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 hobsun Sat Oct 12, 2019 7:35 am
Hi, I am new and considering the MPC X to add to my DP-32, and I was wondering what are the "X" model differences [if any] as the new models cost the same however some have the "PAD PERFORM" as the "LOOPER" button or the "LOOPER" button replacing the pad perform button. I am confused and I cannot find the differences anywhere.

When I find the PDF manual for the model with the "LOOPER" button, inside the manual it still shows that a "PAD PERFORM" button should be there! :hmmm:

I will keep searching for a new PDF, but if anyone knows the differences I would love it!

Thanks,
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By Monotremata Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:52 am
Dont ever go by the manual. Theres been a few buttons and functions that have been changed since it was released. I know my Studio Black has a couple labeled that aren't that function anymore (cant remember off the top of my head which ones). They dont ever go back and re-edit it, they just tack on a 'Whats new in this version' addendum at the end. They still use the original text for the actual manual itself.

My BeatStep Pro is the same way, theres been a bunch of stuff including key commands added after it was released, but the hardware itself still has the same printing on it as when it was released. I ended up buying an overlay off Ebay for it that has all of the new hotkeys printed on it so I know what's what now without having to go grab the latest manual every time I use it.
By Fre$hBreath Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:00 am
kaydigi wrote:Looks like a revision

https://media.sweetwater.com/api/i/q-82__ha-d12faa705b561d88__hmac-382d52385793ac98e8136d031962c8dce1066223/images/items/750/MPCX-large.jpg

This was a launch unit



My version has Pad Perform. Now I wonder if that's why I don't have any major complaints about my MPC X and look at everyone else who does complain like they're crazy...
By Cockdiesel Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:13 am
I’m pretty sure everything running the mpc software has pad perform. You should try it on the force, I imagine they will rework it some because of the way it’s laid out on the force. It could be similar to the visual feedback given on the force, but confined to 16 pads.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about it. It can break down the pads in crazy ways and give visual ques to selectable parameters. Like root notes, octaves, etc. it can be laid out like a guitar and then the pads set to a key. Might be the sleeper with the newer Akai stuff tbh.

Ot I know but I really think the key step and beatstep are great pieces of equipment. Well worth the money for them.
Keystep+live combo is simply amazing. Take them any where and have a solid little setup, one usb cord

It’s weird because all the young beat makers are into just running fruity loops on a laptop, but I would have been all over the live+keystep combo if it was available. Heck I would have been chilled in the record stores just sampling stuff.
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By quietizkept Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:18 pm
On the units with "Looper" instead of "Pad Perform," how would you access Pad Perform? On my Studio Black (and my old silver one, too) the button to access Pad Perform says PAD ASSIGN. I have no idea what PAD ASSIGN actually is. If it's in the manual, my brain did not store it. I'll never use the Looper.
By kaydigi Mon Oct 14, 2019 2:51 pm
quietizkept wrote:On the units with "Looper" instead of "Pad Perform," how would you access Pad Perform? On my Studio Black (and my old silver one, too) the button to access Pad Perform says PAD ASSIGN. I have no idea what PAD ASSIGN actually is. If it's in the manual, my brain did not store it. I'll never use the Looper.


Pad assign was pad color changing and something else, I can’t remember.
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By Monotremata Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:57 pm
Prog Mix is now called Pad Mix too. Kinda throws you off going back and forth with the Studio and the manual heh.
Pad Assign was one of the ones I couldn't remember last night heh. I dont think Ive ever touched it though, think I used shift to Pad Copy once.

Then theres things like the Step Edit button. Doesn't have any red 'shift' text under it, but now it opens the List Editor when you hold both. The BeatStep Pro is the same way, has a bunch of cool new key commands added since it was released, but since they never revved the case design, you always forget that stuff is there unless youre looking through the manual.