Akai MPCX User manual

User Guide
English
Manual Version 2.13

2
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................8
System Requirements & Product Support .........8
About This User Guide .........................................8
Important Notes ....................................................9
Setup ......................................................................9
1. Connection ....................................................9
2. Installation....................................................10
3. Getting Started ............................................10
Features ....................................................................11
Touchscreens......................................................11
MPC X / MPC X Special Edition.........................12
Top Panel.........................................................12
Navigation & Data Entry Controls ....................... 12
Pad & Q-Link Controls....................................... 13
Mode & View Controls ....................................... 14
Transport & Recording Controls......................... 15
I/O & Level Controls........................................... 16
Front Panel ......................................................17
Rear Panel .......................................................18
MPC Live..............................................................19
Top Panel.........................................................19
Rear Panel .......................................................21
MPC Live II...........................................................22
Top Panel.........................................................22
Rear Panel .......................................................25
MPC One / MPC One+ .......................................26
Top Panel ........................................................ 26
Navigation & Data Entry Controls ....................... 26
Pad & Q-Link Controls....................................... 27
Mode & View Controls ....................................... 27
Transport & Recording Controls......................... 28
Front Panel ...................................................... 29
Rear Panel ....................................................... 29
MPC Key 61.........................................................30
Top Panel ........................................................ 30
Rear Panel ....................................................... 34
MPC Key 37.........................................................36
Top Panel ........................................................ 36
Rear Panel ....................................................... 40
MPC Studio mk2 ................................................. 41
Top Panel ........................................................ 41
Navigation & Data Entry Controls ....................... 41
Pad & Touch Strip Controls ............................... 41
Mode & View Controls ....................................... 42
Transport & Recording Controls......................... 43
Rear Panel ....................................................... 44
MPC Touch..........................................................45
Top Panel ........................................................ 45
Rear Panel ....................................................... 47
Basic Concepts........................................................48

3
Tutorial ......................................................................49
Starting Up...........................................................49
Creating a Drum Kit ............................................49
Creating a Drum Sequence................................51
Saving & Renaming.............................................52
Editing Note Events ............................................54
Making Basic Sound Edits .................................56
Creating a Bass Track........................................58
Recording an Audio Track .................................61
Creating a Song ..................................................62
Exporting the Song .............................................63
Other Features Explained ..................................64
Step Sequencer ...............................................64
Drum Loops & Chop Mode..............................65
Pad Muting & Track Muting.............................67
Sampling (Recording) ......................................69
Sample Editing.................................................71
Recording Automation with the XY Pad..........73
Using MPC as a Controller ..............................74
Operation.................................................................. 75
General Features ................................................ 76
Control Types .................................................. 76
Knobs ............................................................... 76
Parameter Values .............................................. 76
Drop-Down Menus / Lists.................................. 77
Selectors ........................................................... 77
Buttons ............................................................. 78
Checkboxes ...................................................... 78
Tabs.................................................................. 78
Sliders ............................................................... 78
Envelopes.......................................................... 79
Grid View Tools ................................................. 80
Audio Edit Tools ................................................ 81
Programs.........................................................82
About Programs ................................................ 82
Drum Programs................................................. 83
Plugin Programs ................................................ 85
Keygroup Programs .......................................... 86
Clip Programs ................................................... 87
MIDI Programs .................................................. 89
CV Programs..................................................... 90
Menu................................................................ 91
Save.................................................................. 92
Preferences ....................................................... 94
Info ................................................................ 94
Activate Plugins ............................................. 94
Wi-Fi .............................................................. 95
Ethernet......................................................... 95
Bluetooth ....................................................... 95
Audio Device.................................................. 95
MIDI / Sync.................................................... 96
Hardware....................................................... 96
Sequencer ..................................................... 97
Project Defaults.............................................. 98
Project Load/Save ......................................... 99
Record/Export ............................................... 99
General.......................................................... 99
Splice .......................................................... 101
Sync................................................................ 102
Undo History ................................................... 102
Tuner............................................................... 102
MIDI Monitor.................................................... 103
Mode............................................................... 103
System Resources .......................................... 104

4
Time Counter/Locate.....................................105
Timing Correct (TC) .......................................107
Metronome (Click/Metro)...............................109
Automation ....................................................110
Global.............................................................. 110
Programs & Audio Tracks ................................ 110
16 Level .........................................................111
Erase..............................................................112
Effects............................................................113
Overview ......................................................... 113
Insert Effects ................................................... 115
Pads............................................................ 115
Keygroups ................................................... 117
Audio Tracks................................................ 119
Programs..................................................... 120
Submixes..................................................... 122
Main Outputs ............................................... 123
Send/Return Effects ........................................ 124
Pads............................................................ 125
Keygroups ................................................... 126
Audio Tracks................................................ 127
Programs..................................................... 127
Submixes..................................................... 128
Audio Mixdown..............................................129
Battery Usage ................................................130
Standalone vs. Controller Mode....................131
Modes.................................................................133
Main Mode.....................................................134
Sequence Section ........................................... 139
Track Section .................................................. 147
Program Section ............................................. 156
Grid View .......................................................162
Audio Edit Mode ............................................167
Track View .....................................................176
MIDI Tracks ..................................................... 178
Audio Tracks ................................................... 180
Step Sequencer .............................................181
XYFX Mode ...................................................185
Sample Edit Mode.........................................188
Settings........................................................... 190
Trim Mode....................................................... 191
Assigning Samples....................................... 195
Processing Slices & Samples ....................... 197
Chop Mode ..................................................... 202
Converting or Assigning Slices ..................... 205
Processing Slices......................................... 208
Program Mode ................................................ 211
Assigning Samples....................................... 214
Processing Slices......................................... 215
Program Edit Mode ....................................... 218
Drum Programs............................................... 218
Global .......................................................... 221
Samples ...................................................... 223
Envelopes .................................................... 231
LFO ............................................................. 234
Modulations ................................................. 235
Effects ......................................................... 236
Keygroup Programs ........................................ 238
Global .......................................................... 239
Samples ...................................................... 242
Envelopes .................................................... 249
LFO ............................................................. 252
Porta / Mod ................................................. 253
Effects ......................................................... 254
Clip Programs ................................................. 256
Program ...................................................... 258
Pad.............................................................. 259
Plugin Programs .............................................. 262
MIDI Programs ................................................ 263
CV Programs................................................... 264
Anatomy of an Envelope.................................. 265
List Edit Mode ............................................... 266
Browser .........................................................270
Browse............................................................ 270
Sample Assign ................................................ 273
Sampler .........................................................274
Sample............................................................ 277
Slice ................................................................ 279
Pad Tap .......................................................... 280
Pad Hold ......................................................... 281
Auto Sampler .................................................. 282

5
Looper............................................................283
Pad Mixer.......................................................288
Levels.............................................................. 290
Panning........................................................... 290
Mute................................................................ 291
Send Effects.................................................... 291
Insert Effects ................................................... 292
Routing ........................................................... 292
Channel Mixer................................................293
MIDI Tracks ..................................................... 296
Audio Tracks ................................................... 297
Programs ........................................................ 299
Returns ........................................................... 301
Submixes ........................................................ 302
Main Outputs................................................... 303
Pad Mute Mode .............................................304
Pad Mute ........................................................ 305
Pad Group ...................................................... 306
Track Mute Mode ..........................................307
Track Mute ...................................................... 308
Track Group .................................................... 309
Next Sequence Mode....................................310
Song Mode ....................................................312
Q-Link Edit Mode...........................................315
Project............................................................. 317
Program/Audio Track ...................................... 319
Pad Scene ...................................................... 322
Pad Parameter ................................................ 323
Screen............................................................. 324
Pad Color Mode ............................................325
MIDI Control Mode ........................................327
Pads ............................................................... 328
Buttons ........................................................... 329
Q-Link Knobs .................................................. 330
XY Pad ............................................................ 331
MIDI Learn....................................................... 332
Keyboard Control ..........................................334
Ableton Control Mode ...................................336
Pad Perform Mode ........................................336
Appendix.................................................................339
Effects & Parameters ....................................... 339
Delay/Reverb.................................................339
Dynamics....................................................... 347
EQ/Filter.........................................................351
Harmonic ....................................................... 357
Modulation .................................................... 363
Vocal.............................................................. 368
Glossary.............................................................370
SATA Drive Installation ....................................375
MIDI Machine Control (MMC)..........................376
Technical Specifications.................................. 377
MPC X / MPC X Special Edition....................377
MPC Live ....................................................... 380
MPC Live II ....................................................382
MPC One / MPC One+.................................. 385
MPC Key 61 ..................................................387
MPC Key 37 ..................................................390
MPC Studio mk2 ...........................................392
MPC Touch ................................................... 393
Trademarks & Licenses ...................................394

6
Addenda ..................................................................395
Updates in MPC 2.1 ..........................................395
New Features.................................................395
Exporting Expansions ...................................... 395
Snap: Absolute & Relative................................ 396
List Edit Settings: Auto-Advance...................... 396
Pitch Quantization ........................................... 397
Step Sequencer: Velocity Adjustment via
Q-Links ........................................................... 398
Pad Perform Mode: User Progressions ............ 398
Faster Attack for Amp Envelopes..................... 398
Updates in MPC 2.2 ..........................................399
New Features.................................................399
MIDI Control Mode: MIDI Learn........................ 399
Humanize ........................................................ 400
Generate Random Events................................ 402
Project Template ............................................. 404
Updates in MPC 2.3 ..........................................405
New Features.................................................405
Arpeggiator ..................................................... 405
Auto Sampler .................................................. 407
Crossfade Looping .......................................... 409
Mode Selection Shortcut ................................. 410
Pad Perform Mode: Chromatic Type................ 410
Q-Link Navigation Enhancements .................... 410
Split Events ..................................................... 411
AIR Instrument Plugins..................................... 412
AIR Bassline................................................. 412
AIR Electric .................................................. 415
AIR TubeSynth............................................. 419
Plugin Preset Support...................................... 426
Updates in MPC 2.4 ..........................................427
New Features.................................................427
AIR FX Bundle ................................................. 427
AIR Instrument Layouts.................................... 438
Clip Program Improvements ............................ 439
FLAC and OGG Support.................................. 439
Mother Ducker ................................................ 439
Next Sequence Mode...................................... 440
Additional Transport Controls .......................... 440
Updates in MPC 2.5.......................................... 441
New Features ................................................441
Splice Integration............................................. 441
Browser Audition Warp and Sync .................... 442
Updates in MPC 2.6.......................................... 443
New Features ................................................443
Ableton Live Set Export ................................... 443
Erase Parameters ............................................ 443
Grid Automation Lanes .................................... 444
Step Automation ............................................. 445
Submixes ........................................................ 446
Workflow Enhancements ................................. 446
Updates in MPC 2.7.......................................... 447
New Features ................................................447
Ableton Live Control ........................................ 447
Akai Network Driver ..................................... 447
Configuring Ableton Live .............................. 447
Live Control Mode........................................ 448
Control Bar .................................................. 448
Matrix View .................................................. 449
Mixer View ................................................... 450
Device Control View ..................................... 450
Q-Links........................................................ 450
MPC X Control Map..................................... 451
MPC Live Control Map................................. 453
Ethernet Adapter Support................................ 455
Improved Preferences Organization ................. 455
Updates in MPC 2.7.2.......................................456
New Features ................................................456
MPC One Support........................................... 456
Updates in MPC 2.7.3.......................................457
New Features ................................................457
MPC Live II Support......................................... 457
MPC Live II Ableton Live Control...................... 457
MPC Live II Control Map .............................. 457

7
Updates in MPC 2.8 ..........................................459
New Features.................................................459
MIDI Improvements ......................................... 459
Copy Pads ...................................................... 460
Custom Progressions ...................................... 461
Edit Pad MIDI Note Map .................................. 461
Global Automation Button................................ 462
Global Timing Correct On/Off........................... 462
Main Button Track Select................................. 462
Expanded Pad Perform ................................... 462
Retrospective Record ...................................... 463
Single or Multi Record Arm .............................. 463
Q-Link Overlay................................................. 463
Updates in MPC 2.9 ..........................................464
New Features.................................................464
AIR DrumSynth................................................ 464
Updates in MPC 2.10 ........................................468
New Features.................................................468
Four New Instrument Plugins ........................... 468
AIR Hype ..................................................... 469
AIR Mellotron ............................................... 474
AIR Solina .................................................... 477
WayOutWare Odyssey ................................. 482
AIR FX Bundle ................................................. 486
Standalone Audio Interface Support ................ 490
FX Racks......................................................... 490
Drum and Keygroup Program Improvements ... 490
File Browser Enhancements............................. 492
Key Detection.................................................. 492
Expanded CV Program Operation.................... 492
MIDI Program Renaming.................................. 493
MIDI Monitor.................................................... 493
Undo History ................................................... 493
Updates in MPC 2.10.1 .....................................494
New Features.................................................494
MPC Studio mk2 Support................................ 494
Touch Strip and Touch FX ............................... 494
Updates in MPC 2.11........................................ 503
New Features ................................................503
MPC Key 61 Support ...................................... 503
Sounds and Favorites...................................... 506
New Plugin Instruments................................... 508
Insert Effect Updates ....................................... 510
Menu Editing and Shortcuts Panel ................... 512
Built-In Tuner................................................... 513
Note Probability and Note Ratchet................... 513
Pad Perform and 16 Levels Enhancements...... 514
Track MIDI Perform Settings ............................ 515
MIDI Control Mode Updates ............................ 515
Workflow Improvements and Enhancements ... 515
Updates in MPC 2.11.6..................................... 518
New Features ................................................518
AIR Flavor Pro and Mini D................................ 518
Workflow Improvements .................................. 518
Updates in MPC 2.11.7..................................... 519
New Features ................................................519
VST Preset Loading......................................... 519
Updates in MPC 2.11.9..................................... 520
New Features ................................................520
MPC X Special Edition Support........................ 520
Updates in MPC 2.12........................................ 521
New Features ................................................521
MPC One+ Support......................................... 521
Updates in MPC 2.12.2..................................... 522
New Features ................................................522
New Plugin Effects and Improvements............. 522
Updates in MPC 2.13........................................ 524
New Features ................................................524
MPC Key 37 Support ...................................... 524
Feature Improvements..................................... 524

8
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your MPC. At Akai Professional, we know how serious music is to you. That’s why we
design our equipment with only one thing in mind—to make your performance the best it can be.
This user guide explains how to create music using MPC X, MPC X Special Edition, MPC Live, MPC Live II, MPC One,
MPC One+, MPC Key 61, MPC Key 37, MPC Studio mk2 and MPC Touch. There is similar documentation available
for MPC products that use an LCD and for the MPC software application. To view these user guides, click the Help
menu in the MPC software, select MPC Help, and select an option.
Note: The MPC Studio mk2 hardware acts primarily as a controller for the MPC software. Descriptions in this guide will
assist MPC Studio mk2 users in using their hardware to access different features of the MPC software. To learn more
about how to use these software features, consult the MPC software User Guide.
Welcome to the MPC family.
Akai Professional
System Requirements & 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.
About This User Guide
This manual should help you get familiar with using your MPC X, MPC X Special Edition, MPC Live, MPC Live II,
MPC One, MPC One+, MPC Key 61, MPC Key 37, MPC Studio mk2 or MPC Touch (from here on, “MPC hardware”
unless otherwise noted). For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on the MPC nomenclature. 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.
Tap BPM, and then use the numeric keypad to enter 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, see Setup > 2. Installation.
To learn more about using send effects, see General Features > Effects > Send/Return Effects.

9
Important Notes
Read the included safety & warranty manual before using your MPC hardware.
Before getting started and connecting devices to your MPC hardware or turning the hardware on/off, make sure all
devices are switched off.
To use your MPC hardware in Controller Mode (to control the MPC software):
Before installing the MPC software, make sure your computer meets the system requirements described at
akaipro.com. This applies whether you’ll use MPC software as your host software or as a plugin in another digital
audio workstation (DAW).
Before connecting your MPC hardware to your computer, install the drivers and software. Visit akaipro.com to
download the latest versions. Refer to the 2. Installation section for more information.
Setup
1. Connection
Here is just an example of how to use MPC X in your setup. Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents of
your included Quickstart Guide are sold separately.
Computer
Turntable
Microphone Power
SD Card
(to front-panel SD card slot)
USB
drive
Powered Monitors
Footswitch
(to front-panel FS1 input)
Headphones
(to front-panel headphone output)

10
Remember to remove the protective film from your MPC hardware touchscreen!
To use your MPC hardware in Standalone Mode, just connect it to a power outlet using the included power
adapter, and power it on!
Note: We highly recommend checking akaipro.com for any available updates to the MPC software/firmware and/or
drivers.
To use your MPC hardware in Controller Mode, continue to Step 2. Installation.
2. Installation
To use your MPC hardware in Controller Mode (to control the MPC software), follow these steps to download
and install the required drivers & software:
1. Go to akaipro.com and register your product. If you don’t have an Akai Professional account yet, you will be
prompted to create one.
2. In your Akai Professional account, download the MPC software package.
3. Open the file and double-click the installer application.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Note: By default, the MPC software will be installed in [your hard drive]\Program Files\Akai Pro\MPC (Windows®)
or Applications (macOS®). You can also create a shortcut on your Desktop.
3. Getting Started
1. Power on your MPC hardware.
2. On your computer, open the MPC software.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize your version of MPC.
4. You will need an iLok account to complete this. You can create an account at ilok.com.
Make a note of the PACE code in your account, and enter it when asked for it during the authorization/unlock
process.
5. On your MPC hardware, check the upper-right corner of the touchscreen:
•If there is a monitor/cable icon, then your MPC hardware is already in Controller Mode.
Continue to Step 6.
•If there is a chip icon, then your MPC hardware is in Standalone Mode. Follow these steps:
i. Press Menu to enter the Menu.
ii. Tap the MPC chip icon in the upper-right corner.
iii. In the Enter Controller Mode window that appears, tap Controller Mode. Looking
for computer may appear briefly on the screen before your MPC hardware recognizes
the USB connection as a controller.
6. In the MPC software, click the Edit menu, and select Preferences. Click the Audio tab and select the sound
card you want to use. Click OK when you are done.
Important:
We highly recommend using your MPC hardware’s sound card (Akai Pro MPC X/Live/Live II/One/Key
61/Touch ASIO). If you need to use the internal sound card on a Windows computer, we recommend
downloading the latest ASIO4ALL driver at asio4all.com.
To view the MPC software User Guide, click the Help menu in the MPC software, select MPC Help, and select
MPC User Manual.