Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

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Extravert
Posts: 3
Joined: 23:18, 8 February 2010

Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Extravert »

Hi there!
Im looking to buy the 808 real soon, as it seems to be an MPC500 killer!
I've been reading up a lot on this, and through the manual, but i have some questions that i couldnt find an answer for. I would REALLY appreciate if anyone can help.


1. Is it possible to, record upto to 16 midi tracks (using a keyboard hooked upto Midi IN) on the 808,
and send the 16 midi tracks via Midi OUT to multiple synthesizers/modules, each assigned to one of the 16 Midi Channels?
(provided all the synths had midi thru obviously with the exception of the last one on the chain)

In other words does the 808 send all 16 channels of midi data out via its midi OUT port?



2. Can each AUDIO track in a song, be saved a seperate .wav file onto a CF card?
3 Can you save any tracks as a MIDI file (the notes) on a CF Card?
EDIT- Yes You can, just spotted it, in the "new features added pdf." Thank you Roland! :D

4. How easy is it to be able to Record New patterns on the fly while the song is playing?
I.E, record a new pattern/loop without having to stop the 808, and be able to mute/unmute new loops.


Thanks a lot for your time, and id really appreciate the help.
If i become an expert on the 808 myself, ill be sure to help other new people on this forum also.
Extravert
Posts: 3
Joined: 23:18, 8 February 2010

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Extravert »

And i guess one more important thing,
is there any known issues i should be aware of with the MC-808?

Thanks again!
dv1394
Posts: 153
Joined: 06:40, 24 May 2007
Location: Tomsk, Russia

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by dv1394 »

1. yes
2. no. you can resample main out internally, whatever goes there. if you want to resample each track, then you'll have to solo and resample one-by-one.
3. to be exact - you can export a pattern as an SMF file, not individual tracks.
4. no way. its always "stop playback - go to record mode - choose record submode - start recording". and you can't switch back and forth between pattern and song mode while in playback.

hope that helps.
Nord72
Posts: 196
Joined: 15:27, 24 October 2009
Location: Budapest, Hungary
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Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Nord72 »

2. You can save them with resampling as track1.wav, track2.wav, etc... (depends on the size of the card(s).
3. if an individual track is the target, just delete the other tracks and save it.
4. It could be possible with the ARP. and RPS patterns (with pattern recall).

I think its the some way on the 808/909 as well.
At least its working like this way on the 909.
Extravert
Posts: 3
Joined: 23:18, 8 February 2010

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Extravert »

Thanks a lot for the helpful reply guys!
That has really giving a lot more insight into the 808.

Its a shame that theres no real "Loop Capture" function as such,
like you have on the sp-555:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OHE6GRbruw

Id love to be able to record a midi loop also mid song,
and have it play back looped instantly.

I guess i could always use something exclusively for this purpose along side the 808.

I think i should seriously get one just to use as a drum machine,
as its so cheap and has so many dedicated controls.

Thanks a lot for the responses.
dv1394
Posts: 153
Joined: 06:40, 24 May 2007
Location: Tomsk, Russia

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by dv1394 »

> Nord72

read what Extravert asked about recording_on_the_fly

again - you can't record on the fly. neither on 808 nor on 909.

ARP and RPS both require pre-programming and give no way to alter their source data during playback

on the other hand - you can cram a lot of sample data into 808's 512mb

on the other hand - 512mb of samples takes 18 to 25 minutes to start up the machine (i'm not speculating, i had tested it myself) depending on individual sample size
Nord72
Posts: 196
Joined: 15:27, 24 October 2009
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Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Nord72 »

4. "you can't switch back and forth between pattern and song mode while in playback. " ...the answer gone for this part of the question.
Yes You can with rps recall patterns (on the fly).

PS : Resampling (REC) is working while You doing any RPS manipulations.
dr_boehm
Posts: 700
Joined: 11:05, 11 November 2006
Location: Bochum, Germany

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by dr_boehm »

Hi,

don´t try to use the mc-808 as an audio recorder. It is a sequencer, synthsizer and sampler that can be used to some extend to record longer samples and play them back on demand.

If you need linear audio recording functionality better for something else!

Also please have a look into the mc-808-faq in the library section of this site.

Bye, Dirk.
dv1394
Posts: 153
Joined: 06:40, 24 May 2007
Location: Tomsk, Russia

Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by dv1394 »

holy war is not my intention

but

the question was about adding MIDI data on the fly (read the first post), not resampling

and

you can't (read this part literally) switch from pattern mode to song mode and vice versa while the machine is in playback mode. try this at home. again: RPS requires PREprogaramming, not live manipulation

now to settle things on the resampling feature - you CAN'T use it live, can you?
Nord72
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Re: Midi Out Functionality and other Questions about MC-808

Post by Nord72 »

In the aspect of MIDI, You're absolutely Right.
Basicaly the Fantom engine is a powerful system but its weakest point is the file system (and its a necessary part of the OS of course).
So in standalone live act mode its not an ideal situation.
But creativity counts in a large amount! :)

PS.: Resampling is a very good way for 2 TR recording and even for bouncing.
But it needs some time and its probably frustrating a lot on a fast recording situation.
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