Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By Apolloape Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:35 pm
I'm having issues with getting audio from my Microkorg to my mpc. I have followed the manual but still can't seem to figure this out. I understand that i can only send signals through midi but i have my audio cables hooked in and i still cant here any thing. I can get my micro korg to play my samples but thats all midi. I want the Mpc to play the actual sound of the korg. I am pretty sure i have set everything correctly ( channels, soft thru etc).
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By Lampdog Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:45 pm
mpc audio -> mixer
korg audio -> mixer
korg midi -> mpc

midi cables do not carry audio. it's key/pad [u]performance data only

your korg audio out will have to be sent to a mixer/audio interface/soundcard
same as your mpc main outs will have to be sent to a mixer/audio interface/soundcard.

Maybe something here can show you exactly what I mean, look through it.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=153914
By Apolloape Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:29 pm
Hey. Thank you so much for the quick reply. I am a newb to this and have only been making beats using samples off the cf card. i have a xynex 802 mixer http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/802.aspx will it suffice?

Also i read on this thread viewtopic.php?f=18&t=116025
that i dont need a mixer but i cant find the input option he is talking about. i know you can do this with the 1000 but not sure about the 500.

if i can do it without the mixer that would be great. like i said before i'm really new at this (kinda embarrassed to ask for help) so i don't really know where i would be plugging the audio outs from the mpc and korg to the mixer. I apologize for the head ache but people like you are life savers. thanks for the time.
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By Lampdog Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:46 am
Image

MPC main out left/right -> mixer line in 3/4.
MicroKorg main out left/right -> mixer line in 4/5.

Mixer main outs -> active speakers ("active" = they have their own amps inside).
or
Mixer main outs -> amp line/aux in -> passive speakers (passive = no amp inside).

This way you will be able to listen to your microkorg and mpc at the same time through your mixer channels.

You need a mixer or audio interface or sound card where you can input your korg and mpc. You NEED that. You have a mixer so your ok.

midi will allow you to play the korg and record your keyboard performance as data only inside the mpc's sequencer. I do this all the time with my korg triton extreme and mpc 4k.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=116025
Pay no attention to that thread.
By Apolloape Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:37 pm
Thanks LD. Now that i am set up I'm a little confused as to how i will be recording the sounds from the synth into my mpc. You mentioned data from the korg being sent to the mpc through midi. How do i record the audio into the separate tracks? do i just follow the same process as in the Manual for recording midi? Thanks again for your time.
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By Lampdog Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:45 pm
You need to change your thinking on this.
Kybd audio doesnt get routed to mpc at all.

Kybd audio to mixer, mixer audio out to audio interface/sound card on computer.
Your computer will record mixer main out audio via a daw, Reaperis cheap and very powerful.

Midi and audio never get mixed together and they follow different routes.


http://www.mpc-tutor.com/article/9/unde ... -akai-mpc/
By Apolloape Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:06 pm
He has a midi Key board going to the mpc than to a synthesizer. i dont have an external synthesizer my self but i thought the Korg could do the same thing. sorry for the confusion. I dont understand how this guys set up is allowing him to play his synethesizer directly to the mpc. Im trying to avoid using a computer program.
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By Lampdog Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:20 pm
He's doing the same thing I just told you. His synth audio doesn't go not mpc. At time 352 you only see red grn midi cables going to mpc. Audio out fom the synth goes off to the ight of the screen, probably to a mixer.

He pushes mpc pad and he can trigger to synth sound to play, the actual synth sound is NOT in the mpc.

He pushes the midi kybd keys and triggers the mpc to play it drums. The actual drum sounds are not int the midi kybd.

Keys and pads can also be used as triggers for other gar, that's what all mpcs do and they excel at it so much that it confuses noobs into thinking the sound is actually coming fom the mpc, lol. Sound comes from it's respective gear and routed to a mixer/audio interface/sound card somewhere.

The minute you understand that is the minute this will become more clear.
You notice he keeps saying MIDI DATA and he never said audio.

What I told you up above, you can sequence on your mpc, no computer needed. You can make full songs and projects with what I told you. Like I did I do it all the time, triton extreme and mpc4k. I can make full songs without turning on my computer, I sequence in my 4k. Sounds like you wanting to do the same thing I do, sequence in your mpc. From what you say you want you will no up doing exactly what I do already. Sorry for the long explanation.
By Apolloape Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:04 pm
Hey LD. Thanks for all your help. I got everything set up and working great. now that i go back and think about it was stupid easy to do. haha. do you happen to know why it is that when you record a track on track 1 with the mk than try to record a new track and say change a setting on the MK all the stuff i recorded on track 1 changes. i just want to REcord tracks and keep layering.

Once again thank for your help. I feel like school girl right now im so pumped to make new shit!!
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By Lampdog Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:47 pm
Timbral and/or multi-timbral is your answer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbrality

KORG microKORG SPECIFICATION

Synthesizer Program:
Multi Timbral: 2 (max, Normal/Dual Mode)

Voices:
4 voices

Check your manual on dual mode.

My triton extreme for example can do all 16 midi channels, smaller keyboards, usually, no go.