OPERATOR'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW.................................................................................... 1 REAR PANEL OVERVIEW...................................................................................... 3 HOOKUP DIAGRAM ............................................................................................... 4 DISPLAYING INFORMATION ................................................................................. 6 NOTE ......................................................
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW 1 11 12 4 5 6 2 16 17 7 3 19 13 8 15 20 14 18 10 9 1. LCD – The display is used for navigating menus, displaying data, and affecting change on MPD32’s options and parameters. 2. [VALUE] (Push to Enter) – This dial is used for incrementing and decrementing Presets, parameter values and settings. This dial also functions as an [ENTER] button when it is pressed down. 3. [<] AND [>] BUTTONS – These buttons are used for navigating through fields of menus and options.
9. TRANSPORT CONTROL BUTTONS – These five buttons are dedicated buttons for sending transport control commands. The transport control buttons can be set to transmit either MMC (MIDI Machine Control), MMC/MIDI SysEx, MIDI START/STOP or pre-assigned MIDI CC values. 10. 8 ASSIGNABLE KNOBS –Each 360-degree knob can be used to send continuous control data to a desktop audio workstation or external MIDI device. 11.
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. DC POWER ADAPTER INPUT – Plug in a 6V–1A DC power adapter if you do not wish to power the MPD32 through the USB connection. 2. USB CONNECTION – Plug a standard USB cable into this outlet and into the USB port of your computer. The computer’s USB port will provide power to the MPD32.
HOOKUP DIAGRAM Please refer to the following scenario for connecting the MPD32. EXTERNAL SOUND MODULE COMPUTER POWER ADAPTER EXTERNAL MIDI DEVICE FOOTSWITCH FOOTSWITCH EXPRESSION PEDAL MIDI from MPD32 to computer MIDI from external MIDI device connected to MIDI IN port of MPD32 MIDI from computer to external sound module connected to MIDI OUT port of MPD32 1. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the MPD32. The unit will be powered through the USB connection.
ABOUT FOOTSWITCH TYPES Since the Footswitch and Expression Pedal inputs detect whether the pedal is a "Normally Open" or "Normally Closed" type on power-on, pedals should be plugged in prior to poweron. A NOTE ABOUT USING THE MPD32 WITH SOFTWARE 1. Make sure that the MPD32 and all external devices are connected and that the USB cable is connected to your computer before opening any software applications with which you intend to use the MPD32.
DISPLAYING INFORMATION As you are working with the MPD32, the LCD will help you keep track of what values are being sent to external devices. There are several kinds of information that the MPD32 will display while in use: NOTE, AFTERTOUCH (Channel Pressure), CONTROL CHANGE, MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC), and PREVIEW MODE information. NOTE MIDI PORT AND CHANNEL When a PAD is hit, the MPD32 will output MIDI Note On messages to trigger sounds on your DAW or external device.
CONTROL AFTERTOUCH MIDI PORT AND CHANNEL The knobs and faders on the MPD32 can also be set to transmit AFTERTOUCH information. AFTERTOUCH INDICATOR AFTERTOUCH VALUE Please see ‘Editing Knobs and Faders’ (page 15) for more information on setting knobs and faders to transmit Aftertouch. VALUE IS ALSO DISPLAYED WITH BAR METER. PAD BANK MIDI MACHINE CONTROL COMMAND (MMC) MMC COMMAND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC) is commonly used to send transport control messages to hardware record or playback machines.
ABOUT MODES The MPD32 has four different modes of operation. Each mode can be accessed by pressing its corresponding button. Following is a short description of each mode: Preset Mode This mode allows you to load, save and copy Presets. A Preset is a collection of information about how different faders, knobs, and pads will behave. Using Presets allows you to save different configurations so you can quickly load them when you need them, without having to reprogram the MPD32 every time.
PRESET MODE PRESET NAME PRESET NUMBER What is a Preset? A Preset is a collection of information about how the MPD32’s faders, knobs and pads will behave. Using Presets allows you to save different configurations so you can quickly load them when you need them, without having to reprogram the MPD32 every time. The MPD32 features different Preset banks which you can load and write to. When you turn on the MPD32, it will automatically go into Preset Mode and Preset 1 will be displayed on the screen.
EDIT MODE Pressing [EDIT] calls up Edit Mode. In this mode, you can edit the settings of the currently selected Preset. The settings vary depending on the controller you are editing and are described below. Please note that the changes you make will only apply to the currently selected Preset. Also note that if you wish to save the changes made in Edit Mode, you will need to save the current preset. NAVIGATING EDIT MODE 1. Press [EDIT] to enter Edit Mode. 2.
EDIT MODE PARAMETERS CONTROLLER PAGE 1 (EVENT TYPE) NOTE PADS PROGRAM CHANGE CONTROL CHANGE KNOBS AND FADERS AFTERTOUCH CONTROL CHANGE BUTTONS PROGRAM CHANGE TYPE/RANGE/TOGGLE ARP ON/OFF GATE/SWING TOGGLE/MOMENTARY NOTE REPEAT GATE/SWING TIME DIVISION DIVISION TRANSPORT TAP TEMPO TRANSPORT FUNCTION TEMPO CNTL CHANGE EXPRESSION PEDAL AFTERTOUCH MIDI CC FOOTSWITCH DRUM PAD NOTE REPEAT TIME DIV TAP TEMPO BANK CHANGE PLAY/STOP PLAY/RECORD SUSTAIN 11 PAGE 2 (PARAMETERS) MIDI CHANNEL (field 1) NOT
EDITING THE PADS The pads on the MPD32 can be set to transmit Note or Program Change information when they are hit. The default operation of the pads is set to Note, which means that the pad will generate Note On/Off messages to trigger sounds. The pads may also be set up to transmit Program Change information, which allows you to use the pads to switch to different programs (instruments or sound banks) on your DAW or external device.
NOTE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to Note. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the pad will use to transmit messages. You can assign pads to one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and to one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. B11). You may also assign the pad to the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Press [<] to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2.
PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to Program Change. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD Program Change messages can be sent on one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. A7). You may also assign Program Change to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Use the [<] button to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2. While in MIDI Port/Channel field, use [VALUE] dial to select desired MIDI Port and Channel. 3.
EDITING KNOBS, FADERS AND EXPRESSION PEDAL The knobs, faders and expression pedal input on the MPD32 can be set to transmit Control Change or Aftertouch information. In addition, the endless knobs may also be assigned as an Increment/Decrement function. The default operation of knobs, faders and expression pedal input is to transmit Control Change information. What is Control Change? What is Aftertouch? Control Change refers to the use of MIDI Continuous Controller data.
CONTROL CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the event type for the knob or fader is set to Control Change. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob or fader will use to transmit messages. You can assign knobs and faders to one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and to one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. A14). You can also assign a knob or fader to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Press [<] to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2.
AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS For some applications, you might wish to use the faders or knobs as Aftertouch controllers. In this scenario, the knob or fader will transmit Aftertouch information which could be used to control, say, vibrato or tremolo. The following list of parameters can be accessed if “Aftertouch” is selected as the event type for the knob or fader. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob or fader will use to transmit messages.
INCREMENT/DECREMENT PARAMETERS (knobs only) The endless knobs on the MPD32 may also be used as an increment/decrement NRPN function. This allows you to use the knob to increment and decrement through parameters as opposed to sending an absolute value. Please note that the implementation of NRPN functions depends strictly on the software with which you will be using the MP49. Consult your software’s documentation to find out how NRPN functions are supported.
EDITING BUTTONS The buttons on the MPD32 can be used to transmit Control Change or Program Change information. 1. Press [EDIT] to enter EDIT MODE. 2. Press the button you would like to edit. 3. On Page 1, turn the [VALUE] dial to select ‘CTRL CHANGE’ (Control Change) or ‘PROG CHANGE’ (Program Change) as the event type. 4. Press [ENTER] to view Page 2. Depending on which event type you select on Page 1, parameter options on Page 2 will be different. SELECT BUTTON EVENT TYPE IN THIS FIELD. 5.
PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS Buttons can also be assigned to transmit Program Change messages when pressed. The following list of parameters can be accessed if the button event type is set to “Program Change”. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD Buttons can send Program Change messages can be sent on one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. A7). You may also assign Program Change to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Press [<] to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2.
EDITING NOTE REPEAT The MPD32 features the Note Repeat function, which can be found on our legendary Music Production Center (MPC) models. With Note Repeat enabled, you can repeatedly trigger a sound by simply holding down a pad. The sound will be retriggered at a rate equivalent to the currently selected Time Division.
NOTE REPEAT BUTTON MODE The following screen will appear if you select “TOGGL-MOTRY” on Page 1. In this field, you can select whether the [NOTE REPEAT] button will behave in a momentary (MTY) fashion, where pressing the button turns on the Note Repeat function and releasing it turns it off, or in a toggle (TGL) manner, where pressing the button turns on the Note Repeat function and pressing again turns it off. 1. While in Button Mode field, use [VALUE] dial to select Button Mode (Toggle or Momentary). 2.
EDITING TIME DIVISION The Time Division feature works in conjunction with Note Repeat. When Note Repeat is enabled and a pad is held down, the MPD32 will output notes at a rate equivalent to the Time Division setting. To change to a new Time Division setting, press [TIME DIVISION] and select a new rate by pressing its corresponding button (1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, etc.).
EDITING TRANSPORT CONTROL MAXIMUM VALUE The MPD32 can be configured to send transport control information in a variety of ways: MMC (MIDI Machine Control), MMC/MIDI, MIDI, or CTRL. Some applications and devices have dedicated MMC functions and will only respond to MMC messages, while others may not have reserved MMC functions but implement transport control via MIDI SysEx or MIDI CC messages. To account for these scenarios, we have provided a way to edit the messages sent by the transport control buttons.
EDITING FOOTSWITCH INPUTS The two footstwitch inputs on the rear of the MPD32 can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, footswitches can be used as conventional MIDI CC switches. In addition, footswitches can also be used to trigger specific pads on the top panel (for example, to play out a kick drum sequence).
DRUM PAD PARAMETERS If you choose “Drum Pad” as the event type for the footswitch, page 2 allows you to select which pad will be triggered with the footswitch. 1. Turn [VALUE] dial to select the desired pad. 2. Press [ENTER] to accept the setting or [<] to cancel. DRUM PAD NUMBER OTHER FUNCTIONS As we mentioned previously, footswitches may also be used to engage and disengage specific functions on the MPD32.
GLOBAL MODE In Global Mode, you can send global messages and make general changes to the way that your MPD32 functions. Global Mode options are organized under different pages and include the list of options shown on the right: KILL MIDI MIDI COMMMON CHANNEL LCD CONTRAST PAD SENSITIVITY PAD VELOCITY CURVE PAD THRESHOLD MIDI CLOCK TAP TEMPO AVERAGE SAVE SETUP SYSEX TX VERSION To enter Global Mode, press the [GLOBAL] button. To scroll through the different pages, use [<] and [>].
LCD CONTRAST – Page 3 The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted for optimal viewing. 1. While in Global Mode, press [>] to scroll to LCD CONT (page 3). 2. Turn [VALUE] dial to select a contrast level. 3. Press [ENTER] to set contrast level. LCD CONTRAST PAD SENSITIVITY – Page 4 PAD SENSITIVITY allows you to adjust how sensitive the pads will be to the touch.
PAD THRESHOLD – Page 6 PAD THRESHOLD is the minimum force required to activate the pads. If you experience “ghost” triggering due to stage vibrations, you may wish to set this threshold higher. On the other hand, if you find it difficult to trigger sounds when playing the pads lightly, you may wish to set this value to a lower number. PAD THRESHOLD FIELD 1. While in Global Mode, press [>] to scroll to PdThresh (page 6). 2. Turn [VALUE] dial to select value. 3. Press [ENTER] to set Pad Threshold.
SAVE SETUP – Page 9 SAVE SETUP allows you to save any changes you may have made to the global parameters. 1. While in Global Mode, press [>] to scroll to Globals (page 9). You will see “Save Setup” displayed on the screen. 2. Press [ENTER] to save all the global settings on the MPD32. PRESS ENTER TO SAVE SYSEX TX – Page 10 CHOOSE PRESET PRESS ENTER TO TRANFER SYSEX TX allows you to transfer Preset data from the MPD32 via SysEx.
PROGRAM CHANGE MODE A Program Change, often referred to as a Patch Change, is a MIDI message used for sending data to devices to cause them to change to a new program. This allows you to tell a hardware or software device which sound to play. For example, if your MPD32 is controlling an acoustic drum patch on your DAW, using a Program Change command allows you to easily switch to a percussion patch.
RESETTING FACTORY DEFAULTS If you ever would like to restore all the presets to the factory default, do the following: 1. Press [>] - this will open the SAVE screen. 2. Press [>] again - This will open the PRESET NAME screen. 3. Press [>] to move past each letter in the current program's name until the last character is reached. 4. Press [>] one more time - The FACTORY will be displayed. 5. Press [ENTER] to restore factory defaults.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Does the Note Repeat feature on the MPD32 work similarly to Note Repeat on the Akai MPC series? Answer: Yes, the MPD32 features the same Note Repeat algorithm as can be found on the legendary Akai MPC series. This feature allows you to perform and program rhythm patterns that would otherwise be nearly impossible to do by hand. Question: Does the MPD32 have internal sounds? Answer: No.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Please make sure that the MPD32 is connected to your computer and that the computer is powered on. The display does not light up. No power. If using a power adapter, please make sure that the adapter is plugged into a live power outlet. Check your computer’s USB connection to confirm that the MPD32 is recognized. If necessary, replug the connection and restart your computer. MPD32 not properly connected.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Display custom LCD w/ backlight Dimensions (WxDxH) 730mm x 300mm x 100mm Weight 5.
MANUAL REVISION 1.
