mpd16 and sp505

reignbear · Post by **reignbear** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:24 am

Hello all, I've been using the sp-505 for a while, but the last few years mostly just as an effects box for my MPC1K and turntable and other gear. the other day though i was at guitar center and they were clearancing out the MPD16 for $45 so i picked one up.

So far all I have been able to get the MPD to control is the first bank on factory drums, when i switch the pad bank to one with chopped up samples and drums the MPD is still just triggering the same factory preset drum bank.

I'd appreciate any help you guys can offer on the subject.

iG9 · Post by **iG9** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:19 am

Look in the manual and see what midi notes you have to hit, then set the mpd16 to hit them?

*disclaimer: I have never played with either of those boxes, but that's how you do it with the 404 and a pK.*

fauna · Post by **fauna** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:51 am

i have the 505, but don't use an external controller. now, i know that Frantic used to have a 505, and i know he had a lotta trouble getting it set up with an external controller.

i recommend using the search, specific to the 505 section, and just look for keywords like 'midi' or whatever.

the info is in the section i fink, but you may not like what you read.

hope that helps.
peace.

reignbear · Post by **reignbear** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:01 am

unfortunately, the manual was of almost no help...but i should be getting a 404 sometime next week in the mail...maybe the 505 is hopeless with the MPD...

wax inspektor · Post by **wax inspektor** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:44 pm

I'm not sure but I think that it's the MPD 16 that fucks you up, cause for selecting another bank you would need to change the midi channel and that is not possible with the mpd16...

Right?

PHeMoX · Post by **PHeMoX** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:55 pm

Going by the info online I'm thinking Wax Inspector is right.

Dj Frantic · Post by **Dj Frantic** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:11 pm

I tried to use an MPD16 with my old 505 and to my knowledge there is no way to do it. Reason being, that the MPD doesnt do program changes as far as I know and switching banks from an external controller on the 505 is done only through program changes

reignbear · Post by **reignbear** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:01 am

yeah, you guys are right. it's hopeless. maybe i can score a cheap mpd24. thanks for the input though.

vxkid · Post by **vxkid** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:55 pm

why not sequence it with the mpc. you can set the program change for each track on the mpc, and set up a track for each bank.

PHeMoX · Post by **PHeMoX** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:09 am

Probably because he likes the MPD16 pads better?

Eloheim · Post by **Eloheim** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:15 am

Hey I don't even have an SP yet, but I do have an MPD16 and some small experience with midi. Here's what came to me: you know how the MPD16s got the fader? I think you can set the fader to send any midi CC message you want to (although [IF the previous guy's right...] I'm not sure about if program change messages are regular cc's or some special midi deal)

Also, from what i've heard it seems like the 404 uses different midi channels for different banks (again IF that's true) you might be able to set the fader to change the MPD's midi channel but from the sounds of it that may not be possible. Even if none of this works though I imagine other gear could tell it to change banks.

If you're running a computer you could obviously use the MPD16's software editor to change the midi channel at will. (And i dont think you can assign seperate midi channels to either the MPD's A/B banks or its individual pads, but I'm not sure).

I'm probly gettin a 404 soon here and I may try a setup like yours (except I have a Computer too, n it could easily be done through that) so i hope it goes well...

Peace

reignbear · Post by **reignbear** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:09 am

vxkid wrote:why not sequence it with the mpc. you can set the program change for each track on the mpc, and set up a track for each bank.

I tried messing around with this the other night and didn't have any luck. do you know how to, or where to point me to, to learn how to get the 1k to change the banks on the 505?

PHeMoX wrote:Probably because he likes the MPD16 pads better?

bingo! i'm a big guy, 6'4", and I have big hands so i feel i can get a lot more expressive and comfortable with the MPD.

Eloheim wrote:Hey I don't even have an SP yet, but I do have an MPD16 and some small experience with midi. Here's what came to me: you know how the MPD16s got the fader? I think you can set the fader to send any midi CC message you want to (although [IF the previous guy's right...] I'm not sure about if program change messages are regular cc's or some special midi deal)

Also, from what i've heard it seems like the 404 uses different midi channels for different banks (again IF that's true) you might be able to set the fader to change the MPD's midi channel but from the sounds of it that may not be possible. Even if none of this works though I imagine other gear could tell it to change banks.

If you're running a computer you could obviously use the MPD16's software editor to change the midi channel at will. (And i dont think you can assign seperate midi channels to either the MPD's A/B banks or its individual pads, but I'm not sure).

I'm probly gettin a 404 soon here and I may try a setup like yours (except I have a Computer too, n it could easily be done through that) so i hope it goes well...

Peace

I'll look into this tonight, i haven't even fucked with plugging the MPD into my macbook pro...I started out doing all my beats on the computer and now i try to avoid it. I should be getting a 404 any day now too, if the fucking USPS decides to do their job. (some records i ordered from Dublin, Ireland got here before the 404 that's coming from rhode island...)

anyways, i'm still pretty new to all this midi stuff so i might have some questions for you after i give it a shot.

also i tried out the MPD24 at guitar center and i really don't like the super flat/thin pads. i wonder how hard it would be to swap them with the pads from the MPD16?

thanks again for the input

fauna · Post by **fauna** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:30 am

reignbear wrote:bingo! i'm a big guy, 6'4", and I have big hands so i feel i can get a lot more expressive and comfortable with the MPD.

mental note: do not fuck with the reignbear....

Eloheim · Post by **Eloheim** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:49 am

Hey look on the bottom of your MDP16. On mind I remembered theres little diagrams to tell you how to do certain things (without the software editor). I can't remember what it says though right now.

reignbear · Post by **reignbear** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:36 am

Eloheim wrote:Hey look on the bottom of your MDP16. On mind I remembered theres little diagrams to tell you how to do certain things (without the software editor). I can't remember what it says though right now.

yeah, i checked it out last night and i can change the note assigned to the individual pads, the midi channel and the midi CC that the slider sends.

still no luck though....

and i'm pretty ignorant on how to send program changes with the mpc1000, so i haven't gotten too far on that front either...

i've been avoiding this MIDI shit for a while because it always seemed like a headache, but i felt like i was missing out on the full potential of my setup...