Akai MPK 49 Operator's Manual
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Akai MPK 49 Operator's Manual

Usb/midi performance keyboard
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Summary of Contents for Akai MPK 49

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW ...1 REAR PANEL OVERVIEW...3 HOOKUP DIAGRAM ...4 DISPLAYING INFORMATION ...6 OCTAVE AND TRANSPOSITION ...6 NOTE...6 NOTE AFTERTOUCH (Channel Pressure)...6 CONTROL CHANGE...6 CONTROL AFTERTOUCH...7 MIDI MACHINE CONTROL COMMAND (MMC)...7 PREVIEWING...7 ABOUT MODES ...8 PRESET MODE ...9 PAGE 1 –...

  • Page 5: Front Panel Overview

    FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW LCD – The display is used for navigating menus, displaying data, and affecting change on MPK49’s options and parameters. [VALUE] (Push to Enter) – This dial is used increment decrement parameter values and settings. This dial also functions as an [ENTER] button when it is pressed down.
  • Page 6 PRESSURE SENSITIVE PADS – The pads can be used to trigger drum hits or samples on your software or hardware module. The pads are pressure and velocity sensitive, which makes them very responsive and intuitive to play. PAD BANK buttons – These 4 buttons switch among pad banks A, B, C, D.

  • Page 7: Rear Panel Overview

    REAR PANEL OVERVIEW DC POWER ADAPTER INPUT – Plug in a 6V–1A DC power adapter if you do not wish to power the MPK49 through the USB connection. POWER ADAPTER RESTRAINT – You can secure the power adapter cord to this restraint to prevent accidental unplugging.

  • Page 8: Hookup Diagram

    HOOKUP DIAGRAM Please refer to the following scenario for connecting the MPK49. COMPUTER POWER ADAPTER MIDI from MPK49 to computer MIDI from external MIDI device connected to MIDI IN port of MPK49 MIDI from computer to external sound module connected to MIDI OUT port of MPK49 Connect a USB cable from your computer to the MPK49.
  • Page 9 A NOTE ABOUT USING THE MPK49 WITH SOFTWARE Make sure that the MPK49 and all external devices are connected and that the USB cable is connected to your computer before opening any software applications on your computer with which you might want to use the MPK49. If the unit is not plugged in before, your software application might not recognize the MPK49 as an available device.

  • Page 10: Displaying Information

    DISPLAYING INFORMATION As you are working with the MPK49, the LCD will help you keep track of what values and parameters are entered and sent to external devices. There are several kinds of information that the MPK49 will display while in use: OCTAVE, TRANSPOSITION, NOTE, AFTERTOUCH (Channel Pressure), CONTROL CHANGE, MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC), and PREVIEW MODE information.

  • Page 11: Control Aftertouch

    CONTROL AFTERTOUCH The knobs and sliders on the MPK49 can also be set to transmit AFTERTOUCH information. Please see ‘Editing Knobs and Sliders’ (page 16) for more information on setting knobs and sliders to transmit Aftertouch. MIDI MACHINE CONTROL COMMAND (MMC) MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC) is commonly used to send transport control messages to hardware record or playback machines.

  • Page 12: About Modes

    ABOUT MODES The MPK49 has four different modes of operation. Each mode can be accessed by pressing the corresponding button on the MPK49. Following is a short description of each mode: Preset Mode This mode allows you to load, save and copy Presets. collection of information about how different sliders, knobs, and pads will behave.

  • Page 13: Preset Mode

    PRESET MODE What is a Preset? A Preset is a collection of information about how the MPK49’s keyboard, sliders, 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 MPK49 every time.

  • Page 14: Edit Mode

    EDIT MODE Pressing the [EDIT] button 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 below. Please note that the changes you make will only apply to the currently selected Preset.

  • Page 15: Edit Mode Parameters

    EDIT MODE PARAMETERS CONTROLLER SELECTED KEYBOARD PADS KNOBS AND SLIDERS BUTTONS ARP ON/OFF NOTE REPEAT TIME DIVISION PITCH BEND WHEEL MODULATION WHEEL TRANSPORT TAP TEMPO EXPRESSION PEDAL SUSTAIN PEDAL PAGE 1 PAGE 2 KEYBOARD MIDI CHANNEL (field 1) OCTAVE UP/DOWN (field 4) KEYBOARD MIDI CHANNEL (field 1) AFTERTOUCH ON/OFF BEHAVIOR (field 4)

  • Page 16: Editing The Keyboard

    EDITING THE KEYBOARD When editing the keyboard, please note that the changes will affect all the keys on the MPK49. The keyboard properties you can edit include MIDI Channel, Octave, Aftertouch, and Velocity. MIDI CHANNEL – This is the MIDI Channel on which the keyboard will be transmitting information. OCTAVE –...

  • Page 17: Editing The Pads

    EDITING THE PADS The pads on the MPK49 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 when a pad is hit it will generate Note On/Off messages to trigger sounds.

  • Page 18: Note Parameters

    NOTE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to Note. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD MIDI PORT/CHANNEL FIELD NOTE FIELD NOTE FIELD NOTE FIELD PLAY MODE FIELD PLAY MODE FIELD PLAY MODE FIELD PLAY MODE FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the pad will use to transmit messages.

  • Page 19: Program Change Parameters

    PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to Program Change. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD MIDI PORT/CHANNEL FIELD PROGRAM CHANGE FIELD PORGRAM CHANGE FIELD BANK M FIELD BANK M FIELD BANK L FIELD BANK L 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.

  • Page 20: Editing Knobs And Sliders

    EDITING KNOBS AND SLIDERS The knobs and sliders on the MPK49 are controllers which 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 sliders is to transmit Control Change information when used. What is Control Change? Control Change refers to the use of MIDI Continuous Controller data.

  • Page 21: Control Change Parameters

    CONTROL CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the pad event type is set to “Note”. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD MIDI PORT/CHANNEL FIELD CONTROL CHANGE FIELD CONTROL CHANGE FIELD MINIMUM RANGE FIELD MINIMUM RANGE FIELD MAXIMUM RANGE FIELD MAXIMUM RANGE FIELD This field sets the MIDI Port and Channel which the knob or slider will use to transmit messages.

  • Page 22: Aftertouch Parameters

    AFTERTOUCH PARAMETERS For some applications, you might wish to use the sliders or knobs as Aftertouch controllers. In this scenario, the knob or slider will be transmitting Aftertouch information which could be used to control, say, a vibrato of a device that the MPK49 is controlling.

  • Page 23: Increment/Decrement Parameters (Knobs Only)

    INCREMENT/DECREMENT PARAMETERS (knobs only) The endless knobs on the MPK49 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 MP49.

  • Page 24: Editing Buttons

    EDITING BUTTONS The buttons on the MPK49 can be used to transmit Control Change or Program Change information. SELECT BUTTON EVENT TYPE IN THIS FIELD. CONTROL CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if “Control Change” is selected as the event type for the selected button.

  • Page 25: Program Change Parameters

    PROGRAM CHANGE PARAMETERS The following list of parameters can be accessed if the button event type is set to “Program Change”. MIDI CHANNEL FIELD MIDI PORT/CHANNEL FIELD PROGRAM CHANGE FIELD PORGRAM CHANGE FIELD BANK M FIELD BANK M FIELD BANK L FIELD BANK L 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.

  • Page 26: Editing The Arpeggiator

    EDITING THE ARPEGGIATOR The built-in Arpeggiator is one of the features which sets the MPK49 apart from other controllers. The Arpeggiator allows you to arpeggiate a sequence of notes by holding down a combination of keys. The Arpeggiator will be synced to the tempo parameter of the MPK49. Please note that tempo can be generated internally or can be synced to an external source, such as a DAW.

  • Page 27: Arpeggio Parameters - Type, Range, Button Mode

    ARPEGGIO PARAMETERS – TYPE, RANGE, BUTTON MODE The following parameters can be edited by selecting “TYP RNG TGL” on Page 1. ARP TYPE ARP TYPE ARP TYPE RANGE RANGE BUTTON MODE BUTTON MODE Select one of the following arpeggio types in this field – Up, Down, Incl, Excl, Rand, Chrd.

  • Page 28: Arpeggio Parameters - Gate, Swing

    ARPEGGIO PARAMETERS – GATE, SWING The following parameters can be edited by selecting “GATE SWING” on Page 1. GATE GATE DURATION SWING SWING Select the arpeggiator Gate in this field. 1. While in Gate field, use [VALUE] dial to select Gate duration. 2.

  • Page 29: Editing Note Repeat

    EDITING NOTE REPEAT The MPK49 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 Time Division currently selected on the MPK49.

  • Page 30: Note Repeat Button Mode

    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.

  • Page 31: Editing Time Division

    EDITING TIME DIVISION The Time Division feature works in conjunction with Note Repeat and the Arpeggiator. When Note Repeat or the Arpeggiator is enabled, the MPK49 will output notes at a rate equivalent to the Time Division setting. To change to a new Time Division setting, press [TIME DIVISION] and select a new rate. Please refer to the following illustrations to better understand how the Time Division feature works with Note Repeat and the Arpeggiator: The following Time Division settings may be edited:...

  • Page 32: Editing The Pitch Bend Wheel

    EDITING THE PITCH BEND WHEEL The Pitch Bend wheel can be assigned to transmit pitch bend information on a specific MIDI Channel. PRESS ENTER TO EDIT MIDI CHANNEL FIELD Press the [EDIT] button to enter Edit Mode. Now select the Pitch Bend wheel for editing by moving the wheel. You will see Page 1 displayed on the screen (shown on the left).

  • Page 33: Editing The Modulation Wheel

    EDITING THE MODULATION WHEEL The Modulation wheel can be edited to transmit a range of values on a specific MIDI Channel and MIDI CC. PRESS ENTER TO EDIT MIDI CHANNEL MIDI CHANNEL FIELD MIDI CC MIDI CC FIELD MINIMUM VALUE MINIMUM VALUE MAXIMUM VALUE MAXIMUM VALUE...

  • Page 34: Editing Transport Control

    MAXIMUM VALUE EDITING TRANSPORT CONTROL The transport control section on the MPK49 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.

  • Page 35: Global Mode

    GLOBAL MODE In Global Mode, you can send global messages and make general changes to the way that your MPK49 functions. Mode options are organized under different pages and include the list of options shown on the right: enter Global Mode, [GLOBAL] button.

  • Page 36: Lcd Contrast

    LCD CONTRAST – Page 3 LCD CONTRAST PAD SENSITIVITY – Page 4 PAD SENSITIVITY FIELD PAD VELOCITY CURVE – Page 5 PAD VELOCITY CURVE FIELD MIDI VELOCITY The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted for optimal viewing. While in Global Mode, use [>] button to scroll to LCD CONT (page 3).

  • Page 37: Pad Threshold

    PAD THRESHOLD – Page 6 PAD THRESHOLD FIELD KEYBOARD TRANSPOSITION – Page 7 KEYBOARD TRANSPOSITION FIELD MIDI CLOCK – Page 8 MIDI CLOCK FIELD TAP TEMPO AVERAGE – Page 9 TAP AVERAGE FIELD PAD THRESHOLD is the minimum force required to activate the pads. If you experience “ghost”...

  • Page 38: Save Global

    SAVE GLOBAL – Page 10 PRESS ENTER TO SAVE SYSEX TX – Page 11 CHOOSE PRESET PRESS ENTER TO TRANFER VERSION – Page 12 SAVE GLOBAL allows you to save all of the global parameters on the MPK49, including MIDI Common Channel, LCD Contrast, Pad Sensitivity, Pad Velocity Curve, Keyboard Transposition, MIDI Clock, Tap Tempo Average, Preset and SysEx information.

  • Page 39: Program Change Mode

    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. This allows you to tell a hardware or software device which sound to play.

  • Page 40: Frequently Asked Questions

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Does the MPK49 have internal sounds? Answer: No. The MPK49 is a MIDI-controller, which means that it does not contain any sounds inside but is instead used to control external sound devices, such as hardware and software synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines. Question: Can the MPK49 be synced to external devices? Answer:...

  • Page 41: Troubleshooting

    TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM The display does not light No power. MPK49 not properly connected. MPK49 connected after software application has started. No sound from target device. Problem is caused by use of a USB hub. Software application not set to receive MIDI data from the MPK49.

  • Page 42: Technical Specifications

    INPUTS/OUTPUTS MIDI inputs MIDI outputs DC IN CONTACT INFORMATION Please visit the Akai Professional website (www.akaipro.com) regularly for additional information, news and firmware upgrades for the MPK49. For additional technical support: EMAIL: support@akaipro.com TEL: 401.658.4032 (U.S) custom LCD w/ backlight 730mm x 300mm x 100mm 5.8kg...
  • Page 43 MANUAL REVISION 1.1...

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