Bug reports & end-user support for Akai's MPC Software 'controllers' including the new MPC Studio 2, the MPC Touch, MPC Renaissance & original MPC Studio and MPC StudioB lack.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:02 pm
Very quick question if that's ok, I just received my ren from the insurance company and am still wondering wether or not to sell it and buy back an2500, my question is, does the ren have audio through? So can I go from my mixer into my ren and then out of my ren to my monitors without having to hook up my laptop. I know obviously I won't be able to do anything on the ren but I just need to know if it'll work as an audio through when I just want to listen to a record or something without using my lap top. Thanks!

Sorry for the weird grammar, boss is looking over my shoulder.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:21 pm
I'm at home now and have more time to explain my question. I used to route audio from my turntables and dj mixer into my mpc 2500 (jjos2xl) and leave ''audio thru'' switched to on. I would then go from the mpc outs to my monitor ins. So even if I wanted to have a mix or scratch or just listen to a piece of vinyl I would turn on my mpc for the audio to pass through it and go to my monitors. Can I do the same thing with the audio Ren WITHOUT having to use my laptop in any way? I would try it but I don't want to open it yet as I might ebay it as new if this can't be done.... (insurance replacement from a 2500)

I have read the manual but I'm afraid I couldn't find the answer...

I def need this because I only have 1 set of 1/4'' outs from my dj mixer and obviously need them going into my mpc for sampling but I REALLY don't want to have to use the lap top every time I throw a record on.

Thanks for any help.
By jigdagod Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:39 pm
I can try this out when I get home tonight. Just for listening to vinyl right?
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:49 pm
hey jigdagod, yeah just for listening to vinyl. so literally nothing but turns, mixer, mpc, monitors and cables.

Thanks so much for helping me out. I totally appreciate it!
By jigdagod Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:55 pm
Fruitnveg wrote:hey jigdagod, yeah just for listening to vinyl. so literally nothing but turns, mixer, mpc, monitors and cables.

Thanks so much for helping me out. I totally appreciate it!


Not a problem fam. Cool, I guess I never thought about trying it because my desktop PC is always on.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:05 pm
yeah, thats it, if I had a desktop it wouldn't be a problem but I only have 1 lap top that I use all over the house and is shared. I'm sure it will be possible (pretty bad if it isn't) because I'd be simply going through the soundcard just like on a native instruments audio 8 etc, having said that the serato sound cards require a laptop I think....anyway we'll see.

Thanks again man.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:07 pm
actually, not that it matters but I just realised that the serato soundcards would work without a computer if they had multicore cables....anyway....I'll wait and see.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:42 pm
Ok so I couldn't resist an I tried it out, it turns out you can monitor without a computer BUT the output is sickeningly low!! I've got direct mon all the way to input, switches on back set to line as I am using 2 trs 1/4" cables. I've got the record gain set as high as poss without clipping and the main volume set all the way up, I've got my mixer out set to as high as poss without clipping 2.
I've tried going straight out of my mixer into the monitors and that is LOUD and clear.
Volume on the headphones is also quiet as sheet! I've got my hd 25's on and the volume right up with the knob all the way over to the left set to main.

Any help would be very cool!!
By jigdagod Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:46 pm
I just tried it and I couldn't get any audio to come thru from my mixer to my mpc to the speakers. when I turned my computer on the audio started working. My MPC was just flashing all the lights as well.
By Fruitnveg Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:00 pm
thanks jigdagod! I can get it working but the volume is just ridiculously low.
By jigdagod Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:59 pm
was your Ren already on when you tried it? do you have flashing lights all over your Ren?


Do you have it on Phono or Mic In? Check all those on your mixer and there are 2 on the Ren.
User avatar
By konc3pt Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:14 am
jigdagod wrote:

Do you have it on Phono or Mic In? Check all those on your mixer and there are 2 on the Ren.


This
By Fruitnveg Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:04 am
I've now been through every setting and discovered that the mpc MUST be hooked up to the laptop in order to get a good output through the headphones or main out. The mpc software doesn't even have to be launched but there needs to be a usb connection and the laptop must be switched on. I can get a signal without the laptop but it is very weak.

I've been doing this as a hobby for 17 years now and have never been this confussed. It's kind of annoying really.

Thanks again for the help!!
User avatar
By MPC-Tutor Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:37 am
The Ren is a controller which contains a standard computer audio interface, so it requires a USB connection for the computer to supply the necessary audio drivers. You cannot use the Ren without it being connected to a computer for any purpose other than a paper weight with a flashing light show.
By Fruitnveg Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:50 pm
Not to sound pedantic but it does supply audio through, albeit very quiet. So yeah pretty much a paper weight. Damn I wish I hadn't of opened it now. Still gonna sell it and get another 2500.

Thanks for all the info on this guys.

Peace!