Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By awhitebeats Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:34 am
After I'm done, I usually save to my Fantom and the 4K. I read somewhere online (possibly here), I could save my Fantom samples so they'd load in my 4k. This way, I wouldn't have to load BOTH the Fantom and 4k programs to pull up a beat. I can't remember where I read this!

This would be very helpful! I have quite a few synths and I'd prefer to save it all on the MPC and load it up when I'm ready.
By dustymaestro Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:02 am
I wish, I havent learned sysex on the 4000 yet. I have been just tracking it fast. I need to learn it for this eventide also.
You could probably get some type of translator like chickensys. It might convert those fantom sounds.
By awhitebeats Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:36 am
dustymaestro wrote:I wish, I havent learned sysex on the 4000 yet. I have been just tracking it fast. I need to learn it for this eventide also.
You could probably get some type of translator like chickensys. It might convert those fantom sounds.


I have Translator 6 but I have multiple synths. Virus, Motif, and rack gear. But I read somewhere you can save it to the MPC and never have to load it up from the synths again, only the MPC!
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By AleksKlax Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:24 pm
Yes, you can save Patches/Presets via Sysex to your MPC.

Simply do a Sysex dump from your synths while your MPC is recording. I recommend isolating each Sysex dump to it's own track so that nothing else is on the track but that synth's sysex data. Trust me, this will make life easier.

To load your preset you should typically only have to press play on the MPC (however some synths might have to be put into special settings. I use a Nord Lead 2x and no set up is required.). This is a great feature because you only have to save on the MPC, this saves time and frees up space on your synths for further patches.

A word of caution: definitely test this before heavily relying on this feature. I have encountered strange randomizations occasionally and I would highly suggest that you save any important patches/presets to your synth.

Let us know how it works for you. Synths can be quite varied when it comes to these things.
By rogue scrunt Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:02 pm
SimonInAustralia wrote:
AleksKlax wrote:Yes, you can save Patches/Presets via Sysex to your MPC.

Is that going to save samples to his MPC?



no, just patches
By dustymaestro Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:04 am
AleksKlax wrote:Yes, you can save Patches/Presets via Sysex to your MPC.

Simply do a Sysex dump from your synths while your MPC is recording. I recommend isolating each Sysex dump to it's own track so that nothing else is on the track but that synth's sysex data. Trust me, this will make life easier.

To load your preset you should typically only have to press play on the MPC (however some synths might have to be put into special settings. I use a Nord Lead 2x and no set up is required.). This is a great feature because you only have to save on the MPC, this saves time and frees up space on your synths for further patches.

A word of caution: definitely test this before heavily relying on this feature. I have encountered strange randomizations occasionally and I would highly suggest that you save any important patches/presets to your synth.

Let us know how it works for you. Synths can be quite varied when it comes to these things.


Does tempo, loop mode in the sequencer or the length of the loop matter? You know, I had to adjust the the speed of the signal when using sysex librarian for the dsi tempest. I was told by the developer of the tempest to try slower settings. In this case maybe a slower tempo on the mpc 4ooo.
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By AleksKlax Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:04 pm
Does tempo, loop mode in the sequencer or the length of the loop matter?


Not that I know of. Although MIDI is an old technology it can still send data pretty fast. On SYSEX librarian the speeds settings range only a few seconds, I would think unless you are recording a 1 bar loop at 400+BPM this probably shouldn't be a concern.

However, with the Tempest or any other multitimbral device you have to figure it will be a little more messy. For example the tempest is going to have up to 32 different patches simultaneously sent and saved to the MPC. In this case you may have to not only set a slower speed but also a delay between the separate data dumps (I believe this option is a setting within Sysex librarian).

Like I mentioned, it might be worth the time to record each patch or (drums sound in your case) to its own track. Certainly more time intensive but it might be worth it in the long run.

I actually have the Tempest myself and never really experimented with saving its Sysex to the MPC, I like to save the beats to the Tempest for easier pattern mode edits. Has it been working for you?
By dustymaestro Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:38 am
I wasnt saving to the mpc. I was saving the tempest files to just a backup folder with sysex librarian. It was working for me a while back. I had sold the tempest and got another 4000.

I was asking about the other synth's that I have that deal with sysex. I was just looking for a better work method than I have now.

I have just been storing the patches and keeping notes for every song. I also track the same day. From there ill finish. I only go back to the patch as needed.

How often does the save process fail, when saving sysex to your mpc?