For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
ByAboriginal Tue Mar 09, 2004 6:07 pm
Whassup Yall....
I dont normally write too much, but I read a lot. But this time I need a little help!!! Pleeeeas!!!
I own a MotifES 6, Mophatt, MS2000 Korg, Akai S950 and of course the MPC 3000. I connected the Midi in port of all machines into the Midi Outs of my MidiSport 8x8, and the Midi Out ports of the MotifES and MPC3000 in to the Midi INs of the Midisport. I would like to use the MotifES6 as my Midi controller(as well as use its internal sounds) and use the Mpc3000 as the sequencer. Also, I would like to be able to play certain sounds, like drum kits, from the mophatt and the Motif using the MPC which is why I connected its Midi Out to the Midi In of the Midisport.. I tried this but every thing plays at the same time. Lastly, how do you span a single sample from the mpc across the keys of the Motif with varing pitch?

I normally use pro tools as my sequencer after I've created my drum sequence on the MPC 3000. So I know how to use midi sync all machines in PT..But I would like to sequence all instruments using the MPC.

Pls help if you can.. I'm starting to give up go back to PT:(

By elmacaco Tue Mar 09, 2004 7:20 pm
Motif midi out to MPC midi in,

MPC soft thru on,

mpc midi out to the 8x8, (you need to set up the 8x8 as a thru box there should be a switch or in the software for it.)

OR MPC midi outs to all your modules, then just record audio to your PC, Computer midi out to your MPC for syncing, MPC midi out to your computer for controlling softsynths etc.

you then set up a track in your MPC with the midi channel for the module you want to control 1A for a module on the mPC's midi output A channel 1, and so on.

Aboriginal to where? ;)

ByAboriginal Tue Mar 09, 2004 8:57 pm
Thanks elmacaco

I know that the has only 4 output ports, which is why I bought the midisport. I plan to get the xv-5050 and the proteus 2500 which will give me 5 modules plus the motif, what will I do then since I know that the MPC has only 4 ports? Also, with your described setup, how will I be able to play only the sounds on a specific module instead of it being played with the controller. Do I use say channel 16 on the motifes, with the volume turned down, and set each module to be controlled by only one channel? Also, how do you span a single sample on the mpc to span across the motif with varing notes.

Thanks in advaned everyone.
I should have learned this before I got my Digi 002.

By elmacaco Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:49 pm
OK, follow me,

WIth the set up I described, you can play all the modules with the motif keys and record the midi notes on the MPC at the same time.

When you set the channel to midi for a specific module, when you play your keys you will hear and sequence that module.

On your controller you need to turn local off so that you don't hear the motif + the module. When you want to use the motif, just set the MPC midi channel to the motif setting.

I don't think using the midisport is the best option if you aren't sequencing with the computer, best bet is to use a midi thru box to split one output into 8 or so and use he other outs for the other modules. You'll need to do some midi cable math to get it right. If you can configure the midisport as a thru box then you are set. but I prefer a splitter for thos purpose.

You can't span a sample in the mpc across the keys of a controller unless you have a 2kxl. Not a biggie, use the motif for that.

With the set up I described you will use one controller for all modules, to use each instrument as it's own controler you'll need to do something fancy. Maybe send the midi outs from each controller toa midi thru box or 8x8 if it can do it, and select the input you want going to the MPC with the switches on it.

ByAboriginal Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:16 pm
I see Said the Blind Man!!

You are the man..It all makes sense now..I will try this tonight when I go home..Thanks for all your help!!!!

By elmacaco Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:23 pm
No sweat country,

Also, you can have a sample stretch across the keys, but it means making a programwith each note on each pad, either a separate sample or retuning the sample on multiple pads.

Pain in the @ss, use 16 levels for pitch and another sampler (motif) for that kind of thing, unless you really want to do it on the MPC.

By bigskee Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:07 pm
why not just plug in/out motif to mpc
in out/ ms2000 to mpc
mo phatt in to mpc out
s950 in to mpc out
controll everthing to the mpc b/c you do have two midi ins and 4 midi outs.
I understand you use protools but why not just sequence it all on the mpc

By elmacaco Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:34 am
He can do that, but if he wants to add more gear, like he said, he'll need a thru box.

Also, he'll need one midi in (possible and out too) to go to his computer fir syncing.

By mpc3000 Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:21 am
"He can do that, but if he wants to add more gear, like he said, he'll need a thru box"

Not necessarily. With 4 midi outs he can chain 20 devices per the spec. Assuming that the first 4 devices in the 4 chains have midi thru's. That is what they are there for.

I have chained 14 devices off 2 midi outs without problem. My suggestion is to not use a thru box unless you really have to. I have them, but I find life in the studio much easier without yet another piece to deal with and another possible point of failure (and to have to troubleshoot when something does go wrong).

"Also, he'll need one midi in (possible and out too) to go to his computer fir syncing."

An output port does not need to be dedicated for sync signal. The most common Seq - Rec sync setup only requires that MMC be sent from the MPC to the Recorder. In thsi case the recorder can be the last device (like no. 5) in the chain on a shared port. A dedicated Rec->MPC cable is suggested for MTC, if used, and I have rarely seen a studio that did not have a free MPC input for this. In these cases we just switched to SMPTE which is just as easy to use and keeps the midi connections free for other uses.


"retuning the sample on multiple pads"

That is not that hard. You can also setup a re-tuned program without any samples and save it as a template. When ever you need a sample spanned across a keyboard just load a sample and assign to all the pads. That should only take a couple minutes.

By elmacaco Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:35 am
Nice tip on the Multi PGM.

I have not had that much success with midi thru's especially on multitimbral synths. But true, you can, I just like keeping things separate, that way you don't have to switch on gear just to use their thru's. This helps when you have mulitple controllers too, You can switch them in when you want and switch you controller from your MPC to you computer or to whatever.

For timing I would never use the thru's of a machine, I personally slave my MPC to midi clock, but maybe I should try syncing the computer to the MPC.

Besides that, Finally, a challenger!!! Thanks MPC3000, you keep me on my toes.