Pro Studio Kit 3.5

FAQs

• What is a multisampled drum kit?

  Rather than use just one sample for each instrument in a kit, a multisampled drum kit contains multiple recordings of each instrument covering a range of different playing methods and techniques. For example, a snare could be provided with a 'centre' hit, a rim shot, a cross stick, flam, edge hit, roll and so on. These are called 'articulations'. Each articulation is recorded over a number of different velocities to capture the natural dynamics. The sounds are then assigned to MPC drum programs to create a very realistic sounding finger drumming kit that can be used for live performing or for sequencing in your MPC or DAW.

• I have an MPC with MPCe pads, can I also use the 'standard' pad layout?

  Yes, owners of 'gen 2' MPCs such as the MPC Live 3 and MPC XL are free to use either MPCe or standard pad versions of each kit, it's entirely up to you. We've provided all kit presets and MIDI patterns in both formats.

• Does this expansion work with MPC3 and MPC2?

  Yes, the expansion includes separate versions for MPC3 and MPC2 making it compatible with all modern MPCs, Akai Force, MPC Software and MPC Beats. It also comes with an edition made specifically for the MPC Sample.

• How do the custom Q-LINK macros work?

  Hold down the [Q-LINK] button on your MPC and select 'TRACK' mode; now all Q-LINKS will be mapped to the 16 unique Q-LINK macros we've configured for the kit. These give you instant, hands-on control of various FX settings (e.g. compression, EQ, ambience, lofi etc), as well as kit configuration options including dynamic range, punch, humanise/randomise, and many more.

• How are the MPCe Kits configured?

  As this is expansion is all about creating realistic acoustic drum kit performances, we've utilised MPCe technology to mimic the way a real drum is played. For example, if you hit the main snare pad dead centre, you get a 'centre' snare (including all its associated velocity layers and round robins). If you hit the same pad nearer to its edge, you'll hear the 'edge' snare samples. We've configured a similar set up for crash, ride and toms Other pads are configured as straight 'splits' - for example, hi hats are split with closed hats on the left, open hat articulations on the right. MPCe kits also feature MPCe macros configured on spare pads in bank A; these allow you to perform real time manipulation of various FX and filter parameter (e.g. filter sweeps, dynamic lofi fx processing etc).

• What is a round robin?

  To mimic the subtle changes in timbre you can hear each time you play a note on an acoustic instrument, we record multiple 'takes' for each note and set up the MPC program to play back one of these samples randomly each time you play that particular note. This is referred to as a 'round robin'.

• Is this easy to install in standalone MPCs and the Force?

  Yes, we provide two separate installers, one for 'standalone' use and one for installation directly into the MPC Software/MPC Beats. The standalone version is simply copied directly to the 'Expansions' folder on your MPC/Force disk, the MPC Software XPN file is just dragged directly into the software. Full instructions for both standalone and MPC Software installation are provided in the included User Guide.

• Are these kits ready to play?

  Yes! All the kits have been fully pre-configured with all drums pre-mapped in a finger-drumming friendly way, with pad colours added for easy drum identification. Each kit also has all FX, filters, program parameters and mixing set up for you. Just audition the kit previews in the browser, load your chosen kit and start playing. And if you need inspiration, try loading some of the included MIDI drum patterns which will give you a set of drum grooves to work with.

• Can I finger drum with these kits?

  Absolutely - the pads are laid out in the same finger drumming friendly layout used in all our multisampled kits, this allows you to play realistic acoustic drum grooves with minimal hand movement. As with any MPC kit you can of course re-arrange the pads into any layout you prefer by using the 'COPY PADS' function.