MIDI controllers and creating additional ports

Ok, so I have searched the forum and found some different ways to achieve this, but I wanted to try and get a really clear answer so here goes:

I traditionally use a korg x5d as a midi controller, just because i have always liked the way it feels. I use it with several random thru boxes and a motu midi express. I don't need to have every piece of gear I own connected, but it's nice to have the option. I do have an arturia bsp and some other random midi controllers, but none that are akai.

My question is this: are there any controllers or USB devices that will allow me to have more midi I/O? I see that the mpk 249 seems really popular- if I hooked up two to USB on the live, would that mean I would have 4 midi I/O ports? I'm willing to "downgrade" to using only 2 ports (mpc live) but I'm really struggling trying to get everything connected- not that I need to.

If you would connect two midi keyboards via USB, you can also still connect two midi keyboards via the normal midi input.

Output wise you are restricted to two outputs.

I can recommend using the midi thru on your external gear.

Ok, so does that mean that the midi ports on the controller (such as an mpk 249) are inactive, or not recognized by the live?

I have a USB3 8x8 connected to my MPC X, but it will also work with the Live.

I cannot yet use the 8 MIDI Outputs on the interface, but I can use all 8 MIDI Inputs. I also, just like the built-in MIDI Ports, cannot route any of the MIDI I/O Ports, nor utilize the MIDI Channel information, within the software of the X/Live. This will potentially be resolved when the one-to-one tracks and MIDI multi-mode implementations, that many of us are waiting for, arrives.

So, to sum up, you can connect a MIDI interface and use all of the Inputs on it (not the Outputs). The restriction seems to be only related to the software in the MPC X/Live. That is to say, the hardware works as it stands today, but the UI does make any of them available for selection. The USB MIDI Inputs are however enumerated, polled by the software and routed to the same destination as the built-in MIDI Inputs.

Ok, so with 2.8 is this now an option?

Just to clarify:

I’m slightly confused- I have an mpc live. Does this Update mean I could use my motu midi express (only powered thru usb) and get additional midi ports? If so that’s amazing. I’m currently not using the usb on my live for anything, so do I need the hub?

Himelstein wrote:Ok, so with 2.8 is this now an option?

Himelstein wrote:Just to clarify:

I’m slightly confused- I have an mpc live. Does this Update mean I could use my motu midi express (only powered thru usb) and get additional midi ports? If so that’s amazing. I’m currently not using the usb on my live for anything, so do I need the hub?

Yes, as of v2.8, you can connect any USB MIDI "class compliant" (basically a MIDI device that does not need any additional driver installed on a computer) device to the MPC X/Live/One and any ports advertised (inputs AND outputs) by the USB device will appear in the MPC.

I cannot speak for the MOTU MIDI Express specifically, but if it is "class compliant", it should work.

Awesome! Thanks for your help, this time and last time in the same post!

It does say it’s class compliant, but also it did come with drivers. I guess I should just hook it up and see! If it doesn’t work I’ll just get something else- the options are pretty endless now.

Thanks again!

Well, I guess the motu isn’t class compliant because even though the live powers it, the ports don’t show up.

I tried an old midisport 2x2 I had, and the akai said “usb device not supported” which may be due to the midisport being defective. I haven’t used in since 2014, and even then I was only using it live at shows.

I’m gonna try the beatstep pro and see how that connects with everything. Other than that, to get my extra ports, I guess the cheapest way to go is to get multiple cheap usb midi interfaces and connect them to a usb hub. I really wanted to just use one thing like the motu xpress, but oh well.

Has anyone found any big multiple Midi port devices to work really well? Just curious what most people are using to connect a bunch of midi instruments together and use the live as the brain.

The beatstep pro did show up, so I’m really glad I have successfully added another port! This update really is awesome.

Sorry to keep posting about this, but I can’t seem to find info, maybe because it’s just so soon.

I noticed that the cv options are still unavailable, which is fine- I have several other ways to do cv, but I was also just curious if there was anyway to expand that way? By that I mean actually be able to change to cv on the live without going midi to cv with another device? Not really a big deal, but I am somewhat jealous of the one having cv! And now the live 2! Oh well, like I said it’s no biggie, the multiple midi makes the new mpc stuff truly standalone.

I am currently in the process of trying to figure out what you are going through. I bought a motu midi express xt at the end of February but have yet to use its since everything went to the backburner since COVID. However since I heard about the new MPC update with MIDI Multi I have been researching to see how this could work with the motu . Unfortunately it looks like the motu express doesnt "work" with the MPC X and/or the new update. I bought the motu from sweetwater and my sales engineer is going to let me return/exchange it. I was looking at other options including the iconnectivity mio xl 8x12 as well as the esi m8u xl. I have several keyboards and rack modules and would love to be able to control everything right from the MPC X in STANDALONE mode. Im going to at least give the motu a try before I return it, I will let you know if I have any success. Otherwise everyone please let me know if you have any thoughts or info on this subject.

I just bought some cheap Behringer clones and a usb hub. That way at least the usb devices that I use for my old stuff do something fun also.

Ntuition-

I’ve been wondering though- maybe the midisport 8x8 will easily replace the motu-it could be class compliant? Also- I’m pretty sure the one I have is not xt, so yours might actually work.

I had a MIDISport 8x8 ages ago (WinME/2000 days hah) and it needed drivers.. Might be way different now though.

Go figure I have an ancient Emagic AMT8 that isn't any way class compliant with the Mac or Windows (it barely works with WinXP and no further) but somehow works perfectly connected to the MPC Live just like it does in Logic. Was about to drop $400 on a new MioXL but nope, I bought an audio interface upgrade instead hah. There's all 8 ins and outs, I got em labelled for all my gear in the prefs now. Got all my USB stuff hooked up to it too, life is good in MPC land. Im pretty sure you can get the AMT8s really cheap now. Just make sure you get a USB one. There's two versions of the big brother Unitor8. One is serial, the later one is serial and USB. There might be two of the AMT8 too, so make sure its got a USB port on it.

Monotremata wrote:I had a MIDISport 8x8 ages ago (WinME/2000 days hah) and it needed drivers.. Might be way different now though.

Go figure I have an ancient Emagic AMT8 that isn't any way class compliant with the Mac or Windows (it barely works with WinXP and no further) but somehow works perfectly connected to the MPC Live just like it does in Logic. Was about to drop $400 on a new MioXL but nope, I bought an audio interface upgrade instead hah. There's all 8 ins and outs, I got em labelled for all my gear in the prefs now. Got all my USB stuff hooked up to it too, life is good in MPC land. Im pretty sure you can get the AMT8s really cheap now. Just make sure you get a USB one. There's two versions of the big brother Unitor8. One is serial, the later one is serial and USB. There might be two of the AMT8 too, so make sure its got a USB port on it.

Mono> why are you denying the AMT8 is working right of the box with LINUX (so with actual mpc) ? didn't you read over GS? It's not weird, it's not magical. AMT8 is supported by Linux.

Rcmusic35 wrote:Mono> why are you denying the AMT8 is working right of the box with LINUX (so with actual mpc) ? didn't you read over GS? It's not weird, it's not magical. AMT8 is supported by Linux.

Who said I was denying it. Did I not post a **** picture of it working in another thread here and on Gearslutz?? That means IT WORKS dumbass. I dont think anyone was arguing anything about it.

As for the AMT being supported by Linux.. Were you even old enough to be making music 20+ years ago when the AMT8 was released?? NOBODY MADE THINGS FOR LINUX BACK THEN. Nowhere on the box (that I STILL have) does it mention Linux anywhere. Nowhere in the manual does it mention Linux (but there is a nice section on the Mac and another section for Windows setup). Not once did Emagic ever tell people 'Oh by the way it also works in Linux' back in 1999. The unit was not 'designed' for Linux, it just happens to work with it.

Not really sure why you choose to bother with a comment like that anyways. Who cares, the point was that it works and was never advertised. Do you not comprehend English that well or are you just trying to bandwagon and jump into the mix with the rest of the idiots trying to start shit on GS?