AKAI iMPC User Guide

USER GUIDE: MAIN INTERFACE

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Welcome to iMPC! The main interface recreates the look, feel, and some of
the key workflows of the famous MPC line of drum machine samplers.

From this screen, everything you need to play and record sequences and
programs is available at your fingertips. You can also access the other major
areas of the App from here.

Title Bar

Mixer

Tap to open the Mixer panel. The mixer allows you to mix the tracks of each
sequence. For details, see Mixer.

FX

Tap to open the Effects screens. Effects add extra audio variation to the
tracks of each sequence. For details, see FX.

Sampler

Tap to enter the sampler and create new samples. You can sample from the

iPad mic, line-in, or anything in your Music Library! For details, see Sampler.

Share Sequence

Share your beats online — you can upload your current sequence directly to
the iMPC Community if your iPad is connected to the internet. Tapping
“Share Sequence” starts the SoundCloud upload process and also creates a
mixdown wav for iTunes export and AudioCopy.

iMPC Community feed

The feed displays the latest headlines, posts, and activity on beats youʼve

shared online. For Details, see iMPC Community

About

Opens the information page and provides access to the user guide.

Settings

The Settings menu provides access to WIST. WIST is a Wireless Sync-Start
Technology that connects two devices with WIST-Compatible Apps. WIST

requires Bluetooth, and if itʼs not currently enabled on your iPad, you will be

prompted to turn it on. You can also manually enable Bluetooth in your

iPadʼs native Settings app, under General > Bluetooth.

Tap the WIST button to enable WIST. When you enable WIST in iMPC, a
dialog will then appear as WIST searches for other devices running
compatible apps. Any secondary device needs to confirm the WIST
connection before the devices will be properly synchronized. Once
connected, the slaved device will be set to a matching tempo, and will start
playback in sync with the Master.

Main Vol

Adjusts the output volume.

Pads

The heart and soul of the MPC ! 16 Pads each with a sound. Tap, hold bang
on these to play the sounds of your current Program.

Data Screen

Displays information about the current Sequence , Track and Program.

Each Sequence has four Tracks. Each Track can have a different Program
(i.e. a Drum Kit).

Open a the Sequence Menu by tapping the list button to the left of the
current Sequence. The Edit button to the right of the current Sequence will
open the Sequence Details screen.

Tap the arrows above and below the Track number to move between tracks.
Each track can have a different Program, which you can assign by opening
the Program Menu. The Edit button to the right of the current Program will
open the Program Editor.

PERFORMANCE CONTROLS

The controls in this section all have to do with performing on pads and
playing Sequences

Data wheel

The data wheel is a continuous/jog wheel that scrolls though the sequences.
Turn the wheel clockwise to advance the Sequence, counter-clockwise to
move to a previous Sequence. Try this during playback to queue up different
sequences in succession. iMPC will wait to start playing a new sequence
until the previous sequence has finished. Use this to string together
Sequences in order for a real-time performance.

Time Correct

Time Correct will automatically fix your recorded patterns to a set timing

interval. As you record, your notes will be fixed to the selected interval of

1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, 1/32, or 1/32T notes. If you Set Time Correct to
NONE, your notes will be recorded exactly as you played them.

You can also fix notes after recording with the “Fix Track” button. Tapping
this will fix all notes in the current Sequence and Track to the selected
interval.

Note: While the Time Correct Values are set globally for the App, no
changes are applied until you record something or use “Fix Track”. This
means Track and Sequences can have notes fixed to different intervals, etc.
You can even record different parts of the same track with different Time
Correct Settings!

Swing

Swing is a value between 50 and 75%. As you increase it, your Time­Corrected beat will swing more. Experiment with this to create jazzy beats
and hip hip vibes.

Note Repeat

Note Repeat plays whatever pads youʼre holding down at the selected

interval. Hold the Note Repeat button, and then play pads to try it out.

Tip: You can “latch” the Note Repeat button so you can play pads without
having to hold it down: while holding note repeat, move your finger to the
right. To release it, simply tap it again.

16 Levels

16 Levels is a famous MPC feature that allows you to use all 16 Pads to
alter parameters of one Sound. You can use this to play melodic baselines,
create interesting dynamic variations, and more.

To use 16 Levels, play a pad then press the “16 Levels” button. Now all 16
Pads will play the selected Sound at one of 16 distinct values for the
selected Parameter. Experiment with with all four Parameters:

Filter
Velocity
Length
Tuning

Tip: The “natural” value of the selected Param is always on Pad 4.

Variation Slider

The Variation Slider affects the same four Parameters that 16 levels does,

Track will be erased (imagine a tape recorder).

but on a smoothly sliding scale. This lets you create subtle variations while
recording. Touch the Slider to alter the selected Parameter on the Data
screen.

Experiment with using the variation slider in conjunction with 16 Levels and
Note Repeat!

Erase

The Erase button lets you easily remove notes from a Track. Hold down
Erase and Tap or Hold pads during playback to erase notes. You can also
erase the entire track: hold down the Erase button, and press “Erase Track”
on the Data Screen.

Undo

After recording, the Undo button will light up; tapping it discards the last
recorded take.

TRANSPORT CONTROLS

<< >>

Tap to rewind or fast-forward by one bar.

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Tap to rewind or fast-forward by one beat.

Tap Tempo

Sets the tempo based on the speed at which you tap the button. Tap Twice!

Record

Press and hold this button, and the Play or Play Start button to start
recording. While Recording, any previously recorded notes on the current

Overdub

Press and hold this button and the Play or Play Start to start Overdubbing.
While Overdubbing, any previously recorded notes on the current Track will
be preserved.

Stop

Stops audio playback.

Play

Starts audio playback from the current position.

Play Start

Starts audio playback from the start of the Sequence.

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