Akai MPC 2000XL User manual

MIDI PRODUCTION CENTER
mpc2000xl

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol , within an equilateral triangle, is
intendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulated“dangerousvoltage”
within the product’s enclosure; that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Theexclamationpointwithinanequilateraltriangleisintentedtoalerttheuser
to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instruc-
tions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
THE SYMBOLS ARE RULED BY UL STANDARDS (U.S.A.)
5B-En
WARNING!!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
1-En
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
12 / 7 / 2001 Rev. 7

Page i
Warning
WARNING: WHEN USING ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, BASIC PRECAUTIONS SHOULD
ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
WARNING
The MPC2000XL is designed to be used in a standard household environment.
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary from area to area. Please ensure that
yourMPC2000XLmeetsthepowerrequirementsinyourarea. Ifindoubt,consultaqualified
electrician or AKAI professional dealer.
120 VAC @ 60 Hz for USA and Canada
220~240 VAC @ 50 Hz for Europe
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE MPC2000XL
• Never touch the AC plug with wet hands.
• AlwaysdisconnecttheMPC2000XLfromthepowersupplybypullingontheplug,notthe
cord.
• Allow only an AKAI professional dealer or qualified professional engineer to repair or
reassemble the MPC2000XL. Apart from voiding the warranty, unauthorized engineers
might touch live internal parts and receive a serious electrical shock. There are no
serviceable parts inside.
• Do not put, or allow anyone to put any object, especially metal objects, into the
MPC2000XL.
• Use only a household AC power supply. Never use a DC power supply.
• If water or any other liquid is spilled into or onto the MPC2000XL, disconnect the power,
and call your dealer.
• Make sure that the unit is well-ventilated, and away from direct sunlight.
• Toavoiddamagetointernalcircuitry,aswellastheexternalfinish,keeptheMPC2000XL
away from sources of direct heat (stoves, radiators, etc.).
• Avoid using aerosol insecticides, etc. near the MPC2000XL. They may damage the
surface, and may ignite.
• Do not use denaturated alcohol, thinner or similar chemicals to clean the MPC2000XL.
They will damage the finish.
• Modification of this equipment is dangerous, and can result in the functions of the
MPC2000XL being impaired. Never attempt to modify the equipment in any way.
• Make sure that the MPC2000XL is always well-supported when in use (either in a
specially-designed equipment rack, or a firm level surface).
• In order to assure optimum performance of your MPC2000XL, select the setup location
carefully,andmakesuretheequipmentisusedproperly.AvoidsettinguptheMPC2000XL
in the following locations:
1. In a humid or dusty environment
2. In a room with poor ventilation
3. On a surface which is not horizontal
4. Inside a vehicle such as a car, where it will be subject to vibration
5. In an extremely hot or cold environment

Page ii
Warning
WARNING
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED
IMPORTANT
This equipment is fitted with an approved non-rewireable UK mains plug.
To change the fuse in this type of plug proceed as follows:
1) Remove the fuse cover and old fuse.
2) Fit a new fuse which should be a BS1362 5 Amp A.S.T.A or BSI approved type.
3) Refit the fuse cover.
If the AC mains plug fitted to the lead supplied with this equipment is not suitable for your type of
AC outlet sockets, it should be changed to an AC mains lead, complete with moulded plug, to the
appropriate type. If this is not possible, the plug should be cut off and a correct one fitted to suit
the AC outlet. This should be fused at 5 Amps.
If a plug without a fuse is used, the fuse at the distribution board should NOT BE GREATER than 5
Amp.
PLEASE NOTE: THE SEVERED PLUG MUST BE DESTROYED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE
SHOCK HAZARD SHOULD IT BE INSERTED INTO A 13 AMP SOCKET
ELSEWHERE.
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:
GREEN and YELLOW —EARTH
BLUE —NEUTRAL
BROWN —LIVE
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, please proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured GREEN and YELLOW must be connected to the terminal which is
marked with the letter E or with the safety earth symbol or coloured GREEN or coloured
GREEN and YELLOW.
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the
letter N or coloured BLACK.
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with
the letter L or coloured RED.
THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED
Ensure that all the terminals are securely tightened and no loose strands of wire exist.
Before replacing the plug cover, make certain the cord grip is clamped over the outer sheath of
the lead and not simply over the wires. 6D-En

Page iii
Warning
VENTILATION
Donotprevent theunit'sventilation,especially byplacingtheunit onthesoftcarpet, inanarrowspace,
or by placing objects on the unit's chassis—top, side, or rear panels. Always keep the unit's chassis
at least 10 centimeters from any other objects. 31C-En
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROYED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR
COMPLIANCE COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT. 32-En
ThisdigitalapparatusdoesnotexceedtheClassBlimitsforradionoiseemissionsfromdigitalapparatus
set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.27-En
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The AKAI MPC2000XL is a computer-based device, and as such contains and uses software in
DISKsand ROMs. This software,and all relateddocumentation, includingthisOperator’s Manual,
containproprietaryinformationwhichisprotectedbycopyrightlaws. Allrightsarereserved. Nopart
of the software or its documentation may be copied, transferred or modified. You may not modify,
adapt, translate, lease, distribute, resell for profit or create derivative works based on the software
and its related documentation or any part there of without prior written consent from AKAI
professional M.I. Corp., Yokohama, Japan.
FCC WARNING
ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevicepursuant
toPart15oftheFCCrules. Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequencyenergyand,if not installedandusedinaccordance with theinstructions,maycauseharmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. 21B-En
AVIS POUR LES ACHETEURS CANADIENS DU MPC2000XL
Leprésentappareilnumériquen’émentpasdebruitsradioélectriquesdépassantleslimitesapplicables
auxappareilsnumériquesdelaClassBprescritesdansleRèglementsurlebrouillageradioélectrique
édicté par le ministère des Communications du Canada. 27-F

Page iv
Warranty
WARRANTY
AKAI professional M.I. Corp. warrants its products, when purchased from an authorized “AKAI
professional”dealer,tobefreefromdefectsinmaterialsandworkmanshipforaperiodof12(twelve)
months from the date of purchase. Warranty service is effective and available to the original
purchase only, and only on completion and return of the AKAI professional Warranty Registration
Card within 14 days of purchase.
Warranty coverage is valid for factory-authorized updates to AKAI professional instruments and
their software, when their installation is performed by an authorized AKAI professional Service
Center, and a properly completed Warranty Registration has been returned to your “AKAI
professional” dealer.
Toobtainserviceunderthiswarranty,theproductmust,ondiscoveryofthedetect,beproperlypacked
andshipped to the nearest AKAI professional Service Center. Theparty requesting warranty service
must provide proof of original ownership and date of purchase of the product.
If the warranty is valid, AKAI professional will, without charge for parts or labor, either repair or
replacethedefectivepart(s). Without avalidwarranty, theentirecostof therepair(partsand labor)
is the responsibility of the product's owner.
AKAI professional warrants that it will make all necessary adjustments, repairs and replacements
at no cost to the original owner within 12 (twelve) months of the purchase date if:
1) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to failure of one or more of its
components.
2) The product fails to perform its specified functions due to defects in workmanship.
3) The product has been maintained and operated by the owner in strict accordance with the
writteninstructionsforpropermaintenanceanduseasspecifiedinthisOperator'sManual.
Before purchase and use, owners should determine the suitability of the product for their intended
use,andownerassumesallriskandliabilitywhatsoeverinconnectiontherewith. AKAIprofessional
shallnotbeliableforanyinjury,lossordamage,directorconsequential,arisingoutofuse,orinability
to use the product.
The warranty provides only those benefits specified, and does not cover defects or repairs needed
as a result of acts beyond the control of AKAI professional, including but not limited to:
1) Damagecausedbyabuse,accident,negligence. AKAIprofessionalwillnotcoverunder
warranty any original factory disk damaged or destroyed as a result of the owner's
mishandling.
2) Damage caused by any tampering, alteration or modification of the product: operating
software, mechanical or electronic components.
3) Damagecausedbyfailuretomaintainandoperatetheproductinstrictaccordancewiththe
writteninstructionsforpropermaintenance anduseasspecifiedinthis Operator'sManual.
4) Damage caused by repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons.
5) Damage caused by fire, smoke, falling objects, water or other liquids, or natural events
such as rain, floods, earthquakes, lightning, tornadoes, storms, etc.
6) Damage caused by operation on improper voltages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This warranty becomes void if the product or its software is
electronically modified, altered or tampered with in any way.
AKAIprofessionalshallnotbeliableforcostsinvolvedinpackingorpreparingtheproductforshipping,
with regard to time, labor, or materials, shipping or freight costs, or time or expense involved in
transporting the product to and from AKAI professional Authorized Service Center or Authorized
Dealer.
AKAI professional will not cover under warranty an apparent malfunction that is determined to be
user error, or owner's inability to use the product.
THEDURATIONOFANYOTHERWARRANTIES,WHETHERIMPLIEDOREXPRESS,INCLUD-
INGBUTNOT LIMITEDTOTHE IMPLIEDCONDITION OFMERCHANTABILITY,IS LIMITEDTO
THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY HEREIN.
AKAI professional hereby excludes incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited
to: 1) Loss of time.
2) Inconvenience
3) Delay in performance of the Warranty.
4) The loss of use of the product.
5) Commercial loss.
6) Breachof any expressor implied warranty,including theImpliedWarranty ofMerchant-
ability, applicable to this product.

Page v
Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................... 1
Features .............................................................................................................. 2
Panel Descriptions............................................................................................... 4
Front Panel.............................................................................................. 4
Rear Panel .............................................................................................. 7
Handling Floppy Disks......................................................................................... 8
The Disk Drive......................................................................................... 8
Taking care of your Disks........................................................................ 8
CD-ROM Care......................................................................................... 9
Chapter 2: The Basics ............................................................................................... 10
Hooking Up Your System .................................................................................. 11
The Terms Used in MPC2000XL....................................................................... 12
Sequence .................................................................................. 12
Track ......................................................................................... 12
Song.......................................................................................... 12
Sound........................................................................................ 13
Drum Pads ................................................................................ 13
Note Number............................................................................. 13
Program .................................................................................... 13
Operating the Front Panel and Screen.............................................................. 14
The Cursor, Cursor Keys, Data Fields ...................................... 15
The Numeric Keypad and DATA Wheel.................................... 15
The Function Keys .................................................................... 15
Basic Functions ................................................................................................. 16
Loading and Playing Programs ............................................................. 16
Playing the Drum Pads, the PAD BANK, & FULL LEVEL Keys ............ 18
Selecting Programs ............................................................................... 19
The NOTE VARIATION Slider, ASSIGN and AFTER keys................... 19
The ASSIGN Key ...................................................................... 20
The AFTER key......................................................................... 21
The 16 LEVELS key .............................................................................. 22
Chapter 3: Recording Sequences............................................................................. 24
How Sequences are Organized......................................................................... 24
Bar.Beat.Tick............................................................................. 25
Examples of Sequence Recordings .................................................................. 26
Example 1: Recording a Drum Pad Performance ..................... 26
Example 2: Recording a Loop................................................... 28
Example 3: Recording With External MIDI Equipment.............. 30
The MAIN SCREEN .......................................................................................... 32
Selecting a Sequence ........................................................................... 32
Renaming a Sequence.............................................................. 32
Name Window........................................................................... 33
Deleting a Sequence................................................................. 33
Copying a Sequence................................................................. 34
Next sequence function............................................................. 34
Second Sequence Feature ....................................................... 36

Page vi
Contents
Setting the Tempo ................................................................................. 37
Tempo Change Window............................................................ 37
Entering and Modifying a Tempo Change................................. 38
Selecting a Tempo Source .................................................................... 39
Setting the Time Correct (Quantization)................................................ 40
Setting the Beat..................................................................................... 41
Setting the Number of Bars ................................................................... 42
Looping a Sequence ............................................................................. 44
Setting the Recording Count In/Metronome .......................................... 45
Selecting a Track................................................................................... 47
Renaming a Track..................................................................... 47
Deleting a Track ........................................................................ 48
Copying a Track ........................................................................ 48
Turning the Track ON or OFF ............................................................... 49
Deleting All the Tracks that You Have Turned Off ................................ 50
Setting the Track Type .......................................................................... 50
Settings for MIDI Reception .................................................................. 51
MIDI Filter Function ............................................................................... 52
Setting the Track’s MIDI Channel.......................................................... 52
Settings for MIDI Output........................................................................ 53
Multiple Track Recording....................................................................... 54
Editing the Velocity................................................................................ 55
Setting the Program Change Transfer .................................................. 56
Locating with the DATA Wheel.............................................................. 56
Units Used to Locate a Point..................................................... 56
The Main Screen Function Keys ........................................................... 57
The Play/Record Keys and the Locate Keys ..................................................... 58
The AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT Function................................................................ 60
Chapter 4: Editing Sequences .................................................................................. 61
Overview............................................................................................................ 62
Erasing Data with the ERASE Key .................................................................... 62
Erasing a Note in Real Time ..................................................... 62
Using the ERASE Window to Erase Data ................................. 62
Step Editing ....................................................................................................... 64
Step Editing Screen............................................................................... 64
Timing Correct in Step Edit ....................................................... 65
The Event Display ..................................................................... 65
Operating the List Display ......................................................... 66
Selecting and Editing Multiple Events ....................................... 66
Copying an Event...................................................................... 67
Deleting an Event...................................................................... 67
Pasting an Event ....................................................................... 67
Inserting an Event ..................................................................... 68
Step Recording...................................................................................... 68
The Editing Screen ............................................................................................ 69
Copying an Event...................................................................... 69
Editing the Duration of a Note ................................................... 70
Editing the Velocity of a Note .................................................... 70
Transposing a Note................................................................... 71
Copying by Bar.......................................................................... 72
Rearranging the tracks.............................................................. 73

Page vii
Contents
Sequence Preferences.............................................................. 74
Transposing a Track ................................................................. 74
Chapter 5: Song Mode ............................................................................................... 76
Overview............................................................................................................ 76
Song Mode ........................................................................................................ 78
Creating a Song .................................................................................... 78
Renaming a Song.................................................................................. 79
Selecting a Song ................................................................................... 78
Deleting a Song..................................................................................... 80
Copying a Song..................................................................................... 81
Setting the Tempo ................................................................................. 82
Setting the Loop .................................................................................... 83
Selecting a Step and Changing a Sequence......................................... 84
Repeating a Sequence.......................................................................... 84
Deleting a Step...................................................................................... 85
Inserting a Step ..................................................................................... 85
Moving to a Specific Point in a Song (Locate)....................................... 86
Converting a Song to a Sequence ........................................................ 87
Chapter 6: Creating and Editing Sounds ................................................................. 88
Sampling a New Sound ..................................................................................... 89
Editing a Sound ................................................................................................. 93
Selecting a Sound ................................................................................. 93
Renaming or Displaying the Specification of the Sound ........... 93
Deleting a Sound....................................................................... 94
Copying a Sound....................................................................... 94
Converting a Sound............................................................................... 95
Converting Stereo to Mono ....................................................... 95
Converting Mono to Stereo ....................................................... 96
Re-sampling .............................................................................. 97
TRIM Mode............................................................................................ 98
Fine Adjustment of the Start Point ............................................ 99
Fine Adjustment of the End Point............................................ 100
LOOP Mode ........................................................................................ 101
Fine Adjustment of the Loop Points ........................................ 102
ZONE Mode ........................................................................................ 103
Fine Adjustment of the Start Point of a Zone .......................... 103
Fine Adjustment of the End Point of a Zone ........................... 104
EDIT Mode .......................................................................................... 104
BPM Match.......................................................................................... 107
Setting the Sound Parameters ............................................................ 109
Beat Loop Function ................................................................. 109
Chapter 7: Creating and Editing Programs ........................................................... 110
What Are Programs? ....................................................................................... 111
Creating a program ............................................................................. 112
Selecting a Program and Assigning a Sound .................................................. 113
Selecting Programs ............................................................................. 113
Renaming Programs ............................................................... 114
Deleting a Program ................................................................. 114
Creating New Programs.......................................................... 115

Page viii
Copying Programs .................................................................. 115
Assigning Notes to the Drum Pads ..................................................... 116
Assigning Sounds to Notes ................................................................. 117
Auto Chromatic Assignement.............................................................. 117
The Pad Assign Mode and Initialize .................................................... 118
Deleting Unused Sounds from the Memory ........................................ 118
The Program Sound Generation Mode ............................................... 119
Editing Note Parameters ................................................................................. 121
Selecting Programs ............................................................................. 121
Selecting Notes ................................................................................... 121
Copying the Note Parameter................................................... 122
Setting the Envelope ........................................................................... 122
Setting the Filter .................................................................................. 124
Setting the Pitch .................................................................................. 125
Setting the Voice Overlap.................................................................... 126
The MIDI Settings of the Sampler ....................................................... 127
Chapter 8: Mixer Functions..................................................................................... 128
Stereo Output Mixer ........................................................................................ 129
Setting the Volume .............................................................................. 129
Setting the Left/Right Pan ................................................................... 130
Linking the Volume/Pan Levels ........................................................... 130
Setting the Individual Outputs and Effect Send (Option) ................................. 131
Assigning the Sounds to Individual Outputs........................................ 131
Setting the Output Level...................................................................... 132
Linking the Individual Outputs/Output Levels ...................................... 132
Sending Effects ............................................................................................... 133
Setting the Effect Send Level .............................................................. 133
Setting the Volume or Pan for Each Note........................................................ 134
Setting Up the Mixer ........................................................................................ 135
Chapter 9: Effects (optional) ................................................................................... 137
Editing Effects.................................................................................................. 138
Turning Each Effect On or Off ......................................................................... 138
Multi-effects ..................................................................................................... 139
Setting the Effect Routing................................................................................ 139
Reverb Effects ................................................................................................. 141
Editing Each Effect .......................................................................................... 143
Chapter 10: Disk Operation..................................................................................... 151
Overview.......................................................................................................... 152
The Device: Field ................................................................................ 152
The Device Icons................................................................................. 152
Before Proceeding to Use a Floppy Disk ............................................ 153
Formatting a Disk ............................................................................................ 154
Formatting a Floppy Disk .................................................................... 154
Formatting a SCSI Drive ..................................................................... 155
Saving the Data ............................................................................................... 156
Saving Across Multiple Floppy Disks .................................................. 159
Saving to Folders on a SCSI Device ............................................................... 160
Creating a New Folder ........................................................................ 160
Making Folders Within Folders............................................................ 161
Contents

Page ix
Selecting Folders/Files ........................................................................ 162
Deleting Folders .................................................................................. 163
Renaming Folders ............................................................................... 163
Loading Files ................................................................................................... 164
Deleting a File from the Disk ........................................................................... 168
Loading an Updated Operating System .......................................................... 169
Loading Files Created on the AKAI MPC60/60II ............................................. 170
Chapter 11: Flash ROM (optional) .......................................................................... 172
Formatting the Flash ROM .............................................................................. 173
Saving to Flash ROM ...................................................................................... 174
Loading From Flash ROM ............................................................................... 174
Deleting Data from Flash ROM ....................................................................... 175
Flash ROM Fragmentation .............................................................................. 175
Editing a Sound Within Flash ROM ................................................................. 176
Chapter 12: MIDI/SYNC Mode, OTHER Mode ........................................................ 177
MIDI/SYNC Mode ............................................................................................ 178
Synchronizing the MPC2000XL with Other Sequencers..................... 178
Synchronizing Another Sequencer or MTR to the MPC2000XL ......... 180
Synchronizing With SMPTE Time Code.............................................. 182
MIDI Sample Dump ............................................................................. 183
MIDI Footswitch Assignement............................................................. 185
OTHER Mode .................................................................................................. 186
OTHERS Screen ................................................................................. 186
INIT Screen ......................................................................................... 186
VER. Screen........................................................................................ 187
Appendix................................................................................................................... 188
Notes on Using SCSI Drives ........................................................................... 189
Connecting an External SCSI Drive .................................................... 189
SCSI Cables........................................................................................ 189
SCSI ID ............................................................................................... 190
Termination ......................................................................................... 190
Cable Length ....................................................................................... 190
Installing the Options—To Service Technicians .............................................. 191
Location of MPC2000XL Option Boards ................................. 191
Installing Memory Expansion .............................................................. 192
Technical Specifications .................................................................................. 193
The MIDI Implementation Charts..................................................................... 195
Contents

Page x

Introduction
Chapter 1

Page 2
Chapter 1: Introduction
Features
The following is a summary of some of the advanced features of the MPC2000XL.
General
• Large 248 x 60 dot LCD display with graphics.
• 6 function keys under the LCD display provide various functions on each page.
• Built-in 1.44 megabyte floppy disk drive to store both sequence and sound data.
• By pressing the OPEN WINDOW key at the parameter you want to edit, you are allowed to
make more detailed parameter settings. It is not necessary to switch between different
pages as in the case of conventional devices to make detail settings.
• Built-in SCSI interface for storing data to external hard disk.
Sampler
• 16-bit, 44.1kHz stereo sampling.
• High capacity sound memory: 2 megabytes standard (22 seconds mono or 11 seconds
stereo), expandable to 32 megabytes with SIMM memory.
• Digital sampling input for direct recording from digital sources with IB-M208P (optional)
board.
• 256 sounds (samples) may be held in memory at one time.
• 32 simultaneous playback voices.
• The envelope or filter can be set for each sound.
• Optional multi-effects generator EB16 for versatile effects.
• Sample files may be loaded from Akai S1000 and S3000 disks.
• IB-M208P (optional) enables you to mix and output internal sampler sounds from 8 indi-
vidual outputs.
• A maximum of 24 programs (sound assignments and sound parameter settings) can be
created.
• A maximum of up to 4 programs can be played simultaneously.
• A selection between polyphonic (multiple sounds are overlaid when the same sound is
played continuously) or mono (the second sound silences the first).
• It is possible to stop the playing of a sound with another sound. This is used to simulate the
open close effect of the hi hat.
• It is possible to copy a part of a sound as a separate sound or paste a sound to a section of
a sound. It is also possible to mute or reverse part of a sound.
• One MIDI note can play three sounds. The sounds can be played simultaneously, switched
by velocity, or with the NOTE VARIATION slider.
• Loop settings can be made to a sound.
• The velocity can change the playback pitch..
• When phrase sampling, it is possible to calculate the tempo of the phrase from the length of
the sound loop.
• Since the sound wave patterns are displayed, it is possible to edit the sound while watching
the wave pattern. It is also possible to zoom the wave pattern.
• Reading and writing of PC compatible .WAV sound files.
• Timestretch, resample, wave pattern edit functions, etc. are available.

Page 3
Chapter 1: Introduction
Sequencer
• Loop recording function enables quick recording by looping short phrases.
• Sequencer memory equivalent to 300,000 notes (including note and other data).
The maximum number events in a sequence is equivalent to 50,000 notes.
• 99 sequences may be held in memory at once. Each sequence contains 64 individual
tracks.
• 2 independent MIDI output ports permit 32 simultaneous MIDI output channels.
• 2 mergeable MIDI inputs.
• The optional SMPTE IC chip (IC-M2TC) enable synchronization with SMPTE time codes.
• MTC (MIDI time code), MMC (MIDI machine control) compatible.
• Data can be exported to or imported from standard MIDI files.
• Step edit function enables you to edit individual events.
• The velocity of each track can easily be modified.
• It is possible to record to 32 MIDI channels at one time.
• Tap Tempo feature allows the playback tempo to be set by tapping a key in the time of 1/4-
notes.
• Programmable tempo changes in mid-sequence or mid-song are supported.
• Auto Punch feature enables you to punch in or punch out automatically in the designated
sequence.
• Swing feature enables you to add a swing-feel to the rhythm.
• 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive front panel drum pads and 4 pad banks provide a total
of 64 pad/bank combinations.
• Track mute can be turned on or off and sequences can be selected using the drum pads.
• The NOTE VARIATION slider controls the decay or filter value of the sound in real time.
• Since it is possible to convert MIDI sustain pedal data to note duration data, you can place
sustain effects independently from the note data within a track.
• The note repeat function and the after touch function pads enable you to easily enter drum
rolls and hi-hat beats.
• The UNDO SEQ key enables you to undo sequence recordings or edits.
• The 2nd sequence function allows a separate sequence to be played at the same time that
another sequence (or song) is being played/recorded.

Page 4
Chapter 1: Introduction
Panel Descriptions
Front Panel
1LCD
All the function windows are displayed here. This
adjustable display can be tilted to 3 different angles
for clearer viewing.
2Function keys
These keys execute the function shown on the very
bottom of the display.
Functions surrounded by a rectangular frame
can be executed.
Letters without a surrounding box, indicate the cur-
rently selected page.
Reversed display indicates that you can
jump to that page by pressing the corresponding
key.
3Numeric keys / Mode keys
These allow you to directly enter numeric data.
Enter numbers with these keys into selected nu-
meric fields and press the ENTER key.
If you are entering numbers with a decimal
value, enter the number ignoring the decimal point.
(example: 120.5, enter 1205.)
If you make a mistake, it is possible to cancel by
pressing the SHIFT key before the ENTER key.
If you use the CURSOR keys, DATA wheel, or
MAIN SCREEN key while you are entering data
with the numeric keys, the input will be canceled
and the data returns to the status before entry the
entry was made.
By holding the SHIFT key and pressing one of the
numeric keys, the key functions as a Mode key and
allows you to enter the mode indicated under the
key.
4MAIN SCREEN key
This allows you to return from any page to the
MAIN screen (initial screen). The MAIN screen is
the basic screen used to record or play back a se-
quence.
A/a SPACE
YZ &
#
QR ST UV WX
IJ KL MN OP
AB CD EF GH
MAIN SCREEN OPEN WINDOW
UNDO SEQ
ERASE
REC
OVER
DUB
STOP
PLAY
START
PLAY
LOCATE
STEP GO TO BAR
AFTER
NOTE
VARIATION
CURSOR
F 6
F 1 F 2 F 3 F 4 F 5
TAP TEMPO
NOTE REPEAT
MIDI /SYNC
123
0
456
789
SHIFT
ENTER
PROGRAM
SAMPLE TRIM
SAVE
SONG
OTHER
MIXER
DATA
DIGIT
ASSIGN
ABCD
PAD BANK
FULL LEVEL 16 LEVELS
NEXT SEQ TRACK MUTE
MAIN VOLUME
REC GAIN
MIN MAX MIN MAX
PAD 1 PAD 2 PAD 3 PAD 4
PA D 5 PA D 6 PA D 7 PA D 8
PAD 9 PAD 10 PAD 11 PA D 12
PAD 13 PA D 14 PAD 15 PAD 16
DRUMS
START END
LOAD
MISC
.
F 1 F 2
F 4
F 5 F 6
F 3
INTEGRAT ED RHY THM MACHINE 16 BIT DRUM SA MPLER / MIDI SEQUENCER
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
912
16
29
17 18 19
20
21 22 23 24
25
28
10 11
EVENT
13 14 15
26 27

Page 5
Chapter 1: Introduction
5OPEN WINDOW key
When certain fields are selected, pressing this key
opens another window to allow you to set further
data related to that field.
Pressing the key again closes the window.
6DATA wheel
This allows you to change the numbers or data of
the selected field. The data variably increases the
faster the wheel is turned.
To set the contrast of the LCD, rotate the DATA
wheel while holding down the SHIFT key. This can
be done at any time, regardless of the mode you
are in.
7NOTE VARIATION/AFTER key
Normally, the NOTE VARIATION slider is used
when the drum pad is played or when the drum pad
performance is recorded to a sequence.
However, by pressing this key, it is possible to use
the NOTE VARIATION slider while the sequence is
playing. This also needs to be on when you are
overdubbing only the NOTE VARIATION slider ef-
fect.
8NOTE VARIATION slider
This enables you to change the parameters of the
preset internal sound source.
Hold down the SHIFT key and press the AFTER
key to display the screen and then change param-
eters (TUNING, DELAY, ATTACK and FILTER)
with the slider.
9TAP TEMPO / NOTE REPEAT key
This allows a sequence to play at the tempo set by
hitting the key.
Hold this key and press one of the drum pads to
play to the beat set in the Timing field on the MAIN
screen. For example, if the Timing is set at 1/8, you
can play the hi-hat at an eight beat by holding this
key and pressing the drum pad that is assigned to
the hi-hat.
Thisbuttononlyoperatesduringtheplayandrecord
modes.
If you hold down this key and then press SHIFT, the
NOTE REPEAT feature will be locked and you can
release the buttons and just press the drum pad.
Press NOTE REPEAT again to release the lock
mode.
The length that the drum pad is held determines
the note’s velocity.
mr UNDO SEQ key
When you record and stop a sequence, the indica-
tor above this key will light. It is now possible to
return the sequence back to the original state be-
fore recording by pressing this key (the light will go
out). If the key is pressed again, the indicator will
light and the state will return to the condition after
thelast recording. This is convenient for comparing
the recording with the previous one, or to undo a
poor recording.
You can only use the UNDO SEQ key when you
are recording or editing a sequence. You cannot
use this key when you are editing a program or
sound. Using the UNDO SEQ is also limited to the
time just after a recording or edit. If you move to
another mode or function screen, the UNDO SEQ
mode will be disabled.
ms ERASE key
This is used to erase data on the selected track.
By holding this key and pressing the drum pad of
the sound that you want to erase, while dubbing
over a sequence, you can erase the data (as long
as the PAD is pressed). In addition to drum tracks,
you can erase the notes on a track of an external
MIDI device by holding this key and pressing the
note that needs to be erased on the MIDI keyboard.
The ERASE window will appear if you press this
key while a sequence is not playing. This allows
you to erase specific notes or lengths of data.
mt CURSOR key
This moves the cursor to select the parameter that
you want to edit. The currently selected field is dis-
played by white figures on a blue background.
To enter large numbers (when using the trim mode,
for example, to edit sounds) press CURSOR LEFT/
RIGHT while holding down the SHIFT key.
mu STEP < / > key
Thislocates the sequence point backwards and for-
wards one step at a time. The step is set in the
Timing field of the MAIN screen. When Timing is
OFF, you can move a step by one clock. HOLD the
GO TO key and press this key to locate the position
of the next/previous event recorded on a track.
mv GO TO key
This key displays the locate window. Enter the lo-
cate point or move the cursor to the memorized lo-
cate point and then press GO TO [F5]. To memo-
rize a locate point, pick a point that you want to
memorize and display the Locate window by press-
ing the GO TO key, then move the cursor to the
number you want to memorize and press the
STORE [F2] to memorize the point.

Page 6
Chapter 1: Introduction
mw BAR << / >> key
This locates the sequence point by bars. Holding
the GO TO key, press this key to locate the start or
end point of the selected sequence.
mx REC key
While holding this key, press the PLAY key or the
PLAY START key to begin sequence recording. If
there is data on the track, it will be erased by the
new recording.
my OVER DUB key
While holding this key, press the PLAY key or the
PLAY START key to begin sequence recording.
The new recording is dubbed over the data on the
track, adding to the original data.
mz STOP key
This stops the playback or recording of a sequence.
m{ PLAY key
This starts the sequence from the current point
(“Now:”on the MAIN screen). It is also possible to
select “Now:” with the CURSOR keys and set the
position for playback/recording with the DATA
wheel.
nr PLAY START key
This starts the sequence from the beginning.
ns FULL LEVEL key
When this key is pressed and the light is on, regard-
less of how hard the drum pad is hit, the sound will
always be generated at full velocity.
Also used to selected upper or lower case letters
when naming sounds, sequences, etc.
nt 16 LEVELS key
This allows you to assign one selected sound to all
16 pads and set and play the sound at 16 param-
eter levels of velocity, tone, attack, decay, or filter.
nu REC GAIN knob
This adjusts the level of the sound coming from the
RECORD IN jack during a sampling.
nv MAIN VOLUME knob
This adjusts the volume of the STEREO OUT and
PHONES jacks. However, this does not adjust the
volumeof the optional “assignable mix out” outputs.
nw NEXT SEQ key
Pressingthis key will display the NEXTSEQ screen
that allows you to select another sequence to play
directly following the one already selected.
Although the NEXT SEQ function can be used with
the main screen, the NEXT SEQ screen provides a
wider range of convenient functions that can be
used.
nx TRACK MUTE key
When this key is pressed and the indicator lights,
you can mute tracks by pressing the corresponding
drum pad (pressing the pad again turns the track
backon).PresstheTRACK MUTE key again to can-
cel the mode.
ny PAD BANK A–D keys
There are four pad banks from A to D and each has
sixteen sounds, so it is possible to use 64 different
sounds by switching banks. The indicator will light
for the currently selected bank.
nz Drum pads
These play back sounds (samples, etc.), including
the drum sounds in the memory.
The loudness of the sounds depend on how hard
you hit the pad.
You can assign up to 64 sounds to the 16 drum
pads by using the 4 pad banks A-D.
n{ Floppy disk drive
The floppy disk drive is used to load or save sound
or sequence data. Both 2HD and 2DD floppy disks
can be used.

Page 7
Chapter 1: Introduction
Rear Panel
or STEREO OUT PHONES
Connect your stereo headphones here.
The same sound is output to the STEREO OUT
LEFT and RIGHT jacks.
os STEREO OUT LEFT/RIGHT
These are the main output jacks.
ot RECORD IN
These are the input jacks used for sampling. These
stereo phone jacks are balanced inputs.
ou MIDI IN
These receive MIDI signals. MIDI 1 and 2 sig-
nals are merged.
MIDI OUT
These send MIDI signals. Since A and B are
independent, it is possible to handle a total of
32 MIDI channels.
ov SCSI
This is a 50 pin SCSI interface connector that you
can connect to external disk drives for loading and
saving data.
ow POWER
This is the power ON/OFF switch.
ox DIGITAL IN/OUT (option)
This allows you to sample data directly from an au-
dio CD or DAT. It is also possible to record the
entire digital data from this output to a hard disk re-
corder or DAT, such as the AKAI DR16 or DPS12.
oy ASSIGNABLE MIX OUT (option)
This allows you to set up to 8 separate outputs for
individual sounds. This gives you more control of
the mixing of the sounds, especially when using an
external mixer or effects unit.
oz SMPTE IN/OUT (option)
If the unit is equipped with the SMPTE option, these
jacks are used to synchronize to a tape that uses
the SMPTE time code.
o{ AC in
Connect the provided power cable here.
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
IN
ON OFF
POWER
MADE IN CHINA
MODEL NUMBER MPC2000XL
SCSI
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ASSIGNABLE MIX OUT
12345678
IN
OUT
DIGITAL
RECORD
IN
STEREO
OUT
RIGHT LEFT PHONES
RIGHT LEFT
IN
OUT
SMPTE
AB12
AKAI E.L
100 - 240V
50 / 60Hz
23W
AC100 - 240V
50 / 60Hz
23W
WARNING:
SHOCK HAZARD-DO NOT OPEN!
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR!
VORSICHT:
BERUHRUNGSGEFAHR-NICHT OFFNEN!
....
31 32 33 34 35
36
37
30
38
39

Page 8
Chapter 1: Introduction
Taking care of your Disks
Floppy disks contain valuable sound data and, as such, should be treated with extreme care. Please observe
the following points, therefore:
1. Never slide the metal cover back and touch the disk. Finger marks may render the disk unreadable.
2. Don’t leave the disk in the drive whenever possible. When the disk is in the drive, the metal protective
cover slides back exposing the actual disk inside and this makes the disk susceptible to picking up dust
which may cause read errors.
3. Do not leave your disks in a hot car.
4. Do not place your disks next to any magnetic sources such as speakers, amplifiers, televisions, etc..
Also, try to avoid X-ray machines. At airports, it is sometimes possible to ask for your disks to be in-
spected by hand at security desks but, with the added security at airports these days, this may not be
possible. Always check with the security officer though, just in case. Security X-ray machines are gener-
ally safe with disks, though. If in doubt, make backup copies which should be left at home.
Note: Some checked-in luggage is X-rayed by quite powerful machines that are not as safe as those
that check hand luggage. It is probably best to take your disks as hand luggage.
5. Do not leave your disks around when drinking liquids - one accidental spillage could ruin a lot of work!
6. Always use high quality disks. Whilst cheap ones may be appealing, they are prone to errors more than
good ones.
7. Try to ensure that the write protect tab is switched on (i.e. the tab does not block the hole). This will
prevent accidental erasure, formatting and loss of data. It may be a nuisance to try to write to the disk
and find it write protected but it is less of a nuisance than accidentally over-writing a set of your favourite
samples and programs!
8. Try to get into the habit of labelling your disks - it will pay dividends in the end when you are searching
for something.
9. Invest in a sturdy carrying case for your floppies especially if you are a gigging musician. Heavy duty
metal camera cases are ideal and some flight case manufacturers now make special heavy duty disk
flightcases.
10. Even if you are using a hard disk of any sort, please make sure you have backed up your work to floppy
disks. It can be time consuming but it will be worth it if you ever have a problem with your hard disk!
Handling Floppy Disks
The Disk Drive
The 3.5 inch floppy disk drive will accept high density and low density disks.
Disks are inserted into the drive thus:
The label should be facing upwards when it is in-
serted (actually, it is physically impossible to insert
disks the wrong way round without using an extreme
amount of brute force!).
To eject the disk, simply press the DISK EJECT but-
ton. When a disk is loading, saving or formatting, the
DISK ACTIVITY LED will be lit. Never eject a disk
while the DISK ACTIVITY LED is lit.
As a result, it is vital that you save your work to disk
before turning the power off otherwise you will lose
your work and, unless previously saved or backed
up, it will be gone for ever. In fact, it is a good idea to
regularly save your work as you are working. All good computer users do this and it prevents the accidental
loss of data should power be accidentally removed from the instrument. This also serves as a form of ‘undo’
- if you make some kind of mistake in your programming and editing and can’t fix it, you can load the last level
of editing back into the unit. It may be a bit tedious to keep stopping every now and then to save your work but
it is better than losing some valuable sounds.
DISK EJECT BUTTONDISK ACTIVITY LED
HIGH DENSITY
DETECTION TAB
WRITE PROTECT TAB