Akai Professional

1. Go to Menu > Preferences > MIDI / Sync tab, and ensure that the TRACK buttons are enabled for the Output Ports corresponding to MPC A and MPC B.

2. Ensure a Drum Program has been created for your project. In this example, I will use Trap-Kit-Default.

3. Tap the + New Track button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, then select MIDI.

4. Tap the red Mixer Strip on the left side of your display. 

5A. Under the Send To dropdown menu, select the Drum Program you created in step 2.

5B. Under the MIDI Out dropdown menu, select either MPC A or MPC B. Choose the port that matches the 5-pin MIDI output on the back of the MPC where your external hardware synth is connected.

Note: The number next to the MIDI Out dropdown menu indicates the MIDI channel. Make sure your external hardware is configured to the same MIDI channel displayed on the MPC.

6. Tap the header of the MIDI Mixer Strip to close it. Then, tap the Pad Perform button.

7A. Select CHROMATIC in the top-left corner.

7B. Tap Chromatic under SCALE & OCTAVE.

7C. Tap the Note field, then rotate the Main Dial to scroll through the available notes and octaves until the bottom-left pad displays C1. 

Note: This aligns the MIDI Program’s pad mapping with the Drum Program’s pad layout. Ensure that your external hardware is also configured to align with the MIDI notes displayed on the MPC’s screen.

8. Press the Main button, ensure that your MIDI Program is selected, and tap the pads. You should now hear the Drum Program being triggered while MIDI data is simultaneously sent to your external hardware.