MPC sequencing Using Logic Plug ins

Question

Whats the best way to set up logic so I can sequence my music using the MPC 4000 sequencer therefore utilizing all Logic Virtual Instruments on midi channels in the MPC? Then when i'm done in the MPC I'll imort all the MIDI data to logic hence retaining the unique Roger Linn MPC swing feel. Please let me us know. THank YOU.

Answer 1

Hi,
There's a couple of things to think about when considering sync.
It's always best to try and run Logic (your main DAW) as the master sync. It's really all about digital playback and retaining a stable word clock. If the word clock varies then the playback speed and thus pitch of your audio will vary too. Depending on what your sync settings are, your audio can also drift out of time with your midi.
Example 1 :- Internal sync
All your audio is within Logic, your playing back Software synths, Midi to external synths.
Logic should be internally synced.(the blue sync button on the transport bar should be off).
Logic will then clock its audio either to the macs internal clock or to your interfaces internal/external clock.(which will be very stable if you've set it up right)
Tempo reference, time signature changes will all be controlled by logics settings.
Nothing should ever go out of sync (if we ignore delay compensation and running your processor too hard)
Example 2 :- External sync
Everytime we sync logic to an external source we are relying on two things.
The stability of that external source and the differences between it and any future source we choose to use.
A good example is when we externally sync to an analogue multitrack that has an unstable transport. We need a device that can reference smpte and pass on to our DAW a derived MidiTimecode (smpte in Midi language) and Word Clock reference. Then logic can chase and sync both midi & audio playback. It is the options within the 'sync' settings of logic that determine quite how midi & audio are handled.(chapter 19 pro manual). Choosing the wrong setting here can lead to audio drifting with midi.
Now if our tape machine is wowing or fluttering , logic will varispeed its playback in sympathy. If we then playback logic internally, the playback speed will alter.Tempo & pitch will change. Thus to retain our original recordings pitch and speed, we must continually sync logic to our Multitrack. Yet will it recreate the same wow on the next pass.
If however we externally sync the multitrack to Logic, we will record with stable clock.
This is an extreme example yet it's worth knowing the pitfalls of not considering audio & midi playback to be two indepedent processes that require to work in tandam.
The great thing about the MPC is it ain't gonna wow or flutter if you use it as a Master. You'll need to send Midi Time Code (or Midi Clock) to Logic and set up logics sync page . MTC will allow you to use Logic's tempo map, Midi Clock will communicate the MPC's tempo map.(96 pulses per quarter note?)
Midi playback will sync fine. Very long audio files previously recorded can drift if you use 'MTC trigger' even with the slight difference between one sequencers clock and another. The solution is to chop em up. But generally it should be stable.
Still I'd send MTC from Logic and sync the MPC externally to that. Your MPC's groove should still playback & audio playback from within Logic will always be stable. In fact why not record your groove templates into logic and then save them.Then in the future you can just use your MPC as an external synth .
Cheers
Eddy