Exchange tips and tricks for the Akai MPC4000
By shimmyshimmy Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:20 am
Hello. I'm a former MPC 1000 user and after I've changed to MPC 4000 things started to be a little complicated. I know a lot of users will say I really need to go read manual first and I'm nearly done with User Guide still not started with Reference Manual. Many featureas from MPC1K are familiar with 4K but it differs A LOT too. So I've decided to start working on it, so I could know what is the practical usage of all this manual crap.
These are the issues that are most important for me to be resolved fast and which I couldn't find answers for:

1. How can I play samples before loading them? I was simply loading 20 folders of drum kits but that was a lot of sounds. So when it comes to pick them or reach fast in program mode I found it is very impractical comparing it to MPC1000 when I load only sounds I like at the same time deacreasing samples quantity in memory. Memory is the least important factor as we have a lot of it...

2. In region mode I sliced sample to 6 regions, but when I was editing it I've noticed I need only 5 regions. So my second question is how to connect 2 regions before using SLICE SAMPLE (in 1K this function is called COMBINE REGION and you can connect them in TRIM mode)? Slicing it again with Number of Regions would result in reseting my start and end points. I've tried it like this: I've sliced it to six regions using SLICE SAMPLE option and then I've tried to connect 2 of them using JOIN SAMPLE function, which gave horrible result and later I've used MERGE function which was a lot better. Is there other options how to do this or these are the only ones?

3. I'm trying to really figure out what MULTI is and still don't get it. I make one MULTI, have 128 PARTs in it and it looks to me that it is enough, assuming one PART is one PROGRAM. It seems to be many, but then you can have 128 MULTIs. So theoreticaly you could have 128x128 PROGRAMs right? Another thing that makes me wonder: what is the reason to have several MULTIs?

4. I was messing around with my new equipment and I was wondering if samples could be used in KEY GROUP PROGRAMS. Because when I did I've noticed that every different pad deacreases/increases tune of a sample which can be quiet useful. Am I doing correct? And sry as I'm totally not familiar with synthezisers etc.
4a. I hit the PROGRAM mode button then KG MIX. First time when I turned on my 4K under Note field I had notes and now I have numbers. Why is that so?
4b. I would like to make my pads play in PROGRAM mode in order like when you use PAD ASSIGN mode and select Global pad assing: CHROMATIC (pads: 1[32], 2[33], 3[34]. 4[35] etc.). DEFAULT (pads: 1[37], 2[36], 3[42], 4[82] etc.).

Ok done for today folks. That would be all what could make my work smoother on my old new 4K. MPC 1000 was a lot easier to start with and MPC-Tutor e-book helped me a lot and answered nearly all of my questions. Akai manual is more confused and 4K is more advanced. Help me fast so I could put this knowledge in "MPC Newbie Bible" thread :mrgreen: .
Last edited by shimmyshimmy on Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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By Blue Haze Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:07 am
shimmyshimmy wrote:Hello. I'm a former MPC 1000 user and after I've changed to MPC 4000 things started to be a little complicated. I know a lot of users will say I really need to go read manual first and I'm nearly done with User Guide still not started with Reference Manual. Many featureas from MPC1K are familiar with 4K but it differs A LOT too. So I've decided to start working on it, so I could know what is the practical usage of all this manual ****.
These are the issues that are most important for me to be resolved fast and which I couldn't find answers for:

1. How can I play samples before loading them? I was simply loading 20 folders of drum kits but that was a lot of sounds. So when it comes to pick them or reach fast in program mode I found it is very impractical comparing it to MPC1000 when I load only sounds I like at the same time deacreasing samples quantity in memory. Memory is the least important factor as we have a lot of it...

2. In region mode I sliced sample to 6 regions, but when I was editing it I've noticed I need only 5 regions. So my second question is how to connect 2 regions before using SLICE SAMPLE (in 1K this function is called COMBINE REGION and you can connect them in TRIM mode)? Slicing it again with Number of Regions would result in reseting my start and end points. I've tried it like this: I've sliced it to six regions using SLICE SAMPLE option and then I've tried to connect 2 of them using JOIN SAMPLE function, which gave horrible result and later I've used MERGE function which was a lot better. Is there other options how to do this or these are the only ones?

3. I'm trying to really figure out what MULTI is and still don't get it. I make one MULTI, have 128 PARTs in it and it looks to me that it is enough, assuming one PART is one PROGRAM. It seems to be many, but then you can have 128 MULTIs. So theoreticaly you could have 128x128 PROGRAMs right? Another thing that makes me wonder: what is the reason to have several MULTIs?

4. I was messing around with my new equipment and I was wondering if samples could be used in KEY GROUP PROGRAMS. Because when I did I've noticed that every different pad deacreases/increases tune of a sample which can be quiet useful. Am I doing correct? And sry as I'm totally not familiar with synthezisers etc.
4a. I hit the PROGRAM mode button then KG MIX. First time when I turned on my 4K under Note field I had notes and now I have numbers. Why is that so?
4b. I would like to make my pads play in PROGRAM mode in order like when you use PAD ASSIGN mode and select Global pad assing: CHROMATIC (pads: 1[32], 2[33], 3[34]. 4[35] etc.). DEFAULT (pads: 1[37], 2[36], 3[42], 4[82] etc.).

Ok done for today folks. That would be all what could make my work smoother on my old new 4K. MPC 1000 was a lot easier to start with and MPC-Tutor e-book helped me a lot and answered nearly all of my questions. Akai manual is more confused and 4K is more advenced. Help me fast so I could put this knowledge in "MPC Newbie Bible" thread :mrgreen: .



1. Alot of your questions 1&2 can be answered here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11725


2. Question 3 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=90552&hilit=+Multis

3. Follow these threads to get up to speed about the usage of keygroups


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=106826


viewtopic.php?f=24&t=89298&start=150


Once you understand more the manuals start to make sense.


Good luck and welcome to the forum.
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By dabmeister Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:58 pm
These are the perils of moving from a phrase sampler to a full fledge sampler.
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By dabmeister Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:19 pm
Use the audition feature (F4 under the Load Page). That's if you got os 1.71.
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By dabmeister Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:31 pm
shimmyshimmy wrote:Ok. Just give me simple answer for 1st question if it's so hard. I'll try to handle the rest. :/


dabmeister wrote:Use the audition feature (F4 under the Load Page).


Not trying to be funny, seriously. But was that simple enough?
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By dabmeister Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:32 pm
shimmyshimmy wrote:I don't know why but I've tried this button many times but it seems that I was doing something in a bad way. This was so **** simple that I feel ashamed, anyway dabmaister you made my day, thanks a lot. :shock:


LOL, no problem slim. :lol:
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By Blue Haze Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:47 pm
shimmyshimmy wrote:Well I've red whole thread ''4K Newbie Bible for new MPC 4000 users!!!'' and couldn't find answers for question 1&2. Maybe I'm just stupid :lol:
Anyway thanks for this keygroup thread which I was looking at and after 2nd time I can say I get it :).



Combine can be join samples back to back or merge if you want to blend them。


Region slice is set number of regions, go to slice program and edit button.