Akai MPD 24 User manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

ENGLISH :::::::: ( 1 – 27 )
SPANISH :::::::: ( 29 – 57 )
ITALIAN :::::::: ( 59 – 87 )
FRENCH :::::::: ( 89 – 117 )
GERMAN :::::::: ( 119 – 147 )

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION -------------------------------------------------------------
KEY FEATURES ---------------------------------------------------------------
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS ------------------------------------------
TOP PANEL OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------------------
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW -------------------------------------------------
HOOKUP DIAGRAM ---------------------------------------------------------
NAVIGATION BUTTONS EXPLAINED -------------------------------
DISPLAYING INFORMATION -------------------------------------------
MODES --------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESET MODE ------------------------------------------------------
EDIT MODE ----------------------------------------------------------
Editing Pads -------------------------------------------------
Editing Knobs and Sliders ---------------------------------
GLOBAL MODE -----------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM CHANGE MODE -------------------------------------
SPECIFICATIONS -------------------------------------------------------------
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1
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Akai Professional MPD24 USB/MIDI
Control Unit! Based on the concept of the original MPC series, the MPD24 is the
ultimate tool for rhythm production. It combines the flexibility of a MIDI controller
with the intuitive feel of a drum pad.
For many years, studio musicians and performers have been faced with the dilemma
of how to best trigger and program drum material. At Akai Professional we strongly
believe that using a MIDI controller keyboard interface to do so simply doesn’t cut
it! This is our motivation for developing the MPD24. A truly fresh and intuitive
controller, the MPD24 will animate and breathe life into your production style and
your performance. We sincerely hope that you enjoy this product, as much as we
enjoyed building it for you!
KEY FEATURES
•Mac/PC compatible – class-compliant so no driver installation is necessary
•MIDI or USB connectivity
•16 velocity and pressure sensitive, MPC-style pads for ultimate feel and control
•4 switchable pad banks for a total of 64 pads
•8 high-resolution 360-degree assignable knobs
•6 assignable sliders
•5 dedicated transport control keys with MIDI Machine Control functionality
•bright, easy-to-navigate LCD display
•programmable, recallable presets for use with your Desktop Audio Workstation,
sequencer, software or hardware synthesizer or module
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
•PC running Windows XP
•Macintosh running OS10.x
•One available USB port

2
TOP PANEL OVERVIEW
1
6 ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER SLIDERS
Each slider can be used to send continuous controller data to a Desktop Audio
Workstation or external MIDI device.
2
16 MPC-STYLE PRESSURE AND VELOCITY SENSITIVE
PADS
Each pad can be used to trigger drum hits or samples by tapping on them. The
pads are pressure and velocity sensitive, which makes them very responsive and
intuitive to play.
3
NAVIGATION / MENU DISPLAY SECTION
This is the LCD display used for navigating menus, displaying data, and affecting
change on the MPD24’s options and parameters.
4
NAVIGATION / CONTROL BUTTONS
These are the main buttons used for navigation, program change, pad bank change,
previewing, and switching amongst the different modes of operation.
5
8 ASSIGNABLE CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER KNOBS
Like the sliders, each 360-degree knob can be used to send continuous controller
data to a Desktop Audio Workstation or external MIDI device.
6
TRANSPORT CONTROL BUTTONS
These dedicated buttons can be used to send transport information to remotely
control a hard disk recording system or any other machine that understands MIDI
Machine Control (MMC).

3
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
1
DC POWER INPUT
Plug in a DC adapter if you do not want to power the MPD24 through the USB
connection.
2
KENSINGTON LOCK
Use this lock to attach and secure the MPD24 to a table or surface.
3
USB CONNECTOR
Plug a standard USB cable into this outlet and into the USB port of your computer.
The computer’s USB port will provide power to the MPD24.
4
MIDI OUT CONNECTOR
Use a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT of the MPD24 to the MIDI IN
of an external device.
5
MIDI IN CONNECTOR
Use a five-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT of an external MIDI controller
to the MIDI IN of the MPD24.

4
HOOKUP DIAGRAM
SCENARIO 1
COMPUTER
EXTERNAL SOUND MODULE
EXTERNAL MIDI DEVICE
1. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the MPD24.
2. If you would like to use an external sound module, connect a 5-pin MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT
of the MPD24 to the MIDI IN of the external device.
3. If you would like to use another MIDI controller in your setup, connect a 5-pin MIDI cable from the
MIDI OUT of the external MIDI device to the MIDI IN of the MPD24.
A NOTE ABOUT USING THE MPD24 WITH SOFTWARE:
1. Make sure that the MPD24 and all external devices are connected and that the USB
cable is connected to your computer before opening any software applications on your
computer with which you might want to use the MPD24. If the unit is not plugged in
before, your software application might not recognize the MPD24 as an available
device.
2. In your software application, you will need to set the MPD24 as a default MIDI input
device. This is usually done in the MIDI section of the Preferences menu.
MIDI from MPD24 to
computer
MIDI from external MIDI
device connected to
MIDI IN port of MPD24
MIDI from computer to
external sound module
connected to MIDI OUT
port of MPD24