How to Use External Midi Devices with the Akai MPC 2000xl

The Akai MPC 2000xl allows users to connect to and use various midi devices. Midi stands for musical instrument digital interface. Midi devices connect to, synchronize and record various electronic musical instruments. Using external midi devices with the MPC helps to create many different types of music.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Set up your Akai MPC 2000xl to read external midi devices. Use your cursor to move down the screen to where is says "Drums." Turn the dial until it says "Midi."

2. Assign the channel to the attached midi device. Press "Enter." This triggers the midi device with the use of the touch pads, controller or the keyboard plugged into the external midi device.

3. Play your midi device or use the controls to input a stored sequence into the MPC.

4. Edit your sequence using the various options provided by the MPC. The MPC gives you the choice to crop, slice, synchronize, layer or add various sounds to the information provided by the midi device.

5. Save your sequences into the MPC. Select "Save" on the Main Menu. Choose the port you want to save to. The Akai MPC 2000xl also has a zip drive and USB ports that work with external hard drives.

Tips & Warnings

• When working on a long sequence, save your progress frequently. If the Akai MPC 2000xl loses power, all the work from your last save point is lost.