AKAI MPC LIVE/X: AUDIO TRACKS PART 2

[@hectorgodoy-torres3457]

These are the most interesting MPC Live videos online at the moment. I know that you are from an electronic music background, but I think there is a huge demand from songwriters both electronic and otherwise. I have listed a few areas that there has been a considerable amount of interest on the forums (but have not been addressed by either old school MPC pros, or DAW/Elektron converts). - Recording Live instruments into the MPC Live (Guitar, Bass, etc) Editing and mixing those sounds - Limitations? - Using a Mic to record vocals? What User interfaces/Mic Preamps to use? - Methods of constructing full length tracks, bringing together all different content created (Drums, samples, Midi sounds, Keygroups, recorded instruments etc into a single completed piece) Limitations? I really do believe that this is a big one. So far these areas have remained untapped in terms of tutorials. But surely this is one of the prime reasons that there are Audio tracks on these MPC's and further that the MPC X has live instrument inputs and MIC preamps? Looking forward to all of the future content, it's been really helpful for me.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Thank you for taking time to list all this out. I will certainly attempt to cover many of these and some were already on my list. The only issue is buying certain bits of kit to demonstrate how certain things work as I don’t own much gear these days. I have asked AKAI for some help but they have still yet to give me a definitive answer. But yes, I will get round to covering these and thanks again for your comment, it’s much appreciated.

[@luigiavila6102]

TUBE DIGGA bumped this comment cuz it is definitely in order for anybody trying to create with real instruments! Just get some rubbish guitars, and some rubbish mic, and show us how to do it properly on this beast! Some instruments don’t have midi and bpm after all...

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Forgot to mention, all the sounds in the track Universal featured in this video were made entirely on a Novation Ultranova, aside from the vocal of course :)

[@shaunanthonydj261]

TUBE DIGGA on the X can you not up grade the ram with up dating drive as seen a video on KZbin where they do this ? Would this solve the problem?

[@TUBEDIGGA]

No, you can’t upgrade the RAM. A solid state drive can be installed in a bay underneath the unit but that’s just for storage. Ideally AKAI will hopefully update the OS so we can stream large audio files from any connected hard drives so the RAM doesn’t get used up as much.

[@furnacecreek1035]

+TUBE DIGGA Yeah my guess is that they maximized RAM commensurate with the other hardware (CPU, bus).

[@elmortobeats5919]

TUBE DIGGA that would REALLY make them PERFECT! Nice song BTW 😎

[@TheLatinking3]

Excellent presentation! I had this problem happen to me and I didn't know how to get around it. It sucks that the mp has limitations such as this. Your video's are very educational, keep up the good work.

[@Mr.Gump5780]

Great work as always. You have the best mpc tutorials

[@alanpfeiffer26]

Thanks so much for this video, i ve been searching for something on long audios for long. The thing is i started writing music with another musician, and he send me the steams or the ableton project, and i was hopping to work further on the tracks whit the mpc. I thought of chopping the stems and create programs put of each one. Maybe 8 bars long, the problem is that i have to play always from the begining of the sequence to hear the chops. And is time consuming as well.

[@mano123456]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. Great work.

[@quimzealex9629]

Very Good The best video I've seen talking about the problem of audio tracks in MPC LIVE Thanks

[@JeronimoFury]

The MPC hardware's firmware and the MPC Software has a limitation on how far you can zoom out. When you load a sample / audio track, the waveform view is already zoomed out 100%.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Thanks, it’s pretty limited though right? You should be able to zoom out fully without having to scroll.

[@JeronimoFury]

I agree 100% with you. We should be able to zoom out 100% and see the entire waveform without having to scroll. Logic X does this perfectly. SO at a minimum, I expect the MPC Software to do this.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

If AKAI manage to implement audio streaming from hard drives/removable media then this may free up RAM for things like this. As I understand the RAM is utilised for processing tasks as well as dealing with samples

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Really surprised the software can’t do this either

[@elmortobeats5919]

TUBE DIGGA YES and we could get Even MORE TRACKS!

[@memyselfandi520]

Thank you for your work

[@marctronixx]

agreed , good stuff mate!

[@danizm78]

legend mate, keep them coming!

[@elmortobeats5919]

Thanks! 8:30 bass is a funky mother 😎you made the beat???cool.

[@nothingmemorable486]

I am thinking about getting one of these things but to be honest I just don't understand why Akai didn't throw a bit more ram in... it don't cost much and wouldn't have affected the overall production cost much and all the negative comments would have been avoided.

[@marctronixx]

Some of the memory is saved for multiple UNDO I would speculate. Also, perhaps by Winter NAMM AKAI/INMUSIC will release disk streaming and this could make this "issue" moot.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Fingers crossed, that would be great

[@mike-pm6xn]

Also, with the number of bars / zoom issue, I wonder if there were a smaller amount of bars if then it would zoom further out? It'd be a good test to see if that might it and what the "bar limit" would be. Seems like it could a simple OS update.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Apparently it’s just a limitation at present

[@mrcrumb4302]

This question isn't actually what you were addressing in your video but it's an audio track question so hopefully you can answer it (or anyone else who knows)... I'm using the audio track to record my synth in to the Live. I want to then use that synth track over multiple sequences but it doesn't appear to be able to select the previously recorded audio track in a new sequence. Is that the case...? And if so, whats the best option in general for this workflow...?

[@cmscss]

Awesome info, thank you. Is it weird that audio is kind of seperate from the rest of your sequence or song? For some reason I was expecting audio to be integrated into the workflow - i.e. as a track within a sequence.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

It does kind of feel ‘visually’, separate, although I personally never expected to see it sat on top or underneath any MIDI data as you would in Ableton fro example. The only place it can be seen alongside programs is in TRACK view which can be handy when mixing but audio tracks are also separate in the dedicated mixing section.of you the think about it, all program tracks are essentially separate as well, there’s no global note view so to speak.

[@josephhigares744]

I've commented before about how I'm looking to use this as a DAW in a box, you're last answer was great but this video got me thinking. I plan on Making my beats via the standard MPC workflow and then record rap vocals on top as if this were a digital multitrack like the old Roland machines; 2:30-3:30 minute songs, with verses and hooks/choruses; basic compression/eq/reverb on the vocals, possibly using all 8 tracks if there's more than one rapper/vocalist on a song. do you foresee me having any ram issues in this situation? Please advise

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Joseph Higares It depends on the length of the track and how many other audio files you’re using for the music. I’d just record each vocalist and keep an eye on the system resources to see how much ram you’re using up as you’re going along.

[@josephhigares744]

TUBE DIGGA thanks, Gosh I hope they add disk streaming support, this would literally be the only machine I needed if that was firmware updated or possible

[@SirMalikCobra]

Hey Digga, Once you create an audio track, how do you get it to play alongside every sequence? Its seems like the audio is tied to the sequence that you have it on when it was created. I'm doing remixing and I want the audio to play as I create my sequences. As of now the audio only plays if you create an audio track for each sequence. Any suggestions? And what's your technique for monitoring the vocals while you create the instrumental around the vocal or audio? I'm currently using the sequences for my sections. I can do it on one sequence but I find this way easier.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

SirMalikCobra Audio tracks are not independent from sequences so as you can see, they will stop and restart anytime you switch sequences. If you know the vocal is perfectly timed to your sequence tempo as shown in this video, you could convert the vocal sample into a chop program. That would provide you more flexibility and to trigger shorter sections of it over your various sequences. Or you could arrange your sequences in song mode and export a longer self contained sequence that would run alongside your long vocal for the whole duration. Basically there’s tons of ways you can achieve what you want, you just need to think of all the facilities you have and the most comfortable way for you to personally utilise them.

[@star-productions9765]

@@TUBEDIGGA Your knowledge is a blessing! What I've notice using audio tracks is, whenever I switch from one sequence to the next before the bar ends the audio from the previous sequence over lap into the currently played sequence. Eg using next sequence and next bar. Reason for wanting to achieve this you may ask. I am using the mpc to perform with a live band, having a list of sequences I want to play and switch between at anytime I choose instead of wait for the entire sequence bar to end.

[@patrickfrancis7547]

Wow your song is from the edges of the sonic universe, Nice ! Many of us are not happy how the Ram and True Internal memory is not what was advertised. One MPC User said he measured the true Memory as less then .8 Gb for the user basket. It be great if you could put a data management video out. I choose not even to use audio tracks due the limited memory which is a bloody shame there is a choice in terms of direction of your creativity . I know one thing limited internal memory forces us to spend more time managing data less time creating good music for the next sonic planet.

[@davebass9990]

I know that the MPC Live goes for around $1200 U.S,but would it have cost much more to them to outfit it with 8 Gigs of RAM? Also you think that there will be a way to install larger Memory Chips in it or is that just wishful thinking? Great videos and your original track is cool. Dig that Bass!

[@TUBEDIGGA]

dave bass That would be great but I have no idea if that’s possible. My guess is that the rest of the system may not be able to do everything else it does or will suffer somehow if you loaded a certain amount of sample data into memory. I’m fine with it, restrictions spawn creativity:)

[@andrecubilo7328]

i just don't see the use of the audio tracks, specially with those limitations, isn't there enough with the midi tracks sequencing the audio pool ? i really didn't get the point of these audio tracks

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Amon Thego They are perfect for importing a full acapella or recording a guitar stem etc into the machine and building your track around it. In standalone they aren’t as useful due to the ram limitations which is disappointing for some. I personally don’t let this bother me as it has, as you say, many other great features to create music with.

[@andrecubilo7328]

​@@TUBEDIGGA ok i see, i'll probably find a way to work those audio track then, at the moment i don't see the use as the workflow is quite amazing already, but i'm sure you did find a good efficient use of it, i just can't wait for my mpc to reach me, end of September, again, thanks for your time, much appreciated.

[@furnacecreek1035]

Your track puts me somewhat in the mind of music by two gents who go by the surname Hartnoll. Ever heard of 'em? 😉

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Yep, they were brought up not too far from me but I wouldn’t compare their musical success with mine unfortunately :) Chime is one of my favourites: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fom4ZoWumJipeLM

[@edgelivecam]

really appreciate your videos ,thanks!!! I have mpcX .. have you tried running drum prog's etc with the audio tracks .. I've found the whole timing goes to s***t .. which is not good!! maybe a video exploring the limitations of audio tracks and the sequencer . also . how to copy paste a 4 bar section of audio after edits are made.[only able to copy edit by edit] i cant see an option for this .. BIG thanks!

[@TUBEDIGGA]

If you're importing a large audio file to be used in an audio track, it's best making sure that is time locked to the tempo you're working in before you import it - for example, time it up on your computer in Ableton etc. The MPC Live wont time things up and sync the audio for you, it has to have a reference otherwise you'll be fiddling about trying to time it up, and warping it will only introduce artefacts. This video and Part 2 of it explains all of that anyway, and is running the Busta acapella alongside drum programs as it is.

[@edgelivecam]

hi Tube Digga , thanks for taking time to reply. I was meaning for example if you record a vocal into an audio track then do some cuts and edits to it then want to copy all the edits as one item .. i don't find a bounce feature or a way to copy all the cuts / edits as one item . cheers!

[@callumclarke4949]

How many programs full of samples can you have or would you say use a program and load a different sample on every pad utilising the 4 banks or so you arrange those individual pads on different track channels if you see what I mean ?

[@TUBEDIGGA]

It all depends on the size of the samples, and its impossible to know how much additional RAM would be required to run the sequencer, any effects and whatever else it’s used for. Program files themselves don’t take up a lot of memory, it’s the samples you load into them.

[@callumclarke4949]

TUBE DIGGA ok so if you say chop up a break and it only takes up 1 bank of small samples you can have a lot I thought you could only have 8 tracks or am I wrong and the you can use the same samples of the kit sequenced different on another track as you said the program file is small just pends on size of samples is that right

[@elmortobeats5919]

When i change sequences,the audio tracks wont change. So if i mute track 1 on sequence 1,i cant UNmute it for sequence 2. How can i then make a hole song with my loops?do i have to convert the secuences to a song,and then line up the audio tracks thruout?or should i just put them on pads and make midi tracks in stead?that would defite the purpose..

[@quixotic7]

Thanks for the vid. Question about the limit of 8 audio tracks... can samples just not be put in clips? What’s the benefit of using audio tracks?

[@TUBEDIGGA]

quixotic7 Samples can be put in drum programs, keygroup programs or clip programs. All behave differently. I have videos on each program type so please take a look. Audio tracks are best used for long samples as they will play from the position you’re at in the sequence, whereas if they are triggered in a drum program, you’d have to go all the way back to the start or wherever they are triggered from (unless you split them up/chop them into smaller sections). I don’t use them much but some people love them as you can edit the waveform on the time line as you can in a DAW.

[@realdeath]

Thanks a lot for your videos Just trying to find a way of using the MPC X as an effects unit for audio input without needing to record the sample Is that possible? Thanks

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Yes, in the sampler mode turn the monitor on and place your desired effect/effects on one or more of the input insert effect slots. Any audio routed in to the X will be processed and you can choose to record it or not. You can leave the sampler mode and it’ll still work as long as the monitor is on.

[@realdeath]

@@TUBEDIGGA thank a lot will try as I'm back home. :)

[@michaelhartmann9971]

Thank you my friend. Hey, what are the benchmarks on the processor in the live? I running a Touch into a Dell Precision M4500 I7 with 16gb ram and SSD am I better off with this ? God bless ya brother -- be well

[@TUBEDIGGA]

I’ve no idea I’m afraid. If it’s quick and you get stuff done then stick with it. But if you don’t want to be reliant on a computer then the Live and X are great. I don’t use the MPC software much as it doesn’t suit my workflow, I find the Live in standalone mode is much more fluid - but that’s just me!

[@elmortobeats5919]

Yeah offcourse,if you're not a standalone freak like myself 😁i hate using the computer.. the live and x has 2 gb ram,and with the software you can have infinite audio tracks.standalone is ONLY 7 ore 8 tracks, so the PC makes it even better for shure. But the live you can play in standalone,then finish the song in pc when you reach its limit.

[@tychopoupeye7730]

Is there a way to record on the same audio track mutiple times without erasing everything when recording?

[@reviews4artists]

good morning...I had a question I was hoping you could help me with...is it not possible to connect my Yamaha mx49 to the audio inputs on the mpc x and record on an audio track? for some reason its not working for me is it possible?

[@TUBEDIGGA]

re views It should work fine, plug the MX into inputs 1/2 or 3/4 and set the monitor on the audio track so you can hear the synth. Adjust the MX volume so you have a good clean signal and adjust the input gain on the MPCX if you need.

[@reviews4artists]

TUBE DIGGA so my levels are reading and I hear the sound but it is not recording...am I missing something

[@TUBEDIGGA]

re views You need to both arm the audio track and record using the sequencer (REC button + PLAY/PLAY START)

[@mike-pm6xn]

Unless I missed it, what specs were the samples? 16-bit or 24-bit? 44k or 96k or ?? This makes a difference in size of course.

[@TUBEDIGGA]

16 bit 48kHz

[@biturbo]

If i want to play a wav sample in pad mode making a melody in piano roll. can i do it? In Maschine studio you can do it.....

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Christian G. You can use the 16 level feature for drum programs and play a sample chromatically, or just use a keygroup program - either way the recorded notes will show up in the grid editor and step sequencer.

[@biturbo]

thanks. you're the boss. You did a lot better than a forum

[@InterplainMusic]

Will this issue still be in 2.9 firmware

[@elmortobeats5919]

My mpc X is erasing my audio tracks,and fucking up the chops in program mode.all sounds disappears suddenly!!! WTF???

[@TUBEDIGGA]

Hey man, I keep getting comments like this and can’t really help unless I know the full details. I’m now offering Skype sessions and can usually sort out most tech problems too - PM me if interested

[@elmortobeats5919]

Why ONLY 8 audio tracks??

[@mike-pm6xn]

The MPC has always been a drum machine sampler, not a DAW. In other words, it was created to use short samples arranged in a pattern, mainly for drums but of course longer samples as well. The fact AKAI put 8 full audio tracks is just awesome. They could've added only 4 audio tracks and it still would've been great. The reason is because those of us who always wanted to add full vocals to a track, but couldn't because of the original limitations (short samples, memory, etc). I had the 3000 and used to have to sample an acapella into smaller parts/samples and put them back together just to make a vocal "track" in the 3000.... Anyway, now that there are audio tracks we can add vocals and other longer sounds easily. Also, some people seem to not understand the difference between midi tracks (triggering samples) and audio tracks. Remember this is a drum machine sampler/arranger at its roots.

[@elmortobeats5919]

mikedub i ONLY use the mpc,so its a daw for me 😋 When you record a synth ore a keyboard,do you just trigger the loops on pads? I used to do that with the mpc 2500,but it was PAINFUL to line up the loops correct,and bc of only 32 poly voices it wouldnt play thru the hole loop if its over 4 bars 😑 the X was a gift from the Heavens to me 😁

[@cheodelpino581]

Kinda got lost in this tutorial