Akai MPC Touch User manual

User Guide
English
Manual Version 1.0

2
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................9
System Requirements and Product Support .....................................................................................9
About This User Guide .......................................................................................................................10
Important Notes .................................................................................................................................. 11
Setup ....................................................................................................................................................11
1. Installation ................................................................................................................................... 11
2. Connection .................................................................................................................................. 12
3. Getting Started ............................................................................................................................ 13
Unlocking Your MPC Software ....................................................................................................................... 14
Features ....................................................................................................................................................15
Top Panel............................................................................................................................................. 15
Display .............................................................................................................................................18
Rear Panel ...........................................................................................................................................20

3
Quick Start /Tutorial................................................................................................................................ 22
Starting Up........................................................................................................................................... 22
Creating a Drum Kit............................................................................................................................ 23
Recording a Drum Sequence.............................................................................................................25
Organizing Samples............................................................................................................................ 26
Editing Note Events ............................................................................................................................ 28
Making Basic Sound Edits .................................................................................................................31
Recording a Bass Track..................................................................................................................... 33
Creating a Song ..................................................................................................................................38
Exporting the Song ............................................................................................................................. 39

4
Other Features Explained .................................................................................................................. 40
Step Sequencer............................................................................................................................... 40
Drum Loops and Chop Mode..........................................................................................................42
Pad Muting and Track Muting .........................................................................................................45
Sample Recording ........................................................................................................................... 47
Sample Editing ................................................................................................................................ 49
Recording Automation with the XY Pad .......................................................................................... 51
Using MPC as a Plugin....................................................................................................................52
Operation .................................................................................................................................................. 53
General Features.................................................................................................................................54
Control Types ..................................................................................................................................54
Programs .........................................................................................................................................60
About Programs............................................................................................................................................. 60
Drum Programs.............................................................................................................................................. 61
Keygroup Programs ....................................................................................................................................... 64
Plugin Programs............................................................................................................................................. 66
MIDI Programs ............................................................................................................................................... 68
Menu................................................................................................................................................70
16 Level ...........................................................................................................................................71

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Effects..............................................................................................................................................72
Overview........................................................................................................................................................ 72
Insert Effects .................................................................................................................................................. 77
Send/Return Effects ....................................................................................................................................... 84
Differences Between Plugin and Standalone Usage.......................................................................88
Modes ..................................................................................................................................................89
Main Mode.......................................................................................................................................90
Grid View .......................................................................................................................................118
Track View ..................................................................................................................................... 126
Step Sequencer............................................................................................................................. 130
XYFX Mode....................................................................................................................................136
Sample Edit Mode ......................................................................................................................... 140
Trim Mode ................................................................................................................................................... 143
Chop Mode.................................................................................................................................................. 155
Program Mode............................................................................................................................................. 168
Settings ....................................................................................................................................................... 177
Sampler .........................................................................................................................................179
Pad Mute Mode ............................................................................................................................. 185
Pad Mute ..................................................................................................................................................... 186
Pad Group ................................................................................................................................................... 187

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Pad Mixer ...................................................................................................................................... 188
Levels .......................................................................................................................................................... 191
Panning ....................................................................................................................................................... 191
Mute ............................................................................................................................................................ 192
Send Effects ................................................................................................................................................ 192
Insert Effects ................................................................................................................................................ 193
Routing ........................................................................................................................................................ 194
Next Sequence Mode.................................................................................................................... 195
Program Edit Mode ....................................................................................................................... 198
Drum Programs............................................................................................................................................ 199
Keygroup Programs ..................................................................................................................................... 216
Plugin Programs........................................................................................................................................... 230
MIDI Programs ............................................................................................................................................. 231
Anatomy of an Envelope............................................................................................................................... 232
Looper ........................................................................................................................................... 234
Track Mute Mode .......................................................................................................................... 240
Track Mute................................................................................................................................................... 241
Track Group................................................................................................................................................. 242
Channel Mixer................................................................................................................................ 243
Track Mixer .................................................................................................................................................. 247
Program Mixer ............................................................................................................................................. 248
Return Mixer ................................................................................................................................................ 250
Submixer ..................................................................................................................................................... 251
Master Mixer ................................................................................................................................................ 252

7
Song Mode ....................................................................................................................................253
Browser ......................................................................................................................................... 256
Pad Perform Mode ........................................................................................................................ 260
Pad Color Mode ............................................................................................................................ 264
Appendix .................................................................................................................................................266
Effects and Parameters.................................................................................................................... 266
Reverbs.......................................................................................................................................... 266
Delays ............................................................................................................................................270
Flangers .........................................................................................................................................275
Chorus ...........................................................................................................................................276
Autopans ....................................................................................................................................... 277
Tremolos........................................................................................................................................278
Phasers..........................................................................................................................................279
HP (High-Pass) Filters....................................................................................................................280
LP (Low-Pass) Filters.....................................................................................................................282
Parametric EQs..............................................................................................................................284
Distortions ..................................................................................................................................... 286
Compressors .................................................................................................................................289
Bit Reducers .................................................................................................................................. 291
Other..............................................................................................................................................292

8
Glossary .............................................................................................................................................294
Trademarks and Licenses................................................................................................................ 300

9
Introduction
Thanks for choosing the MPC Touch. Fusing Akai Professional’s legendary MPC layout and workflow
with the power of your computer, MPC software is an unrivaled instrument for music production.
Introducing a new approach to music production with an ultra-fast and super-intuitive workflow, the
Touch is powered by a radiant 7” color multi-touch display. Literally grab and pinch waveforms, draw
midi events, adjust envelopes, chop samples, add effects and precisely set your controls using your
fingertips. Combined with the classic MPC feel, sound and vastly improved pads, the MPC Touch
embodies the best elements of our past while taking music production tech into the future.
Welcome to the MPC family.
Akai Professional
System Requirements and Product Support
For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and
product registration, visit akaipro.com.
For additional support, visit akaipro.com/support.

10
About This User Guide
This manual should help you get familiar with using the MPC Touch to control your MPC software.
For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on the MPC parameter names.
We also used specific formatting to indicate particular topics of significance:
Important / Note / Tip: Important or helpful information on a given topic.
Names of buttons, controls, parameters, settings, and other options are written in bold characters
throughout the manual.
Examples: Press the Play Start button.
Turn Q-Link Knob 4.
Tap the Mute button.
The Velocity ranges from 0to 127.
Set the Sample Play selector to One-Shot.
Click BPM, and then use the numeric keypad to enter a 120 as the tempo.
Some parts of this manual refer to other relevant chapters or sections, which are cited in bold, italic
blue characters. Click the text to skip immediately to that section.
Examples: Read the Important Notes section before proceeding.
For more information about installing the necessary drivers and software, please see
the Installation section.
To learn more about using send effects, please see General Features >Effects >
Send/Return Effects.