Akai MPC Renaissance and Studio - Routing Audio to Tracks in Pro Tools

This guide explains the process of how to route the audio from individual tracks in the MPC plugin to individual tracks in Pro Tools. Utilizing this feature is great for creating scratch drum/synth tracks without cluttering your sequences. You could also use this feature to record real-time effects without saving over any automation.

1. Open Pro Tools Express, and create a new blank session.
   
   
2. First, we need to create the tracks we'll be using. One for the MPC plugin, and one to record the audio from it. Do this by going to Track > New Track.
   
   
   
   
3. We'll create the track for the MPC plugin, now.
   
   
   
   
4. Next, we'll create the Audio track to record to. Head to Track > New Track, again.
   
   
   
   
5. Once you've created the Audio 1 track, be sure to record enable it. The Record Enable button is indicated below by the green circle.
   
   
   
   Note: You do not need to record enable the Inst 1 track unless you want to record the MPC's MIDI output into Pro Tools.
   
   
6. Now we need to load the MPC plugin to the Inst 1 track. Do this by clicking the top insert box. Choose multichannel plug-in > Instrument > MPC (stereo).
   
   
   
   
7. The MPC plugin's interface should appear on your screen. Now you can load samples to the pads, or load a plugin as the MPC's Instrument on Track 01.
   
   
   
   
8. On your MPC hardware, press SHIFT + TRK MIX; TRK MIX is located under the MODE section. Set Track 01's output to Out 3,4.
   
   
   
   
9. Let's jump back to Pro Tools and setup the Audio 1 track to receive the MPC's signal. Go to Window > Mix (Command + = on Mac, Ctrl + = on Windows). You should now see the Mix window on your screen.
   
   
   
   
10. Under the I/O section, set Audio 1's input to plug-in > MPC – Inst 1 – Insert a > MPC 3-4.
    
    
    
    
11. At this point, you are set up to record the raw audio output from the MPC plugin. All you need to do is let the creativity flow!