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By manman Sun Dec 07, 2014 11:52 pm
I've got an mpc1000 with jjos2xl, and a novation inpulse 25 on the way. I was looking into how to connect it so I can use the keys to play samples loaded on the mpc as well as record my playing back into the mpc (could be playing/recording sounds from another source as well I guess, not haven't looked into that yet)

I was looking at this video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bygp1Lv1bpA

If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to it the way he's doing in the second part of that video, and all I would need is 2 MIDI cables, is that right? I don't really get what he's doing in the first part of the video where he uses the mixer and the audio out cable (1/8th to rca?). Is he just trying to have the MPC output and keyboard output go to the mixer separately and that's it? If so, why the midi connection to the mpc?

Trying to basically figure out If I can do what I'm trying to do without the need of the mixer (and that impulse also doesn't have an analog audio out, just the USB and midi). Thanks
By manman Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:12 am
I get that it's just a controller/no sound...I guess the way I was thinking of it definitely was wrong though, since I said record it "back into the mpc", but it's only controlling what's already on the MPC. Thinking of it that way then, I should be able to use the keyboard to control the sounds loaded on the mpc, and record what I'm playing, without the use of a mixer (which I don't have) the same way i'm doing now but just with the pads, right?

I guess I also wouldn't need the second midi cable then...but the way the guy is doing it in the video confused me a little bit since he has a cable going from both mpc midi out-> keyboard in, and keyboard in->mpc midi in. Sorry if this is a dumb quesiton, but can you help me understand what it is he is doing here (at least in the second part of the video) different than what I'm trying to do? Why does he need both cables? (unless his midi keyboard is not only a controller and can also a synth?)
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By Lampdog Mon Dec 08, 2014 1:35 pm
Mpc is the only gear outputting audio. My guess is you'll ask about a mixer/audio interface or both later when you get more serious and realize you most likely need it.

Most vids causes more questions than they answer, like a "look what I can do" showdown.

Grab 1 or 2 midi cables, plug stuff up and experiment cause you'll need to do that anyway or you'll get nowhere.

Prolly guessed by now I didn't watch the vid.
By pituchez Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:36 pm
if you are using midi keyboard..keyboard has no sound. you need plugins and stuff to make sounds.

if you are on mpc ren/studio or what ever..or anyother daw. you plug it in..load a vst/plugin and then play the sounds it has
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By Lampdog Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:48 pm
you need plugins and stuff to make sounds. if you are on mpc ren/studio or what ever..or anyother daw. you plug it in..load a vst/plugin and then play the sounds it has


Wrong, try again.

manman wrote:I've got an mpc1000 with jjos2xl, and a novation inpulse 25 on the way.
By manman Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:02 pm
pituchez wrote:if you are using midi keyboard..keyboard has no sound. you need plugins and stuff to make sounds.

if you are on mpc ren/studio or what ever..or anyother daw. you plug it in..load a vst/plugin and then play the sounds it has


Thanks, but yeah, I do understand that the keyboard doesn't make sounds, just sends midi data. And like Lampdog pointed out, I'm only using the MPC and impulse at the moment, no DAW or other sound modules in the mix.

Lampdog wrote:Mpc is the only gear outputting audio. My guess is you'll ask about a mixer/audio interface or both later when you get more serious and realize you most likely need it.

Most vids causes more questions than they answer, like a "look what I can do" showdown.

Grab 1 or 2 midi cables, plug stuff up and experiment cause you'll need to do that anyway or you'll get nowhere.

Prolly guessed by now I didn't watch the vid.


Well... I'm still interested in what that guy is doing in the video, but I have to admit, you were pretty much 100% right. I had already done a little bit of research into how to do it (actually the post where I got the basic info was one of yours), but watching that video made me think it might be more complicated. Once I actually got the keyboard and experimented with it first hand, I figured out a bunch of things, raised more questions, and solved most of them by continuing to experiment... probably solved them way faster than if I would have stopped playing and asked in forums.

I've already been looking into both the mixer and audio interface separately, and definitely see why they'll be important. I just wasn't sure originally if I would need the mixer for this.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. Will try to do more research/experimentation on my own before asking questions next time. Being on a budget , I do feel like questions are sometimes good though if they can help you save some cash and put it where it will benefit you most.
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By Lampdog Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:45 pm
For me and many others, experimenting will make so many much clearer cause you can actually see it in person and not have to theorize so much.

Experience is the best teach most times.

Other stuff, you got us!


Now, mixer and/or audio interface. Some are both in one.
Some output multiple channels into pc via firewire and/or usb.
Some output only 2ch (left/right) into pc via firewire and/or usb.
Many people like to have physical faders and knobs, some don't care and an onscreen mixer is good enough (Lampdog).

All depends on what you need it for and can all your gear be plugged into it.

Tascam US-366 USB 2.0 Audio Interface w/ DSP Mixer
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Allen and Heath ZED10FX
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Many others to research and consider.