MPC sequencer to control software VSTs?

Hi, I got my MPC1000 very recently and still setting up my equipment.

I got a midi keyboard controller hooked up to the MPC midi in, and the MPC midi out hooked up to the computer midi input.

What I would like to achieve is to get the MPC to sequence all midi data and have my software VSTs in Cubase get Midi control from the keyboard through the MPC (as if cubase+VSTs was a multi-timbral synth).

So far I managed to have the MPC + keyboard controlling a single VST within a single Midi track in Cubase (receiving ALL midi channels), but I can't figure out how to control more than one VST in a song.
I guess in other words my question is: is Cubase (or any other software you can tell me about) multi-timbral and so I can sequence everything on the MPC? or do I have to use the Cubase sequencer to get the different VSTs I want to use together in a song?

Thanks for reading and I'd appreciate any help. I tried reading tutorials and manuals but it looks like I'm stuck on this one

Here's the thing...
I don't know modern Cubase, but can't you specify the MIDI In and Channel in the track parameters? You'd assign the same In to multiple track, make each respond on a single MIDI track only.

If you asked me, I would say you can use this method for recording from the MPC pads into Cubase (to a VST), but it's better to keep the VST tracks in Cubase, because of the need to synchronise the timing of VSTs with each other and with other audio in your project. You can sync up the MPC using MIDI Clock too, so samples you play from it are in sync (but not N'Sync.

Originally posted by steroid:

but it's better to keep the VST tracks in Cubase, because of the need to synchronise the timing of VSTs with each other and with other audio in your project. You can sync up the MPC using MIDI Clock too, so samples you play from it are in sync (but not N'Sync.

OK, If I understand you correctly, then your suggestion is to use the Cubase sequencer and to sync the MPC to the Cubase. This means I'm still gonna be doing some music on pc after all, oh well... I will give this setup a try, thanks!

For all Cubase users: Yamaha just bought Steinberg from Pinnacle Systems!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by djinept

For all Cubase users: Yamaha just bought Steinberg from Pinnacle Systems!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so it might be a good idea to keep tabs on Cubase after all... Still if someone is using Cubase+MPC, please let me know how you use it together. TNX!

OK, after reading through the forum I got some info so I'll put it all here together just in case someone might need it.

Syncing Cubase and MPC
------------------------------

1. Approach 1 is to have Cubase as Master and the MPC as Slave.
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On the MPC1000 do the following:
hit Mode+9 (MIDI/Sync) F2 (sync) choose midi in: 1 (assuming you connected your midi cable to midi input 1). choose midi out: OFF

On Cubase do the following:
I. Open the Synchronization Setup dialog from the Transport menu.

II. Activate the sync outputs by using the corresponding checkboxes in the lower right part of the dialog.

Activate the send midi clock checkbox and choose the midi output interface and timecode source radio button.

III. Activate playback in Cubase SX/SL, and the MPC will follow.
[taken from the Cubase help in part]


2. Approach 2 is to have the MPC as Master and Cubase as Slave
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This is actually what I had in mind when I posted my question, and appearantly it was answered by thynctank on the link
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php ... ght=cubase

Originally posted by thynctank

MPC to Cubase Setup

Sure it is. But getting it to work can be confusing.

I use Cubase SX2. Dunno what you use but the process should be similar.

The problem with Cubase is that every track is receiving messages ALL the TIME from whatever input source they're assigned to. They also (by default) receive on EVERY channel rather than just the channel they're assigned to play back on.

To prevent them from doing this, you have to set up filters on every MIDI track in Cubase that say "unless the incoming MIDI data is [insert channel #], drop it"

To do that in SX2, select a MIDI track, set the MIDI in to whatever input port your MPC track is on. Assign it to a VST instrument, and click the weird arrow in the left margin where the track info shows up. If you mouse over it before clicking it, it'll say Input Transformer. This is the key to making things work properly.

Click the transformer button, select Local. The Input Transformer window will pop up. Click the dropdown for Mode and select Filter. Check Active Module 1 and make sure Selected Module is 1. (it should be) Click the Add Line button in the top half. Click the words "Value 1" and choose "Channel" instead. Click "Equal" and select "Unequal". Then choose whichever channel you want the track to work with. Close out the window and you're done with that!

The MPC track, the MIDI track in Cubase, and the receiving VST instrument should now all be setup to the same channel and should work properly. Only catch is, you've gotta set each track this way, and it can take some time.

A time saver is start a New project and choose 16-channel MIDI Sequencer, set up each of the 16 channels to work in this way, (or you could even use both of the MPC outs to control 16 channels on two different ports, giving you a 32-part multitimbral setup...) and Save as Template from the File menu. That way, any time you want to start an MPC-sequenced project in Cubase, all you have to do is select MPC Project, or whatever you happen to call it.

Or you could just use this template file: http://www.thynctank.com/MPC_Project.cpr

Open that up and save as template. It's all set to go, but you're gonna need to adjust your device setup for your given situation. MIDI ports will need changing and Audio devices in and out will need changing but it's a lot of work saved for you in the long run. Oh, and if you don't get it, the audio track is for you to listen to your MPC's click track on.

Thank me later.
-tank.
_________________
You don't know what I know
Cuz you aint seen through my eyes
This spliff is always lit but it's a natural high
http://www.thynctank.com

Just to make things complete, if you happen to use Pro-Tools, you will find this link helpful for synching on the Pro-Tools side:
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=23102

Thank you all, it was a very long night for me, n I'm going to sleep with a big smile

Maybe Cubase as a sync slave will work, I could be overreacting to what I read in the Cubase SX3 Operations Manual*, (pg 678):
"MIDI Clock is not suitable as a master sync source for an application like Cubase SX/SL. Therefore Cubase SX/SL will transmit MIDI Clock signals to other devices, but it will not receive MIDI Clock. "

So it's a question of whether you need the two boxes to sync. Using Cubase + VSTs like a multitimbral sound module doesn't require sync, what thynctank is describing includes what I was suggesting - to get a Cubase track to respond to only 1 MIDI channel, the Cubase way uses filters.

But if you have MIDI sequencer data in both MPC and Cubase, it will likely means syncing them together, with Cubase as the master.






* ftp://ftp.pinnaclesys.com/Steinberg/dow ... Manual.pdf

If you can still find it, Steinberg v-stack works good for me. Then just rewire it.