Multiple module midi setup

[muzicman]

I own the following MPC2000xl, Roland XP60, Triton Studio, Proteus 2000,Midi-Sport 8x8 pathch bay.

I need help with the configuration of my system.....I want to use the MPC to be the master and do all my sequencing...Also I want to be able to access sounds from all modules from my MPC.

Plus I would like to use my Roland as the controller to access sounds from Proteus 2000....From all the info I've been reading I take I just plug in midi in and out ports to the 8x8 patchbay......But how do you select from the MPC or controller which sound its going to play....

I hope I didnt confuse anybody...

Muzicman

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by muzicman

I want to use the MPC to be the master and do all my sequencing...Plus I would like to use my Roland as the controller to access sounds from Proteus 2000

The midisport 8x8 is a 'smart' midi patcher --- it detects which controller is putting out midi info + when. Just plug both the MPC and the Roland midi outs into the first two midi inputs on the midisport.

Then, and this is important, look in the Roland manual and find out where to turn the local control on and off. Set it to off. This will break the connection between the keyboard and the sounds inside.

Now hook up all the midi ins of all the modules (including the MPC and the Roland) to the first four outputs. The MPC is traditionally a drum sampler and the traditional midi channel for drums is ch 10. Other than that it's up to you as to the channel assignments. As long as you don't duplicate any you will get beautiful music out of a fine setup...

As far as choosing sounds, the MPC is capable of transmitting program change commands and making them part of each song. That's how you pick the sounds that are played.

Here are links to two good articles on midi basics - part one and part two. They may be a little basic for you, but we can all use a refresher course now and then...

[muzicman]

Thanks for the info Ssscientist I will try this out now....Hopefully this will work....Im in the process of buying 3 more modules so I need to get this working.....

MuzicMan

[muzicman]

Ssscientist I think I'm giving up on the patchbay for now...can't get this baby to work......My MPC has 2 midi ins and 2 midi outs...I have my triton on midi side A and my Roland on midi side B....Here is the issue I have a Proteus sound module that I would like to use. I want the roland to be the controller for the Proteus sound module....Is there a way to say split the midi channels between the Roland and the Proteus....Example ( midi channels 1-8 assigned to Roland) (midi channels 9-16 assigned to Proteus sound module).

When I initiate recording from the MPC (which is the master) I can only get the Roland or with cable changes the Proteus to play one at a time...I need both....

I bought the Midi Sport 8x8 patch bay for 2 reasons: To eliminate patching everytime I wanted to use a new sound from a different module and also future sound module purchases...

Thank you for any info you can give me.

MuzicMan

[ssscientist]

The Midisport 8x8 is a USB midi patcher. As far as I know there's no other way to power it than with the 2.5 watts generated by the USB port of a computer so it's pretty much useless with an MPC-based setup like yours.

You can use the sounds of all three (Roland, Korg and Emu) in the following way. Use the Roland keyboard as the master. Turn the local on/off to 'off', then plug the midi out into midi in 1 of the MPC and plug midi out B to the in of the Roland. Plug the Proteus midi in to the Roland midi thru. Then plug the midi out A to the midi in of the Triton. This will give you - if you want to set it up this way - 8 Proteus channels, 8 Roland channels and 16 Triton channels.

Using program changes to change sounds is something that you will get used to. Also, you may need to use bank change commands which the MPC also supports - these are used because modern synths have more than the 127 patches originally allowed in the midi spec.

Also, this is quite a powerful setup for someone as new to midi as you are. I would hold off on spending any more money until you know exactly where it will do you the most good.

[muzicman]

thanks for the info...I will try this setup 2night.....

MuzicMan

[muzicman]

Originally Posted by muzicman

thanks for the info...I will try this setup 2night.....

MuzicMan

Well Ssscientist I'm almost there...everything is working perfect accept when playing the Roland I can still the hear the roland sounds instead of the Proteus sounds...I verified I turned local off......I am allocating channels
1-8 Roland and 9-16 Proteus...I turned off channels 1-8 in the Proteus module so that I can only hear the Roland sounds on channels 1-8....and that works perfect..its the other way which is not working...which is turning local off and hearing only proteus sounds....

But when I connect the midi in cable coming from the module -> midi out on the Roland...no Roland sounds can be heard only the modules....

Is there something else I need to do when using the midi thru port other than turn local off.

MuzicMan

[ssscientist]

You will need to be playing the Proteus sounds from the MPC sequencer for the setup to function as described...

Try it and you'll see how easily it all comes together!