Connecting the Akai MPC 2000XL to the Computer

[manface231]

thumbs up if he sounds like jay z

[polidosk8]

i gotta a question. i've made some beats on my 2kXL but I never knew how to record them into my pc. i've got a audio interface alesis I02. and i've tried everything I could think of but I cant seem to be able to record the beat on ableton

[Altruwest]

@polidosk8 Ableton seems to have some sync/timing issues that can cause the music to drift out of sync. Make sure that you when you track out beats, provide yourself with a 2 bar empty sequence before the actual beat. This gives your DAW and the MPC proper time to sync up and lock.

[IAmKingKirk]

hey can you help me sync my korg m3 to reason 4 or any other software

[Altruwest]

@IAmKingKirk Sorry I havent used the M3 enough to help there.

[IAmKingKirk]

hey i have a question do you know if there is any way can connect my Korg M3 to work with reason 4 or any other software

[Bladerunner55217]

thanks for the video man ! I was thinking of getting the mpc 2000 on ebay for a really affordable price but I saw that it doesn't have usb port. So all you have to get is that usb port box you have and it will do the same job as the 2500 mpc with out the cd drive? Thanks for your time..

[Altruwest]

@Bladerunner55217 FYI the usb Port on the MPC 2500 is for data transfer only, it does not send midi information. The MPC only sends midi via the MIDI ports.

[SabbathPhantom]

whats the price for the xl2000?

[SabbathPhantom]

@SabbathPhantom 2000xl lol*

[Altruwest]

@QuietStorm151 Thats exactly how my setup is configured. My Keyboard not only controls the MPC, but it also can be switched to control the computer/software synths.

[pOBrain]

wtf are you talking about?

[Altruwest]

@pOBrain Im talking about electronic music production equipment.

[pOBrain]

@Altruwest i apologize for being rude but i haved and mpc for awhile justt got a computer and thinking about recording tracks onto a program, but i havent a clue what you are running in your video. i'll eventually figure it, thanks anyway

[AJNandi]

YOU have a really nice set up =)

but you use the 003 with logic?

over pro tools?

i personally dont like pro tools

so logic over pro tools?

[giovanni11214]

how do you synchromize the mpc with the computer i use cubase, i tryed it today could'nt figure it out. I imported all the sounds from the mpc into cubase i set my sync in and out on the mpc and the sync set up in cubase. i could't figure out,

[giovanni11214]

Say you made a beat on the mpc 2000xl with samples from a floppy disc, now you want to transfer that beat in the computer, how would you do that?

[Altruwest]

@giovanni11214 In order to transfer the beat to the computer you must synchronize your MPC with the computer and record the individual tracks/sounds in real time. You can use programs such as Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton, Reaper, Sonar, etc to accomplish this. The Floppy disk only contains the original sequence data and samples. Your computer will not be able to read the sequence data unless you save the beat as a midi file (which I do not recommend in this situation).

[muzikbj11]

I just purchased a MPC2000XL Blue w/ MCD card reader! Haven't gotten it yep!

Now w/ the mcd, i can store and retreve data?

I also have a macbook and pc laptop, what software wld u recommend, how wld i connect either or? Help Please!

[Altruwest]

@muzikbj11 The MCD is just an optional storage medium for your sequences and samples. Your Computer cannot read the sequence data unless you save the sequence as a midi file. When saved as a midi file, some information such as Programs, will be lost. The best use of the MCD is to transfer samples stored on your computer to your MPC, and to Back up files/beats created on your MPC. Software wise you will still need to record using something like Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase or Ableton.

[omarphi215]

great video. Can you help me with my new set up. Im not a software guy, but I know I can have my Cubase 4 start when I start my MPC200xl. Here is my set up:

Motif sx6, mpc2000xl, presonus firestudio tube, iMac...I must not have something set up right. can someone help?

[Altruwest]

@omarphi215 It sounds like you do not have a midi interface right now. This is a main requirement for you to be able to communicate MMC from the MPC to any Host/DAW. You need the MPC to send MMC and the DAW(Cubase to receive/listen to MMC).

[omarphi215]

I have a presonus firewire which i assumed was acting as the interface because we use it to interface the motif via an xlr connection. I have not tried yet but do you think the lambda will interface alongside the presonus rack (firetube)?

[Lorigo559]

Hey Altruwest any chances u know how to hook the mpc with scsi cord?

[Altruwest]

Hey, The MPC in the video is actually an MPC2000XL with SCSI connection on the back. There is no way for you to hook the SCSI connection directly to your PC. What I recommend is that you buy an MCD for your MPC. This is the best way to insure high speed data transfer and compatibility with your PC/Mac. SCSI will limit you to old HD systems, Floppy Drives and Old CD drives. I would stay away from SCSI if possible today. I used it back in the day and would not go back now.

[Lorigo559]

@Altruwest

damn, now i just got a zip drive 4 the mpc to try n save all our drum kits, now i dont kno to much about this machine, but i was told that the only way to hook that zip drive 2 a computer was thru scsi. what might be another way 2 hook up that zip drive

[Altruwest]

@Lorigo559 The easy answer is to buy yourself a USB Zip Drive, That way you have a proper way to transfer from PC to MPC.

[Lorigo559]

@Altruwest 4 sho thanks. If i was to switch to midi using a Phantom X6 what would i need to get it to work?

[f1racer226]

what does MCD stand for ?

[DrunkMonk101]

Would you need the midi sport interface, if you were just trying to connect the MPC to the PC in order to sync it with your DAW, cause all i'm trying to do is just that, i can already just use my VSTi's if i wanted to input those into my MPC, but i'm just wondering if that interface would be necassary to connect it? (I'm considering getting this model soon just some questions to consider before making my purchase)

[dreds4000]

hopefully this will help me cuz i got the 5k and i still dont know how to emport the beats i made

[VincentsVideoVisions]

@dreds4000 lol you have a mpc5000 and dont know how to export your beats... hahahahaha

[dreds4000]

yea i know its a bitch cuz i dont know how to use it properly...cn u help me?

[VincentsVideoVisions]

Well all you do is route the outputs of your MPC into your audio interface and record in whatever program that you have... like sonar, cube, logic, etc... simple as that. you can record a stereo "master mix" or track them all separately so you can add efx, eq, etc..

[opmks]

Do u still need to use 8 outs

Or just digital coax

[Altruwest]

Use digital coax if you dont need to send 8 channels of audio at one time.

[krzone81]

is that a blue screen ???

[Altruwest]

It is a standard screen

[911beats]

can u save beats made on the mpc to zip disks

and use them to transfer it to your computer?????????????????????

[Saintboss]

My cousins friend mothers best friend knows your boyfriends sister in laws ex who saw through her girlfriends eyes your man cheating . Now ask me how i know? Good info if u know what u wanna hear...but totally totally all over the place.

[choirboypro]

Hey I like the dialouge in here good info...I got a midi patch bay 8in 8out with protools 002 rack runing Nuendo and have reason 4 my motiff es rack, a planet phat rack and my MPC 2000xl all talking to each other Nuendo pulls the library of each module in to the session and reason talk through rewier. I just saying my fellow producers get the most out of your gear that you can and stay creative...God Bless!

[akaimpc1000]

hey altruwest,

been watching your vids for a while. i also want to connect my mpc to the pc. i have understood that you are able to trigger the sounds of the vst with the mpc pads. can u still use the bank buttons of the mpc while triggering sliced samples from guru or another vst? or do i need an mpd if i wish to do so? thanks in advance and keep up doin your thing. peace

[Altruwest]

SCSI to USB will allow you to only read your data files at best. The connection I am showing you allows you to: Synchronize the MPC with your DAW, Control your software instruments via the MPC, Record audio from the MPC into your DAW. SCSI cannot handle all of that.

[martinisawesome]

i have to ask you something...

if your mpc2000 has a card reader installed, and you get a scsi to usb cable, would you be able to put samples onto your mpc2000 from the computer?

[optamaze]

What if im just using a midi keyboard and a mpc 2000xl I have it hooked up and when i hit the space bar/ play it starts on the mpc. but the sounds not going into the computer. Do you need two midi cables?

[44danoc]

Con..... Then go to SET TO, tap on the arrow pointed down and click on the interface you will want to run your MPC midi through. I hope you have your MPC midi out and at the end of it, it should be USB into the computer.. When you hit that arrow pointed down you should see the interface company that your MPC is attached to, if you dont either you dont have a USB connected to your MPC MIDI or the drivers arent working.

[meddahmorphosis1]

where in protools WHERE do i setup so that i can transfer my mpc and korg trinity sounds or sample to it?

[cmbgaby123]

can you do this whit fl stuidos

[zeker111]

just from the way you are talking i can make out that you "make" hiphop!! iieeww!!

[Altruwest]

Actually I just "make" Music, thanks for watching

[meddahmorphosis1]

where in protools do i setup so that i can transfer my mpc and korg trinity sounds or sample to it?

[44danoc]

You're not sampling you are tracking your beat into Protools.Go to yourMidi Sync In, you should see this when you press (shift+9) buttons on the MPC. While you are there Set the Mode to Midi Clock, then below that where you see Receive MMC: turn your daisy dial until its ON. Press main screen button to come out of it.

[44danoc]

Plus when I am tracking my tracks into Protools, I use MMC, which is accurate.

[44danoc]

I have my Mpc2000xl Hooked up to Uno Midi usb going into my MAC Pro and my Midi controller running usb to my Mac and that's it. My MPC I can use for the drums in Reason and track out my music into Protools. I have a Studio Logic VMK 161 midi controller it's hot. You have yours hooked up different. I see my way very easy.

[420famousteve]

hey man, i just bought a mpc 2000 and i want to hook it up to my p.c. in the most simple and thouro way, can you explain the process to me, and what i need? thanks

[dwayne00]

Question: Can you still trigger your reason program with your keyboard without having your mpc on if you just want to control reason with the keyboard with the way you have this set up?

[Altruwest]

In this case since I have a midi controller that is able to transmit data via midi and USB at the same time, I do not have to have the MPC on in order to trigger reason or logic. If I were using the Motif or something else, this would not be possible.

[44danoc]

I can, I can make up the whole beat on my Midi keyboard, but I love the pads if I want to trigger the drums on the Redrum. It's really easy. I don't have anything hooked up to my 002Rack interface. Both, MPC and Midi controller are hooked up to my MAC Pro, which will read directly when I go to set them up in Reason and Protools and the MacPro. It was baffled at the ease of this.PC, I won't deal with again when dealing with this.

[meddahmorphosis1]

in protools WHERE do i setup so that i can transfer my mpc and korg trinity sounds or sample to it?

[44danoc]

Con... Remember have your Midi cable from your interface whatever that may be, Motu Midi, 002 Rack, Uno USB interface etc, should be coming out of the interface into the MPC Midi in 1.2.Go and open a Protools session, and when its open go to the pull down menu up top to where it say SETUPS. Scroll down in that menu until you get to Peripherals, now hit tab Machine Control. cont.......

[RookieofthYear]

yo bro, I just got my 2000XL, and all i have is the power chord. I have a midi board,an axiom, and a laptop...i use reason, which im accustomed to working with,how do i get started with this mpc?

[44danoc]

Rookie, what are you working with a PC or a Mac? You would need to Take your Axiom which I use to have and usb that to your computer. Then in reason you have go in reason and grab the Axiom it should reconize it.Then get an Uno usb midi port for the MPC2000xl and put that in your computer also and do the same thing in Reason. Then you can Control reason with your Axiom and use the MPC pads to trigger your Redrum sounds.

[DrunkMonk101]

So if i was connecting an MPC to my PC, i would need to get an additional USB midi cable, run that through to my PC, and then config. that to my DAW and i should be all set if i was just using this for drum sounds?

[44danoc]

Monk I have the MPC2000xl, I have a Uno midi to usb, to connect to my computer to active the MPC to be a Slave to Protoots, so when I press the space bar my MPC will start running with Protools. I record, where I run my audio outs of my MPC into my Yamaha O2R 96, then optical out of my Yam, into my Digi 002Rack. From my 002Rack firewire out into my computer, so I can record digitally into Protools. That's my set up and I love it.

[DrunkMonk101]

Ok, thank you for answering my question.

[CrasVisions]

dope video....

1) so the mtc coming from the 003 doesn't compromise the dope sequencer of the mpc since it's sending midi to the mpc and not vice versa?

2) is a virtual instrument a VST?

[Altruwest]

The MTC is sending positional information as opposed to beat information like Midi Clock sends. This means that the groove wont be affected as much when using MTC. VST is more of a protocol that is used to host instruments and effects. Many people call most virtual instruments, VSTs now.

[Altruwest]

Its possible to do it during the recording stage but you may run into clocking issues when using logic as a slave to Midi Time code. The mpc is only a 96ppqn device, so when you clock your audio to that it will most likely result in audio drop outs when you record.

[Altruwest]

the mpc is actually slaved to logic in this setup when tracking out the audio

[c1tykid]

good info, props!

[Altruwest]

Give them a listen and let me know. Im not quitting any time soon though :)

[mrdeedz1]

man, i like your setup, but most of the stuff you were saying was flying over my head 'cause even though i have a MPC2000...i havent got to that technical level yet. But hopefully i learn soon before i start to lose interest. thanks 4 the knowledge though.

[MarcS4R]

cool i got a midisport too lol, dope interface its never let me down

[S1NI5TER]

hey man..on the 8 outs of your mpc, do u just connect only two of the 1/4 jacks from the 8out snake cables to the back of the oo3? or do u connect all of the 8 jacks?