VST hosts + setup help

I want to use my midi keyboard to trigger VSTs that are stored in my PC and record them into my MPC. I know people use DAWs, like cubase, for this purpose... but can this be done with simple vst hosts / non-sequencing programs like savihost and VSThost? (If so which programs, and how would I set it up?)

I'm looking for a confirmation that my hardware setup is correct for my purposes. It is as follows:

controller keyboard into midi in 1 on mpc1000
midi cable from mpc1000 midi out A to USB (PC)
studio monitors connected to MPC (or would i need to connect to audio interface?)

Thanks for any replies. =)

everything is set up properly except for the studio monitors... the midi is all good.

the issue is, midi does not transmit audio at all... so having the monitors only hooked to the mpc will only allow you to hear the stuff in the mpc.

you need to have the computer's sound also being connected to the monitors.

what I would suggest which is only possible if your particular audio interface allows for it is.. well you need to have the master outs (or what have you) from the mpc to the audio inputs (say 1/2) of the interface... the main outputs of the interface going to the studio monitors.

that way your mpc's sounds (lets say you got drums going) will be heard, also the computer's vst pluggin of choice will also be heard.

the question I have for you is... how will you be recording that? if you use as you mentioned above cubase... then you could do as you suggested with the vst recording it into cubase... but also you could be recording the mpc into cubase at the same time (or what ever daw you choose that allows for vsts and audio recording)...

OR

lets say you are using an external tape deck or recorder.. you could keep the setup mentioned above but instead of hooking the studio monitors to the main outs of the interface.. you run those to the external recorder and the recorder's monitor output or main output would be sent to the studio monitors.

hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply. Your answers helped a lot but they have lead to more questions. This audio stuff is still new to me so excuse me if I ask any silly questions.

First off, are you saying it is not possible to record the midi into my MPC and that I will need to record into a DAW (or some other location)? I was hoping to do 99% of the sequencing in my MPC.

I haven't purchased an audio interface yet. Could I use one of those usb mixers for my audio interface in conjunction with a simple usb to midi connector to hook up the mpc to pc? (something like this for example:http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Converter-Music-Keyboard-Window/dp/B0017H4EBG/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&qid=1324627895&sr=8-45 )

or would i require a single interface that has midi connectors and 1/4 inputs and outputs for the studio monitors?

I didn't look at any of those links... but yes, you can sequence the song using the mpc..

you can not record anything besides midi using the midi cables... you cant expect the sound from your vst pluggin will transfer through the midi cable and play out of the mpc....

the way it works is, you are pushing keys on the midi controller keyboard.. those as you know are sending messaged to the vst (ie: what key to push and when) .. but your mpc records those key strokes and presses... then it does it again for you.

Would this setup allow for me to track recordings into the DAW as well? or would I need additional cables?

I think I figured out which audio interface i need. =)

well that is the first step..

I can't for the life of me get the mpc syncd to cubase. I'm using one of those dinky usb to midi cables off ebay. Pictured here:

Is this sufficient? Or do I need a legitimate midi interface?

That should do the job.

On the MPC, make sure that your settings are right. (SOFT THRU: AS TRACK, then on the MAIN SCREEN pick a track and set MIDI to 1A). Whatever track you pick, that's the one you will use to play your VST from your keyboard and/or pads. In the DAW, set the VST to receive MIDI from MIDI channel 1 on the correct port. It varies from DAW to DAW how to do that.

the issue is, midi does not transmit audio at all... so having the monitors only hooked to the mpc will only allow you to hear the stuff in the mpc.

you need to have the computer's sound also being connected to the monitors.

what I would suggest which is only possible if your particular audio interface allows for it is.. well you need to have the master outs (or what have you) from the mpc to the audio inputs (say 1/2) of the interface... the main outputs of the interface going to the studio monitors.

You can do it this way. This gives you the option of recording your MPC into your computer.

Or you can do it the opposite way, hook your computer's audio output into the MPC's audio input (turn on INPUT THRU monitoring on the MPC), and hook your speakers up to the MPC output. That way you can record or sample any of your VSTs into the MPC.

It depends on what you want to functionally be the centerpiece of your lab. Once you choose the centerpiece its basically:

DAW -> MPC -> monitors
or
MPC -> DAW -> monitors

But beware that computers have latency (a very small delay between playing something and hearing it. So if you're a hardware guy, you may get thrown off hearing your MPC delayed. Many soundcards have a way around that (called input through monitoring or no latency monitoring which basically passes whatever is at its inputs directly to its outputs) but that is an additional layer of complexity.

It can all be confusing at first, but just try to develop a mental image of where you want which signals (MIDI/audio) to go, make the relevant connections as you see them in your head, adjust the settings/options accordingly, and come back here with any headscratchers.

thanks for the reply. I can't get in sync'd up still for whatever reason. I'm going to go over my setup again and settings im using and hopefully somebody can see a flaw.

I have the cable labeled "out" of the usb-to midi (pictured above) connected to the OUT A of the MPC.

In my MPC I have the syn settings as follows:

Sync Out Master A
MTC
frame rate 30
mmc on


as far as the settings go in DAW, ive tried a tonne of tinkering. I've been trying to sync both reaper and cubase 5 but cant get either of them working.