Tracking out to EQ and record from an MPC 2000XL?

Hey MPC Forums,

I've done some searching and I can't seem to find the exact answers that I'm looking for (or at least in a way that I can understand correctly). I might be better off asking this on an MPC forum, but here it goes:

I would like to send each track that I create on my MPC to an analog mixer for EQing separately rather than using software. I would also like to record analog automation for volume levels on each track without using any MIDI controllers.

I have Logic, but if anything I only want to use it to record on.

Basically, I want to adjust the levels for each track separately with actual knobs and sliders without using MIDI, what path do I need to take to do that?

I have: An MPC 2000XL, an Alesis MultiMix8, Logic. Do I need more? Do I need an analog track recorder?

I'm not sure if I worded everything right, but if you need me to further explain or clarify, I can. I'm also not sure if I posted this in the correct place...

howdy
yer fine.

to do it properly you need the optional 8 output expansion (IB-M208P).

you also have to realise that the individual outputs dont work 'per track', they work 'per pad'...this seems backwards at first but is actually pretty flexible.

you can do it right now if you record one track at a time, then line them all up in a daw later.

tapedeck wrote:howdy
yer fine.

to do it properly you need the optional 8 output expansion (IB-M208P).

you also have to realise that the individual outputs dont work 'per track', they work 'per pad'...this seems backwards at first but is actually pretty flexible.

you can do it right now if you record one track at a time, then line them all up in a daw later.

Thanks!

I don't exactly have the money for a IB-M208P right now, but if I record one track at a time, how can I EQ and automate them in my DAW without using MIDI controllers?

by hitting record in the DAW and pressing play on the MPC...

no midi necessary for recording audio tracks into your daw. since you're recording track by track in this case, you're going to have to manually sync each individual track up after you've recorded them all either way...

and you can control EQ and whatever else in your software by just using your mouse.

QBanks92 wrote:if I record one track at a time, how can I EQ and automate them in my DAW without using MIDI controllers?

depends on the daw - but generally you switch a channel into 'touch', 'latch', or 'write' mode, and then you hit play, and you move the settings for the strip with your mouse. these are recorded as automation.
you can do this over and over again depending on how many parameters you want to automate.
then when yer done you change the strip to 'read'.
(i am describing this from a logic perspective)

i would look up the difference between those three recording methods though.

The original post leaves me with some questions of my own.

Why are you against using MIDI?

And how are you going to record analog automation with an Alesis Multimix without using MIDI? Are you talking about flying the faders manually?

If you are just trying to do levels and some eqing on the way in, then what I do is create aux tracks in Pro Tools for each output on my MPC. You can add your audio tracks if you want, but you're not going to use them until you are ready to record.

Once I have all of my tracks routed, I basically just listen to the mix and make adjustments until I am satisfied.

From there, do as crossings said, start recording in Logic, and push play on the MPC. If you have to make multiple passes, then you would be better off syncing the MPC to Logic, but you can always move tracks manually.

crossings wrote:by hitting record in the DAW and pressing play on the MPC...

no midi necessary for recording audio tracks into your daw. since you're recording track by track in this case, you're going to have to manually sync each individual track up after you've recorded them all either way...

and you can control EQ and whatever else in your software by just using your mouse.

tapedeck wrote:

QBanks92 wrote:if I record one track at a time, how can I EQ and automate them in my DAW without using MIDI controllers?

depends on the daw - but generally you switch a channel into 'touch', 'latch', or 'write' mode, and then you hit play, and you move the settings for the strip with your mouse. these are recorded as automation.
you can do this over and over again depending on how many parameters you want to automate.
then when yer done you change the strip to 'read'.
(i am describing this from a logic perspective)

i would look up the difference between those three recording methods though.

I think the both of you are missing my point. I would like to use my mouse and computer as little as possible when it comes to EQing and recording automation. I know how to automate in Logic with my mouse and I hate it, I would rather hit 'record' and control sliders and EQ with physical knobs while I listen to all of my tracks at the same time (if that makes sense)...

QBanks92 wrote:I would also like to record analog automation for volume levels on each track without using any MIDI controllers.

tapedeck wrote:to do it properly you need the optional 8 output expansion (IB-M208P).

...and you will need an analog mixer.

or you could do it with a midi controller...but you said you dont want to use a midi controller.

you still need the 8 outs if you want to track multiple channels of audio in at one time.

with just the two outs, the most you can do is separate tracks into 2 groups (one panned left and one panned right) - but you still need an analog mixer if you want to tweak eqs and stuff analog style.

tapedeck wrote:

QBanks92 wrote:I would also like to record analog automation for volume levels on each track without using any MIDI controllers.

tapedeck wrote:to do it properly you need the optional 8 output expansion (IB-M208P).

...and you will need an analog mixer.

or you could do it with a midi controller...but you said you dont want to use a midi controller.

you still need the 8 outs if you want to track multiple channels of audio in at one time.

with just the two outs, the most you can do is separate tracks into 2 groups (one panned left and one panned right) - but you still need an analog mixer if you want to tweak eqs and stuff analog style.

Isn't the Alesis considered an analog mixer?

QBanks92 wrote:Isn't the Alesis considered an analog mixer?

yes

now to do it properly you need the optional 8 output expansion (IB-M208P).

or you can record one track at a time and sync them up later.

but if you want to hear it all in realtime, and you want each track to be separate, you need the 8 outs.

from there you just plug the outs of yer mpc into the ins on yer alesis and hit record in yer daw.

yer alesis is not a midi controller. if you want to automate them in yer daw, you either have to do it with the mouse or you have to use a midi controller.

Thanks!

def dont need more... you have plenty... just think bedroom beats made hip hop stuff what it is today... all the boards and all that is for a engineer feel...

track mute and eq out of the box that way its got the best feel for what you have at the moment! get creative then move up...