connected to the line-in recording device input on the back of my computer.

thanks for the diagram though, really helps out. And I will check out the manual too

EDIT: I drew up a diagram for you to help you see my setup

this is basically what it looks like:


at the pointer marked "1" I use 2 RCA splitters (because I really don't know another way to record from the mixer AND have my receiver play the sounds (turntables/MPC) from my mixer. In case you were wondering...

RCA splitters are not a good idea. You won't get the strongest signal that way... though it doesn't really matter, as long as you don't have a proper audio interface.

I'd run the Yamaha Rec outs (or Stereo outs) to computer, the computer line out to Yamaha 2tr in, Yamaha Monitor outs to your monitoring system. You'll obviously need some RCA to 1/4" adapters, if using RCA cables.

And there's another problem with your connections: you're causing a feedback loop by connecting MPC output back to MPC input. It would be safer to connect your DJ mixer straight to MPC - just set the INPUT THRU to ON, if you want to hear your turntable while not recording samples.

^^^

What he said. You've got a fairly useable EQ section on your Numark mixer so there's no point taking up extra channels on the Yamaha IMO.

I'd probably look to invest in an audio interface for your computer if I'm honest at this point, if you want to route into Ableton in the way I've suggested.

Sounds good

Jungleman wrote:the computer line out to Yamaha 2tr in,

what is this for? And can I only make this connection when I have an audio interface?

Jungleman wrote:Yamaha Monitor outs to your monitoring system.

Can you elaborate more on this too please?

Finally, with my setup and equipment, how many ports should i be looking into for the audio interface that I'm planning to buy?

kpacardo wrote:Sounds good

Jungleman wrote:the computer line out to Yamaha 2tr in,

what is this for? And can I only make this connection when I have an audio interface?

Jungleman wrote:Yamaha Monitor outs to your monitoring system.

Can you elaborate more on this too please?

Finally, with my setup and equipment, how many ports should i be looking into for the audio interface that I'm planning to buy?

Your computer does have an audio out jack, no?
If you want to listen to what you've recorded, you need to connect that to the monitoring system. You do that by first connecting your computer's audio outs (external soundcard or not, doesn't matter) to Yamaha 2tr in.

Next, you connect the Yamaha Monitor out jacks to your monitoring system. Nearfield monitor speakers, home stereo amp + speakers, whatever you have. Then you'll be able to listen to what you've recorded on the computer.

If you want more detailed explanations, you'll have to read the Yamaha mixer manual. Go read it now, it is very good.

And spend some time here:
http://tweakheadz.com/laboratory/index.html
http://tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

hey scoobylol, I've been looking around craigslist for an audio interface and I was wondering if this would do the trick?

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/s ... 61785.html

Looks fine to me home skillet. It'll certainly work with the diagram I knocked up for you.

the thing that I'm wondering is, my mixer is already connected to my computer through RCA cables to the Record In jack in my audio card. Why would I need an audio interface?