Akai MPC Touch, MPC X User Manual

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User Guide

English

Manual Version 2.2

Introduction ............................................................	6
System Requirements & Product Support .....	6
About This User Guide .....................................	6
Important Notes ................................................	7
Setup ..................................................................	7
1. Connection ................................................	7
2. Installation..................................................	8
3. Getting Started ..........................................	8
Features ..................................................................	9
MPC X ................................................................	9
Top Panel.......................................................	9
Navigation & Data Entry Controls.......................	9
Pad & Q-Link Controls.....................................	10
Mode & View Controls.....................................	11
Transport & Recording Controls ......................	12
I/O & Level Controls ........................................	13
Touchscreen ...................................................	14
Front Panel ..................................................	15
Rear Panel ...................................................	16
MPC Live..........................................................	17
Top Panel.....................................................	17
Touchscreen ...................................................	19
Rear Panel ...................................................	20
MPC Touch ......................................................	21
Top Panel.....................................................	21
Touchscreen ...................................................	23
Rear Panel ...................................................	24

Basic Concepts.....................................................

Tutorial...................................................................	26
Starting Up .......................................................	26
Creating a Drum Kit.........................................	26
Creating a Drum Sequence ............................	28
Saving & Renaming .........................................	29
Editing Note Events.........................................	31
Making Basic Sound Edits..............................	33
Creating a Bass Track.....................................	35
Recording an Audio Track..............................	38
Creating a Song ...............................................	39
Exporting the Song..........................................	40
Other Features Explained ...............................	41
Step Sequencer............................................	41
Drum Loops & Chop Mode ..........................	42
Pad Muting & Track Muting .........................	44
Sampling (Recording) ...................................	46
Sample Editing .............................................	48
Recording Automation with the XY Pad ......	50

Using MPC X or MPC Live as a Controller ..51

Operation ..............................................................	52
General Features.............................................	53
Control Types ..............................................	53
Knobs .............................................................	53
Parameter Values ............................................	53
Drop-Down Menus / Lists................................	54
Selectors.........................................................	54
Buttons ...........................................................	55
Checkboxes....................................................	55
Tabs ...............................................................	55
Sliders.............................................................	55
Envelopes .......................................................	56
Grid View Tools ...............................................	57
Audio Edit Tools ..............................................	58
Programs .....................................................	59
About Programs..............................................	59
Drum Programs...............................................	60
Keygroup Programs ........................................	62
Clip Programs .................................................	63
Plugin Programs..............................................	65
MIDI Programs ................................................	66
CV Programs ..................................................	67
Menu ............................................................	68
Save ...............................................................	69
Preferences.....................................................	70
Info .............................................................	70
Sequencer ..................................................	70
Sync ...........................................................	71
Hardware....................................................	71
Project Defaults...........................................	72
Project Load/Save ......................................	73
General/Other .............................................	73
Bluetooth ....................................................	74
Wi-Fi ...........................................................	75
Legal...........................................................	75
Sync ...............................................................	75
Mode ..............................................................	75
System Resources ..........................................	76

Time Counter/Locate ...................................	77
Timing Correct (TC) ......................................	79
Metronome (Click/Metro) .............................	81
Automation ...................................................	82
Global .............................................................	82
Programs & Audio Tracks................................	82
16 Level ........................................................	83
Erase.............................................................	84
Effects ..........................................................	85
Overview .........................................................	85
Insert Effects ...................................................	87
Pads ...........................................................	87
Keygroups ..................................................	89
Audio Tracks...............................................	91
Programs....................................................	92
Submixes....................................................	94
Masters ......................................................	95
Send/Return Effects ........................................	96
Pads ...........................................................	97
Keygroups ..................................................	98
Audio Tracks...............................................	99
Programs....................................................	99
Submixes..................................................	100
Audio Mixdown ..........................................	101
Battery Usage.............................................	102
Standalone vs. Controller Mode ................	103

Modes.............................................................	105
Main Mode.................................................	106
Sequence Section .........................................	111
Track Section ................................................	119
Program Section ...........................................	128
Grid View ...................................................	133
Audio Edit Mode ........................................	138
Track View .................................................	146
MIDI Tracks...................................................	148
Audio Tracks .................................................	149
Step Sequencer .........................................	150
XYFX Mode................................................	154
Sample Edit Mode .....................................	157
Settings.........................................................	159
Trim Mode ....................................................	160
Assigning Samples....................................	164
Processing Slices & Samples ....................	166
Chop Mode...................................................	171
Converting or Assigning Slices ..................	174
Processing Slices......................................	177
Program Mode ..............................................	180
Assigning Samples....................................	183
Processing Slices......................................	184
Program Edit Mode ...................................	187
Drum Programs.............................................	187
Master ......................................................	190
Samples ...................................................	191
Pan Velocity ..............................................	198
Filter/Envelope ..........................................	199
LFO Modulation ........................................	200
Effects ......................................................	202
Keygroup Programs ......................................	204
Master ......................................................	205
Samples ...................................................	208
Pan Velocity ..............................................	214
Filter/Envelope ..........................................	215
LFO Modulation ........................................	216
Effects ......................................................	218
Clip Programs ...............................................	220
Program ...................................................	222
Pad...........................................................	223
Plugin Programs............................................	226
MIDI Programs ..............................................	227
CV Programs ................................................	228
Anatomy of an Envelope................................	229

List Edit Mode ............................................	230
Browser ......................................................	234
Browse .........................................................	234
Sample Assign ..............................................	236
Sampler ......................................................	237
Sample .........................................................	240
Slice..............................................................	242
Pad Tap ........................................................	243
Pad Hold.......................................................	244
Looper ........................................................	245
Pad Mixer ...................................................	250
Levels ...........................................................	252
Panning.........................................................	252
Mute .............................................................	253
Send Effects..................................................	253
Insert Effects .................................................	254
Routing .........................................................	254
Channel Mixer ............................................	255
MIDI Tracks...................................................	258
Audio Tracks .................................................	259
Programs ......................................................	261
Returns .........................................................	263
Submixes ......................................................	264
Masters.........................................................	265
Pad Mute Mode..........................................	266
Pad Mute ......................................................	267
Pad Group ....................................................	268
Track Mute Mode .......................................	269
Track Mute....................................................	270
Track Group..................................................	271

Next Sequence Mode................................	272
Song Mode ................................................	274
Q-Link Edit Mode.......................................	277
Project ..........................................................	279
Program/Audio Track ....................................	281
Pad Scene ....................................................	283
Pad Parameter ..............................................	284
Screen ..........................................................	285
Pad Color Mode ........................................	286
MIDI Control Mode ....................................	288
Pads .............................................................	289
Buttons .........................................................	290
Q-Link Knobs................................................	291
XY Pad..........................................................	292
MIDI Learn ....................................................	292
Pad Perform Mode ....................................	293
Appendix .............................................................	296
Effects & Parameters....................................	296
Reverbs......................................................	296
Delays ........................................................	298
Flangers .....................................................	301
Chorus .......................................................	302
Autopans....................................................	302
Tremolos ....................................................	303
Phasers ......................................................	303
HP (High-Pass) Filters................................	304
LP (Low-Pass) Filters.................................	305
Parametric EQs..........................................	306
Distortions..................................................	307
Compressors .............................................	308
Bit Reducers ..............................................	309
Other ..........................................................	310
Glossary .........................................................	311
SATA Drive Installation.................................	316
MIDI Machine Control (MMC) ......................	317
Technical Specifications ..............................	318
MPC X........................................................	318
MPC Live ...................................................	321
MPC Touch................................................	323
Trademarks & Licenses................................	324

Addenda...............................................................	325
Updates in MPC 2.1.......................................	325
New Features .............................................	325
Exporting Expansions....................................	325
Snap: Absolute & Relative .............................	326
List Edit Settings: Auto-Advance ...................	326
Pitch Quantization .........................................	327
Step Sequencer: Velocity Adjustment via
Q-Links ......................................................	328
Pad Perform Mode: User Progressions..........	328
Faster Attack for Amp Envelopes...................	328
Updates in MPC 2.2.......................................	329
New Features .............................................	329
MIDI Control Mode: MIDI Learn .....................	329
Humanize......................................................	330
Generate Random Events .............................	332
Project Template ...........................................	334
Corrections .................................................	335

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing your MPC. At Akai Professional, we know how serious music is to you. That’s why we design our equipment with only one thing in mind—to make your performance the best it can be.

This user guide explains how to create music using MPC X, MPC Live, and MPC Touch. There is similar documentation available for MPC products that use an LCD and for the MPC software application. To view these user guides, click the Help menu in the MPC software, select MPC Help, and select an option.

Welcome to the MPC family.

Akai Professional

System Requirements & Product Support

For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com.

For additional support, visit akaipro.com/support.

About This User Guide

This manual should help you get familiar with using your MPC X, MPC Live, or MPC Touch. For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on the MPC nomenclature. We also used specific formatting to indicate particular topics of significance:

Important/Note/Tip: Important or helpful information on a given topic.

Names of buttons, controls, parameters, settings, and other options are written in bold characters throughout the manual.

Examples: Press the Play Start button.

Turn Q-Link Knob 4.

Tap the Mute button.

The Velocity ranges from 0 to 127.

Set the Sample Play selector to One Shot.

Tap BPM, and then use the numeric keypad to enter 120 as the tempo.

Some parts of this manual refer to other relevant chapters or sections, which are cited in bold, italic blue characters. Click the text to skip immediately to that section.

Examples: Read the Important Notes section before proceeding.

For more information about installing the necessary drivers and software, see Setup > 2. Installation.

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

Important Notes

Read the included safety & warranty manual before using your MPC hardware.

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

To use your MPC hardware in Controller Mode (to control the MPC software):

Before installing the MPC software, make sure your computer meets the system requirements described at akaipro.com. This applies whether you’ll use MPC software as your host software or as a plugin in another digital audio workstation (DAW).

Before connecting your MPC hardware download the latest versions. Refer to the

to your computer, install the drivers and software. Visit akaipro.com to 2. Installation section for more information.

Setup

1. Connection

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

Headphones		Footswitch
(to front-panel headphone output)	(to front-panel FS1 input)		Powered Monitors	Computer

	SD Card
	(to front-panel SD card slot)
		USB
		drive
Microphone	Turntable	Power

Remember to remove the protective film from your MPC hardware touchscreen!

To use your MPC hardware in Standalone Mode, just connect it to a power outlet using the included power adapter, and power it on!

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

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

2. Installation

To use your MPC hardware in Controller Mode (to control the MPC software), follow these steps to download and install the required drivers & software:

1.Go to akaipro.com and register your product. If you don’t have an Akai Professional account yet, you will be prompted to create one.

2.In your Akai Professional account, download the MPC software package.

3.Open the file and double-click the installer application.

4.Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Note: By default, the MPC software will be installed in [your hard drive]\Program Files\Akai Pro\MPC (Windows®) or Applications (macOS®). You can also create a shortcut on your Desktop.

3. Getting Started

1.Power on your MPC hardware.

2.On your computer, open the MPC software.

3.Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize your version of MPC.

4.You will need an iLok account to complete this. You can create an account at ilok.com.

Make a note of the PACE code in your account, and enter it when asked for it during the authorization/unlock process.

5.On your MPC hardware, check the upper-right corner of the touchscreen:

•If there is a monitor/cable icon, then your MPC hardware is already in Controller Mode. Continue to Step 6.

•If there is a chip icon, then your MPC hardware is in Standalone Mode. Follow these steps:

i.Press Menu to enter the Menu.

ii.Tap the MPC chip icon in the upper-right corner.

iii.In the Enter Controller Mode window that appears, tap Controller Mode. Looking for computer may appear briefly on the screen before your MPC hardware recognizes the USB connection as a controller.

6.In the MPC software, click the Edit menu, and select Preferences. Click the Audio tab and select the sound card you want to use. Click OK when you are done.

Important:

We highly recommend using your MPC hardware’s sound card (Akai Pro MPC X/Live/Touch ASIO). If you need to use the internal sound card on a Windows computer, we recommend downloading the latest ASIO4ALL driver at asio4all.com.

To view the MPC software user guide, click the Help menu in the MPC software, select MPC Help, and select

MPC User Manual.

Features

This chapter explains the features and functions of each MPC model with a touchscreen: MPC X, MPC Live, and

MPC Touch.

MPC X

Top Panel

					1								47	48
11									55		55		44	44
11													44	44
13	14	32	33								45		46	45
28	29	30	31								45		46	45
										51 52				49
16 17 18 19 20											50			49
											50
										53 54
			21	23	24	25	26	27	42	6	12		3
									8				3
									8
									43	5			4
										5			4
9					10				22				2
					10				15		7		2
									15		7
									39		41		40
									37	38	36	34 35

Navigation & Data Entry Controls

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

Tip: If you adjust the angle of the touchscreen, use the stand on its back panel to secure it in place.

2.Cursors: Press these buttons to navigate through the fields of menus and options shown on the screen. Press and hold Shift and press these buttons to zoom in or out of the Grid View or Audio Edit Mode. Press and hold Shift and press the up and down cursors simultaneously or the left and right cursors simultaneously to return to the default zoom setting.

3.Data Dial: Use this dial to scroll through the available menu options or adjust the parameter values of the selected field on the screen.

4.–/+: Press these buttons to increase or decrease the value of the selected field on the screen.

5.Numeric Keypad: If the selected field on the screen is a number, press these numbered buttons as you would on a standard numeric keypad to enter a value. Press the keypad’s Enter to enter it. (A numeric keypad with additional operations will appear on the screen, as well.)

6.Undo/Redo: Press this button to undo your last action.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to redo the last action you undid.

7.Shift: Press and hold this button to access some buttons’ secondary functions (indicated by red writing). Double-press this button to see which buttons have secondary functions—the buttons will flash for a few seconds.

8.F-Key: Press this button to activate or deactivate the F-Key feature. When active, the six buttons under the touchscreen correspond to the options shown at the bottom edge of the screen. The F-Key button and those six buttons will be lit red when active. When inactive, the six buttons under the touchscreen will access their normal modes instead (Menu, Browser, Step Seq, Sampler, XYFX, and Looper).

Pad & Q-Link Controls

9.Q-Link Knobs: Turn these touch-sensitive knobs to adjust various parameters and settings. The display strip above each knob indicates the parameter it is controlling. If the display strip shows a meter to indicate its value, you can touch or turn its Q-Link knob to temporarily show its precise numerical value.

10.Pads: Press these pads to trigger drum hits or other samples in your software. The pads are velocity-sensitive and pressure-sensitive, 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.

11.Pad Bank: Press these buttons to access Pad Banks A–D.

Press and hold Shift while pressing these buttons to access Pad Banks E–H. Alternatively, double-press one of these buttons.

12.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 Close to return to the previous screen.

Tip: To quickly copy a pad, press and hold Copy, press the source pad, press the destination pad, and then release Copy.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to delete a pad’s sample assignment. When the Delete Pad window is shown, press any pad/pads whose sample assignments you want to clear. Tap Delete to continue or Cancel to return to the previous screen.

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

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

14.16 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.

15.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.

16.Project: Press this button to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust parameters related to the current project. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to enter the Project Q-Link Edit Mode directly. See Operation > Modes >

Q-Link Edit Mode > Project to learn about this.

17.Program: Press this button to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust parameters of the currently selected program or audio track. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to enter the Program Q-Link Edit Mode directly. See

Operation > Modes > Q-Link Edit Mode > Program to learn about this.

18.Pad Scene: Press this button to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust parameters that you have assigned for the currently selected pad. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to enter the Pad Scene Q-Link Edit Mode directly. See Operation > Modes > Q-Link Edit Mode > Pad Scene to learn about this.

19.Pad Param: Press this button to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust one parameter across all 16 pads. Each Q-Link knob corresponds to the pad with the same number and position in the 4-by-4 layout. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to enter the Pad Param Q-Link Edit Mode directly. See Operation > Modes > Q-Link Edit Mode > Pad Parameter to learn about this.

20.Screen Control/Edit: Press this button to use the Q-Link knobs to adjust parameters in the currently selected mode as shown on the screen. See Operation > Modes > Q-Link Edit Mode > Screen to learn about this.

Press and hold Shift and then press this button to enter Q-Link Edit Mode where you can assign other parameters to the Q-Link knobs.

Mode & View Controls

Note: See Operation > Modes to learn about the different modes you can access with these controls.

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

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

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

23.Browse/Save: Press this button to view the Browser. The Browser lets you navigate your computer’s internal and external hard disks to load samples, sequences, songs, etc. Using filter buttons and user-definable folders, you can easily adapt it to your workflow. You can also preview samples before loading them.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to save the current project (including its samples, programs, sequences, and songs).

24.Step Seq/List Edit: Press this button to view the Step Sequencer where you can create or edit sequences by using the pads as “step buttons,” simulating the experience of a traditional step-sequencer-style drum machine.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to view your sequences using the List Edit View instead of the Grid View.

25.Sampler/Looper: Press this button to view the Sampler where you can record audio samples to use in your projects.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to view the Looper where you can record and overdub audio in real time—a great tool for live performance as well as spontaneous moments in the studio. You can export the loop as a sample to use in your project.

26.XYFX: Press this button to view XYFX Mode, which turns the touchscreen into an XY pad where each axis represents the range of an effect parameter. As you move touch or move your finger on the screen, 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.

27.Pad Perform: Press this button to view Pad Perform Mode where you can assign musical scales/modes, chords, or progressions to the pads for creative performance options.

28.Prog Edit: Press this button to view Program Edit Mode, which contains all parameters for editing your programs.

29.Sample Edit: Press this button to view Sample Edit Mode where you can edit your samples using various functions and processes.

30.Pad Mixer: Press this button to view the Pad Mixer where you can set a program’s levels, stereo panning, routing, and effects.

31.Ch. Mixer: Press this button to view the Channel Mixer where you can set levels, stereo panning, and other settings for your tracks, programs, returns, submixes (in Controller Mode), and masters.

32.Track Mute/Pad Mute: Press this button to view Track Mute Mode where you can easily mute tracks within a sequence or set mute groups for each track.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to view Pad Mute Mode where you can easily mute pads within a program or set mute groups for each pad within a program.

33.Next Seq/Song: Press this button to view Next Sequence Mode where you can trigger different sequences simply by playing the pads. This is useful for live performances, letting you change a song’s structure in real time.

Press and hold Shift and press this button to view Song Mode where you can arrange sequences in a specific order and/or repetition to create songs. You can edit the structure of a song during playback for easy, on-the-fly composing.

Transport & Recording Controls

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

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

36.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.

37.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.

38.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.

39.</> (Event |</>|): Use these buttons to move the audio pointer left or right, one step at a time.

Press and hold Locate and press one of these buttons to move the audio pointer to the previous/next event in the sequence grid.

40.<</>> (Start/End): Use these buttons to move the audio pointer left or right, one bar at a time.

Press and hold Locate and press one of these buttons to move the audio pointer to the start or end of the sequence grid.

41.Locate: Press and hold this button to activate the secondary functions of the </> and <</>> buttons (i.e., Event |</>| and Start/End, respectively).

42.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.

43.Tap/Master: Press this button in time with the desired tempo to enter a new tempo (in BPM). You can set how many taps are required in the Preferences (see Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to do this).

Press and hold Shift and press this button to set whether the currently selected sequence follows its own tempo (the button will be lit red) or a master tempo (the button will be lit amber).

I/O & Level Controls

44.Gain 1/2: Use these knobs to adjust the gain of the incoming signal from Input 1/2 on the rear panel or Inst 1/2 on the front panel. Use the Rear/Front switches below the knobs to determine the input. Use the level meter to check the recording level. Be careful when setting this knob at higher levels, which can cause the signal to distort.

45.Rear/Front: Use each switch to set whether the Gain 1/2 knob above it will control the gain of the input signal on the rear panel (Input 1/2) or on the front panel (Inst 1/2).

46.Phantom Power (+48V): This switch activates and deactivates phantom power for Input 1/2. When activated, +48V of phantom power will be supplied to both inputs. Note that most dynamic microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Refer to your microphone’s documentation to check if it needs phantom power.

47.3/4 Rec Gain: Use this knob to adjust the gain of the incoming signal from Input 3/4 on the rear panel. Use the level meter to check the recording level. Be careful when setting this knob at higher levels, which can cause the signal to distort.

48.Master: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Main L/R outputs.

49.Direct/Main: Turn this knob to adjust the balance between the input and output signals in the headphones.

Direct corresponds to the input signal—all devices connected to the inputs on the front and rear panels. While recording, you can turn this knob all the way to Direct for zero-latency direct monitoring.

Main corresponds to the output signal—the signal sent from the Main L/R outputs on the rear panel. When you are not recording, we recommend turning this knob all the way to the Main position to hear the fullvolume playback signal.

50.Stereo/Mono: Use this switch to set whether the signal in the headphones is binaural (Stereo) or monaural (Mono). When set to Stereo, the headphone signal will be split so that the input signal (Direct) is heard in the left ear while the output signal (Main) is heard in the right ear. When set to Mono, the input and output signals are blended into a single, summed mix, which is heard in both ears.

51.Rec Arm: Press this button to arm or disarm recording for the currently selected audio track, shown in the display strip below the level meters (see Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to set what is shown in the level meters).

52.Read/Write: Press this button to set the automation state for the program on the current track or for the current audio track: Off, Read (green R), or Write (red W). The display strip below the level meters must show a program or audio track (see Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to set what is shown in the level meters).

53.Mute: Press this button to mute the program, audio track, or master output shown in the display strip below the level meters (see Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to set what is shown in the level meters).

54.Solo: Press this button to solo the currently selected program or audio track shown in the display strip below the level meters (see Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to set what is shown in the level meters).

55.Level Meters: These meters indicate the level of the audio signal shown in the display strip below them. See Operation > General Features > Menu > Preferences to learn how to set what is shown in the level meters.

Touchscreen

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

Tap a button or option to select it. Use the data dial or

–/+ buttons to change its setting or value

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 screen to return to the previous view.

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

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

The bottom of the screen 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 on the screen or tap the left arrow () in the upper-left part of the screen.

Front Panel

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

2.Footswitch Inputs (FS 1/2) (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Connect optional 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS footswitches to these inputs.

3.Instrument Inputs (Inst 1/2) (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS cables to connect these inputs to audio sources (guitars, bass, etc.). To use each of these inputs, set the corresponding Rear/Front switch (below the Gain 1/2 knob on the top panel) to Front.

4.Mix Knob: Turn this knob to adjust the balance between the Main and 3/4 signals in your headphones. Main is the signal sent from the Main L/R outputs. 3/4 is the signal sent from the Outputs 3/4.

5.Headphone Outputs (1/8” or 1/4” / 3.5 mm or 6.35 mm): Connect your headphones (not included) to either or both of these standard stereo outputs. Use the Mix Knob to determine what signal is heard in the headphones. Turn the Headphone Volume knob to set the volume level.

6.Headphone Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume of the headphone outputs.

Rear Panel

		9			14					2
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6	7	8	11	10	13	12	5	4	1	3
6	7	8	11	10	13	12

1.Power Input: Use the included power adapter to connect MPC X to a power outlet. This must be connected to a power outlet in order for MPC X to power on.

2.Power Adapter Restraint: Secure the power adapter cable to this restraint to prevent it from accidentally unplugging.

3.Power Switch: Press this button to turn MPC X’s power on or off. While powered on, press and hold this button for 5 seconds to force MPC X to power off (similar to a computer).

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 X 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 if MPC X is in Controller Mode (i.e., your computer can access these storage devices that are connected to your MPC X).

5.USB-A Ports: Connect USB flash drives to these USB ports to access their files directly using MPC X. MPC X 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 macOS.) These USB ports supply power to connected USB devices and can also be used to receive MIDI messages from external USB MIDI devices.

6.Inputs 1/2 (XLR or 1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard XLR or 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these inputs to audio sources (microphone, mixer, synthesizer, etc.). To use each of these inputs, set the corresponding Rear/Front switch (below the Gain 1/2 knob on the top panel) to Rear. Turn the Gain 1/2 knobs to set the input level of each one.

7.Inputs 3/4 (1/4” / 6.35 mm or RCA): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables or stereo RCA cables to connect these inputs to audio sources (mixer, turntable, synthesizer, etc.). To use the 1/4” (6.35 mm) inputs, set the Phono/Line switch to Line. To use the RCA inputs, set the Phono/Line switch to Phono. Turn the 3/4 Rec Gain knob to set their input levels.

8.Phono/Line Switch: Set this switch to the appropriate position, depending on which Input 3/4 connectors you want to use. If you are using the 1/4” (6.35 mm) inputs, set this switch to Line. If you are using the RCA inputs, set this switch to Phono to provide the additional amplification needed for phono-level signals.

9.Grounding Terminal: If you are sending a phono-level turntable signal to the Input 3/4 RCA connectors and are hearing a low hum or buzz, it could mean that the turntable is not grounded. If the turntable has a grounding wire, connect it to this terminal.

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

10.Main L/R Outputs (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your speaker system. The signal sent out of these outputs is the master mix. Turn the Master knob to set their volume. Tip: To route a program to these outputs, set its routing to Out 1,2 in the Channel Mixer when the Mixer field is set to Programs. See Operation > Modes > Channel Mixer to learn more about this.

11.Outputs 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to an external mixer. The signal sent from these outputs is full-volume (0 dB).

Tip: To route a program to these outputs, set its routing to Out 1,2, Out 5,6, or Out 7,8 (respectively) in the Channel Mixer when the Mixer field is set to Programs. See Operation > Modes > Channel Mixer to learn more about this.

12.MIDI In: Use standard 5-pin MIDI cables to connect these inputs to the MIDI outputs of optional external MIDI devices.

13.MIDI Out: Use standard 5-pin MIDI cables to connect these outputs to the MIDI inputs of optional external MIDI devices.

14.CV/Gate Out: Use standard 1/8” (3.5 mm) TS cables to connect these outputs to optional external sequencers. MPC X will send control voltage (CV) and/or Gate data over this connection.