Lock Play-Start to MIDI-clock (as a slave)

Hello MPC-maniacs,

I recently bought a MPC 1000 with JJOS2XL. I have to say I'm very convinced by this little thing.

Although most of its functions are almost self-explanatory I can't figure how to lock/quantize the PLAY/Sequence-start to a constant MIDI-Clock (coming from another MIDI-Device) after stoping the MPC. I want to keep the MPC in perfectly sync. When I press PLAY it syncs again to the MIDI-clock but the timing is shifted by my not perfectly quantized pressing of the PLAY button.

This feature is for me quite essential, since one have to stop the MPC for certain functions but don't want to interrupt the playing for instance in a situation of a jam. (e.g. my Arturia Keystep starts/quantizes always to the MIDI-clock).

Is there any possibility to quantize the Play without restarting the whole MIDI-clock?
I somewhere read about pressing OVER DUB + PLAY but unfortunately it didn't worked out.

best, J

Hi there,
first of all let me explain how midiclock works.

its basically just a trigger sequence wit a start and a stop signal. ( ok , there is a continue also...but rarely used)

simple as this in decimals:

Start = 250
Stop = 252
Clock = 248

1 MIDI beat = a 16th note = 6 clock pulses ...so it looks like this: beat = (|- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -|)

(start) 250 |- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -|- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - | - 248 - 248 - 248 - .............
.........................- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -|- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -....................
................................- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -|- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - .....................
................ - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 -|- 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - 248 - ....252 (stop)

...how would the MPC know where it should drop in without getting a Start and Stop?...once started its getting only 248 as a constant signal...what is like a "chain" to lock in....
Also with Midiclock you loose the MPC Groove...no swing anymore ...just Straight, only if you go up to 60%...thats sh**

But what you should use is MTC - Midi Timecode ...this is a Timebased Clock and allows Starting and Stopping in between...it works pretty good, even with Next Sequence - Immediately Play ( Never works with Midiclock )
And the Swing is also back, since its not bind to a "locking grid".

How you will be able to use this depends on your Setup/DAW.

Cheers, Nik

Hi Nik

You have justs saved my bacon with this post. Thanks

But I wonder if you could shed some light on my issue. Using MIDI TIME CODE has solved this problem but I have never had to use it before last night. In fact I didnt even know midi time code was an option untill reading your post.

I have two MPC 1000s (on latest paid JJos 2.51) synched with MIDICLOCK which has been the only way I synch my two MPCs in a live set for the last 14 years.
Suddenly last night the 'next sequence' function wouldnt work on the slave MPC, but only when it is midi synched. Take away the midi clock and next sequence works fine but when its midi clocked It just wouldnt make the change into a next sequence. It does reflect the 'next sequence' jog wheel command and displays the sequence i have commanded it to change to but then just loops back the 1st beat of bar infinitely.

First time ever seeing this. Could be user error of course!

Both MPCS on same version
Have changed MIDI cable
Same issue across different projects after fresh load on BOTH mpcs
Factory Reset both MPCs
Flashed Rom with different firmware version to test (2.37)

Any ideas?

Thanks

J

Panic over

I had SEQ.Loop SPP switches to On.

Never noticed it before

You can hook up a guitar pedal switch to the original mpc into one of the two FOOTSWITCH inputs and have it toggled to (next sequence) and then just keep that guitar pedal under the second mpc1000 in the chain and use the pedal to next sequence, bypassing midi altogether and freeing up your hands to do something else with the mix.