Looking for insight into REN midi workflow with DAW

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I've used an MPC 2000xl, 3000, 4000 in the past. I mainly work in the box now with digital performer 8, which is fine. However I still prefer the MPC workflow when it comes to drum programming and I am looking to buy the renaissance to program drums and sequence my kurzweil workstation.

I am wondering how good is the integration between the MPC and DAW's. If I use the MPC as a plugin do I still sequence on the MPC but have the midi data also going onto my digital performer midi track?

So in essence I want to use the MPC sequencer for drums and external gear sequencing then have that midi in my DAW for further tweaking before I play my kontakt instruments in digital performer alongside that, is this possible. Thanks.

It's not unusable, but it unfortunately doesn't function like you want to use it. The plugin implementation is half-baked at best. Several of us on this forum have complained and wagered for plugin attention in every OS release, with minimal attention to it. My recommendation, wait to see what this rumored Ren 2 will be before putting down your money for this. If you only want to use it with your DAW, you'll be frustrated with the list of things you can't do. If you want to use it without a DAW as well, then consider it.

Eyalc wrote:It's not unusable, but it unfortunately doesn't function like you want to use it. The plugin implementation is half-baked at best. Several of us on this forum have complained and wagered for plugin attention in every OS release, with minimal attention to it. My recommendation, wait to see what this rumored Ren 2 will be before putting down your money for this. If you only want to use it with your DAW, you'll be frustrated with the list of things you can't do. If you want to use it without a DAW as well, then consider it.

Thanks. Ok, how much do you have to rely on the mouse and laptop/computer screen when creating songs/arrangements? can you use the midi outs to sync to the DAW ?

Sorry man, don't know about using the midi outs to sync to DAW. I abondoned using the plugin a long time ago - just too limiting for what I want.

Regarding the computer screen, I'm sure there are people that use both screens (Ren and computer), and some that only use one. I use both.

Eyalc wrote:Sorry man, don't know about using the midi outs to sync to DAW. I abondoned using the plugin a long time ago - just too limiting for what I want.

Regarding the computer screen, I'm sure there are people that use both screens (Ren and computer), and some that only use one. I use both.

Cool. So you essentially work standalone, then export tracks. How deep is midi editing within the Ren itself ?

You can sync the MPC Software to any DAW using virtual MIDI outs (e.g. IAC on a Mac), so no need to use the physical MIDI ports.

MIDI editing in the MPC Software is fairly advanced - you can download the trial from the Akai web site and test it out for yourself to see if it meets your needs.

TheCelestial91 wrote:

Eyalc wrote:Sorry man, don't know about using the midi outs to sync to DAW. I abondoned using the plugin a long time ago - just too limiting for what I want.

Regarding the computer screen, I'm sure there are people that use both screens (Ren and computer), and some that only use one. I use both.

Cool. So you essentially work standalone, then export tracks. How deep is midi editing within the Ren itself ?

Correct - I export all tracks as audio and continue working in my DAW. Don't really like having to do so, but that's the easiest way to work in my workflow. I'd much more prefer the plugin approach. The album in my signature - wrote the entire album with the standalone / export tracks / finish in DAW approach.

Midi editing is good. I've never felt limited by it.

Eyalc wrote:

TheCelestial91 wrote:

Eyalc wrote:Sorry man, don't know about using the midi outs to sync to DAW. I abondoned using the plugin a long time ago - just too limiting for what I want.

Regarding the computer screen, I'm sure there are people that use both screens (Ren and computer), and some that only use one. I use both.

Cool. So you essentially work standalone, then export tracks. How deep is midi editing within the Ren itself ?

Correct - I export all tracks as audio and continue working in my DAW. Don't really like having to do so, but that's the easiest way to work in my workflow. I'd much more prefer the plugin approach. The album in my signature - wrote the entire album with the standalone / export tracks / finish in DAW approach.

Midi editing is good. I've never felt limited by it.

Dope work by the way. I think I'm gonna wait for the next ren/ultra. Thanks for the responses.

Thanks.

Waiting is not a bad option IMO. Read somewhere else that rumor is announcement in October.

One more question, how does the MPC Ren compare to the MPC 5000?

TheCelestial91 wrote:One more question, how does the MPC Ren compare to the MPC 5000?

Mpc5000 is probably the worse mpc ever made, buggy, laggy, unfinished and abandoned. If you want a beefy standalone mpc look at the 2500 running jjos.

TheCelestial91 wrote:One more question, how does the MPC Ren compare to the MPC 5000?

I have a 5000 - I don't have nearly the same issues that others have had. I think it's a good MPC, but not nearly as great as it could have been, for the same reasons as tutor said. Reading around, there also seems to be a lot of hardware issues with them. I've never had serious issues with mine though - and I've only seen mine crash a handful of times over the 5 years I've had it, so I've been fortunate. But then again, I probably don't put as many hours on mine as others do, and I'm not a pad smasher either - I think that always contributes to issues with MPCs.

Anyway, straying. You asked how does it compare - I don't care about running plugins in the Ren software - my workflow is based around a DAW. But even with taking that away, the basic MPC functionality - sequencing, chopping, etc - the Ren software is way ahead of the 5000 now.

Watch "How to track out using the MPC Element in Studio …" on YouTube
How to track out using the MPC Element in Studio …: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhiS1mWZeEg
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEwv0tI7icoIts first link is for the element but applys to the ren/studio as well I just figured this out myself now it's on.