Chapter 7: Functions Of A Pad; Playing With Pads; Switching Pad Banks; Full Level Function ([Full Level] Button) - Akai MPC 500 User Manual

Chapter 7: Functions of a pad

The MPC500 has 12 drum pads. The pads perform various function besides making sounds when hit. In this section, you will learn about
various functions of the pad.

Playing With Pads

By assigning the sounds in memory to a pad, you can play those sounds.
Below are some useful functions when playing with pads.

Switching Pad Banks

The MPC500 has 12 pads, but you can play up to 48 samples by switching between the four pad banks. The currently selected Pad bank is
displayed in the upper right corner of the display screen. By pressing the desired [PAD BANK] button, you can switch pad banks.

Full Level Function ([Full Level] Button)

You can control the level of the sound by the velocity used to hit the pads, but if you press the [FULL LEVEL] button, the MPC500 will
play the sample at the maximum level, regardless of how hard you hit the pads.
If you press the [FULL LEVEL] button, the LED beside the button will be lit, and the full level function will be activated. To deactivate
this function, press the [FULL LEVEL] button again.

12 Level Function ([12 Levels] Button)

You can play a sound using 12 parameter levels assigned to the 12 pads. The 12 Levels function fixes values for each of the 12 pads – 0 to
127 in 12 steps – so when you hit a certain pad, it will only transmit the value that is associated with it. This allows you to create interesting
variations in your playing. For example, if you are trying to trigger a snare drum sample to sound like a snare roll, a good way to do so is to
use the 12 Levels function mapped to velocity.
1. Hit the pad that you wish to play in 12 levels.
2. Press the 12 LEVELS button. The Assign 12 Levels page will be displayed.
The 'Pad' field displays the pad you selected in step 1.
3. In the 'Type' field, select the type of the parameter that you wish to play in 12 levels.
Velo(Velocity) - MPC500 will play the velocity in 12 levels.
Tune - MPC500 will play the pitch in 12 levels by semitone. When
Tune is selected, the 'T'(Tune) field will be displayed.
In this field, you can set tune of the pad by semitone.
4. Press the [12 LEVELS] button.
The MPC500 returns to the previous page and the [12 LEVELS] button is turned on, which indicates you can now play in 12 levels.
Pressing the [FULL LEVEL/ CANCEL] button returns you to the previous page and the 12 LEVELS function is canceled.
*** When 12 LEVELS is on, pressing the [12 LEVELS] button turns it's LED off and deactivates the 12 levels function.
*** This button is also used as the [DO IT] button. The LED of the button blinks when it works as the [DO IT] button.
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MPC500 Operator's Manual rev 1.0