midi routing question

[syren]

I have never really gotten into midi much except for the motif and mpc together, want to get into using the computer with pro tools and would like opinions on the best way to route my midi.
I still want to do the bulk of my production in the mpc, but would like to use the motif and the mpc with the computer. what would be the benefits of routing through my mobx2/pro tools and the computer. i just wanted to do some experimenting.
I am not really sure what I am trying to do with it exactly, since i never really dealt with midi or the computer much, so any extra information about what I would be able to do would be a great help too.

Here is my setup. Its not really working because I dont know whats going on.

MPC2000xl
-Midi in A
-Midi in B
-Midi out B

Motif 6
-Midi in
-Midi out

Digi Mbox 2
-Midi out

Thank you for any help.

 

[StackableMusic]

If neither one of your midi boxes has a midi thru (and I suspect that the outs can double as thrus - check your manual/settings) then you'll need to get a separate midi interface to hook both up at once.

If one of the boxes can use the Out as a Thru, then set the MPC to a known channel (say, 10), disable that channel on the Motif, and then daisychain them together.

MIDI connections:
So Mbox2 Out -> MPC In -> MPC Out (if it can be a Thru) -> Motif In

Motif Out -> Mbox2 In (I assume it must have one though you didn't specify this. Not even Mbox's could suck that much.)

Then you can record the notes you play on the Motif onto midi tracks in Pro Tools and then edit them and play them back.

Benefits:

-the midi is in the computer so you can edit it more easily. You also have the midi track saved with your session so you can make changes later, including patch changes.

-I don't know how you're doing your sequencing right now, but sequencing via MIDI can be a very powerful production tool. It can be accomplished on the onboard sequencers of the MPC and the Motif but it's fiddlier and I don't know how far you've gotten into it.

-Most of the more powerful features of synths and drum machines are most easily accessed through midi continuous control changes ("CCs") which can be recorded/edited or written straight into your sequencer. For example, filter sweeps can be drawn in and jump around in a way that can't be accomplished with straight knob turnage. Also, you can make midi arrangements more complex than what you can play by hand.