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Akai MPD manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    1 Akai MPD and MP K Series – S etup With Ableton Live Contents Configuring as a Control Surface ...................................................................... 2 Input Output Options ......................................................................................... 4 Custom Assigning Controls ........................................[...]

  • Page 2

    2 Note: These screenshots were taken on Ableton Live 7.0.15, while there are new features in 8 the selections that pertain to this setup should remain the same. Also note they were taken using the MPK on a Mac. All of the options are the same for the MPD short of the Arp option. So if you own an MP D follow these same steps. The only difference is [...]

  • Page 3

    3 3. After choosing the appropriate Control Surface , turn your attention to the Input and Output drop- d own menus . On the I nput drop-down choose the 1 st midi input. ( Note: on PC’s you may see USB Audio Device not MPD or MPK ) 4. After choosing the first input drop down the Output menu. On the Output drop-down menu choose the 1 st midi outpu[...]

  • Page 4

    4 Input Output Options The MPD or MPK should now be selected as the control surface. Now turn your attention to the MI DI Ports section below. Y ou will see 3 inputs and 2 outputs. You will also notice the Track , Sync , and Remote options. * Please ask download our MIDI IO Details Guide from any MPD or MPK controller ’ s product page for an expl[...]

  • Page 5

    5 2. The Sync option is specifically for routing Midi Clock between devices. This will come into play with Note Repeat and the Arp option. W hen usi n g the MPK you may want to use the Note Repeat function on the pads or the Arp with the keys. The MPD will also allow Note Repeat with the pads. Both of these options repeat notes at a speci f i c tim[...]

  • Page 6

    6[...]

  • Page 7

    7 3. The Remote option is used to send/receive Control Surface commands. i.e, the transport controls, the knobs , and the faders . ( see Custom Assigning Controls for more on this ) To use the knobs, faders, and transport to control Ableton turn Remote On for the 1st input. This will route these messages into the so f tware enabling you to use the [...]

  • Page 8

    8 Custom A s signing C ontrols 1. It is also very easy to customize Ableton to respond in any way you’d like. On a Mac hit CMD + M to bring up the midi assignment options. On a PC press CTRL+M . You’ll see it puts a blue sheen over all assignable options. Any option you see highlighted can learn any knob, fader, or s-button on the MPD or MPK . [...]

  • Page 9

    9 3. After selecting the assignable option ( Send A in this ex am ple), simply move the knob or fader you would like to assign to it on the MPD or MPK . As you can see in the screen shot below it w i ll show a number for the assignment it learned. This is the CC ( Control Change ) number assigned to the particular knob or fader you moved. 4. Once y[...]

  • Page 10

    10 Value Scaling vs. Pick Up Mode There is one more thing to be aware of on the MIDI S y nc tab in your Preferences menu. You will see a Takeover Mode drop-down menu. Your two options are Pick Up and Value Scaling . 1. W hen set to Pick Up the knobs and f aders will only start moving there counterpart on screen when that particular knob or fader mo[...]

  • Page 11

    11 Using Note Rep eat / A r p w ith the MPD or MPK ’ s Internal MIDI Clock 1. First turn Sync On for the first input. You will see Sync Type . Drop down this menu and choose MIDI Clock . This is telling Ableton to listen to the tempo from your MPD or MPK . You choose this tempo by either tapping the Tap Tempo button or by pressing Edit and then T[...]

  • Page 12

    12 Using Note Rep eat / A r p w ith Ableton as Master 1. To set the MPD or MPK to listen to External clock press the Global button and then page right until you see MIDI/CLK . Set this option to Externa l. Make sure you are on the latest firmw a re to be able to save this change. The Tap Tempo light will stop blinking which confirms it is no longer[...]

  • Page 13

    13 Using a Virtual I nstrument in Ableton 1. To set up a Virtual Instrument in Ableton the first thing we need to do is choose one from the Ableton Device List. ( You can also use 3 rd party VST’s, consult Ableton’ s d ocumentation ) 2. Choose the option highlighted in the screen shot below to bring up a list of your Live Devices . In this exam[...]

  • Page 14

    14 3. You will see the track appear on the right. Notice at the bottom there is a red button. This is Record Enable , this must be activated to he ar what you are playing.[...]

  • Page 15

    15 4. Below you will see the drop down menu for the m idi input . It will be labeled MIDI From . Generally you can leave this set to All Ins, however if need be choose the specific input for the MPK49/MPD32 from the drop down menu. 5. If you have something set to a specific midi channel that you w o uld like only this instrument to respond to you c[...]

  • Page 16

    16 Now if you play the MPD or MPK you should hear the audio from this Virtual Instrument track. There is plenty to learn with Ableton as it is an advanced DAW(Digital Audio Workstation), so we still suggest reading the manual and going through the tutorial videos. You’re MPD or MPK should be configured and ready to use! Technical Support and War [...]