What you'll need

Sequencer/DAW - i'm using cubase

Audio interface - One with multiple outputs, more than two.

Metrobus plugin - Free metronome plugin, download it free here.

Earphones - any will do but ones that go inside your ear will work best. Big headphones can be used too.

Headphone extension lead - A lead with a jack plug on one end and a socket for your headphones on the other end. Not needed if your going to be close to the drummer or your earphones/headphones have a long lead

Step 1 - Setup project

Start your favourite sequencer/DAW and create a blank project with no audio or midi tracks.

Step 2 - Output setup

First things first you need to set up the outputs of your audio interface and your sequencer. Start by bringing up the output config window, F4 if your using cubase and add a stereo output. This will be the main output for the track you want to play.

Next you need to create a mono output for your metronome. Using mono is best as it will only take up one physical output, rather than two. Name the output metronome so you can find it easily later.

Step 3 - Latency setup

One important thing to do is to get your latency for you audio interface to as little as possible. Latency is the amount of time it takes for the audio signal to come from the computer to the outputs of the audio interface. As you can imagine you don't want this to be too big or your drummer will be hearing the click too late. Between 2 and 10 ms is acceptable, anything higher will cause problems. To access this in cubase go to the device setup window, devices menu at the top then scroll down to the bottom. Your interface should be under the vst audiobay option.

Step 4 - Import the track

Import the track you want to play live into your sequencer and place it on it's own audio track. Make sure you have the output set to your main stereo output, which will be plugged into the PA

Next page

Akai MPK25 review

Published: 15. 05. 2008     10 comments

We take a look at the Akai MPK25 midi controller, the smallest of the Akai MPK series of midi controller/keyboard/MPC drum pad/trigger. This is a feature packed controller and promises a lot but does it live up to it's creators repretation?