MPC and DPS Multi-Tracking

How to multi-track with the MPC2000(XL) and the DPS16

This will explain how to sync and multi-track record with the MPC2000(XL) and the DPS16. While the procedures outlined here are specific to these two models, the application of the ideas can be applied to different equipment and will operate in a similar manner.

This will assume you pretty much have your sequence completed on the MPC and are ready to record. The DPS will be the MTC master and the MPC will the MTC slave. The MPC sequence can be off any length with Loop OFF and just using the MPC main outputs.

Connect a midi cable between MPC's midi out B and the DPS16 midi in.
Connect a midi cable between the DPS16 midi out and the MPC's midi in 2.
Create a new project on the DPS.
If not already done, add two blank bars to the beginning of the sequence on the MPC. This is necessary to give the machines time to lock into the midi time code signal:
1. Highlight BARS: on the MPC main screen and press open window.
2. On the left side, set After Bar: 0
3. Just below, set Number of Bars: 2
4. Press INSERT.
Setup Sync on the MPC:
1. Press SHIFT+9 (SYNC) on the MPC.
2. For Sync In, set to (In: 2)
3. For MODE set Midi Time Code with Frame Rate: 30
4. Receive MMC does not matter since the DPS will not send it
5. On the right side set Sync Out (Out: B)
6. Set Send MMC: ON..
Setup Sync on the DPS
1. Press SETUP then MISC on the DPS.
2. Set SMPTE frame rate: 30
3. Set MMC device ID: 0
4. Set MIDI OUT/THRU: OUT
5. On the Main Screen press Select until SYNC/CLOCK highlighted.
6. Cursor over to :MTC and set to MTC Master and press F2 to turn on.
Setup Tempo map on the DPS:
1. Press SETUP then TEMPO
2. Set the tempo to the tempo that is set for the MPC sequence.
3. If you have tempo changes in the MPC, duplicate them here by inserting tempo changes. Note: this is not necessary for proper syncing but it sets up the DPS BBC display to match the display of the MPC.
Setup Beat Map on the DPS:
1. Under the SETUP screen press BEAT.
2. Set the time signature to match that of the MPC. If you have time signature changes on the MPC, duplicate them here also. Note: Like the Tempo Map, this is not necessary for proper syncing but keeps the BBC display matching that of the MPC.
Setup recording on the DPS
1. Connect the MPC main outputs to the DPS track inputs 1 & 2.
2. Patch the DPS inputs to tracks 1 & 2:
  1. Press PATCH and then CLEAR
  2. For Track 1 hold Track Select and Press Record Select.
  3. For Track 2 hold Track Select and Press Record Select.
3. Press MAIN SCREEN on the DPS.
4. Press Record Select buttons for tracks 1 & 2 on the DPS. The indicator lights will blink.
Test MMC and Locate
1. The MPC front panel transport controls will control the DPS. Use the BAR buttons (<< and >>) to move around in the sequence. The DPS should move to the same location as the MPC. This will also work for STEP (< and >).
2. You can also set locate points on the MPC:
  1. Go to to an important location in the MPC.
  2. Press Locate.
  3. Add the current location to one of the locate points.
  4. Press close.
  5. Hold GOTO and press << to jump the beginning of the sequence.
  6. Press Locate and select number corresponding to the point just stored.
  7. The MPC and DPS will jump to that location. Good if you need to visit a location often.
  8. You can also press PLAY on the MPC to check that the DPS is tracking. Press STOP when done.
Record a track
1. On the MPC hold GOTO and press << to jump the beginning of the sequence.
2. Mute all but one track on the MPC.
3. While pressing REC on the DPS, press PLAY on the MPC
4. Release the buttons. The DPS will start recording and the MPC will playback the track.
5. Once the track is complete press STOP on the MPC. Recording is complete for tracks 1 & 2.
Record a 2nd track:
1. Mute the track just recorded on the MPC and un-mute another track to be recorded.
2. On the DPS patch inputs 1 & 2 to tracks 3 & 4
  1. ON the DPS press the Record select buttons for tracks 1 & 2 to un-arm them. The indicator lights will go out.
  2. Press PATCH on the DPS.
  3. Hold Track Select 1 and Press Record Select 1 to clear the input patch.
  4. Hold Track Select 2 and Press Record Select 2 to clear the input patch
  5. Hold Track Select 1 and Press Record Select 3 to patch DPS input 1 to track 3.
  6. Hold Track Select 2 and Press Record Select 4 to patch DPS input 2 to track 4.
3. Press MAIN SCREEN on the DPS.
4. Press Record Select for tracks 3 and 4 to arm them to record. The indicator lights will blink.
5. On the MPC hold GOTO and press << to jump the beginning of the sequence.
6. While pressing REC on the DPS, press PLAY on the MPC
7. Release the buttons. The DPS will start recording and the MPC will playback the track.
8. Once the track is complete press STOP on the MPC. Recording is complete for tracks 3 & 4.
Repeat step 12 for as many tracks as necessary. Re-patch the DPS inputs 1 & 2 to additional tracks for each tracking.
When complete, all the tracks from the MPC will be recorded as audio on the DPS.
Press PLAY on the DPS to hear the result.
The audio data may now be edited as necessary and/or bounced to two tracks for mastering to disk.

Multi-tracking with the 8-out expansion on the MPC will operate is much the same way, except that you will be able to connect the 8 individual outputs of the MPC to the 8 analog inputs on the DPS and record 8 tracks at once. The result will be the same as tacking two at time except the 8-out expansion can save you a bit of time since if you have 9-16 tracks to record you can do it in 2 passes instead of up to 8 passes.

There are slight variations in the methods to multi-track. You can also set the MPC to be the MTC master and the DPS to be the MTC slave. It is also possible to use the DPS as a midi clock master and the MPC as a midi clock slave, but I have found midi clock to be less reliable (although easier) than MTC since midi clock has a lower timing resolution.