Syncing MPC to Protools - reliability

[Joemamma]

For a while I've been syncing my MPC1000 to my Protools M-powered 7, running my mpc-outs straight into my mixing desk without recording the mpc in protools.

However, I find that the two (mpc and protools) some times don't sync probably. It's like suddenly one of them "runs" from the other, and they sound delayed to one another.
It happens mostly when I'm running many tracks and plug-ins in protools...

Sometimes it has helped for me to set the global midi offset in protools to about -400 samples or something. This seems to compensate for the midi delay some times.

Has anyone experienced this unreliable syncing of the mpc with protools?

[demonfuzz]

Yeah.
And I have determined that to me, it sucks.
Though I think some folks here have great succes with it.
I am probably missing a step/trick but I just don't bother anymore.
I just track & record in real time.

Sync'ing Shmync'ing !

[REA Engineering]

M-powered protools doesn't have ADC (automatic delay compensation) for plug-ins. So if you are running a bunch of plug's per track (w/in pro tools) those tracks will be delayed (playback later than) from your mpc outputs. Best thing to do is to print all your mpc tracks into protools (before applying plugs) and run it from there, but even then if you're running high octane plugs, those tracks will still play back late so you will need to time adjust your tracks according the plugs you are using on each track. Or you can use any other audio program that has plug-in delay compensation (i.e. Logic, Dig. Performer, Cubase/Nuendo, ProTools HD TDM, etc.)


Rog

[Bimini]

Let the MPC be your master. PT slave. Works best for me.

[Joemamma]

demonfuzz, "I just track & record in real time."
That's what I'm gonna start doing I think. Now all I need is Protools HD!

Bimini, "Let the MPC be your master. PT slave. Works best for me."
Is this possible with the MPC1000 and protools???

[demonfuzz]

Yeah I am sure there is a trick to getting it to work right, it would be cool to have them sync'ed up tightly.
I sorta gave up & just stick with my original method, but don't let that discourage you from trying to get it working.

I think there is a thread discussing this, if not I'd like to read a definitive `how-to` on Pro-Tools + MPC sync'ing.

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by demonfuzz

Yeah I am sure there is a trick to getting it to work right, it would be cool to have them sync'ed up tightly.
I sorta gave up & just stick with my original method, but don't let that discourage you from trying to get it working.

I think there is a thread discussing this, if not I'd like to read a definitive `how-to` on Pro-Tools + MPC sync'ing.

Word! I'd like to hear more about this too.

I think having the MPC as master is the way to go, but as far as I know the MPC1000 can't do this... Or can it?

[Bimini]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

Word! I'd like to hear more about this too.

I think having the MPC as master is the way to go, but as far as I know the MPC1000 can't do this... Or can it?

I forgot to mention that I use SMPTE with a MPC2000XL. My best experience is using the MPC as master. I read somewhere here (do a search) that it helps if the MPC is the master to get the MPC clock feel blah blah. But it worked for me. My beats were lose before and now are pretty tight with the tracks. I only wish I could get my CR78 to work as well with my system but thats a whole other thread. :-)

Well, I was taught to make the recorder the master.

BUt YMMV

[Bimini]

Originally Posted by no ssl yet

Well, I was taught to make the recorder the master.

BUt YMMV

Do you mean the MPC recorder or the Pro Tools recorder?

Originally Posted by Bimini

Do you mean the MPC recorder or the Pro Tools recorder?

The MPC is the drum machine/sequencer. Protools (or other DAW), Adat, 2" etc is the recorder

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by no ssl yet

Well, I was taught to make the recorder the master.

BUt YMMV

Okay, maybe the MPC1000 just isn't that tight compared to other models! Or maybe it's my protools m-powered that's just crap.
Anyways, it's really unreliable now, and it can't really be used for professional purposes...

Originally Posted by Joemamma

Okay, maybe the MPC1000 just isn't that tight compared to other models! Or maybe it's my protools m-powered that's just crap.
Anyways, it's really unreliable now, and it can't really be used for professional purposes...

They are all somewhat prone to drift. Are you using midi clocks or time code?

And are they both set to the same time code rate?

I've never used that particular MPC, but I can say that I NEVER make the MPC the master.

[soundeq]

I like to use SMPTE out of pro tools to the MPC... Pro tools is the master. BE SURE TO SET 30FPS not 29.97 IN PRO TOOLS OR YOUR BEAT WILL PLAY SLOW IE:drift... The tighest way I have found is SMPTE, not a fan of midi beat clock....

Solo your outputs individually when your tracking, sometimes SMPTE bleads through on to the individual outputs on 2000's and 3000's

[s.d.finley]

I dont think Mpowered has SMPTE.....

[HDGuru]

Make Pro Tools the master, and sync the MPC with Midi Time Code.

[ebworld]

i always make protools the master to the mpc 1000. i use mtc and add a couple bars on my mpc. Is there any way i could do this without adding the extra bars?

[Dickens]

Pro Tools sends MIDI clock to MPC...no problem here.

[Imagearho]

I have found that if you have some midi tracks open and armed and you are syncing your mpc to the protools rig that if you record some audio while the midi tracks are in record mode that midi info gets recorded aswell and that makes the mpc sound like it is drifting from protools. Just erase that midi data and it will sound ok again. That was just my problem. I haven't used mpowered though so it may be a totally different issue. I really don't ever have any problems with midi clock drifting though.

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by ebworld

i always make protools the master to the mpc 1000. i use mtc and add a couple bars on my mpc. Is there any way i could do this without adding the extra bars?

You should add the extra bars......it takes a second or two for the devices to sync up

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

For a while I've been syncing my MPC1000 to my Protools M-powered 7, running my mpc-outs straight into my mixing desk without recording the mpc in protools.

However, I find that the two (mpc and protools) some times don't sync probably. It's like suddenly one of them "runs" from the other, and they sound delayed to one another.
It happens mostly when I'm running many tracks and plug-ins in protools...

Sometimes it has helped for me to set the global midi offset in protools to about -400 samples or something. This seems to compensate for the midi delay some times.

Has anyone experienced this unreliable syncing of the mpc with protools?

Take all the plugins off til youve dumped the beat parts. ESP with m-powered protools and all the LE systems, the rigs can't deal with the heavy DSP processing and provide low-latency playback. Also play with the H/W buffer size, you'll hear the latency shifting as you set different values. and I def slave the MPC to PT, not the other way around.
I never had a problem with midi syncin an mpc to PT with midi beat clock, its the smpte I cant remember how to do...