MPC One Setup Guide
Getting started with the MPC One
In this guide, we will show you how to get up and running with the Akai MPC One in no time. This means you’ll learn how to register and navigate the hardware connections. Be sure to check out Akai’s great quick start video series, as well! Follow the sections below to get started.
Register the MPC One
Before we start, the first thing you’ll need to do is create an account with Akai and register the MPC One to your account. When you register your device, you’ll gain access to the MPC software, drivers, and a premium collection of sounds. Follow these steps to register your device and then continue to Setup and connections.
- Log in to your Akai account. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one here.
- On the My Account page, click My Registered Products and enter the serial number located on the bottom of your device, then click Register Product. The serial number begins with (21).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your registration.
Click the image to register your Akai MPC One
Hardware connections
Now that your MPC One is registered with Akai, let’s walk you through the different types of connections available on the device. There are quite a few options available to connect external gear like analog synths, MIDI devices, and even external hard drives. Depending on the gear you’re connecting, no additional setup is required.
Link
This Ethernet connection allows you to use Ableton Link, sync with other devices, and also access samples from your Splice account. You will need to update the settings within Ableton and IP configuration on the MPC One. For more information on Ableton Link, check out their setup guide and FAQ. Be sure to check out the MPC One manual for detailed instructions on how to set it up.
USB
The MPC One has one USB-B port which you can connect to your computer. With the USB-A port, you can connect standard USB MIDI controllers. If you wish to add more disk space, you can connect a thumb drive or external hard drive. This is especially useful for backup purposes or if you plan on loading a lot of custom samples or have many projects. Learn more about external storage with the MPC One below.
Inputs
The ¼” TRS inputs are for connecting an audio device such as a drum machine, synthesizer. If you have an ⅛” to ¼” cable, you can also connect mobile devices for recording samples. When you create an audio track, you can create a stereo track, mono track, or a resampled (internally routed) track, which means it will record whatever comes out of the outputs.
MIDI
The MIDI ports allow you to connect an external MIDI controller or drum machine via five-pin MIDI cables. Once connected, you can assign the keys/pads from your MIDI controller to functions on the MPC One. It also has a MIDI learn feature, which is particularly useful in live applications, if for example, you want to control a filter on the fly.
CV/Gate
These connections allow you to send analog control messages to external synthesizers and sequencers. To enable the CV outputs, go to the Main page and press the MIDI tab on the touchscreen. Next, press CV, then select the CV output your device is connected to.
- The CV outputs accept ⅛” (3.5mm) TRS cables. Mono ⅛” (3.5mm) TS cables are also compatible.
External storage
While the MPC One has a 2GB capacity for user data, you can use a USB thumb drive, external hard drives, and also SD or SDHC cards for additional space. Akai recommends you format the external storage device to exFAT. However, you can also format it to FAT32, NTFS, EXT4, or HFS+. If this is your first time formatting, be sure to check out our articles on how to do format external devices on PC and Mac.
MPC One Product Overview
Navigating the MPC One controls
Like its counterparts, the MPC One has plenty of controls that you can use to navigate the hardware, as well as the MPC DAW Software. Each button allows you to access specific menus. When holding the Shift button, the same buttons give you access to even more. For a deep dive on which button controls which menu, check out page 26 of the MPC manual.
What are Q-Link knobs?
The Q-Link knobs are located to the right of the touchscreen. These are fully customizable, so you can assign each knob to control pretty much any macro control you want. Q-Link knobs also control parameters such as scrubbing tracks, changing the tempo, and adjusting the level of selected programs.
- You can create four banks of custom knobs by holding the Shift button and press the Sample Edit button.
- Switch between banks by pressing the Q-Link button.
- Edit the Q-Link parameter assignments by going to Menu, and then tapping Q-Link Edit on the touchscreen.
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