Akai MPC 2500 User manual

Quick Manual

Table of Contents
MPC2500 Quick Manual........................................................................... 1
Tutorial of the MPC2500........................................................................... 2
Playing back a demo song......................................................................... 2
Playing a preset program........................................................................ 2
Recording the Performnce by hitting the pads.....................................3
Playing back several sequnces in a series.............................................. 4
Selecting the sequnces in real time ................................................................ 4
Playing back the sequnces in the selected order .......................................... 4
Recording a sond ........................................................................................ 5
Preparing the recording ....................................................................................5
Starting the recording ....................................................................................... 5
Assigning the recorded sound to the pad ....................................................... 6
Loop playback of the phrase sample ......................................................7
Adjusting the start/end points of the sample .................................................. 7
Recording to a sequence ................................................................................. 8
Setting the same numbe of the bars for the sample and the sequence ........... 8
Setting the same tempo for sample and the sequence.................................. 8
Saving the data ............................................................................................ 9
Turning off the Autoload function .......................................................... 9
Other useful functions............................................................................. 10
MPC2500 Quick Manual-E rev1.0 June - 8 2005

1
MPC2500 Quick manual
Welcome to MUSIC PRODUCTION CENTER MPC2500. This quick manual describes the basic operation to get started
with the MPC2500. For the detailed information, see the operator's manual.
• Cursor, Cursor Key
The highlighted part on the screen is called the “cur-
sor” .You can move the cursor on the screen using
four cursor keys on the panel.
• Field, DATA wheel
The locations, where the cursor can be located, are
called “field”. You can change the settings of the
selected field, by turning the [DATA] wheel.
• Function keys
Six keys (F1 to F6) aligned under the LCD (liquid
crystal display) are function keys. Those keys cor-
respond to each of the six functions that are dis-
played on the bottom of the LCD. The functions
that each function key represents depend on the
contents on the LCD.
• MAIN page
This is the main screen of the MPC2500, where you
record and play back sequences.
You can go back to this page at any time by press-
ing the [MAIN] key.
• MODE key
By pressing the [MODE] key and hitting a pad, you
can switch modes. The mode that a pad corre-
sponds to is displayed above each pad.
• WINDOW key
Pressing the [WINDOW] key brings up a window
for the detailed setting of the selected field. This is
not available for all fields. When you select a field
in which you can use the [WINDOW] key, the LED
of the key is lit.
Basic information
Below is the basic information that you need to know to use the MPC2500.
MAIN PAGE
DATA wheel
Cursor Key
[ WINDOW ] key
Function Keys
[ MAIN ] key
[ MODE ] key

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MPC2500 Quick Manual
Tutorial of the MPC2500
The MPC2500 consists of the sampler section, where you record and play-
back the sound, the sequencer section, where you record the performance,
and the pads, which you use to play the sounds.
You record your performance to the sequencer and play the sound of the
sampler by the recorded sequences.
The performance data (MIDI data) is sent from the pads to the sequencer,
and from sequencer to the sampler. The sampler plays the actual sound
from the performance data that is sent to the sampler.
Playing back a demo song
The MPC2500 has a demo song and a preset program in its internal memory and it loads the data automatically when you
switch on the unit (Autoload function). To play back a demo song, proceed as follows.
01. Connect a headphone to the PHONE jack of the MPC2500.
For more information about connecting devices, see the “Connecting MPC2500 to external Audio/MIDI device”
section of the operator's manual (page 6).
02. Switch on the MPC2500.
When you switch on the MPC2500, it displays the start-up screen and then starts the internal data automatically.
After the data is loaded, it displays the MAIN page.
03. Make sure that "01-KEEN BEETZ!!!" is selected in the Sq field and press the [PLAY START] key.
Pressing the [PLAY START] key starts the playback of the demo song. To stop the playback, press the [STOP] key.
When you press the [PLAY] key again, the MPC2500 will start the playback at the point you stopped last time.
After you finish playing back the "01- KEEN BEETZ!!!", try to play back another song. You can select a song by
turning the DATA wheel in the Sq field.
Playing a preset program
Next, let’s try to play the preset program using the pads. You can play the program that is selected in the Pgm field of the
MAIN page by hitting the pad.
01. Select any of the (unused) sequences in the Sq field.
(unused) means that the sequence is not used yet.
02. Switch to the Pgm field and select the program that you wish to play.
You can select the program in the Pgm field. You can select the program within the memory by turning the DATA
wheel in the Pgm field.
03. Hit the pad. The MPC2500 will play the preset program.
You can play up to 64 pads by switching between pad bank Athrough D, but the samples may not be assigned to all the pads.

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Recording the performance by hitting the pads
To record the performance to a sequence using the internal preset program, proceed as follows.
01. Press the [MAIN] key to display the MAIN page.
02. In the Sq field, select a sequence to which you wish to record the performance.
You can select any sequence for recording a performance; but here, select a sequence that says “unused”.
“Unused” indicates that the sequence is not used.
03. In the Tr field, select a track on which you wish to record the performance.
The performance data will be recorded on a track in the sequence.You can select any track, but here select “Tr : 01”.
04. In the Pgm field, select a program you wish to play.
05. Press the [PLAY START] key while holding the [REC] key.
The recording will start after 4 counts.
06. Play the pads to the click sounds.
In default, the sequence is set to 2 bars. After recording for 2 bars, the MPC2500 will start playing back the recorded
performance. If you make another performance with pads, you can add the performance to the currently recorded
one. This is called “over dub”.
07. You can stop the over dub by pressing [STOP] key.
08. Press the [PLAY] key to play the recorded performance.
09. If you do not like the performance, you can start a new recording by pressing the [REC]+[PLAY START] keys.
It cancels the currently recorded performance data and starts a new recording.
10. To add the recording to the already recorded data, press the [PLAY START] key while holding the [OVER DUB] key.
It plays back the currently recorded performance and you can add the new performance by hitting pads.
Delete only the specific pad.
11. Start the overdub by pressing the [PLAY START] key while holding the [OVER DUB] key.
12. Hold the pad that you wish to delete, while holding [ERASE] key.
From the performance data being recorded, only the section from where you press the [ERASE] key and pad and you
release them will be deleted. By pressing the pad at the right timing, you can delete the performance data at certain
timing in the phrase.
If you select another sequence in the Sq field, you can record a new performance separately. By playing back those
sequences, you can create one whole song.
Tips : You can set the length of the sequence in the Bar field, and the time signature in the Tsig field. For more information, see the
“Chapter 3 : Sequence feature” section of the operator's manual. (on page 12)

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MPC2500 Quick Manual
Playing back several sequence in a series
There are two ways to play back several sequences in a series. You can either select the sequence to be played in real time, or
set the order of the sequences in SONG mode.
Selecting the sequences in real time
01. In the Sq field in the MAIN page, select the sequence you wish to play first.
02. Press the [PLAY START] key to start the play back of the sequence.
03. Select the Sq field during play back, and select the next sequence to play.
Selecting a sequence in the Sq field during the playback brings up the Next field, where you can select the next
sequence. After playing back the currently selected sequence to the end, the MPC2500 will start playing back the
sequence you select in the Next field. By repeating this step, you can play back several sequences continuously.
Playing back the sequences in the selected order
To play back the sequences in the selected order, use the SONG mode.
01. Press the [MODE] key and then the [PAD 16] (SONG).
This brings up the SONG page, where you can set the order of the sequences to be played.
02. In the Song field, select a song whose name is (unused).
03. Move the cursor to (end of song) and select the sequence to play first using the DATA wheel.
04.
Select the (end of song) field by pressing the down cursor key, and select the sequence that you want played back next.
Assign the sequences in the desired order by repeating the steps 3. and 4.
05. Press the [PLAY START] key.
The assigned sequence will be played in the selected order.
Tips : For more information about the SONG mode, see the “Chapter 7 : Song mode” section of the operator's manual. (on page 42)

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Recording a sound
In this section, you will learn how to assign the recorded sound
to the pad and play, instead of using the internal preset. Below
is how to record and analog signal from the CD player con-
nected to the RECORD IN on the rear panel.
Preparing the recording
01. Connect the LINE OUT of your CD player to the
RECORD IN of the MPC2500.
The format of the analog input of the MPC2500 is stan-
dard phone jack, while the CD Player’s LINE OUT is
pin jack. To connect the CD player, you will need a con-
version code or conversion plug.
2. Press the [MODE] key and then [PAD 5] (RECORD).
This brings up the RECORD page, where you set the setting for the recording.
03. Select the Input field, and select ANALOG.
04. Select the Time field and set the recording time.
The MPC2500 will finish the recording at the time set in this field. We recommend you set the time a little longer than
the actual recording time. You can finish the recording manually.
05. Play the CD. Check the level meter on screen and adjust the recording level using the [REC GAIN] knob.
If the meter goes too far to the right, the sound will be distorted, but if the sound level is too low, the sample will gain
a lot of noise. Set the level as high as possible but not reach the right edge.
Starting the recording
06. Set the CD player so that it plays the desired sound.
07. Press [F6] (RECORD) key in the RECORD page.
The MPC2500 will be in the recording enable mode, and the bottom of the screen will change as below.
This indicates that the MPC2500 is waiting for the incoming signal. It starts the recording when the CD player starts
playing the sound.
Pressing the [F5] (CANCEL) key cancel the recording enable mode and resets the MPC2500.
Pressing the [F6] (START) key starts the recording before you play the CD player.
Note: If you press the [F6] (RECORD) key when any sound is played, the MPC2500 will start the recording right after you press the [F6] (RECORD) key.

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MPC2500 Quick Manual
08. Play the CD Player.
The MPC2500 will start the recording automatically when the CD Player starts the playback and the bottom of the
screen will change as below:
Tips : If the recording level is too low, the MPC2500 may not start the recording when you play the CD player. In this case, go back to step
5 and set the level with the [REC GAIN] knob again.
09. Press the [F6] (STOP) key to finish the recording.
If you do not press the [F6] (STOP) key, the MPC2500 will stop the recording at the time set in the Time field.
When the MPC2500 finishes the recording, the Keep or Retry window will be displayed.
10. Check the recorded sample by pressing [F4] (PLAY) key.
If you press the [F4] (PLAY) key, you can play back the recorded sample until you release the key.
If you do not like the recording, you can remove the recording by pressing the [F2] (RETRY) key.
Assigning the recorded sound to the pad
11. Select the Assign to pad field with the cursor and hit the pad to which you wish to assign the sample.
The pad number of this pad will be displayed in the Assign to pad field.
12. Press the [F5] (KEEP) key.
This closes the Keep or Retry window and returns to the RECORD page.
Now you can play the recorded sample with the pads. Hit the pad that you have selected in the step 11 to make sure the
recorded sound will be played.
Tips : The samples will be assigned to the pads of the program that is selected in the Pgm field of the MAIN page. To assign the samples
to a new program, you need to create a new program in PROGRAM mode and select it in the Pgm field of the MAIN page in advance. For
more information about creating a new program, see the “Creating a program” section of the operator's manual. (on page 78)
Tips : You can play back only a specific part of the sample by adjusting the start/end points. For more information, see the “Setting the
loop” section of the operator's manual. (on page 76)
Tips : You can change the assigned sample or set the playback method in the PROGRAM mode. For more information, see the “Chapter
13 : Program” section of the operator's manual. (on page 78)

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Loop playback of the phrase sample
In this section, you will learn how to create a sequence using a phrase sample. To handle the phrase sample with the sequence
function, you need to adjust the start/end points of the sample add then set the tempo of the sequence to the tempo of the phrase.
Proceed as described in the “Recording a sound” section on page 5 and record a phrase sample. To play back the loop to
the rhythm, record by bars (1bar, 2 bars….).
Tips : When you record a phrase, try to include some parts before and after the part that you wish to use. In this way, you can adjust the
start/end points easier.
Adjusting the start/end points of the sample
To play the loop to the rhythm, you need to adjust the start/end points so that only the desired part of the sample will be
played. To adjust the start/end points, use TRIM mode.
01. Press the [MODE] key and then the [PAD 6] (TRIM).
This switches to the TRIM mode, where you can edit samples.
You can set the start and end points in the St, and End Field of the TRIM page, respectively. The waveform from the
start point to the end point will be highlighted and the MPC2500 will play only the highlighted part.
02. Select the Sample field in the upper left corner and select a sample you wish to edit.
03. Select the St (start) field and adjust the start point.
You can change the start point by turning the DATA wheel.
Adjust this point so that the first beat of the phrase will be played when you hit the pad. You can check the sound by
hitting any pad of the [PAD 1] through [PAD 12].
If you set the start point too low, it may take some time to play the first beat after you hit the pad. If you set the start
point too high, the first beat may be missing.
04. Select the End field and adjust the end point.
You can change the end point by turning the DATA wheel.
Adjust this point so that the playback of the phrase will end when you hit the pad. You can check the sound by
hitting any pad of the [PAD 1] through [PAD 12].
If you set the start point too low, the playback may end before the end of the phrase. If you set the start point too high,
the playback may have unnecessary noise or silence part.
Tips : If you hold the [ PAD 16] in the TRIM page, the MPC2500 will play back the sample from the start point to the end point
repeatedly (loop playback).Use this function to make sure you set the start and the end points properly. If you don’t set those points
properly, the phrase will not be played off the rhythm.

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MPC2500 Quick Manual
Recording to a sequence
To loop the phrase with the sequence function, proceed as follows.
01. Press the [MAIN] key to display the MAIN page.
02. In the Sq field, select a sequence that says “unused”,
03. In the Pgm field, select the track that you assigned the recorded sample to.
You can record the sequence in real time by pressing the [PLAY START] key while pressing the [REC] key, but here, we
will enter an event with the step recording in the STEP EDIT mode to play the phrase at the beginning of the sequence.
04. Press the [MODE] key and then the [PAD 14] (STEP EDIT).
In the STEP EDIT page, the performance data of the pad will be listed.
05. Turn the DATA wheel to select “001.01.00”.
06. Press the [OVER DUB] key.
The LED of the key will be lit, that indicates that you are in STEP EDIT mode.
07. Hit the pad that has a phrase sample.
The event of this pad will be entered at the point of 001.01.00.
If you hit a different pad by mistake, press the [F4] (DELETE) key. The entered event will be deleted.
08. Press the [STOP] key.
This deactivates the STEP EDIT mode.
Setting the same number of the bars for the sample and the sequence
A new sequence is set to 2 bars in default. If the recorded phrase is also 2 bars, there is no problem. However, if the
number of the bars of the phrase is different from that of the sequence, you need to adjust the number of the bars of the
sequence to match that of the phrase.
09. Press the [MAIN] to display the MAIN page.
10. Select the Bars field and press the [WINDOW] key.
The Change Bars window will be displayed. Set the number of the bars in the New bars field, and press the [F5] (DO
IT) key. This closes the window and changes the length of the sequence.
Setting the same tempo for sample and the sequence
Finally, you need to set the same tempo for the sample and the sequence.
11. Press the [PLAY START] key to play back the sequence.
12. In the (tempo) field, adjust the tempo of the sequence.
If the end of the phrase overlaps the beginning of the next phrase, set the tempo slower (smaller value), if there is
silence part between phrases, set the tempo faster (greater value).

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In this section, you have leaned how to loop the phrase sample with the
sequence function. But if you wish the looping sample, the MPC2500 has
the “Auto Phrase Loop” function. For more information, see the “Auto
Phrase Loop”(page 77) section of the operator’s manual.
The MPC2500 also has the Patched Phrase function that the phrase
sample can be follow to the tempo of the sequence when you
change it. For more information, see the “Dividing a phrase sample
to several Reigions” (page 69) section of the operator’s manual.
Saving the data
The data you made in the MPC2500 will be deleted when you turn off the unit. If you wish to keep the data, proceed as
described in the “Save / Load” section( page 103) or the “Connecting the MPC2500 to your computer” (page 112) of the
operator's manual.
Turning off the Autoload function
The MPC2500 is designed like the other MPC series samplers. However, the MPC2500 is set to automatically load the preset
file when you switch on the unit, so that you can start playing the sound by hitting pads immediately. If you wish to create a
program in the MPC2500, instead of using the preset sounds, you can turn off the Autoload function. Then the MPC2500 will
not load the file automatically when turned on.
01. Press the [MODE] key and then the [PAD 2] (LOAD).
When you press the [MODE] key, its LED will be lit, which allows you to select a mode. If you press the [PAD 2]
(LOAD) when the LED is lit, LOAD page will be displayed.
02. In the LOAD from field, press the [WINDOW] key.
This brings up the Load Setup window, where you can set theAutoload function.
03. Select OFF in the Autoload field, and press the [F4] (CLOSE).
04. Turn off the MPC2500 and then turn it on again.

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MPC2500 Quick Manual
Other useful functions
The MPC2500 has many exciting and clever functions for Track Making.
ChopShop function & Patched Phrase / Sliced Sample
The ChopShop function is to divide a phrase sample to several
regions. After dividing the phrase sample by ChopShop func-
tion, there are two ways for using them. One is the “SLICED
SAMPLES” that each divided region is assigned as each sample.
The other is the “PATCHED PHRASE” that is one sample but
you can change the tempo of the phrase freely later.
“Dividing a phrase sample to several regions” section of the operator's manual. (on page 69)
GRID EDIT mode
The MPC2500 has the GRID EDIT mode that you can entry or
edit the Pad event in the sequence. In the Grid Edit mode, you
can entry and edit the Pad event in the graphic matrix editor.
“Chapter 6 : GRID EDIT” section of the operator's manual. (on page 37)
Effect & LFO with syncing to the tempo of the sequence
The MPC2500 has two stereo effects and one master effect. In
the Effect types, some parameter in Flying Pan / Delay can be
synced to the tempo of the sequence. Also the LFO in the pro-
gram can be synced to the tempo of the sequence.
“Chapter15 : Effect” section of the operator's manual. (on page 97)
“Setting a LFO(Low Frequency Oscillator)” section of the operator's manual. (on page 89)
Mixer Automation function
The MPC2500 can record the information such as Level and Pan
which you change with using Q-Link sliders and knobs during
the sequence recording and reproduce them during the sequence
play back.
“Mixer Automation” section of the operator's manual. (on page 92)

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Input Thru function
The MPC2500 can mix the incoming signal from REC IN or DIGI-
TAL IN with the play back sound from the MPC2500. You can
apply effects to the incoming signal and through the two inter-
nal filters. You can control the level, pan, the cut off frequency,
the resonance, etc of the incoming signal with using the Q-Link
sliders and knobs on real-time.
“Input Thru Function” section of the operator's manual. (on page 94)
Q-Link sliders & knobs
By using the Q-Link sliders and knobs, you can con-
trol the parameter such as filter, tune, etc in a pad
with using a slider or knob. For controlling the pa-
rameter in a Pad, there are two ways of “NOTE ON”
and “REAL TIME” and you can use either way..
“Chapter 9 : Q-Link Slider & Knob” section of the operator's manual. (on page 49)
This manual only describes the basic operation of the MPC2500. The MPC2500 has a lot more features for your music cre-
ation. Please read the operator's manual to learn the operation and functions of the MPC2500.
Have fun with the MPC2500!

Printed in Taiwan