MPC60 Sampling Help

Hi I just hooked up my MPC60, and tried sampling from a computer audio source. When I playback the sample, the volume is very low and there is a lot of loud buzzing. I have the MPC hooked up through a tape input on my stereo receiver, which the computer is also hooked into. I also had to turn the gain and record volumes all the way up on the sampler.

My question pertains the source of the distortion I am hearing when I playback my samples; is it the computer audio source, the receiver, the sampler? Thanks.

Brian

Here's how I sample in my 60. I don't know what's wrong but maybe you can see how someone else does it and fix it.

Turntable/DVD player to DJ mixer
Dj mixer to 60 (gain switch on MED)

When I sample I make sure the signal barely goes into the red in the mixer, and then change the Record Level in the 60 so that the bar goes as close as possible to to the edge without getting any "!"s

Then when that's all good, I set the sample time and record. Always works fine. There will be times when the sample clips or gets distorted then I just turn down the Record Level and sample again until I get it right.

Make sure you have no grounding issues

Im thinking spectre's right, sounds like a grounding issue, and possibly you also have your record gain set to "low". change it to mid or hi, see if it makes a volume difference.

For the grounding thing, make sure all of the components involved (computer, monitor, mpc, mixer, everything even remotely related to the signal path) is on the same surge strip/outlet if that is possible.

Im gonna also guess that you are using powered monitors, which are plugged in and turned on during this process? Turn the main volume of the MPC down when sampling, then turn it back up for playback. See if the buzzing noise is still there.What kind of cord are you using between the computer outputs and the mpc "record ins"?

This is basic troubleshooting, one of the fun yet very frustrating parts of the studio experience. When you work the kinks out, get everything running smoothly, and get a routine and a workflow down, you'll appreciate it that much more.

Welcome!

I have the gain set to HI and still the audio meter on the MPC never really gets near maxing out. I am sampling from a computer and not a record player, so there shouldn't be any grounding issues, right? I'm thinking that the problem is the computer's audio signal, but I haven't had a chance to hook up my turntable yet. Thanks for the replies.

does the computer sound good when you dont use the mpc and just listen through speakers?

Grounding issues can happen with any electrical components, not just turntables.

make sure that the mpc and the computer are on the same CIRCUIT, multiple outlets can be of the same CIRCUIT, but the easiest way to know that they are in fact on the same CIRCUIT is to have them running off of the SAME OUTLET... get a surge protector with multiple outlets, and plug both the mpc and all the computer power cables to this surge protector, that way they are working off of the SAME CIRCUIT... this SHOULD cure some of the problem... either way keep us posted...

Computers use switching power supplies which are quite noisy, I never like the sound of sampling from my computer, but I don;t get issues that severe, but I think that may be the cause.

You said that you have the MPC and the PC connected to the reciever. You might try going from the computer directly to the MPC without having the reciever involved.