Tracking out to DAW - suggestions?

Okay, so I searched and found some decent information on this topic, but I have to admit, the is the part of creating music with the 5k that really bugs me.

I produce for commercial release, so mixing is essential. Most of my songs are between 15-20 tracks, give or take a couple tracks. The tracking process is tedious and time consuming. Really wish you could just simultaneously bounce every track to a wav file in one pass. This would be my biggest request if we ever got an OS update.

I've mixed in the box, but I'm so used to mixing with my dynamics plugs on my computer that I just can't get a good sound from the 5k and its effects.

I use adat when tracking. Most of my samples are stereo, except for bass and drums, so I can't bounce 8 tracks of the song at a time - instead I can only do 4. This just makes the process take longer.

Don't get me wrong, it's essential so I do it, but trying to learn more about what other people do. Anyone have any strategies for tracking to DAW? Realize I might be asking a question that I already know the answer to, but I don't know everything!

I say you are on the right track, either you deal with the limitations you get with the 5k and keep you fingers crossed for a dope update of the OS. This doesn't seem to be on their agenda in any way tho =( even tho every 5k user would want one!

If as you say you are working on commercial releases and put a lot of time into mixing but still want to use a similar workflow as with your mpc I recommend that you invest in a MPC Studio or other controller. This way you could work as much as possible in your DAW instead of relying of your skills with the 5k.

Thanks for the response.

Yeah, I thought about the Studio, even Ren for that matter. Might be where I have to go. Just don't like the idea of having to be tethered to a computer all the time. I know - can't have everything, right? LOL.

None-the-less, I'll check out the new MPC line again. And I agree - an update would be awesome, but doesn't seem likely.

Thanks for the vote of confidence that I'm approaching bouncing in the right way. Drives me nuts having to spend that time.

Question, if you have experience, is the workflow of the new MPC line similar enough to the 5k? I'll certainly check it out for myself... just would like opinions from those that may have made the transition as well.

Yeah.. I've feel ya on the mixing part. I love using the hardware mpcs, but i always end up on the daw since vocals almost needed to be added. and things like guitar that may stretch over longer periods than 2 4 or even 8 bars can only be done on a daw (plus the fact you can do other routing features in a daw that you can't do inside the mpc) I like to layer alot of guitar and keyboard stuff to thicken it up and 8 hd tracks on the 5000 isn't enough for me. I only use laptops for daw use now so it's not a pain to always have it near.. i use the mpc as a sampler.. And i track/sequence straight into the daw... So as you create your beat your tracking as you go and you dont have to track it later...

I use reaper as my daw because the custom reaper action(key commands/macro) greatly speeds things up...

1 i have keys setup to start recording... arm the appropriate tracks in one go ( i use the adat port like you and always setup my drum pgms to be spread across the 6 channels into my rme interface. )
2 i find the loop and have a short cut that turns on loop cycle and sets the tempo according to the loop selection..
3 now i just move onto the next pgm and setup/goto my sample chop track in the daw and arm that and record..(it records and loops and each loop creates a new take so i can go back later and pick and choose/comp lots of takes together to make a perfect take) If i want to quantise i have a short cut that auto splits the wav/loop clip and then quantises the clips to grid in the daw with one key command.(i dont normally use this unless the beat is/ needs to be straight and strict)

Note.. I dont sequence in the mpc first then press play and record in each track.. I live play each part in.. So i only use the mpc as a sampler and not as a sequencer.. Since for me i like having a rather loose human feel to the beats i make...

I'm organised with my groups/folder channels so drums, sample chops/ keyboards/ guitars/ /synths/ all have their own bus groups and have it set so that kicks and snare channels send to each instrument/sample chop channel if sidechaining is needed. I have it setup as my default template, and or each group as a custom add channel/track function. So really flexible... if i need to add another say sample chop track for recording, i have a keymacro that duplicates the same track then arms the new track. Great if you have intricate routing system and want that same routing system and effect on the new track..

The above system works for me as i prefer now using hardware stuff.. Like guitars keyboards acoustic instruments .. So i treat the 5000 like any other instrument and play it in as audio clips..

I find with software beat making that i'd make it in the sequencer first then export the stems out in one bounce which is cool.. But i'd still have to import each track in and resetup all my routing as the daw isn't smart enough to drag and drop each track/file to the correct routing... If i use as a vsti it either draws too much on the daw and computer or crashes too much...And your arranging proces is still in the sequencer and half in the daw.(too confusing ) Then i'm playing with buffer sizes and tryning to find a balance between latency and stability. With a hardware mpc you've got direct monitoring so you can slog as many tracks as you can without software latency and have all the software play processing you want...


If you find that you like to sequence on the mpc then bounce out, a software based mpc(ren/studio) is def the way to go.. As you can bounce each track out in one pass...


If your really smart, you can do short sequences in yr 5000(if you want tite quantised chops) and have it synced to your daw via mtc and record each sequence/part as you make your beat.. If your daw and mpc is synd you'd have the same effect..

Sorry for the mega post...