Multi-MIDI Control enables users to simultaneously connect up to 32 class-compliant USB Keyboards, MIDI interfaces, or USB to CV modules, supercharging your I/O capability. Fuse this with deep internal MIDI routing across tracks, comprehensive MIDI routing to any MIDI compatible synthesizer, drum machine or sound module, and MPC forms the beating heart of any production setup, unleashing the true power of all your gear!


In this guide, we're going to cover the various ways of using Multi-MIDI Control to configure and customize your MPC setup for complete MIDI madness!


Guide Contents


With the expanded capabilities of Multi-MIDI Control, the MIDI/Sync tab in Preferences is central to your routing needs. This page allows you to view, rename, and configure the behaviour of all connected MIDI ports.


This is particularly useful when using multiple devices connected to a single MIDI interface or hub, as you can name the ports according to the devices they are connected to. The custom port names will be reflected throughout the software for ease of use.


Input Ports


The Input Ports section in MIDI/Sync Preferences will display all available MIDI input ports in a list. MPC 1 and MPC 2 refer to the physical 5-pin MIDI input ports on the rear panel of the hardware. Devices will automatically appear in the list when connected. This list refreshes in real-time.

To keep the Input Ports organized, tap on the keyboard icon to rename the port so that it is easily recognizable within your Project.

The Input Port list will remember the USB device's new name the next time it is connected. Use the back icon to the right to revert to the port's original settings.


Next to each MIDI input port are the Global, Control, and Track buttons. These settings determine how the corresponding MIDI Input port will behave in your Project:


  • When Global is enabled, MIDI data from this port will always go to the currently selected program in your project. The MPC Pads are an example of a device that is always set to Global.

  • When Control is enabled, MIDI data from this port will be sent to MIDI Learn.

  • When Track is enabled, this MIDI port will appear in the list of available MIDI Inputs that can be selected in your track's Channel Strip or in Track View.


Note: Enable MIDI Ports When Discovered can be activated to immediately assign connected devices to Track. When this feature is disabled, connected devices will automatically appear in the input list, however, they will be disabled until manually configured.


Output Ports


The Output Ports section in MIDI/Sync Preferences will display all available MIDI output ports in a list. MPC A-D refer to the physical 5-pin MIDI ports on the rear panel of the hardware.

Tap the keyboard icon to rename a port to reflect the connected external gear.


This is a Global setting and will be automatically saved in the Output Port list. Use the back icon to the right to revert to the port's original settings.


Next to each MIDI output port are the Sync and Track buttons:

  • When Sync is enabled, the MIDI output port will send MIDI sync messages according to the selections made under MIDI / Sync > Sync Send > Send. This is useful if you only want to send MIDI Clock and/or transport controls to an external device. See the following section for more information regarding Sync Preferences.

  • When Track is enabled, the MIDI output port will appear in the list of available MIDI Outputs in your track's Channel Strip and in the project's Track View.


Sync Receive/Send

The Sync Receive/Send section in the MIDI/Sync tab allows you to configure which type of clock will be sent or received by the MPC. You can select MIDI Clock, MIDI Time Code (MTC), or Ableton Link.

Transport controls (Play, Stop, Record, etc.) can be synced by enabling the corresponding box:

Receive MMC: The MPC will react to incoming transport messages sent from external gear. Be sure to verify that your external hardware is capable of sending MMC messages.

Send MMC: The MPC will send transport messages to connected external gear. Be sure to verify that your external hardware is capable of receiving MMC messages.

MMC (MIDI Machine Control) is a standard protocol that will automatically communicate with other MMC-enabled devices.


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Routing MIDI in your Project


Once you have configured your MIDI Input and Output ports, it's time to assign them to different Tracks in your Project. This can be done from a track's Channel Strip or from the Track View.


Assigning MIDI Ports in the Channel Strip


1. Press the Main button to view your project's available tracks.

2. Select a track and tap the eye icon to view the Channel Strip.

3. Select the track icon.

4. Double-tap the MIDI Input field to view all available MIDI devices.

5. Select the MIDI device to route incoming MIDI data to the current track.


If you do not see your controller available in the list, open MIDI/Sync Preferences and verify that the port is set to Track.


6. If your MIDI controller is transmitting on a specific MIDI channel, be sure to select that channel directly to the right of the MIDI Input field. When the MIDI channel is set to All the current track will receive on the omni channel (1-16).


7. For recording, MIDI Tracks now have an Input Monitor button with four states:

Off: The track's MIDI input is not monitored, and playback of recorded events will be heard. This setting is useful when using keyboards with Local Control active.

In: The track's MIDI input is always monitored regardless of the track's Record Arm state, and playback from recorded events will not be heard.

Auto: The track's MIDI input is monitored when the track is record armed, and playback of recorded events will be heard.

Merge: The track's MIDI input is always monitored, and playback of recorded events will be heard.

8. You'll notice a Send To field below the MIDI Input menu. This will allow you to internally bus MIDI data from the current track to another track in your project. This is a very useful feature when doubling programs to create an instrument rack.


Check out this tutorial to see how to internally bus MIDI between tracks



Assigning MIDI Ports in the Track View


1. Tap the Track View icon to see all available tracks in your project.

2. Double-tap the MIDI Input field to view all available MIDI devices.

3. Select the MIDI device to route incoming MIDI data to the current track.


If you do not see your controller available in the list, open MIDI/Sync Preferences and verify that the port is set to Track.


4. If your MIDI controller is transmitting on a specific MIDI channel, be sure to select that channel directly beneath the MIDI Input field. When the MIDI channel is set to All the current track will receive on the omni channel (1-16).

5. You'll notice that the MIDI Output menu only appears for MIDI Programs. This is because only MIDI Programs can transmit data to the physical 5-pin MIDI Out ports on the back panel of the hardware. Use this field to designate the MIDI Out port you wish to send MIDI signals to. Select the MIDI Channel directly below.

If you want to internally route MIDI data between tracks open the Channel Strip to do so.


6. For recording, MIDI Tracks now have an Input Monitor button with four states:

  • Off: The track's MIDI input is not monitored, and playback of recorded events will be heard. This setting is useful when using keyboards with Local Control active.
  • In: The track's MIDI input is always monitored regardless of the track's Record Arm state, and playback from recorded events will not be heard.
  • Auto: This is the default monitor state. The track's MIDI input is monitored when the track is record armed, and playback of recorded events will be heard.
  • Merge: The track's MIDI input is always monitored, and playback of recorded events will be heard.


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