SampQOL OS User Manual

This manual is for SampQOL OS 0.1.4.7.

This manual shows only what SampQOL OS adds or changes. For all other functions, see the stock MPC Sample User Guide.

Introduction

What is SampQOL OS?

SampQOL OS is a mod for the MPC Sample. It adds functions that stock 1.3.0 does not have, for example a mixer with inserts on pads, tracks and submixes, a Step Edit with a Track View, recording directly into the sequence, a looper, an EQ for each pad, export of stems, and more drum tracks.

The functions stay close to the MPC workflow. The ideas come from different sources, most of all from the MPC One, Live and X.

• The mod starts from the microSD card. It does not flash the device.
• Without the SD card (or when you select Cancel), the MPC starts as stock 1.3.0.
• Your projects stay normal MPC projects. On a stock MPC Sample, the project opens, but the mod functions do not work there. See Compatibility and limitations.

Is it safe?

SampQOL OS does not flash the MPC. It does not change the stock firmware or the system files.

1. The MPC Sample has a stock function that runs a script from the SD card at start-up (the autorun folder). This is why the display asks "Start SampQOL OS?".
2. When you select Start, the script starts the stock MPC Sample software, with the mod loaded next to it.
3. The mod is only in the memory (RAM) of the MPC. When you set the MPC off, the mod is gone.

Important: You use SampQOL OS at your own risk. SampQOL OS is a free mod. It is not a product of Akai Professional or inMusic, and they do not give support for it.

Tip: An error in the mod can stop the software while you play. Then you lose what you did not save. Save your project often, and keep a copy of your important projects.

About this manual

Names of buttons, knobs and settings are in bold. B1, B2 and B3 are the three buttons above the display. K1, K2 and K3 are the three knobs below the display.

Tip: A tip is in a block like this one.

Knobs on SampQOL screens

K1–K3 on the SampQOL screens act as stock knobs. They follow MIDI Config > Parameter Takeover:

• Pickup: the value does not move until the knob reaches it. A small arrow next to the knob shows which way to turn.
• Scaled: the value moves from where it is. The value and the knob reach the end together.
• Instant: the value goes to the knob position at once.

The FADER follows MIDI Config > Fader Takeover.

Four knobs step with the turn and never jump: Keys (SHIFT + K1), Export (K1), the track color (K1) and the two EQ crossovers together (SHIFT + K2).

Quick overview

Installation and start-up

You need:

• A microSD card with the format exFAT.
• A computer (Mac or Windows) with a card reader.
• The zip file of SampQOL OS, for example SampQOL-OS-v0.1.4.7.zip. Use the file with the highest number.

Install

1. Check the MPC. Push and hold SHIFT and push PAD 8 – MIDI CONFIG. The top right of the display must show v1.3.0. If not, see Troubleshooting.
2. Copy. Unzip the zip file. Put the microSD card in the computer. Drag the folder autorun from the unzipped folder onto the card (Mac: in Finder; Windows: in File Explorer). Then eject the card.
3. Start. Set the MPC off. Put the card in the MPC. Set the MPC on.
4. The display asks "Start SampQOL OS?". Select Start.

The display shows the SAMPQOL logo, the version (v0.1.4.7) and beatops.io/SampQOL until the app is ready. This takes about 17 seconds.

Every start

At each start with the SD card, the display asks "Start SampQOL OS?".

• Start = SampQOL OS.
• Cancel = stock 1.3.0.

To see if the mod runs: open MIDI Config (SHIFT + PAD 8). The top right shows the mod version, for example v0.1.4.7. Stock shows v1.3.0.

SD Card Access (SHIFT + PAD 16) works as in stock.

Watchdog

A watchdog monitors the mod. If the mod crashes, the watchdog starts SampQOL OS again in a few seconds. You lose only what you did not save. If the mod crashes again within 2 minutes, the MPC starts as stock. Each crash is written to the card, in the folder autorun/logs.

Project safety net

At each start-up (before "Start SampQOL OS?") and after a crash, stock loads the open project. Stock can then delete samples that only SampQOL OS uses. SampQOL OS keeps a copy of the open project in the background. The copy of the samples uses no extra space. When SampQOL OS starts:

• If stock did not change the project, the missing samples come back. You see no message.
• If stock changed the project, your last SampQOL OS version is in the browser as the project QOL-Recovery-<date> (Projects > User).

When the project has loaded, the SAMPLE screen shows the question RECOVERY with the name of the newest QOL-Recovery project:

1. Push B3 (Load) to load your last SampQOL OS version. Save then offers the name of your original project. Save it to continue with that name. The QOL-Recovery project stays in the browser.
2. Push B2 (Delete) to delete the QOL-Recovery project and its samples. Your open project does not change.
3. Push B1 (Cancel) to keep the QOL-Recovery project in the browser. The MPC does not ask again for this project.

Tip: A stock question that opens over RECOVERY closes it. The MPC then asks again at the next start. You can also load or delete a QOL-Recovery project in the browser, as any other project.

Two rules

Important: SampQOL OS is only confirmed to work with 1.3.0. If you update the MPC firmware, SampQOL OS will probably not work. Ignore the updates on the Akai web page (mpc-sample.local) and in the inMusic Software Center.

Important: Save your project before you put the card in an MPC that is on. The display then asks "Start SampQOL OS?". Start restarts the MPC software, and you lose what you did not save.

Go back to stock or install a new version

• Stock for one session: select Cancel at start-up, or start without the SD card.
• Stop for good: delete the folder autorun from the card.
• New version: delete the folder autorun from the card. Then do step 2, 3 and 4 of Install with the new zip file.

Settings

1. Push and hold SHIFT and push PAD 8 – MIDI CONFIG.
2. Push B2 to go to Settings. If Shortcuts > Shift+Pad 8 is Settings, the MPC skips this step.
3. Turn the ENCODER to select a line. The ENCODER skips the grey group headers.
4. Push the ENCODER. The line becomes blue (as in stock MIDI Config). A line with > opens its list instead.
5. Turn the ENCODER to change the value.
6. Push the ENCODER again. The line becomes white.
7. Push B1 (Back) or B2 to go back to MIDI Config.

The mod saves the settings on the SD card (mpcqol.conf).

Tip: The battery charge is an estimate from the battery voltage. During heavy use or while the MPC charges, it can be different from the battery light.

Shortcuts

Give SHIFT + a pad, SHIFT + SAMPLE and PAD FX a different function. All three pick from the same list of screens.

1. In Settings, select Shortcuts (group SYSTEM) and push the ENCODER.
2. Turn the ENCODER to select a button.
3. Push the ENCODER, turn it to change the function, and push it again.
4. Push B1 (Back) or B2 to go back to Settings.

The functions:

• Stock: the stock function of the pad.
• View Follow: sets what the Pad View and the Track View follow: the playhead or the cursor. See below.
• Count-In: the stock COUNT-IN.
• Pad View: opens the Pad View, as SHIFT + SAMPLE.
• Mixer: opens the Mixer, as PAD FX.
• Off: the pad or button does nothing.
• Settings: SHIFT + PAD 8 opens the Settings list at once. B1 or B2 goes to MIDI Config.
• Input Config: opens the stock Input Config menu, as SHIFT + SAMPLE in stock.
• Pad FX: opens the stock Pad FX screen, as PAD FX in stock.

Tip: When you move Pad View off Shift+Sample or Mixer off PAD FX, set a Shift+Pad to it to keep it at hand. SHIFT + PAD FX always opens Flex Beat, as in stock.

Tip: A function can be on more than one pad. When a pad has a function, its stock function is gone. For example, with Shift+Pad 5 = Mixer, you open the master Color Comp. in the Mixer: Master, Edit. SHIFT + PAD 9, 10, 11 and 16 are not in the list: the mod already adds to their stock function.

View Follow

View Follow sets what the Pad View page and the Track View window follow while the sequence plays.

• Follow Playhead: the view scrolls with the playhead. The cursor stays where it is.
• Follow Cursor: the view stays at the cursor.

1. Set a Shift+Pad to View Follow.
2. Push SHIFT + that pad. A popup shows Pad/Track View with Follow Playhead or Follow Cursor. Each push sets the other value.

Tip: Turn the ENCODER or push - or +: Follow Playhead stops until the next start of the sequence. The MPC keeps your choice after a restart.

Sample Mode

The SAMPLE screen header

The SAMPLE screen shows the sequence and the track before the pad, for example "S01 T02 A01". T03+ means that a new track comes when you release PAD BANK (see Select a track).

• While you hold SEQ, the name field shows the sequence name, and S01 is red. When you turn the ENCODER, it shows the sequence that you will get.
• While you hold PAD BANK, the name field shows the track name, and T01 is red at once.
• While the sequence plays and a selected sequence waits for the end of the loop, S01 is red and the name field shows "Next" and the name of that sequence.
• While you hold SAMPLE, A01 is red. SAMPLE + pad selects that pad without sound (stock).

EQ page

Each pad has a 3-band EQ, directly after the filter. At 0 dB, the EQ does not change the sound, and it uses no extra CPU.

1. Push SAMPLE and select a pad.
2. Push B3 until the EQ page shows. B3 steps through Filter > Flt Env > EQ.
3. Turn the knobs:
   • K1 = Low, K2 = Mid, K3 = High.
   • Fully left = the band is off (kill). Center = 0 dB. Fully right = +6 dB.
4. Crossover points:
   • SHIFT + K1 = crossover Low/Mid (40 Hz – 1 kHz).
   • SHIFT + K3 = crossover Mid/High (600 Hz – 15 kHz).
   • SHIFT + K2 = moves the two crossovers together.

The ENCODER changes the knob with the white frame (the last knob that you turned). The window shows a live spectrum of the pad (after the EQ) with the EQ curve.

• Automation: turn K1–K3 during SEQ RECORD and PLAY.
• Erase automation: push and hold ERASE and turn K1, K2 or K3 on the EQ page. With SHIFT, you erase the crossovers.
• The project saves the EQ values for each pad.

Tip: The EQ plays only on the MPC Sample with SampQOL OS. Do you need an EQ that plays on every MPC? Then put an EQ effect on the pad as an insert in the Mixer.

Sample Tail

With Tail, the end of a sample (or chop) sounds longer. The last part plays back and forth (ping-pong) and fades out. Thus a chop does not stop abruptly.

1. Push SAMPLE and select a pad.
2. Push B1 until the Tail page shows. B1 steps through Trim > Mix > Amp Env > Tail.
3. Turn the knobs:
   • K1 = Start: the size of the part that plays back and forth (4 ms to 1 s). A blue line in the waveform shows where this part starts.
   • K2 = Length: how long the tail sounds (4 ms to 5 s). Fully left = Off (default).

• Tail does not work when Loop is on.
• In Chop Mode, Tail is for the selected chop.
• The project saves the Tail values.

16 LEVELS Scale

With Scale, the 16 pads play the sample of one pad on the notes of a scale. You can also play a chord on each pad, or an arpeggio (Arp).

1. Push SAMPLE and select a pad.
2. Push 16 LEVELS to set 16 Levels on.
3. Push and hold SHIFT and push 16 LEVELS until the display shows "16 Level / Scale". The types cycle Velocity > Filter > Tune > Scale.
4. An orange bar shows on the knob area. Turn the knobs:
   • K1 = Key (C to B).
   • K2 = Scale: Major, Minor, Harm Minor, Maj Pent, Min Pent, Dorian, Phrygian, Mixolydian, Blues.
   • K3 = Octave (-2 to +2).
5. Play the pads. PAD 1 plays the key. The pads above it go up the scale. In Scale, the pads light orange.

Example: Key C, Major. PAD 1 plays C. PAD 2 and up play D, E, F, G and more. PAD 8 plays the next C.

The key plays at the nearest pitch: up to 5 semitones higher or 6 semitones lower. Use Octave for more.

The note of your sample: Scale uses the KEYS root note of the pad (see KEYS). The bar then shows the root next to the key, for example "Key C (D3)". When the KEYS root is Off, Scale thinks that the sample is a C.

Chord: hold SHIFT and turn K1: Chord Off, 1-3-5, 1-3-5-7, 1-3-5-6, 1-3-5-9, 1-3-5-7-9, 1-2-5, 1-4-5, 1-5, 1-5-8. The numbers are the steps of the scale (8 = one octave up). A recorded chord keeps all tones, each 1 tick after the tone before it. On a pad in Note On mode, each tone plays with its own length.

Arp: hold SHIFT and turn K2 to select a pattern: Arp Off, Up, Down, Up & Down, Converge, Diverge, Thumb Up, Pinky Up, Random. SHIFT + K3 sets the number of octaves (1 to 4).

1. Push and hold NOTE REPEAT.
2. Push and hold two or more pads. The repeats play the held pads one at a time, in the pattern.

Rate, swing and recording of the Arp are as stock Note Repeat. When Chord and Arp are both on, each step plays a chord.

Pad grid: push B2 (Grid) to show or hide a 4×4 grid over the waveform. Each cell shows the note of its pad (for example E3) and the chord name (for example Em7). The pads that play the key are orange. When the grid is off, it shows for 2 seconds after you turn a knob.

• While you hold SHIFT, the bar shows the Chord and Arp values. SHIFT + pad always does the stock function.
• The mod saves the Scale values on the SD card, not in the project.
• A recording is a normal 16 Levels note. The project also opens on a stock MPC.
• Push SHIFT + 16 LEVELS again to go back to Velocity.

Tip: Set the pad to Poly (Play page, K1) to hear a chord. A pad in Mono mode plays only one tone.

Note: Scale does not work when Warp is on in mode Pitch (as stock Tune). Set Warp to Off or to Time stretch (SHIFT + PAD 15).

Two pads: when you push a second pad, the first pad stops, as in stock. When you release the first pad, the second pad keeps playing until you release it.

KEYS: play a pad from a MIDI keyboard

With KEYS, a MIDI keyboard plays the selected pad chromatically. The pads stay drums; the keyboard plays your sample at pitch.

Connect the keyboard:

1. Connect the keyboard with USB, or with a MIDI cable to MIDI IN.
2. Open MIDI Config (SHIFT + PAD 8).
3. Set MIDI Port to USB and Pad MIDI In to On.

Play:

1. Push SAMPLE and select a pad (SAMPLE + pad selects without a sound).
2. Play the keyboard. C3 plays the sample at its original pitch. Chords, release per key and the sustain pedal work.

Change the root note of a pad:

1. Push SAMPLE and push B2 until the Play page shows.
2. Hold SHIFT. K1 shows Keys and the root note.
3. Turn SHIFT + K1: one step = one semitone.
   • Below C#-2 is Off: the keyboard plays the pads as in stock.
   • Below Off is Default: the pad follows Settings > MIDI Keyboard Plays. The value shows in brackets, for example "(C3)".

The project saves the root note of each pad.

Chopped pad: on a pad with 2 or more slices, each key plays one slice at the original pitch. The root note plays slice 1, the next key up plays slice 2, and so on. To play the pad chromatically, set Settings > MIDI Keys on Chop Pad to Pitch.

NOTE REPEAT: hold a key. The selected pad repeats at the pitch of that key.

Record: set SEQ RECORD on and play. The MPC records normal 16 Levels notes (Tune, or Slice on a chopped pad) on the pad. The project also opens on a stock MPC. On a pad in Note On mode, each tone of a recorded chord plays with its own length.

Tip: A key does not add a note in Step Edit, as in stock. Use the pads there.

Chop Mode

128 slices: Chop Mode can have up to 128 slices on one sample. PAD BANK selects the bank: bank A = slices 1-16, bank B = 17-32, up to bank H = 113-128. Play the sample, push PAD BANK and tap the pads of the next bank. ERASE + pad works on each bank.

64 slices with Threshold and Split: Chop Type Threshold and Split (SHIFT + B2) make up to 64 slices: banks A-D. A lower Threshold gives more slices.

Regions 32 and 64: K3 (Chop Type) has 7 positions: Threshold, Regions 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and Manual. Turn K3 to the right for more regions. The screen shows no number: the position on the bar tells the type.

When you leave Chop Mode, a Threshold or Regions chop becomes Manual. The slices stay. To chop again, turn K3 to Threshold or Regions.

Note: Stock MPC Sample software chops a Threshold or Regions pad again and keeps only 16 slices. A Manual pad keeps all its slices, also on a device without the mod.

Tip: At 64 slices, Split stays white but does not split. Use Merge first, or add a slice by hand.

Link Slices: when Link Slices is on, the start of the next slice moves with the end of a slice. Hold SHIFT and turn K3 to set it Off or On for this pad. Each pad keeps its own choice in the project. A pad with no own choice follows Settings > Link Slices Default. With Chop Type Threshold, SHIFT + K3 stays the stock Threshold.

Ask before rechop: a new Chop Type (K3) makes new slices. Before your own slices go, the MPC asks "CHANGE CHOP TYPE": B1 = Cancel, B3 = Do It!. To set when it asks, use Settings > Ask Before Rechop.

Zero crossing: with Settings > Snap to Zero Crossing = Always, Start, End, Loop, chops and slices snap to a zero crossing at every zoom. Thus you hear fewer clicks. The default is Stock.

Extract puts the chops of a pad on their own pads. It makes no new WAV: each new pad is a copy of the chopped pad, with the chop as its Start and End. The stock Extract (a new WAV for each chop) is not available.

1. Push SAMPLE, select a chopped pad and open Chop Mode.
2. Select a slice.
3. Hold SHIFT and push B1 (Extract):
   • B1 = Cancel.
   • B2 = Pad: the selected slice goes to the first empty pad of the track.
   • B3 = Track: each chop goes to its own empty pad, in order, over all 8 banks.
4. The display shows "Extracted to:" and the pad (or the first and last pad).

• One UNDO removes the full Extract.
• With too few empty pads, the display shows "No Empty Pads".
• Extract works only when the sequence is stopped.
• Notes in the sequence do not change.

Sample Record Mode

All settings of the stock Input Config menu are on the SAMPLE RECORD screen. SHIFT + SAMPLE opens the Pad View. To get the stock Input Config menu back, set Settings > Shortcuts > Shift+Sample to Input Config.

SHIFT + B2 sets Rec Input Effects (label Input FX) on or off. On: the Knob FX goes into the recording.

Undo and Redo (SHIFT + - / +) work on SAMPLE RECORD. While a recording runs, the MPC shows Stop the recording first.

To Seq: record directly into the sequence

With To Seq, the MPC adds the note of the new sample to the sequence.

1. Push SAMPLE RECORD.
2. Push B2 to set To Seq on (white box = on).
3. Use K2 to select the recording length:
   • Seq: the recording starts at the start of the loop and is one loop long. The note is on beat 1.
   • Free: the recording starts immediately. To stop, tap the pad again. The note is at the time that you started.
4. Tap the pad that you want to record to.

After the recording, the note is in the sequence, and the pad plays at once.

• Sequence stopped: a tap on the pad starts the sequence. The recording starts on beat 1 of bar 1. With COUNT-IN on (SHIFT + PAD 4), first 1 bar of count-in. STOP during the count-in = no recording.
• Record again on the same pad: the new take replaces the old notes of that pad. The automation of the pad stays. To add a layer, record on a different pad.
• Remove a take: push SHIFT + - (Undo) one time. The popup shows To Seq A01. The note goes, and the old notes and the old sample of the pad come back. This also applies to a Looper take.

Tip: To Seq is tested in 4/4 and 3/4. Other time signatures are not tested yet.

Looper

The Looper records more than one pass over the same loop. When you stop, the MPC puts all passes on top of each other in one loop.

1. Push SAMPLE RECORD and set To Seq on (B2).
2. Push B3 to set Looper on (white box = on).
3. Set K2 to Free.
4. Tap the pad and play as many passes as you want.
5. Tap the pad again to stop.

Example: play a part on bar 3 of pass 1 and a part on bar 2 of pass 2. Then you hear the two parts in each pass.

• If the sum is too loud, the sound is clipped.
• On a chopped pad, the Looper does not merge the passes, as in stock.
• When you set To Seq off, Looper also goes off.

STOP stays on the screen

STOP stops the sequence, but the display stays on SAMPLE RECORD. Thus you can record the next take immediately. A recording that waits ("Waiting for signal") is cancelled.

Sequences and tracks

A project can have up to 16 drum tracks. SampQOL OS loads all drum tracks of a project, also from an MPC One, Live or X. The pads play the current track, as on an MPC One or Live. Each track has its own 8 pad banks. Recording, NOTE REPEAT, a MIDI keyboard and Resample use the current track.

The mod always saves the project with track 1 as the current track. Thus a stock MPC Sample can open it safely.

Select a track

• Hold PAD BANK and turn the ENCODER. Release PAD BANK to change the track.
• Or hold SHIFT + PAD BANK and push pad n: track n.
• While you select, the track number is red.
• In the Track View, the track label moves to the track that you will get.

New track: select one track past the last track (for example T03+). In the Track View, this shows as a new row T04+. The MPC makes one new track, with empty pads and its own colour. One UNDO removes it.

Copy a pad to another track

1. Select the source pad. Hold SHIFT + ERASE (COPY) and push the destination pads, as in stock.
2. While you hold COPY, turn the ENCODER to select the destination track. The display shows for example "Copy from A01 to Track 04 A02".
3. Release. The MPC goes to the destination track.

The pads share the same sample. If a destination pad has a sample, the MPC asks first ("COPY PAD"). Only the sample is copied, not the notes.

Select a sequence from the SAMPLE screen

Hold SEQ and push pad n: sequence n of the current pad bank. You stay on the SAMPLE screen. When the sequence plays, it changes at the end of the loop. SEQ alone opens the SEQ screen, as in stock.

Or hold SEQ and turn the ENCODER. Release SEQ to change the sequence. This also works in Step Edit (Pad View and Track View), on all Mixer pages, and on the stock Pad FX and Flex Beat screens.

While you hold SEQ, the pads show the sequences of the current pad bank:

• Green: the current sequence.
• Yellow: a sequence with events.
• Off: an empty sequence.
• Red: the sequence that waits for the end of the loop.

When you release SEQ, the pads show their usual colours again.

Tip: On the Pad FX or Flex Beat screen, you can change the sequence and play the effects with the pads and KNOB FX: one screen for a live performance.

Select grid

While you select a track or a sequence, the display shows a 4x4 grid in pad order (pad 1 is bottom left). Each cell shows the number and the name. A sequence name "Sequence 01" shows as "S01".

• Tracks: hold SHIFT + PAD BANK, or hold PAD BANK and turn the ENCODER. The grid stays until you release PAD BANK.
• Sequences: hold SEQ for 0.3 seconds, or hold SEQ and turn the ENCODER. The grid shows the 16 sequences of the pad bank of the sequence that you will get. When the grid shows, the release of SEQ does not open the SEQ screen.
• A thick white frame shows the track or sequence that you will get. It moves when you turn the ENCODER. A thin white frame shows the current one. A thick red frame shows the sequence that waits for the end of the loop. A dark cell is a muted track or an unused sequence. A new track shows as + with "New track".
• Set Settings > Track Grid on Screen and Seq Grid on Screen to On, Off or Toggle. With Toggle, B2 shows Tracks or Sequences while you select. Push B2 to set the grid on or off. B2 is white when the grid is on. The MPC keeps this choice.

Name a sequence

1. Go to the SEQ screen. Hold SHIFT: B3 shows Rename.
2. Push SHIFT + B3. The name screen opens.
3. Change the name with the ENCODER, - / + and SHIFT, as in stock. Or push SHIFT + B3 (Preset) and select a name from the list: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Drop, Outro and more.
4. Push B3 (Do It!) to save the name. UNDO works.

A sequence gets the name "Sequence 08" when it gets its first events, as in stock. The SEQ screen shows the name in grey next to "Seq A08".

In SEQ mode, only the pads of sequences with events light up (yellow). The current sequence is green. The pads of empty sequences are off.

Record mutes

1. Set SEQ RECORD on and play the sequence (PLAY).
2. Push MUTE for Mute mode.
3. Push a pad to mute or unmute it. The MPC records each push. UNMUTE ALL (SHIFT + MUTE) is also recorded.

• The mutes play again in each loop, only in this sequence.
• The timing is the exact time of the push. Time Correct does not change it.
• Recorded mutes have priority over a live push.

Tip: Do you want a sequence to start with a pad muted? Set the pad to the correct state and record one push from the start.

Erase mutes: in Mute mode, hold ERASE and push a pad. Push B3 (Do It!). Only the mutes of that pad go.

Track Mute: mute a whole track with the pads.

1. Hold MUTE for 0.7 seconds, or push PAD BANK + MUTE. The 16 pads are the 16 tracks.
2. Push a pad to mute or unmute that track.
3. With SEQ RECORD and PLAY, the MPC records each push, as pad mutes. This works for every track, also for a track that is not the current track.

Step Edit

Step Edit has two views:

• Pad View (SHIFT + SAMPLE): one pad on each row, the steps of one page.
• Track View (SHIFT + SEQ): one drum track on each row, 1 to 8 bars.

The top left shows PAD or TRK. The top right shows the grid of the view, for example Grid 1/16. The two views use the same controls where possible. While you hold SHIFT, the buttons show their SHIFT function.

To select another sequence, hold SEQ and push a pad, or hold SEQ and turn the ENCODER (see Select a sequence). While you hold SEQ, the sequence in the top line is red and shows the sequence that you select. You stay in Step Edit.

A new note (a step pad, or a pad with SEQ RECORD on and the sequence stopped) is one step long, also on a One Shot pad. With SEQ RECORD and PLAY, the note is as long as you hold the pad, as in stock.

Pad View

The Pad View shows 8 pads (or 4, see Settings > Pad View Rows) with 16 steps. Each note is a block: the width is the length, the colour is the velocity (light yellow = soft, red = hard). A red line shows the end of the sequence. The cells after it have stripes: the sequence has no steps there.

• ENCODER: moves the cursor one step. SHIFT + ENCODER selects the row. - / + = previous / next page.

Add notes with the pads (Steps)

1. Push SHIFT + B2 to set Steps on. Steps is off when you open the Pad View.
2. The 16 pads are the 16 steps of the page, as on a step sequencer. A lit pad is a step with a note.
3. Tap an empty step to add a note. Tap a set step to remove it. You hear no sound.

• A tap on a step after the end of the sequence does nothing.
• The 16 steps are 1/16, one bar (or the grid of Settings > Pad View Grid). To zoom, see Zoom below.

Play the pads (Steps off)

With Steps off (Play), the pads play. The pad that you hit becomes the row. The pad of the row lights up brighter than the other pads. With SEQ RECORD on and the sequence stopped, a pad hit adds the note at the cursor, and the cursor goes one step on.

Edit notes with the knobs

• K1 (Nudge) moves the note in whole steps. Hold SHIFT for the fine move in ticks. The FADER moves fine. K2 (Length) sets the length. K3 (Vel) sets the velocity.
• Without a held pad, the knobs edit the selection, or the note at the cursor. A white frame shows these notes. A note off the grid belongs to the cell where you see it. The knobs work in Steps and in Play.
• The MPC writes the change after a half second. Each write is one UNDO step. The notes stay under the knobs until you turn the ENCODER or use another control: you can turn again after a rest.
• The range of each knob: Nudge = the place of the notes in the page you see (fine: one step to each side). Length = the length of the longest note (1 tick to one page). Vel = the velocity of the first note (0 to 127).
• Rec Quantize on (SHIFT + PAD 10): K1 puts the first note on the grid, and K2 makes the length a whole number of grid steps. With SHIFT (fine), the notes move freely.

Copy, paste and erase

• B1 (Copy) copies the notes of the selection, or of the cell at the cursor (also with SHIFT). The notes keep their velocity, length and place in the step. Automation and pad pressure are not copied. Move the cursor and push B3 (Paste): the first step goes on the cursor step, the top pad on the cursor row. When you copied all pads (SHIFT + push the ENCODER), each note goes on its own pad. With nothing to copy, the MPC shows "Nothing to copy". If there are notes, the MPC asks Merge or Replace. Paste on the place that you copied from does nothing. You can paste in another sequence.
• SHIFT + B3 works as B3 (Duplicate, or Paste after Copy).
• ERASE alone (push and release, no pad) clears the selection, the note at the cursor, or the steps that you hold. This works in Steps and in Play. One UNDO puts all back.
• ERASE + pad: B2 (Page) erases the notes and automation of that pad on this page. B3 (Do It!) erases the full sequence.

Zoom (SHIFT + K3)

• Steps on: SHIFT + K3 zooms the steps: Bar, 1/4, 1/4T, 1/8, 1/8T, 1/16, 1/16T, 1/32, 1/32T, 1/64, 1/64T. At 1/32 the 16 pads are a half bar, at 1/4 they are 4 bars. Bar shows 16 bars: the pads show where the notes are, and a tap adds no note.
• The zoom does not change your Time Correct (Rec Quantize). When you set Steps off, go to the Track View or close Step Edit, your value comes back. A project save also keeps your value.
• Steps off: SHIFT + K3 (Bars) zooms the view to 1, 2, 4 or 8 bars, as in the Track View. The grid does not change. The cursor, the selection, Copy, Paste and ERASE work on the columns that you see. K1 and K2 move in whole grid steps.

Rec Quantize grid: push SHIFT + PAD 10. A popup shows On or Off. Turn K3 to select the grid (Bar to 1/64T): B1 (Cancel) and B3 (Do It!) then show. Push B3 (Do It!) to set the grid. B1 (Cancel) keeps the grid. If you do not turn K3, the popup closes after 2 seconds. The popup shows and sets your own value; the zoom stays.

Track View

The Track View shows the drum tracks of the sequence. Each track has its own colour, the same as in the Ch. Mixer. The notes of the cursor track are bright, the others are dimmed. A red line shows the end of the sequence, as in the Pad View.

• You see 4 bars. SHIFT + K3 (Bars) zooms: 1, 2, 4 or 8 bars. A column is 1/16 of the window. - / + = next or previous bars.
• ENCODER: moves the cursor one column. SHIFT + ENCODER goes to another track. That track also becomes the current track.
• K1 (Nudge) moves the selected notes in whole grid steps (the Time Correct value, for example 1/16). Hold SHIFT for the fine move (ticks, up to one grid step). The FADER moves fine.
• K2 (Length) sets the length of the notes in the selection (or the cursor cell): one grid step for each step. Hold SHIFT for the fine change (Ticks). K3 (Vel) sets the velocity. Length shows the longest note (1 tick to the window), Vel the first note. Rec Quantize works as in the Pad View. The MPC writes the change after a half second. The notes stay under the knobs (white frame) until you turn the ENCODER or use another control. Nudge moves the notes inside the window you see. Each write is one UNDO step.
• B1 (Copy) copies the notes of the selection, or of the cell at the cursor, as in the Pad View. Move the cursor and push B3 (Paste): the first step goes on the cursor column, the top track on the cursor track. When you copied all tracks (SHIFT + push the ENCODER), each note goes on its own track. With nothing to copy, the MPC shows "Nothing to copy". If there are notes, the MPC asks Merge or Replace. You can paste in another sequence.
• ERASE alone (push and release, no pad) clears the notes in the selection at once, with a short message (not for one note). The pad pressure of those notes goes too. Other automation stays.
• SHIFT + B1 (Delete): see Delete a track.
• Row labels and row count: Settings > Track View Labels and Track View Rows.

Selection

The selection works the same in both views.

1. Put the cursor on the first cell.
2. Push the ENCODER. The cursor frame becomes yellow.
3. Turn the ENCODER, and hold SHIFT and turn it. The selection is the rectangle from the first cell to the cursor. It can go past the screen.
4. The selection stays at once. Another button or knob (also ERASE) ends the yellow frame: then the ENCODER moves the cursor again.
5. Push the ENCODER again. The selection goes away.

• The selected cells are light blue. A blue band shows the begin and the end. A small white arrow shows that the selection goes on past the screen.
• B2 (Sel. Row): add the cursor row to the selection, or remove it. With no selection, this selects the whole row over the full sequence.
• SHIFT + push the ENCODER selects all rows: all pads of the pad bank, or all tracks. With no selection, it selects them over the full sequence. Push it again for no selection.
• With no selection, the knobs and buttons use only the cursor cell.
• Notes move as one block: when one note would land on the same note, no note moves.
• B3 (Duplicate) copies the selection and pastes it directly after the selection, in one push. The selection moves to the new part, so the next push goes on. With no selection, the new cell becomes the selection. After Copy, B1 = Cancel and B3 = Paste. A paste works once. Paste or Cancel gives back Copy and Duplicate.
• SHIFT + PLAY plays the bars of the selection in a loop. STOP ends the loop. PLAY works as in stock.
• One UNDO puts back a clear, a move or a paste.

Automate: write a fade

Automate writes a fade of the track volume or a track filter into the selection (or the cursor cell) of the Track View.

1. Make a selection in the Track View.
2. Push SHIFT + B2 (Automate). A window opens:
   • K1 = Start % and K2 = End %. 100 % = the current value, 0 % = silent.
   • K3 = Volume, LP Filter or HP Filter.
   • SHIFT + K3 = Curve: Linear, Log (equal dB steps, natural fade-out) or S-Curve.
3. Push B3 (Do It!), or B1 (Cancel).

• A filter fade needs the filter as a track insert. If the track has none, the MPC adds it to a free insert slot. If all 4 slots are full, it writes nothing.
• Master fade: select all tracks (SHIFT + push the ENCODER) and select Volume.
• If there is volume automation in the selection, B3 shows Replace.
• One UNDO removes the fade. A volume fade also gets its old volume back, also when you stopped the sequence in the middle of the fade.

Tip: Write a volume fade while the sequence is stopped. If you write it while the sequence plays, UNDO keeps the volume of the STOP. Then set the volume again in the Mixer.

Explode

Explode puts pads with notes on their own new tracks.

In the Track View, push SHIFT + B3: this explodes the cursor track. Each pad with notes in the current sequence gets a new track. Pads in the same Mute Group go together to one track. The old track is muted.

The MPC asks first. It shows the number of new tracks and what gets muted. The new tracks come directly after the track. A track behind them that is named "Track n" gets the number of its new place. Names that you gave stay. One UNDO removes the full Explode. Explode works only when the sequence is stopped. Explode is only in Step Edit, not on the SAMPLE screen.

Delete a track

In the Track View, push SHIFT + B1 (Delete). This deletes the cursor track, with its notes in all sequences.

• The MPC asks first.
• This works only when the sequence is stopped.
• The last track always stays.
• A track behind it that is named "Track n" gets the number of its new place.
• One UNDO puts all back.

Fader in Step Edit

In the FADER menu (SHIFT + PAD 9), B2 sets what the fader does in Step Edit:

• Step: Nudge (as in stock): the fader moves the note.
• Step: Same: the fader does what you set in the menu.

In the FADER menu, Track Volume (stock: "Kit Volume") sets the volume of the current track.

Mixer

Push PAD FX to open the Mixer, from every mode. Tap PAD FX again to go back. SHIFT + PAD FX opens Flex Beat, as in stock. The stock Pad FX screen is on B2 of the Flex Beat screen.

Tip: Set Settings > Shortcuts > PAD FX to Pad FX to get the stock Pad FX screen on PAD FX again. Then set a Shift+Pad line to Mixer to open the Mixer with SHIFT + that pad.

Insert pages

• B1 steps through Pad > Track > Submix > Master, in the order of the sound. B2 opens the mixers. As in stock, B1 or B2 from the other group always opens the first page of its group.
• Each page shows the 4 insert slots. Turn the ENCODER to select a slot.
• To select a pad, track or submix: hold PAD FX and push a pad. The pads show the pads (pink), tracks (green) or submixes (purple). You hear no sound.
• Or hold PAD FX and turn the ENCODER: the previous or next pad, track or submix. The pad goes through all 128 pads, and the pad bank follows. One step past the last track shows Track nn+. Release PAD FX to make that new track (one undo step), as with PAD BANK + ENCODER.
• PAD BANK + ENCODER (track) and SEQ + ENCODER (sequence) also work in the Mixer.
• K1 = volume. K3 (Out) = where the sound goes: Track, Submix 1-8 or Master.

Insert FX list: the effects are in 6 categories (Delay/Reverb, EQ/Filter, Dynamics, Harmonic, Modulation, Vintage). Push the ENCODER to open a category or to load the effect. The list follows the FX Select List. On a track or submix, the list also has Color Comp. On a track, a submix and the master, EQ/Filter also has Kill EQ.

Effect page: shows the 6 main parameters. K1–K3 (SHIFT: the second layer) change them, with the Parameter Takeover of MIDI Config. B3 = Bypass. B1 or PAD FX = back.

To record the knobs of an effect on a track or a submix as automation:

1. Push SEQ RECORD, then PLAY.
2. After the count-in, turn the knobs on the effect page.
3. Push STOP. The sequence plays the knob moves.

One undo removes the full recording. Outside a recording, the knobs have no undo.

Tip: An effect on a pad or on the master records no automation.

Tip: On LP Filter, HP Filter and BP Filter, the effect page shows the filter curve. A vertical line shows the cutoff frequency. The curve shows the type of filter and the cutoff; it is not a measurement of the sound. Behind the curve, a live spectrum shows the sound after the filter, as on the Kill EQ page. Turn a knob to see its value, as on the stock screens (see Show Knob Values).

Tip: On the Limiter, the effect page shows three meters: In (the level after Gain), GR (the gain reduction) and Out. Turn a knob to see its value. With Bypass on, the meters stay at zero.

Rename a track or submix: push SHIFT + B1 (Rename). Change the name, or push SHIFT + B3 (Preset) for a list. In the list, B2 (Abbreviate) gives short names (Drm, Vox, Rvb). On a track, K1 sets the track colour. B3 (Do It!) saves.

Rename a pad: on the Pad page, push SHIFT + B1 (Rename). K1 sets the pad colour. The name stays with the project. An empty name gives the pad its sample name again. On the Pad page, B1 shows the pad and its name, for example A05 Kick.

UNDO and REDO work for the actions in the Mixer. With SEQ RECORD and PLAY, the MPC records effect on/off and the volume.

Tip: A track insert hears a pad only when the pad goes to its track (K3 = Track). With Submix 1, the pad skips the track.

Kill EQ insert

The 3-band kill EQ of the EQ page is also an insert for a track, a submix or the master. It has the same knobs and the same window.

1. Push PAD FX. Push B1 for Track or Submix, or B2 for Master.
2. Select an empty slot and push B3 (Insert).
3. Open EQ/Filter, select Kill EQ and push the ENCODER. The Kill EQ page opens.
4. Turn the knobs:
   • K1 = Low, K2 = Mid, K3 = High.
   • Fully left = the band is off (kill). Center = 0 dB. Fully right = +6 dB.
5. Crossover points:
   • SHIFT + K1 = crossover Low/Mid (40 Hz – 1 kHz).
   • SHIFT + K3 = crossover Mid/High (600 Hz – 15 kHz).
   • SHIFT + K2 = moves the two crossovers together.

The ENCODER changes the knob with the white frame. The window shows a live spectrum after the EQ, with the EQ curve. B3 = Bypass. B1 or PAD FX = back. To open the page again, select the slot and push B3 (Edit).

• The load is one undo step, for example "Kill EQ Slot 1 T01".
• The project saves the Kill EQ values.

To record the knobs as automation, use a Kill EQ on a track or a submix:

1. Push SEQ RECORD, then PLAY.
2. After the count-in, turn the knobs on the Kill EQ page.
3. Push STOP. The sequence plays the knob moves.

• One undo removes the full recording. The knobs keep the last value that played.
• Outside a recording, the knobs have no undo, as on the other effect pages. The knobs of the other effects on a track or a submix also record (see the effect page).

Tip: A Kill EQ on the master records no automation, as the stock effects there. For automation on all tracks, send the tracks to a submix with a Kill EQ, put the Kill EQ on each track, or use the EQ page of a pad.

Tip: Without SampQOL OS, the Kill EQ plays as the stock effect PEQ 2-Band, 2-Shelf: the bands go the same way, but they do not go to kill, and fully right is +18 dB.

Master

The master has 4 slots. Pad FX, Flex Beat, Color Comp. and Knob FX are on these slots, as in stock. The Knob FX slot shows "(Knob FX)" before the name of the effect, for example "(Knob FX) LP Filter". The effect changes with FX Select.

• Remove: select the slot and push SHIFT + B3. B3 (Remove) removes the effect and saves CPU. UNDO puts it back.
• Hidden: in the same window, set B2 (Use Hidden) on. The effect keeps working, but it frees its slot for another effect. A grey line under slot 4 shows the hidden effects, for example "Hidden: Pad FX, (Knob FX) LP Filter". The COMPRESSOR screen shows "Hidden" when the master Color Comp. is hidden.

To move a hidden effect back to the master:

1. On Master, select an empty slot.
2. Push B3 (Insert). The hidden effects are at the top of the list, for example "Flex Beat (Hidden)".
3. Select the hidden effect and push B3 (Select). The effect goes to this slot, with its settings.

Tip: The screen of a hidden effect (for example KNOB FX) opens as usual. The MPC does not ask to move it back.

• Pad FX, Flex Beat and Color Comp. can move to another slot (- / +). Knob FX stays on its slot.
• Edit (B3) opens the stock screen of the effect: Pad FX, Flex Beat, COMPRESSOR or FX Select. PAD FX goes back to the Mixer, on the same slot.
• When an effect is gone and you open its screen, the MPC asks to put it back (B2 = Hidden, B3 = Insert). When all 4 slots are full, the MPC asks "MASTER FULL".

Channel Mixer and Pad Mixer

Push B2: Ch. Mixer, then Pad Mixer. Each mixer shows 8 strips. Turn the ENCODER to select a strip.

• Ch. Mixer: the tracks with notes, the submixes in use, and the master.
• Pad Mixer: the pads of the current track with a sample and notes.
• Each strip has a stereo meter. Above 0 dB the meter is red. A peak line stays until you push SHIFT + ENCODER (all strips).
• K1 = volume, K3 = output.
• K2 = pan: L50 (left) to C (centre) to R50 (right).
• SHIFT + B1 (Inserts) opens the insert page of the selected strip: the Pad, Track, Submix or Master page. Push B2 to go to the mixers (Ch. Mixer first).
• The FADER also sets the volume of the selected strip. It follows the Fader Takeover of MIDI Config. When the FADER menu is Off, the FADER does nothing.
• Set the volume with the ENCODER:
  1. Turn the ENCODER to select a strip.
  2. Push the ENCODER. The strip gets a yellow frame.
  3. Turn the ENCODER: the volume goes up or down.
  4. Push the ENCODER again. The ENCODER selects a strip again.
• B3 = Mute, SHIFT + B3 = Solo. SHIFT + B2 (Clear M/S) turns off all mutes and solos of the page.
• Solo on a submix solos the tracks and pads that go to that submix.

Knob FX on all pads

The Knob FX is on the master. Every pad on every track plays through it.

• KNOB FX, K1-K3 and SHIFT + K1-K3 work as in stock.
• In FX Select (SHIFT + KNOB FX), all pads are lit. B2 (All Pads) is gone. B3 (Bypass) works as in stock.
• The Output of a pad stays as you set it.
• An older project: the mod moves its Knob FX to the master when it loads. Then all pads play through it.

Track Volume on the FADER

In the FADER menu, Track Volume sets the volume of the current track. It is the same volume as K1 on the track strip of the Ch. Mixer.

1. Push SHIFT + PAD 9. The FADER menu opens.
2. Turn the ENCODER to Track Volume and push the ENCODER.
3. If the fader is off, push B3 to set it on.
4. Push B1 (Back).
5. Move the FADER. The volume of the current track changes.

• The FADER follows the Fader Takeover of MIDI Config.
• UNDO does not undo a FADER move (as stock Kit Volume).
• With SEQ RECORD and PLAY, the MPC records the volume. Hold ERASE and move the FADER to erase it (see Erasing automation).

Tip: Track Volume changes only the pads with their output on the track. A pad with its output on a submix or the master does not follow it.

Color Comp. on a track or submix

Put Color Comp. on a track or submix from the Insert FX list (Dynamics). Edit opens the COMPRESSOR screen for that Color Comp. (PAD FX = back to the Mixer). The top shows which one, for example "T01" or "Sub 2". SHIFT + PAD 5 opens the master Color Comp., as in stock.

Pad FX: Fixed

On the stock Pad FX screen, Fixed holds the effect of a pad after a tap.

1. Open the stock Pad FX screen (SHIFT + PAD FX, then B2).
2. Push B3 to set Fixed on (white box = on).
3. Tap a pad. Its effect stays on. Tap the pad again to stop it.
4. Move the FADER to set how much of the effect you hear.

• With Fixed on, the FADER has no other function on this screen.
• When you leave Pad FX, all effects stop.
• The MPC keeps the Fixed setting after a restart.

FX Select List

Hide the effects that you do not use. FX Select and the Insert FX list then show a shorter list.

1. Open Settings. Select FX Select List > and push the ENCODER.
2. Select an effect and push the ENCODER to set it On or Off.
3. Push B1 or B2 to go back.

• The loaded effect always shows, also when it is Off.
• When all effects are On, FX Select is the stock list. When one or more effects are Off, FX Select shows the effect names without icons. The Insert FX list shows no icons.
• The list does not change your project.
• If all effects are Off, FX Select shows all effects.

Erasing automation

Erase all automation of a pad

1. Hold ERASE and turn a knob or the fader. The ERASE AUTOMATION window opens.
2. Push B2 (All). The window shows "ALL automation of this pad".
3. Push B3 (Do It!). All automation of that pad in this sequence goes: Pad Mute, Filter, EQ, Level and more. The notes stay.

• UNDO works.
• B2 (All) also works in Mute mode (ERASE + pad).
• See also Settings > Erase All Starts.

Tip: Does your recording sound strange and you do not know which automation causes it? Erase all automation of that pad.

Erase the track volume

1. Set the FADER to Track Volume (see Track Volume on the FADER).
2. Hold ERASE and move the FADER. The ERASE AUTOMATION window opens.
3. Push B3 (Do It!). The recorded volume of the current track in this sequence goes. Other tracks and the notes stay.

• UNDO works.

Loading and saving

Preview in Sample Select

1. Push SAMPLE SELECT and select an audio file.
2. Push B3 (Preview) to hear the file. You can also push the selected pad. The preview plays to the end.
3. Turn K3 (Prev. Vol.) to set the preview volume.

SHIFT + B3 (Auto Prev.) is the stock auto-preview.

Tip: In Sample Select, the selected pad plays the preview, not its own sound. Push a different pad to select it and hear that pad.

New folder in Sample Select

1. Push SAMPLE SELECT. Push B2 to select External (the SD card).
2. Go to the folder where the new folder must go, and select a folder in it. B3 shows New Folder.
3. Push B3. The name screen opens.
4. Type the name with the ENCODER, - / + and SHIFT, as in stock.
5. Push B3 (Do It!). B1 (Cancel) makes no folder.

The new folder is in the list at once. If the name exists, the MPC makes no folder and shows NEW FOLDER "A folder with this name already exists". Push B3 (OK) to close the message.

Note: Internal is read-only. There, B3 does not show New Folder.

Browser

• In SAMPLE SELECT and Load Project, hold SHIFT and turn the ENCODER to jump 10 rows.
• The browser remembers your place in each folder.
• Settings > SAMPLE BROWSER > Start Drive sets the drive of Sample Select at the start. Settings > PROJECT > Start Drive sets the drive of Load Project.
• The browser does not show the autorun folder in the root of a drive. This folder holds SampQOL OS. Use a computer to see it.

Save to a folder

Save Sample and Save Project save in a folder that you choose.

1. Open the name screen: SHIFT + SAMPLE SELECT (Save Sample), or SHIFT + PAD 16 and Save Project.
2. Type the name, as in stock.
3. Push B3 (Do It!). The folder page opens in the folder of your last save.
4. Turn the ENCODER to select a folder. Push the ENCODER to open it. B1 (Up) goes one folder up. B2 selects Internal or External.
5. Push B3 (Save). The MPC saves in the folder that the page shows.

B1 (Back) in the root of a drive goes back to the name screen. The MPC saves nothing.

If a sample with this name is in the folder, the MPC asks "Sample Already Exists", as in stock. If a project with this name is in the folder, the MPC asks PROJECT EXISTS. Push B3 (Overwrite) to replace the project, or B1 (Cancel) to keep it.

Tip: After start-up, the folder page opens in the stock folder: Samples/User or Projects/User (on the SD card: Projects). Start Drive in Settings sets the drive: SAMPLE BROWSER for Save Sample, PROJECT for Save Project.

Home Folder

Sample Select always opens in your own folder.

1. Go to Settings (see Settings).
2. Select Home Folder and push the ENCODER. The folder page opens.
3. Turn the ENCODER to select a folder. Push the ENCODER to open it. B1 (Up) goes one folder up. B2 selects Internal or External.
4. Push B3 (Use Folder) to use the folder that the page shows. B1 (Back) in the root of a drive goes back with no change.
5. Set Sample Select Opens to Home Folder.

Each time you push SAMPLE SELECT, the browser opens in the Home Folder. When you come back from a message or a SHIFT menu, the browser stays where you were.

Tip: If the Home Folder is not there (deleted, or no SD card), Sample Select opens on the Start Drive of SAMPLE BROWSER.

Random project name

1. Go to Save Project (SHIFT + PAD 16).
2. Hold SHIFT and push B3 (Random). The name field shows a random name, for example "Velvet Alley". Push again for a different name.
3. Push B3 (Do It!) and select the folder (see Save to a folder).

New project with a template

1. Open Settings and select Default Template. Push the ENCODER.
2. Select a project (internal or SD card) and push the ENCODER. None = no template.

New Project asks: B1 = No, B2 = Empty (as in stock), B3 = Template. The template itself does not change: Save Project suggests the name "project".

Export mixdown and stems

Export makes WAV files (24-bit, 44.1 kHz) of a sequence.

1. Save your project and stop the sequence.
2. Push SHIFT + PAD 16 and push B3 (Export).
3. Turn the ENCODER to select a row. Push the ENCODER or turn K1 to change the value.
4. Push B3 (Export). The stock progress bar shows. You cannot stop an export.

• The files go into a folder with the project name.

• The file names start with the project name. A stem file also has the track number and the track name. Examples for the project "MyTrack" at 81 BPM:

  BPM in Name	Separator	Mixdown	Stem
  Off	" - "	MyTrack.wav	MyTrack - Tr01 - Drums.wav
  Mix + Stems	" - "	MyTrack - 81 BPM.wav	MyTrack - 81 BPM - Tr01 - Drums.wav
  Mix + Stems	"_"	MyTrack_81BPM.wav	MyTrack_81BPM_Tr01_Drums.wav

• When you export only some bars, the name also has the bars, for example MyTrack - b2-5.wav.

• If a file exists, select B2 (Keep Both) or B3 (Replace).

• If there is not sufficient space, the MPC shows "Not enough space". The internal memory always keeps 200 MB free.

Tip: All sequences of a project get the same file name. To keep the export of each sequence, select Keep Both, or set BPM in Name when the sequences have different tempos.

Resample one pad

Stock Resample puts the full sequence on a pad. SampQOL OS can also resample one pad, as Flatten Pad on the large MPC.

1. Select the pad that you want to resample.
2. Push SHIFT + PAD 11 (Resample):
   • B1 = Cancel.
   • B2 = Pad: only the selected pad, one hit, with tail.
   • B3 = Seq: the full sequence (stock).
3. With Pad, the screen shows Print Knob FX: On under "Select pad". Push SHIFT + B3 (Knob FX) to set it to Off or On. While you hold SHIFT, B3 shows the toggle: a white box = On, a white frame = Off. The MPC keeps your last choice. The line and the toggle show only when the Knob FX is on.
4. Push the destination pad.

• In the new sample (then reset on the destination pad): tune, filter, envelopes, LFO, warp, start/end/loop, Offset, layers and pad inserts.
• Print Knob FX: On: the Knob FX is in the new sample too, with a tail of minimum 2 seconds. The new sample has the volume of the source pad, and the destination pad stays at 0 dB.
• Print Knob FX: Off: the new sample has no Knob FX. The destination pad gets the volume of the source pad.
• Stays on the destination pad: route, sends, mute targets, Mono/Poly, Mute Group and Amp Vel Sens.
• Track, submix and master effects are not in the new sample. A Hidden Knob FX is in it with Print Knob FX: On; other Hidden effects are not. Use a pad insert for that, or use RECALL (SHIFT + SAMPLE RECORD): it records the last 25 seconds of the master output, with all master effects.

Tip: The new pad also plays through the Knob FX. With Print Knob FX: On you then hear the Knob FX two times. Set the Knob FX to a neutral value, or resample to a pad that you play with the Knob FX off.

Undo and Redo

Undo counter

SHIFT + - (Undo) and SHIFT + + (Redo) show a popup with the name of the step. The title of the popup also shows a counter, for example Undo 2/7:

• The first number is the quantity of steps that you undid.
• The second number is the quantity of steps that the MPC keeps.

Examples, with 7 steps:

1. Push Undo one time. The popup shows Undo 1/7.
2. Push Undo two more times. The popup shows Undo 3/7.
3. Push Redo one time. The popup shows Redo 2/7.
4. Push Redo until the popup shows Redo 0/7. All steps are done again.

• The MPC keeps a maximum of 512 steps. Then the oldest step goes.
• When you load a project or start a new project, the MPC deletes all steps.
• When you turn a knob without a stop, the MPC keeps one step. A stop of more than 0.5 seconds starts a new step.
• When there is no step to undo or redo, the MPC shows no popup.
• Undo and Redo also work on SAMPLE RECORD (see Sample Record Mode).

Step names

The popup of a SampQOL OS step shows what changed and where. A long name uses two lines: what changed on the first line, and where on the second line. A name of up to 14 characters uses one line:

In Step Edit, a knob step shows the knob: Nudge, Length or Velocity. Stock steps keep their stock name, for example Add Event.

Compatibility and limitations

SampQOL OS works only on MPC Sample firmware 1.3.0. It is tested only with MPC Sample 1.3.0. Projects on an MPC One, Live or X (MPC OS 3.9.1) are not tested yet.

The mod writes what the MPC project format already has (notes, samples, mutes, drum tracks, inserts). Data that has no place in the format goes into the file .sampqol in the [ProjectData] folder. Stock and the MPC One, Live and X ignore this file. When you copy a project, copy the full [ProjectData] folder.

Tip: Save your SampQOL OS projects in a separate folder. Before you open one on a stock MPC Sample, make a copy.

Your project on another MPC

The column MPC One, Live, X is based on the project format. It is not tested yet.

Limitations

• Chords on one pad. A chord recorded with a MIDI keyboard, or a Scale chord, is on one pad. On a stock MPC, a chord on a pad in Note On mode stops at the shortest note. ERASE, Mute and Solo act on all tones of that pad.
• KEYS. A key adds no event in Step Edit (as in stock). The same note on a key and on a held 16 LEVELS pad stop each other at release (as in stock).
• Knob FX. All pads play through the Knob FX. You cannot select pads for it, as in stock FX Select.
• Automate. If you write a fade while the sequence plays, stop in the volume fade and push UNDO, the pad or track keeps the volume of the stop (as in stock). Set the volume again in the Mixer.
• Track Volume. It changes only the pads with their output on the track. On a stock MPC Sample, you do not hear it.

Troubleshooting

The display does not ask "Start SampQOL OS?"

• The folder on the card must have the name autorun, directly on the card.
• The card must have the format exFAT. Formatting deletes all on the card.
  • Mac: Disk Utility > select the card > Erase > ExFAT.
  • Windows: File Explorer > right-click the card > Format > exFAT > Start.
• Do not change or open the files in the folder: the MPC checks them and ignores a changed folder. Copy the folder autorun from the zip file again.

The display does not show v1.3.0

• Lower than 1.3.0: install 1.3.0 with the MPC Sample 1.3.0 Updater. Do not install a higher version.
• Higher than 1.3.0: do not use the mod on this firmware.

After Start, the MPC is stock

• Set the MPC off and on, and select Start again.
• Still stock? Check the firmware version (step 1 of Install).

The MPC hangs at start-up

1. Push and hold the power button until the MPC goes off.
2. Remove the card. Set the MPC on. It is stock again.
3. Put the card back and try again.

The MPC goes back to stock while you play

The mod crashed two times within 2 minutes. Set the MPC off and on to get SampQOL OS back. The files events.log and last-exit.log in autorun/logs on the card show what happened.

Copyright and trademarks

SampQOL OS (c) 2026 Snare Bes. All rights reserved. See LICENSE.txt.

Akai Professional, MPC and MPC Sample are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc.

SampQOL OS © 2026 Snare Bes. All rights reserved. Not a product of Akai Professional or inMusic.