technical midi config question

Hey studio engineers. I own a 2000xl, and I'm wishing I could use it to sequence sounds in an external hardware synth. I've dug around in the manual, the forum, and the pdf deal, and it doesn't seem like it's going to work.

Am I missing something?

My backup plan is to find a hardware sequencer and slave it to the clock in the mpc. I'll use the mpc for drums and other samples, and the hardware sequencer to control multiple layers of synth tracks. A bandmate recommends the yamaha RMX1, as a good cheap sequencer for this type of job.

I've also considered using cubase, but I have a cool but slightly confusing soundcard/converter (RME hammerfall, winxp) and I'm not convinced that I can use cubase as a sequencer AND recorder at the same time. For this reason I figure it might be necessary to use either a second computer for the sequencer, or a hardware sequencer.

Any recommendations on which hardware or software sequencer I should look for?

Thanks for checking this out. Peace. J

the mpc is more than capable of doing what you want, it is a hardware sequencer, with 64 midi tracks

Co-sign.

The MPC is a great Midi sequencer. Probably one of the best hardware sequencers ever. They didn't name it the Midi Production center just for laughs.

The only thing that seems to be missing from your setup is a Midi keyboard. If you have one then your in business. You can record sequences from your keyboard to your Midi modules/keyboards via the MPC. It's all in the manual.

Save your money, buy a controller keyboard (if you don't have one), a few Midi leads and start making music.

I'll study up on the manual. Thanks!

I can record samples into the machine. I can sequence samples. I just haven't had any success sequencing the keyboard tracks.

So I've got a keyboard controller and midi cables. I'm guessing that since it has two midi ins I might want to:

* Controller to MPC midi in 1.
* MPC midi out A to hardware synth.
* Hardware synth to MPC midi in 2.
* Dig around in the midi menu and the manual until I get it to work.

Sound about right to you?

u dont have any need to plug the hardware synths'midi out to the mpc midi in.

maybe u are confused about what midi is.
midi is only informations , no audio.
so, mpc--midi--->hardware synth
hardware synth---audio(jack,rca,xlr,whatever)--->mixer

Yes I am confused about MIDI, but less so every day!

I've been in the manual this morning, and to people who are as confused as I was, you should pay special attention to:

1.) Chapter 2 "The basics" (duh), in my copy it's page 11, and it has a nice easy to read illustration of how to connect external devices.

2.) Don't confuse multisampling with sequencing. This wasn't immediately easy for me to do, and I spent some time reading up in the MPC 2000XL pdf about multisampling. It's a good resource, I recommend it for folks who're as new to MIDI as I was. If you're not sure, check Chapter 2, page 12. "A sequence is the most basic unit in creating data for the MPC 2000xl." It doesn't come much straighter.

3.) Understand the S: menu underneath the track menu. This was previously a foreign zone to me. It's critical if you want to control midi devices. It's probably critical for bunches of other shit too, and I'll report back maybe if I learn what them is later, maybe...

4.) MPC-Forum already saved me some money and unnecessary headaches when I sourced and installed the card reader. Now you'be done it again by saving me money and unnecessary headaches learning to program another piece of hardware. Thanks. Having dough on the train is cool, and I guess I hate headaches.

hyena wrote:u dont have any need to plug the hardware synths'midi out to the mpc midi in.

What if u want to use the keyboard to play an autocromatic program

Jacpot wrote:

hyena wrote:u dont have any need to plug the hardware synths'midi out to the mpc midi in.

What if u want to use the keyboard to play an autocromatic program

The MIDI Controller's midi IN to the MPC takes care of that.

Keyboard (out) --> MPC (in)
MPC (out) --> Synth (in)

This was such a basic task. Funny how it got complicated for me.

Turns out that the midi routing illustration that I referred to earlier (page 11 in the manual) is not successful with my machine. It's easy to assume that I did it wrong, and I think I did it right. Either way, I tried it and got what sounded like a constant loop of midi signals, resulting in a noisy rumble. It wasn't entirely non-musical, especially with certain arpeggiated patterns in the synth, but it wasn't right.

I bought my machine used and when something doesn't work, I always get suspicious that maybe part of the machine is damaged.

I thought I had the midi signal routed correctly, and I spent some time experimenting with all the options (in the MPC, the controller, and the synth). Couldn't solve the problem. Still had a mad cycle of noise.

Finally I went back to the manual again. Talk about attention deficit. I was excited when I saw the illustration the first time and I had neglected to read:

"If you choose to connect an external MIDI device, connect the MIDI Output of the MIDI keyboard to the MIDI Input of the MPC2000XL, and the MIDI input of the MIDI sound source to MIDI Output of the MPC2000XL."

That's it.

Keyboard (out) --> MPC (in)
MPC (out) --> Synth (in)

Hope this helps someone. Peace.

What you are asking to do is MIDI 101.

It is extremely easy to sequence/control synths with an MPC. You just have to read the manual!

If you have a multi-timberal synth, the number of sounds it can play at once, by default are numbered 1-whatever. Like 1-4 for example.

So hook up two MIDI cables to "IN A", and "OUT A" and into the opposites on your synth, then assign four pads on your MPC to "MIDI" 1A, 2A etc from "DRUM1".

You don't need a controller if you have a synth! Just press record on the MPC as usual, on the pad you want to record the sequence to, and play your synth. I'll warn you - getting the multi-timbral part of any synth working is not easy. The simplest way is to use one synth for one sound.

If you hook it up as I describe, you will be able to record knob tweaks too - like filter etc. on your synth, and have it play back.

And if you don't like MIDI, then get a computer program. It hides all of the ugly, scary midi behind a nice screen shot.

The Associate.
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MPC 2000XL, Dave Smith Evolver, Juno 106, Mackie 1202.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. This is entry level midi stuff.

Associate, I'm interested in your suggestion about recording filter sweeps. I'll try that soon. Also, I'm using a rack synth, so the controller is necessary.

I agree that it's tricky to sequence the multi-timbral sounds. I spent a lot of time on that today. The synth I'm working with is a Waldorf Micro Q. It has multi-instrument patches that allow each instrument to communicate on a unique channel. I'm starting with just two instruments, to see if I can make it work. So far no luck.

My next attempt will be to record a sequence on a track set up for device 1a, and another set up for device 2a. Then I'm hoping I can assign the channels for those devices, and that it will correspond to channels 1 and 2 in my synth. It seems logical, but previous attempts haven't worked.

Any other tips for configuring the MPC to sequence multiple patches in one synth?

Thanks again.