Stumped

[Trip]

Ok everyone. Here's the situation: I'm using Pro Tools M-Powered Version 7, have a Firewire Audiophile M-Box and an Akai MPD16 midi controller. edit: I am using a separate DC adapter, it's not plugged into the usb on the computer.
1) I can only get the MPD to play piano notes
2) I can only get playback of those piano notes when I have the output set via my computer's sound card (not the M-Box's) midi output.This puts sound through my computer speakers, but not through the M-Box, which leads me to believe in the finished product it wouldn't bounce correctly.

A: How can I get the MPD to run through the M-Box like (I think) it's supposed to and like my other instruments (mixer, guitars, mics) do? There are no options for the M-Box I/O on the track window (normally Lines 1-2), the only option is to use my computer's sound card.

B: How in the world can I either program my own sounds onto the MPD or find a sound bank somewhere in pro tools (if one even exists)? I would be more than happy to record my own midi sounds and load them onto the pads myself.



Is this a problem because I have the Audiophile M-Box and not a better version? Or just something I'm missing. When I set up the midi instrument there's no option for the MDP16, only the MPC series, is Pro Tools just not set up to work with this particular drum pad? I've been parusing the forum and you guys know what's going on, so any help at all would be much appreciated.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Not enough pertinent information here to really make an educated guess but I suspect a fundamental mis-understanding of the working parts and connections.

The Akai MPD16, as near as I can tell, is a controller yes?? I don't think there are on board sounds but if there are it's not the primary intent of the box. Obviously the primary connections should be midi out of Akai to midi in of Pro Tools and Midi out of Pro Tools back into in of Akai.

The USB cable you mentioned can in fact provide power but it can also acts as a Midi cable with the correct drivers. DON"T CONFUSE THE TWO POSSIBILITIES HERE. If you have a power adapter...use it.

So now you should have power to the unit and two midi cables yes?

The piano sounds you hear are most likely internal PC sounds being triggered by a mis configured midi setup.

Set up the midi i/o section in Pro Tools.

Then it's a matter of calling up your softsynth drum machine and routing midi channels to the machine.

 

[Trip]

The MPD is indeed a controller. However it only has 3 slots on it. One for Midi out, one for the USB, and one for the DC power. What you're saying makes sense. I figured out the audio part of it, now I just need to get away from the piano notes.
I guess what I'm really getting at now that I think about it is do I have to use a separate program to control the drums and just record it with pro tools? Is there a plugin that I can find that would do this for me in pro tools, and if not what would be the best option?
I've been recording drum breaks and just using those but at this point I'd like to move away from that and just tap my own out. Appreciate your help.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Still a lot here but first and foremost you needs sounds. If the Akai doesn't have internal sounds (and it must not if it doesn't midi return) then you need to look for a drum plug-in or drum hardware in the form of a drum machine.

The possibilities are endless and deep. Do some research on ToonTrack stuff. I'm very fond of their approach and ease of use. Not strictly a triggerable drum machine but EZ drummer has some fabulous, FABULOUS sounds. For something even deeper look to Stylus RMX. Again not strictly a drum machine but as powerful of a software package as there is. Sit and listen to a nights worth of prime time television scores for endless examples of Stylus.

Digidesign's Strike is out there although I have no personal experience. Deals also can be had on hardware machines and some of the older Roland and Alesis stuff still holds it's own to this day.

Finally if you properly configure your Pro Tools Midi setup you should no longer hear the piano sounds. A little hard to do without any drum sounds but still can be done.