Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
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By Summer2000 Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:18 am
with an external MIDI controller? :?: :? :?:
If so, how I do I program the 4K to receive the MIDI messages from the controller?
Thanks...
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By ikke Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:51 pm
no one? :shock:

By pUs Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:58 pm
I don't think you can, but I'm not sure.
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By Summer2000 Tue Nov 16, 2004 5:05 pm
Well as you can see over 30 people looked at this post so far and no one came up with a solution. So it must be one of three things: 1) It’s not possible to do what I’m asking, 2) No one here knows how to do it if it’s possible, or 3) Some might know how to do it but are not willing to share that info.
User avatar

By Blue Haze Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:03 pm
I can`t say that you can control the mixer fader in the mixer page, but you could control a part , cc controller, or pad control by external control you need to check the midi implimentation page in the manual its the back page. Or check out the SysEx messages aka System Exclusive using a Editor/Librarian program that is dump into your computer or controller. It can be done but I`m not experienced or informed enough to teach you. I`m learning myself but I tend to say I don`t know rather the gear can`t do it.

Pick up some great books called "The Dance Music Manual by Rick Snoman," " The Complete Guide to Remixing by Erik Hawkins" or The Midi Bible by ? Paul White maybe.

I haven`t use this function yet if someone more advanced comes along can explain the process great. Never say never one has to educate oneself. This 4k is a monster and the process is deep. Master the process and you can work with any machine.

Anything can be done if you know how?
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By ikke Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:58 pm
Man... ??? You act like reading stupid manuals is essential for making music.
Blue Haze.. Must be an Akai salesman. haha :lol:
No offence my man
User avatar

By Blue Haze Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:39 pm
No offensive but we are using electronic gear????? :idea: How to use the gear is essential to making electronic music right! What does all of those knobs, dots, lights, numbers, do have to make sense right. This isn`t a guitar to pick up and strum the string. This we have a grand midi production center with a full sampler the more you know about the more you can use it. Like I said before you have to educate yourself, nobody can do it for ya. If you don`t want to read good luck to ya, but it can save you alot of questions about the gear if you crack open some books from the pros. I wish I had a pro to watch and learn from but if you are like me you don`t.

Rather than attack me for stating the obvious, check the info see if it works and or forever ask questions from those who educated and taught themselves like a person I won`t name now who didn`t even had a 4k yet, but still knew most of the answers to the questions being asked on the board because he read his manual.


If I remember right you attack that J. White dud with the message read the **** manual a week and half ago right!!!

There is nothing wrong with saying I don`t know how to do such and such than complian it can`t to this or that. Too much of that s*h*i*t*going on the board for a few weeks now.

All I`m doing is pointing to sources of information to feed oneself and then when the next novice enter the forum you can help them better.

When I first came to the board I was like you I glance over the STUPID MANUALS too and I wanted jump straight into making music asking for help along the way from everyone. The guys from kaosproductions gave me in polite words the best piece of advice ever that I heeded READ YOUR MANUAL to use your gear. LEARN BASIC MUSIC THEORY to make decent music. Last but not least PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE to become a producer.


By the way the books I recommended are not manuals but techniques and processes of making electronic music using any gear. Hate on it if you want but I got to go for self. If you are with me or you are not just bang on player I hope you got your beatmaker mastered cuz I don`t so I read about what the hell does System Exclusive, ticks clocks, and 7/8 time signature mean anyway and just what in the sam hill can the **** pad control do and bang on those s*H*I*T*s to learn new S*H*I*T I didn*T know yesterday.


And for all the others out there word of advice if you are a genius at this you can be a outlaw saying ," I don`t need no **** manual."

But like my man Common and Mos Def said on the song call the Questions, "How can you have high expectations with low patience."

:idea: :)

Personally now I **** with the SP1200 manual cuz mofos explain step by step what the akai shit don`t but hey Do you. 8) :D :D

Music Theory for music


Techniques for the way to use the gear.


Manuals for the hidden and basic functions of the gear.


Tips to improve yourself


And patience to learn the S*H*I*T you don`t know. Alot of people have
made masterpieces and classic material on simpler, less advanced and cheaper equipment because they mastered their gear.



8)

By renegadebliss Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:03 pm
Blue Haze wrote:I can`t say that you can control the mixer fader in the mixer page, but you could control a part , cc controller, or pad control by external control you need to check the midi implimentation page in the manual its the back page. Or check out the SysEx messages aka System Exclusive using a Editor/Librarian program that is dump into your computer or controller. It can be done but I`m not experienced or informed enough to teach you. I`m learning myself but I tend to say I don`t know rather the gear can`t do it.

Anything can be done if you know how?


I agree, Blue Haze, that this might be able to be done via Sysex but you'll have to try
a librarian or something like MidiOX to see if that info is actually being sent as Sysex.

**NOTE
I am at work, so this is coming from memory, please excuse any mistakes. Point them out and I'll correct them when I"m on an actual MPC.
**
I'm not sure if you can do what you asked for via Midi CC. But their might be a possible
workaround if you use only 1 Zone with your samples. As you know the "Mixer" represents each "Part" that is in the MPC 4000. Each "Part" is a "Program" that has been assigned in the "Multi". One assigns the Midi Channel of a "Part" or "Program" in the Multi, but one assigns the Midi CC# in the Program. Hoping you are following all of this.

So, to try to make things easier to see what's happening, let's name these.

In my Multi , I have setup 3 parts that use 4 programs.

Part 1 is 808 Drum Program and is assigned to Midi Channel 1

Part 2 is MiniMoog Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 2

Part 3 is Arp Solina Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 3

Now we have Midi Channels set, I then go into each of the Programs and setup
the Program Modulation for it. You can do this, by going to Program and then go
"List" page and move to any of the Lvl/Pan/FX/OUT fields and hit "Window".
This brings up the Program Modulation page.
Under "Source" select Control . Under >>> select "33" . Under Destination
put Zone 1 Level and set the Depth to +100., set "NOTE" to "ALL"

Now if you do this for each of the 3 parts/programs

When you use your Midi controller and set it to Midi Channel 1 and have the knob
transmitt midi cc #33. Then that willl control the level of Zone1 samples of the 808
drums, and if I change it to Midi Channel 2 the it will control the Level of my
MiniMoog samples, and the same if I set to Midi Channel 3 , then it will control the level
of my Arp Solina samples.


***

So as you can see, a possible workaround is available but it is not elegant.


A new RFE needs to be sent to Akai, so this can be handled through Midi CC.
What appears to be needed, (unless someone can show us otherwise) is for
the Program Modulation page, have a "Destination" value added for "Program Level".

I don't think it's possible to have the Midi CC control the Parts mixer directly, as
that is handled in the Multi and the Midi CC stuff is setup in the Program pages.


Hope this helps out, as External Control of the Volumes would be nice... Would really
be nice if you can set it up to work with a Motorized Fader box, but then we're really
jumping ahead of things. Anyone with a DPS 24? I bet they would like this feature,
as they have a "user" mix map that could take good effect with this :)
User avatar

By Blue Haze Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:58 pm
renegadebliss wrote:
Blue Haze wrote:I can`t say that you can control the mixer fader in the mixer page, but you could control a part , cc controller, or pad control by external control you need to check the midi implimentation page in the manual its the back page. Or check out the SysEx messages aka System Exclusive using a Editor/Librarian program that is dump into your computer or controller. It can be done but I`m not experienced or informed enough to teach you. I`m learning myself but I tend to say I don`t know rather the gear can`t do it.

Anything can be done if you know how?


I agree, Blue Haze, that this might be able to be done via Sysex but you'll have to try
a librarian or something like MidiOX to see if that info is actually being sent as Sysex.

**NOTE
I am at work, so this is coming from memory, please excuse any mistakes. Point them out and I'll correct them when I"m on an actual MPC.
**
I'm not sure if you can do what you asked for via Midi CC. But their might be a possible
workaround if you use only 1 Zone with your samples. As you know the "Mixer" represents each "Part" that is in the MPC 4000. Each "Part" is a "Program" that has been assigned in the "Multi". One assigns the Midi Channel of a "Part" or "Program" in the Multi, but one assigns the Midi CC# in the Program. Hoping you are following all of this.

So, to try to make things easier to see what's happening, let's name these.

In my Multi , I have setup 3 parts that use 4 programs.

Part 1 is 808 Drum Program and is assigned to Midi Channel 1

Part 2 is MiniMoog Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 2

Part 3 is Arp Solina Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 3

Now we have Midi Channels set, I then go into each of the Programs and setup
the Program Modulation for it. You can do this, by going to Program and then go
"List" page and move to any of the Lvl/Pan/FX/OUT fields and hit "Window".
This brings up the Program Modulation page.
Under "Source" select Control . Under >>> select "33" . Under Destination
put Zone 1 Level and set the Depth to +100., set "NOTE" to "ALL"

Now if you do this for each of the 3 parts/programs

When you use your Midi controller and set it to Midi Channel 1 and have the knob
transmitt midi cc #33. Then that willl control the level of Zone1 samples of the 808
drums, and if I change it to Midi Channel 2 the it will control the Level of my
MiniMoog samples, and the same if I set to Midi Channel 3 , then it will control the level
of my Arp Solina samples.


***

So as you can see, a possible workaround is available but it is not elegant.


A new RFE needs to be sent to Akai, so this can be handled through Midi CC.
What appears to be needed, (unless someone can show us otherwise) is for
the Program Modulation page, have a "Destination" value added for "Program Level".

I don't think it's possible to have the Midi CC control the Parts mixer directly, as
that is handled in the Multi and the Midi CC stuff is setup in the Program pages.


Hope this helps out, as External Control of the Volumes would be nice... Would really
be nice if you can set it up to work with a Motorized Fader box, but then we're really
jumping ahead of things. Anyone with a DPS 24? I bet they would like this feature,
as they have a "user" mix map that could take good effect with this :)


Good looking Renegadebliss I was also referring to the qlink page where you can control external cc messages using receive page and also in program modulation you can set the sources of external cc pitch bend, controller, mod wheel and etc assigned to pitch, amplitude, pan about any destination you want. Also in the pad control you can assign external cc control to modulation these functions. I got a breakthrough by dipping into a ASR-10 can you believe it and everything became a hella of alot clearer. I talked to Mr Nakamura to revise the 4k manual with all the updates and explainations like the ASR-10 :D

By deaf-mute Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:12 pm
i did a little pre programming and have come up with the quickest way to get that shit done.... I set up a basik Autoload that works in conjunction with my main controller keyboard which is an emu pk6.... it has 16 nobs on the front called midi A to Midi P... controller A is Midi CC 21, Controller B is Midi CC 22 and so on... The parameters I use the most are filter cut off, resonance, filter env attack, lfo speed, lfo amp env etc...

so what I did was make a preset where I have these main things I use all the time and set up the midi modulation matrix to reproduce the controlls I like for example setiong up cc21 as source and destination is the cutoff... Midi cc 21 controls filter cutoff on knob A of the emu, midi cc 22 controls resonance on knob b of the emu etc. Did the same for my emu sampler which also uses the term midi A, B, C etc. This way, I work in a consistent manner with all my sounds and the keyborad is always set up to work in conjunction with all my gear... filter freq on my emu sampler is also always controlled by midi A, CC21... makes life a lot easier...

hope this helps...
User avatar

By Blue Haze Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:47 pm
renegadebliss wrote:
Blue Haze wrote:I can`t say that you can control the mixer fader in the mixer page, but you could control a part , cc controller, or pad control by external control you need to check the midi implimentation page in the manual its the back page. Or check out the SysEx messages aka System Exclusive using a Editor/Librarian program that is dump into your computer or controller. It can be done but I`m not experienced or informed enough to teach you. I`m learning myself but I tend to say I don`t know rather the gear can`t do it.

Anything can be done if you know how?


I agree, Blue Haze, that this might be able to be done via Sysex but you'll have to try
a librarian or something like MidiOX to see if that info is actually being sent as Sysex.

**NOTE
I am at work, so this is coming from memory, please excuse any mistakes. Point them out and I'll correct them when I"m on an actual MPC.
**
I'm not sure if you can do what you asked for via Midi CC. But their might be a possible
workaround if you use only 1 Zone with your samples. As you know the "Mixer" represents each "Part" that is in the MPC 4000. Each "Part" is a "Program" that has been assigned in the "Multi". One assigns the Midi Channel of a "Part" or "Program" in the Multi, but one assigns the Midi CC# in the Program. Hoping you are following all of this.

So, to try to make things easier to see what's happening, let's name these.

In my Multi , I have setup 3 parts that use 4 programs.

Part 1 is 808 Drum Program and is assigned to Midi Channel 1

Part 2 is MiniMoog Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 2

Part 3 is Arp Solina Keygroup program and is assigned to Midi Channel 3

Now we have Midi Channels set, I then go into each of the Programs and setup
the Program Modulation for it. You can do this, by going to Program and then go
"List" page and move to any of the Lvl/Pan/FX/OUT fields and hit "Window".
This brings up the Program Modulation page.
Under "Source" select Control . Under >>> select "33" . Under Destination
put Zone 1 Level and set the Depth to +100., set "NOTE" to "ALL"

Now if you do this for each of the 3 parts/programs

When you use your Midi controller and set it to Midi Channel 1 and have the knob
transmitt midi cc #33. Then that willl control the level of Zone1 samples of the 808
drums, and if I change it to Midi Channel 2 the it will control the Level of my
MiniMoog samples, and the same if I set to Midi Channel 3 , then it will control the level
of my Arp Solina samples.


***

So as you can see, a possible workaround is available but it is not elegant.


A new RFE needs to be sent to Akai, so this can be handled through Midi CC.
What appears to be needed, (unless someone can show us otherwise) is for
the Program Modulation page, have a "Destination" value added for "Program Level".

I don't think it's possible to have the Midi CC control the Parts mixer directly, as
that is handled in the Multi and the Midi CC stuff is setup in the Program pages.


Hope this helps out, as External Control of the Volumes would be nice... Would really
be nice if you can set it up to work with a Motorized Fader box, but then we're really
jumping ahead of things. Anyone with a DPS 24? I bet they would like this feature,
as they have a "user" mix map that could take good effect with this :)


Good looking Renegadebliss I was also referring to the qlink page where you can control external cc messages using receive page and also in program modulation you can set the sources of external cc pitch bend, controller, mod wheel and etc assigned to pitch, amplitude, pan about any destination you want. Also in the pad control you can assign external cc control to modulation these functions. I got a breakthrough by dipping into a ASR-10 can you believe it and everything became a hella of alot clearer. I talked to Mr Nakamura to revise the 4k manual with all the updates and explainations like the ASR-10 :D