I have a mini porta02 mkII… I am recording into the porta from my mpc and an sp404. The problem I'm having is that I can't seem to record in stereo from the mpc… this is a problem because I actually have quite a bit of panning on some of the stuff I'm trying to record, and unfortunately this is all being condensed into a mono track after getting it into the porta02.

Went through the manual and didn't find anything specific to what I'm doing… wondering if using typeII hi-bias tapes would help the process… I don't know, any feedback from people who have experience with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

there really isnt any workaround to this... you kinda have to do you have to sacrifice a track for a track... like dums all on one but xtra percs and soundspiece (not the main part) on another track...

it helps to do things like bass in the box (daw) cuz it can be tedious attempting to seperate frequencies... hope this helps B

Damn... crushing news. Was hoping it was something simple I was just overlooking.

Back to the drawing board... and thank you for the help, James.

no doubt B... i tried the same thing when i had one (just parted ways, sadly)
but you can still do some dope ish on it... just trying mixing as good as possible in the mpc if u can...

The mixing on the MPC is dope... just sucks that all that panning can't be utilized and maintained when going to tape, you know. And my panning/mixing is very simple/subtle stuff... but it makes a difference.
Either way, I'll do a tape with this recorder... the sound even when laid down as a wall, is still pretty interesting. All about the creative workarounds, I suppose, right.

I do have experience with this. I have a Porta 02 and record in Stereo all the time. All you have to do is setup tracks 1 and 2 for recording. I'm not sure what the outputs of the MPC are for you. If RCA, you can use a pair of cables that go from RCA male to 1/4" jack (mono male). You can get em for a couple bucks. I record the SP-404 into m Tascam using those. Looks like this:
http://tinypic.com/r/4l4zh1/7

I think I've seen some MPC's with 1/4" outputs so that might make it easier.

Anyway, record the left and right halves of the stereo outs to tracks 1 and 2 (resp.) at the same time. After its recorded, unarm tracks 1 and 2 (safe) and use the pan controls in the mixing section for track 1 and 2, panning one all the way right and the other all the way left. Now, when you are recording to something else, you got stereo, complete with all your MPC panning as you originally had it!

Hopefully this is what you were looking for.

Wow... will definitely give that a try... good lookin out, man... I was completely prepared to use it regardless but yeah, it would be really dope to be able to utilize that panning, so as to broaden the sound a bit. Thank you kindly, my friend.

Quick question, in the pick the big plug on the top... is that 3/4 inch? That's the plug I think I need, 2 of them on each side... for going out of the mpc, into the tascam. From the 404, I could go 2 rca's on one side, 2 3/4 inch on the other... did I understand you correctly?

Thank you again, man. If this works, I owe you BIG TIME.

Heh, I noticed I follow you on Soundclick already. Really dig your stuff.

The size of your MPC outputs, I'm sure are 1/4" jacks. The inputs of the Tascam are also 1/4" jacks. The SP-404 is RCA outputs, which would require two of the cables as shown in the pic. So basically, you've got it right, its just 1/4 and not 3/4. Its the same size as a guitar cable. You could even use two short guitar cables for your MPC to Tascam setup.

Cool man, thank you very much. Really nice of you.

I think you meant Soundcloud, right?... never used Soundclick... If it is Soundcloud, then its probably me... and if that's the case, thank you again, my friend... actually posted a free download in the music thread... it's all yours if you like.

Aside from that... I really appreciate you chiming in on this...

No problem. Glad I have some advice to give (there are some smart folks on this forum!).

Oh, yeah...def meant Soundcloud. I hate soundclick, heh. I will check that free DL out. Glad to help.

damn... i thought about that before but didnt think itd work... i guess the sayings true... youll never know what'll happen unless u try!!

back to the ebay for another, lol

Haha... yeah, was a surprise to me, too.
Far as getting another one goes... between this one and the 414, I like the porTa02 better.
Is the porta02 older? The sound seems a bit more dirtier than the 414, warmer with more hisS.
And a lot less tinkEring going on to get a good recording, as opposed to when I had the otHer one.

Go get it, JaMes!