Pad Assign - how do I save it?

Thanks folks, I got those ones from Forat and checked thru them... no joy

You know, in a way I feel sorry for the Akai folks working on this. I know it wasn't a very big company, and also I think they really screwed themselves into the ground making the Z4 / Z8 and MPC 4000, I mean, it was a sh1tload of work, just look at the ref manual for the 4000 - 266 pages! The documentation is a bit of a mess though, seems they approached it from a technicians POV rather than a users, so a lot of the way it is written is coming from the wrong direction. To me, this machine isn't that hard (apart from pad assign!), and could probably be boilled down to a 10 page guide and a 100 page ref manual. Insted I current have 16 different PDf's on my computer about how to operate the machine, and none of them are telling me what I need to know. Heck, an online wiki would have been better!

ANYWAY - don't suppose someone fancies posting up 1.60 PDF? Or just tellin me how to organize my pad banks so I don't go screwy loosing the settings i make. Thanks!

feline1 wrote:there's quite a few at www.forat.com

I can't find the PDF of 1.60 though.
Which may indeed be the one with the answer.

I suggest you phone up Akai and tell them they're a bunch of cunts.

They threw it on the OS page..:
http://www.akaipro.com/supportos.php#MFC1000


It's here:
http://www.akaipro.com/software/OS/MPC4000/mpvc160.zip

That just has the .bin file for the OS, not the PDF of the User Guide addendum....

In my paper files, I can't locate a definate OS 1.60 PDF -
I have a txt file printout of "changes up to 1.51s" (ie a beta tester release), I also have a Addendum printout which doesn't even list which version it is - i've written "1.70 ?") on it myself in pen, but probably it was 1.60.

JESUS AKAI SORT THIS MESS OUT YOU BASTARDS,
HOW MANY MORE YEARS ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT BEFORE RE-ISSUEING
THE MANUAL WITH ALL THIS BALLEX ROLLED UP INTO IT?!?

akai surely has the entire documentation of the 4k - they just don't post that crap up coz they don't want to scare potential buysers!

anyways - @ nik: - back to the original question. i think you got to re assign those kits - but then i dont know how the s1000 deals with its programs vs. the 4k ... so just my opinion.

pad assign: i just checked a few of the manuals i got here (i think i got all that came out) - but couldn't find anythin documented on pad assign ... maybe its documented in one of the early ones or a sysex guide or the ref. manual - dunno ... if you want all the manuals i can send them to you - pm me an e-mail if you want them (actually if someone had some webspace i d rather send it there coz maybe some other newer user may be interested in haveing the entire os drama too)

@ feline - as far as i remember a 1.60 pdf never came out from akai themselves (i got a pdf from akai germany that has 1.60 - it s in german though - and its called "mpc4k_os_history.pdf" - containing os 1.71, 1.70 and 1.60) - not sure but i think you can still download that from akai germany - akai themselves just gave out a few so called 1.60 text files under the names "m4k151s.txt", "changes_since_1.51.txt", "changes_since 1.51w.txt" ... at least thats some of the "1.60" pdf's that i got here ... and since i think that little of the newer users will have them i ll post those txt files up here in the next posts ... not the pdf's though - there are too many ... but as i said - i could send them to someone with some webspace ...

hth

yo - i got 5-6 docs for the so called "1.60" pdfs where some contain more or less the same info ... and some possibly exactly the same - anyways - i can't be bothered to sort them out right now - so i ll post the name of the file in the thread title and copy the text there ... i ll also don't check the chronological order ... at least it gives the newer users a bit of an idea of the mess we been goin through back then ...

Changes since V1.51. (as of V1.51v - 30.6.04)

Important note: Multi program, which is created or saved by V1.51s or higher, cannot be loaded in previous versions. (Because of FX parameters changes)

* Audition-From-Disk function. This is now available on F4 in the Load page.
- direct audition WAV files from FAT32/FAT16 HD
- direct audition WAV files from ISO CDs
- direct audition AKAI samples from S1000/S3000 disks
- audition samples from foreign disks (Roland/EMU): sample is loaded in RAM for auditionning
Note: It is possible that incorrect sound appears from slow speed device like USB ZIP, USB Flash, etc, especially when auditioning 96KHz stereo sample.

* Change FX Gain Structure
- improvements to FX send level
- FX return level range increased by 12dB
- display FX Return Level in dB in FX / MIX
(for compatibility, Multi created with previous OS will default to -12dB)

* Improvements to the GOTO function (now behaves as MPC3000)
- pressing GOTO twice locates to the previous locate point
- cursor retains previous position

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample
- Program selected in PROGRAM mode:
From MAIN, Program assigned to the Part of the current Track (if Out is set to PART)
From MULTI or PART MIXER, Program assigned to current the Part
- Sample selected in SAMPLE mode:
From PROGRAM, Sample assigned to the current KeyGroup
From PAD Mixer, Sample assigned to the current Pad

* Improvements to COPY TO function in SEQ EDIT
- Copy&Paste Data window now retains Copy Range and Pad/Notes selection

* Improvements to Sequencer Sync to MIDI clock.
The sequencer is now no longer quantised to when MIDI clock arrives.

* Improvements to SLICE SAMPLE and Beat Calculation in Sample mode
- sequence can only be generated to an unused track (prevents overwriting existing sequence)
- new sequence tempo uses sample's BPM setting
- new sequence is looped automatically to the length of sliced sample

* Limit Sequence file renaming to 16 chars in disk UTILITY

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

* Option to Spin-Down Hard Drive in LOAD page

* Change to PLAY START key in Sequence Loop mode:
- PLAY START always plays from the start of the Sequence
- SHIFT+PLAY START plays from the start of the loop

* Improved timing at the sequence change when "Reset Q-LINK on sequence change" is ON

* Improve LFO "desync" (LFO SYNC OFF)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

Added Direct access from MISC to:
- Sequence Transpose window

Also added,
* Direct access to the Timing Correct window by holding down the Timing
Correct key a couple seconds.

* Shift + Audition to pre-load instead of stream when auditioning.
(allows to audition Stereo 24bit/96kHz samples from slower drives)

Corrected:
* Sample audition from disk now works when using ASCII USB keyboard (F4
in LOAD page)


* Audition-from-disk limitations:

- Some samples can't be streamed (i.e., "loaded" as virtual samples).
- When auditioning, if the sample can't be loaded as a virtual sample,
- it's loaded as a temporary memory sample.
- So any samples (including short ones) should audition correctly by
- being pre-loaded into memory automatically.
- (which could take a long time in some cases).
-
- The limitations that prevent a sample from streaming are as follows:
-
- (1) The loop must be longer than 512 samples.
- (2) The loop must not be within the first 60kB of a voice. So for a
- 16-bit
- stereo or mono sample the loop must be beyond 32768 samples.
- (3) The loop must not be alternating.
- (4) The total sample data must be at least 200kB (regardless of whether
- stereo or 16/24-bit).
- (5) And, of course, the disk format must support streaming.
- (FAT32/FAT16, ISO9660 CD, S1000/S3000)

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

- When loading samples with file names longer than 20 characters, the
- MPC4000 now retains the first 16 characters of the file name and add a
- unique hexadecimal number at the end of the sample name, therefore,
- files with similar names except for the last characters will load as
- different samples.
- Example: "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..39" and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..0c".
-
- When loading a folder that contains samples with names longer than 20
- characters, the "items were renamed" message is displayed at the end
- of the loading process.

- Previous OS simply truncated the name to the first 20 chars. In the
- expample above, "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" was loaded as "Ork
- Fingercymbals 00", and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" was trying to load
- as "Ork Fingercymbals 00" too, therefore resulting in a "Duplicate
- Item found (202)" error message.

- With long names, "Load program with samples" won't work because the
- MPC4000 doesn't know what samples to load (they have been renamed).
-
- However, if all files are loaded (load folder for example) then it
- should work OK. Then if the program is resaved, it can later be loaded
- with its samples and it should work (since the samples will then have
- new names on disk).
-
- As a reminder, Programs using samples with names longer than 20-char
- do not comply with the specification for creating AKAI Programs. A
- CD-ROM designated as "AKAI format" should not contain any samples with
- file names longer than 20 characters.

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample

- For instance, in previous versions, when switching from Multi to
- Program mode, the MPC4000 would automatically select the program that
- was selected in the Multi mode. However, when switching from the Main
- screen to Program mode, the program that was selected in the Part for
- the active track in the Main screen was NOT selected for editing. This
- is now improved.

* Implement "root" sample name in RECORD mode (after naming a recorded sample, the same name root is used with an increment for subsequent samples). For instance, if first sample is named "Piano 1", subsequent samples will be auto-named "Piano 2", "Piano 3", etc..

* Improvement of limiting FX parameters on Qlink pages when changing FX Type after
Qlink has been assigned to FX parameter.

* Improvement to < STEP > and |< EVENT >| keys event monitor in STEP/SEQ EDIT

* Implement < STEP > and << BAR >> and GOTO keys event monitor in TR_LIST pages

* WINDOW key allows to close any open pop-up window

* In SEQ EDIT, MOVE mode defaults to MERGE instead of REPLACE

Fixes:
* Sample Trim points restored incorrectly when Loop is not set (One Shot) and trim points are inside loop. Fixed
Please note that due to a limitation in the standard WAV file format, Loop points are only stored if the sample mode is set to LOOP. This is not a bug.
* Aftertouch was ignored for 16-levels tuning when it should only be ignored for 16-levels velocity. Fixed
* NOTE OFF or TOGGLE play trigger was waiting until end of Release to start sample. Fixed
* REPLACE Paste acted as MERGE if Clipboard/Library copied using ALL Pads in SEQ EDIT of a DRUM track. Fixed
* "Keep or Retry" window didn't appear after QFX completed. Fixed
* Problems with some SCSI CD-ROMs and not correctly recognising files on a ISO-9660 CD-ROM. Fixed
* Metronome count in at wrong rate when synced to MIDI clock. Fixed
* Sequence change problem when entering Overdub without pausing.Fixed
* "Stop" key does not work when empty sequence started by foot switch. Fixed
* Record margin display not working for Mono recordings. Fixed
* Possible synchronization drift in long sequences as MTC Slave. Fixed.
* Display glitch when changing tracks with cursor on Device Name. Fixed.
* MPC4000 can crash when playing back or recording pan pad automation. Fixed

* No warning if new sample name already exists in memory. Fixed

* Trim start/end points lost when copying a Looped sample. Fixed

* Display glitch when applying Timing Correct in STEP EDIT. Fixed

* Sound does not appear after deleting Multi or Program in Program or Multi list page.
Fixed

* Sequence save is now prohibited during sequence playback
* (this could create invalid midi files)

* Write Memory to CD is now prohibited during sequence playback, and all functions
are disabled during Writing to CD.

Changes since V1.51. (as of V1.51v - 30.6.04)

Important note: Multi program, which is created or saved by V1.51s or higher, cannot be loaded in previous versions. (Because of FX parameters changes)

* Audition-From-Disk function. This is now available on F4 in the Load page.
- direct audition WAV files from FAT32/FAT16 HD
- direct audition WAV files from ISO CDs
- direct audition AKAI samples from S1000/S3000 disks
- audition samples from foreign disks (Roland/EMU): sample is loaded in RAM for auditionning
Note: It is possible that incorrect sound appears from slow speed device like USB ZIP, USB Flash, etc, especially when auditioning 96KHz stereo sample.

* Change FX Gain Structure
- improvements to FX send level
- FX return level range increased by 12dB
- display FX Return Level in dB in FX / MIX
(for compatibility, Multi created with previous OS will default to -12dB)

* Improvements to the GOTO function (now behaves as MPC3000)
- pressing GOTO twice locates to the previous locate point
- cursor retains previous position

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample
- Program selected in PROGRAM mode:
From MAIN, Program assigned to the Part of the current Track (if Out is set to PART)
From MULTI or PART MIXER, Program assigned to current the Part
- Sample selected in SAMPLE mode:
From PROGRAM, Sample assigned to the current KeyGroup
From PAD Mixer, Sample assigned to the current Pad

* Improvements to COPY TO function in SEQ EDIT
- Copy&Paste Data window now retains Copy Range and Pad/Notes selection

* Improvements to Sequencer Sync to MIDI clock.
The sequencer is now no longer quantised to when MIDI clock arrives.

* Improvements to SLICE SAMPLE and Beat Calculation in Sample mode
- sequence can only be generated to an unused track (prevents overwriting existing sequence)
- new sequence tempo uses sample's BPM setting
- new sequence is looped automatically to the length of sliced sample

* Limit Sequence file renaming to 16 chars in disk UTILITY

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

* Option to Spin-Down Hard Drive in LOAD page

* Change to PLAY START key in Sequence Loop mode:
- PLAY START always plays from the start of the Sequence
- SHIFT+PLAY START plays from the start of the loop

* Improved timing at the sequence change when "Reset Q-LINK on sequence change" is ON

* Improve LFO "desync" (LFO SYNC OFF)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

Added Direct access from MISC to:
- Sequence Transpose window

Also added,
* Direct access to the Timing Correct window by holding down the Timing
Correct key a couple seconds.

* Shift + Audition to pre-load instead of stream when auditioning.
(allows to audition Stereo 24bit/96kHz samples from slower drives)

Corrected:
* Sample audition from disk now works when using ASCII USB keyboard (F4
in LOAD page)


* Audition-from-disk limitations:

- Some samples can't be streamed (i.e., "loaded" as virtual samples).
- When auditioning, if the sample can't be loaded as a virtual sample,
- it's loaded as a temporary memory sample.
- So any samples (including short ones) should audition correctly by
- being pre-loaded into memory automatically.
- (which could take a long time in some cases).
-
- The limitations that prevent a sample from streaming are as follows:
-
- (1) The loop must be longer than 512 samples.
- (2) The loop must not be within the first 60kB of a voice. So for a
- 16-bit
- stereo or mono sample the loop must be beyond 32768 samples.
- (3) The loop must not be alternating.
- (4) The total sample data must be at least 200kB (regardless of whether
- stereo or 16/24-bit).
- (5) And, of course, the disk format must support streaming.
- (FAT32/FAT16, ISO9660 CD, S1000/S3000)

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

- When loading samples with file names longer than 20 characters, the
- MPC4000 now retains the first 16 characters of the file name and add a
- unique hexadecimal number at the end of the sample name, therefore,
- files with similar names except for the last characters will load as
- different samples.
- Example: "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..39" and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..0c".
-
- When loading a folder that contains samples with names longer than 20
- characters, the "items were renamed" message is displayed at the end
- of the loading process.

- Previous OS simply truncated the name to the first 20 chars. In the
- expample above, "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" was loaded as "Ork
- Fingercymbals 00", and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" was trying to load
- as "Ork Fingercymbals 00" too, therefore resulting in a "Duplicate
- Item found (202)" error message.

- With long names, "Load program with samples" won't work because the
- MPC4000 doesn't know what samples to load (they have been renamed).
-
- However, if all files are loaded (load folder for example) then it
- should work OK. Then if the program is resaved, it can later be loaded
- with its samples and it should work (since the samples will then have
- new names on disk).
-
- As a reminder, Programs using samples with names longer than 20-char
- do not comply with the specification for creating AKAI Programs. A
- CD-ROM designated as "AKAI format" should not contain any samples with
- file names longer than 20 characters.

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample

- For instance, in previous versions, when switching from Multi to
- Program mode, the MPC4000 would automatically select the program that
- was selected in the Multi mode. However, when switching from the Main
- screen to Program mode, the program that was selected in the Part for
- the active track in the Main screen was NOT selected for editing. This
- is now improved.


Fixes:
* Sample Trim points restored incorrectly when Loop is not set (One Shot) and trim points are inside loop. Fixed
Please note that due to a limitation in the standard WAV file format, Loop points are only stored if the sample mode is set to LOOP. This is not a bug.
* Aftertouch was ignored for 16-levels tuning when it should only be ignored for 16-levels velocity. Fixed
* NOTE OFF or TOGGLE play trigger was waiting until end of Release to start sample. Fixed
* REPLACE Paste acted as MERGE if Clipboard/Library copied using ALL Pads in SEQ EDIT of a DRUM track. Fixed
* "Keep or Retry" window didn't appear after QFX completed. Fixed
* Problems with some SCSI CD-ROMs and not correctly recognising files on a ISO-9660 CD-ROM. Fixed
* Metronome count in at wrong rate when synced to MIDI clock. Fixed
* Sequence change problem when entering Overdub without pausing.Fixed
* "Stop" key does not work when empty sequence started by foot switch. Fixed
* Record margin display not working for Mono recordings. Fixed
* Possible synchronization drift in long sequences as MTC Slave. Fixed.
* Display glitch when changing tracks with cursor on Device Name. Fixed.
* MPC4000 can crash when playing back or recording pan pad automation. Fixed

Changes since V1.51w are:
* Implement "root" sample name in RECORD mode (after naming a recorded sample, the same name root is used with an increment for subsequent samples). For instance, if first sample is named "Piano 1", subsequent samples will be auto-named "Piano 2", "Piano 3", etc..

* Slice Sample End Margin defaults to 20ms

* Saving of format 0 SMF files improved.

* Improvement of limiting FX parameters on Qlink pages when changing FX Type after Qlink has been assigned to FX parameter.

* Improvement to < STEP > and |< EVENT >| keys event monitor in STEP/SEQ EDIT

* Implement < STEP > and << BAR >> and GOTO keys event monitor in TR_LIST pages

* Direct TC Window access is now prohibited if another window is already open

* WINDOW key allows to close any open pop-up window

* In SEQ EDIT, MOVE mode defaults to MERGE instead of REPLACE


Fixes:
* Using PASTE with Mode:REPLACE and Events:ALL deletes selected data on all tracks. Fixed

* Swing max value in SEQ and STEP EDIT is 74% instead of 75%. Fixed

* No warning if new sample name already exists in memory. Fixed

* Trim start/end points lost when copying a Looped sample. Fixed

* Display glitch when applying Timing Correct in STEP EDIT. Fixed

* Sound does not appear after deleting Multi or Program in Program or Multi list page. Fixed


Also, the following changes in V1.51w (from V1.51v) were not listed in the changes list:
* Sequence save is now prohibited during sequence playback (this could create invalid midi files)

* Write Memory to CD is now prohibited during sequence playback, and all functions are disabled during Writing to CD.

Changes since V1.51. (as of V1.51v - 30.6.04)

Important note: Multi program, which is created or saved by V1.51s or higher, cannot be loaded in previous versions. (Because of FX parameters changes)

* Audition-From-Disk function. This is now available on F4 in the Load page.
- direct audition WAV files from FAT32/FAT16 HD
- direct audition WAV files from ISO CDs
- direct audition AKAI samples from S1000/S3000 disks
- audition samples from foreign disks (Roland/EMU): sample is loaded in RAM for auditionning
Note: It is possible that incorrect sound appears from slow speed device like USB ZIP, USB Flash, etc, especially when auditioning 96KHz stereo sample.

* Change FX Gain Structure
- improvements to FX send level
- FX return level range increased by 12dB
- display FX Return Level in dB in FX / MIX
(for compatibility, Multi created with previous OS will default to -12dB)

* Improvements to the GOTO function (now behaves as MPC3000)
- pressing GOTO twice locates to the previous locate point
- cursor retains previous position

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample
- Program selected in PROGRAM mode:
From MAIN, Program assigned to the Part of the current Track (if Out is set to PART)
From MULTI or PART MIXER, Program assigned to current the Part
- Sample selected in SAMPLE mode:
From PROGRAM, Sample assigned to the current KeyGroup
From PAD Mixer, Sample assigned to the current Pad

* Improvements to COPY TO function in SEQ EDIT
- Copy&Paste Data window now retains Copy Range and Pad/Notes selection

* Improvements to Sequencer Sync to MIDI clock.
The sequencer is now no longer quantised to when MIDI clock arrives.

* Improvements to SLICE SAMPLE and Beat Calculation in Sample mode
- sequence can only be generated to an unused track (prevents overwriting existing sequence)
- new sequence tempo uses sample's BPM setting
- new sequence is looped automatically to the length of sliced sample

* Limit Sequence file renaming to 16 chars in disk UTILITY

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

* Option to Spin-Down Hard Drive in LOAD page

* Change to PLAY START key in Sequence Loop mode:
- PLAY START always plays from the start of the Sequence
- SHIFT+PLAY START plays from the start of the loop

* Improved timing at the sequence change when "Reset Q-LINK on sequence change" is ON

* Improve LFO "desync" (LFO SYNC OFF)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF softkey)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF softkey)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF softkey)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master softkeys)

Added Direct access from MISC to:
- Sequence Transpose window

Also added,
* Direct access to the Timing Correct window by holding down the Timing
Correct key a couple seconds.

* Shift + Audition to pre-load instead of stream when auditioning.
(allows to audition Stereo 24bit/96kHz samples from slower drives)

Corrected:
* Sample audition from disk now works when using ASCII USB keyboard (F4
in LOAD page)


* Audition-from-disk limitations:

- Some samples can't be streamed (i.e., "loaded" as virtual samples).
- When auditioning, if the sample can't be loaded as a virtual sample,
- it's loaded as a temporary memory sample.
- So any samples (including short ones) should audition correctly by
- being pre-loaded into memory automatically.
- (which could take a long time in some cases).
-
- The limitations that prevent a sample from streaming are as follows:
-
- (1) The loop must be longer than 512 samples.
- (2) The loop must not be within the first 60kB of a voice. So for a
- 16-bit
- stereo or mono sample the loop must be beyond 32768 samples.
- (3) The loop must not be alternating.
- (4) The total sample data must be at least 200kB (regardless of whether
- stereo or 16/24-bit).
- (5) And, of course, the disk format must support streaming.
- (FAT32/FAT16, ISO9660 CD, S1000/S3000)

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

- When loading samples with file names longer than 20 characters, the
- MPC4000 now retains the first 16 characters of the file name and add a
- unique hexadecimal number at the end of the sample name, therefore,
- files with similar names except for the last characters will load as
- different samples.
- Example: "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..39" and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" will load as "Ork
- Fingercymbal..0c".
-
- When loading a folder that contains samples with names longer than 20
- characters, the "items were renamed" message is displayed at the end
- of the loading process.

- Previous OS simply truncated the name to the first 20 chars. In the
- expample above, "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" was loaded as "Ork
- Fingercymbals 00", and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" was trying to load
- as "Ork Fingercymbals 00" too, therefore resulting in a "Duplicate
- Item found (202)" error message.

- With long names, "Load program with samples" won't work because the
- MPC4000 doesn't know what samples to load (they have been renamed).
-
- However, if all files are loaded (load folder for example) then it
- should work OK. Then if the program is resaved, it can later be loaded
- with its samples and it should work (since the samples will then have
- new names on disk).
-
- As a reminder, Programs using samples with names longer than 20-char
- do not comply with the specification for creating AKAI Programs. A
- CD-ROM designated as "AKAI format" should not contain any samples with
- file names longer than 20 characters.

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample

- For instance, in previous versions, when switching from Multi to
- Program mode, the MPC4000 would automatically select the program that
- was selected in the Multi mode. However, when switching from the Main
- screen to Program mode, the program that was selected in the Part for
- the active track in the Main screen was NOT selected for editing. This
- is now improved.


Fixes:
* Sample Trim points restored incorrectly when Loop is not set (One Shot) and trim points are inside loop. Fixed
Please note that due to a limitation in the standard WAV file format, Loop points are only stored if the sample mode is set to LOOP. This is not a bug.
* Aftertouch was ignored for 16-levels tuning when it should only be ignored for 16-levels velocity. Fixed
* NOTE OFF or TOGGLE play trigger was waiting until end of Release to start sample. Fixed
* REPLACE Paste acted as MERGE if Clipboard/Library copied using ALL Pads in SEQ EDIT of a DRUM track. Fixed
* "Keep or Retry" window didn't appear after QFX completed. Fixed
* Problems with some SCSI CD-ROMs and not correctly recognising files on a ISO-9660 CD-ROM. Fixed
* Metronome count in at wrong rate when synced to MIDI clock. Fixed
* Sequence change problem when entering Overdub without pausing.Fixed
* "Stop" key does not work when empty sequence started by foot switch. Fixed
* Record margin display not working for Mono recordings. Fixed
* Possible synchronization drift in long sequences as MTC Slave. Fixed.
* Display glitch when changing tracks with cursor on Device Name. Fixed.
* MPC4000 can crash when playing back or recording pan pad automation. Fixed

The changes since V1.51w are:
* Implement "root" sample name in RECORD mode (after naming a recorded sample, the same name root is used with an increment for following samples)
For instance, if first sample is named "Piano 1", following samples will be named "Piano 2", "Piano 3", ...
* Slice Sample End Margin defaults to 20ms
* Saving of format 0 SMF files improved.
* Improvement of limiting FX parameters on Qlink pages when changing FX Type after Qlink has been assigned to FX parameter.
* Improvement to < STEP > and |< EVENT >| keys event monitor in STEP/SEQ EDIT
* Implement < STEP > and << BAR >> and GOTO keys event monitor in TR_LIST pages
* Direct TC Window access is now prohibited if another window is already open
* WINDOW key allows to close any open pop-up window
* In SEQ EDIT, MOVE mode defaults to MERGE instead of REPLACE

Fixes:
* Using PASTE with Mode:REPLACE and Events:ALL deletes selected data on all tracks. Fixed
* Swing max value in SEQ and STEP EDIT is 74% instead of 75%. Fixed
* No warning if new sample name already exists in memory. Fixed
* Trim start/end points lost when copying a Looped sample. Fixed
* Display glitch when applying Timing Correct in STEP EDIT. Fixed
* Sound does not appear after deleting Multi or Program in Program or Multi list page. Fixed

If you are using the previous Beta (V1.51w), please update to V1.52c.

Sean

Changes since V1.51. (as of V1.51v - 30.6.04)

Important note: Multi program, which is created or saved by V1.51s or higher, cannot be loaded in previous versions. (Because of FX parameters changes)

* Audition-From-Disk function. This is now available on F4 in the Load page.
- direct audition WAV files from FAT32/FAT16 HD
- direct audition WAV files from ISO CDs
- direct audition AKAI samples from S1000/S3000 disks
- audition samples from foreign disks (Roland/EMU): sample is loaded in RAM for auditioning
Note: It is possible that incorrect sound appears from slow speed device like USB ZIP, USB Flash, etc, especially when auditioning 96KHz stereo sample.

* Change FX Gain Structure
- improvements to FX send level
- FX return level range increased by 12dB
- display FX Return Level in dB in FX / MIX
(for compatibility, Multi created with previous OS will default to -12dB)

* Improvements to the GOTO function (now behaves as MPC3000)
- pressing GOTO twice locates to the previous locate point
- cursor retains previous position

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample
- Program selected in PROGRAM mode:
From MAIN, Program assigned to the Part of the current Track (if Out is set to
PART)
From MULTI or PART MIXER, Program assigned to current the Part
- Sample selected in SAMPLE mode:
From PROGRAM, Sample assigned to the current KeyGroup
From PAD Mixer, Sample assigned to the current Pad

* Improvements to COPY TO function in SEQ EDIT
- Copy & Paste Data window now retains Copy Range and Pad/Notes selection

* Improvements to Sequencer Sync to MIDI clock.
The sequencer is now no longer quantized to when MIDI clock arrives.

* Improvements to SLICE SAMPLE and Beat Calculation in Sample mode
- sequence can only be generated to an unused track (prevents overwriting existing
sequence)
- new sequence tempo uses sample's BPM setting
- new sequence is looped automatically to the length of sliced sample

* Limit Sequence file renaming to 16 chars in disk UTILITY

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

* Option to Spin-Down Hard Drive in LOAD page

* Change to PLAY START key in Sequence Loop mode:
- PLAY START always plays from the start of the Sequence
- SHIFT+PLAY START plays from the start of the loop

* Improved timing at the sequence change when "Reset Q-LINK on sequence change" is ON

* Improve LFO "desync" (LFO SYNC OFF)

* Added Direct access from MISC. mode to
- Sync window (with added Sync ON/OFF soft key)
- Auto-Punch window (with added Auto-Punch ON/OFF soft key)
- Metronome window (with added Metronome ON/OFF soft key)
- Tempo window (with added Tempo Changes ON/OFF and Seq/Master soft keys)
- Sequence Transpose window

Also added,
* Direct access to the Timing Correct window by holding down the Timing
Correct key a couple seconds.

* Audition-From-Disk function. This is now available on F4 in the Load page

* Shift + Audition to pre-load instead of stream when auditioning.
(allows to audition Stereo 24bit/96kHz samples from slower drives)

Corrected:
* Sample audition from disk now works when using ASCII USB keyboard (F4
in LOAD page)


* Audition-from-disk limitations:

- Some samples can't be streamed (i.e., "loaded" as virtual samples).
When auditioning, if the sample can't be loaded as a virtual sample,
it's loaded as a temporary memory sample. So any samples (including short ones)
should audition correctly by being pre-loaded into memory automatically (which
could take a long time in some cases).
-
- The limitations that prevent a sample from streaming are as follows:
-
- (1) The loop must be longer than 512 samples.
- (2) The loop must not be within the first 60kB of a voice. So for a
- 16-bit
- stereo or mono sample the loop must be beyond 32768 samples.
- (3) The loop must not be alternating.
- (4) The total sample data must be at least 200kB (regardless of whether
- stereo or 16/24-bit).
- (5) And, of course, the disk format must support streaming.
- (FAT32/FAT16, ISO9660 CD, S1000/S3000)

* Improvements to loading items with names longer than 20 chars.

When loading samples with file names longer than 20 characters, the
MPC4000 now retains the first 16 characters of the file name and add a
unique hexadecimal number at the end of the sample name, therefore,
files with similar names except for the last characters will load as
different samples.
Example: "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" will load as "Ork
Fingercymbal..39" and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" will load as "Ork
Fingercymbal..0c".

When loading a folder that contains samples with names longer than 20
characters, the "items were renamed" message is displayed at the end
of the loading process.

Previous OS simply truncated the name to the first 20 chars. In the
example above, "Ork Fingercymbals 001.wav" was loaded as "Ork
Fingercymbals 00", and "Ork Fingercymbals 002.wav" was trying to load
as "Ork Fingercymbals 00" too, therefore resulting in a "Duplicate
Item found (202)" error message.

With long names, "Load program with samples" won't work because the
MPC4000 doesn't know what samples to load (they have been renamed).

However, if all files are loaded (load folder for example) then it
should work OK. Then if the program is resaved, it can later be loaded
with its samples and it should work (since the samples will then have
new names on disk).

As a reminder, Programs using samples with names longer than 20-char
do not comply with the specification for creating AKAI Programs. A
CD-ROM designated as "AKAI format" should not contain any samples with
file names longer than 20 characters.

* Improvements to auto-selection of current Program and current Sample

For instance, in previous versions, when switching from Multi to
Program mode, the MPC4000 would automatically select the program that
was selected in the Multi mode. However, when switching from the Main
screen to Program mode, the program that was selected in the Part for
the active track in the Main screen was NOT selected for editing. This
is now improved.

* Implement "root" sample name in RECORD mode (after naming a recorded sample, the
same name root is used with an increment for subsequent samples). For instance, if first sample is named "Piano 1", subsequent samples will be auto-named "Piano 2", "Piano 3", etc..

* Improvement of limiting FX parameters on Q-link pages when changing FX Type after
-link has been assigned to FX parameter.

* Improvement to < STEP > and |< EVENT >| keys event monitor in STEP/SEQ EDIT

* Implement < STEP > and << BAR >> and GOTO keys event monitor in TR_LIST pages

* WINDOW key allows to close any open pop-up window

* In SEQ EDIT, MOVE mode defaults to MERGE instead of REPLACE

Fixes:
* Sample Trim points restored incorrectly when Loop is not set (One Shot) and trim points are inside loop. Fixed
Please note that due to a limitation in the standard WAV file format, Loop points are only stored if the sample mode is set to LOOP. This is not a bug.
* Aftertouch was ignored for 16-levels tuning when it should only be ignored for 16-levels velocity. Fixed
* NOTE OFF or TOGGLE play trigger was waiting until end of Release to start sample. Fixed
* REPLACE Paste acted as MERGE if Clipboard/Library copied using ALL Pads in SEQ EDIT of a DRUM track. Fixed
* "Keep or Retry" window didn't appear after QFX completed. Fixed
* Problems with some SCSI CD-ROMs and not correctly recognizing files on a ISO-9660 CD-ROM. Fixed
* Metronome count in at wrong rate when synced to MIDI clock. Fixed
* Sequence change problem when entering Overdub without pausing, Fixed
* "Stop" key does not work when empty sequence started by foot switch. Fixed
* Record margin display not working for Mono recordings. Fixed
* Possible synchronization drift in long sequences as MTC Slave. Fixed.
* Display glitch when changing tracks with cursor on Device Name. Fixed.
* MPC4000 can crash when playing back or recording pan pad automation. Fixed

* No warning if new sample name already exists in memory. Fixed

* Trim start/end points lost when copying a Looped sample. Fixed

* Display glitch when applying Timing Correct in STEP EDIT. Fixed

* Sound does not appear after deleting Multi or Program in Program or Multi list page.
Fixed

* Sequence save is now prohibited during sequence playback
* (this could create invalid midi files)

* Write Memory to CD is now prohibited during sequence playback, and all functions
are disabled during Writing to CD.

Finally the official pdf from akai germany - its honestly the best one - but unfortunately only for those who understand german ...
this one came out long time afterwards - it also contained 1.71 and 1.70 - i only copy the partt for 1.60 in the next post ...

MPC4000 Softwareversion 1.60
Änderungen von V1.51.
Wichtiger Hinweis: Ein Multi Program, welches mit Softwareversion V1.51 oder höher erstellt
wurde, kann nicht in Geräten mit älterer Betriebssoftware verwendet werden, da sich die FX
Parameters geändert haben.
• Audition-From-Disk Funktion kann über F4 der „LOAD“ Seite aufgerufen werden.
- Vorhören von WAV Files von FAT32/FAT16 HD
- Vorhören von WAV Files von ISO CDs
- Vorhören von AKAI Samples von S1000/S3000 Disks
- Vorhören von Fremdformaten (Roland/EMU): Sample muss ins RAM geladen werden
Beachten Sie: Bei langsamen Speichermedien (USB ZIP oder USB Flash) und besonders bei
der Verwendung von 96kHz Stereo Samples kann es möglich sein, dass ein falscher Sound
ausgegeben wird.
• Änderung der FX Gain Structure
- Verbesserungen für FX Send Level
- FX Return Pegelbereich um 12dB erhöht
- Anzeige der FX Return Level in dB in FX / MIX (aus Kompatibilitätsgründen werden
mit vorherigen Versionen erstellte Multi werksseitig auf -12dB gestellt)
• Verbesserungen der GOTO Funktion (verhält sich nun wie bei MPC3000)
- zweimaliges Drücken von GOTO wählt den vorherigen Locate Punkt aus
- Cursor behält vorherige Funktion
• Verbesserungen zur automatischen Auswahl aktueller Programs und Samples
- ausgewähltes Program im PROGRAM Mode:
Von MAIN, Program-Zuweisung zum Part des aktuellen Tracks (wenn Out auf PART
steht)
Von MULTI oder PART MIXER, Program-Zuweisung zum aktuell angewählten Part
- gewähltes Sample im SAMPLE Mode:
Von PROGRAM, Sample-Zuweisung zur aktuell angewählten KeyGroup
From PAD Mixer, Sample-Zuweisung zum aktuell angewählten Pad
• Verbesserungen für COPY TO Funktion im SEQ EDIT
- Copy&Paste Data Fenster behält nun Copy Range und Pad/Notes Auswahl
• Verbesserungen für Sequencer Sync zu MIDI Clock.
Der Sequencer quantisiert sich nicht mehr, wenn MIDI Clock Signale eingehen.
• Verbesserungen für SLICE SAMPLE und Beat Calculation im Sample Mode
- Sequence kann nur dann erstellt werden, wenn der Track nicht verwendet wird (vermeidet
das Überschreiben existierender Sequenzen)
- Tempo einer neuen Sequence orientiert sich an den BPM Einstellungen des Samples
- Neue Sequence wird automatisch auf die Länge des gesliceten Samples geloopt
• Limitierung der Umbenennung von Sequence Dateien auf 16 Charakter im Disk
UTILITY Menü
• Verbesserungen beim Laden von Dateien mit Namen, die mehr als 20 Zeichen
besitzen.
• Option zum Spin-Down der Festplatte in der LOAD Seite
• Veränderungen für PLAY START Taste im Sequence Loop Mode:
- PLAY START spielt immer vom Startpunkt der Sequence
- SHIFT+PLAY START spielt vom Startpunkt des Loops
• Verbessertes Timing bei Sequence-Wechseln bei aktiviertem "Reset Q-LINK on
sequence change"
• Verbesserter LFO "desync" (LFO SYNC OFF)
• Zusätzlicher Direktzugriff aus dem MISC. Mode zu
- Sync Fenster (mit zusätzlichem Sync ON/OFF Softkey)
- Auto-Punch Fenster (mit zusätzlichem Auto-Punch ON/OFF Softkey)
- Metronome Fenster (mit zusätzlichem Metronome ON/OFF Softkey)
- Tempo Fenster (mit zusätzlichem Tempo Changes ON/OFF und Seq/Master Softkeys)
- Sequence Transpose Fenster
Außerdem wurden hinzugefügt:
• Direktzugriff auf das Timing Correct Fenster
• Audition-From-Disk Funktion. Zugänglich über F4 der Load Seite
• Shift + Audition zum Vorladen beim Vorhören, anstatt zu Streamen.
(ermöglicht Vorhören von Stereo 24-Bit/96kHz Samples von langsameren Speichermedien)
Korrigiert:
• Das Vorhören von Samples von Disk funktioniert nun auch bei angeschlossenem
ASCII USB Keyboard (F4 der LOAD Seite)
􀀁 Copyright 2004-2005 Alesis

Ok, thanks for the help, but I still can't see anything about how to save pad assign setups anywhere.

Can someone please just tell me? Surely someone knows? Or is everyone just using the assignments that came with this box?

There *is* a list in one of those PDFs somewhere,
which explains which things are saved as part of Flash ERPOM,
which are stored in SRAM,
which are saved as part of the Multi,
etc etc.

You need to find that! It does exist, honest!

Without rummaging for it, my best guess is that the pad assignments are either saved as part of a program or part of a multi.