OPERATOR'S MANUAL ENGLISH ( 1 - 28 ) WWW.AKAIPRO.
KEY FEATURES • 16 pressure and velocity-sensitive MPC pads with four banks each • MPC technologies include Note Repeat, Swing, 16 Level, Full Level, and Tap Tempo • 12 assignable Q-Link knobs and faders • Dedicated transport controls transmit MMC, MIDI Clock or MIDI CC messages to DAW and sequencing applications • MIDI output over USB and traditional MIDI I/O for controlling software and hardware • Backlit, easy-to-read screen • USB bus powered, class compliant: plug and play with one USB cable
TOP PANEL OVERVIEW 1 11 4 5 6 14 15 7 13 2 3 8 10 12 16 18 17 9 1. LCD – The display is used for navigating menus, displaying data, and affecting change on MPD26’s options and parameters. 2. [VALUE] (Push to Enter) – This dial is used to increment and decrement Presets, parameter values and settings. This dial also functions as an [ENTER] button when it is pressed down. 3. [<] AND [>] – These buttons are used for navigate through fields of menus and options.
9. TRANSPORT CONTROL BUTTONS – These five buttons are dedicated buttons for sending transport control commands. The transport control buttons can be set to transmit either MMC (MIDI Machine Control), MMC/MIDI Clock, MIDI START/STOP or pre-assigned MIDI CC values. 10. 6 ASSIGNABLE KNOBS – Each 360-degree knob can be used to send continuous control data to a desktop audio workstation or external MIDI device. 11.
DISPLAYING INFORMATION As you are working with the MPD26, the LCD will help you keep track of what values are being sent to external devices. There are several kinds of information that the MPD26 will display while in use: NOTE, AFTERTOUCH (Channel Pressure), CONTROL CHANGE, MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC), and PREVIEW MODE information. NOTE MIDI PORT AND CHANNEL When a PAD is hit, the MPD26 will output MIDI Note On messages to trigger sounds on your DAW or external device.
MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC) MMC COMMAND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC) is commonly used to send transport control messages to hardware record or playback machines. For example, pressing [PLAY] on the MPD26 sends an MMCPLAY message to a connected multi-track recorder, which begins playing. When you press [STOP] on the MPD26, the deck also stops. PREVIEWING When the [PREVIEW] button is held down, and a fader or knob is moved, the LCD displays the screen on the right.
ABOUT MODES The MPD26 has four different modes of operation. Each mode can be accessed by pressing the corresponding button on the MPD26. Following is a short description of each mode: Preset Mode This mode allows you to load, save and copy Presets. A Preset is a collection of information about how different faders, knobs, and pads will behave. Using Presets allows you to save different configurations so you can quickly load them when you need them, without having to reprogram the MPD26 every time.
PRESET MODE PRESET NAME PRESET NUMBER What is a Preset? A Preset is a collection of information about how the MPD26’s faders, knobs and pads will behave. Using Presets allows you to save different configurations so you can quickly load them when you need them, without having to reprogram the MPD26 every time. The MPD26 features different Preset banks which you can load and write to. When you turn on the MPD26, it will automatically go into Preset Mode and Preset 1 will be displayed on the screen.
EDIT MODE Pressing [EDIT] calls up Edit Mode. In this mode, you can edit the settings of the currently selected Preset. The settings vary depending on the controller you are editing and are described on the following page. Please note that the changes you make will only apply to the currently selected Preset. Also note that if you wish to save the changes made in Edit Mode, you will need to save the current preset. NAVIGATING EDIT MODE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press [EDIT] to enter Edit Mode.
EDITING PADS The pads on the MPD26 can be set to transmit Note or Program Change information when they are hit. The default operation of the pads is set to Note, which means that the pad will generate Note On/Off messages to trigger sounds. The pads may also be set up to transmit Program Change information, which allows you to use the pads to switch to different programs (instruments or sound banks) on your DAW or external device.
NOTE PARAMETERS MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the pad will use to transmit 1. Press [<] to messages. You can assign pads to one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and to one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. B11). You may also assign the pad to the MIDI Common Channel.select MIDI Port/Channel field. MIDI PORT/CHANNEL FIELD 2. While in MIDI Port/Channel field, use [VALUE] dial to select desired MIDI Port and Channel. 3. Press [>] to select the next field.
PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to Program Change. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD Program Change messages can be sent on one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. A7). You may also assign Program Change to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Use the [<] button to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2. While in MIDI Port/Channel field, use [VALUE] dial to select desired MIDI Port and Channel. 3.
EDITING KNOBS & FADERS The knobs and faders on the MPD26 can be set to transmit Control Change or Aftertouch information. In addition, the endless knobs may also be assigned as an Increment/Decrement function. The default operation of knobs and faders is to transmit Control Change information. What is Control Change? What is Aftertouch? Control Change refers to the use of MIDI Continuous Controller data.
CONTROL CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the event type for the knob or fader is set to Control Change. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob or fader will use to transmit messages. You can assign knobs and faders to one of two MIDI Ports, A or B, and to one of 16 MIDI Channels on each port (i.e. A14). You can also assign a knob or fader to use the MIDI Common Channel. 1. Press [<] to select MIDI Port/Channel field. 2.
AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS For some applications, you might wish to use the faders or knobs as Aftertouch controllers. In this scenario, the knob or fader will transmit Aftertouch information which could be used to control, say, vibrato or tremolo. The following list of parameters can be accessed if “Aftertouch” is selected as the event type for the knob or fader. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob or fader will use to transmit messages.
INCREMENT/DECREMENT PARAMETERS (knobs only) The endless knobs on the MPD26 may also be used as an increment/decrement NRPN function. This allows you to use the knob to increment and decrement through parameters as opposed to sending an absolute value. Please note that the implementation of NRPN functions depends strictly on the software with which you will be using the MPD26. Consult your software’s documentation to find out how NRPN functions are supported.
EDITING NOTE REPEAT The MPD26 features the Note Repeat function, which can be found on our legendary Music Production Center (MPC) models. With Note Repeat enabled, you can repeatedly trigger a sound by simply holding down a pad. The sound will be retriggered at a rate equivalent to the currently selected Time Division.
NOTE REPEAT BUTTON MODE The following screen will appear if you select “TOGGL-MOTRY” on Page 1. In this field, you can select whether the [NOTE REPEAT] button will behave in a momentary (MTY) fashion, where pressing the button turns on the Note Repeat function and releasing it turns it off, or in a toggle (TGL) manner, where pressing the button turns on the Note Repeat function and pressing again turns it off. 1. While in Button Mode field, use [VALUE] dial to select Button Mode (Toggle or Momentary). 2.
EDITING TIME DIVISION The Time Division feature works in conjunction with Note Repeat. When Note Repeat is enabled and a pad is held down, the MPD26 will output notes at a rate equivalent to the Time Division setting. To change to a new Time Division setting, press and hold [TIME DIVISION] and select a new rate by pressing one of Pads 816 (1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, etc.). To select the amount of Swing, press and hold [TIME DIVISION] and press one of Pads 9-16 (54%, 56%, etc.).
EDITING TRANSPORT CONTROL The MPD26 can be configured to send transport control information in a variety of ways: MMC (MIDI Machine Control), MMC/MIDI, MIDI, or CTRL. Some applications and devices have dedicated MMC functions and will only respond to MMC messages, while others may not have reserved MMC functions but implement transport control via MIDI SysEx or MIDI CC messages. To account for these scenarios, we have provided a way to edit the messages sent by the transport control buttons.
GLOBAL MODE In Global Mode, you can send global messages and make general changes to the way that your MPD26 functions. Global Mode options are organized under different pages and include the list of options shown below. NAVIGATING GLOBAL MODE 1. 2. 3. 4. KILL MIDI MIDI COMMON CHANNEL LCD CONTRAST PAD SENSITIVITY PAD VELOCITY CURVE PAD THRESHOLD MIDI CLOCK TAP TEMPO AVERAGE SAVE SETUP SYSEX TX VERSION Press [GLOBAL] to enter Global Mode.
KILL MIDI – Page1 KILL MIDI allows you to send either an ALL NOTES OFF message on each MIDI Channel or a RESET ALL CONTROLLERS command. ALL NOTES OFF is a special MIDI message used to turn off any notes that might be playing on the MPD26. It is often used to recover from erroneous stuck notes. RESET ALL CONTROLLERS is a MIDI message used to return all values such as aftertouch to their default settings. Control reset will return all values to their default settings. 1. Press [GLOBAL] to enter Global Mode.
PAD VELOCITY CURVE – Page 5 A PAD VELOCITY CURVE describes how the pads on the MPD26 are outputting MIDI velocities, based on a certain ratio of the input / output velocity that characterizes the particular curve. The Pad Velocity Curve feature is intended to help you optimize the pads on the MPD26 for your particular playing style and can add expressivity and control to your performance.
TAP TEMPO AVERAGE – Page 8 When using [TAP TEMPO] button to set the tempo, the MPD26 averages a number of taps in order to determine the tempo. You can set the number of taps used to determine the TAP TEMPO AVERAGE in this field. TAP AVERAGE FIELD 1. While in Global Mode, use [>] button to scroll to Tap AVG (page 8). 2. Turn [VALUE] dial to select number of taps. 3. Press [ENTER] to set tap average.
PROGRAM CHANGE MODE A Program Change, often referred to as a Patch Change, is a MIDI message used for sending data to devices to cause them to change to a new program. NAVIGATING PROGRAM CHANGE MODE 1. 2. There are two different types of Program Change messages on the MPD26: PROG CHANGE – This event will transmit a regular Program Change message (0127) to your DAW or an external device, allowing you to switch between 128 different program banks. 3. 4. Press the [PROGRAM CHANGE] button.
RESETTING FACTORY DEFAULTS If you ever would like to restore all the presets to the factory default, do the following: 1. Press [>] - this will open the SAVE screen. 2. Press [>] again - This will open the PRESET NAME screen. 3. Press [>] to move past each letter in the current program's name until the last character is reached. 4. Press [>] one more time - The FACTORY will be displayed. 5. Press [ENTER] to restore factory defaults.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Can the MPD26 be synced to external devices? Answer: Yes, the MPD26 can receive MIDI Clock through both the USB and the MIDI IN connection. This means that you can synchronize the tempo-based Note Repeat to an external source. To synchronize the MPD26 to an external MIDI Clock source, please enter Global Mode, scroll to MIDI Clock and select “External”. Question: Do I need to use a power adapter if I am using the MPD26 with a computer? Answer: No.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM The display does not light up. CAUSE SOLUTION Please make sure that the MPD26 is connected to your computer and that the computer is powered on. No power. If using a power adapter, please make sure that the adapter is plugged into a live power outlet. Check your computer’s USB connection to confirm that the MPD26 is recognized. If necessary, replug the connection and restart your computer.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Display custom LCD w/ backlight Dimensions (WxDxH) 314mm x 289mm x 70mm Weight 2.
Rev.
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