User Guide English Manual Version 1.
Table of Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 12 System Requirements and Product Support ................................................................................... 12 About This User Guide ....................................................................................................................... 13 Important Notes ..............................................
Quick Start / Tutorial ................................................................................................................................ 31 Starting Up ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Creating a Drum Kit ............................................................................................................................ 32 Recording a Drum Sequence ...........................
Operation (Software) ................................................................................................................................ 52 General Features ................................................................................................................................. 53 Adjusting the Controls ..................................................................................................................... 53 Program Types ...................................................
Main Mode ......................................................................................................................................... 112 Q-Link Section ............................................................................................................................... 113 Program Mode ............................................................................................................................................. 114 FX Mode ..............................................
Program Mixer Mode ........................................................................................................................ 150 Show/Hide Buttons ....................................................................................................................... 151 Routing .......................................................................................................................................... 152 Levels ....................................................................
Next Sequence Mode ....................................................................................................................... 168 Triggering Sequences................................................................................................................................... 169 Sequence Playlist .......................................................................................................................... 169 Pad Bank Section ..................................................
Sample Edit Mode ............................................................................................................................. 181 Waveform Display ......................................................................................................................... 183 Trim Mode ..................................................................................................................................... 185 Edit Section..............................................................
Pad Mute Mode ................................................................................................................................. 210 Pad Mute ....................................................................................................................................... 211 Pad Group ..................................................................................................................................... 213 Project Information ...............................................
Appendix ................................................................................................................................................. 238 Keyboard Shortcuts .......................................................................................................................... 238 File Menu ....................................................................................................................................... 239 Edit Menu ...............................................
Glossary ............................................................................................................................................. 274 Trademarks and Licenses ................................................................................................................ 280 Addendum for MPC v1.8 ........................................................................................................................ 281 Addendum for MPC v1.9 .............................................
Introduction Thanks for choosing the MPC! Fusing Akai Professional's legendary MPC layout and workflow with the power of your computer, MPC software is an unrivaled instrument for music production. MPC Renaissance is a fully integrated hardware-software system, allowing you to create using classic hardware controls and an integrated pop-up display, while its exclusive MPC software empowers you with unprecedented, expandable production capabilities on your Mac or PC.
About This User Guide This manual was written to help you get familiar with the MPC hardware and software. For consistency and to help prevent confusion, the terminology throughout is based on the MPC parameter names. You will find the various terms explained in the Appendix > Glossary chapter at the end of this manual. We also used a uniform set of symbols to show topics of particular interest or significance: Information: Important or helpful information on a given topic.
Important Notes • Read the included Akai Professional Safety & Warranty Manual before using the MPC hardware. • Before getting started and connecting devices to the MPC hardware or turning the hardware on/off, make sure all devices are switched off. • Before connecting the MPC hardware to your computer, install the drivers and software. Visit akaipro.com to download the latest versions (recommended), or insert the included DVD. Refer to the Installation section for more information.
From a downloaded installer file: 1. Open the folder where the downloaded .zip file is located. 2. Double-click the file to extract it. 3. Double-click the MPC installer icon. This launches a special installation program. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. Important: After installing the MPC software, you need to unlock the program on your computer. Please refer to Unlocking the MPC Software. Mac® OS X® From a DVD: 1.
Unlocking the MPC Software Follow these steps to unlock the MPC software before using it. 1. Connect your MPC hardware to a USB port on your computer. If you are using MPC Renaissance, connect it to a power source, too. 2. Power on the MPC hardware. 3. Open the MPC software. 4. In the dialogue box that appears, click Unlock Now. 5. Enter your information in the window that appears. 6.
MPC Hardware Overview This chapter explains the features and functions of your MPC hardware: the MPC Renaissance or the MPC Studio.
Navigation and Data Entry Controls 1. Display: This LCD shows all the information relevant to MPC Renaissance's current operation. Much of this information is also shown in the software. Use the Cursor Buttons to navigate through the display, and use the Data Dial, and -/+ buttons to adjust the currently selected setting/parameter. Use the Mode buttons to change what page is shown, and use the Function Buttons to change what tab is shown. 2.
11. Pad Bank Buttons: These 4 buttons switch among Pad Banks A–H. Between these 8 banks with 16 pads per bank, you can access up to 128 MIDI events using the pads. 12. Pad Assign / Pad Copy: Press this button to assign a sample to a pad. In the display, the 4 x 4 grid that appears represents the 16 pads. Use the Cursor Buttons to navigate through the grid, and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select a Program (when the Program field is highlighted) or a sample (when a pad is highlighted).
Mode / View Controls 16. Shift: Hold this button down to access some buttons' secondary functions (indicated by orange writing). You can also double-press it to "latch" it for a few seconds. To unlatch it, press it once more or wait a few seconds for it to unlatch automatically. 17. Main / Track: Press this button to enter Main Mode in the display and software. Hold down Shift and press this button to enter Track View Mode in the display and software. 18.
27. Window / Full Screen: When this button is lit, it means the selected field in the display contains additional functions; press this button to access them. Use the Function Buttons, Cursor Buttons, and Data Dial or -/+ buttons to execute (or cancel) these additional functions. Hold Shift and press this button to switch between Full Screen and Half Screen Modes in the software. In Full Screen Mode, the workspace occupies the whole window.
39. << / >> (Start / End): Use these buttons to move the audio pointer left/right, one bar at a time. Hold Locate and press one of these buttons to move the audio pointer to the start or end of the Sequence Grid. 40. Locate: Hold this button down to activate the secondary functions of the < / > and << / >> buttons (i.e., |< / >| and Start / End, respectively). 41. Erase: As a Sequence is playing, hold this button down and press a pad to delete the note event for that pad at the current playback position.
Front Panel 1. Footswitch Inputs: Connect optional 1/4" TS footswitches to these inputs. 2. Mix Knob: Use this knob to adjust the balance between the Main and Assign signals in your headphones. The Main signal is the Stereo Outs. The Assign signal is the Assignable Mix Outs 1 and 2. 3. Headphones: Connect your headphones (not included) to one of these standard TRS outputs (1/8" or 1/4"). Use the Mix Knob to determine what signal is heard in the headphones. 4.
6. Stereo Out: Connect these 1/4" TRS outputs to your speaker system (not included). The signal sent out of these outputs is the main mix. In the MPC software, you can set what is routed to these outputs in the Program Mixer tab, by selecting 1,2 as the Out for one pad or multiple pads. 7. Assignable Mix Out: Connect these 1/4" TRS outputs to an external mixer (not included). The signal sent from these outputs is full-volume (0 dB).
MPC Studio Top Panel 3 13 4 1 2 5 16 16 16 16 17 12 6 6 6 6 6 12 18 19 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 33 34 35 36 37 12 12 6 22 15 21 5 47 14 10 8 23 5 7 32 11 46 43 43 45 44 44 20 41 42 40 38 39 25
Power and I/O 1. Computer USB Port: Use the included USB cable to connect this high-retention-force USB port to an available USB port on your computer. This connection allows MPC Studio to send/receive MIDI and audio data to/from the MPC software. 2. Power Switch: Turns MPC Studio's power on/off. 3. MIDI In: Use the included 1/8"-MIDI adapter and a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI Out of an optional external MIDI device to the MIDI In of MPC Studio. 4.
Pad and Q-Link Knob Controls 12. Q-Link Knobs: Use these touch-sensitive knobs to adjust various parameters and settings. The knobs can control one column of parameters at a time. Use the Scroll Knob above them to change which column or row of parameters they currently control. In modes where the display shows a "4 x 4" array of parameters, you will see an additional indicator on the top or left side of the array, indicating the currently controlled row/column.
17. Pad Assign / Pad Copy: Press this button to assign a sample to a pad. In the display, the 4 x 4 grid that appears represents the 16 pads. Use the Cursor Buttons to navigate through the grid, and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select a Program (when the Program field is highlighted) or a sample (when a pad is highlighted). You can use this button to copy the samples and parameters from one pad to another. Hold Shift and press this button to open the Copy Pad window.
23. Browser / Save: Press this button to view the File Browser in the display. Hold down Shift and press this button to save the current Project (including its samples, Programs, Sequences, and Songs). 24. Prog Edit / Q-Link: Press this button to enter Program Edit Mode in the display and software. Hold down Shift and press this button to assign a parameter to a Q-Link Knob, use the Cursor Buttons to select the desired Q-Link Knob, then use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the desired parameter. 25.
34. Sequence / Folder 2: Press this button to view only Sequence files in the File Browser. Hold down Shift and press this button to select the File Browser's Folder 2 shortcut. 35. Program / Folder 3: Press this button to view only Program files in the File Browser. Hold down Shift and press this button to select the File Browser's Folder 3 shortcut. 36. Sample / Folder 4: Press this button to view only Sample files in the File Browser.
Quick Start / Tutorial This chapter should help you to familiarize yourself with some basic MPC features. To get the most out of this tutorial, we recommend reproducing each of the described steps. The MPC hardware's display reflects what it is controlling in the software, but due to space and character limitations, the hardware display is slightly different (e.g., parameter names may be abbreviated, the layout may be different or spread across multiple tabs, etc.).
Creating a Drum Kit Let's start by making a simple drum kit. The Browser display of the MPC hardware. Hardware: 1. Press the Browser button and use Cursor Buttons to navigate to where your drum sounds are located: • Use the Up or Down Cursor Buttons to move through a list • Use the Right Cursor Button to enter a selected folder, • Use the Left Cursor Button to go to the previous folder. 2. To preview a selected sound, press the F3 button (Play).
Recording a Drum Sequence Let's record a drum Sequence. Hardware: 1. Press the Rec button to activate Record Mode. 2. To start the actual recording, press the Play button. The pre-count will count one measure before the software starts to record. We recommend recording only one sound (pad) at a time, especially if you are not familiar with playing on the pads. 3. Play a simple bass drum pattern. The note events you just recorded will automatically be placed in the grid (in this case, on 16th notes).
Organizing Samples and Editing Note Events We recommend naming and editing your files before recording any further. Let's use the software, which is easier for editing. The collection of drum samples you loaded earlier (and their respective pad assignments) are arranged in a Program. Let's rename the exisiting Program as we'll want to create more Programs later on. Rightclick Program 001 in the Project Information panel, and select Rename. Name the Program (e.g., Drums), and click OK.
In the grid, you can see your recorded note events. Click and drag a note to move it to a different position. By default, you can position notes only by quantization values, defined by the Time Correct value. You can change the value by clicking the Time Correct drop-down menu. We recommend working with 8 or 16 values. Hold down your keyboard's Shift key and use the arrow keys to nudge events without restricting ("snapping") them to the grid.
Making Basic Sound Edits Let's make sure the samples are properly tuned and have good levels. Hardware: 1. Press the Prog Mix button to enter Program Mixer Mode. 2. Press the F1 button (Level) to control the volume for each pad. You can use the hardware's Q-Link Knobs as well as the corresponding faders in the software. Adjust the levels of each pad to suit your taste. 3. Press F2 (Pan) to control the stereo panning for each pad.
Recording a Bass Track Let's try recording a bass line. Unlike a drum kit, it's important to be able to play and record a bass sound chromatically, so this will be slightly different than setting up the drum kit. Adding a bass line over the drum part means we need to add a new Track. A Track is simply a layer of a Sequence; you can have multiple Tracks in a single Sequence (e.g., a drum Track, a bass Track, a piano Track, etc.), and they all play simultaneously when you play the Sequence.
Let's continue to set up the Keygroup Program: 1. Click the Program Edit tab to enter Program Edit Mode. Hardware: Press the Prog Edit button to enter Program Edit Mode. 2. In the Layer section, click the Layer 1 drop-down menu and select the bass sample you just loaded (you'll see your drum samples in this list, as well). Because you're working with a Keygroup Program instead of a Drum Program, this sample is now playable across all pads.
Let's record that bass line now. Prepare your recording as described earlier, and record some bass notes. You can edit your recording just like we've done earlier.
Once you've recorded it, let's tweak it a bit in the Filter section of the Program Edit menu. For this, let's use the MPC hardware. Hardware: 1. Press Prog Edit to enter Program Edit Mode, and press F4 (Flt Env) to enter the Filter page. 2. Turn Q-Link Knob 13 to select a filter for the Filter Type field. We recommend working with the Low 4 type, to start. 3. Turn the Cutoff and Reso (Resonance) knobs (Q-Link Knobs Q14 and Q15) until your bass sample sounds perfect to you. 4.
Creating a Song This section explains how to make a Song out of your Sequences. Before starting, make sure that you have recorded some Sequences (which we described earlier in this chapter)! Click the Song tab to open Song Mode. Each of the Sequences you've created in this Project is assigned to a pad. Click and drag a pad with the desired Sequence onto the Sequence Playlist to the left of the pads.
Other Features Explained This chapter describes various advanced features. These sections explain how to perform these operations by using mostly the MPC hardware, but all of them are also possible in the software. For a fuller explanation of these features, please refer to their corresponding sections in the Operation (Software) chapter.
Drum Loops and Chop Mode Modern music producers often use drum loops to add grit and nuance to programmed beats. This section explains how to use Sample Edit Mode to work with drum loops. Use the File Browser to locate a drum loop on your hard disk (the loop does not have to match the tempo of anything in the Project). Double-click the desired drum loop to add it to the current Program. Hardware: 1. Press the Sample Edit button to enter Sample Edit Mode. 2.
Hardware: Now, let's create a new Program containing all of these slices as individual samples. It will also automatically create corresponding note events to play back these slices sequentially. 1. Press F5 (Convert) to enter the Convert Slices page. 2.
You can also edit the note events of the drum loop slices—enter Main Mode to do this. A new Track with the note events playing their corresponding slices has been automatically created. Click the T Correct drop-down menu to use Time Correct to quantize the note events so they fall on exact, even time intervals. You can also rearrange the note events, thus creating a new playback order for the slices. You can also edit each slice or sample in Program Edit Mode.
Pad Muting and Track Muting Pad Mute Mode and Track Mute Mode let you silence different pads and Tracks to see what the Sequence sounds like without those samples or parts. The Pad Mute display of the MPC hardware. Hardware: 1. Select your basic drum Track. 2. Press and hold the Shift button and press the Track Mute / Pad Mute button to enter Pad Mute Mode. 3. Press Play to play the Sequence. 4. Mute a pad by pressing it once. The muted pad will be lit red.
You can also mute entire Tracks by using the similar Track Mute function. The Track Mute display of the MPC hardware. Hardware: 1. Press the Track Mute button to enter Track Mute Mode. 2. Press Play to play the Sequence. 3. Mute a Track by pressing the corresponding pad once. The muted pad will be lit red. You can mute multiple pads at the same time. 4.
Sample Recording This section describes recording new samples of your own, which you can use in your Projects. Important: To record any audio, you need to connect an audio source to your MPC Renaissance or to your computer's audio interface. MPC Studio users: This section describes recording using MPC Renaissance as your sound card. MPC Studio cannot be used in this way, but you can use a separate audio interface connected to your computer to record audio. The Sample Record display of the MPC hardware.
Sample Editing Select the sample in the Project Information and right-click it. In the drop-down menu, select Edit. Sample Edit Mode will open. Hardware: 1. Press F2 (Trim) to enter Trim Mode. 2. Use Q-Link Knobs Q1, Q5, Q9, or Q13 to define a suitable start point for your sample. 3. Use Q-Link Knobs Q2, Q6, Q10, or Q14, to define a suitable end point for your sample. 4. To hear your edits, press Pad A15 to play the sample from the new start point to the new end point.
Recording Automation with the Q-Link Knobs Automating various parameters is a good way to add some motion and dynamism to your Sequences. 1. In the software, click the Main Mode tab to open Main Mode. Press a pad that has a sample assigned to it. 2. In the Q-Link section, click the Prg button. 3. Turn Q-Link Knob Q1 to activate it for assignment. 4. Click the Pad menu and select the pad you pressed earlier. 5.
Using MPC as a Plugin If you're working with other audio software, you can use the MPC software as an instrument plugin (VST, AU, RTAS, or AAX format) within your host software. The MPC plugin offers the same features and functionality as the standalone software version but with some notable differences, which are discussed in the Operation (Plugin) chapter.
Operation (Software) This chapter explains the complete features and functions of the MPC software. Important: When using the MPC software as a plugin, its features and functions are very similar to how it is described in this chapter but with some notable differences, discussed in the Operation (Plugin) chapter.
General Features Adjusting the Controls Tip: If you use a computer mouse with scroll wheel, you can use it to affect some of these controls: place your mouse pointer over the control and use the scroll wheel to change it. If you hold down your keyboard's Shift key while doing this, you can increase the resolution. The MPC software uses the following types of control elements: Knobs To set a value, click the knob, hold the mouse button, and drag the knob up and down.
Switches Switches are represented by "LEDs." If a function is active, its LED will be lit red. To activate a function, click it. Any other LEDs in its set will be automatically deactivated. Buttons Click a button to activate or deactivate its function. Buttons are red when they are activated. Envelope Displays Click the respective "handle" of an envelope and drag into the desired direction to change an envelope parameter.
Program Types About Programs A Program is a file that contains (1) a list of all samples used and (2) the settings for each sample (i.e., pad assignments, loop points, pitch tuning, effects, etc.) Program Edit Mode lets you edit and assign samples. A single Project can hold a total of 128 Programs.
To load samples into a Drum Program, click and drag a sample onto the desired pad (in the pad display or its row in the grid) from one of the following locations: • the File Browser • the Project Information • your computer's Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS X) The sample will be assigned to the corresponding pad. Tip: By following the same process described earlier, you can also load an entire folder of samples into a Program by dragging the folder onto a pad.
Keygroup Programs To create a Keygroup Program in the software: 1. Click the Main Mode tab to enter Main Mode. 2. In the Track Section, click the Type drop-down menu and select Keygroup. 3. If the Project does not contain a Keygroup Program yet, a new Keygroup Program will automatically be added to the Project. If the Project already contains a Keygroup Program, click the + button next to the Program dropdown menu. 4.
In the software, click the Program Edit tab. With the Sample drop-down menus for Layer 2 to Layer 4, you can assign up to four samples (loaded into the Project Information beforehand) to create velocity layers or make other layer-dependent adjustments. Hardware: Press the Prog Edit button. Press F2 (Samples). With the Q9, Q5, and Q1 Q-Link Knobs, you can load additional samples to your existing one. These samples are placed in up to four Layers.
Plugin Programs A Plugin Program lets you send your Tracks' MIDI data to a loaded plugin. This lets you set multiple Tracks to use the same plugin instead of loading an instance of a plugin on every Track (which can be cumbersome and CPU-intensive). To create a Plugin Program: 1. Click the Main Mode tab to enter Main Mode. 2. In the Track Section, click the Type drop-down menu and select Plugin. 3. If your Project already contains the desired plugin, click the Program drop-down menu to select it.
Hardware: To create a Plugin Program: 1. Press Main to enter Main Mode. 2. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Pgm field, and then press the Window button. 3. In the Edit Program window that appears, press F3 (New) to create a new Program. 4. Use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select Plugin as the Type, and then press F5 (Do It) to confirm or F4 (Cancel) to cancel. 5. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Plg field. 6.
To adjust the volume and panning of a Track using the Plugin Program, click the Track Mixer tab to enter Track Mixer Mode, and adjust that Track's volume slider or pan knob, respectively. (If the Track channel strips are not shown, click the Show Tracks icon on the left edge of the window.) By default, the volume and pan values will initially appear as ?, indicating the Program is not sending any volume or pan changes.
Tracks in Track Mixer Mode in the MPC hardware display. Programs in Track Mixer Mode in the MPC hardware display.
MIDI Programs To create a MIDI Program: 1. Click the Main Mode tab to enter Main Mode. 2. In the Track Section, click the Type drop-down menu and select Midi. 3. If the Project does not contain a MIDI Program yet, a new MIDI Program will automatically be added to the Project. If the Project already contains a MIDI Program, click the + button next to the Program drop-down menu. 4. Click the name in the Program drop-down menu, and enter an appropriate Program name.
Browsers File Browser The File Browser lets you navigate through your computer's internal and external hard disks to load samples, Sequences, Songs, etc. Using filter buttons and user-definable folders, you can easily adapt the File Browser to your preferred workflow. You can also preview (audition) your samples before loading them and set the preview volume. In the software, the File Browser is in the left area of the window.
You can filter the displayed files with the filter buttons. The selected buttons will light red. Click No Filt to switch the filter function off. Click Proj. to show only Project files. Click Seq. to show only Sequence files. Click Prog. to show only Program files. Click Sample to show only audio files. To load a Project, double-click its corresponding .xpj file in the File Browser.
With the Parent Directory arrow button (, in the software, to the right of the file path) you can exit the current folder. Hardware: Use the left and right Cursor Buttons to enter or exit a folder. In the software, the Preview button (horn icon) is located below the File Browser. Hardware: Press the F3 (Play) button to preview any selected audio sample. Important: Only audio samples can be previewed. Also, make sure that your audio hardware is connected properly to listen to the audio file.
Expansion Browser In the software, the Expansion browser contains any available MPC Expansions you have installed. To view the Expansion Browser, click the Expansion button, click the Expansion button located below the File Browser. To return to to the traditional File Browser, click it again. To select an Expansion plugin in the Expansion Browser, click its title. To view the available patches/presets of that Expansion plugin, click Patches below the Expansion title.
5. With the Plg field still selected, press the Window button. 6. Use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the desired preset, and then press F5 (Select) to confirm or F4 (Close) to cancel. You can also press F2 (AutoSel) to load each preset immediately as you select it. Selecting the Plg field in the Main Mode of the MPC hardware display. Preset selection for Plugin Programs in the MPC hardware display.
Mode Tab Section The Mode Tab Section contains tabs that let you switch between the software modes as well as further control for selecting Programs, Sequences, Songs, etc. depending on the selected mode tab on the left. This section is always visible. The different modes are described in detail in the following sections of this chapter. To select a mode within the software, click the corresponding tab. Hardware: To select a mode, press the corresponding button.
Depending on the selected mode, some Mode Tab Section menus and functions can change: Click the Program drop-down menu to select one of your Programs in the currently loaded Project. A Project can hold up to 128 Programs. The Program drop-down menu is available only when Program Edit or Program Mixer tab is selected. Hardware: Press the Prog Edit button and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select the desired Program. This can also be done in the Pgm field on the Main window.
Click the Global Automation button to switch Automation for all Programs between Off, Read (R), and Write (W). • Set this to Off to set all Programs to ignore automation data. If you have already recorded or entered automation, clicking the button will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and set it to Off by pressing and holding Shift on your computer keyboard while clicking the button.
Click the Auto Scroll button to switch between Follow, Page, and Off. • When set to Follow, depending on the zoom setting, the grid will scroll along in the background, keeping the position marker centered. • When set to Page, the grid display will "turn over" to follow the position marker. • When set to Off, the grid will not move at all. Click the View button to switch between Split View and Full-Screen View.
Transport Section The Transport Section contains various transport controls (for playback and recording) as well as bar and tempo displays, the master level, and a CPU meter. This section is always visible. The CPU meter shows the computer CPU usage of the actual project. Keep in mind that an excessive use of synthesis functions such as filter and effects will increase the CPU usage. Tip: If the CPU meter is very high, software response may slow down.
The bar and tempo display shows the actual position in bars, beats, and ticks. Hardware: To navigate to a particular position in a Sequence, you can use the < / > buttons to move one step at a time within a bar, or use the << / >> buttons to move one bar at a time. You can also press the Main button and use the Cursor Buttons to move between the bars, beats, and ticks values in the Now field (at the top of the display) and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to change the value.
Note: The transport controls can be found on the MPC hardware as well as in the software, so the descriptions below apply to both. Click the Rec button to put the software in Record Mode. The button's LED will light up red indicate the Record process is armed. To start recording, press Play or Play Start. When the Sequence starts to loop in Record Mode, it will switch to Overdub Mode. Overdub allows you to add data to the existing data on the selected Track. It is additive and non-destructive.
Level controls the software's master output level. MPC Renaissance users: The software's Level knob controls the volume level of the audio before the MPC Renaissance's Main Volume dial. The audio will then be sent out of the Stereo Outs on the rear panel. The Vintage display directly below the output level meter indicates the selected emulation mode. MPC Renaissance: Press the Vintage Mode button to switch between the different audio quality emulations.
Grid View The grid is where you record, program, and edit your Sequences and arrange your Songs. The grid is visible in Main Mode, Program Edit Mode, Program Mixer Mode, Pad Mute Mode, and Step Sequencer Mode. Furthermore, the grid has two different appearances, depending on the selected Program type; Drum Programs appear one way while Keygroup Programs, MIDI Programs, and Plugin Programs appear another way.
For Drum Programs, the left column shows you all available pads in a vertical view with their corresponding data. For Keygroup Programs, Plugin Programs, and MIDI Programs, the left column shows a vertical "piano roll" keyboard. Use the vertical window scroll bar right of the grid windows to move up and down. Under the scroll bar is a slider that can adjust the "vertical zoom." Below the grid is a similar scroll bar and slider for horizontal scrolling and zooming.
In the top-left corner of the grid are two buttons to switch between Draw Mode and Select Mode: • By default, Draw Mode is active, indicated by the Pencil Tool icon. You can draw notes by clicking the corresponding position in the grid. You can also use it to draw automation curves in the velocity/automation lane underneath the grid. • The Select Mode is indicated by the Select Box icon and lets you select one or more notes by drawing a frame around them. Selected notes will have a white border.
In the upper-right corner of the Grid View, there are some menus and parameters you can adjust: • Click the Track drop-down menu to select one of the Tracks to view in the grid. • Click and drag the Total Bars field up or down to change the selected Track's length. The default setting is 2 bars. The maximum length is 999 bars. • Click the Time Correct drop-down menu to select the note value to quantize to. Default is 1/16 (16th notes).
Across the top of the grid is a blue strip that indicates where you are in the Sequence: • The number in the upper half is the bar number. • The number in the lower half (of the first beat of the first bar) is the time signature. To change the time signature, double-click in the measure bar and enter the desired signature in the drop-down window. • The red arrows () indicate the start and the end of a Sequence.
Entering and Editing Note Events You can easily insert note events and data with your computer mouse. Hardware: Press the Rec button to record-arm the software, and press the Play or Play Start button when you're ready to record. The metronome will pre-count one measure before the recording starts. Press the pads to record note events in the Sequence. Press the Stop button when you're finished recording.
Click and drag a note event to move it to another position (when multiple note events are selected, you can move them all simultaneously). You can position note events only on quantization values defined by the set Time Correct value (indicated by vertical lines in the grid), but if you hold down your keyboard's Shift key while moving a note event, you can drag it to any position you like, regardless of the selected Time Correct value.
Use the velocity lane to edit note events' velocities. Click a note event in the grid or place the mouse over its velocity bar in the lane. A small round handle will appear at the top of the velocity bar. Click and drag the round handle up or down to change the velocity. To increase the resolution, hold Control (Windows) or (Mac OS X) on your computer keyboard while dragging. You can also edit multiple note events' velocities simultaneously.
Recording Automation Tip: To make automating certain parameters easier, assign certain parameters to the Q-Link Knobs as described in the next section rather than adjusting them in their respective modes. We also recommend using your MPC hardware (especially the Q-Link Knobs) whenever possible. 1. Determine where the parameter you want to automate is—Main Mode, Program Mixer Mode, or Track Mixer Mode—and click the Main Mode, Program Mixer Mode, or Track Mixer Mode tab to enter that mode. 2.
Hardware: To record automation: 1. Determine where the parameter you want to automate is—Main Mode, Program Mixer Mode, or Track Mixer Mode—and press Main, Prog Mix, or Shift + Prog Mix/Track Mix to enter that mode. 2. Use the Function Buttons to select the desired tab or window (if available), and/or use the Cursor Buttons to select the parameter you want to automate. 3. If the desired parameter is Program- or pad-related, press the Q-Link Trigger button until it flashes (you may need to press it twice).
Hardware: To assign certain automatable parameters to the Q-Link Knobs: 1. Press the Shift + Prog Edit / Q-Link buttons. 2. Touch a Q-Link Knob so that its field is selected in the display. 3. To automate an effect parameter: • Press F2 (FX Q). • Press F4 (Edit), and then use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select an effect (which must be already loaded). The available effects will be ordered by pad insert effects, Program insert effects, send effects, and master effects.
Manually Entering and Editing Automation In the software, follow these steps to manually enter or edit automation in Grid View: Tip: You can manually enter or edit automation regardless of the setting of the Automation button on the Program Channel strip. 1. If you want to manually enter or edit automation for a pad in a Drum Program, select the pad whose automation you want to enter or edit. Otherwise, skip to the next step. 2.
List View In List View, you can perform the same operations as in Grid View but with a different interface/workflow. List View is visible in Main Mode, Program Edit Mode, Program Mixer Mode, Pad Mute Mode, and Step Sequencer Mode. If you are not already in List View, enter it by doing any of the following: • Click the View Menu and select List Editor. • Click the List View button just below the Mode Tab. • Press Shift+L keyboard.
• Velocity: The velocity of the note event with a velocity bar of corresponding color and length below it. • Mod Type: The type of modifier used on the note event via automation. See the Mod description on this page in Entering and Editing Events to learn more. • Value: The value of the modifier automation. See the Value description on this page in Entering and Editing Events to learn more.
In the upper-right corner of the List View, there are some menus and parameters you can adjust: • Click the Track drop-down menu to select one of the Tracks to view in the grid. • Click and drag the Total Bars field up or down to change the selected Track's length. The default setting is 2 bars. The maximum length is 999 bars. • Click the Time Correct drop-down menu to select the note value to quantize to. Default is 1/16 (16th notes).
In the software, the Pencil Tool and Select Box Tool will be greyed out as they are disabled in List View. You can enter notes in List View only by playing the pads, but List View offers a different way to edit your notes than in Grid View. As in Grid View, you can do the following in List View: • Click a note event to hear its corresponding pad. • Delete a event if it is selected by pressing Delete or Backspace on your computer keyboard.
To edit a specific event, double-click it, and a small window will appear with a combination of the following options, depending on the Type: • Time: The position of the event in bars, beats, and ticks (identical notation to the clock in the Transport Section), each in a different field. To change the value, either click and drag a field up or down, or click it and enter a value using your computer keyboard.
Entering Automation To manually enter automation in List View, follow the same process described in Entering and Editing Events above, but instead of Note, select the Track, Program, or Pad parameter you want to automate. You can enter automation regardless of the setting of the Automation button on the Program Channel strip.
Software Menus Some of the software's menu items let you access features that cannot be accessed with the MPC hardware. Important: • The software menu organization differs between Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. • When loaded as plugin, the Menu button is the arrow icon located to the left of the Main Mode tab. File Menu New Project creates an empty Project. Use this command when you want to start a Project from scratch. New From Template loads a user-defined Project template.
Save All Programs saves all Programs of your Project. Save Current Program saves only the current Program. Save Current Sequence saves only the current Sequence. Save MIDI Control Scene saves your control map as set in MIDI Control Mode. See the MIDI Control Mode chapter for more information about creating a control map. Export lets you export your Project or Sequence data in various formats: a single Project Archive file, MPC formats, a standard MIDI file, or as an audio mixdown file.
• As Audio Mixdown exports the Sequence or Song as an audio file (if you are in Song Mode, this will affect the entire Song; if you are in any other mode, this will affect the current Sequence only). You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+E (Windows) or +Shift+E (Mac OS X) on your computer keyboard.
Exit closes the software. If you have not saved any changes made to a currently open project, it will prompt you to do so before quitting. Mac OS X users: The Exit command is named Quit MPC and located in the MPC menu. Edit Menu Undo undoes the last action you performed. When there are no actions left to undo, the Undo command will be unavailable and appear greyed out. Redo undoes the Undo command.
Paste lets you to paste the contents of the clipboard at the position marker's current location. Select All selects all note events in the current Sequence and Track. Deselect All deselects all note events in the current Sequence and Track. Sequence provides options related to editing the current Sequence: • Clear erases all Tracks and their note events from the current Sequence. After selecting this, click Clear to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel it. This operation cannot be undone.
Preferences opens the Preferences window, which contains many customizable elements of the software. Click the corresponding tab on the left to select it (e.g., MIDI or Sequencer). Click the OK button to close the Preferences window. Preferences will be automatically saved. Mac OS X users: Preferences is located in the MPC menu.
o o Audio Buffer Size: Click this drop-down meny to set your audio system's latency. Lower values result in a more immediate playing response but also more CPU consumption. If you are working with larger Projects, this may cause audible clicks and pops. Higher values are more CPU-friendly but can produce more delay between pressing a pad and hearing the corresponding sound. The ideal audio buffer size also depends on your computer's CPU performance.
• Preferences: Auto Load/Save Tab o Auto Load File: Click the … button to select a Project (.xpj) or Program (.xpm) on your hard disk to load automatically anytime the software opens. Tip: You can "bypass" or ignore the template by opening the MPC software while holding down your computer's Shift key. This will open an empty Project instead of your selected Auto Load file. • o Template File: Click the … button to select a Sequence template to load automatically anytime you create a new Sequence.
• o Record Pad Aftertouch Events: If this option is enabled, pad aftertouch data (from MPC hardware's pressure-sensitive pads) can be recorded. o Place Events recorded during Count-In at start-point: If this option is enabled, pressing a pad during the recording's pre-count will record that note event at the start of the recording. (This is how the MPC3000 worked.
• o Footswitch 1 and Footswitch 2: Click these drop-down menus to select the functionality of footswitches connected to your MPC hardware. You can select either transport commands (e.g., Play or Stop) or trigger commands for pads and the Function Buttons. o Pad Response: View the Velocity and Aftertouch meters when pressing the pads to help gauge the force and pressure you are applying to them. These meters are useful when adjusting the Pad Threshold and Pad Sensitivity parameters (above).
• Preferences: Registration Tab Here, you can view your hardware registration information (or unlock your MPC software by clicking Unlock Now, if you have not already done so). • Preferences: Other Tab Here, you can set various other MIDI and audio parameters. Hardware: Press Shift + Song and then press F1 (Prefs). Use the Cursor Buttons to select the corresponding option, and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to change it.
o Vintage Mode: Click this drop-down menu to select an audio quality emulation for the software's audio output. The software can emulate the particular sonic qualities of, for example, the MPC3000 or MPC60, or of course no emulation (None). o Sampling Bit Depth: Click this drop-down menu to set the bit depth of the audio recorded from a sample. o Multi Process Threads: Click and drag the number in this field up or down to set how many cores of your computer's processor will be used to render audio.
Time Correct Menu Here, you can select Quantization settings. Apply quantizes the currently selected note events. If no note events are selected, nothing will be quantized. Settings: Click this to open the Time Correct window with the following functions. You can also open this window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) or +Shift+K (Mac OS X) on your computer keyboard. • Time Division: Click a box to select the note value to quantize to. Default is 1/16.
Lengths: Click this to open the Time Correct Note Lengths window. Its fields are identical to the Time Correct Settings windows described above but with the addition of a Type drop-down menu. Click the Type drop-down menu and select one of the following options: • End: The end points of note events will be extended or cropped so they align with the closest Time Division marker in the grid. The start points will remain untouched.
Tools Menu Delete Unused Samples deletes any samples not assigned to a pad from the Project. Important: The samples will be deleted immediately from the project. The software will not ask for confirmation or allow you to cancel, but you can undo this action (i.e., with the Undo command or hardware button), if needed. Tip: You can delete unused samples by clicking the trash can icon in the upper-right corner of the Project Information, as well.
View Menu Mode lets you select any of the 12 modes as an alternative to the mode tabs above it. Tip: On your computer keyboard, press and hold Ctrl (Windows) or (Mac OS X) and then press 1-10, , or = to select a mode. Editor Full Screen lets you switch between Split View and Full-Screen View. This is the same as clicking the View button in the upper-right corner o fthe window. File Browser lets you show or hide the File Browser.
Help Menu MPC Help opens this PDF manual. Mac OS X users: About MPC and Check for updates… are located in the MPC menu. MPC Release Notes opens the documentation for changes and improvements in the current release. Set Up MMC Control opens a PDF with instructions on how to allow your MPC hardware's transport buttons to send MMC (MIDI Machine Control) messages from the MPC plugin to your host software. This allows you to use your MPC hardware to control your host software's transport.
Main Mode Main Mode gives you an overview of the most-used functions. To enter Main Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Main Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Main. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+1 (Windows) or +1 (Mac OS X). Hardware: Press the Main / Track button. Important: The MPC hardware cannot display as many parameters at the same time as the software.
Q-Link Section Here, you can set the functionality of the Q-Link Knobs. The Q-Link section can work in two modes: Program Mode (Prg) and FX Mode. • Program Mode: The 16 Q-Link Knobs control specific Program parameters of the selected Program. • FX Mode: The 16 Q-Link Knobs can be assigned to the parameters of used effects. By switching between these two modes, you are able to define two parameters for each knob. This offers maximum flexibility when controlling parameters in real time.
Program Mode Click the Prg button to activate the Q-Link Knobs' Program Mode. To assign a parameter to a Q-Link Knob in the software: 1. Click a Q-Link Knob and move the mouse to select it for assigning. The Qlink field will show the number of the selected knob. Hardware: Touch the top of a Q-Link Knob to select it. 2. Click the Trig drop-down menu and select Min or Max.
o Qlink Pan controls the sample's panning position in the stereo field. o Level controls the sample's volume level. o Env Attack controls the attack time of the Amp Envelope. o Env Decay controls the decay time of the Amp Envelope. o Env Release controls the release time of the Amp Envelope o Send 1 to 4 controls the corresponding FX send levels for the selected pad. If Midi is selected in the Instrument Section, The Q-Link Knobs' Program Mode will look slightly different.
FX Mode Click the FX button to activate the Q-Link Knobs' FX Mode. To assign a parameter to a Q-Link Knob in the software: 1. Click a Q-Link Knob and move the mouse to select it for assigning. The Qlink field will show the number of the selected knob. Hardware: Touch the top of a Q-Link Knob to select it. 2. Click the Trig drop-down menu and select Min or Max.
Pad Bank Section The Pad Bank section lets you select a pad to edit (16 pads across eight banks). In the software, click the desired pad to select it. To select a different bank, use the Bank buttons above the pads to specify a bank from A to H. Hardware: Press a pad to select it. To select a different bank, use the Pad Bank buttons to specify a bank from A to H.
Sequence Section The Sequence section gives you an overview of parameters relevant to the current Sequence. In the software, click the Sequence drop-down menu and select a Sequence or click the icon in the lower-right corner of the drop-down menu and select an unused Sequence from the list that appears. Hardware: Move the cursor to Seq and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select the desired Sequence. Click the Loop button to switch the Sequence's loop function On or Off.
Click the BPM field to set the desired tempo in beats per minute. Hardware: Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Bpm field, and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to set the desired tempo in BPM (beats per minute). Click the Swing field to change the groove of your Sequence. Values range from 50% to 75% and let you "shuffle" your beats—from subtle to extreme. Hardware: Press F1 (T.C) to locate the Swing parameter. It can be changed by using the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to set the desired value.
Track Section The Track section gives you an overview of various parameters regarding the selected Track. In the software, click the Track drop-down menu and select the desired Track. Hardware: Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Trk field, and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select the desired Track. You can also press F3 (Track-) or F4 (Track+) to switch to the desired Track or type in the number with the number keys.
Drum Programs and Keygroup Programs Click the Program drop-down menu to select which Program you want to use. To create a new Program, click the + icon next to the drop-down menu. MIDI Programs When the Track's Program Type is set to Midi, the Track Section will look slightly different from other Programs: Click the Port drop-down menu and select the desired MIDI port. This is where the Sequence data will be sent.
Hardware: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select Port and then use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the desired MIDI port. This is where the Sequence data will be sent. 2. Use the Cursor Buttons to select Ch and then use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the MIDI channel (from 1 to 16) you want to send MIDI messages over. 3. Use the Cursor Buttons to select PC and then press the Window button. 4.
Plugin Programs When the Track's Program Type is set to Plugin, the Track Section will look slightly different from other Programs: If your Project already contains the desired plugin, click the Program drop-down menu to select it. In the window that appears, you can click checkboxes to re-order your list of plugins: Sort by type or Sort by manufacturer. Click Select to load the selected plugin or Close to cancel the operation.
Program Channel Strip The channel strip for the Program lets you use mixer controls directly from Main Mode. This is the same as the Program Channel strip shown on the right-most side of the window in Program Mixer Mode. Tip: See Effects > Overview to learn more about how insert and send effects work in the software. • Insert: Click this to view the insert effect slots for the Program. • Send: Click this to view the levels for the send effects for the Program.
• Automation: Click the Automation button on Program Channel strip to switch its Automation between Off, Read (R), and Write (W). o When set to Off, the Program will ignore automation data. If you have already recorded or entered automation, clicking the button will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and set it to Off by pressing and holding Shift on your computer keyboard while clicking the button.
Project Information The Project Information shows the Project name as well as all Programs and samples loaded into the software's current project. You can simply drag and drop a sample from the Project Information onto any pad to assign it. How a sample can be played and edited depends on the Program. Refer to General Features > Program Types for more information.
The Programs list displays all available Programs in the Project. Click the arrow next to it to expand or collapse the list. Next to each Program in the list, an icon will indicate whether it is a Drum Program, Keygroup Program, MIDI Program, or Plugin Program (for Plugin Programs, the plugin name is in grey on the right side of the column). Right-click a Program to open a menu with the following options: • Duplicate makes a copy of the selected Program and adds a -1 to the Program name.
The Sequences list displays all available Sequences in the Project. Click the arrow next to it to expand or collapse the list. Under each Sequence is a list of Tracks used in that Sequence. Next to each Track, an icon will indicate whether it uses a Drum Program, Keygroup Program, MIDI Program, or Plugin Program (for Plugin Programs, the plugin name is in grey on the right side of the column). The Sample column displays the available samples.
Program Edit Mode Program Edit Mode contains all parameters for editing your Programs. For Drum Programs and Keygroup Programs, this mode includes the parameters of each Layer as well as all synthesis parameters and insert effect settings. These two Program types will have different parameters due to how they are set up (Drum Programs have fewer parameters than Keygroup Programs). For MIDI Programs or Plugin Programs, skip to Program Edit Mode for MIDI Programs and Plugin Programs for more information.
To enter Program Edit Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Program Edit Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Program Edit. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+2 (Windows) or +2 (Mac OS X). Hardware: To enter Program Edit, press the Prog Edit button. Drum Programs: To select a Drum Program for editing, select the desired pad first.
Master Section In the Master Section, you can set the playback mode and tuning for the overall Program. Mode sets the playback mode for the Program's pads. In Mono Mode, only one pad will sound at a time. If a pad is played while another (or the same one) is still playing its sample(s), the new pad will immediately mute all other currently playing pads in that Program. In Poly Mode, several pads can be triggered at the same time (limited only by the total number of voices available).
Click the Automation button to switch the Program's Automation between Off, Read (R), and Write (W). • When set to Off, the Program will ignore automation data. If you have already recorded or entered automation, clicking the button will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and set it to Off by pressing and holding Shift on your computer keyboard while clicking the button.
Simultaneous Play Section (Drum Programs Only) The Simultaneous Play section lets you set up to four pads that can be triggered by pressing one pad only. Use this function to trigger a stack of sounds (e.g., layered bass drums). Hardware: To select the pads for Simultaneous Play, press the F1 button (Master). Use Q-Link Knobs Q5–Q8 to select the corresponding pads. This function is available only in Drum Programs.
Keygroup Play Modes Section (Keygroup Programs Only) Here, you can set the behavior for each pad's samples in a Keygroup Program. Mute Groups let you assign the selected pad to one of the 32 available groups. When pads assigned to the same Mute Group receive MIDI notes, the last pad played will silence all other pads in that Mute Group. Layer Play determines how multiple samples assigned to the same pad are played: • Cycle (Cyc): Each time the pad is played, it will play the next layer's sample.
Key Group Section (Keygroup Program Only) Here, you can set additional Keygroup Program parameters. Tips: • The loaded sample's root key will determine where the original pitch is located. For example, if the root key is C3, the original sample is located at Pad D13. • In a Keygroup Program, you can also use the pads on your MPC hardware to play samples assigned to Keygroups.
Note Range lets you restrict the key range used for a sample's playback. Only notes with a key number higher or equal (Lo) or lower and equal (Hi) to the selected value will trigger a sound. The settings for Lo and Hi are also shown in the virtual keyboard in the Edit Layers section. Tip: Set the Lo parameter to A0 and the Hi parameter to C8 to emulate the range of a standard 88-key piano.
Edit Layers Section Each pad can trigger up to four samples, which are assigned in four individual layers. Each layer has separate parameters for Sample, Semi, Fine, Level, Pan and Velocity. Keygroup Programs also have a Root Note parameter. Note: For easier recognition, Drum Program controls are colored in blue while Keygroup Programs are colored in red. Click the Sample drop-down menu to select the sample file for that layer.
Semi lets you transpose the selected layer 12 up to semitones up or down. Fine provides fine-tuning of each layer by fractions of a semitone. Level lets you adjust the each layer's volume, letting you control the "balance" of the samples assigned to the pad. Hardware: To edit the first 16 Layer parameters located on the left of the vertical separation lines in the Layers section, press the F2 button (Samples). Use the Q-Link Knobs for direct access of their respective Edit Layers parameters.
The virtual keyboard (available for Keygroup Programs only) shows the Note Range, which can be set in the Key Group section. You can also drag the left or right range with your computer mouse. Click the red bar above the virtual keyboard to set the overall key range for the selected Keygroups. No. KG (Number of Keygroups) lets you create up to 128 Keygroups within a Keygroup Program. This is very useful when working with multi-samples.
Edit Zones (only available in Drum Programs) displays an overview of any selected pad(s). Click one of the checkboxes on the right to select how the selected pads will be edited. In the software, you can select pads directly in Program Edit Mode by clicking with your computer mouse. On your MPC hardware, you can select pads by striking them. • Current: Only the currently active pad (the purple square with an orange border) can be edited.
Filter Section The Filter Type drop-down menu lets you select a filter for the selected pad. See Appendix > Glossary > Filter for an explanation of the available filter types. Cutoff controls the cutoff frequency for low-pass and high-pass filter types or the center frequency for band-pass and band-stop filter types. Reso controls the resonance/emphasis of the frequencies around the cutoff point. Tip: Use values lower than 80 to give more brilliance to the sound.
• V>Atk (Velocity Attack) sets how much velocity is needed (for a triggered pad or key) to modulate the Attack phase for the Amp envelope. • V>Env (Velocity Envelope) enables velocity information to control the amount of the filter envelope's effect on the cutoff frequency. • V>Flt (Velocity Filter) uses the velocity of a pad or key to modulate the cutoff frequency directly. The Filter Envelope controls affect the filter frequency.
Anatomy of an Envelope An envelope creates a variable control signal. It can be used, for instance, to modulate the filter settings of a sound over a given period of time. For Drum Programs, the software offers two envelope types comprised of separately controllable parameters. Click the AD box to check or uncheck it, letting you switch between two envelope types: AD (checked) or AHDS (unchecked). For Keygroup Programs, the software offers only AHDS envelopes.
Pad Play Modes Section (Drum Programs Only) Here, you can set the behavior for each pad's samples in a Drum Program. Mute Groups let you assign the selected pad to one of the 32 available groups. When pads assigned to the same Mute Group receive MIDI notes, the last pad played will silence all other pads in that Mute Group. Tip: This feature is useful for programming realistic hi-hats, especially if only the open or closed hat should be heard.
Velocity Sensitivity Section Here, you can set how much velocity affects various sound parameters: Pitch, Filter Envelope Attack (Atk), Amplifier (Amp) and Panning (Pan). When you press a pad softly, only minimal modulation is applied. When you press it harder, the modulation amount also gets stronger depending on the setting of the corresponding dial. Hardware: To edit the Velocity Sensitivity parameters, press the F5 button (Lfo Mod). Use Q-Link Knobs Q13–Q16 for direct access of all 4 parameters.
LFO Section A low-frequency oscillator (LFO) generates a periodic waveform with an adjustable frequency and shape which can be used for modulation purposes. Wave sets the LFO waveform.
Controller Mod Section (Keygroup Program Only) The Controller Mod section determines the influence of additional play controllers on various sound parameters. Important: To use these parameters, make sure that a connected MIDI device can send pitch bend messages as well as aftertouch and modulation wheel data. Pitch Bend sets the range (in semitones) of a connected MIDI keyboard's pitch-bend wheel.
Insert Effects Section You can select up to four insert effects for each pad or keygroup or for the entire Program. You can use various effects included in your MPC software as well as other VST and AU plugins installed on your computer. To learn how to use insert effects in the MPC software, please see Effects > Insert Effects. Tip: For a list of all available MPC software effects and their parameters, please see Appendix > Effects and Parameters.
Pad/Keygroup Audio Route Section This menu lets you select where the audio for currently selected pad or keygroup will be routed. Click the drop-down menu, and select any one of the following outputs: Program, Submix 1 to 8, or Out 1,2 to Out 31,32. MPC Renaissance users: Out 1,2 are routed to the Stereo Out jacks. Out 3,4 are routed to the Assignable Mix Out jacks. When using a Drum Program, this lets you send each pad's audio to separate outputs, if desired.
Program Mixer Mode In Program Mixer Mode, you can set a Program's levels, stereo panning, routing, and effects. For Drum Programs, this mode has a channel strip for each individual pad (of 128). For Keygroup Programs, this mode has a channel strip for each individual Keygroup (up to 128). For MIDI Programs and Plugin Programs, this mode has no channel strips. For more information on how these Programs differ, please see General Features > Program Types.
Program Mixer Mode works like a regular audio mixer and offers various settings for each channel. All channels' functionality is identical. If a sample has been assigned to a pad, its name is displayed below the channel fader. The channel strip on the right-most side of this area is the Program Channel strip (if visible). It works the same way as described in Main Mode > Program Channel Strip. Any other channel strips whose routing is set to Program will be routed to the Program Channel.
Routing In the software, to set the routing for a channel: 1. Click Route button of the channel. 2. Click the drop-down menu just above the Pan knob. 3. Select the desired output (e.g., Out 1,2) to route the audio signal directly to this output. (You need an audio interface that is equipped with more than two outputs.) Selecting Program will route the audio signal to the Program Channel, whose corresponding channel strip is on the right-most side of this area (if visible).
Pad (Drum Programs only) In the software, click a pad below the channel fader to trigger the corresponding pad. Hardware: To trigger a pad's sample(s), press the corresponding pad. Tip: You can load a sample onto a pad by dragging the file onto it. Panning In the software, click the channel's Pan knob and drag it up or down to set the position. Hardware: To set the panning for a channel, press F3 (Pan) and use the corresponding QLink Knob for editing.
Automation (Program Channel strip only) You can click the Automation button on Program Channel strip to switch its Automation between Off, Read (R), and Write (W). (If the Program Channel strip is not shown, click the downward arrow icon to the left of the pad channel strips.) • When set to Off, the Program will ignore automation data.
Effects Insert Effects You can select up to four insert effects for each pad or keygroup or for the entire Program. You can use various effects included in your MPC software as well as other VST and AU plugins installed on your computer. To learn how to use insert effects in the MPC software, please see Effects > Insert Effects. Important: When using keygroup insert effects, they will be applied to the entire Keygroup Program.
Track Mixer Mode In Track Mixer Mode, you can set the levels, stereo panning, and effects for each Track. To enter Track Mixer Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Track Mixer Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Track Mixer. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+4 (Windows) or +4 (Mac OS X). Hardware: To enter Track Mixer Mode, press Shift + Prog Mix / Track Mix.
The upper half of the window shows narrow versions of the Tracks in that Sequence. They are for visual reference only and are not editable. The lower half of the window can contain two kinds of channel faders: • Tracks, to the right of the grey Tracks separator (if Tracks are shown). Their functions are described in the following sections of this chapter. By default used Tracks are named Track 01, Track 02, etc. • Programs, to the right of the grey Programs separator (if Programs are shown).
Program Assignment To select a Track's Program: 1. Click the downward arrow () of the drop-down menu above the Track's Pan knob. 2. Select the Program you want this Track to use. The software will use this Program to play the events in this Track.
Levels In the software, click the Track fader and drag it up or down to set the MIDI volume level (0–127). The level meter to the right of the fader provides a visual indication of the level. Press and hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS X) on your computer keyboard and click a fader to return it to its default position. You can also set the levels of each Program within Track Mixer Mode by clicking and dragging a fader for a Program Channel strip.
The Level tab's Programs view in the Track Mixer Mode in the display of the MPC hardware. Important: When the Mixer field is set to Tracks while recording automation, you can record automation for the level and pan for the currently selected Track only, not all 16 Tracks shown. Important: By default, some plugins do not support MIDI volume. In this case, adjust this at the plugin Track. Note: MIDI Programs' and Plugin Programs' levels will initially appear as ?.
Panning In the software, click the Track's Pan knob and drag it up or down to set the position. You can also set the panning of each Program within Track Mixer Mode by clicking and dragging a Pan knob for a Program Channel strip. (If the Program Channel strips are not shown, click the plug icon to the left of the Track channel strips or in the upper-left corner of the grid.) Hardware: To set the panning for a Track: 1.
Mute and Solo In the software, click the Track's Mute button (M) to mute it. Hardware: To mute a channel, press F3 (Mute) and touch the top of the corresponding Q-Link Knob to toggle between "mute" and "mute off." You can use the Pad Bank buttons to select different sets of 16 Tracks. To solo a Track, click its Solo button (S), which will mute all other Tracks. You can solo as many Tracks as you like. To deselect solo, click the active solo button.
Automation (Program Channel strips only) You can click the Automation button on a Program Channel strip to switch its Automation between Off, Read (R), and Write (W). (If the Program Channel strips are not shown, click the plug icon to the left of the Track channel strips or in the upper-left corner of the grid.) • When set to Off, the Program will ignore automation data.
Effects Insert Effects Because you can view Program Channel strips in Track Mixer Mode, you can select up to four insert effects for each Program, just as you could in Program Mixer Mode. You can use various effects included in your MPC software as well as other VST and AU plugins installed on your computer. To learn how to use insert effects in the MPC software, please see Effects > Insert Effects.
Master Effects You can load, edit, or remove up to four Master effects, which will be applied to the entire Master mix. (If the Master Effects section is not shown, click the downward arrow icon to the left of the Track channel strips.) Tip: For a list of all available MPC software effects and their parameters, please see Appendix > Effects and Parameters. To load a Master effect: 1. In one of the four slots of the Master FX column, click the downward arrow (). 2.
Track View Mode Track View Mode gives you an overview of the Tracks of each Sequence. Use this mode to edit Tracks and Sequences simultaneously. Tip: Use Track View Mode to switch quickly between Tracks in a Sequence. This allows for a faster editing workflow. To enter Track View Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Track View Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Track View.
The upper half of the window shows narrow versions of the Tracks in that Sequence. They are for visual reference only and are not editable. The lower half of the window shows either the standard Grid View (as described in General Features > Grid View) or the list view (as described in General Features > List View). Select a Sequence by clicking the Seq drop-down menu in the upper-right corner of the window. The Sequence's Tracks will appear in the upper half of the window.
Next Sequence Mode Next Sequence Mode lets you trigger different Sequences simply by playing the pads. This is useful for live performances, letting you change a Song's structure in real time. To enter Next Sequence Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Next Sequence Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Next Sequence. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+6 (Windows) or +6 (Mac OS X).
Triggering Sequences During playback, select a Sequence to play next simply by pressing the corresponding pad. The number and name of the selected Sequence will be displayed in the timeline in the upper half of the window. Use the controls in the Pad Bank Section and Next Sequence Section to change or repeat Sequences in real time.
Pad Bank Section In the Pad Bank section, every pad is assigned to a Sequence, starting from Pad A01 with Sequence 1 and ascending from there. Used Sequences are shown with their names; unused Sequences are shown as (unused). The selected pad will be green. During playback, change the next Sequence by clicking and holding the corresponding pad until the current Sequence ends. If no other Sequence is selected, the software will repeat the current Sequence indefinitely.
Next Sequence Section During the playback of a Sequence, the Next Sequence section gives you the following options: • Click Next Bar to change the Sequence at the beginning of the next bar. This lets you select the next Sequence without having to press a pad or button in perfect time. • Click Sudden to switch to the next Sequence immediately—before the software has finished playing the current Sequence.
When playback is stopped, this section gives you the following options: • Copy to Song opens a drop-down menu to select a Song the Sequence playlist is copied to. To read more about Song Mode, please see the Song Mode chapter. • Erase Song erases the active Sequence Playlist. Hardware: Press F1 (To Song) to copy your changes directly into a Song. In the Copy to Song window that appears, use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the Song number where you want to copy your changes.
Sample Record Mode Sample Record Mode lets you record audio samples to use in your Tracks and Sequences. This mode is divided in two main parts: the Waveform Display (which shows the waveform of a sample after the recording process) and the Record Controls. Important: To record audio, you need to connect an audio source to your MPC Renaissance or to your computer's audio interface. MPC Studio users: This section describes recording using MPC Renaissance as your sound card.
Setting Up to Record with MPC Renaissance The following example describes the the sample recording procedure using the MPC Renaissance hardware. Hardware: 1. Make sure to reduce the volume levels of your audio source and speakers/headphones/monitors before you make any connections to avoid "pops" or feedback. 2. Connect your audio source (e.g., a microphone, instrument, etc.) to the Mic In jacks of your MPC Renaissance.
Waveform Display The Waveform Display shows the entire waveform of your recorded sample with a timeline at the top. While this is just for reference during in Sample Record Mode, it is the focus of Sample Edit Mode. Please see the Sample Edit Mode chapter to learn about editing your recorded samples.
Record Controls The Record Controls offer all the relevant controls for recording. Threshold In Record Mode, the software automatically starts recording when the level of the incoming source exceeds the Threshold (Thresh). If you set the threshold too high, the recording may not start when you play the input source, or the start of the material you wanted to record may be missing. If you set the threshold too low, the recording may start too early, before you play the external source.
Input Source The Input Source parameter defines whether you are going to record an external audio signal (External) an internal signal from the software (Resample). A Resample recording does not require an audio connection because the source is within the software and is therefore recorded without any loss in audio quality. You can, for example, use Resample to record two or more samples by pressing the corresponding pads simultaneously.
Sample Rec and Sample Stop Important: To use the Assign to Pad function to assign the new sample directly to a pad after recording, select the desired Track and Program before starting to record. Click Sample Rec to record-arm the software, or click Sample Stop to stop the recording process. If you do not click Stop, recording will continue to the end of the previously set sample length. After clicking Sample Rec, the recording will start once the incoming audio level exceeds the Threshold parameter.
Hardware: When the recording is finished, the MPC hardware's display will show new options. Use the Cursor Buttons to select a field, and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to change the setting: • Track: Select a Track to assign the sample to. • Assign to Pad: Select a pad to assign the sample to. Alternatively, simply press the pad. • Root Note: Sets where the sample's original pitch will be on the keyboard. To save the sample, press F5 (Keep). To delete the recording and try again, press F2 (Retry).
• To automatically place the sample as a note event at the start of the currently playing Sequence, check At Start. (This option is available only when Add Event is checked.) • To automatically place the sample as a note event where you began recording it in the currently playing Sequence, leave At Start unchecked. (This option is available only when Add Event is checked.) • To delete the recording and start over, click Retry. To listen to the sample before deciding, click Play.
Sample Edit Mode Sample Edit Mode lets you edit samples using various functions. To enter Sample Edit Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Sample Edit Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Sample Edit. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+8 (Windows) or +8 (Mac OS X).
Waveform Display The Waveform Display is divided into two sections: • The top of the display shows an overview of the entire sample waveform. A shaded rectangle outlines the currently shown part of the sample. • The main part of the display shows the "active" section of the sample waveform. Use the scroll bar under the waveform to move through it. To move the view, click and drag the shaded rectangle in the overview. To zoom in, double-click the shaded rectangle in the overview.
In the main Waveform Display, a start point and end point are marked by green lines. These two points define the portion of the sample data which will be played. Click and drag either of these lines to move it. The most recently moved line will be red instead of green. Click the sample timeline to switch between Time (in seconds and milliseconds) and Samples. Tip: A recorded sample may have some silence at the beginning or end, which makes it difficult to time it correctly in a musical context.
Trim Mode Edit Section The Edit section contains controls to edit samples and to select between Chop Mode or Trim Mode. Hardware: Use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select a sample for editing. The selected sample name is shown at the top of your display. In the software, click the Edit Sample drop-down menu and select the desired sample. The Q-Link Knobs can be used for various editing and viewing functions: • To zoom in or out of the sample, use Q-Link Knob Q4.
Hardware: • To zoom in and out of the waveform, do one of the following: • Press and hold Shift and use the left and right Cursor Buttons. • Use Q-Link Knob Q4. • Use Q-Link Knob Q8 to scroll the Waveform Display. • To adjust the start point of the sample, use Q-Link Knobs Q13, Q9, Q5, or Q1. The smaller the QLink Knob number, the more precise the adjustment of the start point. • To adjust the end point of the sample, use Q-Link Knobs Q14, Q10, Q6, or Q2.
Pad Section You can use the pads to play certain parts of the selected sample, regardless of the selected Pad Bank. Trigger the following playback options by pressing the corresponding pad: • Play Loop (Pad 13) plays the sample repeatedly from the loop point to the end point. • Play Loop Continuous (Pad 16) plays the sample as a continuous loop. You can adjust the start point and end point while it plays. • Play Sample (One-Shot) (Pad 10) will play the whole sample as it has been edited.
Settings Section The Settings section lets you edit various parameters affecting playback and loop functions. In the software, edit the start point (Start), end point (End), or loop point (Loop Start) by double-clicking the number in the field, and use your computer keyboard to enter a value. Hardware: Edit the start point (Start), end point (End), or loop point (Loop) by using the Cursor Buttons to select the field and then using the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select a value.
Hardware: • Press F4 (Loop) to activate the loop function, which will repeat the part of the sample between the loop point and the end point. • Press F3 (0 Snap) to activate the snap-to-zero function. For easier sample editing, the software will "force" you to place a start point or end point only at "zero-crossings." This can help to avoid clicks and glitches when playing a sample.
Process Section The Process section gives you various editing options for the selected sample. In the software, click the desired sample editing option (described below). A new window will open (which may have some additional parameters). To execute a selected option, click Do It, or cancel your changes by clicking Cancel. Tips: • When the new window is open, you can click the Function menu to select another edit option, if desired.
The following sample editing options are available: • Discard deletes parts of the sample before the start point and after the end point. • Delete deletes the part of the sample between the start point and end point and closes the gap between them. • Silence replaces the part of the sample between the start point and end point with silence. • Extract deletes parts of the sample before the start point and after the end point and saves it as a new sample (with a name you enter) in your current Project.
• Pitch Shift changes the pitch of the sample without changing its length. This lets you set the sample's pitch to your Sequence without affecting the sample's tempo or duration. You can adjust it up to 12 semitones, up or down. Keep in mind that the audio quality may decrease at more extreme settings. • Time Stretch lengthens or shortens the sample without changing its pitch. This is useful when you want to match the durations of two samples with different pitches.
Chop Mode The Chop section describes several functions unique to Chop Mode, in contrast to Trim Mode. In Chop Mode, the sample will be divided into multiple regions called slices. There are three different ways to use this function: • Region divides a sample into several regions of equal length. • BPM divides a sample into several regions based on the tempo (beats per minute).
Edit Section The Edit section contains controls to edit samples and to select between Chop Mode or Trim Mode. Hardware: Use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select a sample for editing. The selected sample name is shown at the top of your display. In the software, click the Edit Sample drop-down menu and select the desired sample. The Q-Link Knobs can be used for various editing and viewing functions: • Use Q-Link Knobs Q13, Q9, Q5, or Q1 to adjust the start point of the sample.
Hardware: Press F1 (Chop) to enter Chop Mode. • Use Q-Link Knobs Q13, Q9, Q5, or Q1 to adjust the start point of the sample. The smaller the QLink Knob number, the more precise the adjustment of the start point. • Use Q-Link Knobs Q14, Q10, Q6, or Q2 to adjust the end point of the sample. The smaller the QLink Knob number, the more precise the adjustment of the end point. • Use Q-Link Knob Q15 to select a slice for editing.
Pad Section When Audition in the Settings section is deactivated, trigger the following playback options by pressing the corresponding pad: • Play Loop (Pad 13) plays the sample from the loop point to the end point repeatedly. • Play All (Pad 16) plays the whole sample regardless of any editings. When Audition in the Settings section is activated, you can use the pads can to play the different slices.
Settings Section In the software, the Settings section lets you edit various parameters affecting the start point and end point of your sample's slices: • Snap to Zero activates the snap-to-zero function. For easier sample editing, the software will "force" you to place a start point or end point only at "zero-crossings." This can help to avoid clicks and glitches when playing a sample. • Slice is the number of the currently selected slice.
Hardware: To adjust the settings in Chop Mode: • Press F3 (0 Snap) to activate or deactivate to activate the snap-to-zero function. For easier sample editing, the software will "force" you to place a start point or end point only at "zero-crossings." This can help to avoid clicks and glitches when playing a sample. • Press a pad to select its slice. Each slice is assigned to a pad automatically, starting from Pad A01 with Slice 1 and ascending from there.
Chop To Section The Chop To section determines the slicing process. You can select between three slicing modes: • Threshold uses an adjustable detection algorithm that derives the number of regions created from the volume levels present in the sample. Click and drag the Threshold field up or down to set the threshold level. The higher the selected value, the more slices will be created. Click and drag the Min Time (Min Slice Time) field up or down to set the minimum length of a slice in milliseconds.
Process Section The Process section gives you various editing options for the selected sample. In the software, click the desired sample editing option (described below). A new window will open (which may have some additional parameters). To execute a selected option, click Do It, or cancel your changes by clicking Cancel. Tip: When the new window is open, you can click the Function menu to select another edit option, if desired.
• Fade Out sets a fade-out between the start point and end point of the sample. The following types are available: o Linear fades the audio out with a linear curve—a straight line between the start and end. o Log fades the audio out with a logarithmic curve—quickly rising at the start and flattening out towards the end. o Exp fades the audio out with an exponential curve—slowly rising in the beginning and growing steeper towards the end.
o Assign Slice assigns a single slice to a selected pad. Click Pad and select the desired pad. If Crop Samples is activated, each slice results in a new sample. Click Program to specify a Program to which you want to add the assigned slice. The sample will be named with pp attached to its original name. Track with events after using the Sliced Samples > Create Events function.
Hardware: 1. Press F6 (Process) to open the Process Sample page. 2. Use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select the desired editing option (described below) in the Function field. Some options have some additional parameters—use the Cursor Buttons to select them and the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to adjust them. 3. To execute a selected option, press F5 (Do It), or cancel your changes by pressing F4 (Cancel). The Process Sample display for Pitch Shift of the MPC hardware.
Song Mode Song Mode lets you arrange Sequences in a specific order and/or repetition to create songs. You can edit the structure of a Song during playback for easy, on-the-fly composing. A Project can contain up to 32 Songs, each consisting of up to 999 "steps," each of which can have an assigned Sequence as well as the number of times that Sequence will repeat. To enter Song Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Song Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window.
Sequence Playlist The Sequence Playlist Section (to the left of the pads in the software) is the list of the steps of a Sequence. Each step in a Song has: • an assigned Sequence • the tempo of the Sequence • the number of bars in the Sequence • how many times the Sequence plays You can add a Sequence to the Sequence Playlist by clicking and dragging from a pad and dropping it onto the list.
Hardware: To manage the Sequence Playlist in Song Mode. • Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Song field, and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select the Song shown in the Sequence Playlist. • Use the Cursor Buttons to select a Sequence in the Sequence column, and use the Data Dial or the -/+ buttons to select which Sequence should be in that step.
Pad Bank Section In the Pad Bank section, all Sequences are assigned to a pad. Unused empty Sequences are marked (unused). You can use the Pad Bank buttons to show the Sequences assigned to pads in other banks. You can easily click and drag Sequences from this section and drop them onto the Sequence playlist. You can also click and drag Sequences from the pads and drop them onto the workspace in the upper half of the window, if you prefer working in a horizontal arrangement.
Edit Step Section The Edit Step section contains controls to add or delete steps from the Song. Click Insert Step to insert the selected Sequence (indicated by the lit pad in the Pad Bank section) in the Sequence Playlist. Hardware: Press F6 (Insert) to insert a Sequence under the selected one. Click Delete Step to delete the selected step from the Sequence Playlist. Hardware: Press F5 (Delete) to delete the selected Sequence.
Step Section The Step section contains information about the current step in the Sequence Playlist. Click and drag each field up or down to change its setting. • First Bar indicates where in the Song the step begins. • Last Bar indicates where in the Song the step ends before moving onto the next step. • Total Bars indicates how many bars the step occupies in the Song (this accounts for how many times the step's Sequence repeats). • Repeats indicates how many times the step's Sequence plays.
Pad Mute Mode Pad Mute Mode lets you easily mute pads within a Program or set Mute Groups for each pad. To enter Pad Mute Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Pad Mute Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Pad Mute. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+0 (Windows) or +0 (Mac OS X). Hardware: To enter Pad Mute Mode, press Shift + Track Mute / Pad Mute.
Pad Mute You can mute or unmute individual sounds (on a single Track) in real time by pressing the pads. This is useful if you want to hear a Track without a particular sound or if you want to isolate specific sounds or combinations of sounds. Tip: This function is similar to, but probably more convenient than, muting pads one at a time in the grid. In the software, do the following to use Pad Mute: 1. Click the Pad Mute button in the Mute Section to activate it. 2.
Hardware: 1. Press F1 (PadMute) to activate Pad Mute. 2. The 16 blocks in the display represent the 16 pads of the current bank. Press a pad to mute or unmute its assigned sound. Use the Pad Bank buttons to switch between the 16 banks, if necessary. • Muted pads are lit red; unmuted pads are lit yellow. Unused pads do not show a sample name. • Press F4 (Time Div) and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to edit the Time Correct value. Press F5 (T.C.) to activate or deactivate Time Correct.
Pad Group The Pad Group feature extends the concept of Pad Mutes: you can mute or unmute multiple pads (on a single Track) by pressing one pad that you have assigned to a Mute Group. This is useful if you want to hear a Track without a particular group of sounds or if you want to isolate specific sounds in various combinations. You can create up to 16 different Pad Groups. In the software, do the following to use Pad Groups: 1. Click the Pad Group button in the Mute Section to activate it. 2.
Hardware: 1. Press F2 (PadGroup) to activate Pad Group. 2. Press a pad to select it. Use the Pad Bank buttons to switch between the 16 banks, if necessary. 3. Use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the desired Mute Group number. • When a pad in a Mute Group is selected, the other pads in that same Mute Group will blink yellow. • Press F4 (Time Div) and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to edit the Time Correct value. Press F5 (T.C.) to activate or deactivate Time Correct.
Track Mute Mode Track Mute Mode lets you easily mute Tracks within a Sequence or set Track Mute Groups to use with the pads. To enter Track Mute Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Track Mute Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Track Mute. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+- (Windows) or +- (Mac OS X). Hardware: To enter Track Mute Mode, press the Track Mute button.
Track Mute You can mute or unmute individual Tracks in real time by pressing the pads. This is useful if you want to hear a Sequence without a particular Track (e.g., muting your keyboard Track to focus on the bass) or if you want to isolate specific sounds or combinations of sounds that are separated by Track. Tip: This function is similar to, but more convenient than, muting Tracks one at a time in Track Mixer Mode. In the software, do the following to use Track Mute: 1.
Hardware: 1. Press F1 (TrkMute) to activate Track Mute. 2. The 16 blocks in the display represent the 16 pads of the current bank. Press a pad to mute or unmute its corresponding Track. Use the Pad Bank buttons to switch between the 16 banks, if necessary. • Muted pads are lit red; unmuted pads are lit yellow. Unused pads do not show a sample name. • Press F6 (Solo) to solo the selected pad. • Press F4 (Time Div) and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to edit the Time Correct value. Press F5 (T.C.
Track Group The Track Group feature extends the concept of Track Mutes: you can mute or unmute multiple Tracks simultaneously by pressing one pad that you have assigned to a Track Group. This is useful if you want to hear a Sequence without a particular group of Tracks or if you want to isolate specific Tracks in various combinations. You can create up to 16 different Track Groups. In the software, do the following to use Track Groups: 1. Click the Track Group button in the Mute Section to activate it. 2.
Hardware: 1. Press F2 (TrkGroup) to activate Track Group. 2. Press a pad to select it. Use the Pad Bank buttons to switch between the 16 banks, if necessary. 3. Use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select the desired Mute Group number. • When a pad in a Mute Group is selected, the other pads in that same Mute Group will blink yellow. • Press F6 (Solo) to solo the selected pad. • Press F4 (Time Div) and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to edit the Time Correct value. Press F5 (T.C.
Step Sequence Mode Step Sequence Mode lets you create or edit Sequences by using the pads as "step buttons," simulating the experience of a traditional step-sequencer-style drum machine. To enter Step Sequence Mode in the software, do one of the following: • Click the Step Sequence Mode tab in the Mode Tab Section of the software window. • Click the View Menu, select Mode, and then select Step Sequence. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+= (Windows) or += (Mac OS X).
The upper half of the window contains the grid, showing the note events of the current Sequence. The lower half of the window has various controls that are also available in other modes, like Main Mode. Please see the Main Mode chapter to learn more about the Q-Link Section, the Sequence Section, the Track Section, the Program Channel Strip, or the Project Information. The only difference is the Pad Section, which you use to enter note events as you would with a traditional step sequencer.
Hardware: Create or delete steps by doing the following: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Trk field, and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select a Track. 2. Use F5 (Pad-) and F6 (Pad+) to select the pad whose steps you want to create or edit. The pad number and its sample name will appear in the upper-right corner of the display. Alternatively, you can use the Cursor Buttons to select the Pad field in the upper-right corner and use the Data Dial or -/+ buttons to select a pad. 3.
MIDI Control Mode In MIDI Control Mode, you can customize what MIDI messages are sent from certain controls on your hardware. This custom "control map" will then work whenever you are in MIDI Control Mode. This is useful when using MPC as a plugin: you can use MIDI Control Mode to use your MPC hardware to control your host software, and then switch back to any other mode to control the MPC plugin. Important: • In your host software, make sure your MPC hardware is selected as a MIDI controller device.
To edit a control: 1. Select it by doing one of the following: 2. • clicking it in the software • pressing or moving it on your hardware In the Edit panel on the left side of the software window, set that controls' parameters to your preference. The available parameters depend on whether it is a Q-Link Knob, pad, or the type of button. • Control (all controls): This determines what message the control sends to the software (e.g.
• Low Range (Q-Link Knobs only): This is the Q-Link Knob's lowest possible value (0 to 127). • • High Range (Q-Link Knobs only): This is the Q-Link Knob's highest possible value (0 to 127). Touch Sense (Q-Link Knobs only): This activates or deactivates the Q-Link Knob's touchcapacitive circuitry. o When set to On, you can touch the Q-Link Knob to send a Note On message to the software (this is how your MPC hardware normally works).
Effects The MPC software offers various effects that you can apply to the pads, Programs, and Master mix, using both insert and send effects. This chapter can help you get a good overall understanding of how the software's effects work. Tips: To open an effect's graphic user interface and edit its parameters, double-click the name of the loaded effect. Move an effect from one slot to another by clicking and dragging it.
Insert Effects Pad/Keygroup Insert Effects You can apply, edit, or remove up to four pad/keygroup insert effects. The instructions for doing this depend on which mode you are in: Program Edit Mode or Program Mixer Mode. Important: When using keygroup insert effects, they will be applied to the entire Keygroup Program. This is because a Keygroup Program uses the same sound across all pads, as opposed to Drum Programs where each pad can have its own insert effect.
To load a pad/keygroup insert effect in Program Mixer Mode: 1. In the software, click the Program Mixer tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Route button above the desired pad is not already selected, click it. Also, if the Inserts button is set to Off, click it so it changes to On. 3. In one of the four Inserts slots of the channel strip, click the downward arrow (). 4. Select an effect from the menu that appears. Hardware: To load a pad/keygroup insert effect in Program Mixer Mode: 1.
Program Insert Effects You can apply, edit, or remove up to four Program insert effects. The instructions for doing this depend on which mode you are in: Main Mode, Program Edit Mode, Program Mixer Mode, Track Mixer Mode, or Step Sequence Mode. To load a Program insert effect in Main Mode or Step Sequence Mode: 1. In the software, click the Main Mode tab or Step Sequence tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2.
To load a Program insert effect in Program Edit Mode: 1. In the software, click the Program Edit tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Program Inserts button is set to Off, click it so it changes to On. 3. In one of the four Program Inserts slots, click the downward arrow (). 4. Select an effect from the menu that appears. Note: If the a pad's Pad Audio Route menu is set to anything other than Program, then Program insert effect will not be applied to that pad.
To load a Program insert effect in Track Mixer Mode: 1. In the software, click the Track Mixer tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Program Channel strips (in the lower section) are not shown, click the plug icon (on the left edge or at the top of the window) to show them. 3. If the Insert button above the desired Program Channel strip is not already selected, click it. Also, if the Inserts button is set to Off, click it so it changes to On. 4.
Send Effects You can send pads and Programs through up to four send effects. You must load the send effects in Track Mixer Mode first. After that, do either or both of the following: • set the pad's send level in Program Mixer Mode. • set the Program's send level in Main Mode, Program Mixer Mode, Track Mixer Mode, or Step Sequence Mode. The instructions for doing this depend on which mode you are in. You can set the effect's return level in Track Mixer Mode.
To set the send effect level for a pad: 1. In the software, click the Program Mixer tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Send button above the desired pad's channel strip is not already selected, click it. 3. Click and drag the knob that corresponds to the send effect up or down to set the send level. Hardware: To set the send effect level for a pad in Program Mix Mode: 1. Enter Program Mixer Mode by pressing the Prog Mix button. 2. Press F4 (Send) to view the pads' send effect slots.
To set the send effect level for a Program in Main Mode or Step Sequence Mode: 1. In the software, click the Main Mode tab or Step Sequence tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Send button above the Program Channel strip (in the center of the lower section) is not already selected, click it. 3. Click and drag the knob that corresponds to the send effect up or down to set the send level. Hardware: To set the send effect level for a Program in Main Mode or Step Sequence Mode: 1.
To set the send effect level for a Program in Track Mixer Mode: 1. In the software, click the Track Mixer tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. If the Program Channel strips (in the lower section) are not shown, click the plug icon (on the left edge or at the top of the window) to show them. 3. If the Send button above the desired Program Channel strip is not already selected, click it. 4. Click and drag the knob that corresponds to the send effect up or down to set the send level.
Master Effects You can load, edit, or remove up to four Master effects. To load a Master effect: 1. In the software, click the Track Mixer tab in the Mode Tab Section. 2. In one of the four slots of the Master FX column, click the downward arrow (). 3. Select an effect from the menu that appears. Hardware: To load and edit a Master effect: 1. Press Shift + Seq Edit / Effects. 2. Press F2 (Insert). 3. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the desired Insert effect slot. 4.
Operation (Plugin) When using the MPC software as a VST, AU, RTAS, or AAX plugin, its features and functions are very similar to its operation as your host software but with some notable differences discussed in this chapter. Important: For information about using the MPC software as a standalone software program, please see the Operation (Software) chapter.
Appendix Keyboard Shortcuts You can use the following computer keyboard shortcuts for the MPC software. Important: When running MPC as a plugin in Ableton Live 9 or Steinberg Cubase, all keyboard shortcuts need to be combined with Alt. Function Control (Windows) (Mac OS X) Alt Shift Main Grid, Select Box Tool Click and drag to copy selected events. Click background to Click and drag to switch to Eraser Tool. add events to current selection.
File Menu Function Command Keys (Windows) Command Keys (Mac OS X) New Project Ctrl+N +N New From Template Ctrl+Shift+N +Shift+N Save Project Ctrl+S +S Save Project As Ctrl+Shift+S +Shift+S Function Command Keys (Windows) Command Keys (Mac OS X) Undo Ctrl+Z +Z Redo Ctrl+Y +Shift+Z History Ctrl+Shift+H +Shift+H Cut Ctrl+X +X Copy Ctrl+C +C Paste Ctrl+V +V Select Ctrl+A +A Select All Ctrl+Shift+A +Shift+A Next Sequence Ctrl+Shift+} +Shift+} Previous Seq
Time Correct Menu Function Command Keys (Windows) Command Keys (Mac OS X) Apply Time Correction Ctrl+K +K Open Time Correct Ctrl+Shift+K +Shift+K Time Division: 1/4 1 1 Time Division: 1/4T 2 2 Time Division: 1/8 3 3 Time Division: 1/8T 4 4 Time Division: 1/16 5 5 Time Division: 1/16T 6 6 Time Division: 1/32 7 7 Time Division: 1/32T 8 8 Time Division: 1/64 9 9 Time Division: 1/64T 0 0 Function Command Keys (Windows) Command Keys (Mac OS X) Show/Hide MIDI Keyboard
View Menu Function Command Keys (Windows) Command Keys (Mac OS X) Main Mode Ctrl+1 +1 Program Edit Mode Ctrl+2 +2 Program Mixer Mode Ctrl+3 +3 Track Mixer Mode Ctrl+4 +4 Track View Mode Ctrl+5 +5 Next Sequence Mode Ctrl+6 +6 Sample Record Mode Ctrl+7 +7 Sample Edit Mode Ctrl+8 +8 Song Mode Ctrl+9 +9 Pad Mute Mode Ctrl+0 +0 Track Mute Mode Ctrl+- +- Step Sequence Mode Ctrl+= += Show/Hide Browser Shift+B Shift+B Show/Hide Expansion Browser Shift+E Shift+
Effects and Parameters This chapter lists the available effects in the software. To learn more about how effects work in the software, please see the Effects chapter. Note: Some of these effects have a "sync" version (e.g., Flanger Sync, Autopan Sync, etc.) whose rates will be affected by the current tempo. In the graphic user interface for these effects, a . next to the time division indicates a triplet-based rate. Tip: Move an effect from one slot to another by clicking and dragging it.
Reverb Medium This is a spatial effect, designed to emulate a medium room. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 50 Q13 Pre-Delay 1–100 50 Q9 Early Reflection 0–100 50 Q5 Density 0–100 50 Q1 Diffuse 0–100 50 Q14 Decay 0–100 50 Q10 Lo-Cut 0–100 15 Q6 Hi-Cut 0–100 10 Q2 Reverb Large This is a spatial effect, designed to emulate the sound of a large hall.
Reverb Large 2 This is a less CPU-intensive spatial effect, emulating the sound of a large hall.
Reverb In Gate This is a hall reverb with an additional control. The reverb effect is cut off when the input drops below the level set in the Gate In parameter.
Reverb Out Gate This is a hall reverb that has an additional control. The reverb effect is cut off when the output drops below the level set in the Gate Out parameter.
Delays Delays the original signal for a specified period of time and plays it back over an adjustable period of time. Options: Delay Mono, Delay Mono Sync, Delay Stereo, Delay Sync (Stereo), Delay LP, Delay HP, Delay Analog, Delay Analog Sync, Delay Tape Sync, Delay Ping Pong, and Delay Multi-Tap.
Delay Stereo Stereo Delay operates similarly to Mono Delay but in true stereo. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 50 Q13 Time 2–2000 ms 100 Q9 Feedback 0–100 25 Q5 Damping 0–100 100 Q1 Delay Sync (Stereo) Stereo Delay operates similarly to Mono Delay but in true stereo.
Delay LP LP Delay is identical to the Mono Delay, but it uses a resonant low-pass filter in the delay line. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 50 Q13 Time 2–2000 ms 500 Q9 Feedback 0–100 50 Q5 Cutoff 0–100 50 Q1 Resonance 0–100 20 Q14 Delay HP HP Delay is identical to the Mono Delay, but it uses a resonant high-pass filter in the delay line.
Delay Analog Analog Delay is similar to Mono Delay, except that it's designed to sound like an analog "bucket brigade"-style delay. This delay has a unique character to it that gives a warmer sound by adding subtle inaccuracies in phase and timing.
Delay Tape Sync Tape Delay emulates a delay system using an analog tape loop and a series of tape heads to produce an echo effect. This delay type yields a very distinct echo sound often heard in reggae and dub-style music.
Delay Multi-Tap This delay is a mono delay which has three delay generators with independently adjustable delay times and stereo position.
Flangers A flanger is a modulated delay to emulate the sound created when running two analog tape machines in parallel with a slight time disalignment. Slow Rate settings can produce a "whooshing" jet engine sound, while faster rates result in more of a "warble." Options: Flanger and Flanger Sync.
Chorus A chorus effect uses an LFO to modulate the pitch and a delay of the input signal, which are then added to the dry signal. In small amounts, this creates the illusion of multiple voices playing at once. Turn up the Feedback and Depth for more pronounced "shimmering" and "watery" sounds. Options: Chorus 2-Voice and Chorus 4-Voice.
Autopans This effect uses an LFO to move the incoming signal back and forth across the stereo field, creating a rotary effect. Options: Autopan and Autopan Sync.
Tremolos This effect uses an LFO to increase and decrease the volume of the signal. Depending on the LFO shape, this can produce a smooth wave effect (sine wave) or a stuttering "on-off" effect (square wave). Options: Tremolo and Tremolo Sync.
Phasers The phaser is a classic effect, created by multiple ganged all-pass filters to create "notches," or sharp spikes, in the frequency spectrum. The frequencies of these all-pass filters are usually modulated by an LFO to create a sweeping sound. Options: Phaser 1, Phaser 2, and Phaser Sync.
HP (High-Pass) Filters Options: HP Filter, HP Filter Sweep, HP Filter Sync, and HP Shelving Filter. HP Filter This effect is a static filter without modulation. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Frequency 10–19999 Hz 1500 Q13 Resonance 0–100 0 Q9 HP Filter Sweep This effect is a high-pass filter with its cutoff frequency modulated by an LFO.
HP Filter Sync This effect is a high-pass filter with its cutoff frequency modulated by an LFO. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 100 Q13 Low Frequency 0–100 0 Q9 High Frequency 0–100 100 Q5 Resonance 0–100 50 Q1 Rate 8 bars – 1/32 1/4 Q14 HP Shelving Filter This filter differs from the standard filter type, as it attenuates all frequencies after the cutoff point equally.
LP (Low-Pass) Filters Options: LP Filter, LP Filter Sweep, LP Filter Sync, and LP Shelving Filter. LP Filter This effect is a static filter without modulation. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Frequency 10–19999 Hz 1500 Q13 Resonance 0–100 0 Q9 LP Filter Sweep This effect is a low-pass filter with its cutoff frequency modulated by an LFO.
LP Filter Sync This effect is a low-pass filter with its cutoff frequency modulated by an LFO. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 100 Q13 Low Frequency 0–100 0 Q9 High Frequency 0–100 100 Q5 Resonance 0–100 50 Q1 Rate 8 bars – 1/32 1/4 Q14 LP Shelving Filter This filter differs from the standard filter type, as it attenuates all frequencies after the cutoff point equally.
Parametric EQs Options: PEQ 2-Band, 2-Shelf and PEQ 4-Band. PEQ 2-Band, 2-Shelf This effect is a combination of one two-band parametric equalizer and two shelving filters. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Low Frequency 22–1000 Hz 220 Q13 Frequency 1 82–3900 Hz 820 Q9 Frequency 2 220–10000 Hz 2200 Q5 High Frequency 560–19999 Hz 5600 Q1 Q1 0–100 0 Q10 Q2 0–100 0 Q6 Low Gain -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q15 Gain 1 -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q11 Gain 2 -18.0 – 18.
PEQ 4-Band This effect is a powerful four-band parametric equalizer with four independent EQ ranges. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Low Frequency 22–1000 Hz 220 Q13 Frequency 1 82–3900 Hz 820 Q9 Frequency 2 220–10000 Hz 2200 Q5 High Frequency 560–19999 Hz 5600 Q1 Q1 0–100 5 Q14 Q2 0–100 5 Q10 Q3 0–100 5 Q6 Q4 0–100 5 Q2 Gain 1 -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q15 Gain 2 -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q11 Gain 3 -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q7 Gain 4 -18.0 – 18.
Distortions Options: Distortion Amp, Distortion Fuzz, Distortion Grimey, Distortion Overdrive, and Distortion Custom. Distortion Amp This effect is designed to reproduce the sound of a tube amplifier at high volumes.
Distortion Grimey This is a unique distortion effect that distorts a frequency range in a selectable band. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 100 Q13 Drive 0–100 50 Q9 Grime 0–100 50 Q5 Center 0–100 50 Q1 Width 0–100 50 Q14 Resonance 0–100 50 Q10 Output 0–100 50 Q6 Distortion Overdrive This distortion is designed to sound like a mildly distorting amplifier at medium volumes. It is the smoothest distortion type available.
Distortion Custom This effect is a highly customized distortion, capable of a wide range of useable sounds. Parameter Value Range Default Value Q-Link Knob Number Dry/Wet 0–100 (dry–wet) 100 Q13 Drive 0–100 50 Q9 +Soft 5–75 2 Q14 +Clip 5–50 25 Q10 –Soft 5–75 2 Q6 –Clip 5–50 25 Q2 Low -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q15 Mid -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q11 High -18.0 – 18.0 dB 0.0 Q7 Output -18.0 – 18.
Compressors A compressor is an effect that changes the dynamic range of a signal by automatically reducing its gain. Options: Compressor Master, Compressor Opto, Compressor VCA, and Compressor Vintage. Compressor Master This is the most transparent compressor, able to perform substantial volume adjustments without artifacts.
Compressor Opto The Opto Compressor is modeled after a vintage compressor type using an optical circuit to control the volume reduction of the input signal. These compressors are usually associated with soft and unobtrusive attack and release characteristics.
Compressor VCA This compressor is more modern-sounding, with a slightly more transparent sound. A VCA Compressor tends to have quicker attack and release times than an Opto Compressor.
Compressor Vintage This compressor has a sound similar to classic tube compressors, with their gentle yet pumping response and a dash of tube saturation.
Bit Reducers Options: Decimator and Resampler. Decimator Decimator down-samples the incoming signal by removing bits from the digital signal. The difference between decimation and resampling is that Decimator does not use any filtering to mask or correct digital artifacts. The result is an effect ranging from mild to almost completely pure digital distortion, depending on the setting and the source material.
Other Options: Auto Wah, Frequency Shifter, and Transient Shaper. Auto Wah This effect is a low-pass filter modulated by an envelope that yields a classic funky "wah-wah"- like sound. The envelope is triggered by the incoming signal's amplitude. The amount of the envelope on the cutoff frequency is user-definable.
Frequency Shifter A frequency shifter changes the frequencies of an input signal by a fixed amount and alters the relationship of the original harmonics. This can produce a chorus-like effect as well as very crazy artificial timbres.
Glossary A lot of the terms in this manual are based on the MPC parameter names. This glossary briefly explains many of the technical terms used throughout. Aftertouch The majority of contemporary keyboards are capable of generating aftertouch messages. On this type of keyboard, when you press harder on a key you are already holding down, a MIDI Aftertouch message is generated. This feature makes sounds even more expressive (e.g., through vibrato).
Control Change (Controllers) MIDI messages enable you to manipulate the behavior of a sound generator to a significant degree. This message essentially consists of two components: • The controller number, which defines the parameter to be influenced. It can range from 0 to 127. • The controller value, which determines the extent of the modification. Controllers can be used for effects such as slowly swelling vibrato, changing the stereo panning position and influencing filter frequency.
LFO LFO is an acronym for low-frequency oscillator. The LFO generates a periodic oscillation at a low frequency and features variable waveshapes. Similar to an envelope, an LFO can be used to modulate a sound-shaping component. MIDI MIDI stands for musical instrument digital interface. Developed in the early 1980s, MIDI enables interaction between various types of electronic music instruments from different manufacturers.
Note On and Note Off This is the most important MIDI message. It determines the pitch and velocity of a generated note. A Note On message will start a note. Its pitch is derived from the note number, which can range from 0 to 127. The velocity lies between 1 and 127. A velocity value of 0 is equivalent to a Note Off message. Normalize Normalization is a function to raise the level of a sample to its maximum (0 dB) without causing distortion.
Release An envelope parameter. This term describes the descent rate of an envelope to its minimum value after a trigger is terminated. The Release phase begins immediately after the trigger is terminated, regardless of the envelope's current status. For instance, the Release phase may be initiated during the Attack phase. Resonance Resonance or emphasis is an important filter parameter. It emphasizes the frequencies around the filter cutoff frequency by amplifing them with a narrow bandwidth.
Song The software has a special Song Mode that allows you to arrange different sections (verse, chorus, hook, etc.) in order to build a Song. Each Song can have up to 250 parts and the software can hold 20 Songs in its memory. Sustain This term describes the level of an envelope remaining constant after it has passed the Attack and Decay phases. Once reached, the Sustain level is kept until the trigger is terminated. Track A Sequence offers 64 Tracks and each Track can record notes and controller data.
Trademarks and Licenses Akai Professional and MPC are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. AAX and RTAS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. ASIO, Cubase, and VST are trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Mac and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Addendum for MPC v1.8 This chapter is an addendum that explains new features and improvements in MPC v1.8. We also updated certain sections of the earlier pages of the User Guide to correct previous errors. Some of the most important new features include how MPC handles sample recording, editing, and playback. Please read through this section for a brief overview of how this works. MPC 1.
• Pad Slices: Pad slices are different from non-destructive chop slices. While editing a Drum Program in Program Edit Mode, a pad layer whose Slice menu is set to Pad has its own Pad Start point, Pad End point, and Pad Loop point (if activated) that are stored in the pad. This way, multiple pads can play different regions of the same sample. Again, a pad slice's Pad Start point, Pad End point, and Pad Loop point aren't stored in the sample; they're stored in a pad's parameters as part of the Program.
Furthermore, Sample Record Mode now features as looper so you can create your own samples on the fly. And a new Pad Perform Mode lets you easily use the pads (in a Keygroup Program) to play notes or chords within a musical scale or key. Please see the Table of Contents: Addendum for MPC v1.8 to learn more about the additions and improvements in 1.8.
Table of Contents: Addendum for MPC v1.8 New Features in MPC v1.8..................................................................................................................... 286 General ............................................................................................................................................... 286 Software Navigation ......................................................................................................................
Sample Edit Mode ............................................................................................................................. 317 General .......................................................................................................................................... 317 Trim Mode ..................................................................................................................................... 318 Chop Mode ........................................................
New Features in MPC v1.8 General Software Navigation You can now deselect samples in Project Information. To do this, press and hold your computer keyboard's Ctrl (Windows) or (Mac OS X) key and click the sample. You can now use your computer's cursor keys to move through the Project Information. You can now move the MPC software window by clicking and dragging any empty space in the Transport Section.
Hardware Display Navigation Hardware: When a tab shows multiple pages (e.g., the Send or Insert tab of Program Mixer Mode), you can now cycle backward through the tabs instead of only forward. To do this, press and hold Shift and press the Function Button under the tab. Second page of Send tab in Program Mixer Mode in the MPC hardware display. After pressing Shift+F4 (Send): First page of Send tab in Sample Edit Mode in the MPC hardware display.
Pad Keys Pad Keys now enables the use your computer keyboard to play the 16 pads of the current pad bank. To enable or disable Pad Keys, click the Tools menu and select Pad Keys. Alternatively, press Alt+Shift+W (Windows) or Option+Shift+W (Mac OS X).
Project Preview You can now export a Sequence or Project as a Project Preview. Selecting this type of file (or a Project with an associated Project Preview file) in the software's Browser will automatically play it just as a sample would do when Auto Preview is selected. To export a Project Preview: 1. Click the File menu, and select Export. 2. Select As Audio Mixdown. 3. In the Audio Mixdown window that appears, set the Audio Length, File format, Bit depth, and Sample rate as you normally would. 4.
Main Mode Sequence and Track Options To open the Sequence or Track drop-down menus, you can now click once anywhere on the menu (as opposed to just the downward arrow, ). To rename a Sequence or Track, double-click the drop-down menu. Sequence and Track Editing You can now edit the current Sequence by doing either of the following: o In any mode, click the Edit menu and select Sequence. o In Main Mode or Step Sequence Mode, right-click the Sequence drop-down menu in the Sequence section.
Clear: This will erase all pad events from the Sequence and reset all of its settings. Hardware: To edit the current Sequence: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Seq field. 2. Press Window to open the Edit Current Sequence window. 3. Press F2 (Clear) to erase all pad events from the Sequence and reset all of its settings. Press F4 (Do It) or F5 (Cancel) to confirm your choice. (This function on your MPC hardware has existed in earlier releases but was not described in the earlier User Guide.
Half Length: This will delete the second half of the Sequence. Double Length: This will double the Sequence and copy all events from the first half to the second half. Hardware: To edit the current Sequence: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Seq field. 2. Press Window to open the Edit Current Sequence window. 3. Press F3 (Double) to double the Sequence and copy all events from the first half to the second half. The Edit Current Sequence window in the MPC hardware display.
Insert Blank Bars: This lets you add empty bars to a Sequence at a specified point, which you can set in the Insert Blank Bars window that appears. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. • Sequence: Click this drop-down menu and select the desired Sequence. • Number of Bars: Click and drag this field up or down to set how many bars you want to add. • Time Sig: Click and drag these fields up or down to set the desired time signature of the bars you want to add.
Delete Bars: This lets you remove a range of bars from a Sequence, which you can set in the Delete Bars window that appears. Click the Sequence drop-down menu to select the desired Sequence. Click and drag the First Bar and Last Bar fields up or down to set the range of bars you want to delete. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. Hardware: To remove a range of bars from a Sequence: 1. Press Seq Edit to open the Edit Sequence window. 2.
Copy Bars: This lets you copy a range of bars from a Sequence and add them to another at a specified point, which you can set in the Copy Bars window that appears. Click: Replace to overwrite the designated bars of the destination Sequence; Merge to add the copied events to the designated bars of the destination Sequence without erasing anything; or Cancel to cancel the operation. • • Copy Bars From: o Sequence: Click this drop-down menu and select the "source" Sequence.
• Copy Bars From: Sequence: Use this field to select the "source" Sequence. • First Bar / Last Bar: Use these fields to set the range of bars you want to delete. • Copy Bars To: Sequence: Use this field to select the "destination" Sequence. • After Bar: Use this field to set the bar of the Sequence after which you want to add the copied bars. • Copies: Use this field to set how many instances of the copied bars you want to add 4.
Copy Events: This lets you copy a range of events from a Sequence and add them to another at a specified point, which you can set in the Copy Events window that appears. Click: Replace to overwrite the designated time range of the destination Sequence; Merge to add the copied events to the designated time range of the destination Sequence without erasing anything; or Cancel to cancel the operation. • • Copy Events From: o Sequence: Click this drop-down menu and select the "source" Sequence.
The Copy Events From window in the MPC hardware display. • Copy Events From: Sequence: Use this field to select the "source" Sequence. • Copy Events From: Track: Use this field to select the Track containing the "source" Sequence. • Time / To: Use these fields to set the time range (in bars: beats: ticks) of the "source" Sequence. • Copy Events To: Sequence: Use this field to select the "destination" Sequence.
Copy Sequence: This lets you copy the contents of one Sequence to another, which you can set in the Copy Sequence window that appears. Click the Copy Contents of Sequence drop-down menu to select the "source" Sequence, and click the Over Contents of Sequence drop-down menu to select the "destination" Sequence. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. Hardware: To copy the contents of one Sequence to another: 1. Press Seq Edit to open the Edit Sequence window. 2.
Alternatively: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Seq field. 2. Press Window to open the Edit Current Sequence window. 3. Press F4 (Copy). 4. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the desired field and use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to adjust them. • Copy Contents of Sequence: Use this field to select the "source" Sequence. • Over Contents of Sequence: Use this field to select the "destination" Sequence. 5. Press F5 (Do It) to confirm your choice or F4 (Back) to cancel the operation.
Copy Track: This lets you copy the contents of one Track to another, which you can set in the Copy Track window that appears. Click the Copy Contents of Track drop-down menu to select the "source" Track, and click the Over Contents of Track drop-down menu to select the "destination" Track. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. Hardware: To copy the contents of one Track to another: 1. Press Seq Edit to open the Edit Sequence window. 2.
Transpose: This lets you transpose a range of events in a Sequence on a Track, which you can set in the Transpose Events window that appears. The events within the specified range will be shifted accordingly within the grid. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. • Sequence: Click this drop-down menu and select the desired Sequence. • Track: Click this drop-down menu and select the Track containing the desired Sequence.
The Transpose window for a Drum Program in the MPC hardware display. The Transpose window for a Keygroup Program in the MPC hardware display. • Sequence: Use this field to select the desired Sequence. • Track: Use this field to select the Track containing the desired Sequence. • Time / To: Use these fields to set the time range (in bars: beats: ticks) of the events in the desired Sequence.
Erase: This lets you erase all or part of a Sequence on a specific Track, which you can set in the Erase window that appears. Click Do It to confirm your choice or Cancel to cancel the operation. • Sequence: Click this drop-down menu and select the desired Sequence. • Track: Click this drop-down menu and select the Track containing the desired Sequence. • Time / To: Click and drag these fields up or down to set the time range (in bars: beats: ticks) of the desired Sequence.
• Sequence: Use this field to select the desired Sequence. • Track: Use this field to select the Track containing the desired Sequence. • Time / To: Use these fields to set the time range (in bars: beats: ticks) of the desired Sequence. • Erase: Use this field to select one of these options: • All erases all pad events from the designated time range and reset all of its settings. • Note erases only specific pad events from the designated time range.
Program Edit Mode Master Section The Master Section now has knobs to control the pad's Level and Pan. These affect the entire pad. Click and drag them up or down to adjust them. Hardware: In the Master tab, there are now options for Pad Level and Pad Pan. Use Q-Link Knobs Q10 and Q11 to adjust their respective values. Alternatively, use the Cursor Buttons to select the desired field and use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to adjust them, or use the numeric keypad to type in a value.
Layer Section There are several new settings in the Layer section that affect how the sample plays when you trigger its pad. Click the All tab (with the "list-and-arrow" icon) to show all of them simultaneously. Alternatively, click Tab 1, 2, 3, or 4 to show a set of the new settings next to the Sample drop-down menu for each layer. Tab 1 contains the original Semi, Fine, and Level knobs while Tabs 2–4 contain the new settings' controls.
• • • Slice: Click this drop-down menu to select what part(s) of the sample will play: o All: The entire sample will play. o Pad: The sample will play from the Pad Start position to the Pad End position, described below. This also lets you activate Pad Loop. o Slice 1, 2, 3, etc.: If you have sliced the sample in Chop Mode, you can select which slice will play when you trigger the pad.
• Pad Start: Click and drag this field up or down to determine the position (in samples) where the pad's playback will start. Alternatively, double-click the field and type in a number. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is the Pad End value. • Pad End: Click and drag this field up or down to determine the position (in samples) where the pad's playback will stop. Alternatively, double-click the field and type in a number.
Hardware: There are several new settings in the Samples tab that affect how the sample plays when you trigger its pad. To edit the new Samples settings: 1. Press Prog Edit to enter Program Edit Mode. 2. Press F2 (Samples) to select the Samples tab. • Press F2 to cycle through the available four pages of the tab. • Use the Cursor Buttons to select a parameter.
• Pad Start: This determines the position (in samples) where the pad's playback will start. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is the Pad End value. • Pad End: This determines the position (in samples) where the pad's playback will stop. The minimum value is the Pad Start value, and the maximum value is the sample's total length (in samples). The third Samples tab in Program Edit Mode in the MPC hardware display. • Pad Loop: This activates or deactivates Pad Loop.
Sample Record Mode General Input insert effects now allow you to apply effects to incoming audio. You can do this while recording samples and while recording with the looper. You can also choose to record samples as mono audio or stereo audio. To select mono or stereo recording, click the (mono) or (stereo) button under the insert effect slots. Tip: Use this to send a mono audio source through a stereo plugin as a mono signal, and then record the plugin's output as a stereo signal.
To switch between the looper and the normal sampler, click Looper or Sampler above the Q-Link Knobs. Hardware: To switch between the looper and the normal sampler, press F1 (Sampler or Looper). To set the length of your loop, click and drag the Num Bars field up or down. Hardware: To set the length of your loop, use the Cursor Buttons to select the Bars field, and use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to adjust the value. Alternatively, use the numeric keypad to enter a value.
To set the loop recording behavior, click the Rec Loop drop-down menu and select Play or Overdub. • Play: When you start recording a loop, the looper will record the incoming audio signal during the first time through the loop. After that (when the loop repeats), the loop will play back without recording. • Overdub: When you start recording a loop, the looper will record the incoming audio signal every time the loop plays, including when the loop repeats, overdubbing it onto the existing loop.
To start recording a loop: • If Seq Sync is on, click Record in the Looper section to recordarm the looper. To start recording, click the software transport section's Play button. To erase the recording, click Clear. • If Seq Sync is off, click Record in the Looper section. Recording will start immediately. Important: When +Overdub is on, the looper will record without erasing any audio you've already recorded in the loop.
To play or stop the loop, click Play in the Looper section. Hardware: To play or stop the loop, press F4 (Play). To reverse loop playback, click Reverse in the Looper section. If Seq Sync is on, playback will reverse once the looper's playhead reaches the end of the loop. If Seq Sync is off, playback will reverse immediately. Hardware: To reverse loop playback, press F3 (Reverse). If Seq Sync is on, playback will reverse once the looper's playhead reaches the end of the loop.
Sample Edit Mode General The sample timeline above the sample waveform now lets you select whether it is shown in Beats (which displays as bars.beats.ticks) as well as the previously available Time (which displays as seconds:milliseconds) or Samples. To set this, click the left-most part of the timeline or right-click any other place of the timeline. When you enter Sample Edit Mode, the sample currently selected in Project Information will automatically appear in the sample waveform for editing.
The Sample Process section has been reorganized. Trim Mode You can now audition the sample (as it has been edited) using one of two modes: • One Shot: Click Pad 10 to start playback and press it again to stop. • Note On: Click and hold Pad 11 to start playback and release it to stop. Hardware: You can now audition the entire sample using one of two modes: • One Shot: Press Pad 10 to start playback. and press it again to stop. • Note On: Press and hold Pad 11 to start playback and release it to stop.
You can now retune a sample to the tempo of its current sequence. To tune a sample to that of its current sequence: 1. Click Sample Edit to enter Sample Edit Mode. 2. Click From BPM in the Process section to open the Calculate BPM window. 3. Click and drag the Number Of Beats field up or down to match the number of beats in the desired Sequence. Alternatively, double-click the field and type in a number. 4. Click Match.
You can now use Trim Mode for a specific slice of the sample, previously created and selected in Chop Mode. This allows for a more detailed view of a single slice than in Chop Mode and gives you more options for auditioning the slice. You can easily switch between Trim Mode and Chop Mode while doing this. To use Trim Mode to edit a slice of a sample: 1. Click Chop to enter Chop Mode. 2. Click the Chop To drop-down menu to select how the sample is sliced. Set the other fields below it as desired. 3.
The Time Stretch process now has a Ratio setting, letting you easily calculate the time stretch factor. To use the Ratio setting: 1. Click Time Stretch to open the Process Sample window. 2. Click and drag the Number Of Beats field up or down to the desired value. Alternatively, double-click the field and type in a number. 3. Click and drag the New field up or down to the desired new tempo. Alternatively, double-click the field and type in a number.
Chop Mode Chop Mode is now non-destructive: You can choose the slice/edit behavior in Chop Mode (in Sample Edit Mode) without destroying your original sample, giving you more control over sample playback; you can save your sliced sample and but also reuse all of the slice data in another project.
Some features have remained the same but have been reorganized or are accessible in multiple places: • Settings Section: This section is no longer uses that name as it contains many other functions including slice conversion and assignment. • Select Slice: This feature is now assigned to Q-Link Knob Q16 rather than Q15. • Zero Snap (previously Snap to Zero): This button is now above the Q-Link Knobs rather than in the Settings Section.
To set what audio (if any) plays while you move the cue playhead or a slice marker: Click the Edit menu, select Preferences, and click the Other tab. Click each of these drop-down menus to set them, then click OK. • Cue Preview: This is useful for precise placement of the cue playhead. As you move the cue playhead through the sample waveform, you can set it to play the small part of the sample Before the cue playhead, play the small part of the sample After the cue playhead, or not play at all (Off).
Hardware: There is now a cue playhead, which is useful when manually inserting slice markers. You can set its position and behavior to suit your workflow. To use the cue playhead: 1. Turn Q-Link Knob Q15 to move the white cue playhead to the desired position in the sample waveform. (By default, it is at the very start of the sample). The Cue field will show the current position (in samples).
You can now add slice markers to a sample as it plays, letting you edit easily in real time. To do this, click +Slice at any point during sample playback. Hardware: You can now add slice markers to a sample as it plays, letting you edit easily in real time. To do this, press F6 (Slice +) at any point during sample playback. You can now quickly split or combine slices. To split the current slice into two slices, click the + button to the right of the Slice field.
You can also remove all slices from a sample. To do this, click –All. Hardware: You can now remove all slices in a sample. To do this, press and hold Shift and press F5 (Clear All). The second bank of Chop Mode tabs in Sample Edit Mode in the MPC hardware display.
You can now easily convert and assign a slice or sample to a pad or Program. In earlier releases, you had to click the Convert button in the Process section. Now, it's conveniently under the other slice and auditon controls. Clicking any of these five buttons will open the Convert or Assign Slices window. After making your selections, click Do It to complete the process or Close to cancel the operation.
Non-Destructive Convert: Slice to Pad Note: This is same as clicking the Convert To drop-down menu and selecting Assign Slice to Pad. This feature will assign the current slice to a pad, similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Assign Slice. This option, however, doesn't clutter your Program Information with lots of sample slices; the pad will simply refer to the slice in this sample instead of creating a new sample. • Pad: Click this drop-down menu and select the desired pad.
Hardware: Assign Slice to Pad will assign the current slice to a pad, similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Assign Slice. This option, however, doesn't clutter your Project with lots of sample slices; the pad will simply refer to the slice in this sample instead of creating a new sample. • Convert To: This will be set to Assign Slice to Pad. You can use this field to to select a different conversion/assignment process. • Pad: Press the desired pad to select it.
Non-Destructive Convert: New Program Note: This is same as clicking the Convert To drop-down menu and selecting New Program Using Slices. This feature will create a new Program and assign the current sample's slices to its pads. The new Program will be named after the sample and appended with ch. This is similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Sliced Samples with Create New Program checked.
Hardware: New Program Using Slices will assign the current slice to a pad, similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Sliced Samples with Create New Program selected. This option, however, doesn't clutter your Project with lots of sample slices; each pad will simply refer to the slice in this sample instead of creating a new sample. • Convert To: This will be set to New Program Using Slices. You can use this field to to select a different conversion/assignment process.
Extract New Samples: Sample to Pad Note: This is same as clicking the Convert To drop-down menu and selecting New Sample to Pad. This feature will create a new sample from the current one and assign it to a pad. The new sample will have the same name as the original one but appended with -# (where # is a consecutive number). • Pad: Click this drop-down menu and select the desired pad. • Crop Sample: Check this box to delete the unused parts from the sample when it's created and assigned.
Hardware: New Sample to Pad will create a new sample from the current one and assign it to a pad. The new sample will have the same name as the original one but appended with -# (where # is a consecutive number). • Convert To: This will be set to New Sample to Pad. You can use this field to to select a different conversion/assignment process. • Pad: Press the desired pad to select it. • Crop Sample: Set this to On to delete the unused parts from the sample when it's created and assigned.
Extract New Samples: New Program Note: This is same as clicking the Convert To drop-down menu and selecting New Program With New Samples. This feature will create new samples from the current one and assign them to pads in a new Program. The new Program will be named after the sample and appended with ch. The new samples will be appended with SI-# (where # is a consecutive number). This is similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Sliced Samples with Create New Program checked.
Hardware: New Program With New Samples will create new samples from the current one and assign them to pads in a new Program. The new Program will be named after the sample and appended with ch. The new samples will be appended with SI-# (where # is a consecutive number). This is similar to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Sliced Samples with Create New Program selected. • Convert To: This will be set to New Program With New Samples.
Patched Phrase Note: This is same as clicking the Convert To drop-down menu and selecting Patched Phrase. This is identical to applying the Convert process in v1.7 and selecting Patched Phrase: It creates a new sample that will play based on the tempo of your Sequence, and places it in the current Project. The patched phrase will have the same name as the original sample but appended with pp and will use a different icon in your Project Information.
Program Mode You can now edit a sample in the context of the Program in which you'll use it. In this mode, you can adjust the pad parameters as though you were in Program Edit Mode, auditioning and hearing how it will sound in the Program's audio path. To do this: 1. In Sample Edit Mode, click the Program Mode button above the Q-Link Knobs. The pads will show their assigned samples in the current Program. 2. Click a pad to hear its sample(s).
Step Sequence Mode Pad Select Hardware: You can now use Pad Select to switch to step sequence events on different pads. When Pad Select is activated, press a pad to select it and hear its sound instead of entering a pad event. When Pad Select is deactivated, press a pad to enter a step for the current pad, like normal. To activate or deactivate Pad Select, press F4 (Pad Select). Pad Select in Step Sequence Mode in the MPC hardware display.
Pad Perform Mode Pad Perform Mode lets you assign musical scales/modes, chords, or progressions to the pads for more creative performance. Hardware: To use Pad Perform Mode, press Pad Assign while using a Keygroup Program, MIDI Program, or Plugin Program. The display will show the current pad bank's mapping of notes or chords. Use the Cursor Buttons to select a field. Use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to change the setting/value.
• Scale: These two fields determine the root note and the scale type. • Root Note: This is the starting point of the scale. The available notes are all chromatic notes across the range of the pads. The pad that's assigned the root note will be lit differently (and highlighted in the display) to indicate where the scale starts in each octave. • Scale Type: This is the scale or mode based on the root note. (This is disabled when Type is set to Progressions.
Alternatively, use the Function Buttons to quickly select different Types and Chords: • F1 (Notes): This automatically sets the Type to Notes. • F2 (1-3-5): This automatically sets the Type to Chords and sets the Chord to 1-3-5 (major/minor). • F3 (1-3-5-7): This automatically sets the Type to Chords and sets the Chord to 1-3-5-7 (major7/minor7). • F4 (Progrsn): This automatically sets the Type to Progressions.
Effects Input insert effects allow you to apply effects to incoming audio. You can do this while recording samples and while recording with the looper. Vintage Mode effects are now available for all users. These effects emulate the Vintage Mode of the MPC Renaissance. To apply a Vintage Mode effect: 1. When selecting an effect, click the + next to Vintage Effects. 2. Click the desired Vintage Mode effect. 3. Click Select to confirm your choice or Close to cancel.
Hardware: To apply a Vintage Mode effect: 1. When selecting an effect in the Select Effect window, use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to move through the list. The Vintage Mode effects are at the bottom of the list of Akai Professional effects. 2. Press F4 (Select) to confirm your choice or F3 (Back) to cancel. Vintage Mode effects in the Select Effect window in the MPC hardware display.
Improvements in MPC v1.8 • To open files, you can now drag them from your Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS X) anywhere into the MPC software window. • The file browser will hide the [ProjectData] directories when Project filter (Proj) is activated. • Windows that open in the software (e.g., Preferences, History, etc.) are now contained in the main software window rather than spilling outside of it. • Sample Record Mode now has a larger VU meter for better signal visibility and Threshold control.
Corrections for the MPC v1.7 User Guide Keygroup Programs: User Guide 1.7 previously stated that Keygroup Programs have only one channel strip. This has been corrected in Program Mixer Mode (Page 150). Keygroup Programs actually have a channel strip for each individual Keygroup (up to 128). Auto Scroll: User Guide v1.7 previously did not have a description of the Auto Scroll button. This has been added to General Features > Mode Tab Section (Page 72).
Q-Link (Hardware): User Guide v1.7 did not have a description of the Q-Link window (shown in the MPC hardware display only). The explanation of the Q-Link Knob section in the software itself is in Main Mode > Q-Link Section (Page 113). Hardware: 1. To open the Q-Link window, press Shift + Prog Edit / Q-Link. 2. Use the Cursor Buttons to select a field. Use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to change the setting/value. 3. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the Program field at the top of the window.
• To edit even more parameters for the current Q-Link Knob, press F4 (Edit). This opens the Program Q-Link Edit window: • Program (for Program parameters): Use this field to select the Program whose parameters you want to assign. • Effect (for effect parameters): Use this field to select the effect whose parameters you want to assign. (You have to load an effect before its parameters can be assigned to the Q-Link Knobs.
Effects (Hardware): User Guide v1.7 did not have a description of the Effects window (shown in the MPC hardware display only). The Send and Insert tabs have been moved from F4 and F5 to F1 and F2, as well. The explanation of the Effects in the software itself (and corrections due to updates in 1.8) is in Effects > Send Effects (Page 232) and in Effects > Master Effects (Page 236). Hardware: 1. To open the Effects window, press Shift + Seq Edit / Effects. 2. To load or adjust send effects, press F1 (Send).
Other (Hardware): User Guide v1.7 did not have a description of the Other window (shown in the MPC hardware display only). Hardware: 1. To open the Other window, press Shift + Song / Other. 2. To switch between the Preferences tab and MIDI Control tab, press F1 (Prefs or MidiCtrl). 3. Use the Cursor Buttons to select a field. Use the Data Dial or –/+ buttons to change the setting/value. The Preferences tab in the Other window in MPC hardware display.
• Footswitch 1 / Footswitch 2: Use these fields to select the functionality of footswitches connected to your MPC hardware. You can select either transport commands (e.g., Play or Stop) or trigger commands for pads and the Function Buttons. • Sampling Bit Depth: Use this field to set the bit depth of the audio recorded from a sample. • Display Resolution: Use this field to set the resolution of your MPC's hardware display.
• Mode (Q-Link Knobs only): This determines how the Q-Link Knob will control its parameter. • When set to Absolute, the Q-Link Knob's current position is what determines its parameter's value; moving the Q-Link Knob may cause its parameter to "snap" to a new position when using the Q-Link Knob to control different parameters between different modes. • When set to Relative, moving the Q-Link Knob will adjust its parameter upward or downward regardless of its position.
Pad Copy: User Guide v1.7 previously had a description of the Pad Copy button that was obsolete due to subsequent software improvements. This has been corrected in MPC Hardware Overview > MPC Renaissance > Top Panel (Page 19) and in MPC Hardware Overview > MPC Studio > Top Panel (Page 28). User Guide v1.7 also did not have a description of the Copy Pad window or function as shown in the MPC hardware display: The Copy Pad window in the MPC hardware display.
Addendum for MPC v1.9 This chapter is an addendum that explains new features and improvements in MPC v1.9. We also updated certain sections of the earlier pages of the User Guide to correct previous errors. Some of the most important new features include enhancements in Track Mixer Mode, where you can now view and use channel strips for returns, submixes, and master outputs.
Table of Contents: Addendum for MPC v1.9 New Features in MPC v1.9..................................................................................................................... 357 General ............................................................................................................................................... 357 Support for MPC Touch ................................................................................................................ 357 Program Edit Processes .....
Sample Edit Mode ............................................................................................................................. 367 Trim Mode ..................................................................................................................................... 367 Program Mode ............................................................................................................................... 367 Preferences ...........................................................
New Features in MPC v1.9 General Support for MPC Touch This release provides support for Akai Professional’s revolutionary new MPC Touch. You can now get hands-on with your music using MPC Touch’s large multi-touch display and new hardware controls. Learn more at akaipro.com. Program Edit Processes You can now edit certain aspects of the Program in the Edit Menu.
• Duplicate to New Track: Select this to duplicate the current Program to another one and create a new Track that uses it. The new Program will be appended with -# (where # is a consecutive number). • Merge: Select this to merge the pads of one Program with another. In the Merge Programs window that appears, click the Pads from Program menu to select the “source” Program, and click the Into Program menu to select the “destination” Program where the two will be merged.
Pad Colors There’s now an easier to way to set the colors of the pads in your Program. To open the Pad Color window, click the Edit Menu, select Program, and select Pad Color. The Program field shows the Program whose pad colors you are setting. To select a different Program, close this window, select a different Program, and then open the window again. To select a pad to edit, click it on the right, or press it on your MPC hardware.
To select how the empty pads will display, click the Empty Pads field: • Empty pads off: Pads without any sounds will remain off. • Empty pads dim: Pads without any sounds will remain more dimly lit than pads with sounds assigned. • Empty pads normal: Pads without any sounds will appear the same as pads with sounds assigned. To determine whether you want to edit all pads or just one pad, click the Pads field and select Edit All Pads or Edit Single Pads.
Independent Track Lengths Track lengths are now independent of Sequence lengths. In earlier versions, you would have to ensure all Tracks in a Sequence are identical lengths even if it meant the first half of a Track is identical to its second half (e.g., a 4-bar drum pattern in an 8-bar Sequence would have to be doubled). Now, you can set a Track length to be different from the Sequence length.
Independent Insert Effect Bypass You can now enable or disable individual insert effects independently of the others on the same channel. In other words, you no longer have to use the On/Off button to enable or disable all of them at once. To enable or disable an insert effect slot, do either of the following: • Press and hold Shift on your computer keyboard, and then click the insert slot above the channel strip.
Project Notes Each Project now has notes associated with it, which you can use to write notes or other information for later reference. These notes are stored in the Project. To show the Project Notes window, do either of the following: • Click the Edit Menu, and then select Show Project Notes. • On your computer keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+N (Windows) or +Alt+Shift+N (Mac OS X).
Program Edit Mode In Program Edit Mode, you can now set independent polyphony limits for each pad in a Program and/or for the entire Program. You can set either to Poly, Mono, or a specific number of voices. You can do this for Drum Programs or Keygroup Programs only. To set the polyphony for a pad in a Drum Program, click the Pad Polyphony drop-down menu in the Pad Play Modes section. To set the polyphony for a keygroup in a Keygroup Program, click the KG Poly drop-down menu in the Key Group section.
Track Mixer Mode Track Mixer Mode now has channel strips for all 8 submixes, 4 returns, and 16 master outputs. Submix Channel Strips The submix channel strips operate similarly to other channel strips: each has 4 insert slots, send level controls, routing selector, a pan knob, a mute button (M), a level slider, and a level meter. To show or hide the submix channel strips, click the downward arrow icon on the left side of the channel strip area.
Return Channel Strips The return channel strips operate similarly to other channel strips: each has 4 insert slots, routing selector, a pan knob, a mute button (M), a level slider, and a level meter. Because each return channel now has 4 insert slots, you are no longer limited to only 1 effect per send. Each send is now routed through up to 4 insert effects on each return. To show or hide the return channel strips, click the triangular arrow icon on the left side of the channel strip area.
Sample Edit Mode Trim Mode While using Trim Mode, you can now play the sample as a continuous loop while simultaneously adjusting its start and end points. This is useful if you don’t want to keep playing the sample each time you make an adjustment. To continuously play or stop the sample, click Pad 16 (Play Loop Continuous). Program Mode While using Program Mode, you can quickly load a single slice (or all slices) to a pad along with the current start point, end point, and other settings.
Preferences Project Tab The Preferences window now has a Project tab where you can set default settings for each project: • Default Tempo: Click and drag this field up or down to set the default tempo. • Default Master Tempo: Click this button to select whether or not the default tempo applies to Sequences (Off) or to a Master Tempo (On). • Default Sequence Bars: Click and drag this field up or down to set the default number of bars for new Sequences.
Screensaver Disable The Other tab now has an option where you can disable your computer’s screensaver when MPC software is running: • Never: Your computer’s screensaver will function normally. • When hardware attached: As long as your MPC hardware is connected to your computer and powered on, your computer’s screensaver will be disabled. It will function normally again if you power off or disconnect your MPC hardware from your computer.
Improvements in MPC v1.9 • Whenever a Sequence starts or repeats, its sample zone cycle now resets to Layer 1. • Pads for Keygroup Programs, Plugin Program, and MIDI Programs now display the note name and MIDI note number. • Improved Keygroup Program editing. • In Pad Mute Mode, the pad lights now flash more brightly to indicate what’s being played so you can better visualise what to mute. • Enhanced “note-stealing” algorithms so your Projects play better.
Corrections for the MPC v1.8 User Guide Vintage Mode Availability: User Guide 1.8 previously stated that MPC Renaissance users must be using MPC Renaissance as their computer’s sound card in order to use Vintage Mode effects. This is actually not true; Vintage Mode effects are available regardless of your computer’s sound card setting. This has been corrected in Operation > General Features > Transport Section Section (Page 76). Truncation Duration: User Guide 1.
Trim Mode Pad Section: User Guide 1.8 contained outdated information about the Pad Section while using Trim Mode in Sample Edit Mode. This has been updated in Operation > Sample Edit Mode > Trim Mode > Pad Section (Page 187). Keyboard Shortcuts: User Guide 1.8 previously stated that Steinberg Cubase users need to combine all keyboard shortcuts with pressing Alt. This applies to Ableton Live 9 users, as well.
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