Using a USB midi keyboard with your 4000

Never seen this tip posted anywhere ever before so here it is.....

We all know that you can plug midi keyboards into either of the two MIDI in's on the rear of the 4000. This is most useful for playing sampled instruments using keys instead of pads.

If like me you are using a USB powered keyboard with a direct midi output, you may use it to trigger your 4000 without using a computer/ laptop or an external power supply or even expensive batteries.

To do this, simply plug your USB midi keyboard into the USB port on the FRONT of the 4000. This will supply POWER via USB to the midi keyboard. Connect a midi cable from the MIDI OUT (marked 'keyboard' on my M-AUDIO) of the USB keyboard to the MIDI IN of the 4000. And there you have it.

A simple tip that can help a lot, especially with live performances.

Hint: The front USB port can be used to supply POWER to USB DEVICES, this has other implications and is not necessarily restricted to midi keyboards......

Never thought about using the MPC to power my USB/MIDI controller. I just connected it to my PC.

I do something close to that except I route both the 4k & a keyboard controller (to a midi patchbay) so that the MPC can share the master controller chores too.

And for those that would like to know, I use a Motu MTP/AV to achieve this.

This would be one of those moments I'd use the MPC to trigger vsti drum sounds or drum samples in kontakt.

Also another tip would be to use your mpc to power on your DAW. It'll work only if your bios on your computer supports power on by usb.