Akai MPC User Manual page 86

Hardware: To record automation:
1. Determine where the parameter you want to automate is—Main Mode, Program Mixer Mode, or
Track Mixer Mode—and press Main, Prog Mix, or Shift + Prog Mix/Track Mix to enter that mode.
2. Use the Function Buttons to select the desired tab or window (if available), and/or use the Cursor
Buttons to select the parameter you want to automate.
3. If the desired parameter is Program- or pad-related, press the Q-Link Trigger button until it
flashes (you may need to press it twice).
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If the desired parameter is Track-related, skip to the next step. (Note that in Track Mixer Mode,
when the Mixer field is set to Tracks, you can record automation for the level and pan for the
currently selected Track only, not all 16 Tracks shown.)
4. Click the Overdub button, and then click Play to start automation recording. It is very important to
use the Overdub function; otherwise, this new recording will overwrite any data previously recorded
to that Track.
5. Move the corresponding MPC hardware control(s) during the recording process (depending on the
parameter(s) you are automating, the control(s) may include the Data Dial, -/+ buttons, and/or the
Q-Link Knobs). The automation curve will appear as you move the control(s).
6. Press Stop when you are finished recording.
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Tip: When you are done recording, we highly recommend pressing the Q-Link Trigger button until
it is lit solid. This means the Program will read automation but will not record any additional
automation over it, though you can still manually edit and enter automation.
To assign certain automatable parameters to the Q-Link Knobs:
1. Click the Main Mode tab to enter Main Mode.
2. Click and move a Q-Link Knob so that its number appears in the
QLink field in the Q-Link Section.
3. In the Q-Link Section:
Click FX if you want to automate an effect parameter. Click the
Effect drop-down menu to select an effect (which must be
already loaded). The available effects will be ordered by pad insert
effects, Program insert effects, send effects, and master effects.
Click Prg if you want to automate a real-time parameter. Click the Pad drop-down menu to select a
pad, and click the Change drop-down menu and select the type of change: Note On or Real Time.
4. Click the Param drop-down menu and select the parameter you want to automate.
5. Optional: If you want to record automation for multiple parameters simultaneously, repeat
Steps 2-4 for each additional parameter.
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