Hello everyone, I'm a longtime lurker of these forums and I finally decided to make an account I'd really appreciate anyone who can shed some light on this witchcraft for me.

I'm sort of new to hardware, I started out with ableton and have since moved to a setup of an mpc1000, turntable, sp-404sx, sp-303, and a sh-201 synth. I want to hook all of these up to improve my workflow as how I do it now involves a lot of unplugging and plugging in and I'm still not very knowledgeable about keeping my hardware production fluid. Here's what I want to accomplish:

I want to use the mpc1000 as the central unit/sequencer, so I'll be sequencing the synth, drums, and chops in there. However, I want to sample vinyl to the 303 initially for effects and whatnot and then record into the mpc for further work. I would also like to have it set up so that I can run sounds from the mpc and from the synth through the 303 for effects and have them resample directly back into the mpc, remaining a quick workflow and not having to unplug and replug anything. The main thing I'd be using this for is to build up drums that are on my mpc with the 303 effects without too much of a headache, and I'd like to run the final mix through the 303 for vinyl sim.

I hope this makes sense and isn't an obvious question. I just don't really get how I can make this happen easily, if anyone has good ideas for how they would set this up please let me know. Should I get a mixer? Also, I'd probably record everything into the 404sx for last touch fx and then just pop out the sd card to get it onto my computer.

Hey dude, reads like you're starting up a pretty serious rig!

To really tie your gear in together a mixing desk will make things a bit simpler. Other than that it should be fairly easy to set up, but expect to change it a few times once you start thinking of other ways to do what you do. It's no dark art, but it does get nerdy...

If you're happy to unplug/replug what you've got is probably enough, but a mixer will add a nice level of flexibility. This is just one option for setting your rig up, wouldn't be surprised if you're doing this already.

Audio:
Turntable -> SP-303
SP-303 -> MPC1000
SH-201 -> MPC1000
MPC1000 -> (stereo out) SP-404sx
^with this you'll need to unplug the SP-303 when you want to use the SH-201.

Midi:
MPC1000 -> SH-201
MPC1000 -> SP-404sx
no need to midi in the SP-303 if you're only using for effects & demoing samples.

If you're planning to use a mixer, it may be useful to aim for one with USB that can act as an audio interface with Ableton (something like an Alesis Multimix 8 or Yamaha MW8CX). That way you can record direct into Ableton from the rig.

With a mixer you can run the SH-201, SP-303 in first, send to the MPC1000. Send assignable mix out 1-2 to the SP-404sx for resampling. Send the SP-404sx back into the mixer for export to Ableton.

Hope that all makes sense. Cheers!

Starting off with so much hardware is almost counter productive.

It's not like VST's where they all kinda work the same, just twist a knob and cool stuff happens.

Before even hooking everything up, I'd just spend a week or two only using a single piece of gear to get familiar with it. Then once you've tried everything on it's own and feel comfortable with them, THEN you start looking into putting them together. Just about everything you have is workstation unto itself if you learn them...the SH is about the only thing there you can't make a complete tune with by itself without anything else to assist it.

Yeah my post may have been confusing, I'm not new with these pieces of gear in particular. I do know the ins and outs of them all on their own, I've had the mp for about 6 months and I've made most of my stuff with just the 404sx via resampling and occasionally sequencing it with the mp. just got the sh-201 and 303 recently to give me more independence from the computer (wanted to get away from trying to program sounds on soft synths.)I've found a workflow that is comfortable for me but like I said I just was looking for a way to stop abusing the rcas on my sps so much

But thanks for that quick and informative reply, man! I will probably try just swapping out the 303 and the sh as necessary. Seems easy enough. How I have it now is:

Sh-201, mpc assignable outs or turntable -> 303 -> mpc -> 404sx -> monitors

but obviously that means I'm constantly unplugging and plugging different things into the 303 inputs

Ill probably get rid of one of the samplers once I streamline it, just don't want to regret getting rid of the wrong thing

if you're concerned about unplugging/replugging you could also look into a patchbay. the top row is outputs, bottom is inputs. you keep your gear plugged into the back of it, and by default whatever's on the top is automatically connected to what's on the bottom without you having to plug anything in the front. then if you want to put something different in an input, you just connect one of the outputs (top) to an input (bottom) on the front panel. a mixer with sends makes a lot of sense also though.