Sub-forum for discussion about the DAWs and mobile apps that you use with your MPCs
By yowordiagree Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:55 pm
I have been thinkin of what would be the best way to track out from the mpc and have been looking at the various daw options. As I understand it
Some users have issues with timing once their beats are recorded into their daw. For arguments sake let's say there are alterations between what is on the mpc and what is then recorded into the daw. Because of this I've been thinkin of using a standalone like the hd24 to track to and then maybe dump all of my tracks via the alesis fireport.
By doin it this way I was hopin that all my tracks would be aligned nicely in the daw the same way the sounded on my mpc. This is on the assumption that my mpc would lock up better to the hd24 rather than an interface. Would this be true? I have major ocd when it comes to my production and am lookin for the truest reproduction of what I have created on my mpc even if it takes a lil longer. I know the problems I have mentioned often depend on what interface you are using so for the record I was lookin at the babyface if I did go down that route.
User avatar
By -niN Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:52 pm
I guess the "timing issues" would only occur if u tracked ur tracks out individually and then tried to resync 'em again in the daw ??
've never tried doing that.. I just two track(L&R) shit out, and have never experienced such problems..
Obviously the interface, or what ever connection you have to your DAW, or just whatever hardware u are using for recording, every component is gonna effect the overall sound. I just use what I can afford (or what I have), and try to make the best of it..
I wouldn't worry about a "perfect" sound quality to much..
User avatar
By Lampdog Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:13 am
Why a 2 analog ch Babyface? Would you want or need more than that? You can get other very decent interfaces with more analog inputs than just 2 for less money. But it's your money and your choice ya know.
By yowordiagree Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:26 am
I should of said I'm using the 2000xl with just the stereo outs so the idea of using a standalone with the ability to dump straight into the daw would avoid the sync that a lot of users claim messes with their swing. I was under the impression this is something that happens more with intergfaces an daws rather than hardware, mainly because the problems I have heard in relation to timing seem to be around interfaces/daws rather than hardware. I mentioned the hd24 but that was just an example of a hardware device that I can dump files into the daw.
As I was tracking with just the stereo outs I wanted the best quality interface I could afford if I did go that route. I don't need that many inputs and was under the impression the babyface was pretty good quality for the price (£400 in the UK) if u don't need to many inputs. I'm open to suggestions in this area but I should just let you know I'm running a mac with lion although I have not settled on a daw yet.
I'm glad this did not start up a hardware/software argument as I am trying to find out if it can benefit me by using both
Thanks for takin the time out guys to read this I hope you can understand my intentions but if not just tell me what ur not clear on an I'll try an explain further
User avatar
By Lampdog Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:16 am
Oh ok, so you care to just track out stereo (l+r=2 channels) got it. I didn't know what you were going for and yes the babyface seems to be a good piece of gear.

With midi and a few machines together I'd always insert 2 bar blanks at the beginning in order to let the midi sync and that works for alot of people here. You HAVE to let your midi lock up before the song begins. Maybe that's the timing your talking about? That's a user problem if they don't know that.

Pretty sure nowadays damn near everyones computer can handle some decent audio.
It's down to programs running in the background, configurations, etc. you don't know what they have so you can't trust what you read.

Babyface will do you proud, get whatever free daw and try that first.
By yowordiagree Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:30 pm
I hear you about not knowing peoples setups, it just seems to come up a lot that the swing is messed up when trackin out. I'm not sure how this happens if mtc is used as its not tempo dependant is it? I mean it just determines start an stop once synced.
My idea was to skip the sync to daw where the swing issues seem to most occur but even when using hardware u still need to sync when doin doing multiple passes. I was just wonderin if the accuacy would be improved. Lookin back I think I was just reachin really.
Perhaps I should focus on what daws play nicely with midi and hardware. I have been lookin at logic as I have used it before (although I never set it up) and can get it with edu discount for just over £100 or so. Then there is pro tools. Without buyin into the hype I am interested in version 10 as audio is ran from the ram rather than disk so I thought this could prove really useful. I know there is much more out there but these two seem to have the most support and a big plus for me is that all the studios near me run one or both of these daws.
Thanks for all your help I think I'll ask santa for a babyface although the jury is still out on the daw lol
User avatar
By Lampdog Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:46 pm
See if you can find freeware before you buy anything, I suggest you get the basics learned and understood first and then decide where you wanna spend your money.
By reck Sun Apr 12, 2015 4:18 pm
2 input interface? you can also record each track in with solo but add the metronome count in before each track, that way all you need to do is line up the metronome clicks in your daw and your good to go
By djrobmixx Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:26 pm
I track my Asr 10 or my Rs 7000 out all the time with no timing issues with my daw. I make sure my bpm is the same before I start tracking and I turn the quantize function of the daw off. That way what ever is going in stays the way it suppose to. You should also be able to adjust the midi offset of either your daw or your Mpc. That would insure that you are in sync from the start of the bar without having to leave blank bars in the beginning. Peace be with you.........Rob Mixx