Sampling & sample editing · MPC One G2 guide

11.1BasicsManual Sampler p.294, Effects p.85, MPC One G2 p.364

The Sampler

The Sampler is how new audio gets into a project. Point it at the two Inputs on the rear panel, at a computer or phone over USB, or at the sound the MPC itself is making, and it captures the result as a sample you can edit, chop and play from the pads.

Three ways to open it

Press SHIFT + SAMPLE EDIT | SAMPLER.
Press MENU | PREFS, then tap Sampler.
In Main Mode, select an empty pad on a drum track, then tap the Record icon in the Track Section (Track section).

Key combinations

SHIFT + SAMPLE EDIT | SAMPLER: Opens the Sampler.

Set up and start a recording

Turn down your audio source, headphones and monitors before you plug anything in, so you avoid pops and feedback.
Connect a synth or other line-level source to the Inputs on the rear panel with 1/4-inch TRS cables (Connections).
Play the source and turn REC VOL until you see the level in the meter. Keep it from sitting at the maximum.
Choose a method tab and set the controls described below.
Tap Arm. The button becomes Record and shows Waiting for signal. To back out, tap Cancel.
Start recording: either play so the level passes the threshold slider, or tap Record under the Sample Length counter.

Four tabs along the bottom of the screen set how the recording works. The controls in the rest of this section stay the same whichever tab you choose.

The four recording methods

Tab	How it records
`Sample`	One take, with slice markers placed by tapping the screen as it runs. See Sample tab.
`Slice`	One take, with slice markers placed by pressing pads, ready to become a new track. See Slice tab.
`Pad Tap`	Press a pad to start recording to it, press again or press another to stop. Drum tracks only. See Pad Tap tab.
`Pad Hold`	Hold a pad to record to it, release to stop. Drum tracks only. See Pad Hold tab.

Controls on every tab

Input Source: The upper-left field. Chooses what gets recorded: see the table below.
Mono/Stereo: The second field in the upper left. Sets whether the recorded sample is mono or stereo.Range Mono, Stereo
Inserts: Shows the Sampler’s effects and whether each is on. Tap the area under Inserts to load, change, enable or disable them. The Sampler can use up to four.
Monitor: Turns input monitoring on or off. On (In), your headphones carry the source before it reaches the Sampler, with zero latency. Off, they carry it after the Sampler has processed it, so you may notice some latency, but what you hear matches the recording.Range In, Off
Threshold slider: Once the Sampler is armed, recording begins by itself the moment the incoming level passes this point. Set it by watching the level meter: too high and the recording may not start or may lose its opening; too low and it may start before you play. With the Q-Links in Screen mode (hold Q-LINK | EDIT and tap Screen), Q-LINK 1 moves it too.
Level meter: Shows the incoming level and holds the highest level reached, the peak hold. Tap it to reset the peak hold.
Sample Length: A counter that shows how long the sample is while it records.
Max Length: The longest the sample can run. Akai suggests setting it to roughly the length you expect to record.Range Up to 60:00 (60 minutes) per sample; default 20 seconds
Tuning fork icon: Opens the Tuner.
Keyboard icon: Opens the Auto Sampler.

Input Source options

Option	Records
`Input 1,2`	The two Inputs as a pair.
`Input 1`, `Input 2`	One Input on its own.
`Resample L`, `Resample R`, `Resample L+R`	The MPC’s own internal signal rather than anything plugged in.
`USB Input 1,2`	A computer or phone connected over USB-C. This option comes from Akai’s FAQ rather than the manual: see the note below.

Resampling needs no cable because the source is inside the MPC, and for the same reason it records with no loss of audio quality. You could, for example, press two or more pads at the same time to record those samples together.

From the community

Getting Started on MPC One G2 | Sampling
Akai Professional
The ways in: vinyl and hardware through the inputs, computers and phones over the USB-C port.

How to Record and Chop Samples from your Phone on the MPC Live 3
Chris Laps
Records a phone into the MPC, chops the recording and assigns the chops to pads, filmed on a Live III.

11.2BasicsManual Sample p.297

Sample tab

The Sample tab records one continuous take. While it runs you can mark points of interest, which suits a long recording with different sounds along the way, such as a drum loop or a melodic or harmonic passage. Those markers split the sample into regions called slices, and you can adjust them afterwards in Chop Mode.

Record with slice markers

Set up and arm the Sampler as described in The Sampler.
Start recording: play past the threshold, or tap Record under the Sample Length counter.
Tap Slice+ in the lower-right corner each time you want a slice marker at that point.
Tap Stop under the Sample Length counter. The Keep or Discard Sample window opens.
Set the fields below, then tap Keep.

Keep or Discard Sample window

Edit Name: The new sample’s name. Tap it to type on the virtual keyboard.
Track: The track to assign the sample to. Choose <none> to keep it in the project without assigning it to a track.
Assign to Pad: The pad in that track that gets the sample.
Root Note: Where the sample’s original pitch sits on the keyboard.
Add Event: Appears if you recorded while a sequence was playing, once you have selected a pad. Tick it to add the sample to the sequence that is playing.
At: Appears along with Add Event and places the note event: Start puts it at the start of the playing sequence, Trigger puts it where you began recording.Range Start, Trigger

Buttons at the bottom of the window

Button	What it does
`Keep`	Confirms your choices.
`Discard`	Throws the recording away and returns to the Sampler.
`Play`	Plays the recording.
`Edit`	Saves the sample and opens Sample Edit Mode.
`Save`	Saves the sample to the general sample pool.

11.3BasicsManual Slice p.299

Slice tab

On the Slice tab the pads stand for slices of the sample you are recording, so you mark it up by playing. It suits the same long, varied material as the Sample tab, and when you finish you can turn the slices into a new track straight away. You can adjust the markers later in Chop Mode.

Record and slice

Set up and arm the Sampler as described in The Sampler.
Start recording: play past the threshold, or tap Record under the Sample Length counter.
Press any pad each time you want a slice marker at that point. Slice+ at the bottom of the screen does the same.
Tap the round Stop button. The Keep or Discard Sample window opens.
Name the sample in Edit Name. If you leave it, a consecutive number is added after the sample name.
Choose an option in Create New Program, then tap Create or Keep.

Key combinations

PAD: Places a slice marker at the current point in the recording.Sampler, Slice tab, while recording

What the pads show while you record

Pad light	Meaning
Flashing red	This pad’s number is the slice marker that goes in next.
Yellow	This pad’s number is a slice marker already placed.

Create New Program options

Option	Result
`Off`	No program is created. The slices still go into the project’s sample pool.
`With Non-Destructive Slices`	Each pad’s `Slice` setting is set to its slice number.
`With Pad Parameters`	Each pad’s `Slice` setting is set to `Pad`. `Pad Start` and `Pad End` take the slice’s start and end points, and `Loop Position` takes its start point, with `Pad Loop` turned off.

These two options match the slice types you get when converting slices in Converting or assigning slices.

Buttons at the bottom of the window

Button	What it does
`Create` or `Keep`	Confirms your choices.
`Discard`	Throws the recording away and returns to the Sampler.
`Play`	Plays the recording.
`Edit`	Saves the sample and opens Sample Edit Mode.

11.4IntermediateManual Pad Tap p.300

Pad Tap tab

With Pad Tap you record directly onto pads as you go. Press a pad and it starts taking in audio at once; press another and the first finishes while the new one takes over. Underneath, the sample keeps recording until you stop it, and each pad you pressed ends up playing its own part of it.

Record to pads

Press a pad to start recording to it. The pad flashes red.
Press a different pad to move on. The first pad stops and turns green, and the new one flashes red.
To stop recording to a pad without moving on, press the pad that is flashing red. The sample carries on recording, so you can start on another pad at any time.
Tap Stop under the Sample Length counter to stop all recording.

Key combinations

PAD: Starts recording to that pad, or stops recording to it if it is the pad flashing red.Sampler, Pad Tap tab

Pad lights

Pad light	Meaning
Bright yellow	The pad has a sample assigned.
Dim yellow	The pad has no sample.
Flashing red	The pad is recording.
Green	The pad has stopped recording after you moved to a new pad.

What each pad you pressed ends up with

Slice is set to Pad.
Pad Start and Pad End take the slice’s start and end points.
Loop Position takes the slice’s start point, with Pad Loop turned off.

That is the same result as the Pad Parameters slice type in Converting or assigning slices. Akai recommends editing the recording afterwards in Sample Edit Mode.

11.5IntermediateManual Pad Hold p.301

Pad Hold tab

Pad Hold works like Pad Tap, except that a pad records only for as long as your finger stays on it. Press and hold to capture, let go to stop, then hold another pad whenever you are ready.

Record to pads

Press and hold a pad. Recording to it starts immediately and the pad lights red.
Release the pad to stop recording to it. The pad lights green and the sample carries on recording.
Hold another pad to record to it at any time.
Tap Stop under the Sample Length counter to stop all recording.

Key combinations

Hold PAD: Records to that pad until you release it.Sampler, Pad Hold tab

Pad lights

Pad light	Meaning
Bright yellow	The pad has a sample assigned.
Dim yellow	The pad has no sample.
Red	The pad is recording.
Green	The pad has stopped recording after you released it.

What each pad you pressed ends up with

Slice is set to Pad.
Pad Start and Pad End take the slice’s start and end points.
Loop Position takes the slice’s start point, with Pad Loop turned off.

That is the same result as the Pad Parameters slice type in Converting or assigning slices. Akai recommends editing the recording afterwards in Sample Edit Mode.

11.6AdvancedManual Auto Sampler p.302

Auto Sampler

The Auto Sampler captures a sound across a range of notes and velocities and builds a keygroup sampler patch from the results. It works with any plugin preset, and with presets on an external instrument (Keygroup overview: Advanced and Legacy).

To open it, go to the Sampler and tap the keyboard icon next to the record button. The current track is selected as the source.

Sample source information

Track name: The track to auto sample.
Record from: The input to record. Pick an Input option for an external instrument, or a Resample option for an internal source.

Note range

Min Note: The bottom of the range of notes to create.
Max Note: The top of the range of notes to create.
Note Stride: How many semitones separate each new sample.
Extend min/max notes: Tick to carry the sampling on to the very lowest and highest notes, whatever Min Note and Max Note say.

Velocity

Layers: Tick the boxes next to the layers to choose how many go into the patch.Range Layers 1–8
Velocity: A value slider for each layer, setting that layer’s velocity.

Sampling

Note length: How long each sampled note lasts.
Tail: Extra time on the end of each audio file. Use it for sounds that outlast the note, such as long reverb or delay, or one-shots with long decays. Akai suggests at least a couple of seconds.
Base name: The naming convention for the samples the Auto Sampler creates.

Looping

Enable looping: How the resulting samples loop: see the table below.Range Off, Forward, Reverse, Alternating
Loop start: Where the loop begins in the sample.
Loop end: Where the loop ends in the sample.
Crossfade: How much crossfade there is between the loop end and the loop start.
Crossfade Type: The shape of that crossfade.Range Equal Power, Linear

Enable looping options

Option	What the pad does while you hold it
`Off`	The sample doesn’t loop.
`Forward`	Repeats from the `Loop Position` to the end of the sample.
`Reverse`	Plays backwards, repeating from the end of the sample to the `Loop Position`.
`Alternating`	Plays from the `Loop Position` to the end of the sample, then backwards to the `Loop Position`, and keeps going.

In every looping option, releasing the pad stops the repeat.

On completion and Info

Make current track: Tick to load the finished sampler patch as the current track.
Session Duration: An estimate of how long the auto sampling will take.

From the community

Turn off reverb, delay and chorus on the source first, so you can add ambience later, and avoid arpeggiated or tempo-based patches. A Note Stride of 4 or 5 usually suits synths and saves memory; use 1 or 2 for acoustic instruments. via MPC-Tutor

Finally How To Auto Sample any Synth with your MPC
Poli Popo
From 2022, but capturing a synth with the Auto Sampler is unaffected by MPC 3’s track changes.

MPC Bible Tutorial: Clone Plugins & Synths with AutosamplerMPC-Tutor — Written for firmware 2.10+, but the thinking is unaffected: which patches to avoid, how to choose a note stride and how to stay light on memory.

11.7BasicsManual Sample Edit Mode p.267, Settings p.269, Q-Links p.25

Sample Edit Mode

Sample Edit Mode is where a raw recording becomes something you can use. The waveform fills the upper half of the screen and the editing controls sit below it. You work in one of three modes, and each adds its own controls: Trim Mode to crop a sample, Chop Mode to cut it into slices, and Pad Mode to edit it as it plays in its track.

Key combinations

SAMPLE EDIT | SAMPLER: Opens Sample Edit Mode.

You can also press MENU | PREFS and tap Sample Edit.

Along the top of the screen

Sample field: chooses which sample to edit.
Keyboard icon: renames the sample using the virtual keyboard.
Trash-can icon: deletes the sample. The next screen lists the tracks in your project that use it. Tap Delete Sample to go ahead, or Cancel to go back.
Stems icon: opens the Create Stems function in the Process Sample window (Processing slices and samples). MPC Stems is a paid add-on: buy it at akaipro.com/stems, then activate it in Menu > Preferences > Activations (Preferences: Info and Activations).
Magnifying-glass and headphones icons: set what touching the waveform does. With the magnifying glass selected you zoom and scroll; with the headphones selected you audition.
Gear icon: opens the Settings window described below.

The waveform shows the active section of the sample. The green and red markers are the start and end points, and only the region between them plays. Above the waveform, a timeline shows your position in the units you choose in Settings.

Moving around the waveform

To	On the screen	With a Q-Link (column 4)
Zoom in	With the magnifying glass selected, spread your fingers on the waveform, or tap `Zoom +`.	Turn Q-LINK 4.
Zoom out	With the magnifying glass selected, pinch on the waveform, or tap `Zoom –`.	Turn Q-LINK 4.
Scroll	With the magnifying glass selected, swipe the waveform left or right.	Turn Q-LINK 3.

Moving the start and end points

Drag the marker left or right.
Use the Start or End field below the waveform.
Use Q-Link column 1 for the start point or column 2 for the end point.

Q-Links in Sample Edit Mode

Column	What the four knobs do
1	`Start X1__`: move the start point, from coarse at the top knob to fine at the bottom knob.
2	`End X1__`: move the end point, from coarse at the top knob to fine at the bottom knob.
3	In Trim Mode and Pad Mode, `Loop X1__`: move the loop point when `Loop Lock` is off, from coarse to fine. In Chop Mode, the settings of the slicing method: see Chop Mode.
4	Q-LINK 1 selects a slice, Q-LINK 3 scrolls and Q-LINK 4 zooms.

The knobs control one column at a time. Each press of Q-LINK | EDIT selects the next column, and the lights above the knobs show which one is active. These assignments apply with the Q-Links in Screen mode: hold Q-LINK | EDIT and tap Screen (The Q-Link knobs).

Settings window (gear icon)

Cue Play Mode: How the cue playhead plays audio. One Shot: tapping Play Cue plays the whole sample from the cue playhead. Toggle: one tap starts playback from the cue playhead and a second tap stops it.Range One Shot, Toggle
Cue Preview: What you hear as you move the cue playhead: a small part of the sample just before it, a small part just after it, or nothing. Also available in Preferences (Preferences: General).Range Before, After, Off
Slice Preview: What you hear as you move a slice marker: a small part of the sample just before it, a small part just after it, or nothing. Also available in Preferences (Preferences: General).Range Before, After, Off
Auto-Scroll: How the waveform follows the audio playhead. Follow: it scrolls behind the playhead and keeps it centred, depending on the zoom. Page: it jumps to the next page to catch up. Off: it stays still. This also applies to the sample waveform in Grid View (Grid View with audio tracks).Range Follow, Page, Off
Timeline Units: The units above the waveform. Time reads hours:minutes:seconds:frames, Samples counts samples, and Beats reads bars:beats:ticks.Range Time, Samples, Beats

From the community

Think of Sample Edit as changing the sample itself, wherever it’s used, and Track Edit as changing one pad. With Slice set to Pad, two pads can play the same sample with different start and end points. via Elektronauts: The all things MPC thread

THE AKAI MPC LIVE 3: WARPING ANY SAMPLE FOR ANY TEMPO MASTERCLASS!
SampleKings
Capturing, trimming and warping a sample to lock it to any tempo, filmed on a Live III. On a G2, the Super Warp algorithm needs the Pro Pack.

11.8BasicsManual Trim Mode p.270

Trim Mode

Trim Mode is the tool for cropping the start and end of a sample. It also has a loop function, a full set of pads for auditioning, and fields for pitch, tempo and key. To enter it, tap the Trim/Chop button in the lower-left corner until it says Trim. Its parameters run over two pages: tap the > or < arrows at the sides to switch.

Key combinations

SHIFT + Loop: Switches the loop function between Forward and off.Trim Mode, Pad Mode
SHIFT + 0 Snap: Turns 0 Snap on or off.Trim Mode, Chop Mode, Pad Mode

Start, end and loop

Start: The position of the start point. You can also drag the start (S) marker or use Q-Link column 1.
End: The position of the end point. You can also drag the end (E) marker or use Q-Link column 2.
Loop: The position of the loop point, which can’t be earlier than the start point. With Loop Lock on it also moves with the S marker and Q-Link column 1; with Loop Lock off, with the loop marker and Q-Link column 3.
Loop Lock: On, the loop point is the same as the start point. Off, it moves on its own and gets a separate loop marker.
Loop button: Turns the loop on or off and cycles through the four modes below. While the loop is on, the region between the loop point and the end point repeats, which helps you find the best place to begin the sample.Range Off, Forward, Reverse, Alternating
X-Fade: Crossfades the loop in real time during playback. The Loop point must be above zero. Set the Length of the crossfade and its Type.Range Type: Equal Power, Linear

Loop modes

Mode	What happens
`Off`	The sample doesn’t loop.
`Forward`	At the end point, playback jumps back to the loop point and carries on.
`Reverse`	At the end point, playback runs backwards. At the loop point it returns to the end point and runs backwards again.
`Alternating`	At the end point, playback runs backwards. At the loop point it runs forwards again.

The pads play different parts of the sample in Trim Mode. A One Shot pad plays its whole part from a single press. A Note On or Hold pad plays only while you hold it, and stops when you let go.

What the pads play in Trim Mode

Pad	Name	Type	What you hear
`PAD 1`	`Play from Start`	One Shot	From the start point to the end point.
`PAD 2`	`Play to Start`	One Shot	The part just before the start point, up to the start point.
`PAD 3`	`Play to End`	One Shot	The part just before the end point, up to the end point.
`PAD 4`	`Play from End`	One Shot	From the end point to the end of the sample.
`PAD 5`	`Play from Start`	Note On	From the start point to the end point.
`PAD 6`	`Play to Start`	Note On	The part just before the start point, up to the start point.
`PAD 7`	`Play to End`	Note On	The part just before the end point, up to the end point.
`PAD 8`	`Play from End`	Note On	From the end point to the end of the sample.
`PAD 9`	`Play All`	–	The entire sample.
`PAD 10`	`Play Sample`	One Shot	Once, from the start point to the end point.
`PAD 11`	`Play Sample`	Note On	Once, from the start point to the end point. With the headphones icon selected, holding your finger on the waveform does the same.
`PAD 12`	No function	–	–
`PAD 13`	`Play Loop`	Hold	Repeats using the mode on the `Loop` button, or forwards if the button is off.
`PAD 14`	`Play to Loop Start`	Hold	The part just before the loop point.
`PAD 15`	`Play from Loop Start`	Hold	From the loop point to the end of the sample, ignoring the end point.
`PAD 16`	`Play Loop Continuous`	–	Repeats using the mode on the `Loop` button, or forwards if the button is off.

Slices, tune, tempo and key

Slice: Chooses which slice to edit, once you have created slices in Chop Mode.
Link Slices: On, moving a slice’s start point also moves the end point of the slice before it, and moving its end point also moves the start point of the next slice. Turn it off to make slices that are non-sequential, non-contiguous or overlapping.
Tune: Transposes the sample up or down from its original pitch. On both pages.
Root Note: The note that plays the sample at its original pitch on a keygroup track. On both pages.
BPM: The sample’s tempo, set by hand. On both pages.
X2, /2: On the second page: double or halve the current tempo.
Key: Two fields for entering the sample’s key by hand: one for the root note, one for Major, Minor or off (--).
Detect Key: Works out the key automatically.
From BPM: Opens the Edit Tuning window, described below.
Detect: Works out the tempo automatically and opens the Edit BPM window, described below.
0 Snap: Forces start, end and loop points onto the waveform’s zero crossings, which can help you avoid clicks and glitches.

Edit Tuning window

Beats: Set this to the number of beats in the sample.
Match: Tunes the sample to the project. The Tune field updates by itself and the window closes.
To Project: Does the same as Match, and sets the project to the BPM in the Tempo field on the right.
Close: Closes the window.

Edit BPM window

BPM: Type the tempo in by hand.
Detect: Works out the tempo automatically.
Tap Tempo: Tap this button at the bottom of the screen at the rate you want, and that becomes the tempo.
Close: Closes the window. So does the X, or tapping anywhere outside it.

Use Trim Mode and Chop Mode together on one slice

Tap Trim/Chop so it says Chop, and set up your slices.
Choose the slice you want in the Slice field.
Tap Trim/Chop so it says Trim. The slice now shows between the normal start and end markers instead of slice markers, which gives you a closer view of it and more ways to audition it.
Tap Trim/Chop whenever you want to go back to Chop Mode.

From Trim Mode you can also send the sample to a pad (Assigning samples) or run a process on it (Processing slices and samples).

From the community

11.9BasicsManual Assigning Samples p.274

Assigning samples

Once a sample sounds right in Trim Mode, you can put it on a pad without leaving the screen. You choose between a pad that simply points at this part of the sample, which keeps your project tidy, and a new sample in its own right.

Tap Assign at the bottom of the screen. The Assign Sample window opens.
Choose Assign slice to a pad or New Sample to Pad in the Assign To field.
Set the fields for that option, listed below.
Tap Do It. To cancel, tap Close, the X, or anywhere outside the window.

Key combinations

PAD: Selects that pad as the destination.Assign Sample window

Assign slice to a pad

Pad: The destination pad. You can also just press it.
Slice Type: How the pad’s layer settings are set: see the table below.Range Non-Destructive Slice, Pad Parameters
Track: The track that receives the slice.

Slice Type options

Option	What the pad’s layer gets
`Non-Destructive Slice`	`Slice` is set to the slice number.
`Pad Parameters`	`Slice` is set to `Pad`. `Pad Start` and `Pad End` take the slice’s start and end points, and `Loop Position` takes its start point, with `Pad Loop` turned off.

You will find these layer settings in Samples/Oscs tab.

New Sample to Pad

Pad: The destination pad. You can also just press it.
Crop Sample: Ticked, the unused parts are deleted from the new sample. Unticked, they stay, so you can still edit the whole sample later even though you are only using part of it for now.
Track: The track that receives the new sample.

New Sample to Pad creates a new sample in your project and leaves the original as it was. Crop Sample is destructive for the new sample, but the project still holds your original.

11.10IntermediateManual Processing Slices & Samples p.275

Processing slices and samples

The Process window holds the editing functions that change the audio itself: cutting parts out, reversing, fading, changing pitch or length, lowering the bit resolution and more. It opens from Trim Mode and from Pad Mode. Chop Mode has a shorter version for single slices: see Processing slices in Chop Mode.

Tap Process. The Process window opens.
Choose an editing process in the Function field. To see them all at once, double-tap the field or tap Function at the bottom of the screen.
Set the options for that process.
Tap Do It. To leave without processing, tap Cancel.

In the overview of functions, tap Cancel to go back to Sample Edit Mode or tap the top of the screen to go back to the Process window.

Slice group

Process	What it does	Options
`Discard`	Deletes everything before the start point and after the end point.	–
`Delete`	Deletes the region between the start and end points and closes the gap.	–
`Silence`	Replaces the region between the start and end points with silence.	–
`Extract`	Deletes everything before the start point and after the end point and saves the result as a new sample in the project. Handy for lifting one snare or kick out of a drum loop.	`Edit Name`
`Normalize`	Raises the level as high as it can go without distortion. It takes the guesswork out of setting levels on material with a wide range of amplitudes.	–
`Reverse`	Reverses the region between the start and end points.	–
`Fade In`	Fades in between the start and end points.	Curve: see below
`Fade Out`	Fades out between the start and end points.	Curve: see below
`Pitch Shift`	Changes the pitch without changing the length, so you can fit a sample to your project without affecting its tempo or duration. Quality may suffer at extreme settings.	Up to 12 semitones up or down
`Time Stretch`	Changes the sample’s length while its pitch stays put, for instance to match the durations of two samples. `Do It` changes the length of the sample.	See below
`Gain Change`	Raises or lowers the volume. Unlike `Normalize`, it can go past the clipping level, which may be what you want, so keep an eye on your output level.	Up to 18 dB up or down
`Copy`	Saves a copy of the sample.	`Edit Name`: if you leave it, a consecutive number is added after the sample name

Fade In and Fade Out curves

Curve	Shape of the fade
`Linear`	A straight line between the start and end.
`Square Root`	A half-parabola, like `Log` but steeper.
`Square`	The opposite of `Square Root`, like `Exp` but steeper.
`Log`	Rises fast at the start and flattens out towards the end.
`Exp`	Rises slowly at first and steepens towards the end.
`Sine`	Rises slowly, steepens in the middle and flattens out at the end.

Fade Out uses the same six curves as Fade In, applied to the audio fading out instead.

Time Stretch

Beat: The number of beats.
Original Tempo: The sample’s tempo before processing. The manual’s text says you can enter it, and its screenshot shows the field.
New Tempo: The tempo you want. Ratio updates to show the stretch factor.
Ratio: The stretch factor. Set this instead if you prefer, and New Tempo updates to match.

Sample group

Process	What it does	Options
`Bit Reduce`	Lowers the bit resolution, so the sample reproduces the original less faithfully. It sounds like the Resampler effect, but it permanently alters the sample.	Down to 1 bit
`Stereo -> Mono`	Converts a stereo sample and saves the result as a new mono sample.	`Left`, `Right` or `Sum`, and `Edit Name`: see below
`Create Stems`	Pulls the elements you choose out of the sample and saves them as new stem samples.	See below

Stereo -> Mono

Left: Converts the left channel only.
Right: Converts the right channel only.
Sum: Combines the left and right channels into one mono channel.
Edit Name: Names the new sample with the virtual keyboard. If you leave it, a consecutive number is added after the sample name.

Stems

Vocals: Puts the vocal elements into a stem. Tap the icon to select or deselect it, as with the three below.
Bass: Puts the bass elements into a stem.
Drums: Puts the percussive elements into a stem.
Other: Puts any other musical parts, such as keys or guitars, into a stem.
Track: The track the stems are added to.
Assign to Pad: Ticked, you pick a pad in that track and the stems go on the first four layers of that pad. Unticked, they go to the general project sample pool in the Project Info Browser.
Use trimmed sample: Trims the source sample between the Start and End points before separating. Untick it if you want to keep slices with the results, because otherwise they are bypassed.

From the community

Getting Started with MPC Live III | Pro Stems
Akai Professional
Five minutes on Pro Stems, filmed on a Live III; Akai’s FAQ says the G2’s CPU can run it, but Stems Separation is sold separately.

MPC Stems SeparationAkai Professional — Akai’s page for Stems Separation, which is sold separately on the G2.

11.11IntermediateManual Chop Mode p.280

Chop Mode

Where Trim Mode only takes something off the ends of a sample, Chop Mode divides it into regions called slices. Reach for it with a long sample that has different sounds along the way, such as a drum loop or a melodic or harmonic passage. To enter it, tap the Trim/Chop button in the lower-left corner until it says Chop.

Key combinations

PAD: Plays the slice that matches that pad.Chop Mode. Use the other pad banks for more than 16 slices
Unlit PAD: Starts playback of the sample, then places a slice marker at the playhead with each further press.Chop Mode. Pad 1 is usually the one to start with
SHIFT + One Shot: Turns One Shot on or off.Chop Mode
SHIFT + Clear All: Removes all slices from the sample.Chop Mode

The selector in the lower-left corner of the screen sets the slicing method. The Q-Links listed are in column 3 (Sample Edit Mode).

Slicing methods

Method	How it slices	Settings
`Manual`	You place the slices where you want them.	–
`Threshold`	Works out the slices from the volume levels in the sample.	`Threshold` or Q-LINK 2: a higher value makes more slices. `Min Time`: the shortest a slice can be, in milliseconds.
`Regions`	Divides the sample into slices of equal length.	`Regions` or Q-LINK 2: how many regions. A higher value makes more slices.
`BPM`	Divides the sample according to its tempo.	`Bars` or Q-LINK 2: bars in the sample. `Beats` or Q-LINK 3: beats in each bar. `Time Div` or Q-LINK 4: the note division that places the markers: `1/4`, `1/8`, `1/16` or `1/32`. Akai says `1/16` suits most cases.

Working on a slice

Start: The start point of the selected slice. You can also drag the start (S) marker or use Q-Link column 1.
End: The end point of the selected slice. You can also drag the end (E) marker or use Q-Link column 2.
Slice: Selects the slice to edit. You can also turn Q-LINK 1 in column 4, or tap the slice in the waveform with the headphones icon selected.
One Shot: On, one press of a pad plays the whole slice. Off, a slice plays only while you hold its pad.
Link Slices: On, moving a slice’s start point also moves the end point of the slice before it, and moving its end point also moves the start point of the next slice. Turn it off to make slices that are non-sequential, non-contiguous or overlapping.
0 Snap: Forces start and end points onto the waveform’s zero crossings, which can help you avoid clicks and glitches. Hold SHIFT and tap 0 Snap to switch it (Trim Mode).

Adding slices by hand

Tap Slice+ at the bottom of the screen to add a slice at the current playhead position, at any point during playback.
Or play from the pads: press an unlit pad to start the sample, then press further unlit pads to drop a marker at the playhead each time. Pressing a lit pad instead restarts playback from that pad’s marker.
While you do this, the pad lit green has the number of the newest marker, and the pads lit yellow have the numbers of the markers already in place.

To audition a slice on the screen, select the headphones icon in the upper-right corner and tap the slice in the waveform.

Split/Combine Region screen (glue-and-scissors icon)

Button	What it does
`Split`	Splits the selected region into two equal slices.
`Combine`	Joins the selected region with the one before it.
`Back`	Closes the window.

The cue playhead

Cue: The position of the cue playhead, which is useful when you are placing slice markers by hand. You can also drag the translucent marker with the triangle.
Play Cue: At the bottom of the screen: plays the sample from the cue playhead.
Slice+: At the bottom of the screen: creates a slice marker at the cue playhead.

The Settings window sets how the cue playhead behaves (Sample Edit Mode). To make use of your slices, see Converting or assigning slices. To change the audio of a slice, see Processing slices in Chop Mode.

From the community

Can the Akai Pro MPC One G2 Replace Your DAW? | Demo and Overview with Andy Mac
Guitar Center
Akai’s Andy Mac demos the G2 for Guitar Center, including fast beat-making with Sample Chop and using plugins with no computer attached.

MPC 3 - Hip Hop Drum Programming Explained
Ave Mcree
MPC 3 drum programming filmed on a Live II: loading and chopping samples, mute groups in Track Edit, time-stretching, simultaneous play and mixing.

MPC 3.0 EP-37 - Slice Start/End Points & Convert To Track - Tutorial by NervousCook$
NervousCook$
Four minutes on tidying slice start and end points, then converting the slices to a drum track.

11.12IntermediateManual Converting or Assigning Slices p.283

Converting or assigning slices

Slices don’t do much until they reach your pads or tracks. From Chop Mode you can send them to a new drum track, make them into separate samples, lay them out on an audio track, send one to a single pad, or turn the sample into a patched phrase.

In Chop Mode, hold SHIFT and tap Convert. The Convert or Assign Slices window opens.
Choose an option in the Convert To field.
Set the fields for that option, listed below.
Tap Do It. To cancel, tap Close.

Key combinations

SHIFT + Convert: Opens the Convert or Assign Slices window.Chop Mode
PAD: Selects that pad as the destination.Convert or Assign Slices window, with Assign Slice to Pad or New Sample to Pad

Convert To options

Option	What it makes
`New drum track using slices`	A new track with the slices on its pads. The pads only refer to the slices in this sample, so no new samples clutter your project. The track is named after the sample with `ch` added.
`Create New Samples`	A new sample from each slice, assigned to pads in a new track. The track is named after the sample with `ch` added, and the samples have `SI-#` added, where # is a consecutive number.
`Audio Track from Samples`	A new audio track with the converted samples, named after the sample.
`Assign Slice to Pad`	A single pad that refers to the slice in this sample, with no new sample, which keeps your project tidy.
`New Sample to Pad`	A new sample in your project on a single pad. The original stays as it is.
`Patched phrase`	A new sample that plays according to your project’s tempo, placed in the current project. It has the original’s name with `pp` added, and shows a different icon in your project information.

New drum track using slices

Slice Type: How each pad’s layer settings are set: see the table below.Range Non-Destructive Slice, Pad Parameters
Create Events: Tick to create a new sequence in which each pad plays its slice, in ascending order of pad number.
Bars: With Create Events ticked, how many bars the events cover.

Slice Type options

Option	What the pad’s layer gets
`Non-Destructive Slice`	`Slice` is set to the slice number.
`Pad Parameters`	`Slice` is set to `Pad`. `Pad Start` and `Pad End` take the slice’s start and end points, and `Loop Position` takes its start point, with `Pad Loop` turned off.

Create New Samples

Crop Samples: Ticked, the unused parts are deleted from each new sample. This is destructive, though the project still holds your original. Unticked, they stay, so you can still edit the whole of each sample later.
Create new track: On by default. Untick it to put each slice into the project’s sample pool as a sample, with no track or pad assignment.
Create events: Available with Create new track ticked. Writes events so that each pad plays its slice, in ascending order of pad number.
Bars: With Create events ticked, how many bars the events cover.

Audio Track from Samples

Create new track: On by default. Untick it to choose an existing audio track in the project for the samples instead.
Warp Events: Tick to warp the samples so they follow the project tempo.
Bars: How many bars the events cover.

Assign Slice to Pad

Pad: The destination pad. You can also just press it.
Slice Type: How the pad’s layer settings are set: see the table above.Range Non-Destructive Slice, Pad Parameters
Track: The track that receives the slice.

New Sample to Pad

Pad: The destination pad. You can also just press it.
Crop Sample: Ticked, the unused parts are deleted from the new sample. This is destructive, though the project still holds your original. Unticked, they stay, so you can still edit the whole sample later.
Track: The track that receives the new sample.

Patched phrase

Bars: How many bars long the patched phrase should be.

From the community

MPC Series | Convert Your Chopped Samples Into A Drum ProgramAkai Professional — Akai’s short walk through Threshold chopping and converting the slices to a new drum track.

11.13IntermediateManual Processing Slices p.286

Processing slices in Chop Mode

Chop Mode has its own Process window for working on one slice at a time. It offers fewer functions than Trim Mode, and every process affects only the selected slice.

Select the slice you want (Chop Mode).
Hold SHIFT and tap Process. The Process window opens.
Choose an editing process in the Function field. To see them all at once, double-tap the field or tap Function at the bottom of the screen. The ones you can’t use here are darkened.
Set the options for that process, then tap Do It. To leave without processing, tap Cancel.

Key combinations

SHIFT + Process: Opens the Process window for the selected slice.Chop Mode

In the overview of functions, tap Cancel to go back to Sample Edit Mode or tap the top of the screen to go back to the Process window.

Available in Chop Mode

Process	What it does	Options
`Silence`	Replaces the region between the start and end points with silence.	–
`Extract`	Deletes everything before the start point and after the end point and saves the result as a new sample in the project. Handy for lifting one snare or kick out of a drum loop.	A name you enter
`Normalize`	Raises the level as high as it can go without distortion.	–
`Reverse`	Reverses the region between the start and end points.	–
`Fade In`	Fades in between the start and end points.	`Linear`, `Square Root`, `Square`, `Log`, `Exp` or `Sine`
`Fade Out`	Fades out between the start and end points.	The same six curves
`Pitch Shift`	Changes the pitch without changing the length. Quality may suffer at extreme settings.	Up to 12 semitones up or down
`Gain Change`	Raises or lowers the volume. Unlike `Normalize`, it can go past the clipping level, so keep an eye on your output level.	Up to 18 dB up or down
`Create Stems`	Pulls the elements you choose out of the sample and saves them as new stem samples.	`Vocals`, `Bass`, `Drums`, `Other`, `Track`, `Assign to Pad`, `Use trimmed sample`

The fade curves and stem options are explained in Processing slices and samples. Discard, Delete, Time Stretch, Copy, Bit Reduce and Stereo -> Mono are not available here.

11.14IntermediateManual Pad Mode p.290

Pad Mode

Pad Mode is for editing a sample where it actually lives: on a pad in its track. You adjust the pad’s parameters as you would in Track Edit Mode, and what you hear has passed through the track’s audio path. To enter it, tap Pad at the bottom of the screen. The pads now show the samples assigned to them in the current track.

Key combinations

PAD: Plays that pad’s sample or samples and shows the sample on its first layer in the waveform, ready to edit.Pad Mode
SHIFT + To Pad: Changes the Slice field from All to Pad and keeps the start and end points where they are.Pad Mode, with Slice set to All

SHIFT + Loop and SHIFT + 0 Snap work here as they do in Trim Mode.

Parameters

Start: The position of the start point. You can also drag the start (S) marker or use Q-Link column 1.
End: The position of the end point. You can also drag the end (E) marker or use Q-Link column 2.
Loop: The position of the loop point, which can’t be earlier than the start point. With Loop Lock on it also moves with the S marker and Q-Link column 1; with Loop Lock off, with the loop marker and Q-Link column 3.
Loop Lock: On, the loop point is the same as the start point. Off, it moves on its own.
Loop button: Turns the loop on or off and cycles through the four modes below. While the loop is on, the region between the loop point and the end point repeats, which helps you find the best place to begin the sample.Range Off, Forward, Reverse, Alternating
Tune: Transposes the sample up or down from its original pitch.
From BPM: Opens the Edit Tuning window, described below.
Root Note: The note that plays the sample at its original pitch on a keygroup track.
Slice: Switches the display between the edited version of the sample (Pad) and the whole thing (All).Range Pad, All
Link Slices: Has no function in Pad Mode.
0 Snap: Forces start, end and loop points onto the waveform’s zero crossings, which can help you avoid clicks and glitches.

Loop modes

Mode	What happens
`Off`	The sample doesn’t loop.
`Forward`	At the end point, playback jumps back to the loop point and carries on.
`Reverse`	At the end point, playback runs backwards. At the loop point it returns to the end point and runs backwards again.
`Alternating`	At the end point, playback runs backwards. At the loop point it runs forwards again.

Edit Tuning window

Number of Beats: Set this to match the number of beats in the sequence.
Match: Tunes the sample to the project. The Tune field updates by itself and the window closes.
To Project: Does the same as Match, and sets the project to the BPM in the Tempo field on the right.
Close: Closes the window.

Assign and Process at the bottom of the screen open the same windows as in Trim Mode, and they work the same way: see Assigning samples and Processing slices and samples.

11.15IntermediateManual Looper p.338, Effects p.85, MPC One G2 p.364

Looper

The Looper records and overdubs audio as you play, which makes it useful on stage and for catching ideas in the studio. When you have something you like, export it as a sample to use in your project. To open it, press MENU | PREFS, go to the second page of modes and tap Looper.

Quick start

Turn down your audio source, headphones and monitors before you plug anything in, so you avoid pops and feedback.
Connect your source to the Inputs on the rear panel (Connections).
Play the source and turn REC VOL until you see the level in the meter. Keep it from sitting at the maximum.
Set the controls described below.
If Sync is on, the Looper records only while the sequence plays. Tap it to turn it off and record freely.
Set the Record To selector to Overdub.
Tap the Rec/Record button in the lower-right corner to arm the Looper.
Play your source. Recording starts as soon as the level reaches the threshold, or you can start it by hand by tapping Play at the bottom of the screen. Each time the loop comes round while recording, a new layer is added.
Tap Play to stop recording.

Key combinations

PLAY: Starts transport playback, and Looper recording starts with it.Looper, with Record To on Overdub and Sync on
PLAY START | METRONOME: Starts transport playback, and Looper recording starts with it.Looper, with Record To on Overdub and Sync on
STOP | RETURN: Stops transport playback, which stops Looper playback and recording.Looper, with Record To on Overdub
SHIFT + Export to Pad: Opens the Keep or Discard Sample window to export the loop to a pad.Looper

Controls

Input Source: The upper-left field. Chooses what gets recorded: see the table below.
Mono/Stereo: The second field in the upper left. Sets whether the recorded loop is mono or stereo.Range Mono, Stereo
Inserts: Shows the Looper’s effects and whether each is on. Tap the area under Inserts to load, change, enable or disable them. The Looper can use up to four.
Monitor: In: your headphones carry the source before it reaches the Looper, with zero latency. You can only choose this when Input Source is set to an input, not a Resample option. Off: they carry it after the Looper has processed it, so you may notice some latency, but what you hear matches the recording.Range In, Off
Threshold slider: Once the Looper is armed, recording begins by itself when the incoming level passes this point. Set it by watching the level meter: too high and the recording may not start or may lose its opening; too low and it may start before you play. It works only when Sync is off. With the Q-Links in Screen mode, Q-LINK 1 moves it too.
Level meter: Shows the incoming level and holds the highest level reached, the peak hold. Tap it to reset the peak hold.
Bars: The length of the loop. It stays this long however much or little audio you record.
Sync: On, the Looper stays in step with your project, and it waits for the transport to start before it plays or records. Off, it runs free of the transport.
Record To: How recording begins: see the table below.Range Play, Overdub
Output Gain: The Looper’s output level.

Input Source options

Option	Records
`Input 1,2`	The two Inputs as a pair.
`Input 1`, `Input 2`	One Input on its own.
`Resample L`, `Resample R`, `Resample L+R`	The MPC’s own internal signal. This needs no cable and records with no loss of audio quality.

Recording with each Record To setting

Record To	Before recording	Start recording	Stop recording, keep playing	Stop playback and recording
`Play`	Tap `Play` so the Looper is playing.	Tap `Replace` or `Overdub`. Recording starts at once.	Tap `Replace` or `Overdub`.	Tap `Play`.
`Overdub`	Tap `Rec/Record` in the lower-right corner to arm the Looper.	Tap `Play`. With `Sync` off you can also play your source up to the threshold. With `Sync` on you can also press `PLAY` or `PLAY START \| METRONOME`, and recording starts when the transport does.	Tap `Overdub`.	Tap `Play`, or press `STOP \| RETURN` to stop transport playback.

Other Looper buttons

Button	What it does
`Play`	Plays or stops the loop without recording.
`Reverse`	Reverses loop playback. With `Sync` on, this happens when the playhead reaches the end of the loop. With `Sync` off, it happens immediately.
`Clear`	Erases the loop immediately.

Export the loop to an audio track

Tap Export to Track. The Looper Export window opens.
Choose the audio track in the Audio Track field.
Tap Export to Track to confirm, or Cancel to back out. Once exporting finishes, the loop is assigned to that track.

Export the loop to a pad

Hold SHIFT and tap Export to Pad. The Keep or Discard Sample window opens.
Choose a Track, or <none> to keep the sample in the project without assigning it to a track. Tapping Save puts it in the general sample pool.
Choose a pad in Assign to Pad, and set where the original pitch sits in Root Note.
If a sequence was playing while you recorded, more options appear once you select a pad. Tick Add Event to add the sample to that sequence, and set At to Start for the start of the sequence or Trigger for the point where you began recording.
Tap Keep to confirm. Discard throws the recording away, Play plays it, and Edit saves it and opens Sample Edit Mode.

From the community