How to set up pads & keys on MPK Mini [SOLVED]

[soalaih]

I've seen a bunch of material on how to set up knobs and faders in logic, but I can't figure out how to set up pads and keyboards...

 

I've got an mpk mini, and I'd like to play software instruments using it, specifically mapping drums to the pads and other instruments to the keys. I'm a complete noob when it comes to midi controllers so I could use all the help I can get.

 

thanks!

[David Nahmani]

Please add your Logic version and system info to your signature: Forum Rules - please READ THIS before posting (#5)

 

Typically, on a MIDI Controller, keys and pads both send MIDI note events. You can check this by hitting a key or a pad on your keyboard and looking at the MIDI In monitor in Logic: it should display a little note icon and a few numbers after that.

 

So assuming you have a pad that sends a C1 MIDI Note and you want it to trigger a snare in an instrument that maps D1 to that snare? You can either:

- Go into the MIDI Controller interface and reprogram the pad to send D1 instead of C1 (that should be very easy, I recommend that).

- Go into the instrument's interface and reprogram that snare to be triggered by a C1 instead of a D1.

[Nola111]

Soalaih, I own the MPK Mini, and you'll definitely want to do what David recommends in his first option: use the MPK Mini Editor software to program it to put out whatever note messages you want each pad to output, and whatever cc messages you want each knob to output. You can save as many different setups as you want in the Editor to recall based on what your project or instrument requires. The MPK Mini software is here under Docs & Downloads: http://www.akaipro.com/mpkmini

[soalaih]

OK, that definitely makes sense. Where can I find the MIDI In monitor? Where do I find out how software instruments are mapped by default (i.e. how would I know that snare was mapped to D1?) And when playing/recording with this set up am I using a MIDI track or a software instrument track?

[David Nahmani]

Where can I find the MIDI In monitor?

Control-click the Control bar at the top of your main window and choose Customize Control Bar and Displays. In the LCD column select "Custom" and click OK. The MIDI In display reads "No In" when no MIDI data is incoming.

 

Where do I find out how software instruments are mapped by default

It depends on the instrument?

 

And when playing/recording with this set up am I using a MIDI track or a software instrument track?

You use a software instrument track.

 

So the MPK sends MIDI data to Logic, the MIDI notes can be recorded on the software instrument track. When playing the notes, and/or upon playback, the MIDI data you play or the MIDI data read from the track is routed to the software instrument on the channel strip. That software instrument triggers sounds depending on the MIDI data it receives. That sound is routed to the inserts on the software instrument channel strip, then through the fader, then the pan, then the output fader.

[soalaih]

 

Where do I find out how software instruments are mapped by default

It depends on the instrument?

 

 

Nearly 100% here, you mentioned a snare being mapped to D1 and in order to map it to a pad I could change that pad to D1 in the mpk software. Im confused how I'd be able to tell it was mapped to D1 in the first place, can I see this information for each individual piece of a drum kit?

[David Nahmani]

Yes, but like I said it depends which instrument you're using. Many instruments including Drum Kit Designer follow the GM mapping standard:

[soalaih]

OK... Good stuff. Could I use the same methods to assign samples to pads?

[David Nahmani]

Absolutely, yes. A pad is just a programmable key that feels different.

[soalaih]

This is a bit noobish but I can't figure out how to start up exs24. ALL of the videos are from Logic Pro 9 and I can't seem to get the same I/O dropdown menu to appear in Logic Pro X. Help?

[David Nahmani]

Create a new software instrument channel strip.

In the left channel strip in the Inspector, an E-Piano plug-in will automatically be inserted in the instrument slot:

 

Bring your mouse over the E-Piano insert and you'll see an overlay, click on the double-arrow on the right of the overlay to choose a different instrument:

 

[soalaih]

Thanks David, this has helped!

[David Nahmani]

Great!

[ollivier]

Hi,

 

Whatever the note assigned to the pads in the MPK mini editor, the sound pattern is still the same:

 

for example in the editor I set up pad1 E2; pad3 F3; pad4 D3 (or anything else) and the output sound corresponds to keyboard C2, C#2, D2, for pad1, 2, 3, respectively.

 

I am using logic pro X.

 

As I can see that here you are able to setup the pads properly with the editor, could you please indicate me how I can proceed?

 

Many thanks for helping!

[d_an]

I understand this is an extremely old thread, but I have still not solved this issue. I am using Logic Pro x with my Akai MPK mini mk2 and using the Serato Sample plugin. For some reason, within Serato Sample, you can only map 16 notes, and it starts at C1. There is no way to change this within Serato sample. SO in order to accommodate this, I need to change my MIDI mapping on my MPK mini. I need to map the MPK mini PADS, so that Pad 1 (Bank A) starts at C1, and it goes chromatically upward from there (C#1 on Pad 2, etc.). When I make these changes in the MPK mini Editor, save it to PROG 1, and then press "send" within the MPK mini editor, the notes on the pads still start at C0. I need it to start at C1. I have tried it several times, and when I change programs, the settings are changing, so the controller seems to be working properly, but for some reason I can't get it to update to the Program that I edited. I know this seems like more of an Akai related issue but this matches the topic of this thread and I would really appreciate some guidance. I have not found my answer on an Akai page.