HOW DO YALL DO IT???????????

I know alot of the producers in here use their MPC 4k with many other equipment. I wanted to know if I was doing something wrong or not, here's my problem: I got an external module that is hooked up to the 4k, that's all I got. Now, it looks like in the 4k, that I can't even have my modules sounds in there added to even be edited!, I thought I would be able to maybe make my own PROGRAMs assign my own sounds or something, using my external module, but I cant! Maybe it's supposed to be like this or not?, I dont know, but it looks like I'am just able to send the modules sounds back and forth to put them in sequences, great, but that's it!, the editing is supposed to be done in the module itself, I guess. So WHEN do I use the editing?, for samples?, that's fine, but there's gotta be other things? (For samples I mean with sounds already in there, in the 4k, like sample cd's). I dont want to have to buy sample cd's or stuff and I know everybody else doesn't buy those as their sound source's. So, so far what I've been doing is just basically make a beat just using my modules sounds and using the 4k as the sequencer, cause I got NO sounds in their. Is this right?, is this how the 4k works? I'm not disrespecting the 4k, I'm just new and wanted to know if this is how most sequencers worked? Is everybody else using their 4k's like this or what?, b/c I know everybody else has other equipment used in conjuction with their 4k (like keyboards, sound modules,what else?), so I wanted to know how ya'll do it? Like this??

Thanks alot, I've been having trouble in this

Basically when you hook up your mpc to external modules, you are connecting via midi. Midi only sends information not sounds, if you hear the sounds being triggered on your mpc from your module I would bet you have a soundcard with each instrument being patched into the mix. Now The editing on the mpc is for sounds you sample, if you want to edited sounds from your module try sampling them. Either via your computers soundcard or via the mpc's inputs. Other than this I have no idea what the hell you are asking... It seems pretty self explanatory to me. good luck

Ps. I use all sorts of sample cds, so ha!!!

One more thing, I use an access virus keyboard with mine like this:
I run all my equipment through my 8 input soundcard, each on its own input. I set up the mpc and the virus to connect midi, and then i record midi sequences which i later render to wav. and edit it and such on the mpc... That is all

Hi!

No offense man, but you seem to be confused about some basic concepts concerning MIDI and sampling... I'll try to make this simple, so bare with me if this stuff you already know.

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a communications standard allowing electronic instruments (like your MPC4000 and your module) to more or less easily communicate with each other. Put simply, using MIDI you can send note information from one unit to another, pretty much like writing notes on paper and giving these notes to a guitar player, a piano player etc. Now, when sending these notes, the actual sound will come from the receiving unit, just like the guitar player makes the sound when you give him your notes on a piece of paper (it's not the notes themselves that makes the sound). When making a sequence on your MPC4000, you can either send these notes to an external unit (your module) or to the MPCs internal sound engine.

The MPCs internal sound engine is a sampler. A sampler could be referred to as an “empty” sound module: it has no sounds of it's own, only a certain amount of memory (RAM) that can be filled up with “samples” (short or long recorded bits of sound, taken from any source), “programs” (one or more samples organized under a common name, possibly sharing envelope-, filter- and other settings) and “multis” (a set of programs, on the same or different MIDI channels, mostly used for multitimbrality). If you bought your MPC in the states, its' harddrive will probably have a nice set of samples, programs and multis on it for you to use, experiment with and learn from. When loading these, you're putting them into the MPCs memory for use in your song. Your module, on the other hand, has a permanent memory (ROM) which means the sounds are always in there, no need for loading at all.

When making a song, you can then chose whether you want to use sounds from your module, from your MPC or from both. The sequencer will then send the notes you've put in to the module, to the MPC or to both. Now, here's the cool part: if you've connected the audio outputs from your module to the audio inputs of the MPC, you can sample your module. This sample can be a 2-bar bass loop, an entire string-section you've arranged, or single drumhits or even single notes. So, if you've found a nice electric piano patch/program on your module and want to “transfer” this to your MPC, you have two choices: you can sample the entire sequence (1 bar, 4 bars, 16 bars, whatever) OR you can sample (record the actual sound) a bunch of notes into the MPC, arranged these into a program, and the play this program. Are you still with me?

Of course, MIDI can also contain information like program numbers, pitch- and modulation values etc. As each program on your module has its own number, you can input this program number into the sequence going from the MPC to your module so that the module plays the correct sound (corresponding to the program number). Groovy, huh?

Right, this is probably the first and last time I post something this long on the forum, so I sure hope someone find it useful...

Cheers,

Arne S.

Thanks alot Bitstreem, makes sense.
But what do you mean when "Now, here's the cool part: if you've connected the audio outputs from your module to the audio inputs of the MPC, you can sample your module." Do you mean audio outputs or midi?, sampling by just pressing record? Is that what everybody does? Sample their sequences then put them into the 4k, to be arranged? Also "The MPCs internal sound engine is a sampler. A sampler could be referred to as an “empty” sound module: it has no sounds of it's own" so, am I supposed to sample sounds first, for them to be able to be in there? Another thing, am I supposed to sample my modules sounds that I'am using for a particular song, one by one, like say a kick I'm using or a snare, then sample a particular hihat? Whoa, alright.

thanks for your responses, I really aprreciate it, this is the only place I can recieve help.

Does every module I hook up or keyboard, have to be hooked up to my mixer too, to be able to hear it? Just by midi cables wont do in the 4k would it?

Well, if you have more than one module/keyboard, then hooking them up to your mixer would be a very smart thing to do. Like I said, MIDI does NOT carry any sound, only note information. Therefore, if you want to actually hear the notes you're sending to a module or a keyboard, you'd have to have it connected to a mixer (using AUDIO cables), or spend lots of time plugging and unplugging audio-cables to the units you want to listen to...

Sampling your sequences is just one of many things you can do, there are no written rules here, friend. Just use your imagination! A sampler is an incredibly powerful musical tool, but if you've never used one before, expect to spend some time getting to know the ins and outs of it.

If you feel like it, then yeah, sample single notes or drumhits from your module. I suppose many folks would use a combination of MIDI tracks (just sending MIDI from the MPC to one or more modules or synths) and sampled sounds or sequences. If you're new to this, it's really down to trial and error.

For some basic (and not so basic) knowledge about the weird and wonderful world of MIDI, sampling and sequencing, check this link, it contains some pretty good articles for the newcomer:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/Main.html

Good luck!

Arne S.