Welcome to this support page on the MPC 3 Desktop Public Beta! 


The contents of this article contain instructions to help you get started, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


How do I redeem the MPC 3 Desktop Beta?



To generate your license for the MPC 3 Desktop Beta, see the instructions below:


  1. Log in to your inMusic Profile by visiting THIS site
  2. Enter your account login credentials
  3. Locate your MPC Hardware or MPC2 software from your account
  4. Click View Downloads beside your product
  5. Click MPC 3 Desktop Software Beta
  6. Scroll down and click Get a Serial
  7. Your license will be generated - Click this icon to copy it to your clipboard
  8. A direct download for the Desktop Beta Software can be found in your inMusic Profile. Click on the installer suited to your operating system to begin the download.


For guidance on downloading the desktop beta from the inMusic Software Center, please see the steps below: 


  1. Generate the License key from your inMusic Profile - Please refer to the instructions above. 
  2. Download and install the inMusic Software Center for either PC or Mac.
  3. Open the inMusic Software Center App and log in to your account
  4. Click 'Add Product' 
  5. Click 'Software' and paste the 30-digit code from your inMusic Profile  
  6. Click 'Add'
  8. Click 'My Software'
  9. Click 'Download' beside MPC3 Public Beta
  10. After the download has completed, click 'Install'
  11. Your Installation has completed!
  12. Locate MPC 3 from your applications and open it
  13. Congratulations! You've finished installing MPC 3 Desktop Beta:



Which MPC Hardware supports MPC 3 Desktop Beta?

  • MPC Key 37 G2 - 3.9 onwards
  • MPC One G2 - 3.9 onwards
  • MPC XL -  3.7 onwards
  • MPC Live III -  3.6 onwards
  • MPC Key 37
  • MPC One+
  • MPC X Special Edition
  • MPC Key 61
  • MPC One
  • MPC Live II
  • MPC X
  • MPC Live
  • MPC Studio MK2


What are the minimum system requirements for MPC 3 Desktop Beta?

Windows

Windows 10 (21H2) - Windows 11 (25H2)

2GB free disk space (20GB for all content recommended)

4GB RAM (8GB recommended)

Dual-core 2.5GHz CPU

Internet connection


Mac

macOS 14 - 26 (Intel and M Chip compatible - check Specific MPC Models for Driver Support)

2GB free disk space (20GB for all content)

4GB RAM (8GB recommended)

Dual-core 2.5GHz CPU

Internet connection


I own MPC2, but not MPC hardware - Can I still receive the MPC 3 Desktop beta?

Yes - If MPC2 was purchased from the Akai Pro site / MPC Store, it will be available in your inMusic Profile.

Note, you'll need to generate an MPC 3 Desktop serial from your inMusic Profile - See the video & instructions at the top of this article. 


MPC 3 Desktop Beta is a free update for existing MPC2 users. 


If you purchased MPC2 from a third-party seller and find the Desktop Beta is missing from your inMusic Profile account, please contact our support team for assistance.


Are my MPC Hardware Drivers compatible with MPC 3 Desktop Beta?

Yes - The latest drivers from the inMusic Software Center are compatible with MPC 3 Desktop Beta.


To check whether your computer is running the latest driver for your MPC Hardware...

  1. Navigate to the inMusic Software Center Application.
  2. Click the 'My Hardware' tab
  3. Locate your MPC and click on it
  4. Scroll down to locate the driver. If the option 'Installed' is greyed out, you are already running the latest driver.
  5. If you are prompted to update/download/install the driver, please proceed. 


Where can I find the user manual for MPC 3 Desktop Beta?

Please find the user manual for the MPC 3.9 Desktop Beta hyperlinked HERE



The arranger view is not working - Is this normal?

If the arranger view icon isn't reacting, you'll need to update to MPC Desktop 3.9 - To update, see the steps below:

  1. Close / Quit MPC3 Desktop
  2. Launch the inMusic Software Center
  3. Click 'My Software'
  4. Locate (or search) MPC 3
  5. Click 'Update'

Launch MPC3 and the arranger view will behave as expected:


I'm experiencing a bug with the beta, how should I report it?

As this is a Beta build of MPC 3 Desktop and not a qualified full release, users have the opportunity to report a bug directly to our development team.


To report a bug from within the MPC3 Desktop Software:

  1. Launch MPC3 Desktop
  2. Locate the 'Smiley Face' icon towards the bottom right of your screen
  3. Click on the 'Smiley Face'
  4. Click 'Report a bug.'



Users may also report a bug associated with MPC 3 Desktop Beta, by visiting THIS page.


Note, it is important for users to pay attention to the 'Known Issues' cited on both the bug reporting page, and this support article.


If your problem aligns with a 'Known Issue', a bug does not need to be reported. 


Our support team is available to assist with basic setup and operation. Please be advised that while the support we offer with the Beta is limited, we encourage users to report a bug directly to our development team, rather than raising a new support ticket. 


Does my MPC Hardware need to run MPC 3 firmware to work with 3 Desktop?

Yes - The MPC 3.9 Firmware update for standalone hardware has been released alongside the MPC 3.9 Desktop Beta.


Your MPC Hardware requires the 3.9 update in order to be seen by the MPC 3.9 Desktop software. 


If you are running an earlier build of MPC firmware released before 3.5, your MPC Hardware will not be seen by MPC 3.9 desktop until you update. 


Note: If you own MPC Studio MKII, this information does not apply.



Is MPC 3 Desktop Beta Licensed?

Yes, the 3 Desktop Beta is licensed and provides up to 3 activations between your computers; however, it does not use iLok (as seen with MPC2).


If you have yet to generate a license and add it to your inMusic Profile - Please see the steps at the start of this article


If the MPC3 Desktop Public beta is seen in your inMusic Profile account, a license has already been deposited into your account. This means you do not require any manual license deposit or similar.



Can I still use MPC2 Desktop if I have the MPC3 Desktop Beta Installed?

Yes - Your computer will identify MPC2 & MPC3 Desktop beta as two entirely different applications.



Does the MPC3 Desktop Beta include any plugin builds?

Yes - Since the 3.9 update, AU, VST builds are available for MPC3 Desktop for use in your DAW. 


Once you've installed the 3.9 update, re-scan for new plugins in your DAW, and MPC3 will be available to load as an Instrument. 



Note: AAX is unavailable in this beta update; MPC2 is still available as a separate plugin


Does MPC3 Desktop beta support VST3 Plugins?

Yes - The MPC 3.5 Desktop Beta update supports VST3 plugins



Are there any known issues associated with this Beta?

As MPC 3 Desktop is a public beta, there is a list of known issues associated with this release.


Please find a list below:

  • MPC device included synths do not show in Sounds mode when desktop versions are also installed
  • Activation list not accurate on first start up after installation
  • With MPC Studio Mk II the Zoom is not working in Main mode WAVE or Sample Edit modes
  • Hang can occur after creating 60+ Drum tracks
  • Loading a non-4/4 project results in playback issues - extra beats are incorrectly played
  • Edit Menu Functions - Edit > Cut, Copy, and Paste menu items are not working, though their keyboard shortcuts still function correctly
  • Projects saved in MPC2 (v2.15) load with Drum/Keygroup LFO destinations reset to 0 in MPC3
  • Vertical drag intended for zooming the grid instead scrolls the timeline past the end of the sequence
  • In Create Stems, tapping a pad changes the sample that is being processed
  • Toggling effects on/off on 2 or more simultaneously causes UI to become out of sync
  • Using Bounce to Audio Track does not Mute the original track
  • VST3 and AU AIR plugins are missing Track Edit GUI elements and displaying empty popout windows


What's new in the MPC 3.9 Desktop Public Beta?


Arrange Mode (Beta)

An early beta implementation of Arrange Mode has been added to the MPC Desktop software.


Arrange Mode provides a linear, track‑based view of your arrangement and enables basic arrangement‑level editing directly from the desktop GUI.


Accessing Arrange Mode

Arrange Mode can be accessed via:

  • View ▸ Mode ▸ Arrange, or
  • The dedicated Arrange Mode icon in the main toolbar.


Arrangement Editing

In this beta implementation, Arrange Mode allows you to view and edit your arrangement using familiar MPC workflow concepts.


  • Use the Loop Brace to define the region to be edited.
  • Apply arrangement edits using the Cut, Copy, Paste, and Duplicate buttons in the Arrange toolbar.
  • Additional arrangement edit operations are available from the Edit drop‑down menu in the Arrange toolbar.
  • Edit commands operate on the Loop Brace selection, in line with the touchscreen (TUI) Arrange workflow.


Track‑Level Editing

For more detailed, track‑specific edits:

  • Use the Single Track Grid Editor displayed beneath the Arrange editor.
  • This allows focused editing on individual tracks while remaining in Arrange Mode.


Note: Arrange Mode on Desktop is in beta. Feature availability and behaviour may change in future updates.


MPC Oscillators

Drum and Keygroup tracks can now use oscillators as a sound generator instead of samples - Download the new MPC Oscillator Content via the MPC3 Desktop Activation Pane:



Using MPC Oscillators

  1. On a Drum or Keygroup track, open Track Edit.
  2. In the TUI, navigate to the Samples tab.
  3. For any layer, switch the sound source from Sample to Oscillator using the Sample/Osc radio button.


From the GUI, click the OSC button to access oscillator parameters. Use the Edit button or the Wave view toolbar to adjust oscillator settings.


Oscillator Waveforms


Warm Sine

A sine oscillator with added harmonics for a richer tone.


Basic Waveforms

  • Digital Sine – A pure sine oscillator.
  • Saw Square – An analog‑modelled oscillator morphable between saw and square waveforms.
  • Digital Saw – A digital sawtooth oscillator.
  • Pulse – A square oscillator with variable pulse width.


Advanced Waveforms

  • Noise – A noise oscillator with a variable filter.
  • FM2 – A two‑operator FM oscillator.
  • RM3 – A three‑operator ring‑modulation oscillator, suited to metallic and harmonic textures.
  • Algorithmic Waveforms – A single‑cycle oscillator using dynamically generated source shapes.
  • Single Cycle – A high‑quality single‑cycle oscillator using small WAV files as the sound source.
  • Wavetable – Supports custom wavetable formats. Wavetables are stored in folders containing a JSON file that defines the wavetable format. All wavetable source files must be mono WAV files.


Oscillator Parameters

All oscillators include Decay Time and Start Phase parameters.

Additional parameters are available depending on the selected oscillator type.


Warm Sine

  • Precision – Controls the accuracy of the synthesis algorithm.
  • Fuzz – Adds noise and harmonic texture.


Saw / Square

  • Shape – Morphs the waveform between saw and square.
  • Tone – Reduces high‑frequency content by morphing the waveform toward a sine shape.


Digital Saw

  • Direction – Switches between saw and ramp waveforms.


Pulse

  • Pulse Width – Adjusts the width of the pulse waveform.


Noise

  • Tone – Controls the cutoff frequency of an internal low‑pass filter.


FM2

  • Level – Controls the amount of FM modulation applied.
  • FM Decay – Sets the decay time of the second operator.
  • Coarse – Controls the coarse pitch of the second operator.
  • Tune – Controls the fine pitch of the second operator.
  • Feedback – Sets the amount of feedback applied to the second operator.


RM3

  • Coarse 1–3 – Controls the pitch of each operator.
  • Decay 1 – Controls the decay of the first operator.
  • Decay 2–3 – Controls the decay of the second and third operators.


Algorithmic Waveforms and Single‑Cycles

  • Feedback – Controls the amount of FM applied to the oscillator.
  • Feedback Shape – Applies waveshaping to the feedback signal.


Wavetables

  • Position – Selects the waveform index within the wavetable.
  • XFade – Controls smoothing when transitioning between adjacent waveforms.


Modulating Oscillator Parameters

Oscillator parameters can be modulated via the Modulation Matrix, in the same way as other parameters.

On a Keygroup track, select a wavetable oscillator on Layer 1. Open the Modulation Matrix and set a Source (for example, LFO 1). In Target, navigate to Layer 1, then select one of the following oscillator parameters:

  • Osc Start Phase
  • Osc Position
  • Osc XFade

Select Osc Position to modulate the wavetable position with LFO 1.


Using Your Own Single Cycle and Wavetable Content

You can use your own single‑cycle or wavetable files as oscillator sources, see the MPC manual for more details.


Saving Projects and Tracks with User Oscillators

When saving a project or track that uses user single‑cycle or wavetable oscillators, MPC automatically copies the required oscillator assets into the project or track asset folder. This ensures the project can be loaded on any MPC system.


Note : Factory oscillator content is not duplicated, as it is assumed to be installed locally.



Time Signatures per Sequence & Clip

In the latest Akai MPC Software update, you can now assign individual time signatures to both sequences and clips.


Sequences (Desktop)

  • Open the Inspector panel
  • From the Sequence section locate the Time Signature field
  • Set the desired time signature for each sequence


Clips (Desktop)

  • Open the Inspector
  • Go to the Clip section
  • Adjust the Time Signature field for the selected clip


Notes

  • Each sequence or clip can only have one time signature
  • When chaining sequences in Song Mode and using Convert Song to Sequence, time signature changes are converted into bar/beat/pulse positions rather than preserved as multiple time signatures
  • Importing a MIDI file into a sequence or clip should import its time signature


Plugin Formats

MPC Desktop now includes plug‑in versions in the following formats:


  • Audio Unit (AU)
  • VST3


DAW plug‑in support


  • MPC 3 can be loaded as a plug‑in within a host DAW
  • Enables use of MPC sequencing, sampling, and FX alongside DAW projects
  • Supports integration of MPC 3 into existing DAW projects, enabling workflows across both standalone MPC and DAW environments


Save Program from Desktop Software

  • You can now save MPC programs directly from the desktop software via File > Save Current Program.


Updated MPC Program File Format

  • MPC program files are now saved in the MPC3 file format (JSON), aligning program data with the rest of the MPC file ecosystem.
  • Drum and Keygroup tracks now include two new classic analog low‑pass filter models: Jura LP and Iona LP, derived from the AIR Jura and AIR Iona instruments.


What bug fixes are in the MPC 3.9 Desktop Public Beta?


Channel Mixer

  • Resolved an issue with scrolling in the channel mixer with MPC Studio Mk II encoder after creating Audio tracks.
  • Submixes, Returns & Outputs can no longer be deleted.


Grid View

  • Can now click and drag the playhead across the timeline.
  • Highlighting an area of automation with the marquee tool selected keeps the automation selected after releasing the mouse click.
  • Selecting automation with the marquee tool and using backspace now successfully removes the selected automation.
  • After selecting automation with the marquee tool, pencil and eraser tools now work correctly when switched to.


Preferences

  • OK button on the Version Information popup now dismisses the popup correctly.


Saving and Loading


  • Right-clicking on the sequence panel in the inspector and using Export as MIDI no longer creates a MIDI file with missing events. All events for the sequence are exported correctly.
  • Loading FX Rack in controller mode no longer repeats the function multiple times, resulting in faster loading time and only a single undo event.



We hope this article helps you get started with the MPC3 Desktop Public Beta. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team. Happy music-making!