Elektron-Users

1. I'm thinking of bying the Akai MPD24 pad to control my Machinedrum. Does anyone know if the velocity is recorded on the MD if I use the MPD?


2. Would it be possible to program the Akai so that I can push a button (midiCC) and then cue an empty pattern that will switch to record mode after I've played through the last one? (So I could play and record while the MD goes from A1-A16 and records my drumming.)


3. If you have something else to say about the Akai MPD16/24 in use with the MD I would very much like to know.

Best Regards
ens

As far as I know, the MD does not resond to velocity regardless of whether or not it is triggered internally or externally.

Software that accomlishes this (i.e. empty magic) accomplishes this my modulating the volume parameter, if I understand correctly.

As far as triggering a pattern is concerned, that can be accomplished, sure. In the MD's global midi screen, you can associate a pattern with a midi note (not a cc, but you can use a midi note that is out of the range of 'useful' notes). Automating this, however, would be a challenge, and would probably require some sort of custom software biz-ness. Automating the 'switch to record mode' is probably impossible without some sort of intermediary software (which you would use the Akai to control, and the software, in turn, would control the MD).

Truth be told, I really don't see any benefit to using either of these Akai units *unless* you use them to control software which, in turn, controls the MD. Please correct me if I'm wrong people.

Hope this helps.

Charles

But I tried a Roland Drum Pad once, and then the MD responded to the velocity, but I never tried to record a pattern with it.
Anyway, the MPD gives 6 faders wich can be used all at once, compared to turning max two knobs at the same time. And I suppose you could use the hardware controller for customizing a live setup. Bring a bit of MPC-controls to the MD seems interesting to me as the buttons on the MD is noisy and non-velocity sensible.

ens wrote:
But I tried a Roland Drum Pad once, and then the MD responded to the velocity, but I never tried to record a pattern with it.

Cool! I'm not against the Akai pad in the least. I've certainly thought about the same route. Here's the question, though. Did the MD just respond to velocity, or did it actually record it, as there is no velocity setting per se? Did it just parameter lock the volume? Those 6 faders would be cool for f'ing with global effects, assuming you can assigne them to CC messages. But triggering record mode in the automated fashion you're talking about...not with the Akai in and of itself, I think.

Charles

I never tried to record a pattern, but I suddenly recalled that I might have used analog triggers into input A and B. I really want to figure this out, so I'll email Elektron and ask. Maybe it would be possible to route the akais velocity-midichannel-midiCC to the volume parameter on the different tracks... I'll find out and get back to this.

ens

Let us know what you find out!

Charles