MPC 3000 with TASCAM MIDISTUDIO 688

Hey

Hope everyones good!!!

ok ill try to explain this the best i can, so not to cause too much confusion, but i must say that i'm a novice at best, so some terminology may be loss on me

Basically this is my setup

Apple Mac Desktop
DAW = LOGIC 8
MONITORS = KRK ROKIT 8s
AUDIO INTERFACE = MOTU 828 MKIII
MIDI INTERFACE = MOTU MIDI EXPRESS XT
MIXER = TASCAM MIDISTUDIO 688
DRUM MACHINE = MPC 3000
SYNTHS = ROLAND SH-101/ YAMAHA DX7/ KORG M1
EFFECTS = ROLAND SPACE ECHO RE-150/ BOSS DISTORTION PEDAL

What I'm ultimately looking to achieve is a scenario where i can

A) Sequence drums, synths and samples on the MPC 3000
B) Have MPC 3K slaved to Logic Pro 8 via MMC or MTC (not sure which is best)
C) Use 8 outs of MPC 3000 + synth outs to go into Tascam mixer
D) Use mixers sends to effect the 8 channels via Roland Space Echo
E) Track out each channel of mixer to its own individual channel on Logic
F) Use logic to do some final arranging and post production i.e. EQing, Compression
G) Send a final mixdown back to the Tascam mixer and then record it on to its tape cassette

Maybe i've been to brief or vague on my explanation, but im just looking for the best workflow to achieve a nice tape saturated, analog mix

Ideally, id like to not use the computer at all, so if anyone has a more simplistic way, that doesn't incorporate the computer. Im all ears!!!

Any help guys, id really appreciate it! Big respect if you can work this one out because im kinda losing my mind on this one

Cheers Nic

NicDefn wrote:Ideally, id like to not use the computer at all, so if anyone has a more simplistic way, that doesn't incorporate the computer. Im all ears!!!

dont use the computer?

plug it all into the mixer and go.

Cheers for the reply man!!

Ok so if no computer was used, just sequence all the drums and midi parts of the synths on the MPC and just go straight to tape

The only problem with this approach, is that it doesnt leave me much flexibility with doing EQing and Compression, or reverb or delay as i dont have any external effect rack units at the moment, apart from the Roland Space Echo

-first, do you need to be syncing MIDI with Logic if you're sequencing everything from the 3000 anyway?
personally I'd rather be syncing the 3000 to the 688. You can do this via SMPTE or I'm pretty sure the 688 is designed to record MIDI data itself but you have to sacrifice one tape track either way.
the INSERT jacks give you each individual tape track direct when its time to send it to the computer.

Hey Harmoncj

cheers for the reply man, appreciate you chipping in!!!

If i did all the sequencing on the MPC 3K, how would i connect all my synths at the same time, because at the moment i only have 1 MIDI IN left and i have two other synths that arent plugged into the MPC at the moment, only the SH-101 is plugged in via MIDI IN 1 & MIDI OUT A

If i was syncing without the computer, would i slave the mixer to the MPC and have that as master, because im pretty sure its clock would be more sturdy...i may be wrong?

Say if i did want to track out to the computer to i just go

8 OUTS of MPC to 8 INS of MIXER
THEN
8 OUTS of MIXER to 8 INS of SOUNDCARD (MOTU 828 MKIII)

sorry if my replys are raising more questions, just want to get to the bottom of this!

Cheers guys

between MPC3000's 4 midi outs, if any of the synths have MIDI thru or pass, theres gotta be a way to get it all MIDI'd up. Either that or **** it, the MPC itself can send MIDI notes 35-98 on any MIDI channel without interrupting the drum sounds.

If i was syncing without the computer, would i slave the mixer to the MPC and have that as master, because im pretty sure its clock would be more sturdy...i may be wrong?

I'm still new to this whole process, but I've had success synchronizing a tascam 488 and MPC2000 via SMPTE and its actually the other way around. the TAPE is master to the MPC. I assume it would be the same for using MIDI time code. Think, if the MPC tells the tape that its not at the right position, the tape isn't going to be able to move back in time (probably make some really cool sounds if it did!). but if the tape tells the MPC that its not at the right position, the MPC can easily advance itself to a different part of the MIDI track.

btw any way you figure how to patch it up this going to be a badass rig!

The 688 sends & recieves midi clock as well. However, you'll have to sacrifice track 8 for the midi sync tone. And if you decide to go this route, whatever you put on track 7, make sure it isn't recorded too loud because this will affect the sync track thus affecting everything that's slaved.

I still use my 688, but only for mixer purposes these days.