4K Newbie Bible for new MPC 4000 users!!!

i figured it out... nothing wa s wrong with my adat connections or settings... it wa s actually 2 faulty cards on my mackie d8b... i replaced them with new ones and its been adat heaven since then on...

Scheme wrote:Before I smash my MPC with a crowbar, can anyone lend some insight on how to get this ADAT card to assign its 8 outs & work properly into Protools Digi 002

I know this has to be some sort of configuration step Im missing, but I cant seem to find anything in the manual to help me out. Can anyone offer some detailed insight?


By the way... thanks in advance for any help given... I have a love hate relationship with this place now... lol

*******Aligning Pattern Tracks*******

Here's the procedure:

1. Set up a sequence they way you like it. Give each of the tracks their correct ouputs (parts).

2. Set the cursor on the Sequence number field and hit the Windows key.

3. Hit F2 (DEFAULT).

That's it. Now when you select a new *empty* sequence, the tracks are already layed out as you had in the first sequence.

*******Emulating DAW Recording *******

A) To emulate auto-recording with a pre-programmed MIDI note:

* Prepare an empty Drum Program and in Zone, force all KGs to CONST/ONE SHOT
* In MULTI, assign this Program to a Part of the current Multi, and assign
this Part to an internal MIDI channel, say 1B
* In RECORD, set Trigger via MIDI note on the same MIDI channel, say 1B, and set a slightly longer record time than you want to record (so you can manually stop recording when needed)
* In MAIN, set a new Drum Track out to INT-B, Ch:1
* IN STEP EDIT, insert a note, say Pad A01, at the time where you want to
start recording
* In RECORD, arm recording (waiting for MIDI note)
* Put the sequence in Play
* At the pre-programmed time (Pad event), recording will start automatically
* When you want to end recording, press F6:STOP, or wait until record
finishes automatically at the end of the programmed record time
* Press F5: ADD PGM, select the empty Drum Program prepared above
* Hit the same Pad, say A01, and press F6:DO IT
-> the recorded sample will play in sync with the rest of the sequence


B) To emulate recording on-the-fly:

* Prepare an empty Drum Program and in Zone, force all KGs to CONST/ONE SHOT
* In MULTI, assign this Program to a Part of the current Multi, and assign
this Part to an internal MIDI channel, say 1B
* In RECORD, set Trigger via MIDI note on the sane MIDI channel, say 1B, and set a slightly longer record time than you want to record (so you can
manually stop recording when needed)
* In MAIN, set a new Drum Track out to INT-B, Ch:1
* Turn Timing Correct OFF (so that the MIDI note is not quantized)
* In RECORD, arm recording (waiting for MIDI note)
* Put the sequence in Record (PLAY+REC or PLAY START+REC)
* When you want to start recording, hit a Pad (Full Level), say Pad A01
* When you want to end recording, press F6:STOP, or wait until record
finishes automatically at the end of the programmed record time
* Press F5: ADD PGM, select the empty Drum Program prepared above
* Hit the same Pad, say A01, and press F6:DO IT
-> the recorded sample will play in sync with the rest of the sequence


Of course, if you want to make multiple recordings, you will need to select
a new Track, and change the MIDI channel or assign the already "recorded" track out to PART (so that it doesn't send the MIDI note to the trigger Channel).
Again, this can be planned ahead of time by preparing the "recording" Tracks in advance and only changing the Track Out (Channel or Part) for each recording."
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I'm just the messenger here, Big Up for Rob!!!, who posted these tips here on the Forum,

Rob my man take a bow

ok, i got a question:
how do i set up my sequences to point to different multis?

i am putting together a large set where i need to punch in the next sequence at a given time. but when i do this, the next sequence sticks with the old multi (the multi of the previous sequence). hm.
thanks for any info on this!

murw wrote:ok, i got a question:
how do i set up my sequences to point to different multis?

i am putting together a large set where i need to punch in the next sequence at a given time. but when i do this, the next sequence sticks with the old multi (the multi of the previous sequence). hm.
thanks for any info on this!

This was already posted earlier in the bible. Look for
the Subject:
Give thanks to RENEGADEBLISS "How do you change multis?


Should be about 5-6 posts up from this. It gives a rough set of steps
to have the Sequence send program change to change the Multi.

Let me know if you have any problems with this.

ahhhhh.... didn't know that also applies for the mpc internally. i'll try it out tomorrow, thanks!

Playing with the Redrum and synth programs on Reason really simplify and demysterfy the resolution of the 4k sequencer edit and program page.

First about the sequence edit is a blast in simple terms. Like Redrum if you start with a one bar you can set for a 1/8 or 1/16 resolution just like back in the TR808 days. At 16 notes that is 4 steps per quarter note and 16 steps in a bar total. 1/16 is at 240 ppqs that meanings in the first note in the measure is 0, the second is 240, the third is 480, and the fourth (aka the quarter note) at 1/16 timing is 720ppqs.

Just like on the old tr808 and redrum you can step edit and record your drums in any pattern you want in seq edit insert another bar and keep programming. Once you get more understanding then the resolution of 1/96 off in 10 ticks spacing and 1/960 off in 1 ticks really start to make sense for that fine editing and recording to move a note forward or backwards for subtle timing.

For instrumental playing of keys the 1/960 resolutions is as human like as you can get and still be able to edit as you like.


I write more later on the program page for sythsesis. Reason 2.5 really opened my eyes and similified the 4k parameters in ways the Akai manual never did.

I just wanted 2 say that I am not all that impressed with tha MPC right now..Maybe it'z becuz I'm still new 2 it, but I'm used 2 machinez that I can play basslines, keyz, etc in it, and right now it seemz tha only thing that thiz machine iz good 4 iz running drum sequencez back 2 back..I don't want 2 b a hater on tha MPC, but unless there'z more playing from external keyboardz and stuff that I can do thru tha MPC, I may not keep mine long..

MPCVirgin wrote:I just wanted 2 say that I am not all that impressed with tha MPC right now..Maybe it'z becuz I'm still new 2 it, but I'm used 2 machinez that I can play basslines, keyz, etc in it, and right now it seemz tha only thing that thiz machine iz good 4 iz running drum sequencez back 2 back..I don't want 2 b a hater on tha MPC, but unless there'z more playing from external keyboardz and stuff that I can do thru tha MPC, I may not keep mine long..

Yeah ya new to this but please post this somewhere else like regular threads and in the future concentrate on one instrument at a time. Like a virgin touch for the very first time, you won`t know what you`re doing until you got enough experience. See ya.

ONE wrote:Now this is the "Real Deal" Manual: http://www.akaipro.co.jp/jp/datalib/dow ... 0ref_E.zip

I actually only got the "Introductory" Manual and it's a piece of sh!t. It's over 400 pages, but it's 100 pages per LANGUAGE. Not a lot of info there! The link up there ^^^ is much is a much much better user guide.

true...

if you want to know what the on button does... then use the introductory manual... thats about all its good for.

eg. "this is the 'on' button"
"it turns the mpc4000 on/off"

f*ckin duh!!!!!

I want this thread to be "newbie" safe, as in no dumb questions here. I would like people to refrain from comments that make others feel stupid. If there are those that feel they MUST need to make others feel stupid please don't post here. PM me and tell me I'm stupid for all I care, but I feel this is needed. I went through every single page of the 4k forum and there is still TONS of stuff regarding this machine that has not been addressed. I just want something that will cover all the basics, and be here to get people off on the good foot.[/quote]


You are stupid.... nah I'm just kiddin'. I'vr tried clickin' our your sound library sale link to no avail. Is it no longer available?

I'm sorry, the previous message was supposed to be private. I gotta quit smokin'!

A tip that has worked for me in the past.

If your 4k freezes and you didn't save your work and you are so pissed at losing the best beat you did in a long time, or even ever, that your about to bring a sledgehammer to the 4k and smash it into little pieces.

Well first take a deep breath...chill...count to ten...thing about the little things in life that bring you happiness and try this:

If you have AKSYS and your 4k hooked up to your PC via USB, try saving your work through there...chances are it will work. Save it wherever, on the harddrive of the 4k or even on your PC's hard drive. Re-boot the 4k...and load the folder that you just saved....you should be able to continue where you left off.

If this doesn't work....or you don't have a PC or AKSYS ain't working....your pretty much SOL.

I hope this helps some cats. This recently happened to me...and I forgot about this method of saving and I lost some good shit.

also, I'm glad to see this thread going, and cats like Rob putting in some good effoert to help out other 4k users with taming this beast. Props for that.

trupro drops knowledge about using Sysex with an MPC and a Synth:

SYSEX DUMPS to RESET YOUR MODULE FOR A PARTICULAR BEAT...
Sysex can either be really tough or really straitfoward, depending on the synth you have. What a sysex does is dump ALL the settings from a given synth or module into a sequencer. Later, you can play the dump back into the synth or module, and the settings will be restored. NOTE: BEFORE YOU DO THIS make SURE that you have all your sounds in the module saved. If you F this one up, you will be resetting your synth, and could lose all your parameter settings in your synth. The sysex does not change wave data or samples in your synthesizer, rather, it resets parameters. So, If I make a beat on the MPC, sequencing internal drums and samples, along with MIDI tracks that sequence a Triton, I'll dump sysex FROM the triton to the MPC on an empty sequence. However, if I make a new beat after that with new EDITED sounds from the Triton and didn't dump a sysex, I'm in trouble. When I load up an earlier track, and dump it's sysex BACK to the Triton, it will reset the synth to the state it was in when I made that track. Whatever new sounds I made parameters for in the Triton will be reset. If they weren't there when I did the earlier sysex, they'll be gone. So, once you start doing sysex dumps, do them all the time, for every track you make. You need to find the sysex dump screen in your synth. Usually they are located in 'Global' or 'MIDI' parameter sections of most modules. I have had terrible luck with dumps from the Yamaha QY-70, and the Roland Fantom. But, it was a snap with the Motif and Proteus 2000. Here's how: Set up a new sequence on the MPC, making sure the loop is set to OFF. Turn the tempo down really slow, about 40 BPMs. Usually the dump occurrs on MIDI channel 1. But, you can change the Tx, or Transmit channel, in the synth before you dump. Channel 1 is fine. Set up a channel in the MPC for track 1 in the new sequence. Hit play/start+Record on your MPC, and after the first beat, execute the dump from the synth. In most, there will be a soft button that says "dump" or "execute". It may take a minute or two, it may take a couple of seconds; it varies. Just keep an eye on the synth and it should give a message like "dump Complete" or something. Then just hit stop on the MPC. In the same section as the Tx Dump, there should be a command in any synth for the Rx Dump, or Recieve Dump. Many don't have a special screen; you just play that sequence with the sysex data on it back into the synth or module when you have the main screen showing on the synth. This string of SYStem EXclusive messages should reset the parameters as they were when you made that particular track. The sysex data gets saved in the MPC as normal when you save your sequences. When used properly, you'll always have the right sounds 'saved' with the right beat. Many folks use this method and don't save ANYTHING in thier synth, but you have to play around and test it out. I would save to floppy, Flash ROM, or Computer, depending on what module you have, then try out this method.

from deaf-mute:

on the mp-7 you can also work around sysex by saving all the patches (sounds) in different location and check the program number. then on your mpc, under prg in the main window, you can select the program change number. to know which msb and lsb to use (hit window when on prg) then hit the audition button on the mp-7 on the patch you want to recall and it will give you the msb and lsb to use to change to the correct bank..

and another one from trupro:

Good call. Much quicker. But what do you do when you run out of patch/prgrm banks in your synth? That's right....sysex dump!!
Oh, and for those who have a Fantom and were even slower than me at learning the sysex on that, I finally got it:
Open the menu that gives you the edit list (mutitimbre, patch, system, etc) scroll down and select Data Transfer. Next screen, set the upper left field to Multitimbre, the lower left to Temp+Patch, then the right feild (destination) to MIDI. Then do the dump as described earlier. Make damn sure your timing is OFF in the MPC, and that the echo thru is set to off.
Also, the Fantoms will reject sysex commands comming back IN unless you take the protection setting off.

all this is from this topic:
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3999&start=15