AKAI MPC Live User Guide

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User Guide

English

Manual Version 1.0

Introduction ............................................................ 4

System Requirements & Product Support ...... 4

About This User Guide ...................................... 4

Important Notes ................................................. 5

Setup ................................................................... 5

1. Connection .................................................. 5

2. Installation ................................................... 6

3. Getting Started ............................................ 6

Features .................................................................. 7

Top Panel ............................................................ 7

Touchscreen .................................................... 9

Rear Panel ........................................................ 10

Tutorial / Basic Concepts .................................... 11

Starting Up ....................................................... 11

Creating a Drum Kit ......................................... 11

Creating a Drum Sequence ............................ 12

Saving & Renaming ......................................... 13

Editing Note Events ......................................... 14

Making Basic Sound Edits .............................. 15

Creating a Bass Track ..................................... 16

Recording an Audio Track .............................. 19

Creating a Song ............................................... 20

Exporting the Song ........................................... 20

Other Features Explained ................................ 21

Step Sequencer ............................................. 21

Drum Loops & Chop Mode ............................ 22

Pad Muting & Track Muting ........................... 23

Sampling (Recording) ..................................... 24

Sample Editing ............................................... 25

Recording Automation with the XY Pad ........ 26

Using MPC Live as a Controller ..................... 26

Operation ............................................................... 27

General Features .............................................. 28

Battery Usage ................................................ 28

Control Types ................................................. 28

Programs ........................................................ 34

About Programs ................................................. 34

Drum Programs ................................................. 35

Keygroup Programs ........................................... 37

Clip Programs .................................................... 38

Plugin Programs ................................................. 40

MIDI Programs ................................................... 41

CV Programs ..................................................... 42

Menu .............................................................. 43

Save .................................................................. 44

Preferences ........................................................ 44

Mode ................................................................. 48

System Resources ............................................. 48

Time Counter .................................................. 49

Automation ..................................................... 50

Global ................................................................ 50

Programs & Audio Tracks ................................... 50

16 Level .......................................................... 51

Erase .............................................................. 51

Effects ............................................................ 52

Overview ............................................................ 52

Insert Effects ...................................................... 54

Send/Return Effects ........................................... 58

Audio Mixdown .............................................. 61

Standalone vs. Controller Mode .................... 62

Modes ............................................................... 64

Main Mode ..................................................... 65

Grid View ....................................................... 84

Audio Edit Mode ............................................ 88

Track View ..................................................... 94

MIDI Tracks ........................................................ 95

Audio Tracks ...................................................... 96

Step Sequencer ............................................. 97

XYFX Mode .................................................. 100

Sample Edit Mode ....................................... 102

Settings ........................................................... 104

Trim Mode ....................................................... 105

Chop Mode ...................................................... 113

Program Mode ................................................. 121

Sampler ....................................................... 127

Sample ............................................................ 129

Slice ................................................................. 130

Pad Tap ........................................................... 131

Pad Hold .......................................................... 131

Pad Mute Mode ........................................... 132

Pad Mute ......................................................... 133

Pad Group ....................................................... 133

Pad Mixer .................................................... 134

Levels .............................................................. 135

Panning ........................................................... 135

Mute ................................................................ 135

Send Effects .................................................... 136

Insert Effects .................................................... 136

Routing ............................................................ 136

Next Sequence Mode .................................. 137

Program Edit Mode ..................................... 139

Drum Programs ............................................... 139

Keygroup Programs ......................................... 146

Clip Programs .................................................. 154

Plugin Programs ............................................... 157

MIDI Programs ................................................. 158

CV Programs ................................................... 158

Anatomy of an Envelope .................................. 159

Looper ......................................................... 160

Track Mute Mode ........................................ 163

Track Mute ....................................................... 164

Track Group ..................................................... 164

Channel Mixer .............................................. 165

MIDI Tracks ...................................................... 167

Audio Tracks .................................................... 168

Programs ......................................................... 169

Returns ............................................................ 170

Submixes ......................................................... 171

Masters ............................................................ 171

Song Mode ................................................... 172

Browser ........................................................ 174

Pad Perform Mode ....................................... 177

Pad Color Mode ........................................... 180

Q-Link Edit Mode ......................................... 181

Project ............................................................. 183

Program ........................................................... 184

Pad Scene ....................................................... 185

Pad Parameters ............................................... 186

Screen ............................................................. 187

MIDI Control Mode ....................................... 188

Pads ................................................................ 189

Buttons ............................................................ 189

Q-Link Knobs ................................................... 190

XY Pad ............................................................. 190

Appendix .............................................................. 191

Effects & Parameters ..................................... 191

Glossary ........................................................... 205

SATA Drive Installation .................................. 208

Technical Specifications ............................... 209

Trademarks & Licenses ................................. 210

Introduction

Thanks for choosing the MPC Live. Fusing Akai Professional’s legendary MPC layout and workflow with multi-core processing power, MPC Live is an unrivaled instrument for music production.

Introducing a new approach to music production with an ultra-fast and super-intuitive workflow, the MPC Live is powered by a radiant 7” color multi-touch display. Literally grab and pinch waveforms, draw midi events, adjust envelopes, chop samples, add effects and precisely set your controls using your fingertips. Combined with the classic MPC feel, sound and vastly improved pads, the MPC Live embodies the best elements of our past while taking music production tech into the future.

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 the MPC Live. For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on the MPC parameter names. 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 0 to 127.

Set the Sample Play selector to One Shot.

Tap BPM, and then use the numeric keypad to enter a 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, please see the Installation section.

To learn more about using send effects, see General Features > Effects > Send/Return Effects.

Important Notes

Read the included safety & warranty manual before using MPC Live.

Before getting started and connecting devices to MPC Live or turning the hardware on/off, make sure all devices are switched off.

To use MPC Live 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 MPC Live to your computer, install the drivers and software. Visit akaipro.com to download the latest versions. Refer to the Installation section for more information.

Setup

1. Connection

Here is just an example of how to use MPC Live in your setup. Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents of your included quickstart guide are sold separately.

SD Card

USB

drive

Powered Monitors

Computer Turntable

Power (optional)

Remember to remove the protective film from the MPC Live touchscreen!

To use MPC Live in Standalone Mode, just power it on! If this is the first time you’re using MPC Live, its battery will be only partially charged. We recommend connecting it to a power outlet, using the included power adapter, to charge it fully. You can use MPC Live as its battery charges.

Note: We highly recommend checking akaipro.com for any available updates to the MPC Live software/firmware and/or drivers.

To use MPC Live in Controller Mode, continue to Step 2. Installation.

2. Installation

To use MPC Live 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 (Mac® OS X®). You can also create a shortcut on your Desktop.

3. Getting Started

1. Power on MPC Live.

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 and iLok License Manager to complete this. You can create an account and download the license manager 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 MPC Live, check the upper-right corner of the touchscreen:

• If there is a monitor/cable icon under the battery icon, then MPC Live is already in Controller Mode. Continue to Step 6.

• If there a chip icon under the battery icon, then MPC Live 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 in the touchscreen before MPC Live 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 Live’s sound card (Akai Pro MPC Live 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 and select MPC User Manual.

Features

This chapter explains the features and functions of your MPC Live.

Top Panel

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1. Touchscreen: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to MPC Live’s current operation. Touch the display (and use the hardware controls) to control the MPC interface. See the later Touchscreen section to learn how to use some basic functions.

2. Data Dial: Use this dial to scroll through the available menu options or adjust the parameter values of the selected field in the touchscreen. Pressing the dial also functions as an Enter button.

3. Q-Link Knobs: Use these touch-sensitive knobs to adjust various parameters and settings. The knobs can control one group of parameters at a time. The lights below the Q-Link button indicate the currently selected column of QLink knobs. Press the Q-Link button to change which parameter or group of parameters they currently control.

4. Q-Link Button: Press this button to change which parameter or group of parameters the Q-Link knobs currently control (indicated by the lights above the Q-Link knobs). Each press will select the next column of Q-Link knobs.

Press and hold Shift and then press this button to select the previous column of Q-Link knobs instead.

Press and hold this button to show the QLink window over the touchscreen’s current contents. These are the same parameters and settings as what is shown in Q-Link Edit Mode. You can tap Q-Link Edit at the bottom of the window to enter Q-Link Edit Mode immediately (see Operation > Modes > Q-Link Edit Mode to learn about this).

5. Pads: Use these pads to trigger drum hits or other samples. The pads are velocity-sensitive and pressuresensitive, which makes them very responsive and intuitive to play. The pads will light up different colors, depending on how hard you play them (ranging from yellow at a low velocity to red at the highest velocity). You can also customize their colors.

6. Pad Bank Buttons: Press any of these buttons to access Pad Banks A–D. Press and hold Shift while pressing any of these buttons to access Pad Banks E–H. Alternatively, double-press one of these buttons.

7. Note Repeat/Latch: Press and hold this button, and then press a pad to trigger that pad’s sample repeatedly. The rate is based on the current tempo and Time Correct settings.

Press and hold Shift and then press this button to “latch” the Note Repeat feature. When latched, you do not have to hold the Note Repeat button for it to be activated. Press Note Repeat once more to unlatch it.

8. Full Level/Half Level: Press this button to activate/deactivate Full Level. When activated, the pads will always trigger their samples at the maximum velocity (127), regardless of the amount of force you use.

Press and hold Shift and then press this button to activate/deactivate Half Level. When activated, the pads will always trigger their samples at half-velocity (64).

9. 16 Level: Press this button to activate/deactivate 16 Level. When activated, the last pad that was hit will be temporarily copied to all 16 pads. The pads will now output the same note number as the initial pad, but a selectable parameter will be fixed at values that increase as the pad numbers increase (e.g., Pad 1 is the minimum, Pad 16 is the maximum), regardless of how hard you press them. In the screen that appears, use the Type selector to choose the parameter: Velocity, Tune, Filter, Layer, Attack, or Decay. See Operation >

General Features > 16 Level to learn more.

10. Erase: As a Sequence is playing, press and hold this button and then press a pad to delete the note event for that pad at the current playback position. This is a quick way to delete note events from your sequence without having to stop playback. See Operation > General Features > Erase to learn more.

11. Shift: Press and hold this button to access some buttons’ secondary functions (indicated by grey writing).

Double-press this button to see which buttons have secondary functions—the buttons will flash for a few seconds.

12. Menu/Browse: Press this button to open the Menu. You can tap an option in the Menu to enter that mode, view, etc.

Press and hold Shift and then press this button to view the Browser. You can use the Browser to locate and select programs, samples, sequences, etc.

13. Main/Track: Press this button to enter Main Mode.

Press and hold

Shift and then press this button to enter the Track View.

14. Undo/Redo: Press this button to undo your last action. Hold down Shift and press this button to redo the last action you undid.

15. Copy/Delete: Press this button to copy one pad to another. When the From Pad field is selected, press the “source” pad (the pad you want to copy). When the To Pad graphic (of all pads) is selected, press the “destination” pad. You can select multiple destination pads, and you can select pads in different pad banks. Tap Do It to continue or Cancel to return to the previous screen.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to delete.

16. –/+: Press these buttons to decrease/increase the value of the selected field in the touchscreen.

17. Play: Press this button to play the sequence from the audio pointer’s current position.

18. Play Start: Press this button to play the sequence from its start point.

19. Stop: Press this button to stop playback. You can double-press this button to silence audio that is still sounding once a note stops playing. Quickly pressing this button three times will act as a “MIDI panic” and shut off all voices and stop all audio processing. You can also press this button to abort the loading any files that are being loaded (e.g., if you select a project or program by accident).

20. Rec: Press this button to record-arm the sequence. Press Play or Play Start to start recording. Recording in this way (as opposed to using Overdub) erases the events of the current sequence. After the sequence plays through once while recording, Overdub will be enabled.

21. Overdub: Press this button to enable Overdub. When enabled, you can record events in a Sequence without overwriting any previously recorded events. You can enable Overdub before or during recording.

22. Tap Tempo: Press this button in time with the desired tempo to enter a new tempo (in BPM).

Touchscreen

Here is some general information about how to use the MPC Live touchscreen:

Tap a button or option to select it. Use the data dial or –/+ buttons to change its setting or value

Spread two fingers to zoom in (into a section of a waveform, for example). Pinch two fingers to zoom out.

Double-tap a button to access advanced editing options. In some cases, this will show a numeric keypad that you can use to enter a value (an alternative to the data dial or –/+ buttons). Tap the upper-left part of the touchscreen to return to the previous view.

The top of the touchscreen shows the toolbar, which contains information about the current view (often the name of the current track, sequence, audio pointe position, etc.). Tap an item to select it.

The bottom of the touchscreen shows various buttons that you can use in the current view. Tap a button to press it.

To return to a previous view, either tap outside of the window currently in the touchscreen or tap the left arrow () in the upper-left part of the touchscreen.

Rear Panel

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1. Power Input: Use the included power adapter to connect MPC Live to a power outlet.

2. Power Switch: Turns MPC Live’s power on/off.

3. Charging Indicator: This light (behind the vent) will turn on when MPC Live’s internal battery is charging (when the power input is connected to a power outlet). When the battery is fully charged or when it is disconnected from a power outlet, then this light will turn off.

4. USB-B Port: Use the included USB cable to connect this USB 3.0 port to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer. This connection allows MPC Live to send/receive MIDI and audio data to/from the MPC software on your computer. It also allows any connected USB drives, SD cards, and drives connected to the internal SATA port to mount on your computer (i.e., your computer can access these storage devices that are connected to your MPC Live).

5. USB-A Ports: Connect USB flash drives to these USB ports to access their files directly using MPC Live. MPC Live supports read and write capability for exFAT, FAT32, NTFS, and EXT4 file systems a well as read-only capability for HFS+ file systems. (We recommend using an exFAT file system as it is the most robust one supported by both Windows and Mac OS X.)

6. SD Card Slot: Insert a standard SD/SDHC card into this slot to access its files directly using MPC Live.

7. Rec Vol: Turn this knob to adjust the volume of the inputs.

8. Master Vol: Turn this knob to adjust the volume of Outputs 1/2 and the phones output.

9. Inputs (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these inputs to an audio source (mixer, synthesizer, drum machine, etc.). In Sample Record Mode, you can select whether you want to record either channel or both channels in stereo or in mono. To use these inputs, set the Line/Phono switch to Line.

10. Inputs (RCA): Use a standard RCA stereo cable to connect these inputs to a phono-level audio source like a turntable. In Sample Record Mode, you can select whether you want to record either channel or both channels in stereo or in mono. To use these inputs, set the Line/Phono switch to Phono.

11. Line/Phono Switch: Set this switch to the appropriate position, depending on which inputs you want to use. If you are using the RCA inputs, set this switch to Phono to provide the additional amplification needed for phonolevel signals. If you are using the 1/4” (6.35 mm) inputs, such as a keyboard or a sampler, set this switch to Line.

12. Groundi terminals. If you experience a low “hum” or “buzz”, this could mean that your turntables are not grounded.

Note: Some turntables have a grounding wire built into the RCA connection and, therefore, nothing needs to be connected to the grounding terminal.

13. Outputs (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your monitors, mixer, etc.). The Master L/R outputs are the same as Outputs 1/2.

14. Phones (1/8” / 3.5 mm): Connect standard 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo headphones to this output.

15. MIDI In: Use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable to connect this input to the MIDI output of an external MIDI device (synthesizer, drum machine, etc.).

16. MIDI Out: Use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable to connect this output to the MIDI input of an external MIDI device (synthesizer, drum machine, etc.).

17. Kensington

ng Terminal: If using phono-level turntables with a grounding wire, connect the grounding wire to these

Lock Slot: You can use this slot to secure your MPC Live to a table or other surface.

Tutorial / Basic Concepts

This chapter should help you to familiarize yourself with some basic features in MPC Live. To get the most out of this chapter, we recommend reproducing each of the described steps.

Important:

MPC Live’s four Q-Link knobs control up to four parameters at a time—up to 16 within each screen. Whenever this manual instructs you to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust parameters, you can use the Q-Link button (above the Q- Link knobs) to move through the four columns of four Q-Link knobs.

Press and hold the Q-Link button to see an overview of all 16 Q-Link knobs and their parameters. You can then tap any column of knobs to select those four Q-Link knobs, and then release the Q-Link button.

On the following pages we will create a short song to show you some of MPC Live’s most important features.

Starting Up

Make sure you have completed all of the steps described in Introduction > Setup. This includes:

• Installing the most current drivers and software.

• Connecting your MPC Live to a power source using the included power adapter and powering it on.

• Opening and authorizing your MPC software.

Creating a Drum Kit

Let’s start by making a simple drum kit.

Press Shift+Menu/Browse to show the Browser. Then, use the touchscreen to navigate to where your drum sounds are located:

• To browse your files by location, tap Places on the

left side of the touchscreen. Internal is the MPC Live’s internal drive. MPC Documents is a shortcut to the MPC Documents folder on the internal drive. If you have USB drives connected to MPC Live’s USB ports, they will appear in this column, as well.

Important: MPC Live supports read and write capability for exFAT, FAT32, NTFS, and EXT4 file systems as well as read-only capability for HFS+ file systems. (We recommend using an exFAT file system as it is the most robust one supported by both Windows and Mac OS X.)

• To browse your files by type, tap Content and then tap

the type of file: Drums, Instruments, Clips, Samples, Demos, or My Files.

• To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon in

the upper-left corner.

• To move through a list, swipe up or down, turn the

data dial or use the –/+ buttons.

• To select a file or folder, tap it once.

• To enter a folder, double-tap it or tap Open in the

lower-right corner. Alternatively, press the data dial to enter a selected folder.

• To load a selected file, double-tap it, tap Load, or

press the data dial. If the file is a sample, it will be loaded to the project’s sample pool. If the file is a project, it will be loaded in its entirety (you will be asked if you want to close your current project).

• To load all files in a selected folder, press and hold

Shift and then tap Load All in the lower-right corner.

• To delete a selected file, press and hold Shift and then tap Delete File at the bottom of the touchscreen.

• To preview a selected sound, tap and hold Play () at the bottom of the touchscreen.

• To enable or disable the audition function and set its volume level, tap Audition at the bottom of the

touchscreen. In the screen that appears, tap Auto to enable or disable it, and tap and drag the level slider up or down to set the volume level. Tap Audition once more to hide the window.

• To show the information for the current drive, press and hold Shift and then tap Drive Info at the bottom of

the touchscreen. The drive’s information will appear in a new window. Tap OK to return to the previous screen.

After loading samples for a drum kit into the sample pool, use the Sample Assign tab to assign a kick drum sound to a pad:

1. Tap Sample Assign at the bottom of the touchscreen. This lets you view the pads and project’s sample pool.

2. Press Pad 1 or tap Pad 1 in the touchscreen to select it. The pad will be lit green.

3. Swipe the Sample Pool list up or down or use the data dial or –/+ buttons to move through it.

4. To load a sample to the selected pad (Pad 1, in this case) tap it in the Sample Pool list or press the data dial. Now, you can press Pad 1 to play the kick drum sample.

To create a simple drum kit, repeat the above steps for other pads. We recommend loading a snare drum, a closed hi-hat, and an open hi-hat.

Creating a Drum Sequence

Now that your drum kit is set up, let’s record a drum sequence.

1. Press Menu to enter the Menu, and then tap Grid View.

2. Press Tap Tempo repeatedly at the speed you want to record your sequence. MPC Live will detect the rate and adjust itself automatically.

3. Press the Rec button to activate Record Mode.

4. Press the Play button to start the actual recording. The pre-count will count one measure before MPC Live starts to record. We recommend recording only one sound (pad) at a time, especially if you are not familiar with playing drums on the pads.

5. Play a simple bass drum pattern. The note events you just recorded will automatically be placed in the grid (in this case, on 16th notes). The initial measure length is two bars. After the two bars, the recording will enter Overdub Mode automatically; the sequence plays again from the beginning and keeps looping, allowing you to record further notes. Don’t stop the recording!

6. Play the snare drum part, then a hi-hat part.

7. When you’re done recording, press the Stop button.

If you start recording again on this sequence, keep in mind that the pads you play in your new recording will automatically replace existing notes played with the same pads. To prevent this, you can start again from Step 1 but press the Overdub button instead of the Rec button. Overdub lets you record additional note events over the existing Sequence.

The Undo button functions differently while in Record Mode. Normally, pressing Undo will undo just the last event. When there is an event to undo, the Undo button will be lit solid. While recording, the Undo button will flash. In this case, pressing Undo will erase all events from that recording (i.e., since Play or Play Start was pressed).

Saving & Renaming

We recommend doing some renaming of your programs and samples before going further.

The collection of drum samples you loaded earlier (and their respective pad assignments) are arranged into a program. When you load this program in the future, you will be able to use all of the samples that belong to it.

Let’s rename the exisiting program as we’ll want to create more programs later on.

To rename a program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. In the Program section in the lower part of the touchscreen, tap the cursor icon on the right edge.

3. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name (e.g., Drums), and then tap Do It.

To rename your samples:

1. Press Menu to show the Menu, and tap Sample Edit to enter Sample Edit Mode.

2. The Sample field at the top of the touchscreen will show the name of a sample. Select a sample in one of the following ways:

• When the Sample field is selected, use the data dial or –/+ buttons to change it.

• Double-tap the Sample field and tap one in the list that appears.

3. Tap the keyboard icon next to it to rename the current sample.

4. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name (e.g., Kick, Snare, etc.), and then tap Do It.

Repeat Steps 2–4 to rename other samples.

Now would be a good time to save your project.

To save your project, press Menu to show the Menu, and tap the disk icon at the top of the touchscreen to open the Save window. In the Save window, do any of the following:

To select the storage device you want to view, tap it in the Storage column on the left. Internal is the MPC Live’s internal drive. MPC Documents is a shortcut to the MPC Documents folder on the internal drive. If you have USB

drives connected to MPC Live’s USB ports, they will appear in this column, as well.

To enter a folder, double-tap it. Alternatively, turn the data dial or use the –/+ buttons to move through the list, and press the data dial to enter a folder. You can also tap one of the five folder buttons in the upper-right to jump immediately to those

pre-assigned file paths (see Operation > Modes > Browser to learn how to do this).

To create a new folder, tap New Folder, use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Do It. You will immediatel

y enter the new folder.

To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon.

To name the file, tap the File Name field at the bottom of the touchscreen, and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

To save the file, tap Save.

To cancel and return to the Menu, tap Cancel. Alternatively, tap the  icon in the upper-left corner.

Editing Note Events

In the grid, you can see your recorded notes (or note events) as a sequence.

To enter Grid View, press Main, and then tap the grid icon on the left edge of the touchscreen.

In the Grid View, you can do any of the following:

• To zoom in or out, tap the magnifying-glass icon in the upper-right corner. Then, in the grid, spread two

fingers apart or pinch two fingers together. You can do this for each axis, horizontal or vertical.

• To automatically set the grid to view one pad bank and two bars, tap the grid-and-magnifying-glass

icon in the lower-left corner.

• To undo your last action, press Undo.

• To redo the last action you undid, press Shift+Undo/Redo.

• To enter a note, tap the pencil icon in the upper-right corner. Then, in the grid, tap a square.

• To delete a note, tap the eraser icon in the upper-right corner. Then, in the grid, tap a note.

• To select a single note, tap the select box in the upper-right corner. Then, in the grid, tap the note.

To select all notes for a pad, press the desired pad.

• To move the selected notes, tap Nudge at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –

/+ buttons to shift the notes left or right. By default, you can position notes only by quantization values defined by the Time Correct value (learn about this feature in Operation > Modes > Main Mode).

To move the selected notes without restricting (“snapping”) them to the quantization grid, tap and hold Don’t Snap in the lower-left corner of the touchscreen, and then use the

notes. In this case, each nudge is equivalent to four ticks.

• To adjust the start point or end point of the selected notes (without changing their position), tap Edit

Start at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

• To transpose the selected notes up or down, tap Transpose at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then

use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

• To switch to the previous or next track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Track – or Track + (respectively)

at the bottom of the touchscreen.

• To mute or solo the track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Mute or Solo (respectively) at the bottom of

the touchscreen.

• To open the Timing Correct window, press and hold Shift, and then tap TC at the bottom of the

touchscreen. This feature is described in Operation > Modes > Main Mode.

• To adjust the metronome settings, press and hold Shift, and then tap Click at the bottom of the

touchscreen. This feature is described in Operation > Modes > Main Mode.

• To adjust the velocity of the selected notes, tap Velocity at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use

the data dial or –/+ buttons. The numeri

c value will appear on the screen.

• To show or hide the velocity lane, tap the up arrow (∧) button in the lower-right corner of the touchscreen

to show the velocity lane below the grid. Each note’s velocity is represented by a vertical bar. The higher and more red the bar is, the higher the velocity is.

Tap the up arrow (∧) button once more to show a taller version of the velocity lane after which it will turn into a down arrow (∨) button, which you can then tap to hide the velocity lane.

data dial or –/+

buttons to shift the

Making Basic Sound Edits

Let’s make sure the samples are properly tuned and have good levels.

Press Menu, and then tap Program Edit to enter Program Edit Mode.

Press a pad to show its parameters in the touchscreen.

To adjust its volume, tap and drag the Volume knob up or down. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the knob and adjust the larger version that appears. Tap anywhere else to return to the previous screen.

To adjust its stereo panning, tap and drag the Pan knob up or down. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the knob and adjust the larger version that appears. Tap anywhere else to return to the previous screen.

Adjust the level of each pad to suit your taste. We recommend spreading the panning of the bright sounds (e.g., cymbals, snare drum) a little. Additionally, you can tune the bass drum sound—tap the Samples tab so the first square under it is lit, and then adjust the Semi and Fine knobs next to the sample name.

The snare drum may need some reverb to give it a more spatial sound.

Tap Effects at bottom of the touchscreen to view the Insert Effects tab. Press the pad with your snare drum sound to select it.

To add an effect:

1. Double-tap the desired slot. A list of effects will appear.

2. Swipe up or down to move through the list.

3. To load an effect, double-tap it. Alternatively, tap it once and then tap Select or push the data dial. Let’s try Reverb Medium.

4. To close the list, tap Close.

To adjust the effect’s parameters, tap the pencil icon.

To empty the effect slot, tap the trash can icon. Switch

the effect on or off by tapping the

On/Off button for the slot.

Creating a Bass Track

Let’s try recording a bass line. Unlike a drum kit, it’s important to be able to play and record a bass sound chromatically, so this will be slightly different than setting up the drum kit.

Adding a bass line over the drum part means we need to work on a new track. A track is simply a layer of a sequence. Each track uses a program within your project. You can work with multiple tracks in a single sequence (e.g., a drum track, a bass track, a piano track, etc.). When you play the sequence, all of them will play simultaneously.

First, let’s make an empty track.

To select a new track:

1. Press Main to go back to Main Mode.

2. Double-tap the Track field in the center-left part of the touchscreen, and then tap Track 2 (unused) in the list of tracks that appears.

Alternatively, simply tap the Track + button at the bottom of the touchscreen until (unused) appears in the Track field.

Let’s create a new program for this track to use.

To create a new program:

1. In the Track section in the middle of the touchscreen, tap the piano-keys icon. This will create a keygroup program for this track, which is necessary to play the bass sound chromatically with the pads.

2. The Program field in the lower part of the touchscreen will display a new program name.

3. In the Program section in the lower part of the touchscreen, tap the cursor icon on the right edge.

4. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap Do It.

To load and edit a bass sound:

1. Press Shift+Menu/Browse to show the Browser. Then, use the touchscreen to navigate to where your bass sounds are located, and load one to the project’s sample pool. (You can look at this earlier section if you forgot how to do this!)

2. After loading a bass sample to the sample pool, don’t use the Sample Assign tab like you did when creating a drum program; keygroup programs are different.

Instead, press Menu to view the Menu, and tap Program Edit to enter Program Edit Mode.

3. In Program Edit Mode, tap the Samples tab at the bottom of the touchscreen to show the four layers of samples in the program.

4. Double-tap the first Layer field and then tap your bass sample in the list on the left. Because you’re working with a keygroup program instead of a drum program, this sample is now playable across all pads.

Tip: On your MPC Live, press the Pad Bank D button to switch to Pad Bank D and press Pad 13. You should hear the bass sample played back with its original pitch. You can use the other pads to play your sample chromatically.

Let’s add a second layer and set the layers’ velocity ranges so the bass will sound different when played at a higher velocity (as a real bass would):

1. Press Shift+Menu/Browse to show the Browser, select a different bass sample that sounds similar but a little bit brighter, and load it to the project’s sample pool.

2. Return to Program Edit Mode, and in the Layer tab, double-tap the second Layer field, and select the new bass sample. Press a pad to hear both samples will sound at once. Maybe this new sound is interesting as it is, but let’s make some quick edits to get as close as we can to a real-life bass sound.

3. Tap the Pan Velocity tab to show its parameters.

4. Tap Layer 1’s Vel End knob and turn the data dial to set it to 80. Do the same to set Layer 2’s Vel Start slider to 81.

Now when you press a pad, the lower velocities (0–80) will trigger the Layer 1 sample only, while higher velocities (81–127) will trigger the Layer 2 sample only.

Let’s record that bass line now. Prepare your recording as described earlier, and record some bass notes. You can edit your recording just like we’ve done earlier.

Once you’ve recorded it, let’s tweak the sound a bit in the Filter section:

1. In Program Edit Mode, tap the Filter Env tab to show its parameters.

2. Double-tap the Type drop-down menu, and select a filter. Let’s try working with Lowpass 4 Pole.

3. Tap the Cutoff or Reso (resonance) knob, and turn the data dial to adjust their settings until your bass sample sounds good to you.

4. In the Amp Envelope section, tap the Attack or Release knob, and turn the data dial to adjust their settings. These control the overall level characteristics of the sound.

Do you want to add an effect? Do this in the Effects tab:

1. Tap the Effects tab to show the insert effects.

2. Double-tap one of the Inserts slots to show a list of available effects.

3. Double-tap the effect you want to add to your bass line, or click Close to cancel.

To adjust the settings of the effect, click the pencil icon next to its slot to open a window that shows its parameters.

To activate or deactivate all insert effects for that program, click the All On/All Off button in the upper-right corner.

So far, we’ve created a simple drum sequence and a bass line to go with it. Repeat this process to create a second sequence.

Recording an Audio Track

We’ve already created some MIDI tracks, so let’s record some actual audio for our next track:

1. Press Main to go back to Main Mode.

2. Tap the Audio tab at the bottom of the touchscreen. Audio 001 will appear in the Track field.

3. If the channel strip is not already shown on the left side of the screen, tap Input Config (in the lower part of the touchscreen) or the small eye icon (in the upper-left part of the touchscreen) to show it.

4. Connect a synthesizer or other line-level audio source to the 1/4” (6.35 mm) input/inputs on MPC Live’s rear panel, and set the Line/Phono selector to Line.

5. Double-tap the first field (Input __) and select Input 1 or Input 1,2 (depending on your audio source) as the input source.

6. If the second field is not set to Out 1,2, double-tap it and select that option as the output.

7. Tap the Monitor button to cycle through its three states until it reads Auto (you will hear incoming audio while the track is record-enabled only).

8. Turn the Rec Vol knob to set the input level while playing your audio source. You should now see the level in the meter. Make sure it does not exceed the maximum level (the meter should not be “peaking” constantly).

9. If the Solo and Mute buttons are on, tap them so they are off. Also, tap the track automation button below them so it is off (not R/Read or W/Write).

10. Tap the Rec Arm butt

on next to the pan knob to record-enable the track.

11. Press Rec or Overdub to record-arm MPC Live.

12. To start recording, press Play or Play Start—then play your audio source! You should hear your existing sequence playing in the background.

To stop recording, press Stop.

Record another audio track for your other sequence: Select the other sequence in Main Mode, and create another audio track (Audio 002) to go with that sequence.

Creating a Song

This section explains how to make a song out of your sequences. Before starting, make sure that you have recorded some sequences (which we described earlier).

To enter Song Mode, make sure playback is stopped, press Menu, and then tap Song. You’ll see each of the sequences you’ve created in this project assigned to a pad. The sequence playlist is to the left of the pads.

As a song plays, it moves through each step of the sequence playlist. Each step contains a sequence you assigned.

Each step can be repeated, determined by the value in the Repeat column (the repeat icon). A Repeat value of

1 means the sequence will play through only once. The Bars column on the right indicates the length of that

the number of bars in the sequence] x [the number

step: [

of times it repeats].

Each step can be set to play its sequence at an independent tempo, determined by the value in the BPM column.

Important: Each sequence has its own tempo, while the project itself may use a different master tempo. The BPM value

for each sequence may be different from the master tempo. As long as playback is set to follow the master tempo, each sequence’s individual tempo will be ignored. By default, each project is set to use the sequence tempo, which you set back in the Creating a Drum Sequence chapter. We recommend tapping the Seq/Mst button at the top of the touchscreen (so the button displays Mst) and entering a master tempo to ensure all sequences use the same tempo.

To insert a step at the current position, tap Insert.

To delete the currently selected step, tap Delete.

To set which sequence plays for a step, tap the step’s Sequence field, and then turn the data dial to select a

sequence.

To set how many times a sequence repeats, tap the step’s Repeat field (next to the sequence name), and then turn the data dial to select a number.

Exporting the Song

Want to share your new song? Just export it first.

To export a song:

1. While in Song Mode, tap Export at the bottom of the touchscreen.

2. In the Audio Mixdown screen that appears, do the following:

• Make sure the Start field is set to 1, and set the End field to the last bar of your song.

• Tap the Audio Tail field and turn the data dial to set it to 2 seconds.

• As you’ll likely share the song online, tap the mp3 file format option in the lower-left corner.

3. Tap Export. Choose where you want to save the song.

To name the song, tap the File Name field, and use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap Save to start exporting.

Other Features Explained

This chapter describes various advanced features. For a fuller explanation of these features, please refer to their corresponding sections in the Operation chapter.

Step Sequencer

You’ve already learned how to record note events on a track, but you can quickly enter note events in the Step Sequencer by using the pads as “step buttons,” simulating the experience of a traditional step-sequencer-style drum machine.

To enter the Step Sequencer, press Menu, and then tap Step Sequencer. Alternatively, in some modes, you can

tap the steps icon on the left edge of the touchscreen.

1. Let’s create a sequence on a new track. Tap the Track field in the upper-left corner, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select an (unused) track. Alternatively, double-tap the Track field, and then tap a track to select it.

2. Tap the Track Length field at the top of the touchscreen to set a length for the track, and then use the data dial or the –/+ buttons to select a length. If you select the minimum value, Sequence, the track will be however long your sequence is.

Tip: This lets you maintain tracks of different lengths. For instance, you could play a 1-bar drum sequence repeatedly under a 4-bar bass line.

3. Tap the Bar –/+ buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen to select the bar whose steps you want to create or edit. The bar number will appear in the Bar field in the upper-left corner.

4. Tap the Pad –/+ buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen to select the pad whose steps want to create or edit. The pad number will appear in the Pad field in the upper-left corner.

5. Press Play to start your sequence.

6. Each pad represents a step in the bar. If the pad already has note events on the selected track, the corresponding pads (steps) will be lit with colors corresponding to their velocities.

To enter a note at a step, press an unlit pad. The pad will light up with a color corresponding to its velocity.

To delete the note from a step, press a lit pad. The pad will become unlit.

To delete all notes from the entire bar, press and hold Shift, and then tap Clear Bar in the lower-right corner.

See Operation > Modes > Step Sequencer to learn more about this feature.

Drum Loops & Chop Mode

Modern music producers often use drum loops to add grit and nuance to programmed beats. This section explains how to use Sample Edit Mode to work with drum loops.

Use the Browser to locate a drum loop, and then double-tap it to add it to the current program. The loop does not have to match the tempo of anything in the project.

To enter Sample Edit Mode, press Menu, and then tap Sample Edit.

1. Tap the Sample field at the top of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select the loaded drum loop. You can scroll through all loaded samples in the project. Alternatively, double-tap the Sample field, and then tap a sample to select it.

2. Tap the Trim/Chop tab in the lower-left corner to switch between Trim Mode and Chop Mode. Select Chop Mode, which will let us cut the drum loop into slices.

3. Tap Threshold, and then tap the Threshold field to the right of it. Use the data dial or –/+ buttons select a value. Alternatively, double-tap the Threshold field and use the numeric keypad that appears to enter a value. The lower the threshold, the more slices will be created. Be sure to select a value so that every transient peak of the drum loop has a corresponding a slice marker.

Tip: Each slice will be automatically assigned to a pad: Pad A01 plays Slice 1, Pad A02 plays Slice 2, etc. Press

each pad to play the slice with the same number.

Let’s use this chopped sample to create a new program in which each of these slices is an individual sample. We can also automatically create corresponding note events to play back these slices sequentially.

1. Press and hold Shift and then tap Convert at the bottom of the touchscreen to enter the Convert or Assign Slices window.

2. Tap the Convert To field, and then use the data dial or – /+ buttons to select New Program with New Samples.

3. Make sure Crop Samples is checked. If it is not, tap it.

4. Make sure Create New Program is checked. If it is not, tap it.

5. Make sure Create Events is checked. If it is not, tap it.

6. Tap the Bars field, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select how many bars the entire sample should use in your program.

7. Tap Do It to proceed. Each slice will be assigned to a pad, and each pad will have a recorded note event in the track. When you play that track, it will play each pad (each slice) in the original order. Press Menu and then tap Grid View to see how the sample appears in your sequence.

8. Press Play and listen to how the drum loop matches your song tempo now.

You can also edit the note events of the drum loop slices—enter Main Mode to do this. A new track with the note events playing their corresponding slices has been automatically created. Tap the TC/clock icon at the top of the touchscreen to use the Timing Correct window to quantize the note events so they fall on exact, even time intervals.

You can also rearrange the note events, thus creating a new playback order for the slices. You can also edit each slice or sample in Program Edit Mode. You can add effects for slices or use the filter function to change the frequency range of a selected slice. There are almost no limits to what you can do.

See Operation > Modes > Sample Edit Mode > Chop Mode to learn more about this feature.

Pad Muting & Track Muting

Pad Mute Mode and Track Mute Mode let you silence different pads and tracks to see what the sequence sounds like without those samples or parts.

To enter Pad Mute Mode, press Menu and then tap Pad Mute.

1. Press Play to play the sequence.

2. Tap the Program field at the top of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select your drum program. Alternatively, double-tap the Program field, and then tap a program to select it.

3. Mute a pad by pressing it once or tapping it on the touchscreen. The muted pad will be lit red. You can mute multiple pads at the same time.

See Operation > Modes > Pad Mute Mode to learn more about track mutes.

You can also mute entire tracks by using the similar Track Mute function.

To enter Track Mute Mode, press Menu and then tap Track Mute.

1. Press Play to play the sequence.

2. Tap the Sequence field at the top of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select the desired sequence. Alternatively, double-tap the Sequence field, and then tap a sequence to select it.

3. Each pad is assigned to a track. Mute a track by pressing the corresponding pad or tapping it on the touchscreen. The pad will be lit red. You can mute multiple tracks at the same time.

Tip: To mute a track only at precise note intervals (“quantizing” your mutes, essentially), tap Time Division to set a musical timing value. Tap the desired musical value (e.g., 1 Bar). Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. Tap Close to close the page. Now, when you press a pad in Track Mute Mode, the mute will occur precisely at the beginning of the following time division (in this example, one bar). This lets you test musical combinations of patterns— the preliminary stage to building a song structure.

See Operation > Modes > Track Mute Mode to learn more about track mutes.

Sampling (Recording)

This section describes recording new samples of your own, which you can use in your projects.

Important: To record any audio, you need to connect an audio source to your MPC Live or to your computer’s audio interface.

To open the Sampler, press Menu and then tap Sampler.

1. Connect an audio source to the input/inputs of your MPC Live.

2. Turn the Rec Vol knob to set the input level while playing your audio source. You should now see the level in the meter. Make sure it does not exceed the maximum level (the meter should not be “peaking” constantly).

3. Tap and drag threshold slider to set the threshold. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. Set it to a fairly low level (e.g., -50 dB).

4. Tap Arm to record-arm the Sampler.

5. Play your audio source. The Sampler will start recording immediately when the input level reaches the threshold value. Alternatively, tap the round Record button to manually start recording.

6. To stop recording, tap the round Stop button. The Keep or Discard Sample window will appear.

In the Keep or Discard Sample window:

To name the new sample, tap the Edit Name field and use the virtual keyboard to enter a name.

To assign the new sample to a program, tap the Program field, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons

to select the desired program. Alternatively, double-tap the Program field, and then tap a program to select it.

To assign the sample to a pad in the program, tap the Assign to Pad field, and then press the desired pad.

Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select the desired pad number, or double-tap the Pad field, and then tap a pad number.

To confirm your selections, tap

Keep at the bottom of

the touchscreen.

To discard the recording and return to the previous screen, tap the Discard button.

To play the recording, tap the Play button at the

bottom of the touchscreen.

See Operation > Modes > Sampler to learn more about this feature.

Sample Editing

You may need to edit your newly recorded samples using Sample Edit Mode.

To enter Sample Edit Mode, press Menu and then tap Sample Edit.

In Sample Edit Mode:

To switch between Trim Mode and Chop Mode, tap the Trim/Chop tab at the bottom of the touchscreen. In this example, use Trim Mode.

To set the sample’s start point, press Q-Link to select the first bank of Q-Link knobs (the Start field will be outlined gold). Use the Q-Link knobs to adjust the start point with varying degrees of resolution. Alternatively, tap and drag the S marker in the waveform.

To set the sample’s end point, press Q-Link to select the second bank of Q-Link knobs (the End field will be outlined gold). Use the Q-Link knobs to adjust the end point with varying degrees of resolution. Alternatively, tap and drag the E marker in the waveform.

To hear your edits, press Pad 10 to play the sample from the start point to the end point.

Let’s apply some processing to the sample.

To open the Process Sample window, tap Process at the bottom of the touchscreen.

1. Use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select the desired process in the Function field. Alternatively, tap Function or double-tap the Function field, and then tap the desired process. Let’s select Pitch Shift to change the overall pitch of your sample. This will transpose the sample without affecting its length.

2. To set the pitch shift amount, tap and drag the knob in the center of the window up or down. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer

adjustm

ents, double-tap the knob and adjust the

larger version that appears. Tap anywhere else to return to the previous screen.

3. To confirm your selections, tap Do It.

To cancel the process, tap Cancel.

See Operation > Modes > Sample Edit Mode to learn more.

Recording Automation with the XY Pad

Automating various parameters is a good way to add some motion and dynamism to your sequences.

1. Press Menu to open the Menu, and then tap XYFX to enter XYFX Mode.

2. Double-tap the XYFX Location field, and select Program.

3. When you first enter this mode in a project, you will be prompted to “load” XYFX to the program. Tap Insert XYFX to do this.

4. Tap Setup to show the Setup panel, which controls how the XY pad behaves.

5. Double-tap the Preset field, and tap an effect to select it. (These are just the effects available in XYFX Mode, not all MPC effects.) Swipe up or down to view the entire list.

6. Tap and drag any of the knobs (Attack, Release, or Wet/Dry) up or down to set their values as desired. Below them, you can see what parameter the X axis and Y axis control.

Note: XYFX uses an envelope to control how quickly the effect crossfades between the dry signal and wet signal. The Attack knob determines how long it takes the completely dry signal to reach the wet signal (determined by the Wet/Dry knob) after you touch the XY pad. The Release knob determines how long it takes the wet signal (determined by the Wet/Dry knob) to return to the completely dry signal after you touch the XY pad.

7. Tap the automation button in the upper-right corner to cycle through the available automation modes. Make sure it shows the red Write (W) option.

8. Press Play Start to start recording.

9. As you record, move your finger over the XY pad on the touchscreen. The changes in the sound are being recorded as automation of both the X axis and Y axis parameters.

10. When you are done recording, press Stop.

11. Tap the automation button in the upper-right corner to select the green Read (R) option. This ensures your track uses the automation you just recorded when you play it back.

See Operation > Modes > XYFX Mode to learn more about using this feature.

Using MPC Live as a Controller

If you are using the MPC software on your computer, you can switch MPC Live into Controller Mode, allowing you to use it to control the software. The MPC software offers the same features and functionality as MPC Live in Standalone Mode but with some notable differences, which are discussed in Operation > General Features >

Standalone vs. Controller Mode.

Operation

This chapter explains the complete features and functions of your MPC Live.

Important:

• When accessing the secondary functions of buttons on your MPC Live, you can do this one of two ways: (1) pressing and holding Shift and then pressing the desired button or (2) double-pressing the desired button. This manual describes these operations using only the first option, but both are acceptable.

• Almost every mode shown in the touchscreen has 1–6 buttons at the bottom. Each of these buttons select a different tab in that mode or perform a specific function in that mode.

• When the left-most button at the bottom of the touchscreen shows an upward arrow (), it means there are additional buttons you can use when you press and hold Shift. Press and hold Shift to show the secondary buttons, and any of them, if desired. Release Shift to return to the previous buttons.

• When a parameter is highlighted and has a red outline, this means that it is selected. You can then change it by turning the hardware’s data dial or using the –/+ buttons. If the parameter is a number, try double-tapping it to show a numeric keypad in the touchscreen, and use that to enter a specific value.

• When the touchscreen shows a parameter or group of parameters with a gold outline (and sometimes a Q in the corner), this means that the current bank of Q-Link knobs will control those parameters or settings. Turn a Q-Link knob to adjust its corresponding parameter value or setting in that group. When the value has decimal places, you can sometimes press and hold Shift and then turn the Q- Link knob to adjust the value by smaller increments. You can also press the Q-Link button to select another group of four parameters.

• Press and hold the Q-Link button to see an overview of all 16 Q-Link knobs and their parameters. You

can then tap any column of knobs to select those four Q-Link knobs, and then release the Q-Link button.

General Features

Battery Usage

Although you can power MPC Live by from a power outlet (using the included power adapter), you can use its internal battery, which typically has four hours of life, depending on CPU and how you’re using MPC Live.

While powering MPC Live from its internal battery, the battery icon in upper-right corner of the touchscreen will show its current battery life. (The icon below it indicates whether MPC Live is in Standalone Mode or Controller Mode.)

To view MPC Live’s system resources (battery life, CPU, and RAM usage), tap the battery icon in upper-right corner of the touchscreen. The System Resources window will appear, showing percentages to indicate the current battery life, CPU, and RAM usage (Mem).

To delete samples from the project (to create more free RAM space for sampling time, audio recording, etc.), tap Purge. In the screen that appears, tap Unused Samples to delete all unused samples from the project, tap All

Samples to delete all samples from the project, or tap Cancel to return to the previous screen.

To charge MPC Live’s internal battery, connect its power input to a power outlet using the included power

adapter. The charging indicator light (behind the vent on the rear panel) will turn on while charging. When the battery is fully charged or when it is disconnected from a power outlet, then this light will turn off.

Control Types

The MPC Live uses the following types of control elements:

Knobs

To set the value for a knob, do any of the following:

• Tap and drag the knob up or down.

• Tap the knob to select it, and then use the data dial or –/+

buttons to adjust the value.

• Double-tap the knob or press the data dial (when the knob is

selected) to show it in a larger screen. Tap and drag the larger version that appears, or use the data dial or –/+ buttons to adjust the value. Tap anywhere else to return to the previous screen.

• Press and hold Shift while turning the data dial to adjust a value

by smaller increments.

Parameter Values

To set the value for a parameter, do either of the following:

• Tap the field to select it, and then use the data dial or –/+

buttons to adjust the value.

When the value has decimal places, you can sometimes press and hold Shift and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to adjust the value by smaller increments.

• Double-tap the field or hold your finger on it for a second. In the

screen that appears, use the numeric keypad, the data dial, or the –/+ buttons to adjust the value. Alternatively, tap and drag the value up or down.

You can also tap /2 to halve the value or x2 to double it.

To confirm the value and remain on this screen, tap Apply.

To confirm the value and return to the previous screen, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen without changing anything,

tap the grey area in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen.

Drop-Down Menus / Lists

To select an option for a drop-down menu, do any of the following:

• Tap the field to select it, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select an option.

• Double-tap the field. In the list that appears (examples below), tap the desired option. Alternatively, use the

data dial or the –/+ buttons to select an option.

In some windows, tap the relevant button at the bottom of the touchscreen to confirm your selection or to cancel without changing anything.

Selectors

Selectors show all available options. One of them is always selected. The selected option is highlighted while the others are dark.

To select an option, tap it.

Buttons

Buttons usually have two states: selected and deselected (active or inactive, respectively). Some may have more than two states.

To switch between or cycle through a button’s states, do either of the following:

• Tap it.

• If it is outlined in red (and is not a mute button), use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

Checkboxes

Checkboxes have two states: checked and unchecked (enabled or disabled, respectively).

To check or uncheck a checkbox, tap it.

Tabs

Some modes have buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen that let you cycle through several similar tabs. For instance, you could view the send level that is routed to each of four returns—each level is shown on a separate tab. With each tap, you will move to the next tab, indicated by the squares below it.

To select a tab, tap it. Each time you tap it, it will select the next tab.

Sliders

To adjust the position of a slider, do any of the following:

• Tap and drag the slider to the desired position.

• Tap the desired position (this works only on some sliders).

• Tap the slider to select it, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to adjust the position (this works only on

some sliders).

• Double-tap the slider, and then tap and drag the larger version that appears, or use the data dial or –/+

buttons to adjust the value. Tap anywhere else to return to the previous screen.

Envelopes

To set the stages of an envelope, do either of the following:

Tip: Tap the expand-rectangle icon above the envelope to show a closeup view.

• Tap and drag a “handle” of an envelope stage in the desired direction.

• Set the numeric value of an envelope stage by adjusting or entering it as a parameter value

(described earlier).

The Filter Envelope tab in Program Edit Mode.

Closeup of an AD-type filter envelope. Closeup of an AHDS-type amp envelope.

Grid View Tools

In Grid View, these four icons enable you to use different functions in the grid. Tap one to select its mode:

Pencil: Draw Mode:

To enter a note in an empty grid square, tap the grid square.

To select a note, tap it.

To move a note, tap and drag it to another grid square.

To erase a note, double-tap it.

Eraser: Erase Mode:

To erase a note, tap it.

Select Box: Select Mode:

To select a note, tap it.

To select multiple notes, tap and drag across the grid to create a box around them.

To move a note, tap and drag it to another grid square.

To move multiple notes, select them as described above, and tap and drag them.

To erase multiple notes, select them as described above, and then select the Eraser tool and tap any of

the selected notes.

Magnifying Glass: Navigation Mode:

To move to another part of the grid, tap and drag it.

To zoom in or out, spread or pinch your fingers (respectively) on the grid. You can do this vertically,

horizontally, or both at the same time.

Audio Edit Tools

In Audio Edit Mode, these five icons enable you to use different functions in the waveform. Tap one to select its mode:

Arrow: Select Mode:

To select a track region, tap it.

To move a track region, tap and drag it.

To resize a track region, tap and drag the lower part of the region’s edge.

Eraser: Erase Mode:

To erase a track region, tap it.

Scissors: Cut Mode:

To split two track regions, tap it.

Mute: Mute Mode:

To mute or unmute a track region, tap it.

Magnifying Glass: Navigation Mode:

To move to another part of the waveform, tap and drag it.

To zoom in or out, spread or pinch your fingers (respectively) on the waveform. You can do this vertically,

horizontally, or both at the same time.

Programs

About Programs

Each track you create within a sequence is routed through a program. There are six types of programs, each of which determines how the track sounds or what it is used for. A single project can hold up to 128 programs.

This chapter covers how to create each program type.

To learn about editing your programs to your preference, see the Modes > Program

Edit Mode chapter.

A drum program uses one or more samples as its sound source. It contains (1) a list of samples and (2) the settings for each sample (i.e., pad assignments, loop points, pitch tuning, effects, etc.). Drum programs are used mostly for creating drum parts and quickly and easily assigning samples to pads. See

Drum Programs for more information.

A keygroup program uses one or more samples as its sound source. It contains It contains (1) a list of samples and (2) the settings for each sample (i.e., pitch tuning, effects, etc.). Keygroup programs are used to play samples chromatically with a MIDI keyboard or the MPC pads. See Keygroup Programs for more information.

A clip program uses several samples that can be looped (clips). Each clip can be assigned to a pad, which you can press to trigger the clip according to a quantization setting. This lets you create intriguing, layered performances by launching different combinations of clips together. See Clip Programs for more information.

A plugin program contains an instance of a plugin through which you can send your track’s MIDI data. See Plugin Programs for more information.

Important: Plugin programs are available only while using MPC Live in Controller Mode with the desktop version of the MPC software. They are not available in Standalone Mode.

A MIDI program lets you send your track’s MIDI data to an external MIDI device like a synth or drum machine. See MIDI Programs for more information.

A CV program lets you send your track’s MIDI data to an external MIDI device that uses control voltage (CV), like a synth. Although this option is selectable, it is not available for MPC Live, which does not have CV outputs. See CV Programs for more information.

Drum Programs

To create a drum program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the four-squares icon, which indicates a drum program.

3. If the project does not contain a drum program yet, a new drum program (named Program, appended with a number) will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a drum program, the first one will be selected automatically and appear in the Program field below.

To create another drum program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new drum program will be created and appended with a number (e.g.,

Program 002).

To rename the program, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the Program

section. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap Do It to confirm or the grey bar at the top of the touchscreen to cancel.

To load a sample into a drum program:

1. Press Shift+Menu/Browse to show the Browser. Find and select a sample, and then tap Load to load it to the program. Repeat this for any other samples you want to load into the project. (See Modes > Browser to learn more about using the Browser specifically.)

2. Tap Sample Assign to view the pads and project’s sample pool.

3. Press or tap a pad to select it. The pad will be lit green.

4. In the Sample Pool list, double-tap a sample to assign it to the pad. Alternatively, use the

data dial or –/+

buttons to assign a sample and/or change the assigned sample.

To clear the assigned sample from a selected pad, press the data dial.

To assign samples to additional pads, repeat Steps 3–4.

Tip: Remember that a drum program has 128 pads total—16 pads across eight banks.

Alternatively, assign samples in a drum program this way:

1. Press Menu and then tap Program Edit to enter Program Edit Mode.

2. Tap Samples. This lets you view the samples assigned to all four layers of the current keygroup as well as tuning and level parameters for each layer.

3. Tap a pad to select it (and play its assigned samples, if any). The pad will be lit green.

4. Tap the field for a layer, and then use the data dial or – /+ buttons to select a sample. Alternatively, double-tap the field for a layer, and then tap a sample to select it.

Tip: Press Q-Link to select the first bank, and then use the Q-Link knobs to quickly select a sample for each layer of the selected pad.

Tip: Remember that a drum program has 128 pads total—16 pads across eight banks.

Keygroup Programs

To create a keygroup program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the piano-keys icon, which indicates a keygroup program.

3. If the project does not contain a keygroup program yet, a new keygroup program (named Program, appended with a number) will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a keygroup program, the first one will be selected automatically and appear in the Program field below.

To create another keygroup program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new keygroup program will be created and appended with a number (e.g., Program 002).

To rename the program, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the Program section. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap

Do It to confirm or the grey bar at the top of the touchscreen to cancel.

To assign samples in a keygroup program:

1. Press Menu and then tap Program Edit to enter Program Edit Mode.

2. Tap Samples. This lets you view the samples assigned to all four layers of the current keygroup as well as tuning and level parameters for each layer.

3. Tap the Number of KG field, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to set the number of keygroups in the program (1–128). Alternatively, double-tap the Number of KG field, and then use the n

umeric keypad that

appears to enter a value.

4. Tap the Keygroup field, and then use the data dial or – /+ buttons to select a keygroup. Alternatively, double-tap the Keygroup field, and then tap a keygroup to select it.

5. Tap a pad to play the sample in the keygroup. The pad will be lit green.

Tip: On your MPC Live, press the Pad Bank D button to and press Pad 13. You should hear the sample played back with its original pitch. You can use the other pads to play your sample chromatically.

6. Tap the field for a layer, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select a sample. Alternatively, double-tap the field for a layer, and then tap a sample to select it.

Tip: Press Q-Link to select the first bank, and then use the Q-Link knobs to quickly select a sample for each layer of the selected pad.

To create complex keygroup programs, you can add more keygroups (up to 128). This is useful when working with multi-samples (e.g., when programming a real piano).

Tip: Remember that a keygroup program offers up to 128 keygroups, and each keygroup can hold up to four samples (Layers 1–4). This is a total of 512 samples.

Clip Programs

By default, the 16 pads are divided into four columns of four pads. Each column represents a mute group; when a pad is playing a clip, all other pads in that same mute group are turned off. This enables you to launch a clip without having to manually stop other clips that are similar. For instance, pressing Pad 2 may launch a bass clip. You could then press Pad 6, which launches another bass clip and stops the clip on Pad 2. This way, you’ll never be playing two bass clips simultaneously.

The four-columns pad configuration described above is just a default to make things easy (e.g., you could use the first column for drum clips, the second for bass clips, the third for keyboard clips, and the fourth for vocal clips.). You can use Program Edit Mode to assign pads to any combination of mute groups you want.

To create a clip program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the play-button icon, which indicates a clip program.

3. If the project does not contain a clip program yet, a new clip program (named Clip, appended with a number) will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a clip program, it will be selected automatically and appear in the Program field below.

To create another clip program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new clip program will be created and appended with a number (e.g., Clip 002).

To rename the program, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the Program section. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap Do It to confirm or the grey bar at the top of the touchscreen to cancel.

To load a clip into a clip program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Tap Edit Clips to view the pads and clip settings.

3. Press or tap a pad to select it (and play its assigned samples, if any). The pad in the touchscreen will be lit red, and its number will appear in the Pad field.

4. Tap the Sample field, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select a clip. Alternatively, double-tap the

Sample field, and then tap a clip to select it.

To clear the assigned clip from a selected pad, repeat Step 4, but select None.

To assign clips to additional pads, repeat Steps 3–4.

Alternatively, assign clips in a clip program this way:

1. Press Shift+Menu/Browse to show the Browser. Find and select a clip, and then tap Load to load it to the program. Repeat this for any other clips you want to load into the project. (See Modes > Browser to learn more about using the Browser specifically.)

2. Tap Sample Assign to view the pads and project’s sample pool.

3. Tap Assign Mode so it is selected (tapping an item in the sample pool will now assign it automatically to the current pad). be lit green.

4. In the Sample Pool list, tap a clip to assign it to the pad. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons to assign a clip and/or change the assigned clip.

To clear the assigned clip from a selected pad, press the data dial.

To assign clips to additional pads, repeat Steps 4–5.

Plugin Programs

A plugin program contains an instance of a plugin through which you can send your track’s MIDI data. This lets you use the same instance of a plugin with multiple tracks (rather than load an instance of a plugin on every track, which can be cumbersome and CPU-intensive).

Important: Plugin programs are available only while using MPC Live in Controller Mode with the desktop version of the MPC software.

To create a plugin program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the plug icon, which indicates a plugin program.

3. If the project does not contain a plugin program yet, a new plugin program (named Program, appended with a number) will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a plugin program, the first one will be selected automatically and appear in the

Program field below.

To create another plugin program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new plugin program will be

created and appended with a number (e.g., Program 002).

4. Double-tap the Plugin field. In the list that appears, tap the desired plugin. Alternatively, use the data dial or the

–/+ buttons to select a plugin.

To sort your plugins by type or maker, tap Type or Manufacturer.

5. Tap Select to select the plugin, or tap Close to cancel.

Note: You have to specify the disk directory where your plugins are located. This can be done in the software’s Preferences (in the Edit Menu). See the user guide in the MPC software to learn more: click the Help menu and select MPC User Manual.

To select the MIDI channel the program will use, double-tap the MIDI Ch field. In the list that appears, tap the

desired channel. Alternatively, use the data dial or the –/+ buttons to select a channel. Use this setting when you are working with a virtual instrument plugin that supports multi-mode.

To select a preset in your plugin (if any), double-tap the Preset field. In the list that appears, tap the desired preset. Alternatively, use the data dial or the –/+ buttons to select a preset.

To adjust the volume and panning of a track using the plugin program:

1. Press Menu and then tap Channel Mixer to enter the Channel Mixer.

2. Double-tap the Mixer field in the upper-left corner, and then tap Midi Tracks.

3. Tap the square that represents the track with the plugin program to select it.

4. Tap and drag the volume slider or pan knob up or down to adjust it. After you do this once, you can adjust the volume and panning of the plugin program normally.

Important:

If you copy a sequence, the volume and pan values will be copied with that sequence. This is also true if you move to a new sequence and put the same plugin program on a new track.

By default, some plugins do not support MIDI volume and pan. In this case, adjust volume levels and panning on the plugin program.

MIDI Programs

A MIDI program lets you send your track’s MIDI data to an external MIDI device like a synth or drum machine.

To create a MIDI program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the MIDI-jack icon, which indicates a MIDI program.

3. If the project does not contain a MIDI program yet, a new MIDI program will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a MIDI program, it will be selected automatically and appear in the Program field below.

To create another MIDI program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new MIDI program will be created and appended with a number (e.g., Midi 002).

4. There are five additional settings to configure for a MIDI program: the MIDI Port, program change message (Prog Ch), MIDI channel (MIDI Ch), Most Significant Byte (Bank MSB), and Least Significant Byte (Bank LSB). See this section to learn more.

To configure each setting, double-tap its field. In the list that appears, tap the desired option. Alternatively, use the data dial or the –/+ buttons to select an option.

Note: You also have to configure the MIDI ports in the software’s Preferences (in the Edit Menu). See the user guide in the MPC software to learn more: click the Help menu and select MPC User Manual.

To adjust the volume and panning of a track using the MIDI program:

1. Press Menu and then tap Channel Mixer to enter the Channel Mixer.

2. Double-tap the Mixer field in the upper-left corner, and then tap Midi Tracks.

3. Tap the square that represents the track with the MIDI program to select it.

4. Tap and drag the volume slider or pan knob up or down to adjust it. After you do this once, you can adjust the volume and panning of the MIDI program normally.

Important: If you copy a sequence, the volume and pan values will be copied with that sequence. This is also true if you move to a new sequence and put the same MIDI program on a new track.

CV Programs

A CV program lets you send your control voltage (CV) signals to an external MIDI device like a synth or drum machine that uses CV.

Important: CV programs are available only while using MPC X. MPC Live does not have CV ports.

To create a CV program:

1. Press Main to enter Main Mode.

2. Next to the Track field, tap the CV icon, which indicates a CV program.

3. If the project does not contain a CV program yet, a new CV program will be added automatically to the project and appear in the Program field below.

If the project already contains a CV program, it will be selected automatically and appear in the Program field below.

To create another CV program, tap the + icon above the Program field. A new CV program will be created and appended with a number (e.g., CV 002).

To restore your MPC Live’s default settings, tap Reset. In the screen that appears, tap OK to continue or Cancel to return to the Preferences. In the next window, tap Save to save your current project before restoring the default settings; tap Cancel to return to the Preferences; or tap Don’t Save to restore the default settings without saving your current project.

To enter Update Mode, press and hold Shift and tap Update. In the screen that appears, tap Save to save your

current project before entering Update Mode; tap Cancel to return to the Preferences; or tap Don’t Save to enter Update Mode without saving your current project.

Info

This screen shows current information about your MPC Live: its current firmware version, which includes its standalone operating system (MPC Firmware); its hardware Serial Number; and its current firmware for the Control Surface.

Auto Save

The settings on this screen determine if (and how) projects are automatically saved.

Enabled: When enabled, MPC Live will automatically save your current project after each Timeout interval. When disabled, MPC Live will not automatically save your project; you may save only manually.

Timeout: Use this field to select how often your project will automatically save.

Sequencer

The settings on this screen determine how sequencing works in Grid View and in the Step Sequencer.

Display Resolution: This is the display resolution (in PPQN—pulses per quarter note) of pulse values in certain areas of the operating system. Please note that this setting affects the display resolution, not the timing.

Instant Track Mute: When disabled, if you mute a track, its Note On messages will be ignored, and samples and notes that are playing will finish playing their entire length (this is how legacy MPCs’ track-muting worked). This is useful if you are using loops and want a loop to play to the end of a bar but not play the next time the sequence loops. When enabled, if you mute a track, the MIDI track volume (0) will be sent. The loop will continue to play but at zero volume, allowing the loop to continue playing when the track is unmuted. This is useful when you want to have the track muted immediately.

Play Track Mute and Solo Events: When enabled, track mute and solo events are played back when you are in Track Mute Mode. When disabled, track mute and solo events will not be played back while in Track Mute Mode.

Record Track Mute and Solo Events: When enabled, track mute and solo events are recorded when you are in Track Mute Mode (timing correct settings will affect the recorded position events). When disabled, track mute and solo events will not be recorded while in Track Mute Mode. This feature is useful if you want to use Track Mute Mode to record track mutes or solos into your sequences as opposed to using Track Mute Mode for performance or listening purposes only.

Record Pad Aftertouch Event: When enabled, pad aftertouch data (from MPC Live’s pressure-sensitive pads) will be recorded. When disabled, pad aftertouch data will be ignored.

Place Events Recorded During Count-In at Start Point: When enabled, pressing a pad during the recording’s pre-count will record that note event at the start of the recording (this is how the MPC3000 worked). When disabled, no notes will be recorded until the pre-count is finished and recording has begun.

Truncate Duration: This determines if/how events are cropped if they exceed the length of the current Sequence:

To Sequence Length: If the length of an event exceeds the length of the sequence, it will be truncated. This

ensures that the event will not overlap itself when the sequence loops. To Sequence End: If an event exceeds the length of the sequence, it will be truncated to the end of the

current sequence. In other words, the event will stop playing when the sequence ends or loops. As Played: Events will play back exactly as they were recorded, even if they overlap themselves when the

sequence loops.

Hardware

The settings on this screen determine the behavior of MPC Live’s pads and touchscreen.

Pad Threshold: This determines how much force is required to strike the pads for them to trigger.

Pad Sensitivity: This determines how the pads respond to touch. At lower values, you need to use more force to

generate a high-velocity note. At higher values, it is easier to generate high-velocity notes, even if you do not use much force while pressing a pad.

Pad Curve: This determines how striking the pads translates into velocity values. The A curve is essentially linear, while the B, C, and D curves are exponential (see graphic here).

Velocity & Aftertouch: View these meters when striking and pressing the pads to help gauge the force and pressure you are applying to them. These meters are useful when adjusting the Pad Threshold and Pad Sensitivity parameters (above).

Footswitch 1 & Footswitch 2: These determine how connected footswitches will work. These options are not available for MPC Live, which

MIDI Control Mode Output: This determines which MIDI port MPC Live is using to send MIDI messages to external MIDI devices.

Screen Dimming: This determines how much time must pass before MPC Live automatically dims its touchscreen to preserve its battery life.

Screen Brightness: This determines the brightness of the screen during normal operation: normal brightness (Day) or dimmed (Night).

Power On Screen: This determines whether or not the power-on screen appears when you power the unit on. The power-on screen shows a Start button that you must tap and hold in order to fully power MPC Live on. If you do not tap and hold the Start button, MPC Live will return to its powered-off state. This feature is to prevent MPC Live from powering on if the power button is accidentally pressed. When set to Never, this feature is disabled. When set to When On Battery, this feature is enabled only if MPC Live is not connected to a power outlet. When set to Always, this feature is enabled regardless of a power outlet connection.

does not have footswitch inputs.

WiFi/Bluetooth

The settings on this screen will determine how MPC Live’s wireless and Bluetooth connections work. We will add this functionality in a near-future release. Check akaipro.com to ensure you are using the latest software version. Your MPC Live’s current firmware (which includes its standalone operating system) is in the Info screen of these Preferences.

Project Defaults

The settings on this screen determine various default values for any new project that you create.

Default Tempo: This is the default tempo in BPM.

Default Master Tempo: When enabled, the default tempo value will be used for the master tempo. When

disabled, the default tempo will be used for sequences.

Default Sequence Bars: This determines the default number of bars of a new sequence.

Default Time Signature Numerator: This determines the number of beats per bar of a new sequence (the top

number of a time signature).

Default Time Signature Denominator: This determines the value of each beat of a new sequence (the bottom number of a time signature).

Default Pad Slice: This determines how new samples will play when you load them or record them into a project. When set to Pad, the Slice menu in Program Edit Mode will be set to Pad, which lets you set the start point, end point, etc. for the layer. When set to All, the Slice menu in Program Edit Mode will be set to All, in which the entire sample plays.

Default Drum/Keygroup Filter: This determines the default type of filter that drum and keygroup programs will use.

New Project Dialog: This determines what options you see when you start a new project. When set to Off, a new

project will be empty with no preconfigured settings except for the project defaults shown here. When set to Demo, you can choose to load a demo project (from several different genres) as a starting point or an empty project. When set to Demo/Template/Recent, you can choose to load a demo project, a project template file, or an empty project.

Sync

The settings on this screen determine how MPC Live synchronizes with connected USB and MIDI devices.

Receive MIDI: This determines whether MPC Live receives MIDI Clock information (MIDI Clock), MIDI Time Code information (MIDI Time Code (MTC)), or neither (Off).

MTC Frame Rate: This determines the frame rate used by MIDI Time Code (MTC), which is important for correct timing, especially when working on film scoring projects. In most cases, you should select 25.

Send MIDI: This determines whether MPC Live sends MIDI Clock information (MIDI Clock), MIDI Time Code information (MIDI Time Code (MTC)), or neither (Off).

Start Time: This is the starting time that will be sent when Send MIDI is set to anything other than Off. The time is formatted in hours:minutes:seconds:frames.

Send Port 1 & Send Port 2: These are the MIDI ports over which MIDI Clock or MTC information will be sent.

Receive MMC: When enabled, MPC Live will be able to receive MIDI Machine Control (MMC) information. When

disabled, MPC Live will not receive this information.

Send MMC: When enabled, MPC Live will be able to send MIDI Machine Control (MMC) information. When disabled, MPC Live will not send this information.

Other

The settings on this screen determine how other features work in the hardware and operating system.

Tap Tempo: This determines how many times you have to press the Tap Tempo button before the new tempo is recognized.

Flash Tap Tempo Light: When enabled, the Tap Tempo button’s light will flash in time with the tempo. When disabled, the Tap Tempo button’s light will be off.

Bank Button Press: This determines how the Pad Bank buttons work.

Select A-D: Pressing a Pad Bank button once will select the corresponding bank from Pad Banks A–D.

Pressing and holding Shift while pressing a Pad Bank button will select the corresponding bank from Pad Banks E–H.

Select/toggle bank: Pressing a Pad Bank button will alternate between the corresponding bank from Pad Bank A–D and Pad Bank E–H. In other words, you do not need to hold Shift to select one of Pad Banks E–H.

Filter ‘All Notes Off’ CC: When enabled, “All Notes Off” (“MIDI panic”) messages will be ignored. This is useful if you are using an external MIDI device that can send these types of messages but you want to filter them out. When disabled, “All Notes Off” messages will be received normally.

Program Change: This determines what an incoming MIDI program change message will change: a Program, Sequence, or Track.

Vintage Mode: This determines the type of emulation applied to the audio output. You can apply the particular sonic qualities of, for example, the MPC3000 or MPC60, or of course no emulation (None).

Sampling Bit Depth: This determines bit depth of the audio recorded from a sample.

Audition Auto Play: This determines how long a sample will sound when auto-previewing it.

Cue Preview: This determines if/how audio is played as you move the cue playhead. As you move the cue

playhead through a sample waveform, you can set it to play the small part of the sample before the cue playhead (Before), play the small part of the sample after the cue playhead (After), or not play at all (Off). You can also set this in Sample Edit Mode (see Modes > Sample Edit Mode > Settings).

Slice Preview: This determines if/how audio is played as you move a slice marker. As you move the slice marker thr

ough a sample waveform, you can set it to play the small part of the sample before the slice marker (Before), play the small part of the sample after the slice marker (After), or not play at all (Off). You can also set this in Sample Edit Mode (see Modes > Sample Edit Mode > Settings).

Screensaver Disable: This determines if/when your computer’s screensaver is disabled while using the MPC software (using MPC Live in Controller Mode):

Never: Your computer’s screensaver will function normally.

When hardware attached: As long as your MPC Live is connected to your computer and powered on, your

computer’s screensaver will be disabled. It will function normally again if you power off or disconnect your MPC Live from your computer.

Always: Your computer’s screensaver will be disabled as long as the MPC software is open (whether or not your MPC Live is connected or powered on).

Collect Usage Statistics: This determines whether or not your usage statistics will be sent occasionally to us, enabling us to improve the MPC experience.

Threads: This determines how many cores of your computer’s processor will be used to render audio. The available range depends on your processor.

Audio Warp Algorithm: This determines how a sample is “warped” when you adjust the length of a sample without changing its pitch (e.g., the Warp function in Audio Edit Mode for audio tracks or in Program Edit Mode for clip programs).

Auto Warp: This determines how recorded audio track regions are warped. When set to On, any audio track region that you record will be warped automatically to match the current sequence tempo. You can then adjust the sequence tempo while the audio track region remains in time.

Note: When you record an audio file, the current sequence tempo will be embedded with it. This information is stored within the sample file when you save the project. When you warp an audio track region, the warping algorithm uses this sequence tempo and the current value in the BPM field to generate the “stretch factor.”

Legal

This screen shows legal information relevant to MPC. For complete legal information, visit akaipro.com/product-legal

Mode

Tap this icon to switch MPC Live between Standalone Mode and Controller Mode. In the screen that appears, select whether you want to save your current project before switching (Save), switch without saving your project (Don’t Save), or stay in the current mode and project (Cancel). You cannot freely switch between Standalone and Controller Modes without also closing your current project.

System Resources

Tap one of these icons to show the System Resources window.

The indicators in this window show current usage statistics:

Battery: The first indicator shows the current battery life as a percentage. If you see an exclamation point (!) in the indicator and a low-battery warning at the bottom of the window, connect MPC Live to a power outlet as soon as possible.

CPU: The second indicator shows the current CPU as a percentage.

RAM Usage (Mem): The third indicator shows MPC Live’s current RAM usage as a percentage.

To delete samples from the project, tap Purge. In the screen that appears, tap Unused Samples to delete all unused samples from the project, tap All Samples to delete all samples from the project, or tap Cancel to return to the previous screen.

To close the System Resources window, tap OK, the X in the upper-right corner, or anywhere outside the window.

Time Counter

In most of the available modes, there is a time counter at the top of the touchscreen. This indicates the current playhead position.

To adjust the position, tap it, and then use the use the data dial or the –/+ buttons.

To open the Locate screen and adjust its settings, double-tap the time counter.

To close the Locate screen, tap the X in the upper-right corner or anywhere outside the window.

To move forward or backward a step, tap the Step < or Step > button, respectively.

To move forward or backward a bar, tap the Bar << or Bar >> button, respectively.

To switch the time increments, tap the Beat/Time selector. When set to Beats, the time is shown in Bars, Beats, and Ticks. When set to Time, the time is shown in hours (HH), minutes (MM), seconds (SS), and frames (FF).

To configure your auto record settings, use the Auto Record selector and adjacent fields:

Auto Record selector: Tap the desired option to

select it:

Off: Auto recording is disabled.

Punch In: You can auto record using punch-in and

punch-out markers, enabling you to record over a specified length of time in the track. While recording, the entire sequence will play, but you will record over only the area between the Punch In and Punch Out markers. Any part of the sequence before the Punch In marker or after the Punch Out marker will remain untouched, even if you perform over it during recording.

Record Start: After you record-arm the track and start playback, you will start recording once the sequence loops back to its start. This is essentially a punch-in feature for the entire track, enabling you to start playing a record-armed track while allowing more time than the usual count-in to prepare for the actual recording to start.

Punch In: Use these fields to set the location of the Punch In marker, which is where recording will start (when the Auto Record selector is set to

Punch In).

Punch Out: Use these fields to set the location of the Punch Out marker, which is where recording will stop (when

the Auto Record selector is set to Punch In).

You can use this screen to set time markers, allowing you to jump automatically to precise locations in a sequence. You can set up to six time markers.

To set a time marker, tap the time counter at the top of the screen, find the desired time, and then tap Set next to the desired time marker. The time will appear next to that marker.

To jump to a time marker, tap the number next to it (1–6).

Automation

You can set the automation for programs and audio tracks to be “written,” “read,” or disabled entirely. You can do this globally or for individual programs and audio tracks.

Global

In several modes, there is a button in the upper-right corner that controls the global automation. When you tap this button to change its state, it will change the automation state for all programs in the project.

This is available in Main Mode, XYFX Mode, Pad Mute Mode, the Pad Mixer, the Channel Mixer, and Q-Link Edit Mode.

Tap the global automation button to cycle through its three states:

When off, automation data will be ignored. If you have already recorded or entered automation, tapping this will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and turn it off by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the button.

Important: If you have already recorded automation and turn it off, the track will still use the effect and its parameter values at the point where you turned it off.

When set to Read (R), automation data will be read but recorded. You can still manually edit and enter automation. (Think of this as a protective feature to prevent accidental changes to your automation while recording.)

When set to Write (W), automation can be recorded and will overwrite any existing automation. (Make sure not to touch the XY pad accidentally while you are recording.)

Programs & Audio Tracks

You can also set the automation for each program or audio track by using the program automation button in the channel strip on the left side of the screen in Main Mode and the Channel Mixer. Program automation is available for all program types except MIDI programs.

Note: Remember that tapping the global automation button will change the automation state for all programs in the project; if they were originally different, all of them will then match the global automation state.

In Main Mode, if the channel strip is not already shown, tap the small eye icon below the Project field to show it.

In the Channel Mixer, if you do not see a program automation button in the channel strip, make sure the Mixer field is set to Audio Tracks or Programs.

Tap the program automation button to cycle through its three states:

When off, the program will ignore automation data. If you have already recorded or entered automation, tapping this will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and turn it off by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the button.

Important: If you have already recorded automation and turn it off, the track will still use the effect and its parameter values at the point where you turned it off.

When set to Read (R), the program will read automation data but will not record any additional automation over it. You can still manually edit and enter automation. (Think of this as a protective feature to prevent accidental changes to your automation while recording.)

When set to Write (W), the program can record automation. (If you have any Q-Link knobs assigned to automatable parameters, make sure not to touch any accidentally while you are recording.)

16 Level

Press the 16 Level button on your MPC Live to activate or deactivate 16 Level.

When first activated, the selected pad (Pad A01 by default) will be temporarily copied to all 16 pads. The pads will now output the same note number as the initial pad, but a selectable parameter will be fixed at values that increase as the pad numbers increase (e.g., Pad 1 is the minimum, Pad 16 is the maximum), regardless of how hard you press them.

In the 16 Levels screen that appears, use the Type selector to choose the parameter: Velocity, Tune, Filter, Layer, Attack, or Decay.

To select a pad, do any of the following (while the 16 Levels window is open):

• Press and hold 16 Level, and then press the desired pad.

• Tap the 16 Levels checkbox to uncheck it (temporarily

disabling the feature), press the desired pad, and then tap the 16 Levels checkbox again to check it.

• Tap the Pad field, and use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

• Double-tap the Pad field, and tap the desired pad in the list

that appears.

Erase

The Erase function erases all or part of a track in a specific sequence.

To open the Erase window, press the Erase button. Alternatively, while in Main Mode, tap the pencil icon on the right edge of the section, and then tap Erase in the screen that appears.

To select the sequence you want to erase, use the Sequence field.

To select the track you want to erase within the sequence, use the Track field.

To set the time range of the sequence you want to erase, use

the Bar, Beat, and Tick fields. The left fields set the start of the time range, and the right fields set the end of the time range.

To select what types of events you erase, select one of the Erase options:

All erases all pad events from the designated time range and

reset all of its settings.

Automation erases only automation from the designated time range.

Note erases only specific pad events from the designated time range. In the diagram of the eight pad banks that appears, press each pad in each bank to select or deselect its notes.

Except Note erases everything except pad events from the designated time range.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To cancel and return to the previous screen, tap the X, Cancel,

or anywhere outside the window.

Effects

You can apply various effects to the pads, keygroups, programs, submixes, and master outputs, using insert and send/return effects. This chapter can help you get a good overall understanding of how the effects work.

See Appendix > Effects & Parameters for a list of all available effects (with a brief description of each) and their editable parameters.

Overview

In a program, each pad or keygroup can have up to four insert effects applied to it. See Insert Effects > Pads or

Insert Effects > Keygroups to learn more about this.

An entire program can also have up to four insert effects applied to it, as well. See Insert Effects > Programs to learn more about this.

Additionally, pads, keygroups, programs, and submixes can each be sent to up to four send channels. Their audio will be routed through effects on the send channels, and the processed audio will be returned to their original channel. See Send/Return Effects to learn more about this.

For even further flexibility, each of the eight submixes can have up to four insert effects applied to it. You can route pads/keygroups and programs to a submix, which is then routed to a master output. See Insert Effects > Submixes to learn more about this.

Finally, you can apply up to four insert effects to each master output (a stereo pair of channels: Outputs 1/2, Outputs 3/4, etc.). See Insert Effects > Masters to learn more about this.

There are three other modes that handle effects differently:

• The Sampler can use up to four insert effects, which are applied to the audio as you record it. This means that the effects cannot be “removed” from the sound later. Learn more about the Sampler in the Modes >

Sampler chapter.

• Similarly, the Looper can use up to four insert effects, which are applied to the audio as you record it. This means that the effects cannot be “removed” from the sound later. Learn more about the Looper in the

Modes > Looper chapter.

• In XYFX Mode, the effects act like a single insert effect on that program. In fact, XYFX is the name of the insert effect you have to load to the program before you can use this mode. Learn more about XYFX Mode in the Modes > XYFX Mode chapter.

To view, load, edit, or clear effects, tap the area under the Inserts field. This usually appears in a channel strip (next to a level slider and pan knob).

When viewing loaded effects, you will see this window:

To select an effect, use the field for each insert slot. A window (described below) will appear.

To edit the parameters of a loaded effect, tap the pencil icon next to the insert slot.

To clear the insert slot, tap the trash can icon next to it.

To enable or disable an effect slot, tap the On/Off

button next to it.

To enable or disable all four effect slots, tap the All On/All Off button in the upper-right corner.

When selecting an effect, you will see this window:

To move through the list, swipe up or down. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

To sort or unsort the effects by type or manufacturer, tap Type or Manufacturer in the lower-left corner.

To load an effect, double-tap it. Alternatively, tap Select, or press the data dial.

To cancel, tap Close or anywhere outside the list.

When you edit an effect, you will see this window:

To adjust a parameter, tap and drag its slider. Alternatively, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Tip: Turn the Q-Link knobs to quickly adjust the corresponding four parameters. Use the Q-Link button to select another set of four parameters the Q-Link knobs control.

To select another page of parameters, tap the Parameters –/+ buttons at the top of the touchscreen.

To enable or disable the effect, tap the On/Off button

in the upper-right corner.

To edit parameters for another insert effect on the same pad, program, etc., tap a different Insert tab at

the bottom of the touchscreen to select it.

To close the window, tap Close or the upper part of the touchscreen.

Insert Effects

Pads

You can load up to four insert effects to each pad. You can do this in Main Mode, the Pad Mixer, or Program Edit Mode.

Tip: When using pad insert effects, they will be applied to the selected pad only. This means that you could apply unique combinations of effects to each pad within a program. If you want to apply the same effect to all pads, do this with a program insert effect (see Insert Effects > Programs).

To load a pad insert effect in Main Mode:

1. Use the Track field to select the track that uses the program with the desired pad—the program it uses will be selected automatically.

2. If the channel strip is not already shown, tap the small eye icon below the Project field to show it.

3. Tap the single-pad icon at the top of the channel strip. The channel strip will now show settings for the current pad.

4. Press the desired pad to select it. Alternatively, use the Pad field at the top of the channel strip.

5. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects.

To load a pad insert effect in the Pad Mixer:

1. Use the Program field at the top of the touchscreen to select the desired program. Alternatively, use the Track field at the top of the touchscreen to select the desired track—the program it uses will be selected automatically.

2. Press the desired pad to select it, or tap it in the touchscreen. Alternatively, double-tap the Pad field below the Program field.

3. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects. Alternatively, tap the Insert tab at the bottom of the touchscreen (tap it multiple times to select a different insert slot), and then double-tap the desired pad in the touchscreen. You could also use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select an effect immediately.

To load a pad insert effect in Program Edit Mode:

1. While using the desired program, press the desired pad to select it.

2. Tap the Effects tab in the lower-right corner, and use it to load or edit effects.

Keygroups

You can load up to four insert effects to each keygroup. You can do this in Main Mode, the Pad Mixer, or Program Edit Mode.

Important: When using keygroup insert effects, they will be applied to that keygroup only. Keep this in mind if you load insert effects to multiple keygroups with overlapping note ranges—the effects will overlap in that range as well.

To load a keygroup insert effect in Main Mode:

1. Use the Track field to select the track that uses the program with the desired pad—the program it uses will be selected automatically.

2. If the channel strip is not already shown, tap the small eye icon below the Project field to show it.

3. Tap the single-pad icon at the top of the channel strip. The channel strip will now show settings for the current keygroup.

4. Press a pad to select its corresponding keygroup, or tap it in the touchscreen. Alternatively, use the Keygroup field at the top of the channel strip.

Important: Remember that the effect will be applied to that keygroup only.

5. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects.

To load a keygroup insert effect in the Pad Mixer:

2. Press a pad to select its corresponding keygroup, or tap it in the touchscreen. Alternatively, use the Keygroup field below the Program field.

Important: Remember that the effect will be applied to that keygroup only.

3. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects. Alternatively, double-tap the desired pad in the touchscreen. You could also select one of the four Insert tabs at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to select an effect immediately.

To load a keygroup insert effect in Program Edit Mode:

1. While using the desired program, press the desired pad to select its keygroup. Alternatively, use the Keygroup field at the top of the touchscreen.

2. Tap the Effects tab in the lower-right corner, and use it to load or edit effects.

Programs

You can load up to four insert effects to each program. You can do this in Main Mode, XYFX Mode, and the Channel Mixer.

Note: In XYFX Mode, the effects act like a single insert effect on that program. In fact, XYFX is the name of the insert effect that is loaded when use this mode.

To load a program insert effect in Main Mode:

1. Use the Track field to select the track that uses the program with the desired pad—the program it uses will be selected automatically.

2. If the channel strip is not already shown, tap the small eye icon below the Project field to show it.

3. Tap the four-pads icon at the top of the channel strip. The channel strip will now show settings for the current program.

4. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects.

To load XYFX for a program in XYFX Mode:

1. Select the desired program in another mode, and then enter XYFX Mode.

2. If you have not yet used XYFX Mode for this program, tap Insert XYFX on the touchscreen to load it and show the XY pad.

Note: If you already have four insert effects loaded, you will need to clear one of the insert effect slots before doing this.

If you have already used XYFX Mode for this program, the XY pad will appear.

3. If the Setup panel is not shown, tap Setup in the lowerright corner to show it.

4. Use the Preset field to load an effect. Use the controls below the Preset field to edit the effect.

To load a program insert effect in the Channel Mixer:

1. Set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Programs.

2. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired program. Alternatively, double-tap the Program field below the Mixer field and tap the desired program.

Submixes

You can load up to four insert effects to each submix. You can do this in the Channel Mixer only.

Important: Submixes are available only while using MPC Live in Controller Mode with the desktop version of the MPC software.

To load a submix insert effect:

1. Set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Submixes.

2. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired program. Alternatively, double-tap the Submix field below the Mixer field and tap the desired program.

Masters

You can load up to four insert effects to each master output (a stereo pair of channels: Outputs 1/2, Outputs 3/4, etc.). You can do this in Main Mode or the Channel Mixer.

To load a master insert effect in Main Mode:

1. If the channel strip is not already shown, tap the small eye icon below the Project field to show it.

2. Tap the crown icon at the top of the channel strip. The channel strip will now show settings for the current master output.

3. Use the Outputs field at the top of the channel strip to select the desired master output (Outputs 1/2, Outputs 3/4, etc.).

4. Tap the area under Inserts, and then use the screen that appears to load or edit effects.

To load a master insert effect in the Channel Mixer:

1. Set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Masters.

2. In

the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired master output (Outputs 1/2, Outputs 3/4, etc.). Alternatively, double-tap the Outputs field below the Mixer field.

Send/Return Effects

Send/return effects work in the following way:

1. A pad, keygroup, program, or submix sends its audio to up to four returns at its designated send level.

2. That audio is processed by the effects on the return. Each return can have up to four effects loaded.

3. The processed audio is sent back to its pad, keygroup, program, or submix at a designated return level.

You can load send/return effects and set return levels only in the Channel Mixer, described below. The rest of this section describes the different ways to set the desired send levels for pads, keygroups, programs, or submixes.

To load a send/return effect to a return:

1. In the Channel Mixer, set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Returns.

2. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired return. Alternatively, double-tap the Return field below the Mixer field.

To set the return level:

1. In the Channel Mixer, set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Returns.

2. Tap the Level tab in the lower-left corner.

3. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired return. Alternatively, double-tap the Return field below the Mixer field.

4. To adjust the level of the currently selected return, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. Alternatively, use the level

slider in the channel strip, or turn the corresponding QLink knob. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the

pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Pads

You can set the send levels for pads in Program Edit Mode or the Pad Mixer.

To set the send levels for a pad in Program Edit Mode:

1. While editing the desired program in Program Edit Mode, press the desired pad to select it.

2. Tap the Effects tab in the lower-right corner.

3. Use the Send knobs to set the send level for each return.

To set the send levels for a pad in the Pad Mixer:

2. Tap the Send tab at the bottom of the touchscreen (tap it multiple times to select a different send level).

3. Press the desired pad to select it, or tap it in the touchscreen. Alternatively, double-tap the Pad field below the Program field.

4. To set the send level, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Keygroups

You can set the send levels for keygroups in Program Edit Mode or the Pad Mixer.

To set the send levels for a keygroup in Program Edit Mode:

1. While using the desired program, press the desired pad to select its keygroup. Alternatively, use the Keygroup field at the top of the touchscreen.

2. Tap the Effects tab in the lower-right corner.

3. Use the Send knobs to set the send level for each return.

To set the send levels for a keygroup in the Pad Mixer:

1. Use the Program

field at the top of the touchscreen to select the desired program. Alternatively, use the Track field at the top of the touchscreen to select the desired track—the program it uses will be selected automatically.

2. Tap the Send tab at the bottom of the touchscreen (tap it multiple times to select a different send level).

3. Press the desired pad to select its corresponding keygroup, or tap it in the touchscreen. Alternatively, double-tap the Keygroup field below the Program field.

4. To set the send level, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Programs

You can set the send levels for programs in the Channel Mixer only.

To set the send levels for a program:

1. In the Channel Mixer, set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Programs.

2. Tap the Send tab at the bottom of the touchscreen (tap it multiple times to select a different send level).

3. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired program. Alternatively, double-tap the Program field below the Mixer field.

4. To set the send level, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Submixes

You can set the send levels for submxies in the Channel Mixer only.

To set the send levels for a submix:

1. In the Channel Mixer, set the Mixer field in the upper-left corner to Submixes.

2. Tap the Send tab at the bottom of the touchscreen (tap it multiple times to select a different send level).

3. In the touchscreen, tap the pad that corresponds to the desired submix. Alternatively, double-tap the Submix field below the Mixer field.

4. To set the send level, use the data dial or –/+ buttons. To make finer adjustments, double-tap the pad and adjust the larger version of the slider that appears.

Audio Mixdown

The Audio Mixdown screen lets you render and export either the current sequence or song as an audio file. In Song Mode, this will export the entire song. In Main Mode, this will export the current sequence only.

To open the Audio Mixdown screen in Song Mode, tap Export at the bottom edge of the touchscreen.

To open the Audio Mixdown screen in Main Mode, tap the Project field in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen, and then tap Export.

Audio Length

Use the Start Bar and End Bar fields to define where the resulting audio file will start and end, respectively.

Use the Audio Tail field to add extra seconds to the end of the resulting audio file. This is useful if you are using effects or samples whose sounds exceed the defined audio length (e.g., long reverb or delay, one-shot samples with long decays, etc.). We recommend using an audio tail of at least a couple of seconds.

Render Source

Check Stereo Output and use the adjacent field to select a pair of outputs (Out 1,2–7,8 in Standalone Mode, Out 1,2–31,32 in Controller Mode; MPC Live does not use Out 7,8 but displays them to maintain compatibility with

MPC X, which does use them). The mixdown will be taken from these outputs.

Check Separate Programs to create a mixdown of each program used the sequence or song.

Check Explode Tracks to create a mixdown of each track used in the sequence (you cannot use this option for an entire song). This option is available only if you open the Audio Mixdown in Main Mode. In Song Mode, the Audio Mixdown screen will show this option as disabled.

Important: Each pad or keygroup must have their output routed to Program to be included in the mixdown. This is the typical (and default) setting. See Pad Mixer > Routing to learn about this.

Render Options

If your Render Source is set to Stereo Output, check Master Inserts to include master insert effects in the mixdown.

If your Render Source is set to Separate Programs or Explode Tracks, check Export Returns to export the return channel signals as separate files.

If your Render Source is set to Stereo Output, tap Save as Project Preview to save the sequence or song as a project preview file (which you can play for reference in the Browser). If you check this box, Stereo Output will automatically be checked, as well.

File Formats

Tap WAV, AIFF, or MP3 to select the file format of the mixdown.

For WAV and AIFF files, use the Bit Depth field to select a bit depth of 8, 16, or 24 bits, or 32 bits, floating point (32 F). For MP3 files, you can select a Bitrate of 128, 160, 192, or 320 kbps.

Use the Sample Rate field to select a sample rate of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 96 kHz. In most cases, we recommend selecting 44.1 kHz.

Tap Export to enter the Save screen where you can select a name and location to save your audio mixdown.

Tap Cancel to return to the previous screen.

Standalone vs. Controller Mode

MPC Live can function in two ways: Standalone Mode and Controller Mode.

To enter Standalone Mode, do one of the following:

• If MPC Live is not connected to a computer,

simply press the power switch to power it on.

• If MPC Live is connected to your computer and you

want to keep your MPC software open, press Menu to enter the Menu, and then tap the monitor/cable

icon in the upper-right corner. When the Switch to Standalone Mode window appears, tap Standalone

to continue. Your project will remain open on your computer, and you can continue to work on it independently from the project shown in your MPC Live. (If you tap Cancel, you can continue using MPC Live in Controller Mode.)

• If MPC Live is connected to your computer and you

want to close the MPC software, simply close the MPC software on your computer. When Looking for computer appears on MPC Live’s touchscreen, tap Standalone. If the Restart as Standalone window appears, tap Yes to continue. (If you tap Cancel, you can reopen your MPC software and continue using MPC Live in Controller Mode.)

In Standalone Mode:

• An MPC chip icon will appear under the battery

icon in the upper-right corner.

• MPC Live is not communicating with a computer

over a USB connection.

• Any files (projects, samples, etc.) that you save or

load are in MPC Live’s internal hard drive or a connected USB drive or SD card.

• Plugin programs are disabled.

To enter Controller Mode:

1. Make sure MPC Live’s USB-B Port is connected to your computer.

2. On your computer, open the MPC software.

3. If MPC Live is powered off, press the power switch to power it on.

4. If MPC Live is currently in Standalone Mode, press Menu to enter the Menu, and then tap the MPC chip icon in the upper-right corner. When the Enter Controller Mode window appears, tap Controller Mode to continue. (If you tap Cancel, you can continue using MPC Live in Standalone Mode.) Looking for computer may appear briefly in the touchscreen before MPC Live recognizes the USB connection as a controller.

In Controller Mode:

• A monitor/cable icon will appear under the battery

icon in the upper-right corner.

• MPC Live is communicating with a computer over

a USB connection.

• You can save or load files (projects, samples, etc.) to

or from your computer as well as MPC Live’s internal hard drive or a connected USB drive or SD card.

• Plugin programs are enabled. Remember to

specify the disk directory where your plugins are located. This can be done in the software’s Preferences (in the Edit Menu). See the user guide in the MPC software to learn more: click the Help menu and select MPC User Manual.

• The touchscreen on your MPC Live reflects what it

is controlling in the software, but due to space and character limitations, the layout in the touchscreen is different (e.g., parameter names may be abbreviated, the layout may be different or spread across multiple tabs, etc.).

Modes

MPC Live has a Menu page that lets you select any one of 20 modes. This chapter describes the various features and functions of each one.

Click a button below to skip directly to that chapter.

Main Mode

Main Mode gives you an overview of the most-used functions.

To enter Main Mode, do one of the following:

• Press Main.

• Press Menu, and then tap Main.

The top of the touchscreen shows the project name and timing information.

The Project field shows the name of the current project.

To view the Project window, tap the Project field. The Project window will appear, showing a list of available programs, sequences, and samples in the project.

In the Project window, in additional to typical functions you can perform in lists, you can do any of the following:

To move through a list, swipe up or down.

To expand or collapse the list of programs or sequences, tap the arrow (∨ or >) to its left.

To select a program, sequence, or sample, tap it.

To immediately select a sample and enter Sample Edit Mode, double-tap it.

To save the project, tap Save.

To save the project with another name, tap Save As. Use the Save window that appears to save the project.

To return to the previous screen, tap the X in the upper-right corner or anywhere outside the window.

To delete samples from the project, tap Purge. In the screen that appears, tap Unused Samples to delete all

unused samples from the project, tap All Samples to delete all samples from the project, or tap Cancel to return to the previous screen.

To export the current sequence, tap Export. Use the Audio Mixdown screen that appears to export a song (see

General Features > Audio Mixdown to learn about the settings in this window). To export the song instead, see

the Song Mode chapter.

The In and Out boxes indicate MPC Live is receiving or sending (respectively) MIDI messages from or to your computer.

The time counter at the top of the touchscreen the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

The Timing Correct window contains various settings to help quantize the note events in your sequence.

To open the Timing Correct settings, tap the TC/clock icon at the top of the touchscreen.

To apply the settings you selected, tap Do It.

To cancel and return to the previous screen, tap Close.

Use the Type selector to set how timing corrections are applied.

Start: The start points of note events will be extended or shortened to align with the closest time division marker in

the grid. The start points will remain untouched.

End: The end points of note events will be extended or shortened to align with the closest time division marker in the grid. The start points will remain untouched.

Length: The end points of note events will be extended or shortened so that each event’s length is a multiple of the time division, regardless of where it is in the grid. The start points will remain untouched.

Legato: The end points of note events will be extended or shortened to create a long, unbroken phrase from the first note event’s start point to the last note event’s end point. Each note event will sustain until another note event starts. If multiple note events start at the same time (and are not the last note events), their lengths will become identical. Selecting Legato disables all other options in this window.

Without legato applied. With legato applied.

Use the Time Division selector to set the quantization value. Note events will “snap” to these time divisions on the grid. The T indicates a triplet-based value.

Alternatively, press and hold Note Repeat and use the six buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen.

Use the Swing field to set the amount of swing from 50% to 75%. Swing lets you “shuffle” your beats—from subtle to extreme.

Use the Shift Timing field to shift all note events by clock ticks.

Use the Window field to set how many notes around a quantize value will be quantized. Any notes outside this range will not be quantized; notes inside will.

Use the Strength field to set how strictly notes will be quantized (i.e., shifted toward the quantize value). Lower values move notes a little bit towards the closest quantize value, resulting in a less mechanical feel than a strict quantization (a higher value).

Use the Events selector to set the target range for the time correction. You can apply the time correction to All note events or to just the Selected ones. When Range is selected, you can define the bars as well as the pads or keys that will be quantized.

The Click/Metro menu contains all settings regarding the metronome (click track).

To open the metronome settings, tap the Metro/ metronome icon at the top of the touchscreen.

Use the Count-In field to set if/when the metronome counts before recording.

Off disables the metronome pre-count.

Record enables the pre-count during recording only.

Record + Play enables pre-count in both Record and

Playback Modes.

Use the Enable field to set if/when the metronome is enabled.

Off disables the metronome.

Play enables the metronome sound during playback only.

Record enables the metronome sound during recording only.

Record + Play enables the metronome to happen in both Record and Playback Modes.

Use the Rate field to select the metronome click’s time division: 1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, 1/32 or 1/32T. T indicates a triplet-based time division.

Use the Sound field to select the sound that you want to hear for the metronome: Sidestick 1, Sidestick 2, Clap, Metroclick, Shake, Tam

bourine, or MPC Click.

Use the Volume knob to set the volume of your metronome click.

Tap the On/Off button to enable or disable the metronome.

The automation button indicates the global automation state. This is shown in several modes. See General Features >

Automation to learn about this.

In Main Mode, these are the buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen:

MIDI: Tap this button to view only MIDI tracks in the Track section.

Audio: Tap this button to view only audio tracks in the Track section.

Track –/+: Tap one of these buttons to switch to the previous or next track, respectively.

Mute: Tap this button to mute the current track.

Solo: Tap this button to solo the current track.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

To enter Grid View, tap the grid icon.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap the waveform-and-box icon.

To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

There are also two small icons to the right of these that control the channel strip.

To show or hide the channel strip, tap the eye icon.

The icon below the eye icon indicates the type of channel strip (see next description).

The channel strip contains some important settings for the current pad, program, track, or master output, depending on the currently selected icon:

To view the pad channel strip, tap the single-pad icon.

To view the program channel strip, tap the four-squares icon.

To view the track channel strip, tap the bars icon.

To view the master channel strip, tap the crown icon.

When viewing the pad channel strip while using a drum program, keygroup program, or clip program:

• The first field shows the current pad number. Press a pad or tap the field to select

a different pad.

Tip: This is useful for mixing your pads without having to enter the Pad Mixer.

• The second field shows where the pad is routed (which you can change). Usually,

this is set to Program.

• The Inserts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that pad. Tap the area

under Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To solo or mute the pad, tap Solo or Mute (respectively).

• To change the panning or level of the pad, adjust the pan knob or level slider.

The green level meter next to the slider shows the pad’s current volume level in dB.

When viewing the program channel strip while using a drum program, keygroup program, clip program, or plugin program:

• The first field shows the current program number and name (which you can change).

• The second field shows where the program is routed (which you can change).

• The Inserts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that program. Tap the

area under Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To solo or mute the program, tap Solo or Mute (respectively).

• To change the program’s automation, tap the program automation button to

cycle through its three states:

Important: If you have already recorded automation and turn it off, the track will still use the effect and its parameter values at the point where you turned it off.

When set to Write (W), the program can record automation. (If you have any Q-Link knobs assigned to automatable parameters, make sure not to touch any accidentally while you are recording.)

Tip: You can quickly set all programs and audio tracks to the same automation by tapping the global automation button in the upper-right corner of the touchscreen. See General Features > Automation to learn about this.

• To change the panning or level of the program, adjust the pan knob or level slider.

The green level meter next to the slider shows the program’s current volume level in dB.

When viewing the track channel strip while using a MIDI track (any program type):

• The first field shows the current track (which you can change) and its name.

• The second field shows the name of the program the track is using.

• To solo or mute the track, tap Solo or Mute (respectively).

• To change the panning or level of the track, adjust the pan knob or level slider. The

blue level meter next to the slider shows the track’s current velocity level.

Note: If the track is using a plugin program, then the slider will send CC #7 (Volume)

and the knob will send CC #10 (Pan) to your instrument plugin. The plugin will then handle these messages as it normally would.

When viewing the track channel strip while using an audio track:

• The first field defines the input source of the external audio signal (Input 1,2, Input

3,4, or one of Input 1–4).

• The second field shows where the track is routed (which you can change; Out 1,2–7,8

in Standalone Mode, Out 1,2–31,32 in Controller Mode; MPC Live does not use Out 7,8 but displays them to maintain compatibility with MPC X, which does use them).

• The Inserts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that track. Tap the area under

Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To solo or mute the track, tap Solo or Mute (respectively).

• To change the audio track’s automation, tap the track automation button to cycle

through its three states:

When off, the audio track will ignore automation data. If you have already recorded or entered automation, tapping this will switch between Read (R) and Write (W) only, but you can override this and turn it off by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the button.

Important: If you have already recorded automation and turn it off, the track will still use the effect and its parameter values at the point where you turned it off.

When set to Read (R), the audio track will read automation data but will not record any additional automation over it. You can still manually edit and enter automation. (Think of this as a protective feature to prevent accidental changes to your automation while recording.)

When set to Write (W), the audio track can record automation. (If you have any Q-Link knobs assigned to automatable parameters, make sure not to touch any accidentally while you are recording.)

Tip: You can quickly set all programs and audio tracks to the same automation by tapping the global automation button in the upper-right corner of the touchscreen. See

General Features > Automation to learn about this.

• To change the panning or level of the track, adjust the pan knob or level slider.

• To record-enable the track, tap the Record Arm button. When you begin audio

recording, the audio signal will be recorded to this track.

Tip: You can select multiple tracks in the Track View by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the Arm button to each track.

When viewing the master channel strip:

• The first field shows the current master output as a stereo pair (which you can change).

• The Inserts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that pair of outputs. Tap

the area under Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To mute the master output, tap Mute.

• To change the panning or level of the master output, adjust the pan knob or level

slider. The green level meter next to the slider shows the outputs’ current volume level in dB.

The Sequence section shows the current sequence and its information.

Use Sequence field to select a sequence.

To edit the name of the sequence, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the section, and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

Use the BPM field to adjust the tempo of the sequence.

To set whether the sequence follows its own tempo (Sequence) or a master tempo (Master), tap the Sequence/Master button under the BPM

field. Alternatively, press and hold Shift+Tap Tempo.

Use the Bars field to adjust the length of the sequence in bars.

The Loop button shows whether the sequence (or a part of it) will loop or not.

To enable or disable looping, tap the button.

To set the start point and end point of loop, tap the Start or End field (respectively) and then use the data dial or the –/+ buttons, or double-tap the field and use the numeric keyboard that appears.

Note: The Last Bar value of the Delete Bars and Copy Bars processes depends on the total length of the sequence.

Use the Transpose field to set the transposition (in semitones) of the entire sequence.

To edit the sequence, tap the pencil icon on the right edge of the section. The Sequence Edit/Copy window will open.

You can use any of these functions as described below.

To return to Main Mode, tap Cancel or the left arrow () in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen. Alternatively, press Main.

To edit the name of the sequence, tap the top of the touchscreen and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

The Erase function erases all or part of a track in a specific sequence.

To select the sequence you want to erase, use the Sequence field.

To select the track you want to erase within the sequence, use the Track field.

To set the time range of the sequence you want to erase, use the Bar, Beat, and Tick fields. The left fields set the start of the time range, and the right fields set the end of the time range.

To select what types of events you erase, select one of the Erase options:

All erases all pad events from the designated time range and

reset all of its settings.

Automation erases only automation from the designated time range.

Note erases only specific pad events from the designated time range. In the diagram of the eight pad banks that appears, press each pad in each bank to select or deselect its notes.

Except Note erases everything except pad events from the designated time range.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Clear function erases all events from the sequence and resets

all of its settings.

To confirm your choice, tap Clear.

To return to the previous screen

, tap Cancel.

The Transpose function transposes a range of events on a track in a sequence. The events within that range will shift accordingly in the Grid View.

To select the sequence you want to transpose, use the Sequence field.

To select the track you want to transpose within the sequence, use the Track field.

To set the time range of the sequence you want to transpose,

use the two sets of Bar, Beat, and Tick fields. The left fields set the start of the time range, and the right fields set the end of the time range.

For drum programs, use the two Pad fields to select the “source” pad (whose events you want to move) and “destination” pad (where the events will be placed). Tap each field and then press the desired pad.

For keygroup programs, plugin programs, and MIDI programs, set the range and amount of transposition:

Range: Use the two Note fields to set the range of notes of

the events you want to transpose. Note events within this range will be transposed, while note events outside of this range will remain unchanged.

Transpose: Use this field to set how many semitones up or down you want to transpose the note events.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Bounce to Sample function immediately renders the sequence (all of its tracks) as an audio sample and places it in the project’s sample pool. By default, it will be named Bounce - and appended with the sequence name.

If you have already used this function on this sequence, then you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing sample with this new one or cancel.

To continue and save the sequence over the existing one, tap Replace.

To cancel, tap Cancel.

The Delete Bars function removes a range of bars from a sequence.

To select the sequence whose bars you want to delete, use the Sequence field.

To set the range of bars you want to delete, use the First Bar and Last Bar fields. The bar in each field and all bars in between them will be deleted.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Insert Bars function adds empty bars to a sequence at a specified point.

To select the desired sequence, use the Sequence field.

To set how many bars you will insert, use the # of Bars field.

To set the time signature of the inserted bars, use the two Time Sig fields.

To set where you will insert the bars, use the Before Bar field.

The bars will be inserted before this one.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Half Length function will immediately halve the length of the sequence (without deleting any note events).

The Double Length function will immediately double the sequence and copy all events from the first half to the second half.

The Copy Sequence function copies the contents of one sequence to another.

To select the “source” sequence, use the Copy Contents of Sequence field. This is the sequence whose events you want to

copy.

To select the “destination” sequence, use the Over Contents of Sequence field. This is the sequence where the source

sequence will be copied.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Copy Bars function copies a range of bars from a sequence and adds them to another at a specified point.

To select the “source” sequence, use the From Sequence field. This is the sequence whose bars you want to copy.

To set the range of bars to copy in the source sequence, use the First Bar and Last Bar fields.

To select the “destination” sequence, use the To Sequence field. This is the sequence where the source sequence bars will be copied.

To set where you want to add the copied bars, use the After Bar field. The copied bars will be inserted after this one.

To set how many instances of the copied bars you want to add, use the Copies field.

To overwrite the destination sequence, tap Replace.

To add the events to the destination sequence without erasing anything, tap Merge.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere

outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Copy Events function copies a range of events from a sequence and add them to another at a specified point.

To select the “source” sequence, use the From Sequence field. This is the sequence whose events you

want to copy.

To select the “source” track, use the From Track field. This is the track whose events you want to copy.

To set the time range of the events you want to copy, use the Bar, Beat, and Tick fields. The left fields set the start of the time range, and the right fields set the end of the time range.

To select the “destination” sequence, use the To Sequence field. This is the sequence where the source

sequence events will be copied.

To select the “destination” track, use the To Track field. This is the track where the source track events will be copied.

To set where you want to add the copied events, use the Bar, Beat, and Tick fields. The events will be added after this point.

To set how many instances of the copied events you want to add, use the Copies field.

To overwrite the destination sequence, tap Replace.

To add the events to the destination sequence without erasing anything, tap Merge.

To return to the previous screen, tap Function or anywhere outside the window.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Save Current Sequence function saves the current sequence to an external storage device or MPC Live’s internal drive.

To enter a folder, double-tap it. Alternatively, turn the data dial or use the –/+ buttons to move through the

list, and press the data dial to enter a folder. You can also tap one of the five folder buttons in the upper-right to jump immediately to those pre-assigned file paths (see Browser to learn how to do this).

To create a new folder, tap New Folder, use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Do It. You will immediately enter the new folder.

To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon.

To name the file, tap the File Name field at the bottom of the screen, and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

To save the file, tap Save.

To cancel and return to the Menu, tap Cancel. Alternatively, tap the  icon in the upper-left corner.

The Track section shows the current track, program type, and its information.

The Track field shows the track number and its name.

To edit the name of the track, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the section and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

While using a MIDI track, the program selector indicates the type of program through which the track is being routed. The specific program name is displayed below in the Program section. You can use the program selector to change program type (and then select a specific program of that type in the Program section below it).

To select a drum program, tap the four-squares icon.

To select a keygroup program, tap the piano-keys icon.

To select a clip program, tap the play-button icon.

To select a MIDI program, tap the bars icon.

To select a CV program, tap the CV icon. Although this option is selectable, it is not available for MPC Live,

which does not have CV outputs.

To select a plugin program, tap the plug icon. Plugin programs are available only while using MPC Live in Controller Mode with the desktop version of the MPC software.

While using a MIDI track, use the Length field to set how long the track is in beats. If you select the minimum value,

Seq or 0 (if you use the numeric keypad), the track will be the exact same length as its sequence.

Tip: This feature lets you maintain tracks of different lengths. For instance, you could play a 1-bar drum sequence

repeatedly under a 4-bar bass line.

While using a MIDI track, use the Velocity field to set how loudly or quietly a track plays relative to its recorded levels. When set to 50%, the track will be played with half the velocity it was originally played. When set to 200%, the track will play twice as loud. The maximum velocity level is still 127, though.

While using a MIDI track, use the Transpose field to set the transposition (in semitones) of the entire track.

While using an audio track, tap the Record Arm button to record-enable the track. When you begin audio recording, the audio signal will be recorded to this track.

Tip: You can select multiple tracks in the Track View by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the Arm button to each track.

While using an audio track, use the Monitor button to set how your audio track will be monitored. Tapping it will cycle through its three states:

When set to Auto, you will hear incoming audio while the track is record-enabled only.

When on, you will hear incoming audio whether or not the track is record-enabled.

When off, you will never hear any incoming audio.

To edit the track, tap the pencil icon on the right edge of the section. The Track Edit window will open.

While using MIDI tracks, you can use any of these functions as described below.

To return to Main Mode, tap Cancel or the left arrow () in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen. Alternatively, press Main.

To edit the name of the track, tap the top of the touchscreen and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

The Clear function erases all events from the track and resets all of its settings.

To confirm your choice, tap Clear.

To return to the previous screen, tap Cancel.

The Explode function immediately splits the current track into multiple tracks—one for each distinct pad or note (pitch, not event). The current track also remains present and intact, while each track created from it is labeled with the track name and pad name or number.

The Double-Speed Events function immediately halves the lengths of all note events on the track as well as the distance between them. In other words, the track’s notes are pressed closer together so the track sounds like it is playing at twice the previous speed. This does not actually affect the pitches of notes or the tempo.

The Half-Speed Events function immediately doubles the lengths of all note events on the track as well as the distance between them. In other words, the track’s notes are spread further apart so the track sounds like it is playing at half of the previous speed. This does not actually affect the pitches of notes or the tempo.

The Copy Track function copies the contents of one track to another.

To select the “source” track, tap the Copy Contents of Track field. This is the track whose events you want to copy.

To select the “destination” track, tap the Over Contents of Track field. This is the track where the source track will be

copied.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel.

The Bounce to Sample function immediately renders the track (for the current sequence only) as an audio sample and places it in the project’s sample pool. By default, it will be named Bounce - and appended with the track name. This function does not work for tracks that use MIDI programs or CV programs.

If you have already used this function on this track, then you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing sample with this new one or cancel.

To continue and save the track over the existing one, tap Replace.

To cancel, tap Cancel.

The Bounce to Audio Track function immediately renders the track (for the current sequence only) as an audio track in the project. The Main Mode will automatically switch to the Audio tab. By default, it will be named Audio and appended with a number (e.g., Audio 002). This function does not work for tracks that use MIDI programs or CV programs.

If you have already used this function on this track, then you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing sample with this new one or cancel.

To continue and save the track over the existing one, tap Replace.

To cancel, tap Cancel.

The Export as Pattern function saves the track (for the current sequence only) as a pattern (.mpcpattern) to an external storage device or MPC Live’s internal drive.

To enter a folder, double-tap it. Alternatively, turn the data dial or use the –/+ buttons to move through the

To create a new folder, tap New Folder, use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Do It. You will immediately enter the new folder.

To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon.

To name the file, tap the File Name field at the bottom of the screen, and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

To save the file, tap Save.

To cancel and return to the Menu, tap Cancel. Alternatively, tap the  icon in the upper-left corner.

While using audio tracks, you can use any of these functions as described below.

To return to Main Mode, tap Cancel or the left arrow () in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen. Alternatively, press Main.

To edit the name of the track, tap the top of the touchscreen and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

The Delete function erases the entire audio track.

To confirm your choice, tap Clear.

To return to the previous screen, tap Cancel.

The Clear Regions function erases all regions from the audio track without erasing the track itself.

The Reset Channel Strip function:

• clears all Insert effect slots;

• turns Mute, Solo, automation, and Monitor off;

• resets the pan knob to the center;

• resets the level slider to 0.00 dB; and

• turns the Record Arm button off.

It does not change the track’s inputs or outputs.

The Copy Track function copies the contents of one track to another.

To select the “source” track, tap the Copy Contents of Track field. This is the track whose events you want to copy.

To select the “destination” track, tap the Over Contents of Track field. This is the track where the source track will be

copied.

To confirm your choice, tap Do It.

To cancel and return to Main Mode, tap Cancel or anywhere

outside the window.

The Save Current Channel Strip function saves the current settings of the track channel strip (for the current audio track) to an external storage device or MPC Live’s internal drive.

To select the storage device you want to view, tap it in the Storage column on the left.

Internal is the MPC Live’s sainternal drive. MPC Documents is a shortcut to the MPC Documents folder on the internal drive. If you have USB drives connected to MPC Live’s USB ports, they will appear in this column, as well.

To enter a folder, double-tap it. Alternatively, turn the data dial or use the –/+ buttons to move through the list, and

press the data dial to enter a folder. You can also tap one of the five folder buttons in the upper-right to jump immediately to those pre-assigned file paths (see Browser to learn how to do this).

To create a new folder, tap New Folder, use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Do It. You will immediately enter the new folder.

To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon.

To name the file, tap the File Name field at the bottom of the touchscreen, and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

To save the file, tap Save.

To cancel and return to the Menu, tap Cancel. Alternatively, tap the  icon in the upper-left corner.

The Program section shows the current program. This section will appear differently depending on the type of program selected in the Track section above it.

For all program types while using MIDI tracks, you can do the following:

To edit the name of the program, tap the cursor icon on the right edge of the section. Use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a new name, and then tap Do It.

To create a new program of the currently selected type, tap the + icon. A new program of the same type will be created and appended with a number (e.g., Program 002).

While viewing drum programs, the Drum Program field shows the name of the program.

Tap Assign Samples to enter the Sample Assign tab in the Browser immediately (see Browser to learn about this).

Tap Edit Samples to enter Program Mode in Sample Edit Mode immediately (see Sample Edit Mode > Program

Mode to learn about this). The sample shown will be the

one in the top layer of the last pad you pressed.

While viewing keygroup programs, the Keygroup Program field shows the name of the program.

While viewing clip programs, the Clip Program field shows the name of the program.

Tap Edit Clips to enter Program Edit Mode, where you can assign samples (clips) to pads, edit each clip, and configure how each clip plays when launched (see

Program Edit Mode > Clip Programs to learn about this).

While viewing plugin programs, the Plugin Program field shows the name of the program.

Important: Plugin programs are available only while using MPC Live in Controller Mode with the desktop version of the MPC software.

Use the Plugin field to select the plugin the program is using. In the screen that appears, you can tap the Type or Manufacturer button at the bottom of the touchscreen to enable or disable sorting of your plugins by type or maker.

Note: You have to specify the disk directory where your plugins are located. This can be done in the software’s Preferences. To see user guide in the MPC software and learn how to do this, click the Help menu and select MPC User Manual.

Use the MIDI Ch field to select the MIDI channel the program uses. Use this setting when you are working with a virtual instrument plugin that supports multi-mode.

Use the Preset field to select a preset (if any) within the plugin the program is using.

While viewing MIDI programs, the MIDI Program field shows the name of the program.

Use the MIDI Port field to select the port over which the program sends its MIDI data.

Note: You also have to configure the MIDI ports in the Preferences. To see user guide in the MPC software and learn how to do this, click the Help menu and select MPC User Manual.

Use the Program Ch field to select the program change message the program sends out.

Use the MIDI Ch field to select the MIDI channel over which the program sends its MIDI data.

Use the Bank MSB and Bank LSB fields to select the messages for Most Significant Byte and Least Significant Byte (respectively) that the program sends out.

While viewing CV programs, the CV Program field shows the name of the program. Although this option is selectable, it is not available for MPC Live, which does not have CV outputs.

Use the CV/Gate field to select the CV outputs over which the program sends its CV/Gate data.

To edit the program, tap the pencil icon on the right edge of the section. The Program Edit/Copy window will open.

You can use any of these functions as described below.

To return to Main Mode, tap Cancel or the left arrow () in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen. Alternatively, press Main.

To edit the name of the program, tap the top of the touchscreen and use the virtual keyboard that appears.

The Delete function erases all events from the track and resets all of its settings.

To confirm your choice, tap Clear.

To return to the previous screen, tap Cancel.

The Duplicate function immediately creates an identical program. The duplicate program will use the same name but appended with a number (e.g., Program 002).

The Duplicate to Track function immediately creates an identical program on a new track. The duplicate program will use the same name but appended with a number (e.g., Program 002). The new track will be named Track and appended with a number (e.g., Track 06).

The Bounce to Sample function immediately renders all tracks that use that program (for the current sequence only) as an audio sample and places it in the project’s sample pool. By default, it will be named Bounce - and appended with the program name. This function does not work for MIDI programs or CV programs.

If you have already used this function on this program, then you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing sample with this new one or cancel.

To continue and save the program over the existing one, tap Replace.

To cancel, tap Cancel.

The Bounce to Audio Track function immediately renders that program (for the current sequence only) as an audio track in the project. The Main Mode will automatically switch to the Audio tab. By default, it will be named Audio and appended with a number (e.g., Audio 002). This function does not work for MIDI programs or CV programs.

If you have already used this function on this track, then you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing sample with this new one or cancel.

To continue and save the track over the existing one, tap Replace.

To cancel, tap Cancel.

The Save Current Program or Save Current Sample function saves the current program or sample (the top layer of the last pad you pressed) (respectively) to an external storage device or MPC Live’s internal drive.

To enter a folder, double-tap it. Alternatively, turn the data dial or use the –/+ buttons to move through the

list, and press the data dial to enter a folder. You can also tap one of the five

folder buttons in the upper-right to jump immediately to those pre-assigned file paths (see Browser to learn how to do this).

To create a new folder, tap New Folder, use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Do It. You will immediately enter the new folder.

To move up one folder level, tap the folder/ icon.

To name the file, tap the File Name field at the bottom of the touchscreen, and use the virtual keyboard that

appears.

To save the file, tap Save.

To cancel and return to the Menu, tap Cancel. Alternatively, tap the  icon in the upper-left corner.

For all program types while using audio tracks, you can do the following:

To change the input source, tap Input Config. This will show or hide the track channel strip. If you are viewing the audio track channel strip (not the master channel strip), the first field will be automatically selected.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap Edit Audio. This is the same as tapping the waveform-and-box icon on the left edge of the touchscreen.

Grid View

Grid View lets you view and edit the note events of each track of a sequence in a project and their velocities. This mode has two different appearances: one for drum programs and one for keygroup programs, MIDI programs, and plugin programs.

For drum programs, the left column shows you all available pads in a vertical view with their corresponding data.

For keygroup programs, plugin programs, and MIDI programs, the left column shows a vertical “piano roll” keyboard.

To enter Grid View, press Menu, and then tap Grid View.

Grid View of a drum program. Grid View of a keygroup program or MIDI program.

The top of the touchscreen shows the track name, sequence and timing information, and editing tools.

Use the Track field to select which track of the current sequence you want to show in the grid.

Use the Bars field to set the length of the sequence.

The time counter at the top of the touchscreen the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

In Grid View, these four icons enable you to use different functions in the grid. Tap one to select its mode:

Pencil: Draw Mode:

To enter a note in an empty grid square, tap the square.

To select a note, tap it.

To move a note, tap and drag it to another grid square.

To erase a note, double-tap it.

Eraser: Erase Mode:

To erase a note, tap it.

Select Box: Select Mode:

To select a note, tap it.

To select multiple notes, tap and drag across the grid to create a box around them.

To move a note, tap and drag it to another grid square.

To move multiple notes, select them as described above, and tap and drag them.

To erase multiple notes, select them as described above, and then select the Eraser tool and tap any of

the selected notes.

Magnifying Glass: Navigation Mode:

To move to another part of the grid, tap and drag it.

To zoom in or out, spread or pinch your fingers (respectively) on the grid. You can do this vertically,

horizontally, or both at the same time.

The Settings window lets you configure certain Grid View settings.

To view the Settings, tap the gear icon.

Use the Hitting Pad Selects All Events selector to turn the feature on or off. When on, pressing a pad will automatically select all note events for that pad in the sequence on that track. When off, pressing a pad will simply play its sound without selecting any note events.

Use the Auto-Scroll selector to set how the screen behaves relative to the audio playhead.

Follow: Depending on the zoom setting, the grid will scroll along in the background while keeping the audio playhead centered.

Page: The grid will move to the “next page” to follow the audio playhead.

Off: The grid will not move at all.

These functions also apply to the sample waveform in Sample Edit Mode.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

To enter Grid View, tap the grid icon.

To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

Regardless of which tool is selected, you can do any of the following to move, lengthen, shorten, or transpose any selected note/notes.

To automatically set the grid to view one pad bank and two bars, tap the grid-and-magnifying-glass icon in the lower-left corner.

To undo your last action, press Undo.

To redo the last action you undid, press Shift+Undo/Redo.

To select all notes for a pad, press the desired pad.

To move the selected notes, tap Nudge at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+

buttons to shift the notes left or right. By default, you can position notes only by quantization values defined by the

Time Correct value (learn about this feature here in the Main Mode chapter).

To move the selected notes without restricting (“snapping”) them to the quantization grid, tap and hold Don’t Snap in the lower-left corner of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to shift the notes. In

this case, each nudge is equivalent to four ticks.

To adjust the start point or end point of the selected notes (without changing their position), tap Edit Start at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

To transpose the selected notes up or down, tap Transpose at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

To switch to the previous or next track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Track – or Track + (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen.

To mute or solo the track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Mute or Solo (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen.

To open the Timing Correct window, press and hold Shift, and then tap TC at the bottom of the touchscreen. This feature is described here in the Main Mode chapter.

To select a time division directly, double-tap the down arrow () in the upper-left corner of the grid and select a time division.

To adjust the metronome settings, press and hold Shift, and then tap Click at the bottom of the touchscreen. This feature is described here in the Main Mode chapter.

Grid View also contains a velocity lane where you can easily adjust note velocities.

The velocity lane in the Grid View. The taller velocity lane in the Grid View.

To show or hide the velocity lane:

1. Tap the up arrow (∧) button in the lower-right corner to show the velocity lane.

2. Tap the up arrow (∧) button once more to show a taller version of the velocity lane. The button will now show a down arrow (∨).

3. Tap the down arrow (∨) to hide the velocity lane.

Each note’s velocity is represented by a vertical bar. The higher and more red the bar is, the higher the velocity is. Yellow bars indicate a lower velocity. Bars with a grey line at the top indicate a currently selected note.

To adjust the velocity of the selected notes, tap Velocity at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons. The numeric value will appear on the touchscreen.

Audio Edit Mode

Audio Edit Mode lets you view and edit the audio tracks of a sequence in a project.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, press Menu, and then tap Audio Edit Mode.

Audio Edit Mode.

Below is a brief step-by-step process so you can get started recording audio tracks quickly. Continue reading the rest of this chapter to learn how to use Audio Edit Mode in different cases.

To record in Audio Edit Mode (or Main Mode):

1. If the channel strip is not already shown on the left side of the screen, tap the small eye icon to show it.

2. Connect a synthesizer or other line-level audio source to the appropriate input/inputs of your MPC Live. Set the Line/Phono selector appropriately, too.

3. Double-tap the first field to select the input source of the external audio signal (Input 1,2, Input 3,4, or one of Input 1–4).

4. Double-tap the second field to select where the track is routed (Out 1,2–7,8 in Standalone Mode, Out 1,2–31,32 in Controller Mode; MPC Live does not use Out 7,8 but displays them to maintain compatibility with MPC X, which does use them).

5. Tap the Monitor button to set how your audio track will be monitored. Tapping it will cycle through its three states:

When set to Auto, you will hear incoming audio while the track is record-enabled only.

When on, you will hear incoming audio whether or not the track is record-enabled.

When off, you will never hear any incoming audio.

6. Turn the Rec Vol knob to set the input level while sending an audio signal into MPC Live. You should now see the level in the meter. Make sure it does not exceed the maximum level (the meter should not be “peaking” constantly).

7. If the Solo and Mute buttons are on, tap them so they are off. We also recommend tapping the track automation button below them so it is off (not R/Read or W/Write).

8. Tap the Rec Arm button next to the pan knob to record-enable the track.

9. Press Rec or Overdub to record-arm MPC Live.

10. To start recording, press Play or Play Start—then play your audio source. You should hear your existing sequence playing in the background. You’ll see the waveform appear as a single “track region” as you record.

11. To stop recording, press Stop.

The top of the touchscreen shows the track name, sequence and timing information, and editing tools.

Use the Track field to select which track of the current sequence you want to show in the grid.

Use the Bars field to set the length of the sequence.

The time counter at the top of the touchscreen the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

In Audio Edit Mode, these five icons enable you to use different functions in the track. Tap one to select its mode:

Arrow: Selection Mode:

To select a track region, tap it.

To move a track region, tap and drag it.

To shorten or lengthen a track region, tap its edge and drag it.

Eraser: Erase Mode:

To erase a track region, tap it.

Scissors: Cut Mode:

To split the track at a specific point (creating a track region on either side), tap that point in the track.

To select a track region, tap its left-most edge.

Mute: Mute Mode:

To mute or unmute a track region, tap it.

Magnifying Glass: Navigation Mode:

To move to another part of the track, tap and drag it.

To zoom in or out, spread or pinch your fingers (respectively) on the grid. You can do this vertically,

horizontally, or both at the same time.

The Settings window lets you configure certain Audio Edit Mode settings.

To view the Settings, tap the gear icon.

Use the Auto-Scroll selector to set how the screen behaves relative to the audio playhead.

Follow: Depending on the zoom setting, the waveform display will scroll along in the background while keeping the audio playhead centered.

Page: The waveform display will move to the “next page” to follow the audio playhead.

Off: The waveform display will not move at all.

These functions also apply to the sample waveform in Sample Edit Mode.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap the waveform-and-box icon.

To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

There are also two small icons to the right of these that control the channel strip.

To show or hide the channel strip, tap the eye icon.

The icon below the eye icon indicates the type of channel strip (see next description).

The channel strip contains some important settings for the audio track or master output, depending on the currently selected icon:

To view the track channel strip, tap the waveform icon.

To view the master channel strip, tap the crown icon.

When viewing the track channel strip while using an audio track:

• The first field defines the input source of the external audio signal (Input 1,2, Input

3,4, or one of Input 1–4).

• The second field shows where the track is routed (which you can change; Out 1,2–7,8

in Standalone Mode, Out 1,2–31,32 in Controller Mode; MPC Live does not use Out 7,8 but displays them to maintain compatibility with MPC X, which does use them).

• The Ins

erts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that track. Tap the area under

Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To solo or mute the track, tap Solo or Mute (respectively).

• To set how your audio track will be monitored, tap the Monitor button to cycle

through its three states:

When set to Auto, you will hear incoming audio while the track is record-enabled only.

When on, you will hear incoming audio whether or not the track is record-enabled.

When off, you will never hear any incoming audio.

• To change the audio track’s automation, tap the track automation button to cycle

through its three states:

Important: If you have already recorded automation and turn it off, the track will still use the effect and its parameter values at the point where you turned it off.

When set to Write (W), the program can record automation. (If you have any Q-Link knobs assigned to automatable parameters, make sure not to touch any accidentally while you are recording.)

Tip: You can quickly set all programs and audio tracks to the same automation by tapping the global automation button in the upper-right corner of the touchscreen. See

General Features > Automation to learn about this.

• To change the panning or level of the track, adjust the pan knob or level slider.

• To record-enable the track, tap the Record Arm button. When you begin audio

recording, the audio signal will be recorded to this track.

Tip: You can select multiple tracks in the Track View by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the Arm button to each track.

When viewing the master channel strip:

• The first field shows the current master output as a stereo pair (which you can change).

• The Inserts field shows any enabled or disabled effects for that pair of outputs. Tap

the area under Inserts to open a window where you can load, change, and enable or disable the effects.

• To mute the master output, tap Mute.

• To change the panning or level of the master output, adjust the pan knob or level

slider.

Regardless of which tool is selected, you can do any of the following to edit the selected audio track regions.

Tip: If you want to hear only the audio track while editing, use the Solo button in the track channel strip to solo it.

To select a track region, tap the arrow icon to enter Selection Mode and tap a track region. When a track region

is selected, all region parameters will be available to edit.

To undo your last action, press Undo.

To redo the last action you undid, press Shift+Undo/Redo.

To move the selected track region, tap Nudge at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –

/+ buttons to shift the track region left or right. By default, you can move a track region only by quantization values defined by the Time Correct value (learn about this feature here in the Main Mode chapter).

To move the selected track region without restricting (“snapping”) it to the quantization grid, tap and hold Don’t Snap in the lower-left corner of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons to shift the track

region. In this case, each nudge is equivalent to four ticks.

To adjust the start point or end point of the selected track region (without changing its position), tap Edit Start at the bottom of the touchscreen, and then use the data dial or –/+ buttons.

To split the track at the current playhead position (creating a track region on either side), tap Split at the bottom of the touchscreen.

To copy and paste the selected track region, press Copy, turn the data dial to move the highlighted track

region, and then press the data dial to paste it at its current location.

To duplicate the selected track region, tap Duplicate at the bottom of the touchscreen. The duplicate track region will appear immediately after the original one.

To create a fade-in or fade out for the selected track region, use the Fade In or Fade Out fields,

respectively. The fades will be shown as a sloped line at the start or end of the track region.

To set the level of the selected track region, use the Level field. The waveform amplitude will change

accordingly.

To reverse the selected track region, tap Reverse.

To mute the selected track region, tap Mute.

To lengthen or shorten the selected track region without changing its pitch, tap Warp, which will enable the Semi, Fine, and BPM fields next to it. Use the BPM field to change the tempo, which will change the length of the

track region accordingly. Use the Semi and Fine fields if you want to change the pitch (this is useful for matching the durations of two samples with different pitches).

Tip: You can configure audio track recording to ensure the resulting track region is warped automatically. You can then adjust the sequence tempo while track region remains in time. See Menu > Preferences > Other to learn about this.

Note: The Warp algorithms are very CPU-intensive and can result in audio drop-outs during playback if used too freely. Be mindful of how (and how often) you use the warp function. You can reduce the CPU resources required by doing any/all of the following:

• Minimize the amount of pitch adjustment (e.g., the Semi and Fine fields).

• Avoid warping very small track regions.

• Warp as few tracks or track regions as possible (i.e., reduce the number of total number of voices [of the

polyphonic limit] that use the warp algorithm at a given time).

To open the Timing Correct window, press and hold Shift, and then tap TC at the bottom of the touchscreen. This feature is described here in the Main Mode chapter.

To adjust the metronome settings, press and hold Shift, and then tap Click at the bottom of the touchscreen. This feature is described here in the Main Mode chapter.

To switch to the previous or next track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Track – or Track + (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen.

To mute or solo the track, press and hold Shift, and then tap Mute or Solo (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen.

Track View

Track View gives you an overview of the tracks of each sequence. Use this mode to edit tracks and sequences simultaneously.

To enter the Track View, do either of the following:

• Press Menu, and then tap Track View.

• Press Shift+Main/Track.

Each horizontal strip represents a track in the current sequence. MIDI tracks and audio tracks are grouped together. MIDI tracks are listed first, audio tracks are listed second.

To move through the list of tracks, swipe up or down.

To collapse or expand each group of tracks, tap the up arrow () or down arrow () icon above the first

track’s Mute button.

The top of the touchscreen shows the sequence name and timing information.

Use the Sequence field to select which sequence contains the tracks you want to show below.

The time counter at the top of the touchscreen the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

The Settings window lets you configure certain Track View settings.

To view the Settings, tap the gear icon.

Use the Show Unused Tracks selector to turn this feature on or off. When on, tracks with a sequence, program, etc. will still appear in the Track View. When off, only tracks with a sequence, program, etc. will appear.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

To enter Grid View, tap the grid icon.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap the waveform-in-box icon.

To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

To open the Timing Correct settings, tap TC at the bottom of the touchscreen. This window is described in the

here in the Main Mode chapter.

To open the metronome settings, tap Click at the bottom of the touchscreen. This window is described in the here in the Main Mode chapter.

To select the previous or next track of the same type (MIDI or audio), tap Track – or Track + (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen. Alternatively, tap the track in the main part of the touchscreen.

MIDI Tracks

All MIDI tracks in the project are grouped together in the upper half of the Track View.

To show or hide them, tap the  or  arrow icon.

Use the Program field to select the program that the track will use.

Use the Length field to set how long the track is. If you select the minimum value, Seq or 0 (if you use the numeric keypad), the track will be the exact same length as its sequence.

Tip: This feature lets you maintain tracks of different lengths. For instance, you could play a 1-bar drum sequence repeatedly under a 4-bar bass line.

Use the Velocity field to set how loudly or quietly a track plays relative to its recorded levels. When set to 50%, the track will be played with half the velocity it was originally played. When set to 200%, the track will play twice as loud. The maximum velocity level is still 127, though.

Use the Transpose field to set the transposition (in semitones) of the entire track.

Use the level slider to change the level of the track. The level meter above the slider shows the track’s current level.

Use the pan knob to change the panning of the track.

Use the Solo and Mute buttons to solo or mute the track (respectively).

Alternatively, tap Mute or Solo (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen to mute the currently selected track.

Audio Tracks

All audio tracks in the project are grouped together in the lower half of the Track View.

To show or hide them, tap the  or  arrow icon.

Use the Input field to set the track’s input/inputs.

Use the Arm button to record-enable the track. When you begin audio recording, the audio signal will be recorded to this track. You can select multiple tracks by pressing and holding Shift while tapping the Arm button to each track.

Use the Monitor button to set how your audio track will be monitored. Tapping it will cycle through its three states:

When set to Auto, you will hear incoming audio while the track is record-enabled only.

When on, you will hear incoming audio whether or not the track is record-enabled.

When off, you will never hear any incoming audio.

Use the level slider to change the level of the track. The level meter above the slider shows the track’s current level.

Use the pan knob to change the panning of the track.

Use the Solo and Mute buttons to solo or mute the track (respectively).

Alternatively, tap Mute or Solo (respectively) at the bottom of the touchscreen to mute the currently selected track.

Use the Add new audio track button to create a new audio track.

Step Sequencer

The Step Sequencer lets you create or edit sequences by using the pads as “step buttons,” simulating the experience of a traditional step-sequencer-style drum machine.

This is available for MIDI tracks only, not audio tracks.

To enter the Step Sequencer, press Menu, and then tap Step Sequencer.

The top of the touchscreen shows the track name and information as well as sequence and timing information.

The Track field shows the name of the current track.

Use the Track Length field to set how long the track is. If you select the minimum value, Sequence or 0 (if you use the numeric keypad), the track will be the exact same length as its sequence.

Tip: This feature lets you maintain tracks of different lengths. For instance, you could play a 1-bar drum sequence repeatedly under a 4-bar bass line.

Use the Bars field to adjust the length of the sequence in bars.

Use the BPM field to adjust the tempo of the sequence.

To set whether the sequence follows its own tempo (Seq) or a master tempo (Mst), tap the Seq/Mst button next to the BPM field. Alternatively, press and hold Shift+Tap Tempo.

The time counter at the top of the touchscreen the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

• To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

• To enter Grid View, tap the grid icon.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap the waveform-and-box icon.

• To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

• To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

• To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

Use the Time Division selector to set the value that determines how many steps each bar of the sequence will have. The T indicates a triplet-based value.

Alternatively, tap TC at the bottom of the touchscreen to open the Timing Correct window. This is described here in the Main Mode chapter.

To enter or delete steps in a sequence:

1. Use the Pad –/+ buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen to select the pad whose steps you want to enter or delete. The current pad number is shown in the upper-left corner.

Alternatively, use the Pad Select feature: Tap and hold Pad Sel, press the desired pad, and then release Pad Sel. You can also use Pad Select as a “latching” feature: tap Pad Sel so it is activated, press the desired pad, and then tap Pad Sel once more so it is deactivated.

2. Use the Bar –/+ buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen to select the bar of the sequence whose steps you want to enter or delete. The current bar number is shown in the upper-left corner.

3. Press the pads of your MPC Live, or tap a button at the bottom of the sequencer. Each pad corresponds to a step in the bar and will light with a color corresponding to its velocity.

Keep in mind that for time divisions larger than 16, the bar’s steps will be represented by multiple pad banks. In this case, use Pad Bank Buttons A and B to view all the steps within a bar.

For tim

e divisions larger than 16, the bar’s steps will be represented by multiple pad banks. In this case, use the left and right arrows (< and >) by the step numbers (1–16, 17–32, etc.) to change which steps are shown in the sequencer.

Alternatively, use Pad Bank Buttons A and B.

To adjust the velocities of the steps, do either of the following:

• Tap anywhere on the velocity bar of a step. The top of the velocity bar will jump to that point.

• Use the slider on the right edge of the touchscreen to increase or decrease the velocities of all steps.

Use the Nudge < and Nudge > arrows to shift each step left or right (respectively) one step. This is useful for experimenting with different rhythmic permutations.

Use the slider on the right edge of the touchscreen to increase or decrease the velocities of all steps.

Use the Flip Steps button to switch which steps have notes entered and which do not have notes. Steps that previously had no notes will now have notes at full velocity (127). Steps that previously had notes will now be empty.

Tap Presets to show or hide the preset sequence controls. These controls let you manipulate and transform the velocities of the current bar in the sequence.

The first button will apply ascending or descending velocities to the steps. Each time you tap it, it will cycle through these options:

• The velocities will ascend to a single peak at the end of the bar.

• The velocities will ascend to two peaks—one after each half of the bar.

• The velocities will ascend to four peaks—one after each quarter of the bar.

• The velocities will descend from a single peak at the start of the bar.

• The velocities will descend from two peaks—one after each half of the bar.

• The velocities will descend from four peaks—one at the start each quarter of the bar.

The second button will set the velocities of the steps to be at the maximum value (127) or minimum values (1), depending on their position in the bar. Each time you tap it, it will cycle through these options:

• The velocities of the first half of the bar will be set to 1. The velocities of the second half will be set to 127.

• The velocities of the first and third quarters of the bar will be set to 1. The velocities of the second and fourth

quarters will be set to 127.

• The velocities of the first, third, fifth, and seventh eighths of the bar will be set to 1. The velocities of the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth eighths will be set to 127.

• The velocities of the first half of the bar will be set to 127. The velocities of the second half will be set to 1.

• The velocities of the first and third quarters of the bar will be set to 127. The velocities of the second and

fourth quarters will be set to 1.

• The velocities of the first, third, fifth, and seventh eighths of the bar will be set to 127. The velocities of the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth eighths will be set to 1.

The third button will apply ascending or descending velocities to the steps. Each time you tap it, it will cycle through these options:

• Across the entire bar, the velocities will ascend to a peak and then descend from it.

• In each half of the bar, the velocities will ascend to a peak and then descend from it.

• In each quarter of the bar, the velocities will ascend to a peak and then descend from it.

• Across the entire bar, the velocities will descend from a peak into a valley and then ascend back up to the peak.

• In each half of the bar, the velocities will descend from a peak into a valley and then ascend back up to the peak.

• In each quarter of the bar, the velocities will descend from a peak into a valley and then ascend back up to

the peak.

The fourth button will swap the first half and second half of the bar. In other words, the first half of the bar will become a mirrored image of the second half, and vice versa.

The fifth button will invert the velocities of all steps with entered notes. The sum of the old and new velocities will equal 127. The exception is a velocity of 127 or 1 as a step with a note cannot have a velocity of 0.

Examples:

Steps with velocities of 40 will now have velocities of 87, and vice versa.

Steps with velocities of 75 will now have velocities of 52, and vice versa.

Steps with velocities of 127 will now have velocities of 1, and vice versa.

XYFX Mode

XYFX Mode turns the touchscreen into an XY pad where each axis represents the range of an effect parameter. As you move your finger on the XY pad, the current position will determine the current value of the two parameters. You can use this mode to create interesting effect automation on your tracks.

The effect you control in XYFX Mode acts like an insert effect on that program. In fact, XYFX is the name of the insert effect you have to load to the program before you can use this mode. Learn more about this in General Features >

Effects.

To enter XYFX Mode, press Menu, and then tap XYFX.

When you first enter this mode in a project, you may be prompted to load XYFX to the program. Tap Insert XYFX to do this.

Note: If you already have four insert effects loaded, you will need to clear one of the insert effect slots before doing this.

The left edge contains icons to quickly enter one of five modes. Using this strip of icons, you can easily jump between them:

• To enter Main Mode, tap the house icon.

• To enter Grid View, tap the grid icon.

To enter Audio Edit Mode, tap the waveform-and-box icon.

• To enter the Track View, tap the bars-and-magnifying-glass icon.

• To enter the Step Sequencer, tap the vertical-bars icon.

• To enter XYFX Mode, tap the XY icon.

Use the XYFX Location field to select the signal to which the effects will be applied: the current program (Program) or a master output (a stereo pair of channels: Output 1/2, Output 3/4, etc.).

The time counter in the upper-right corner the current playhead position. This is shown in most of the modes. See General Features > Time Counter to learn about this.

The automation button indicates the global automation state. This is shown in several modes. See General

Features > Automation to learn about this.

100

AKAI MPC Live User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction

System Requirements & Product Support

About This User Guide

Important Notes

Setup

1. Connection

2. Installation

3. Getting Started

Features

Top Panel

Touchscreen

Rear Panel

Tutorial / Basic Concepts

Starting Up

Creating a Drum Kit

Creating a Drum Sequence

Saving & Renaming

Editing Note Events

Making Basic Sound Edits

Creating a Bass Track

Recording an Audio Track

Creating a Song

Exporting the Song

Other Features Explained

Step Sequencer

Drum Loops & Chop Mode

Pad Muting & Track Muting

Sampling (Recording)

Sample Editing

Recording Automation with the XY Pad

Using MPC Live as a Controller

Operation

General Features

Battery Usage

Control Types

Programs

About Programs

Drum Programs

Keygroup Programs

Clip Programs

Plugin Programs

MIDI Programs

CV Programs

Menu

Save

Preferences

Mode

System Resources

Time Counter

Automation

Global

Programs & Audio Tracks

16 Level

Erase

Effects

Overview

Insert Effects

Send/Return Effects

Audio Mixdown

Standalone vs. Controller Mode

Modes

Main Mode

Grid View

Audio Edit Mode

Track View

MIDI Tracks

Audio Tracks

Step Sequencer

XYFX Mode