Pro Tools (Digi002) + MPC-2000 + Motif ES

I'm trying to setup my MPC to be the primary sequencer for the Motif and the MPC. I'll basically be using the MPC to lay drums, and samples. I can record MIDI tracks just fine with the Motif alone, but when I try to hook up the MPC, Pro Tools doesn't pick up the notes. What settings need to be set in Pro Tools or the MPC so that Pro Tools will register the notes? Also, how should I connect all of the equipement together so that I can connect everything to Pro Tools simultaneously?

What do you use Pro Tools for? It sounds like you just want to sequence your motif with the MPC. If so, just plug the Midi out of the motif into Midi in 1 on the MPC. Then Plug the Midi out A of the MPC into the midi in of the motif.

Now, on your MPC change the drum 1 in the lower left corner to Midi 1A and turn off the local control on the motif in utilities/midi/switch and you are now controlling the instrument on channel 1 of the motif. Midi 2A on the MPC will control the instrument on channel two of the motif. Drum 1-4 will control the MPC's internal sounds.

You don't need Pro Tools until you are ready to track your instruments onto separate tracks. To do that, make sure you have an out from your computers midi interface into in 2 of the MPC. In PT, go to midi/midi clock and check which port you want to send clock to to your MPC on, and enable midi clock at the top. Now set the tempo in PT as the same tempo your beat is on the MPC.

On the MPC, go to midi/sync and select midi clock sync and midi in 2 to recieve clock. In the PT transport bar, click the box that says 2 bars. This give PT enough time to sync. Unless you have the 8 outs, you have to do multiple passes in order to record each track by itself.

Hope this helps.

I'm trying to use PT as my primary sequencer. Basically treating the MPC as another instrument. Can't try your suggestion right now (about to head to work). But is this what I'm looking for?

In that case, I can't help you. Pro Tools midi timing sucks in comparison to MPC or Logic. I've been using PT for over six years, since version 4.0 and I wouldn't go that way. You've got the tightest sequencer, why not use it?

You're better off just sequencing MPC sounds in the MPC and locking that to PT and sequencing the Motif in PT. That way your drums will still be tight and you can use PT transport as the master.

dog sequnce on your MPC and just use protools for recording and tracking beats.

THe MPC's sequncer is one of its biggest strong points, i dont understand why u want to sequnce in PT, the MIDI funcaltitiy is horrible

class...

I dont agree with all the above statements, PT's midi functions have come a long way. I do think it would be best to sequence your samples on the MPC, lock it to PT and record everything into PT though(as fire suggested) . As far as sequencing in PT though, you can get the same feel from it's sequencer, it even has MPC swing templates. Thats basically what I do, I only use the MPC for drums though, I do all the other stuff in PT

try both ways of record sequencing, and see which one you like better, these are all only opinions, its all a matter of the person...

now my opinion personally is that, if u start of sequencing a complex beat on the MPC, for the Motiff and MPC sounds, then, u will hear some change in the beat a lil when u are recording into Pro Tools letting Pro Tools being your Sequencer, but if you let the MPC be the Master, you will continue to get exactly what you made your beat with...now thats just my opinion, every man is entitle to his or her own opinion

i mean its all good ur right there is one more then one way to skin a cat, but my main point is this, if ur just gonna use the MPC for drums etc... just get a m-audio trigger finger or something, it will provide the same functionilitiy for much chearper.

For me the thing that makes the MPC stand out is the SEQUNCER. thats why its been around for so long thats why i have it, if i just wanted it for drums i would get some type of padded controller feel me??

BUt like u said to each his own

class....

Maybe I should get an MPD-16 and nix the MPC all together. I really like the pads, but it's much easier for me to mess around with the midi notes in PT, and copy and paste the notes, mute them at certain points, and kinda shift things around randomly.

I should add that I dont have any other outboard gear(keys and such...) I just use the MPC and software instruments. When I was using outboard gear I sequenced it all on the MPC

myk1 wrote:Maybe I should get an MPD-16 and nix the MPC all together. I really like the pads, but it's much easier for me to mess around with the midi notes in PT, and copy and paste the notes, mute them at certain points, and kinda shift things around randomly.

Judging from that man, it makes ALOT more sense just to get an m-audio trigger finger or MPD16, it doesnt makes sense for u to by an MPC for that set up if u just using it as a controller, IMO u would be wasting your money

class....

classic wrote:i mean its all good ur right there is one more then one way to skin a cat, but my main point is this, if ur just gonna use the MPC for drums etc... just get a m-audio trigger finger or something, it will provide the same functionilitiy for much chearper.

For me the thing that makes the MPC stand out is the SEQUNCER. thats why its been around for so long thats why i have it, if i just wanted it for drums i would get some type of padded controller feel me??

BUt like u said to each his own

class....

good point/opinion....and it really does get down to what each man is really wanting to use it for, so maybe he does just need to get the trigger pad

classic wrote:

myk1 wrote:Maybe I should get an MPD-16 and nix the MPC all together. I really like the pads, but it's much easier for me to mess around with the midi notes in PT, and copy and paste the notes, mute them at certain points, and kinda shift things around randomly.

Judging from that man, it makes ALOT more sense just to get an m-audio trigger finger or MPD16, it doesnt makes sense for u to by an MPC for that set up if u just using it as a controller, IMO u would be wasting your money

class....

absolutely, if your only gonna use it as a controller then sell the MPC and get a controller, you can buy a nice software sampler and have some money to spare

Sell the mp, get M-audio trigger finger and Battery2. You will never run out of drums with that set up and you wont regret it.

Doesn't the MPD come with software that can program the drums? And can read MPC programs?