New to the MPC production world? Got a music production question that's not really specific to any particular MPC? Try your luck here and get help from our experienced members.
By jsunandmax Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:42 pm
hello, recently picked up an MPC One and I love it.
I'm wanting to us PC (Windows) for a DAW. My question is, do I need a proper Audio Interface (like a Focusrite etc.) or can I just USB the Akai into the PC?

thanks!
jason
User avatar
By bees80 Sat Sep 05, 2020 6:37 am
the mpc one is not an audio interface so yes, you should get an audio interface.

Or, you can connect your monitors directly to the mpc. But then you have to somehow connect your monitors to your computer for working with a daw, so you need an interface anyway.
User avatar
By quietizkept Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:36 pm
Respectfully, are you sure the one is not an interface? It has the same audio inputs and outputs on the back as the Touch, and the Touch is most assuredly an audio interface. Are there some weird restrictions happening? Pardon my ignorance but I've been eyeballing a One, and this would be a deal breaker.
User avatar
By Lampdog Sun Sep 06, 2020 12:55 am
One’s input can be used as a 2chnl mixer > One’s main outs, just like X and both Lives.

I have been loving that feature on Korg Triton and ASR-10 and it FINALLY came to MPC’s!
Decades later, lol.

@Q, is that what your thinking about?

By CharlesRandolph Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:08 am
Like @Lampdog said, the MPC ONE can be used as an audio interface. If you do it's best to open the MPC Software with it, even if you don't use it. I find when the MPC One is connected to software in controller mode, it's much more stable as an interface.
By CharlesRandolph Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:09 am
Lampdog wrote:One’s input can be used as a 2chnl mixer > One’s main outs, just like X and both Lives.

I have been loving that feature on Korg Triton and ASR-10 and it FINALLY came to MPC’s!
Decades later, lol.

@Q, is that what your thinking about?



It was on the 4000 but it had to be in record mode. Man! Man!
User avatar
By Lampdog Sun Sep 06, 2020 3:45 am
CharlesRandolph wrote:It was on the 4000 but it had to be in record mode. Man! Man!


And I don’t consider that a truly active line in. It aint right.
By CharlesRandolph Sun Sep 06, 2020 3:49 am
Lampdog wrote:And I don’t consider that a truly active line in. It aint right.


I agree it wasn't. They could've done it, but that bankruptcy killed all future development. At least these MPC can do that.
User avatar
By Lampdog Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:00 am
I used that feature alot on Triton and ASR, and now with Kronos2 and X for the same things and more.

One specific use is for Moog 37 audio going into Kronos2 for efx. Kronos2 also has virtual efx pedals and having an active line in lets me use Kronos2 as an effects box.

SAME can be done with gear going through X, Live, One. I’m sure people have already noticed and done it.

You could have lots of gear connected to a mixer, have mixer 2chnl audio out going into One and use those effects also. Opens up lots of possibilities.
User avatar
By bees80 Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:00 am
quietizkept wrote:Respectfully, are you sure the one is not an interface? It has the same audio inputs and outputs on the back as the Touch, and the Touch is most assuredly an audio interface. Are there some weird restrictions happening? Pardon my ignorance but I've been eyeballing a One, and this would be a deal breaker.


It does seem i was wrong. Oh nooooo.. sorry dudes
User avatar
By Lampdog Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:48 pm
Not so fast B.

I was talking about the One’s line in as a 2chnl mixer. Cool, it does that.

Audio Interface, imo is when a device can accept audio and send to computer via:
Ethernet
USB
Firewire

Can the One use the audio from the line in and send it out to computer via the usb/ethernet?
If so can the One break out it’s audio chnls to separate tracks in a DAW?
IDK and can’t answer that.
By CharlesRandolph Sun Sep 06, 2020 2:01 pm
Lampdog wrote:Not so fast B.

I was talking about the One’s line in as a 2chnl mixer. Cool, it does that.

Audio Interface, imo is when a device can accept audio and send to computer via:
Ethernet
USB
Firewire

Can the One use the audio from the line in and send it out to computer via the usb/ethernet?
If so can the One break out it’s audio chnls to separate tracks in a DAW?
IDK and can’t answer that.



Yes it can. Not over Ethernet. (Still waiting on that.) The only thing it can't do is, transfer file via attached storage devices, while in controller mode. This make me think, they didn't check it. Why give it the ability to use it as an audio device, but can't see attached storage. That's not something you disable. Get rid of audio interface, if you want people to upgrade.

Off topic:
@LAMPDOG, what assignment options does the foot-switch give you on the MPC X? When I had it, I didn't dive into at all.
User avatar
By Lampdog Sun Sep 06, 2020 3:36 pm