User Guide

Chapter 2—Introducing the MPC4000
8
2 Introducing the MPC4000
This chapter describes how the MPC4000 is structured, and explains the special terms you will need to know
when using it. This chapter also explains the user interface of the MPC4000, and basic operating procedures.
How the MPC4000 is structured
Broadly speaking, the MPC4000 consists of the following three sections.
• Sampler
• Sequencer
• Pads/controllers
These sections internally communicate with each other using MIDI events (performance data). The follow-
ing diagram shows how MIDI events will flow within the MPC4000 when it is in the default state.
A MIDI note number is assigned to each pad on the top panel, and when you strike a pad, the corresponding
note-on message is sent to the sequencer section or the [MIDI OUT] connectors.
The sequencer section records the MIDI events that it receives from the pads or the [MIDI IN] connectors.
When you play back the sequencer, these MIDI events are sent to the sampler section or the [MIDI OUT]
connectors.
The sampler section receives MIDI events from the sequencer section, pads, and [MIDI IN] connectors, and
produces sounds.
Now let’s take a closer look at how each section is structured.
Sampler section
Samples
The sounds of the sampler section are created from pieces of audio waveform data called “samples.” The
MPC4000 can use samples with 16-bit or 24-bit quantization and 44.1/48/96 kHz sampling rates (stereo or
monaural).
Programs
The units of sound used by the sampler section are called “programs.” A program consists of one or more
samples (waveform data) together with filter, envelope, LFO and other parameters. The MPC4000 has two
types of program.
• Drum programs
This type of program assigns a different sample to each note number. You will use drum programs mainly
to play drum or percussion kits, or to play phrase samples.
A drum program provides “zones” (areas) to which you can assign up to four samples for each note number.
You can specify the range of velocities that will play each zone. This lets you layer multiple samples, or
switch samples by velocity.
When you use the pads to play drums, you will use one of these drum programs. The program will be played
according to the note numbers that are assigned to the pads.
Pads
Sampler
MIDI keyboard
MIDI sound module
MIDI sequencer
MPC4000
MIDI IN/MIDI OUT