Set up MPC 2 Software with Ableton Live Channel Routing

[@ratonelmutante]

I use the MPC Studio Mk1, witch is a controller and this set up is perfect. I can use the Mpc software to sample, compose and add some effects, save the project then open Ableton and have a lot more options for composing, playing live, effects and EQing. This is dope. I've seen some other videos over complicating this. Thanks!

[@tonelab]

No problem.. if you liked that, there's 2 other clips that might interest you too 👌🏼🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5moXomdptKogcU

[@john-tr8jy]

This has saved me. Thanks a lot man! Appreciate it

[@hestakopp]

Thank you so much! 🙂 very good explained and helpfull! Keeo it up!

[@syntheshwara]

This video should be packed into the MPC manuals...

[@tonelab]

🙏🏻 thank you for the generous feedback 🤓

[@thepaintedsock]

Excellent video Thankyou. Although I am unable to find audio units in windows version of ableton 11 lite. Further investigation indicates 'audio units' in the plugins section is only supported by MAC os.

[@tonelab]

Thanks! ..just to correct you there, while you are right about AUs not being on Windows, you need the VST, not the AU.. but that's a good thing, because the AU can't do this trick 😉👍🏻

[@2beablessing2012]

Great video fam

[@tonelab]

Thanks for the feedback 🙏🏼🤓

[@mobeleen]

Great Video My Man.

[@palimo3653]

Thanks so much for this

[@tonelab]

No sweat! ..hope it helped 👌🏻

[@ploytuell1332]

is it possible to route audio from ableton to the mpc? e.g. the output of a softsynth to the mpc

[@PB72UK]

Mind blown !! 🤯

[@tonelab]

yeah, it's pretty cool huh!? 👌🏻

[@ChiefDeviant]

I've not yet done this, but your video has explained this best. I only get MPC showing in plug-ins, like in your video, as opposed to MPC64 that people have been telling me I should have. What is the difference?

[@tonelab]

Hey John, thanks for the generous words there 🙏🏻 I wouldn't worry too much about the label, it could be you may have Windows people telling you that you need to see MPC64, which for Windows would make sense, as Windows did (or still does) have a hangover from when it was running 32bit & 64bit applications.. so it might just be what it's called in Windows, but.. I can't be so sure, however.. on the Macs I've seen this installed on.. it's just 'MPC' 👍🏻

[@johnmackinnon2578]

@@tonelabAll set up and running fine...so far. Joined your FB too.

[@tonelab]

@@johnmackinnon2578 Great news, well done! it should be relatively smooth sailing from here on in then.. if you've got external synths (or even soft synths in Ableton, the sky's the limit now.. and when you're feeling a little more adventurous check out the other 2 videos I have on Ableton and the MPC.. they have a couple of extra tricks you may like too 👍🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGmslKOMe8Z1l9E

[@Davidwesley6]

can someone tell me what I should do if the mpc is not showing up under my plugins one abelton live?

[@tonelab]

Re-install it, select 'Custom Install', only select the VST to install. Restart your computer. Launch Ableton and 're-scan' your plugins folder (via 'Preferences'). Then restart Ableton 👍🏼

[@matthegan3415]

@@tonelab thank you! I needed this help too

[@Yung_sway]

@@tonelab where do you even go to install it?

[@tonelab]

@@Yung_sway Run your MPC Software installer.. if you've already installed 'other' MPC software, choose 'custom install'.. choose only the VST and complete the installation. Then open Ableton, go to Prefs, Re-Scan your plugin folder.. re-start your computer, re-open Ableton.. then try looking it up in your plugin folder. 👍🏼

[@weclome]

Super helpfull MPC videos on your channel. As a new owner I wanna thank you for that! One thing I don't understand is why the rec/start/stop buttons on the MPC won't work in controller mode. Is there a setting to fix this?

[@tonelab]

Hey, thanks very much 🙏🏻 y'know.. I've been asked this a few times.. I think I'll do a video on this weekend.. stand-by 🤓 👍🏼

[@somerandomhomeboy]

Hi TONELAB great video it really helped! On a seperate issue though ; is there any way to lighten the "blackground" of the mpc software ?

[@tonelab]

Oh cool, no worries.. cheers for that. In terms of the MPC Software colour?! .. as far as I can tell it's 'fixed'. You might be able to change it from Night to Day mode via the Prefs, which, I know you can do with the unit in Stand Alone.. so give that a shot and see 👍🏼

[@martinmartino4430]

Hello everything is running fine except for the mpc sampler, I can't seem to get a signal for it. Any tips?

[@tonelab]

if you have your DAW set as your external audio interface, as it's primary audio interface, then I believe you 'bypass' the I/O on the MPC. Try 'temporarily' configuring your DAW to use the MPC as it's primary interface, but.. best save your work first! 👍🏻

[@echoeman]

i cant find the vst file anywhere. do you know where on the computer it might be?

[@tonelab]

Sorry, no idea.. but, I'd suggest you re-install it, select 'Custom Install', only select the VST to install. Restart, then force Ableton to re-scan your plugins folder (via 'Preferences'). Then restart one last time 👍🏼

[@dGb_music]

Great intructions. Can I apply the same to the Force? Thanks

[@tonelab]

Good question... I've never used a Force before 🤔 has it got Controller Mode and a VST ?

[@LILACCARLO]

If you have you're MPC in controller mode like this, and plugged in USB into the computer, would it over ride somthing like a focusrite plugged into the computer as well? I'm gonna try this after work, not sure if they will fight eachother or if I need to set the output to the mpc in preferences?

[@tonelab]

Nup.. none of the audio interfaces "override" other interfaces, for the reason being.. you can 'nominate' which audio interface is your 'Primary' interface. So, if your MPC is in Controller Mode, and of course.. connected via USB (which is the only way you can achieve Controller Mode), then you can go into Ableton's preferences, or Logic's or any other DAW for that matter.. and select the Input audio-interface and the Output audio-interface. It's generally best to use the same for both the 'Input' and the 'Output', but in most applications.. you do have those options presented to you. I hope that helps 🙏🏻

[@LILACCARLO]

@tonelab big time, answered exactly my question. Thank you I appreciate you!

[@BadTwin25]

Man, you help me

[@nathangabriel8379]

i have the software but not the plug in, where is the plug in version, in what file or what website ? I don't understand the difference between both software an plug in version of the mpc software

[@tonelab]

The plugin is basically the same as the MPC software.. it just allows you to run it in your preferred DAW.. so if you use Ableton you should look up the VST, see if you have it installed etc.. or, if you use Logic.. you'll need to make sure you have the AU installed 👍🏻

[@Genshi]

So it seems that when I load up my Project with the full song I've created, then switch to "Controller Mode" it immediately creates a new blank Project and there is no way of loading my previously created Project while in Controller mode... nnless I am missing something, this seems to be a serious and stupid flaw.

[@tonelab]

When you enable Controller Mode, the MPC configures itself to the settings of your DAW, as the DAW is the 'host'. Therefore, if your DAW is configured to an opposing Sample Rate, it needs to 'start' up in that configuration. So, just save your project and open it after you've configured Controller Mode.

[@Genshi]

@@tonelab hmm... I'll have to check that out. I've always got Ableton set to 24bit 48kHz since that is the standard I am asked for when composing for Movies. I don't even know what my MPC Live 2 is set to or if it can even be changed, but I'll check it out, thanks!

[@tonelab]

By default, in Stand Alone, the MPC is 16bit/44.1k, so yeah.. I guess there’ll be various configurations per DAW, per user.. but, just get in the habit of Saving your projects.. the other thing to watch out for is.. there’s no ‘Open Project’ option from the File Menu (inside the MPC Software Plugin), so.. the work-around there is just drop your .XPJ project on / over the plugin and it will load 👍🏼

[@Genshi]

@@tonelab thank you! I really appreciate the tips!

[@tonelab]

No problem! ..oh, and the last thing you should probably know is, since the DAW is 'Host', the Tempo of your MPC Project is ignored.. so, you'll need to either 'make a note' of the MPC's Project Tempo or, a work around I employ is, include the BPM in the MPC Project's File Name 🙏🏻

[@jsutton241]

why do you create a midi track first. cant you just drag the mpc vst to a empty slot without doing the extra step

[@tonelab]

Because the MPC plugin is not an Audio-Channel plugin. Once you've configured it with a MIDI channel, then you get the option to 'route from it' into your audio channels👍🏼

[@jsutton241]

@@tonelab no that's not the case, you can route all the audio channels separately thru USB without doing the midi channel thing. Now I'm using windows. Maybe it's different in Mac os

[@tonelab]

@@jsutton241 Yeah.. perhaps that's the 'magic' the ASIO Driver brings to Ableton.. but that seems odd to me.. because how do you get MIDI in from the MPC plugin?! 🤔

[@shugawaterjay]

this worked like a charm but trying to move forward and making a beat was not fun. can I do this in stand alone? just use abelton as a sound module via audio interface and midi cables?

[@tonelab]

You'll have to use the analog outputs if you do 🙏🏻

[@brandonmartinez9612]

can you do this with the free version of MPC beats?

[@joeylamb738]

Where did you download the mpc vst for ableton? I have mpc beats and ableton but can’t find the vst for mpc beats

[@tonelab]

Ahh yes, this old chestnut.. what I suggest is quit out of Ableton, run your 'Beats' installer again, but this time.. do a custom install.. check only the VST plugin.. run the install, restart your computer.. open Ableton, go into 'Prefs' and re-scan your VST folder. This should usually find the VST. After that, restart Ableton and browse your VSTs (not VST3) 👍🏼

[@GalenaMeditationMusic]

i tried this and when im in ableton the mpc live 2 play/rec/stop won't send transport to ableton when i am in controller mode.. any ideas?

[@tonelab]

Yes, the transport controls need to be 'mapped' to your MIDI controller (MPC Live). You set them by putting Ableton into 'map mode', select the Ableton STOP or PLAY key... then press the same on your MPC and repeat this for both keys (tip: I'd only use PlayStart to map to Ableton's 'Play') 👍🏻

[@GalenaMeditationMusic]

@@tonelab thank you!

[@wooftywoofwwoof1948]

Hi thanks for the information, 😄 i'm working on ableton with the same workflow and wondering to kwon a way to set up the outputs of the pads one time for all the programs... because when i load a new program i have to set up again the 16 tracks did you think is possible to save the presets and keep it as default?

[@tonelab]

Yeah, I'll try to keep this short because there's 2 scenarios.. you can Save a Program (via Program Edit page) that has all the Routes for each Pad set up.. visit your Edit-Program page and go the Route tab (or visit the Pad Mixer in the software-plugin UI).. and with this.. you could load this into any project. Alternatively you could configure the Program with the Routes and save your MPC Project as a Template via the Preferences 👍🏼

[@alenloop]

Great video! However, after following all the described steps, I don't get any sound from the MPC in any of the audio channels routed in Ableton. Any idea what could I be doing wrong? Thanks.

[@tonelab]

Check that you're 'routing' Sounds 'in' from the MPC via the EDIT-PROGRAM > ROUTE. Make sure your MPC is, indeed, 'in' Controller Mode.. Check with your Audio interface, not the MPC, as being Ableton's 'primary' audio interface 👍🏼

[@alenloop]

@@tonelab Thanks for the fast reply. Yes, I routed all the tracks the same way as you did in the video. I also switched the MPC to controller mode in order to do the setup however, there's a point where you want to keep using it as a standalone as you showed on 03:10 (and record each audio track in Ableton from an existing project on the MPC). Audio Interface is set up propertly (I tested it using audio clips from Ableton). Maybe I'm missing something along the way, but following all the steps I still don't get any audio from the MPC in Ableton :-/

[@alenloop]

@@tonelab Maybe there's something that has to be set up in the MPC VST itself?

[@tonelab]

@@alenloop "..here's a point where you want to keep using it as a standalone.." 🤔 ..no, this definitely will not work in 'Stand Alone'. You need to have your MPC tethered via the USB cable, with your computer and in Controller Mode. You should be able to 'open' the VST and hit the Pads on your MPC and see the graphic-MPC-VST 'Pads' light up.. as you hit your 'physical' Pads. If that's not happening then your MPC is not connecting to the MPC-VST plugin. And if communication is not happening between the physical MPC and the MPC-VST.. you'll need to check your computer OS with the MPC OS, as they may not be compatible 👍🏼

[@alenloop]

@@tonelab Ok, then I misunderstood the main point. I thought this technique would allow me to send audio from the MPC into Ableton using the StandAlone mode. My idea was to record my tracks from the MPC once they have been created in StanbdAlone mode or even apply filters like reverb or delay to certain tracks while playing live with te MPC 😕In my case, I want to depend as little as possible on the computer and that's why I'd like to keep using the MPC as a StandAlone.

[@Chad.Flenderman]

Peace to the family!. I'm having trouble linking my mpc through the Ableton link. I see that Ableton detects it but it's not showing up on my plug-in list. Help!

[@tonelab]

You don't need Ableton Link at all to achieve this trick, in fact.. Ableton Link is a little different, it's more 'clip launcher / controller' interface for Ableton 👍🏻

[@Th-in9lr]

i dont have mpc plugin...

[@tonelab]

You should install it

[@Th-in9lr]

@@tonelab yes it's good now I don't know how to manage the routing because I want the MPC as master

[@tonelab]

With the plugin installed, and the MPC in Controller Mode.. you don't have to worry about the Master, they are.. essentially linked via Controller Mode. You might just have to map your MPC's Play-Start & Stop buttons to Ableton's 'transport' system 👍🏻

[@soensaid]

can i record the midi in ableton instead of mpc beats software? like my midi for drums on one midi track and midi for sample chops in another, or should that just remain in the mpc beats software

[@tonelab]

You can using the full MPC Software, as demonstrated in this clip 👍🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5moXomdptKogcU

[@gentrol1630]

Where do you get the software plug in ? I've tried to get this to work for my ONE.

[@tonelab]

Have you registered your MPC on akaipro.com yet? ..if not, you'll need to sign-up, put your serial number in and then they give you download links and an iLok code. So, if you don't have an iLok account, you'll need to sign up with them too @ iLok.com - but all of this is free.. just takes about 10 minutes 👍🏻

[@nathangabriel8379]

@@tonelab i did all of that but don't find the vst version, i downloaded the software mpc btu how to you transorm it as a vst in abbleton ?

[@tonelab]

​@@nathangabriel8379 It's part of the MPC Software installation, but you may not have had it selected during your install .. once, you've got it installed and still don't see it.. you may have to force Ableton to re-scan your plug-ins folder (via Preferences) after you've installed the VST. If you get stuck, I can help via facebook.. facebook.com/groups/tonelab 👍🏻

[@nathangabriel8379]

@@tonelab i found the dll version of the mpc software thank you !But i'm begining so i have issues everydays with ableton :/ ty :)

[@tonelab]

@@nathangabriel8379 ah, so you're on Windows.. okay. Well come chat on the Tonelab Facebook group, that way.. you can share some screenshots and see what's going on there 🙏🏼

[@lseven79]

Windows 11 here and latest mpc software 2.14.. i got vst3 plugins installed and working in ableton live 11 and i can't get it to show in mpc software even by rescan and discovering that vst3s is not compatible with mpc software. Is this clip in the video a work around? Any help appreciated thanks.

[@tonelab]

If you have VST3 in Ableton, then yes.. you could consider this a way to apply VST3 to your MPC tracks. I use it to run 3rd party plugins on my MPC tracks, period. 👍🏼

[@lseven79]

@@tonelab nice... thanks

[@marshalldestro]

That "Mpc Software" is the same thing as the VST shown here, but as a non-vst version that runs all by itself without Ableton. So the same way Ableton is a DAW, MPC software is also a daw, but they decided to make an extra VST mode for it that can run within Ableton so you can merge the two software if you want. So with this in mind its totally normal that you cant open the MPC vst plugin inside MPC software, its like trying to open itself inside itself and ultimately pointless.

[@tangxin833]

Bro plz tell me where can get the mpc plugin for ableton (windows)

[@tonelab]

It's in the Akai MPC 2 Software Installer - Just make sure to Install the VST

[@sof6822]

i didnt find mpc live when i click plugin in ableton can you help me(subscribed)

[@tonelab]

I might just presume for a moment that you're using Monterey OS or Windows 11?! .. I sincerely I hope I'm wrong though?! 🤔

[@sof6822]

@@tonelab windows 11

[@sof6822]

What can i do bro

[@sof6822]

@@tonelab right windows11,what can i do thanks

[@tonelab]

@@sof6822 inmusicbrands.force.com/akaipro/s/article/Akai-Pro-Windows-11-Compatibility?

[@allroads8978]

Cool I needed the info but dude - we already know you had a Mac - Taster / Mac Command was so unnecessary - you must work for Apple 😔😆

[@tonelab]

No, I don't work for apple.. sorry if that was too much info for you, but I like to state version numbers 🙏🏼