Akai MPC X One Live - Midi clock Sync in Slave mode - E-RM Multiclock - Audiotrack issue

[bite_me]

Hi fellows
Since I found out how to fight the dragon I want to share it:

-> My issue was that I noticed quite bad timing between my DAW (Bitwig) and my MPC X setting them up all together along with my hardware synths.

-> The wizardry was to buy an E-RM multiclock to make them all sing together.
Problem was that I need my MPC X to record audio tracks in slave mode, which (unbelievable) can´t record when getting sync´d by MIDI clock from another piece of gear!

-> Now the trick:
After starting the MPC from DAW transport (and all is sync´d beautifully) - switch the SYNC IN from Midiclock to MTC in the MPC. Now open the looper (while MPC running) and you are able to record perfectly in sync.

This way I can record super tight arpeggios and sequences into the MPC.

Hope it´s not too confusing - and hope for an Update of the MPC anyway - that could fix it perhaps.

I know there are people outthere which need exactly this feature and being disappointed from Akai support

[lijsterbes]

Gonna test this today. === Unbelievable issue, isn't it? Hard to understand Akai fails here, midi clock being something so basic, loop recorder that suffers from it, how is it even possible!

[kmonkey]

The issue is with his setup. There is no need for an ERM clock (I have it).

Strictly making a short explanation: I am coming from Cubase 12, Live, Reason, and Reaper. I was gobsmacked by how well Bitwig handles midi clock and external instruments and fixes. Even better then Cubase. For the first time in my life, everything is synced and is just working super tight. No ERM Clock is needed. And yes AKAI Force is connected to my Bitwig.

And no it's not something like I couldn't find a way to set up a stable MIDI clock and have everything in SYNC on my own. For example, I had a long talk with Ableton developers and they ensured I am doing everything correctly but I am supposed to handle hardware clock sync issues (or the lack of it) by manually adjusting audio channels in the Live mixer (not gonna happen). Or solve my issues with an external machine like ERM MIDI clock. In fact there are huge threads on Live forum about it that pop up every year.

And so forth and so on.

My point is: learn Bitwig. These guys did that part correctly and now all my hardware grooveboxes, rhythm machines and anything which has its own sequencer and needs to start "at the right time" and DAW midi and audio are synced like never before.

Sure if he set up ERM clock correctly with bitwig - that will work as well. I just wanted to point out that Bitwig can handle this without ERM you just have to learn it.

Good luck.

[lijsterbes]

The issue is with his setup. There is no need for an ERM clock (I have it).

Strictly making a short explanation: I am coming from Cubase 12, Live, Reason, and Reaper. I was gobsmacked by how well Bitwig handles midi clock and external instruments and fixes. Even better then Cubase. For the first time in my life, everything is synced and is just working super tight. No ERM Clock is needed. And yes AKAI Force is connected to my Bitwig.

And no it's not something like I couldn't find a way to set up a stable MIDI clock and have everything in SYNC on my own. For example, I had a long talk with Ableton developers and they ensured I am doing everything correctly but I am supposed to handle hardware clock sync issues (or the lack of it) by manually adjusting audio channels in the Live mixer (not gonna happen). Or solve my issues with an external machine like ERM MIDI clock. In fact there are huge threads on Live forum about it that pop up every year.

And so forth and so on.

My point is: learn Bitwig. These guys did that part correctly and now all my hardware grooveboxes, rhythm machines and anything which has its own sequencer and needs to start "at the right time" and DAW midi and audio are synced like never before.

Sure if he set up ERM clock correctly with bitwig - that will work as well. I just wanted to point out that Bitwig can handle this without ERM you just have to learn it.

Good luck.

Great to read! Yes, myself I have good experiences with Bitwig, especially when it comes to the use of external midi instruments and timing/latency issues. There's other strange issues in BW though, like prg changes over midi. But let's not go there.

This post was about the MPC if I'm not mistaken, the device not working well in its Looper mode, when receiving midi clock in. No matter what external midi master. Super stupid from Akai, forgive me.

Meanwhile, I've tested the MTC suggestion in the original post. Works! Great! So at least there's a workaround for times we really want to use the Looper on the MPC while in sync slave mode.

Akai, any plans to fix? Who knows. Do users care? Not too many discussions these days about it from what I can see?