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TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 1 REAR PANEL OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 3 HOOKUP DIAGRAM ...................................................................................................................... 4 DISPLAYING INFORMATION ..........................................................................
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW 1. LCD – The display is used for navigating menus, displaying data, and affecting change on MPK25’s options and parameters. 2. [VALUE] (Push to Enter) – This dial is used to increment and decrement 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 to navigate through the fields of menus and options. The [<] button also functions as a [CANCEL] button. 4.
13. 12 MPC PRESSURE AND VELOCITY SENSITIVE PADS – The pads can be used to trigger drum hits or samples on your software or hardware module or can be configured to send Program Change messages. The pads are pressure and velocity sensitive, which makes them very responsive and intuitive to play. 14. PAD BANK buttons – These 4 buttons switch among pad banks A, B, C, D. Each bank can address a unique set of 12 sounds, giving you access of up to 48 different sounds you can trigger with the pads.
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. DC POWER ADAPTER INPUT – Plug in a MP6–1 power adapter if you do not wish to power the MPK25 through the USB connection. 4. MIDI OUT – Use a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT of the MPK25 to the MIDI IN of an external device. 5. 2. POWER ADAPTER RESTRAINT – You can secure a power adapter cord to this restraint to prevent accidental unplugging.
HOOKUP DIAGRAM Please refer to the following scenario for connecting the MPK25. COMPUTER POWER ADAPTER EXTERNAL SOUND MODULE EXTERNAL MIDI DEVICE SUSTAIN PEDAL EXPRESSION PEDAL 1. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the MPK25. The unit will be powered through the USB connection. Alternatively, if you do not wish to use a computer in your setup or if you wish to power the MPK25 externally, please plug in a MP6–1 power adapter (optional). 2.
A NOTE ABOUT USING THE MPK25 WITH SOFTWARE 1. Make sure that the MPK25 and all external devices are connected and that the USB cable is connected to your computer before opening any software applications on your computer with which you might want to use the MPK25. If the unit is not plugged in before, your software application might not recognize the MPK25 as an available device. 2. In your software application, you will need to set the MPK25 as a default MIDI input device.
DISPLAYING INFORMATION As you are working with the MPK25, the LCD will help you keep track of what values and parameters are entered and sent to external devices. There are several kinds of information that the MPK25 will display while in use: OCTAVE, TRANSPOSITION, NOTE, AFTERTOUCH (Channel Pressure), CONTROL CHANGE, MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC), and PREVIEW MODE information.
CONTROL AFTERTOUCH MIDI PORT AND CHANNEL The knobs on the MPK25 can also be set to transmit AFTERTOUCH information. AFTERTOUCH INDICATOR AFTERTOUCH VALUE Please see ‘Editing Knobs’ (page 16) for more information on setting knobs 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 MPK25 has four different modes of operation. Each mode can be accessed by pressing the corresponding button on the MPK25. 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 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 MPK25 every time.
PRESET MODE PRESET NAME What is a Preset? PRESET NUMBER A Preset is a collection of information about how the MPK25’s keyboard, 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 MPK25 every time. The MPK25 features different Preset banks that you can load and write to. When you turn on the MPK25, it will automatically go into Preset Mode and Preset 1 will be displayed on the screen.
EDIT MODE Pressing the [EDIT] button 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. NAVIGATING EDIT MODE 1. Press the [EDIT] button. 2.
EDIT MODE PARAMETERS CONTROLLER SELECTED PAGE 1 OCTAVE KEYBOARD AFTERTOUCH VELOCITY NOTE PADS PROGRAM CHANGE CONTROL CHANGE KNOBS AFTERTOUCH CONTROL CHANGE BUTTONS PROGRAM CHANGE TYPE/RANGE/TOGGLE ARP ON/OFF GATE/SWING TOGGLE/MOMENTARY NOTE REPEAT GATE/SWING TIME DIVISION DIVISION PITCH BEND WHEEL PITCH BEND MODULATION WHEEL MODULATION WHEEL TRANSPORT TAP TEMPO TRANSPORT FUNCTION TEMPO CNTL CHANGE MIDI CHANNEL (field 1) CC NUMBER (field 2) RANGE – MINIMUM VALUE (field 3) RANGE – MAXIMUM VA
EDITING THE KEYBOARD When editing the keyboard, please note that the changes will affect all the keys on the MPK25. The keyboard properties you can edit include MIDI Channel, Octave, Aftertouch, and Velocity. MIDI CHANNEL – This is the MIDI Channel on which the keyboard will be transmitting information. OCTAVE – This is the default octave shift that will be applied to the keyboard when the current Preset is loaded. AFTERTOUCH – Aftertouch describes pressure applied to the keys after they have been pressed.
EDITING THE PADS The pads on the MPK25 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 when a pad is hit it 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 switch to different programs (instruments or sound banks) on your DAW or external device by hitting the pads.
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. Use the [<] button 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 The knobs on the MPK25 are controllers which can be set to transmit Control Change or Aftertouch information. In addition, the knobs may also be assigned as an Increment/Decrement function. Their default operation is to transmit Control Change information when used. 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 pad event type is set to “Note”. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob will use to transmit messages. You can assign knobs 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 to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Use the [<] button to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2.
AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS For some applications, you might wish to use the knobs as Aftertouch controllers. In this scenario, the knob will be transmitting Aftertouch information which could be used to control, say, a vibrato of a device that the MPK25 is controlling. The following list of parameters can be accessed if “Aftertouch” is selected as the event type for the selected knob. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob will use to transmit messages.
INCREMENT/DECREMENT PARAMETERS The endless knobs on the MPK25 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. Please consult your software’s documentation to find out how NRPN functions are supported.
EDITING BUTTONS The buttons on the MPK25 can be used to transmit Control Change or Program Change information. 1. Press [EDIT] button 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 changed. SELECT BUTTON EVENT TYPE IN THIS FIELD. 5.
PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the button 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 THE ARPEGGIATOR The built-in Arpeggiator is one of the features which set the MPK25 apart from other controllers. The Arpeggiator allows you to arpeggiate a sequence of notes by holding down a combination of keys. The Arpeggiator will be synced to the tempo parameter of the MPK25. Please note that tempo can be generated internally or can be synced to an external source, such as a DAW.
ARPEGGIO PARAMETERS – TYPE, RANGE, BUTTON MODE The following parameters can be edited by selecting “TYP RNG TGL” on Page 1. ARP TYPE Select one of the following arpeggio types in this field – Up, Down, Incl, Excl, Rand, Chrd. 1. While in Arp Type field, use [VALUE] dial to select Arp Type. 2. Use the [>] button to select the next field. ARP TYPE Arp Type descriptions: ARP TYPE UP – Notes arpeggiate from the lowest note to the highest note held.
ARPEGGIO PARAMETERS – GATE, SWING The following parameters can be edited by selecting “GATE SWING” on Page 1. GATE Select the arpeggiator Gate in this field. 1. While in Gate field, use [VALUE] dial to select Gate duration. 2. Use the [>] button to select the next field. GATE DURATION SWING Select the arpeggiator Swing in this field. 1. Use the [>] button to select the Swing field. 2. While in Gate field, use [VALUE] dial to select Gate duration.
EDITING NOTE REPEAT The MPK25 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 Time Division currently selected on the MPK25.
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 and the Arpeggiator. When Note Repeat or the Arpeggiator is enabled, the MPK25 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.
EDITING THE PITCH BEND WHEEL The Pitch Bend wheel can be assigned to transmit pitch bend information on a specific MIDI Channel. 1. Press the [EDIT] button to enter Edit Mode. 2. Now select the Pitch Bend wheel for editing by moving the wheel. 3. You will see Page 1 displayed on the screen (shown on the left). 4. Press [ENTER] to edit the Pitch Bend settings. 5. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the MIDI Channel for the Pitch Bend wheel. 6. Press [ENTER] to accept the change.
EDITING THE MODULATION WHEEL The Modulation wheel can be edited to transmit a range of values on a specific MIDI Channel and MIDI CC. 1. To edit the Modulation wheel settings, press the [EDIT] button to enter Edit Mode. 2. Now select the Modulation wheel for editing by moving the wheel. 3. You will see Page 1 displayed on the screen (shown on the left). 4. Press [ENTER] to edit the Pitch bend settings.
MAXIMUM VALUE EDITING TRANSPORT CONTROL The transport control section on the MPK25 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.
EDITING SUSTAIN PEDAL INPUT The footswitch input on the rear of the MPK25 can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, a footswitch can be used as a conventional MIDI CC switch. In addition, a footswitch may 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 (i.e. C4 would be pad 4 in bank C). 2. Press [ENTER] to accept the setting or [<] to cancel. DRUM PAD NUMBER OTHER FUNCTIONS As we mentioned previously, a footswitch may also be used to engage and disengage specific functions on the MPK25.
GLOBAL MODE In Global Mode, you can send global messages and make general changes to the way that your MPK25 functions. Global Mode options are organized under different pages and include the list of options shown on the right: To enter Global Mode, press the [GLOBAL] button. To scroll among the different pages, use the [<] and [>] buttons.
LCD CONTRAST – Page 3 The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted for optimal viewing. 1. While in Global Mode, use [>] button 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 cause the pads to output sounds when playing them lightly, you may wish to set this value to a lower number. 1. PAD THRESHOLD FIELD While in Global Mode, use [>] button to scroll to PdThresh (page 6). 2. Turn [VALUE] dial to select Transposition in semi-tones. 3.
SAVE GLOBAL – Page 10 SAVE GLOBAL allows you to save all of the global parameters on the MPK25, including MIDI Common Channel, LCD Contrast, Pad Sensitivity, Pad Velocity Curve, Keyboard Transposition, MIDI Clock, Tap Tempo Average, Preset and SysEx information. 1. While in Global Mode, use [>] button to scroll to Globals (page 10). You will see “Save Setup” displayed on the screen. 2. Press [ENTER] to save all the global settings on the MPK25.
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 MPK25 is controlling a piano patch on your DAW or an external device, using a Program Change command allows you to easily switch to a synth patch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Answer: Does the MPK25 have internal sounds? No. The MPK25 is a MIDI-controller, which means that it does not contain any sounds inside but is instead used to control external sound devices, such as hardware and software synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines. Question: Answer: Can the MPK25 be synced to external devices? Yes, the MPK25 can receive MIDI Clock through both the USB and the MIDI IN connection.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM The display does not light up. CAUSE SOLUTION Please make sure that the MPK25 is connected to your computer and that the computer is powered on. 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 MPK25 is recognized. If necessary, reconnect the device and restart your computer.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Display custom LCD w/ backlight Dimensions (WxDxH) 477 mm x 359 mm x 88 mm Weight 3.
7-51-0277-A
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