Tutorial: Using Logic Pro 8 With Your MPC4000

Blue Haze wrote: Basically connect just your midi out of your motif to the midi in of your mpc so that all your midi notes go through your mpc first and then to logic. .... if you wanted to send midi from logic to your motif turn the local off switch in your motif to off and make sure that your motif has its own port like midi output b from your soundcard going into your motif midi input

Thanks Haze. Been away for the night

Thats the way to go duane, just like Haze said.

Essentially we want all our midi tracks recorded on the MPC, then transferred to Logic. At this point the MPC can be turned off completely.

Incorporating your Motif sounds into the Logic mix is achieved by using it as an external instrument from within Logic.

I personally set up all my external synths in Logic complete with patchnames (as opposed to using program 1, program 2 etc) so it is much easier and faster to audition different preset and user sounds. Doing this may take some time, but is well worth it in the long run. The only external synths i have are E-MU PK6, Roland JV-1080 and a Novation Super Bass Station and i choose all their sounds and banks from Logic by name with a mouseclick. This type of stuff is done in Logic's environment.

You should be able to get up to 16 simultaneous tracks sending midi to your Motif from Logic's arrange page.

How to load samples into the EXS24?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... d=29790203

In the link I gave you (above) Mr Mig explains clearly how to chop a sample in Logic and load the chops into the EXS24. The manual is also pretty clear on using the EXS and the Apple Loops utility so i wont go into that.


Try to get your set-up working properly
Master the art of operating your main DAW
Learn one thing at a time, and then experiment further with it
Dont fall victim to 'GEARLUST'
Keep your setup as simple as possible. Whenever you add something, master it or sell it
Ask one question at a time and break your text into PARAGRAPHS (its easier to read)!

Good luck homie !

To clint and blue haze thanks a lot i will try this when i get home and your right i do need to just spend time with my manuals i think my set up personally is complete maybe i will purchase a yamaha electronic drumset but thats all i am a drummer and play the keys a little but in the begining i thought it was about what you were using so i worked my ass off and just purchased what i thought i needed but now i know that i didnt have to. I just need some time to spend some time with my manulas and the computer i made my transition to a mac not too long ago so i was having some difficulties in that aspect but im coming off of that but im not even going to lie i strated on reasons on a pc and there were alot of individuals around to run me through it it only took about a half an hour and i had the basics of reason down but i really apreciate all of the help and will take that advice so i have a lot of reading, and videos to watch but thanks again oh by the way Clint i was born in edmonton Endfield peace and thanks again.

clint246clint wrote:Using Logic Pro 8 With Your MPC4000

Its been a while since I posted a “How to…” on the forum so hopefully here’s another useful thread for those that have Logic Pro 8 and an MPC4000. Although this is the combination I use, I see no reason why this tip shouldn’t work with other MPC’s or other versions of Logic.

First up, let me start by saying I have seen a couple of videos on YouTube in particular one entitled “How to use Logic as a sound module with a MPC”. While this video may have helped many, it wasn’t helpful to me as it involved messing with the environment.

There is a much easier way to achieve the same results without touching the environment which is why I’ve posted this thread. I also reckon that this tip may be helpful to anyone who has problems tracking out to Logic. This is also a fun way to use your MPC to make beats quickly. Remember when it was fun?

Assumptions:

1. You are able to input midi to your MPC using a keyboard and/ or the pads.
2. You are able to monitor the output of the MPC and Logic together.
3. You know the basics of navigating both the MPC and Logic.
4. The midi out of the MPC is routed into and being received by Logic.

Ok, im gonna break it down into “MPC’s for Dummies” type steps simply to avoid a flood of basic questions coming back. I know you guys aren’t dummies, you have MPC’s right?

1. Launch Logic Pro 8. From the available templates choose COMPOSE and then ELECTRONIC. This should launch the template.

2. In the Logic FILE menu go to PROJECT SETTINGS and then RECORDING. Make sure you tick the box “Auto demix by channel if multitrack recording”. Close the window.

3. Using the INSPECTOR select each of the 15 tracks in the arrange window in turn and assign each to the corresponding midi channel. Track 1= midi channel 1, Track 2 = midi channel 2 and so on. Don’t change any of the instruments yet.

4. Record enable all the instrument tracks. Don’t worry about the CLICK on track 15, this can be changed to another instrument if need be.

5. Open a mixer window either below the arrange page or on a separate monitor. Set it up to mirror whats on the arrange page by highlighting ARRANGE and INSTR. That’s the software sorted, so SAVE as a template and name it “MPC Module”.

6. On the MPC load up a sequence you want to work with or start a new one, set the tempo and loop length if necessary. If you hate tracking out, I suggest starting a new sequence. Tell you why later…

7. In the midi output section of the MPC screen assign OUT1 to the midi port to be used with Logic (Out A,B,C or D). Also select channel 1. I suggest also naming this port by going to the DEVICE field and pressing WINDOW.

8. Ok, so now track 1 on the MPC is ready. Press some keys/ pads. You should hear some drum sounds at the lower note numbers/ octaves. This is the CLASSIC TECHNO KIT loaded into track 1 in Logic. Confirm this by looking at Logic’s mixer. If this doesn’t work, check the four assumptions outlined above and rectify before continuing.

9. Works? Great! Now on the MPC use the thumbwheel to change the midi out channel. Try all the channels to confirm that all are routed to the matching instruments in Logic. As you turn the thumbwheel thru the channels observe the Logic mixer to see which instrument is playing.

That’s the complete set-up. You can now send 16 channels of midi data to 16 different Logic instruments. If you want to use Logic as a pure sound module, there is no need to bother with syncing logic to the MPC. Hate tracking out? Program/ record your (midi) beats into the MPC and make sure everything has its own track. Load your samples/ drumkits/ synths into logic by choosing and using the correct instruments (try the template first to see how it works). Hit record in Logic after setting a loop of 8,16 or 32 bars. All your notes are recorded on the correct Logic tracks. Play it back. All recorded in midi notes, ready to mess with. Your Logic sequence will still have that famous MPC BUMP!!

There are lots you can do when this works. For example set the MPC OUT1 and OUT2 to different midi channels for instant layering. I shall let you guys figure out what else can be done………

sorry for being such a noob, but i get confused between tips 5-7. first, im using logic 7.1. I dont have an electronic temp so im using a "basic production" template here. I just add more audio tracks up to 15. usually each track has a midi channel preset corresponding to one another. i.e. track 1 - midi chan 1, track 2 - midi chan 2 etc. however i get stuck when you say highlight arrange and instrument in the mixer. i have no way of highlighting arrange. should i be using instrument tracks? also i dont know if i have the hardware to connect my MPC Midi out. i have an M-audio 1x1 uno USB midi interface. would this work? when i set it up and press play on logic even with the tempo set it goes crazy and jumps to 900 bpm. thats with MTC on in the MPC for midi out. i cant seem to find how to make logic recognize midi out or the exact port im using (A). its on an MPC 2000xl not 4000. im still trying to work this out everyday, but any help will save me some time of scratching my head (frequently) and will be greatly appreciated. thanks!

Hi Levon

I didnt jump on LOGIC until the recent leap to version 8, because I didnt like previous versions at all. I just couldnt work with it, I didnt find it very 'user friendly'. I've had Pro 8 for two/ three months after the switch from Pro Tools LE7 and i wont be looking back! So im not 'au fait' with Logic Pro 7 and im not aware of many of the differences between the two programs. But I'll try to help you out with tips 5-7.

TIP 5. As written applies to Logic 8 as the mixer page was redesigned in some areas. Essentially what you want is to have the same instrument channel strips in your mixer as you have on the arrange page. Hide all audio tracks, auxillary tracks and so forth. We only want to see the instruments being triggered by the MPC. If you are still unable to do this, dont worry too much its simply to keep things clear and organised.

TIP 6. You can use a sequence that you already have on the MPC and change the output (midi) settings accordingly. Otherwise just start a brand new sequence from scratch with a seperate track for each sound including drum sounds.

TIP 7. Decide which of the MPC midi ports will be used to send midi data to Logic. The MPC OS allows you to rename your midi ports for easy reference. You could rename one of your midi ports 'LOGIC' or 'COMPUTER'. If you are using MIDI PORT A for example this port must be connected to Logic via some sort of midi interface.

In your case the M-Audio Uno should work for this, connect the UNO MIDI IN to your MPC PORT A, leave the UNO MIDI OUT unconnected. The USB part of the UNO is connected to your Mac. Make sure you have the correct M-Audio drivers installed. If installed correctly you should have access to ONE midi in and ONE midi out from within Logic.

Using the method I described, it is not necessary to use any synchronisation features at all, so just turn sync off.

duanereed wrote:I use to use recycle and acid pro 6 to do this but now i dont so more help or a section of input on that would ne helpful too thank you all and thanks .

Keep using recycle....EX24 reads Rex files.. On the EX24 go to edit >create a new instrument > convert Rex > Midi Regions OR just dump your REX file on in it...

Good looking my Brother!! I was racking my brain on how to get this to work. Im a pro tools guy so Im still getting use to logic.

Damn! Good info and help fellas!
I saved all the tips on a word document.
Cheers!

hey clint,
im still struggling with it, but im not giving up yet. i think my gear is just too out to date. im thinking of upgrading to logic 8 sometime soon and with that change im pretty sure it will make things a bit easier. im still caught up mostly on the midi portion. i think i need another midi interface. right now the m-audio uno seems to only help me sync up my audio tracks and hasnt let me know down so far. ill keep cruising the forums for more info though!
thanks for your patience and all the help you given me!

IMO Logic 8 is the easiest version for a 'beginner' to jump on. I think its just as easy to work with as Reason and Cubase.

I've been messing with DAWS since Logic was still made for PC and I found it impossible to work with until i went to the Apple Store on Regent Street in 2007 to try Logic 8 on the Mac Pro with dual 30 inch monitors!

That convinced me to get a Mac and buy Logic Pro 8.

Keep going my brother, get Logic Express 8 if funds are low.

I don't know why this topic hasn't been sticky'd yet.
This info has helped me out a lot. I've had Logic studio for a while but I lost interest in it becuase I just couldn't get into it.
I downloaded a demo of Abelton live and was about buy it but after reading Clint's post I'm able to start making music right away and I can't believe how easy it is to use my MPC and Novation ReMote with Logic.

elliz wrote:I don't know why this topic hasn't been sticky'd yet.
This info has helped me out a lot. I've had Logic studio for a while but I lost interest in it becuase I just couldn't get into it.
I downloaded a demo of Abelton live and was about buy it but after reading Clint's post I'm able to start making music right away and I can't believe how easy it is to use my MPC and Novation ReMote with Logic.

logic is a great tool coming from the mpc2500, great for scoring film, check out the video i did and the whole track was done in logic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJNeGeGJN0

does logic have a mute/stop function like the mpc,beacause when i cut a bar and the mute the sound bleed an does not stop when mute

wildstyle72 wrote:

elliz wrote:I don't know why this topic hasn't been sticky'd yet.
This info has helped me out a lot. I've had Logic studio for a while but I lost interest in it becuase I just couldn't get into it.
I downloaded a demo of Abelton live and was about buy it but after reading Clint's post I'm able to start making music right away and I can't believe how easy it is to use my MPC and Novation ReMote with Logic.

logic is a great tool coming from the mpc2500, great for scoring film, check out the video i did and the whole track was done in logic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJNeGeGJN0

does logic have a mute/stop function like the mpc,beacause when i cut a bar and the mute the sound bleed an does not stop when mute

You need to set up either EXS24 or ultrabeat in mute groups. Also if you are using a mixer controller you can autmomate the mute as the sequence plays.

Glad to help enlighten some to the possibilities and different working methods available to get the best from your MPC's. There is now a 'Logic Pro Tips and Tricks' sticky in the 'Production Techniques' forum dedicated to Logic users.

Thanks for posting that link Haze..
Only one video is accessible without membership on the esx, but it is worth signin up and even copin the videos.. they seem really professional.
I learnt a quick way to fatten up a sound, bringing out the timbre characterisics.. Almost like stackin vocals with harmonies..
That Tranform function to pretty cool.. gives your quanitize that "real" feel.. Cant wait to try it out..

Please, please, please no more PM's on this.

I cannot give each person a step by step consultation, unless of course, you are willing to contribute toward the time, knowledge and effort that I put in over the years to learning and understanding my gear. I call it 'Passion', something many wannabe producers seem to lack.

Without genuine passion your level of interest in a given subject will always be constrained no matter how much you force it.

I try to help others by taking a topic and breaking it right down in a way that the manual doesnt do. This advice is accurate, proven to work and most importantly it is FREE. If you want 'anyone' to help you post a reply to the original thread in order to bump it up, someone will try to help but it may not be me.

If you want me to supply a Logic Pro 8 template for the tutorial feel free to make a donation equal to the cost of your frustration to my paypal account then I will send it to you, likewise my other tutorial on using your MPC to trigger chords.


At this rate I should be big pimpin' in no time!

Let me see, $10 x 1000 = $10,000 ...............