Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
 Topic locked Share on Facebook

Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Byanon1969382 Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:00 pm
Hi all,

I'm trying to use my MPC Live II as an external FX unit, connected to the FX Loop in a Pre Amp.
The problem is, if I have, let's say, a delay added to my Audio Track, when I turn the FX Send knob in the Pre Amp to capture the delay from the MPC, the sound that comes is clipping terribly.
If I adjust the volume in the Audio Track, or in the Master Output, or even in the PreAmp Volume knob, the problem persists, or the FX comes really low in volume, almost imperceptible.

Has anyone came across this issue too? I don't know what to tweak anymore..

Thanks!

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By mpc_fan_2022 Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:50 pm
The problem obviously has absolutely nothing to do with the MPC which wasn't built to be part of a guitar or mic effect loop on a pre-amplifier.

Either your pre-amp fx loop has a low impendence input or switch or you need to turn a a low impedance output into a high impedance output with some third party device.

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By Smokeychuck Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:16 pm
The MPC is not an effects unit and I’m not sure why you would even try and use it in that way or what type of strange idea you had in your head.

You didn’t really do a good job of describing the problem which isn’t all that surprising considering this place has been a bit of a noob playground when it comes to audio engineering.

Without knowing what type of preamp you’re using, what type of cables you’re using etc it’s going to be very difficult to help you.

My guess is you’re using a preamp that has an unbalanced -10dB insert that requires a TRS to TS Y cable. Your MPC can accommodate inputs of -10dBv just fine but it has balanced +4dBu outputs.

You’ll need to patch the output of the MPC into a passive DI and then plug the return end of your TS Y cable into the “thru” output on the DI. You can also use a re-amper.

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Byanon1969382 Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:21 pm
Smokeychuck wrote:The MPC is not an effects unit and I’m not sure why you would even try and use it in that way or what type of strange idea you had in your head.

You didn’t really do a good job of describing the problem which isn’t all that surprising considering this place has been a bit of a noob playground when it comes to audio engineering.

Without knowing what type of preamp you’re using, what type of cables you’re using etc it’s going to be very difficult to help you.

My guess is you’re using a preamp that has an unbalanced -10dB insert that requires a TRS to TS Y cable. Your MPC can accommodate inputs of -10dBv just fine but it has balanced +4dBu outputs.

You’ll need to patch the output of the MPC into a passive DI and then plug the return end of your TS Y cable into the “thru” output on the DI. You can also use a re-amper.


Issue already fixed. You didn't do a good job trying to be acid. The MPC can be used as an external effect unit perfectly. :)
User avatar

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By Lampdog Sun Aug 27, 2023 12:04 am
Even though the ASR-10, Kronos2, MPC X and MPC Keys61 aren’t efx units they can certainly be used as fx units, maybe not as flexible as dedicated efx units.

Marcelo Brisolla wrote:Issue already fixed.

You didn’t explain the fix in detail, maybe others can learn from your situation.

More specific details from the very start would help others who are trying to troubleshoot with you..

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By Smokeychuck Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:20 am
Anything with inputs and outputs can technically be used as an “fx unit”, a generic term I don’t like — I’m assuming you mean signal processor.

Using the MPC as “an effects unit” is a bit odd, kinda like saying you want to use ProTools as an effects unit. They can both record and sequence audio, it would make more sense to just… use it for it’s intense purpose and record music into it.

The mpc has a looper if that’s what you meant, but it would be strange to use a looper as an insert.

Again you were very vague with your question so not sure what sort of help you expected

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By SuperKonquer Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:14 am
Being a signal processor has alway been a core tenet of what the MPCs are expected to do, even when we weren't loaded up with plugins. Even the vintage MPCs were expected to, and renowned for the ability to color sound. Add to the fact that there has been 100,o0o,0o thousand gazillion quintillion dollars made from MPC record sales, saying it can't be used to process sound is a bit out of bounds.

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Byanon1969382 Sun Aug 27, 2023 12:13 pm
Lampdog wrote:Even though the ASR-10, Kronos2, MPC X and MPC Keys61 aren’t efx units they can certainly be used as fx units, maybe not as flexible as dedicated efx units.

Marcelo Brisolla wrote:Issue already fixed.

You didn’t explain the fix in detail, maybe others can learn from your situation.

More specific details from the very start would help others who are trying to troubleshoot with you..


Sorry, I just don't like being mistreated for no reason. So I focused on responding to that mistreatment.
I'm not an audio engineer, and - I suppose - that doesn't mean I shouldn't be here, or shouldn't try to get an answer to my questions. Also, people can choose to stay quiet or to answer, but if they choose to answer, I expect some respect, as I wasn't disrespectful with anyone while making the question.

SuperKonquer wrote:Being a signal processor has alway been a core tenet of what the MPCs are expected to do, even when we weren't loaded up with plugins. Even the vintage MPCs were expected to, and renowned for the ability to color sound. Add to the fact that there has been 100,o0o,0o thousand gazillion quintillion dollars made from MPC record sales, saying it can't be used to process sound is a bit out of bounds.


Thanks for the response!

-----------------

Currently I have this signal flow and setup:

(1) 2x Technics SL-1200 MK5
[RCA X RCA]
(2) Pioneer DJM-400 DJ Mixer
[RCA X RCA]
(3) NanoPreAmp by Klementz (https://www.klementz.fr/shop/en/effects ... reamp.html)
[TRS X TS Y]
(4) SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface connected to a Computer
[TS X TS]
(5) 2x KRK Rokit 5

In the FX Loop of the NanoPreAmp I have the MPC Live II connected (FX Send -> L Input / L Output -> FX Return) using two TS cables.

On the SSL 2+ I have to use LINE + HI-Z to get a good amplitude.

I also attached a Midimix to the MPC, so I can change some of the effects parameters.
I have a Delay, a Reverb, a Filter and a Siren (made with TubeSynth).
I also have a track filled with Samples so I can trigger them using the Pads.

This is an example using this setup:


I'm still learning and improving the effects parameters to get a better sound...

Any ideas to improve the connections and the overall sound are welcome...

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Byanon1969382 Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:28 pm
NearTao wrote:It seems like a explanation and request to provide better questions/information was taken as being disrespectful *shrug*.


There are better aproaches when you want to get more information, but this person didn't had the objective of helping me, just wanted to complain about the forum being a noob playground when it comes to audio engineering. I don't need the explanation of someone that comers bitterly saying that I didn't provide enough information. It's so simple, if you don't like topics that are created with little information, just don't reply to them. And if this person is bothered with the forum being a noob playground then just go and create a specific topic to discuss this. I'm just trying to solve an issue that I had with my MPC and I am not expecting this type of behavior. If you are ready to deal with that to get an answer, then that's your problem solely. I prefer to study by myself, make a lot of tests, and get to a solution. Just thought that, while I'm doing that, and as a part of the same process of studying and getting to a solution, I could try to get some ideas from this forum.

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

Byanon1969382 Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:44 pm
Lampdog wrote:Once one posts in public, it’s public.
Open to good and bad.


Being open to good and bad doesn't mean that I have to accept anything that is written as a response, just because I need an answer. That being said, I prefer to discard the bad and deal with the good only. Now, if the moderators choose to allow the bad then that's really a shame.
User avatar

Re: Issues while using MPC Live II as an external FX unit

By Lampdog Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:53 pm
First blame them, then blame moderator.
Great. There’s no disrespect here, no moderation needed.
But, please, keep going or we can just stop here.
Better if we just stop here.
 Topic locked
Return to MPC X, MPC One, MPC Live & MPC Key