How Do You set up the MIDI

Im having trouble with syncing my keyboard with my MPC. Or maybe im not understanding this whole Midi thing. OK If the Midi OUT (from) keyboard) to the MIDI IN (MPC) I should be able to hear the notes from the keyboard right? And I should be able them sequence them into a mix on the MPC right? Well i have followed the direction in the manual but we all know that doesnt mean jack......can some one PLEASE help me out...thanks

The manual has everything covered, it's just not so well worded, sort of like reading in an unfamiliar language.

MIDI does not transmit audio. It is ONLY a control spec. It allows a sequencer or other MIDI device to control the operation of a synthesizer or other sound module. It allows synchronization of multiple sequencer devices and it allows automation of various parameters from sequencers.

In order to use multiple pieces of MIDI kit, you'll need a mixer of some kind to hear all the pieces simultaneously, and enough MIDI cables to connect every controlled piece to whatever is sequencing it.

Thus, if you have only the MPC and your keyboard, using the MPC as master sequencer and the keyboard as a controller and tone generator, you'd work like so:

Keys MIDI Out->MPC In 1
MPC MIDI Out-> Keys In

And all the mains out to your mixer.

You'll need to set the MPC to receive on all channels and turn Soft Thru on, set your keys to whatever is its multi-timbral mode, set the keys to "Internal control: Off" and you should be good.

Every time you want to record a new sound track on the MPC using the keyboard, make sure you know what channel the new sound is on, switch to an empty track on the MPC, and set it to MIDI (normally it will read Drum). You also want to turn the Pgm: to OFF, or the track will play both your external sound on the keyboard, and whatever program is loaded up on the channel as well. This is an oversight on Akai's part, but nothing serious. (it would be nice if it automatically switched to off or grayed out when track type was set to MIDI) Set Midi: to the correct channel and port of the MPC (ie, if your Bass sound on your keyboard is set to MIDI chan 2, and the cable runs from MPC out A to Keys In, set Midi:to 2A using the heel)

That's all there is to it.

Peace,
-tank.

im still unsure of how it is set up..i cant seem to get it to work. also how are the keyboard notes played to sequence into the beat....I have the MPC set to receive all channels. Maybe its something really simple im over looking......

make sure your midi cables are hooked up both ways. you should have:

- one midi cable going TO the KEYBOARD IN from the MPC OUT

and

- one cable going from the KEYBOARD OUT to the MPC in

also make sure you have the track's midi assignment chosen in the main window's lower right hand corner, right above solo.

ok i feel like an idiot....you need to have 2 midi cables I though u only needed one?? ....i only had one going keyboard OUT to MPC IN..

yeah, now you got it....the one cable will work for getting what you played on your keyboard into the mpc. you need the other cable for the mpc to "play" the keyboard once youve recorded your part. thynctank said it up there too

man thanks guy if i didnt have this site i'd be lost!

one more question how do i get different instruments on different tracks...when I rec. say piano on 1 track and strings on another it just plays the notes...but not the separate instruments...like if its set to piano it'll play all the notes as a piano not as piano and strings

nevermind i got it..thanks for all the help

We see a problem triggering multiple tracks/programs from External MIDI devices
http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=8272
This isnt what you're doing also, is it? If so, how?