TABLE OF CONTENTS


Accessing MPC's Sampler Screen


  1. Power on your MPC Device, and Click "Empty Project" on the bottom left of the initial startup screen.
  2. Click the "Menu" Button on your MPC
  3. This will pull up a list of all of MPC's main functions, at this time select "Sampler" 


Please Note: that the menu screen's appearance will vary dependent on the Firmware version your unit has installed.


 

Audio Input in the MPC Sampler Window


Important: To record any audio, you need to connect an audio source to your MPC hardware or to your computer’s audio interface. 


  1. First, please make sure to reduce the volume levels of your audio source and speakers, headphones, and/or monitors before you make any connections to avoid “pops” or feedback.

  2. Connect an interface or computer or any other line-level audio source to the input/inputs of your MPC hardware.

  3. Turn the 3/4 Rec Gain (MPC X) or Rec Vol (MPC Live, MPC Live II, MPC One, MPC Touch) knob to set the input level while playing your audio source. You should now see the level in the meter. Make sure it does not exceed the maximum level (the meter should not be “peaking” constantly).

  4. Set the recording controls as desired. (Choose Sample, Slice, Pad Hold, or Pad Tap)
  5. Tap the Arm button to record-arm the Sampler.


The upper-left Input Source field defines whether you are going to record an external audio signal, which you can set to a pair of inputs (Input 1,2–3,4 in Standalone Mode, Input 1,2–31,32 in Controller Mode) or a single input (Input 1–4 in Standalone Mode, Input 1–32 in Controller Mode) as shown in the picture below. 

You can also select an internal signal from within your MPC hardware (Resample L, Resample R, or Resample L+R). Resampling does not require an audio connection because the source is internal and is therefore recorded without any loss in audio quality. You can, for example, use Resample to record two or more samples by pressing the corresponding pads simultaneously. 


Ensuring A Healthy Input Signal

An essential part of ensuring your sample is being recorded correctly recorded, starts with ensuring a healthy input signal. 

for this portion of the guide, please refer to the backside of your MPC, more specifically the inputs on the back of the unit. 


(In this example we will be using the MPC Live II)


Depending on the recording source, users will want to either connect to the L/R phono inputs or use the L/R 1/4-inch inputs to connect to a sample source. 


Phono - typically refers to a non "line-level" signal and in most cases will be connected to a record player or other analog equipment.

 

Line - typically refers to a balanced signal and is most commonly used when sampling from an audio interface or mixer. 


Please note in some cases, record players will have a line level preamp already installed in which you should use caution while connecting to a preexisting line level input such as the one on the MPC units.  


Gain Staging

Gain staging, or gain structuring, is the act of setting the gain for each amplification stage (gain stage) in a sound system to achieve a target system volume that minimizes noise and distortion. 

Please allow for a healthy input signal in order to achieve the best results when recording into MPC's sampler. 


Review the input source meter, make sure there is no red levels or peaks being sent to the sampler as this will only cause audio distortion or unwanted artifacts in your overall recording.

 


Monitoring Sampler's Incoming Audio

  1. Tap the Monitor button to enable or disable input monitoring.

    When set to In, the audio you hear in your headphones will be taken before it reaches the Sampler, ensuring zero latency. When off, the audio you hear in your headphones will be taken after it is processed in the Sampler, so there may be some latency, but you will hear the audio source as it sounds in the recording.




Sampling 

To start recording, do one of the following: 

  • Start pad performing so the incoming audio level exceeds the level of the threshold slider.
    (Depending on which mode you have selected, this will start the recording).
  • There are 4 Recording Modes: 
  • Tap Record under the Sample Length counter.

  • To insert a slice marker in a sample while recording, tap Slice+ (in the lower-right corner) as the sample records. Each time you tap it, a slice marker will be placed at that location. To stop recording, tap Stop under the Sample Length counter. 


If you are using "Slice" Mode in Sampler, users will be able to lay chops down in Realtime as the sample is being monitored.


Accessing The Recorded MIDI


After you have recorded a MIDI arrangement from your drum program or sample program, head over to this box on the left-hand side of "Main Mode" to access the MIDI arrangement you have just recorded. 

This is where you will be able to edit any of the recorded MIDI information as well as manipulate it to your liking. 


For a more extensive list of tutorials, head over to www.akaipro.com or to find out more about your controller, head over to our Youtube page at AkaiProVideo - YouTube