Using Ableton Live + MPC4K: What's your workflow for these?

what up peoples!

I am just getting into Ableton LIve 4.1 and I am really inspired to use this tool for arranging and what not...

I haven't started using ableton and my MPC together, so I would like to know what ya'll suggest as the best setup + workflow.

some things I would ideally like to do:
1. Build some sequences (beats) on the MPC and then control those in live using them as clips (applying effects, automation whatver)
2. Control Ableton's clips, interface etc, with the MPC's pads, q-link and knobs.
3. Use VST instruments from Live
4. Record my song arrangement in realtime based on a bunch of clips and stuff i'll create for my song, and use the MPC to trigger everything with Live.

Question:
1. Should I make the MPC master or slave for this Also, what's the advantage of having these two synced up, if I can just record sequences directly (from the MPC) as clips into Ableton?

2. What's your setup + production workflow for this lovely marriage between Ableton + MPC?

I am familiar with HOW to setup all the MIDI for all of this, but I just want to know which way is best based on the kind of things I want to do.

thanks!!

whatever suits you .. how ccan we decide on your workflow

my bad, I thought this was a forum to share knowledge and such

i'm just trying to get an idea of how u guys have your stuff set up, to get some ideas of how I can use these 2 together... I'm not asking for you to decide for me, just some suggetions. knaw mean?

if u have your ableton slaved to the MPC what's the benefit... that kind of thing.

but it's all good, if u don't don't wanna reply i'll just experiment until i find something that works. Just trying to get some ideas before jumping into that

ok my bad sorry
what you could do is sync them, make the mpc as master and do everything in terms of midi sequencing on the mpc. Use live for stacking up vst instruments (synths, samplers etc). if you have the 8 output board you can use live as an fx mixer (10 mono tracks). Setup midi channels on the mpc wich triggers insytruments in live. you can control 64 intstruments if you like with 4 ports.
If they are synced you can use live to record audio in real time, edit the audio (vocs, guitar, skratches, sumtingels..) and then record the audio from live into the mpc. then you dont need to edit it anymore on the mpc and you can move on with just the mpc as sequencer.
I run samples from the mpc through rtas and sample them back into mpc. a nice sample editor. all via adat. so i dont loose audio quality
this is what i do with either live or ptle6

I would use the qlinks for the mpc and buy another midi controller (uc33 or another one) for controlling live via mpc

Search the archives lots of info on Live 4 and 4k.

Ikke thanks a lot man! That's exactly what I wanted to know!!!
That sounds like a good setup. Much apprecaited!

I actually did search the forums pretty deep, but I didn't really find anything about USING these 2 together like ikke outlined... just stuff on HOW to get them synced

peace!

Here's one good use tip!



One of my favourite things to do with the MPC 4k / Live combo is to have the
Q-Link setup to send Midi CC, then have the FX on Live setup with key elements the
same as you had setup Q-link , such as Delay feedback, Filter Cutoff, Reverb tail / wet /dry matched up with the Midi CC that you setup on Q-link.

Then use Q-Link sequencer to step sequence the FX changes on Live. I've come up with some great Maurizio/Basic Channel compositions this way. Switch the Speed of the Step Sequencer for completely different sounds, as well, clicking the Q-Link Sequence on button on and off during different parts of the song....

nice

i use both products individually. i make tons of loops/beats on the mpc, track each track of the loops/beats independently and then experiment with the different loops/beats in live4. i also mingle loops/beats i made last years with more current ones. this way i get the most out of both products.

there are time when you start a loop/beat and it sucks and you deleted it. i never delete anything. i save all and then go into live with some loops/beats i made previously and mix and match them until i have something.

plus you will learn allot about the music process using this method. first make loops/beat which involves learning all the ins and outs of the mpc. secoundly, there is tracking which is also an art and finally putting all the pieces together. so, when you do not feel like making loops/beats you can track or use live4 to put the pieces together.

hope this helps.

my method: if it aint good, get rid of it asap!

I've ordered SampleTank 2XL and i plan on using it with my 4000. I have the Mbox and Pro Tools 6.7 but, i've been hearing from so many people that Live 4 is the way to go for controlling and hosting virtual instruments, as well as many other things. I'm definitely entering the realm of virtual instruments and i come from the old school of hardware.

This topic has done nothing but helped me in my decision making. You guys have posted some very good info and i've been watching the video demos on Abelton's website, as well as contacted their support team. This forum is one of the best info sources for me and my MPC, i wanna thank all of the good sports here...keep posting.

ikke says, "my method: if it aint good, get rid of it asap!"

"one man's garage is another man's treasure"

recyle your own garage and make it a treasure. never delete your sh!t.

no seriously, its the same when i paint. if i dont like it, i erase it. i take a big brush, one color and hopsa, gone with the wind. same with music

tho i didnt do this in the beginning either. i saved every track i made. but i ve lost sooo many data that i dont care so much anymore and just delete stuff i dont like
i only keep the good ones, the rest is for the trash can
i say to myself: "i am an artist, i can make anything i want, if i want that specific sound again, i make it again.".. that was just a dream, i am in no position to do that .... of course

All the stuff you guys put up is great...
slave/master is an option as well as just tracking your beats from the MPC into Live.

I just did an overhaul of my studio, installed a patchbay (which was a pain to figure out but I finally got it sorted), so now I can run my mpc into live with effects or compression in hearbeat. I may not even use the mpc / live in a slave/master environement.

I've found that Live is so expressive and really takes the sequening process to another level. I mean, it's not like just sitting down and arranging your sequences on a grid... I just arrange clips in the session view, set up my midi triggers, hit record and go. It's more like djing or jamming out with an instrument! It's really taken my creative process to another level and I don't get bored. Typically I make some beats on the mpc track it into Cubase, add some VSTI synths and try to arrange the song. By that point I usually run out of ideas because the best part about making a track for me is ithe nitial groove + melody... the song/arrangement sequencing part to make a completed track is usually more tedious than fun. but with Live it's always interesting! Anyway, just saying that I am really happy I discovered live. I recommend the CSI tutorials for Live (really helped me out )and also this link: http://virtualturntable.org/archives/000187.php -- shows you how to arrange clips to do realtime fills and re-arranging your breaks (basically recycle in realtime).

Peace!!