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Table of contents for the manual
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User Guide English Manual Version 1.0[...]
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Table of Contents ( Click a chapter/section to jump to it. ) Introduction .................................................................................................. 5 Box Contents............................................................................................. 5 Support ...........................................................[...]
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Transport Controls .................................................................................. 19 Note Repeat ............................................................................................ 19 Arpeggiator .............................................................................................. 20 Pitch-Bend Wheel ..........[...]
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Program Change Mode ............................................................................. 27 Program Change ..................................................................................... 28 Program Change with Bank Change ........ .............................................. 28 Features .............................................[...]
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5 Introduction Box Contents MPK249 USB Cable Quickstart Guide Safety & Warra nty Ma nual Support For the lates t information ab out this produc t (system require ments, compat ibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com/mpk249 . For additional pr oduct support, visit akai pro.com/support .[...]
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6 Quick Setup / Connection Diagram Items not listed un der the Box Contents are sold separately. Important note for Mac OS X u sers: The first time you connec t MPK249 t o your computer, you will see a Key board Setup Assistant message saying that your keyboard ca nnot be identified. Do not click Continue . Inste ad, close the window by clicking th[...]
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7 About Modes The MPK249 has four differen t modes of operation. Enter e ach mode by pressing its corresponding button. These mode s are described in detail in the ir respective chapters (c lick the name of the mode to jump to its chapte r). Preset Mode lets you to load, save, copy, and rename P resets—collections of information about how the fa [...]
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8 Preset Mode In Preset Mode, you c an load, save, copy, and rename Preset s. A Preset is a collection of inf ormation about how the faders, knobs , buttons, and pads will behave. Using Pre sets allows you to sa ve different configuration s so you can load them quickly without reprogramming the MP K249 every ti me. This is also the default "pe[...]
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9 To name or rename a Pr eset: 1. Press Preset to ente r Preset Mode. 2. Press the Right Cursor button so Store Program appears i n the display. 3. Press the Down Cursor b u t t o n t o s e l e c t t h e Name field. The first le tter of the name will blink. 4. Turn the Value Dial to change the blinking character, and use the Left Cursor and Right C[...]
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10 Edit Mode In Edit Mode, you can edit the setting s of the currently selecte d Preset. The settings vary depending on the controller yo u are editing and are listed in the Appendi x: Mode Parameters section. Please note that the ch anges you make will only apply to the currently selected Preset. To navigate Edi t Mode: 1. Press Edit to ente r Edi[...]
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11 Keyboard Important: Global Mode contains other par ameters that affect the ke yboard but are saved only with global settings and not with the cur rent Preset. See the Global Mode: Keyboa rd section for more info rmation. MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Common, US B[...]
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12 Pads Important: Global Mode contains other p arameters that affe ct the pads but are s aved only with the global settings, no t wit h the Preset. See the Globa l Mode: Pads section for mo re information. Type: The type of messa ge that will be sent. T he available settings are Note , Program Change , an d Program Bank . Tip: For more i nformatio[...]
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13 MSB / LSB: If Program Change or Program Bank is the selected Type , these determine the MSB (Most Significant Bit) and LSB (Least Sign ificant Bit). The avail able range is 000 – 127 . Tip: For more i nformation about Progra m Change and Program Bank messages, please see the Program Change Mode chapter of this guide. MIDI to DIN: T h i s d e t[...]
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14 Assignable Knobs Type: The type of message that will be sent. T he available settings are MIDI CC , Afte rtouc h ( Aft ), Increme nt/Decrement 1 ( Inc/D ec1 ), and Incremen t/Decrement 2 ( Inc/Dec2 ). MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Commo n , USB A1 – A16 , and U[...]
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15 Assignable Faders Type: The type of message that will be sent. The available settings are MIDI CC and Aftertouch ( Aft ). Important: Aftertouch refers to MIDI inform ation sent when pressu re is applied to a key or p ad after it has been played and while it is be ing held down. Aftert ouch is often used to c ontrol volume, vibrato and other para[...]
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16 Assignable Switches and DAW Cont rol Type: The type of message tha t will be sent. The availa ble settings are CC , Note , Program Change ( PrgChange ), Program Bank ( PrgBan k ), and Keystroke . MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Commo n , USB A1 – A16 , and USB B1[...]
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17 Program Number (Pgm): If PrgChange or PrgBank is the s elected Type , this determines the Program numbe r. The available range i s 000 – 127 . Tip: For more i nformation about Progra m Change and Program Bank messages, please see the Program Change Mode chapter of this guide. MSB / LSB: If PrgChange or PrgBank is the selected Type , these dete[...]
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18 Tap Tempo Important: Global Mode contains other par ameters that affect the tempo but are saved only with the global settings, not with the Preset. See the Global Mode: Tempo s ection for more information. BPM: The tempo as indi cated in beats p er minute. The available ran ge is 30 – 300 BPM. Tip: You can also enter a n ew BPM setting by tapp[...]
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19 Transport Controls Type: The type of message that will be sent. The available se ttings are MMC , MMC/MIDI Clock , MIDI Real Time , MIDI CC , and Pro Tools Express ( PTEX ). MIDI to DIN: Dete rmines whe ther or not MIDI data is sent to the MIDI Out ( On ) or not ( Off ). MIDI data will be se nt to MPK249's US B connection regardless of this[...]
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20 Arpeggiator Type: The type of arpeggatio n that will be used. The availa ble settings are: • Double: Each note will sound twice. This se tting can be selected in c onjunction with any of the settings d escribed below, exc ept Chord . • Up: Notes will sound from the lowest to the highest. • Down: Notes will sound from the highest to lowest.[...]
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21 Pitch-Bend Wheel MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Commo n , USB A1 – A16 , and USB B1 – B16 . MIDI to DIN: T h i s d e t e r m i n e s w h e t h e r o r n o t M I D I d a t a i s s e n t t o t h e M I D I O u t ( On ) or not ( Off ). MIDI data will be sent to MP[...]
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22 Footswitch Input Type: The type of message tha t will be sent. The available se ttings are MIDI CC , Tap Tempo , Play , Record , Stop , Play/Stop , Arp/Seq , and Sustain . MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Commo n , USB A1 – A16 , and USB B1 – B16 . MIDI CC: If M[...]
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23 Global Mode Global Mode lets you set parameters and make changes to MPK249's general ("global") fun ctioning. These settings are not specific to a Preset; they affect all Presets. To navigate Glo bal Mode: 1. Press Global t o enter Global Mode. 2. In each page of Global Mode: • Use the Up Cursor and Down Cursor buttons to move t[...]
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24 MIDI Channels Common Channel (Common Chnl): This setting determ ines which MIDI channe l is the common channe l (various controls can be assi gned to the common chann el in Edit Mode). The available setting s are US B A1 – A16 , and USB B1 – B16 . Note Display Type: Determines whether the display will sho w a note by its pitch Value (e.g., C[...]
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25 Pads Important: Edit Mode contains other paramet ers that affect the pads b ut are saved only with the Preset, not with the global settings. See the Edit Mode: Pads section for m ore information. Pad Threshold: The vel ocity threshold to trigge r the pads. The available ran ge is 0 – 15 . This can help prevent f alse triggering or make it eas [...]
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26 Clock Source: Determines whether MP K249 uses its Internal MIDI clock or refers to an External clock (e.g., from a DAW). SysEx Send Program: The Pro gram to be sent via SysEx. The av ailable options are th e individual Program nu mbers ( 01 – 30 ) or All Programs. Press the Value Dial to send the Program. Prog: ___ Sent will appear to confirm [...]
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27 Program Change Mode A Pr ogram Change , often referred to as a Patch Change , is a MIDI mes sage from one d evice to another th at causes the latt er to switch to a n ew program. Using Program Chan ge messages, MPK249 can tell another hardw are or software device which sound to play . For example, if your MPK249 is controlling a piano patch in y[...]
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28 Program Change MIDI Channel: This setting determines over which MIDI cha nnel the messages are sent. The available setting s are Commo n , USB A1 – A16 , and USB B1 – B16 . Program Number: This determines the Program number tha t will be sent. The availa ble range is 000 – 127 . Please refer to your external MID I device's docu mentat[...]
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29 Features Top Panel 1 34 5 7 6 2 8 9 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 14 15 15 15 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 28 28 28 16 18 19 20 21 17 17 17 17 2 1. Keyboard: This 49-not e keyboard is velocity-sen sitive and, i n conjunction with the Octave Up/D own buttons, can control a ten-octave range. 2. Octave +/– [...]
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30 6. Arp On/Off: Press thi s button to enable or disable the internal Arpeggiator whose rate i s based on the current Tem po and Time Divis ion settings. The Arpe ggiator will functio n on notes being play ed on the keyboard only. Note: You can also s ync the Arpeggiator t o an internal or external MIDI Clock source. 7. Latch: Press this button to[...]
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31 14. Time Divis ion: Press this button and then p ress one of the Assignable S witches to select the curre nt Time Division, which dete rmines the rate of the Not e Repeat and Arpeggiator feat ures. This button can fun ction as a momentary or toggle (latching) b utton. Important: While Time Division is active, the Assigna ble Switches will not se[...]
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32 21. DAW Control: You can configure thes e buttons to send HID (H uman Interface Devic e) messages to your DAW (digital audio workstation —your music soft ware). To learn how t o do this, please see th e Edit Mode: Assignable Switches and DAW Control secti on. Tip: You can save time by conf iguring these contr ols to send yo ur most-often-use d[...]
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33 Rear Panel 1. Power Input: If you do not want to use a computer in your setup (i.e., if you are using MPK249 to control an external MIDI module), co nnect MPK249's power input to a power outlet using an optional power adapter (6V D C, 1A, center- positive, sold separ ately). Alterna tively, you can connect MPK249' s USB Por t to a powe[...]
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34 7. MIDI In: Use a s tandard five-pin MIDI ca ble to connect this MID I In to the MIDI Out of an external MIDI devi ce (e.g., another MIDI cont roller). The MIDI message s sent to this MIDI In will be sent to your computer via the USB port. 8. Expression Ped al Input: Connect an optional 1/ 4" TRS expr ession pedal to this input. 9. Sustain [...]
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35 Appendix Mode Parameters Edit Mode To edit a control's parameters, press Edit then move or press that control. Control Parameter Settings Keyboard MIDI Channel Octave Transpose MIDI to DIN Aftertouch Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 -3 to +3 -36 to +36 On, Off On, Off Assignable Pads Type MIDI Channel Note Aftertouch (Aft) MIDI to DIN On [...]
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36 Control Parameter Settings Assignable Pads (continued) Type MIDI Channel Program Number MIDI to DIN On Color Off Color Program Change Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 On, Off Off, Red, Orange, Amber, Yellow, Gre en, Green Blue, Aq ua, Light Blue, Blue, Purple, Pink, Hot Pin k, Light Purple, Light Green, Li ght Pink, Grey Off, Red, Or[...]
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37 Control Parameter Settings Assignable Knobs Type MIDI Channel CC Number MIDI to DIN Min Max MIDI CC Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 On, Off 000–127 000–127 Type MIDI Channel Min Max MIDI to DIN Aftertouch Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 000–127 On, Off Type MIDI Channel MSB LSB MIDI to DIN Value Inc/Dec1 Common, U[...]
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38 Control Parameter Settings Assignable Switches Type MIDI Channel CC Number MIDI to DIN Mode Invert CC Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 On, Off Momentary, Toggle On, Off Type MIDI Channel Note Velocity (Velo) MIDI to DIN Mode Note Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 C-1 to G9 000–127 On, Off Momentary, Toggle Type MIDI Channel Progra[...]
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39 Control Parameter Settings Tempo BPM Time Division Gate Swing 30–300 1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T , 1/32, 1/32T 00–99% 50–75% Transport Controls Type MIDI to DIN MMC, MMC/MIDI Clock, MIDI Real Ti me, MIDI CC, Pro Tools Express On, Off Note Repeat Rate Mode Gate Swing 1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T , 1/32, 1/32T Momentary, Toggle 00[...]
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40 Control Parameter Settings Footswitch 1 Type MIDI Channel MIDI CC MIDI to DIN1 Mode MIDI CC Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 On, Off Momentary, Toggle Type MIDI Channel MIDI to DIN Mode Tap Tempo, Play, Rec, Stop, Play/Stop, Arp/Seq, Sustain Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 On, Off Momentary, Toggle Expression Pedal MIDI Channel MI[...]
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41 Global Mode To edit these paramet ers, press Global and use t he Left Cursor and Right Cursor buttons to move through the pages. Page Parameter Settings MIDI Channels Common Channel (Common Chnl) USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 Note Displa y Type Value, Number Keyboard Curve Gain Black White -50 to +50 -20 to +20 -20 to +20 -20 to +20 Pads Pad Thresh[...]
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42 Program Change Mode To edit these pa rameters, press Progra m Change and use the Value Dial to switch between Program Change and Progr am Bank . Control Parameter Settings Program Change Program Change MIDI Channel Program Number MIDI to DIN Common, USB A1–A16, USB B1–B16 000–127 On, Off Program Bank MIDI Channel Program Number MSB LSB MID[...]
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43 Technical Specifications Note Keys 49 keys; velocity-sensitiv e; 10 -octave range with o ctave up/down buttons or transposition Pads 16 pads; velocity- and pressure-sensitive; 4 banks Faders 8 faders; 3 banks Knobs 8 360º encoders; 3 banks Switches 8 switches; LED-backlit; 3 banks Inputs / Outputs 1 USB port 1 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS expression [...]
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44 Trademarks and Licenses Akai Professi onal is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., re gistered in the U.S. and oth er countries. IOS is a regi stered trademark of Cisco in the U. S. and other countries and is used under license. Kensingto n and the K & Lock logo are registered trademarks of ACCO Brands. Mac and OS X are trademarks or service[...]
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