By ttessarolo
Sat Aug 08, 2026 9:25 pm
Hi everyone,
I made a small Mac app that automatically remaps the drum part inside complete General MIDI files for use with modern standalone MPCs.
A MIDI file can contain the entire song — drums, bass, keyboards and other instruments. Under General MIDI, its percussion part normally uses channel 10 and the standard GM drum-note layout.
An MPC Drum Program may use a completely different pad-note layout. This can cause kicks to trigger snares, hi-hats to trigger toms, cymbals to disappear, and so on.
MPC MIDI Converter automatically changes only the drum-part note numbers so that they match the selected MPC Drum Program.
All other musical parts, timing, velocity, controllers and song structure remain unchanged.
How to use it
The original MIDI file is never modified. The app creates a new complete MIDI file beside it with “-mpc” added to the filename.
Download MPC MIDI Converter:
Download the latest Mac version
Screenshots, instructions and additional information:
MPC MIDI Converter project page
Requirements
No Xcode, Terminal or compilation is required.
The first included profile is for the BFD Pop Kit 113 Drum Program. Its pad-note layout was measured from a real MPC 3 standalone XPM export.
Profiles for other MPC kits
The app can also create a reusable conversion profile from a Drum Program exported by the MPC as an XPM:
XPM analysis is read-only. The app never modifies or automatically uploads your XPM, samples or MIDI files.
This public build is not yet notarized by Apple. If macOS blocks its first launch, try opening the app once, then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and select Open Anyway.
I would really appreciate feedback from MPC X, One, Live and Key users, especially with different MPC 3 versions and Drum Programs.
The goal is also to build a shared collection of tested kit profiles for future releases.
This is a free, independent community project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Akai Professional.
I made a small Mac app that automatically remaps the drum part inside complete General MIDI files for use with modern standalone MPCs.
A MIDI file can contain the entire song — drums, bass, keyboards and other instruments. Under General MIDI, its percussion part normally uses channel 10 and the standard GM drum-note layout.
An MPC Drum Program may use a completely different pad-note layout. This can cause kicks to trigger snares, hi-hats to trigger toms, cymbals to disappear, and so on.
MPC MIDI Converter automatically changes only the drum-part note numbers so that they match the selected MPC Drum Program.
All other musical parts, timing, velocity, controllers and song structure remain unchanged.
How to use it
- Download and unzip the app.
- Open MPC MIDI Converter.
- Drag one or more .mid or .midi files into the window.
- Choose the destination MPC kit profile.
- Click Convert.
- Import the new Song-mpc.mid file into your MPC.
- Select the Drum Program indicated by the chosen profile.
The original MIDI file is never modified. The app creates a new complete MIDI file beside it with “-mpc” added to the filename.
Download MPC MIDI Converter:
Download the latest Mac version
Screenshots, instructions and additional information:
MPC MIDI Converter project page
Requirements
- macOS 13 or later
- Apple Silicon Mac
- A modern standalone MPC such as MPC X, One, Live or Key
No Xcode, Terminal or compilation is required.
The first included profile is for the BFD Pop Kit 113 Drum Program. Its pad-note layout was measured from a real MPC 3 standalone XPM export.
Profiles for other MPC kits
The app can also create a reusable conversion profile from a Drum Program exported by the MPC as an XPM:
- Save the Drum Program as an XPM on your MPC.
- Choose “Create from XPM…” in the app.
- Review the suggested GM drum mappings.
- Install the profile and use it for future MIDI conversions.
XPM analysis is read-only. The app never modifies or automatically uploads your XPM, samples or MIDI files.
This public build is not yet notarized by Apple. If macOS blocks its first launch, try opening the app once, then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and select Open Anyway.
I would really appreciate feedback from MPC X, One, Live and Key users, especially with different MPC 3 versions and Drum Programs.
The goal is also to build a shared collection of tested kit profiles for future releases.
This is a free, independent community project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Akai Professional.