Chapter 2: Basic Operation; Main Sequence Page; Main Track Page; Cursor, Cursor Buttons, Field, Data Wheel - Akai MPC 500 User Manual

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

In this chapter, we will describe the basic operation of the MPC500.

Main Sequence Page

This is the main screen of the MPC500, where you record and play back sequences. You can go back to this page at any time by pressing
the [SEQUENCE] button. If at any time you get lost while operating the MPC500 and want to go back to this page, simply press the
[SEQUENCE] button. You cannot go back to the SEQUENCE page by pressing [SEQUENCE] button while processing (e.g. Recording,
loading/saving etc...).

Main Track Page

This mode is where individual sequence tracks can be viewed. This page is accessed by pressing the [TRACK] button. Each sequence has
48 tracks where you can record various performance data separately. If at any time you get lost while operating the MPC500 and want to go
back to this page, simply press the [TRACK] button. You cannot go back to the TRACK page by pressing [TRACK] button while
processing (e.g. loading/saving etc...).

Cursor, Cursor Buttons, Field, Data Wheel

The highlighted blinking square on the screen is called the "Cursor".
You can move the cursor on the screen using the four [CURSOR] buttons on the panel. Usually they move to specific locations such as to
the right of a colon (:). Those locations are called 'fields', and will be indicated in the manual by single quotes. This is where you can make
various settings, or enter values. To change the settings of a field, select the field and turn the [DATA] wheel on the panel. This operation,
selecting a field by using a cursor button and changing its settings with the [DATA] wheel, is the most basic operation of MPC500.

Params Button

The [PARAMS] button lets you view and edit the parameters of your tracks and sequences, such as names, looping, copying and pasting etc.
If you are currently in SEQUENCE mode, pressing the [PARAMS] button will show you the parameters of your sequence. If you are in
TRACK Mode, pressing the [PARAMS] button will show you the parameters of your tracks.

Mode Button

With the MPC500, each function (such as recording samples, editing samples, assigning samples to each pad, editing sequence data, loading
from memory cards, etc...) has a separate screen. These screens are called "modes". For example, you will use the RECORD mode to
record samples, and the TRIM mode to edit samples etc. By pressing the [MODE] button and hitting a pad, you can switch to modes. The
mode that a pad corresponds to is displayed above each pad.

Setting Names

The MPC500 handles various types of data, from sound data (such as samples and programs) to performance data (such as sequences and
tracks). This data is managed by naming. In this section, you will learn how to name these items.

Renaming a Sequence

Let's say you wanted to rename the current sequence from SEQUENCE01 to something more easily remembered, like BASS 01. To change
the name of SEQUENCE01, we will need to access the sequence's PARAMS. Do the following:
From the SEQUENCER MAIN page, press the [PARAMS] button. The following screen will be displayed. Notice the cursor is on the top
line.
1. Using the [DATA] wheel, scroll until 'Sequence name' is displayed.
2. Use the [CURSOR] buttons to move down to the bottom line.
3. Enter a new name using one of the following methods:
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MPC500 Operator's Manual rev 1.0