Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By AshVioli Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:07 am
Apologies if this has already been asked, but I'm at a loss...

On the MPC Live (standalone mode) is there any practical way to send MIDI program change messages (to an external device) part way through a sequence? Or can it only be done at the beginning of a new sequence?

Basically I want to hit play on the MPC, and have it automatically switch between different patches on my synth at certain times, or switch different effects units on/off etc; and trying to get my head around the practicalities...

Thanks in advance!
Ash
By dazastah Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:29 pm
I dont think so.. I'm looking for a way to do it.. Tried automation and that didn't work... The only way to do it is by having it at the start of sequences... so limited change that would work in song mode i guess(having sequence changes sending the pgm change)
By AshVioli Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:35 am
Thanks mate, that's what I was afraid of. I would have thought it would be stock standard functionality - pretty sure the old ones could do it...

I've ordered a MIDI Solutions Event Processor (will let me convert notes to pc messages) - not ideal, but should give me the workaround I need for now.
By apeshake Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:10 am
I know this is pretty late and it might not have been possible when you first asked the question but i was trying to do the same thing to sequence a digitone - i needed the program change to be sent slightly before the end of a sequence to get the new digitone pattern started at the beginning of the following sequence

Turns out you can manually insert program changes using the list editor wherever you want in the sequence.

This is working when manually ceueing up sequencesat the moment this seems pretty hit and miss when usinbg song mode which is a bummer... Guess i'll start my own thread for that
User avatar
By DeaDeus Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:30 am
apeshake wrote:I know this is pretty late and it might not have been possible when you first asked the question but i was trying to do the same thing to sequence a digitone - i needed the program change to be sent slightly before the end of a sequence to get the new digitone pattern started at the beginning of the following sequence

- Perfect - this is the only way to avoid MIDI timing issues on an AKAI.
Naturally one would add this to the start of a sequence and I worked for years on a Sampler/Sequencer from a different manufacturer and there was never a timing issue - Rock-Solid!

apeshake wrote: Turns out you can manually insert program changes using the list editor wherever you want in the sequence.

I use the MPCX together with a Korg M3 keyboard - If I enable MIDI transfer of control information on the M3, it will be recorded - similar to the automation, but with editable data in the list editor you mentioned.

apeshake wrote:This is working when manually ceueing up sequencesat the moment this seems pretty hit and miss when usinbg song mode which is a bummer... Guess i'll start my own thread for that