MPC in a live setting- drum triggering.

Hi guys I'm new to the concept of MPC's etc. however I now understand how much of the music I love, and have attempted to mimic as a drummer is born from these machines!

so here is my quest:

use 1:
I would like to trigger the sounds from my drums (using triggers on the drums) via the MPC into my DAW (logic). this way I can record drum parts with a human feel and minimum noise, and use the sounds that are iconic MPC.

use 2:
I would also like to use the mpc live, to trigger (again via a pad) some alternative snare/hand claps sort of samples.

bonus use:
If possible, I would like to use the MPC to play back a bacKing track, where I can hear both left and right chanels, but the sound out to the speakers is just the left channel, (as that will have no click in it) whilst still triggering extra samples... and hold enough backing tracks for about 1 hours worth of music...


Finally, I'm a poor student/musician working to make ends meet. as the editing side of things is less important, (I'm happy mixing in my DAW) what's the cheapest MPC/MPD that would physically get the job done in the ways I'm talking about without loosing out on a decent sound?

am I looking at the wrong tool for the job? Ignoring the bonus use, is the theory of making it work in this way sound?

Thanks for your help!

I'm off to the shop to have a play around and see what I can learn, but I would really appreciate some serious users opinions!

I think what would work best for you would be getting an MPD instead of an MPC, although you can trigger sounds from an MPC through Logic is more of a hassle/process. With and MPD its as simple as plug and play.

Even for live sets the MPD and Logic would be a lot easier, not only that an MPD is A LOT more cheaper then and MPC. Their is an MPD18, MPD 24, MPD 26, MPD32 and the prices vary but the most expensive one is $300 bucks I believe.

I should clarify, I don't want to use logic/ a laptop live... this is why built in sounds on the MPC appealed...

If you have the RAM expansion then you only still have 128MB of ram and this is not enough for long backing tracks. I can make tracks that are hours long if need be, but this is done with MPC sequencer and samples. Not just one .wav as an entire backing track.

benjisonfire wrote:use 1:
I would like to trigger the sounds from my drums (using triggers on the drums) via the MPC into my DAW (logic). this way I can record drum parts with a human feel and minimum noise, and use the sounds that are iconic MPC.

So you need a midi trigger from drums then, that simple really. goes into MPC then sound out into DAW. If i was smart, I would record the MIDI sequence of your drumming to, on the MP at the same time. What set are you using to trigger midi from drums? you can make your own piezo electric ones if you can solder!!

benjisonfire wrote:use 2:
I would also like to use the mpc live, to trigger (again via a pad) some alternative snare/hand claps sort of samples.

bonus use:
If possible, I would like to use the MPC to play back a bacKing track, where I can hear both left and right chanels, but the sound out to the speakers is just the left channel, (as that will have no click in it) whilst still triggering extra samples... and hold enough backing tracks for about 1 hours worth of music...

am I looking at the wrong tool for the job? Ignoring the bonus use, is the theory of making it work in this way sound?

Look its a sampler right. its got pads right. you make a program and hit a pad it plays sample, so what do you think the answer is? Listen to stuff done with a MPC, watch some youtube vids, there are plenty of people banging out live on the MPCs. That will show you what it is capable of at least. So yes of course you can, silly question, sorry.
MPC1000 has multiple outs right, and can pan sounds left and right. You are better of using another out in stead of the MPC main stereo outs as there are a few to choose from and so you can have click track on a separate out and you wont hear it in the other main stereo out. I use accapella tracks, but as I said before you are limited by RAM, so you either have to load another song or use sequencer for drums and such, this is how it is done. If done this way drum tracks can liturally go for ever. specially in a loop of course.
For example I did this with just MPC and no computer at all, and should give you an idea of what can be done with just MPC, if you know what you are doing. Other cats here are better that me to so like I said have asearch round.

benjisonfire wrote:, I don't want to use logic/ a laptop live

Then why mention the MPD?

benjisonfire wrote:Finally, I'm a poor student/musician

Your Not going to find an MPC. 60 1000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000,. For less $700 dollars (and thats if your lucky). Even the 2000 in great condition is at least $600. Thats why I recommended the MPD, just remember its not the machine you use its the person!

Thanks for the help guys!
As I said I'm still learning about these machines and only just realised the MPD was inappropriate. the MPC 500 in england goes for around £200 - £250, so that was my target budget.

After playing with one in the shop I'm thinking it may not be the right way to go about this... think it may have to wait a while....

Get some cheap triggers off of eBay (ddrum 5 pack), Alesis I/o trigger to midi box, MPC of your choice and then commence face melting.

benjisonfire wrote:the MPC 500 in england goes for around £200 - £250, so that was my target budget.

In the UK you can snagg an MPC1000 for £250, if you look in the right places. I see these prices pretty much every week, sometimes even on ebay.co.uk. Knowing this, there is no reason to settle for an MPC500, unless you prefer that.

You want to play drums on your electronic drum kit but the sounds coming from the MPC right? Yes that can be done. If your drum module has MIDI, then MIDI out to MPC MIDI in and set the drum module as master and the MPC as slave. Sorry, I don't know the parameters but a few members were able to do it. Hopefully they chime in. They were able to use their drum sticks on a e-drum kit to trigger samples from the MPC.