Using MPC for Live Performance

You could use an external MIDI clock generator for doing tempo changes on the Force, with the Force synced as slave to the clock, but then you'll lose the ability to use the shift button. Incredible and absurd, but true.

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:You could use an external MIDI clock generator for doing tempo changes on the Force, with the Force synced as slave to the clock, but then you'll lose the ability to use the shift button. Incredible and absurd, but true.

You can still you the Shift button if you turn Control off in the Preferences MIDI settings for the Input Port option. But then you loss the ability to send MIDI data to MIDI learn for that port. If you don't need that, then this may be the best solution.

From pg 75 of the manual:

"MIDI / Sync
The settings on this screen determine how your Force hardware uses and synchronizes with connected USB and MIDI devices.
Input Ports: This displays all available MIDI input ports in a list. Double-tap the keyboard icon to rename a port to a custom name. When Global is enabled, MIDI data from this port will always go to the current track. When Control is enabled, MIDI data from this port will be sent to MIDI Learn. When Track is enabled, this MIDI port will appear in the list of available MIDI Inputs. Click the reset arrow to reset the MDI Port settings."

Thanks for clarifying. Disabling CONTROL for the input receiving MIDI Clock indeed stops the SHIFT button from stopping playback. CONTROL can be enabled for all other MIDI inputs, just not the one that's receiving MIDI clock. Don't ask what the logic is behind this. But if you WANT to use that port for MIDI learn as well, like if you're using something like Arturia Keystep as both clock and controller, then, well ... Use a MIDI splitter which sends realtime messages to a different port? It's messy.

Anyway, try and test it. Maybe you'll find a solution that lets you run the whole show. Or maybe not.

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:Thanks for clarifying. Disabling CONTROL for the input receiving MIDI Clock indeed stops the SHIFT button from stopping playback. CONTROL can be enabled for all other MIDI inputs, just not the one that's receiving MIDI clock. Don't ask what the logic is behind this. But if you WANT to use that port for MIDI learn as well, like if you're using something like Arturia Keystep as both clock and controller, then, well ... Use a MIDI splitter which sends realtime messages to a different port? It's messy.

Anyway, try and test it. Maybe you'll find a solution that lets you run the whole show. Or maybe not.

Turning off Control solution is better than no solution. But I mentioned this to you in your Force thread - with the pic you sent with the word stop on it. We're you speed reading?...

I haven't played live since the late 90's,but this is my whole goal. The definition of live seems a very grey area. I remember discussions about what constitutes live back then in comparison to bands of instrument players. I come from a time with Orbital, Prodiigy, Chemical Brothers etc. where live set are were based around a sequencer, mixer and a stack of synths and outboard. The Duo format allowed one to focus on the sequencing and mixing.

The notion of playing live with stems kind of baffles me. It seem akin to having an eight track tape with a mixer and mixing live. Or like Dj'ing with more individual tracks, but all harmonically related and beat times. What are people mixing with stems adding here with the Akai, is it just mixing and playing with effects, or is there more to it.

I'm working around the samples and beats coming from the sampler, with some from the drumsynth, and plug ins helping build a foundation to the tracks. Having some audio tracks for longer phrases made outside of the mpc. Then I have 4-5 synths being triggered from the akai, that I can manipulate live. With some manipulation of the built in plugins and a effects. I really like the plug in synths being their and a safety new from when a hardware synth needs a bit of time setting up or is not behaving for some reason.

sxrgwrld wrote:Yea bro I got nothing but admiration for you lol. The more I'm looking into the Akai Force though the more I'm convinced that's the solution I'm looking for

Did you see this video?
It shows the similarities & differences between the Force & MPC. He also went into the Push 3. Overall, bas a Force owne, I felt it was an honest review:

Man all of this is super helpful. I got the Akai Force coming today, can't wait to dive in.

Regarding the Tempo changes, I should be able to trigger samples free from being locked to the Tempo, to buy time while I change the actual project tempo and then trigger the next set of tempo-locked samples right? That's the workaround I've been imagining. Worst case scenario I'll just load up every intro on my SP404 and go back and forth that way.

Aye man, as long as you're not simply hitting play and doing nothing from start to finish I'd say you're playing live. In the beat scene here in NYC there's a lot of producers who just load entire beats on each SP404 pad, trigger them and then just play with the FX. It's still a performance, just simplified. It can be as simple or complex as you want, all that matters is the vibe you create in the room.

That being said I think a couple of modern day versions of those producers you mentioned are The Blaze and James Blake. They're incredible, I've seen James Blake do an entire show with two other people on stage, and no laptop. I would check out The Blaze's Cercle performance on YouTube..it's so good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGEDSGCUkXk

Stylistically the options are limitless, it's all about the type of set youre inspired to create!

Neodymium wrote:I haven't played live since the late 90's,but this is my whole goal. The definition of live seems a very grey area. I remember discussions about what constitutes live back then in comparison to bands of instrument players. I come from a time with Orbital, Prodiigy, Chemical Brothers etc. where live set are were based around a sequencer, mixer and a stack of synths and outboard. The Duo format allowed one to focus on the sequencing and mixing.

The notion of playing live with stems kind of baffles me. It seem akin to having an eight track tape with a mixer and mixing live. Or like Dj'ing with more individual tracks, but all harmonically related and beat times. What are people mixing with stems adding here with the Akai, is it just mixing and playing with effects, or is there more to it.

I'm working around the samples and beats coming from the sampler, with some from the drumsynth, and plug ins helping build a foundation to the tracks. Having some audio tracks for longer phrases made outside of the mpc. Then I have 4-5 synths being triggered from the akai, that I can manipulate live. With some manipulation of the built in plugins and a effects. I really like the plug in synths being their and a safety new from when a hardware synth needs a bit of time setting up or is not behaving for some reason.

I've saw James Blake about 11 years ago, he played the same day Mo Farah ran in the in the Olympics, and there were screens up playing it at the venue.
I'm not keen t-ne the Blaze at all.

Don't think I'd be happy watching some one just playing with FX being billed as 'Live'.