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 rrossetto Sun Jan 25, 2026 4:19 pm
Hi all!

I've recently acquired a MPC One+ and a M-VAVE smk-37 pro along with it. I'm completely new to production whatsoever, so I'm kind of having a hard time understanding this combo. I've seen various videos and guides on MIDI connections, as well as the MPC manual, but still can't figure it out.
Does anyone use this same setup and can give me advice on how to properly connect things? I was able to connect them via usb, but this only allows me to use the M-VAVE to lauch the sounds from the current track selected on MPC, nothing else.

(1) M-VAVE SYNTHS - I also would like to be able to use the M-VAVE' own synths along with the MPC. I've tried using audio tracks and MIDI tracks (and both at once) but it didn't work. Am I doing anything especifically wrong?

(2) MIDI CLOCK - I wasn't able to correctly send MIDI Clock from the MPC to m-vave. ARP and other functions are never correctly timed on the m-vave. Even if I set both equipments' BPM to the same number, overdubbing shows that the BPM is off.

(3) SIMULTANEOUS PLAY - I've seen some videos of people controlling drum tracks on the MPC and simultaneously controlling the synth parameters from their MIDI connection. Any advice on how to do this?

(4) BUTTON MAPPING - I also plan on using this combo for live performing, and mapping the M-VAVE's knobs and sliders to control parameters within the MPC seems like it would be very useful. Anything on this?

(5) OVERDUBBING IS WEIRD - when playing repeated notes on the M-VAVE while overdubbing a track on the MPC, the notes never 'separate' - let's say I play a sequence of 3 notes, like an arpeggiator. When I finish the 3rd note and play the 1st one again, arrangement view shows that the 1st note just extends from the first time I've played it, as if I was holding the key all along. Am I being dumb or is it actually tricky getting the MPC to correctly record the notes being played?

[ADDITIONAL INFO]
My main goal is hypnotic techno production/performance. Any advice on sound design, production tips using the MPC, etc., would be largely appreciated.
My MIDI setup follows what I've seen on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sekUZz ... EpTjuqKmrn

Thank you for your patience :)
By mpc_fan_2022 Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:23 am
but this only allows me to use the M-VAVE to lauch the sounds from the current track selected on MPC, nothing else.


yes, that's how MIDI works, it doesn't transmit audio. To monitor audio from the MPC you need to plug the audio outputs of whatever synthesizer you are using into the audio inputs of the MPC and enable audio input monitoring from the MPC.