Downbeat Kit 3

FAQs

• Does Downbeat Kit 3 work in the MPC Sample?

  Yes, the download includes a dedicated 'MPC Sample edition' which contains all kits and presets as 'cycle' kits with up to 4 round robins per pad. You can load individual kits to any project, or load a complete project file which also contains a 4 bar MIDI drum sequence optimised to match each kit (but you can freely mix and match any other preset with this sequence).

• In the MPC3 edition, are round robins available for every velocity layer?

  Yes, each velocity layer contains up to three round robins. Each pad also employs crossfading to achieve smooth, seamless transitions between the 8 velocity layers.

• 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.

• Is this expansion compatible with MPC2?

  Yes, we've also included versions of all kits and MIDI patterns for MPC 2.15+. Just be aware that MPC2 does not support combining velocity layers and round robins (cycles), nor does it support layer crossfading. WPreset kits in the MPC2 version are configured as cycle kits, while the two core kits are provided with separate velocity switching and cycle kit versions.

• 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.

• Does this expansion come with browser previews?

  Yes, just select any kit in the browser and you'll hear a short audio preview made with that particular kit. We've also added browser previews to all the included MIDI grooves. For automatic playback, just make sure that you have AUDITION > AUTO set in the browser.

• 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.

• What are MIDI Drum patterns?

  Midi drum patterns are short MIDI performances which can be loaded directly to a track in an MPC/Akai force as standard MIDI events – match them with a drum kit to instantly add grooves with a 'real drummer' human feel. The tempo and contents of the resulting MIDI track are fully editable to your exact needs using standard MPC sequencing tools (e.g. grid edit, list edit etc) and you are free to assign different drum kits to the pattern until you find the exact combination you need.

• 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.