Midi-setup question (1k with jjos, a synth and a rack synth)

I´ve been trying to figure out the best way of setting this set: MPC1000, Novation KS4 synth (1 midi in, out, thru) and clavia nord RACK 2X (again 1 midi in , out and thru). I will have to control Nord Rack with my Novation, but I want to also be able to play the Novation itself with its keys. And I want to able to record midi-events to MPC for both synths. Would be easy if the Nord Lead had two midi ins and outs, so I could connect it to both MPC and Novation, but thats not the case. So... How, what, where? Thanks, thanks, thanks!

This, I think, is the answer - Makes sense in theory - but can't be 100% sure without the gear sitting in front of me - I'll try and talk you through it as best I can:

Hook Up:

Novation out to MPC Midi in 1
MPC Midi out A to Novation in

MPC Midi out B to Nord Lead in

Device setup:

Novation set to recieve on MIDI Channel 1
Nord Lead set to recieve on MIDI Channel 1

MPC set up:

Mode - Midi Sync (pad 9)

Midi tab - Active track receive - All
Soft Thru - As Track

Sync Tab - Sync out (AB)

Operation: -

The way this is set up will allow you to do what you ask (i think!).

Make a new MIDI track in the MPC and set it to MIDI track 1A. Press a pad on the MPC and the Novation should be triggered - press a key on the Novation and the MPC should receive note information from it because you have set the MPC to recieve on all channels - this will allow you to record note information from the Novation into the MPC's sequencer - you can also record note info from the MPC's pad into the sequencer which will, in turn trigger the Novations sounds on playback.

(((IMPORTANT!!! _ When you want to play/Record notes from the Novations keyboard into the MPC - make sure that you have a MIDI track selected - but don't assign it to a channel - this would reult in a MIDI feedback loop and would be a very noisy pain in the A$$. You can assign it to MIDI channel 1A after recording into the MPC seq in order to play back the recorded notes. This has something to do with "Local OFF settings for your Novation - read the manual for it - it should tell you in there how to set this - not entirely sure about the settings for that device)))

Now - make a new MIDI track in the MPC and set it to MIDI track 1B. Press a pad on the MPC and the Nord Lead should be triggered. Press a key on the Novation and the Nord Lead should also be triggered - this happens because the MPC is set to receive MIDI from all channels - but is set to send MIDI note info AS TRACK - ie - the track you are now going to record to which is set to MIDI channel 1B (going out from MPC Port B.)

Did that make any sense!? - I'm a bit confused here too now! - But I think this should work - Like I say - bit of a head scratcher without the Gear sitting in front of me.

Try this:

1. MIDI Out from keybaord (Nord) to MIDI In on the MPC
2. MIDI Out from MPC to your Novastation (sound module)

If this does't work then you may need a midi interface of some kind.

Remember: When you want to use the sounds from your sound module, remember to turn down the volume on your keyboard so that those sounds don't play over the sounds coming from the module. I hope that makes sense. Give it a try.

Thanks MCL... I took for granted that he would know how to setup the MPC Midi setting sync settings.

Ok, thanks! I´ll try with these advices tomorrow. I´ve been using only Novation so far and it´s been fine, but new equipment = new things to figure out. Both synths are four part multitimbral, but I guess I just have to be changing the midi channels to be correct from sending and receiving gear. I´ll get back if I mess everything completely...