Akai MPK Mini MK3 and APC40 MK2 Loop Lab

1. Akai MPK Mini MK3 and APC40 MK2 Loop Lab

2. 1 Start Here

3. 2 The Mental Model

4. 3 Identifying Your MPK Mini

5. 4 Identifying Your APC40 MK2

6. 5 Controller Combinations

1. 5.1 APC Only

2. 5.2 MPK Only

3. 5.3 Both

7. 6 The Keys

1. 6.1 Octave Buttons

2. 6.2 Key Exercise: One-Bar Bass

8. 7 The Pads

1. 7.1 Pad Banks

2. 7.2 Full Level

3. 7.3 Note Repeat

9. 8 The Knobs

1. 8.1 GarageBand Knob Reality

2. 8.2 Ableton Knob Reality

10. 9 Arpeggiator

11. 10 Joystick, Pitch, and Modulation

12. 11 Programs and Presets

13. 12 GarageBand Loop Lab

1. 12.1 Setup

2. 12.2 Four-Track Starter Loop

1. 12.2.1 Track 1: Drums

2. 12.2.2 Track 2: Bass

3. 12.2.3 Track 3: Chords

4. 12.2.4 Track 4: Hook

3. 12.3 GarageBand Loops and Cycle

14. 13 Ableton Live Loop Lab

1. 13.1 Setup

2. 13.2 Four-Clip Starter Set

3. 13.3 Drum Rack Mapping

4. 13.4 Knob Mapping

5. 13.5 Clip Launch With Pads

6. 13.6 Sync Note Repeat to Live

15. 14 Performance Studies

1. 14.1 Clint Eastwood-Style Hook

2. 14.2 In Da Club-Style Cover

3. 14.3 Beginner MK3 Control Study

16. 15 Troubleshooting

17. 16 Thirty-Day Practice Plan

18. 17 Final Project

1. Table of Contents

Akai MPK Mini MK3 and APC40 MK2 Loop Lab

Akai MPK Mini MK3 Loop Lab

Every knob, pad, key, and beginner loop workflow for GarageBand and Ableton Live

kiffness-mpk-mini-manual (0.3.2-dd45fa)

Alexy Khrabrov

Codex with ChatGPT 5.5

1 Start Here

This book is for learning the Akai MPK mini MK3 and Akai APC40 MK2 as practical performance controllers, not as mysterious USB accessories. The goal is simple: plug them into a Mac, understand what each surface is good at, and use either one, or both together, to make short loops in GarageBand and Ableton Live.

The guide is grounded in these study references:

- Smith’s Covers, “Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (Akai MPK Mini MK3 Cover)”: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/d_VK75O173w

- inMusic Brands Support, “Akai Pro MPK Mini Play MK3 | Onboard Features & Standalone Use”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTLGsW9tlw4

- IxStage, “50 Cent - In Da Club / AKAI MPK MINI MK3 COVER”: https://youtu.be/awnLq-c5N8M

- Dezavi Productions, “AKAI MPK mini MK3 Tutorial Beginners”: https://youtu.be/sM6RY5s4e8o

- Autumn Gard, “AKAI MPK MINI PLAY MK3 TUTORIAL WITH ABLETON LIVE”: https://youtu.be/ckAbhrpB89w

- Matthew Stratton, “AKAI MPK MINI MK3 Complete Setup”: https://youtu.be/FqU2F31dJiw

- Matthew Stratton, “AKAI MPK MINI MK3 - Ableton Live Setup Tutorial”: https://youtu.be/mQBsBtT1CHY

Those videos teach three different things. The cover videos show what the MPK looks like when someone has already mapped it and can perform confidently. The beginner videos explain the controls: pads, banks, note repeat, arpeggiator, octaves, knobs, and software setup. The Ableton tutorial shows the same hardware inside a clip-based DAW, where pads and knobs become a live-looping surface. The APC40 MK2 extends that idea: it is less of a piano-style instrument and more of a dedicated Ableton session, clip, mixer, and performance surface.

This book does not copy the source music, video frames, or transcripts. It turns the observed techniques into original practice routines you can do with your own sounds.

2 The Mental Model

The MPK mini and APC40 both send MIDI. MIDI is not audio. When you press a key, tap a pad, move a joystick, launch a clip, move a fader, or turn a knob, the controller sends a message such as “note C2 on,” “controller 74 moved,” “clip launch pressed,” or “pitch bend up.” GarageBand or Ableton receives that message and decides what sound or command it should control.

Think of the MPK mini as four instruments in one:

Surface

What it feels like

What it sends

Typical job

Keys

tiny keyboard

MIDI notes with velocity

bass, chords, lead, melody

Pads

finger drums

MIDI notes, CC, or program changes

drums, samples, clip launch

Knobs

eight rotary controls

MIDI CC values

filter, volume, pan, sends, effects

Buttons/joystick

performance controls

transport, octave, arp, bend, mod

range, timing, expression

Think of the APC40 MK2 as four Ableton performance zones:

Surface

What it feels like

What it sends

Typical job

Clip grid

live-loop board

clip/scene launch and status feedback

start, stop, record, and combine clips

Faders

small mixer

MIDI CC values

track volume, sends, and performance fades

Device knobs

macro controls

MIDI CC values

filter, reverb, delay, effect macros

Transport/crossfader

DJ/live set controls

DAW control messages

play, stop, record, cue, transition

The important beginner lesson is that the same physical pad can do different things in different modes. In Drum or Notes mode it sends a note. In CC mode it sends a control-change message. In Program Change mode it changes presets or patches. In Ableton or GarageBand scripts on newer models, pads can also select tracks, arm tracks, mute, solo, launch clips, or stop clips.

The second beginner lesson is role separation. The MPK is better when you need to play notes, finger-drum, use note repeat, or shape a synth part from the same small keyboard. The APC40 MK2 is better when you need to launch clips, mix tracks, arm/stop parts, and move through an Ableton session without staring at the computer.

3 Identifying Your MPK Mini

Your photo shows the familiar MPK mini layout: 25 mini keys, eight MPC-style pads, eight knobs, octave buttons, arpeggiator, note repeat, full level, and a small display/joystick area depending on generation. You believe it is an MK3, so the examples below use MK3 language. If a label on your physical unit differs from a tutorial video, use this translation:

If the video says

On your controller look for

Meaning

Bank A/B

Bank A/B, Pads A/B, or Pad Bank

Switch pads from notes 1-8 to 9-16

Full Level

Full Level

Pads always send velocity 127

Note Repeat

Note Repeat

Held pads repeat in time

Arp

Arpeggiator or ARP On/Off

Held keys become rhythmic patterns

Tap Tempo

Tap Tempo

Sets internal arp/note-repeat tempo

Prog Select

Program Select or Program

Recall saved controller mappings

CC

CC or Control Change

Pads send control messages instead of notes

Prog Change

Program Change

Pads send patch-change messages

Joystick/X-Y

X-Y controller, joystick, pitch/mod

Pitch bend and modulation/expression

MK3 and MPK Mini Play MK3 tutorials overlap, but the Play model has internal sounds and a speaker. A plain MK3 relies on the Mac for sound. When a tutorial says “internal sound,” translate that to “software instrument in GarageBand or Ableton” unless your unit is the Play version.

4 Identifying Your APC40 MK2

The APC40 MK2 is designed around Ableton Live. Its main surface is the clip grid: five rows by eight columns for launching clips and scenes, with track controls, faders, knobs, transport buttons, and a crossfader around it. Unlike the MPK, it does not have piano keys and is not the obvious first choice for playing a bass line or melody from scratch.

Use this translation when moving between generic Ableton tutorials and the APC40 MK2:

If the tutorial says

On the APC40 MK2 look for

Meaning

Clip slot

5x8 clip grid button

Launch or record one clip

Scene launch

right-side scene buttons

Launch a whole row of clips

Track volume

vertical fader

Mix one track louder or softer

Track activator

track on/off button

Mute or unmute the track

Solo/Cue

Solo/Cue buttons

Isolate or monitor a track

Device controls

eight device control knobs

Move macros or device parameters

Sends

send control mode/knobs

Add delay, reverb, or other return effects

Crossfader

bottom horizontal fader

Blend between A/B-assigned tracks

GarageBand does not have Ableton’s clip-launching model, so the APC40 MK2 is much less natural there. You may be able to map some controls as generic MIDI, but the APC’s main value appears in Ableton Live.

5 Controller Combinations

Use one of these three rigs depending on what you are trying to practice. Do not try to make both controllers do everything. A clean division of jobs is easier to learn and easier to film.

5.1 APC Only

Use APC-only when you already have loops, samples, or MIDI clips prepared and you want to practice arranging, mixing, muting, launching, and performing.

Best in Ableton Live:

APC control

Job

Clip grid

launch drums, bass, chords, lead, and FX clips

Scene buttons

move between intro, groove, break, drop, and ending

Faders

balance track volumes while the loop plays

Device knobs

open filters, increase reverb, or move effect macros

Track stop/activator

create breaks and dropouts

Crossfader

blend between two groups of tracks

APC-only starter set:

1. Create eight Ableton tracks: drums, percussion, bass, chords, lead, vocal chop, FX, and master resample.

2. Put one to five clips on each track.

3. Name the scenes Intro, Groove, Break, Drop, and End.

4. Use the APC grid to launch scenes first.

5. Then launch individual clips to make variations.

6. Use faders for volume moves before mapping any fancy effects.

APC-only is not ideal in GarageBand. If GarageBand is the DAW, treat the APC as an optional MIDI control surface for a few mapped parameters, not as the center of the workflow.

5.2 MPK Only

Use MPK-only when you need to write or record the musical material yourself: drums, bass, chords, melodies, arpeggios, note repeat parts, and simple knob automation.

Best in GarageBand or Ableton:

MPK control

Job

Keys

bass lines, chords, lead hooks

Pads

drums, samples, clip launches, or one-shot FX

Knobs

filter, reverb, delay, volume, pan, or macros

Note Repeat

hats, rolls, and rhythmic fills

Arpeggiator

pluck patterns and repeating chord textures

Joystick

pitch bends and modulation gestures

MPK-only starter loop:

1. Record drums with pads.

2. Record bass on the lower keys.

3. Record chords in the middle octave.

4. Record a hook in the upper octave.

5. Map K1 to filter cutoff and K8 to reverb or delay.

6. Film the performance from above so pads, keys, and knobs are visible.

MPK-only is the best first setup for GarageBand because GarageBand understands notes and software instruments more naturally than it understands clip-launch hardware.

5.3 Both

Use both controllers when you want the MPK to create or perform parts and the APC40 MK2 to arrange, launch, and mix those parts. This is the most powerful Ableton setup because each controller keeps its natural job.

Recommended division:

Job

Use the MPK mini MK3

Use the APC40 MK2

Drums

finger-drum or note-repeat hats

launch saved drum clips

Bass/chords/lead

play notes and record clips

launch, stop, and arrange clips

Effects

quick knob gestures

macro banks, sends, fades, crossfader

Song form

perform fills and hooks

launch scenes and create transitions

Mixing

emergency knob mapping

faders, mutes, solo/cue, track balance

Combined Ableton starter workflow:

1. Connect both controllers before opening Ableton Live.

2. In Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI, enable Track for the MPK input.

3. Enable Remote for the MPK input if you want manual knob or pad mapping.

4. Select the APC40 MK2 as an Ableton control surface if Live does not auto-detect it.

5. Use the MPK to record drums, bass, chords, and lead into clips.

6. Use the APC grid to launch those clips and scenes.

7. Use APC faders for track volume and APC device knobs for macro changes.

8. Keep the MPK pads free for drums/fills instead of duplicating the APC clip grid.

Combined GarageBand workflow is possible but limited. Use the MPK as the main GarageBand instrument, and only map APC controls if a specific GarageBand Smart Control or mixer move is worth the setup time.

6 The Keys

The 25 keys are velocity-sensitive. Press softly and the DAW receives a softer note. Press harder and the DAW receives a louder/brighter note if the instrument responds to velocity.

The keys are small, so use them deliberately:

Job

Good beginner range

Practice pattern

Bass

lower octave

root, fifth, octave

Chords

middle octave

two-note shells or triads

Lead

upper octave

short repeated hook

Arpeggio

any held chord

hold three notes with ARP on

6.1 Octave Buttons

The Octave Down and Octave Up buttons shift the keyboard range. If the bass is too high, press Octave Down once. If the lead is buried, press Octave Up once. Press both octave buttons together on many MPK models to return to center.

Beginner rule: record bass one octave down, chords at center, and lead one octave up. Do not chase every octave while recording. Choose the range first, then play.

6.2 Key Exercise: One-Bar Bass

Set a GarageBand or Ableton software instrument to a simple synth bass.

1. Set tempo to 92 BPM.

2. Press Octave Down once.

3. Play C, G, C, rest.

4. Record one bar.

5. Quantize to 1/8 notes.

6. Loop it for four bars.

Now change only the sound. Try synth bass, electric bass, organ bass, and sub-bass. The MIDI notes stay the same while the instrument changes.

7 The Pads

The eight pads are the fastest way to feel the MPK as an MPC-style performance surface. They are usually velocity-sensitive. A soft tap sends a lower velocity; a hard hit sends a higher velocity.

7.1 Pad Banks

Bank A gives eight pads. Bank B gives eight more. Together they act like a sixteen-pad grid.

Bank

Beginner mapping

A Pad 1

Kick

A Pad 2

Snare or clap

A Pad 3

Closed hat

A Pad 4

Open hat or percussion

A Pad 5

Vocal chop or sample stab

A Pad 6

Extra percussion

A Pad 7

Riser or transition

A Pad 8

Stop, mute, or crash

B Pads 1-8

alternate samples, fills, or second drum kit row

7.2 Full Level

Full Level makes every pad hit send maximum velocity. Use it when you want even drums and are tired of weak snare hits. Turn it off when you want expressive finger drumming.

Practice:

1. Choose a drum kit.

2. Turn Full Level off and play kick-snare-hat.

3. Turn Full Level on and repeat.

4. Decide which version feels better for the loop.

For beginner loops, use Full Level while learning timing, then turn it off when you want musical dynamics.

7.3 Note Repeat

Note Repeat retriggers a held pad at the current tempo and division. It is for hi-hats, rolls, tambourines, and trap-style repeated hits. In the beginner MK3 tutorials, this is usually demonstrated with pads, not keys.

Practice:

1. Put closed hat on Pad 3.

2. Turn Note Repeat on.

3. Hold Pad 3 while the project plays.

4. Try 1/8, 1/16, and 1/16 triplet divisions.

5. Record the one that grooves.

If Note Repeat is late or drifting, check whether the MPK is using internal clock or external clock from the DAW. For tight DAW loops, external sync is usually the cleanest path when your model/software supports it.

8 The Knobs

The eight knobs are assignable MIDI controls. In tutorials they are often called Q-Link knobs or assignable encoders. They do not make sound by themselves. They move a parameter inside the current instrument, effect, mixer, or DAW script.

Use this default learning map:

Knob

GarageBand Smart Control

Ableton Device/Mixer job

What you hear

K1

cutoff or tone

filter cutoff

darker to brighter

K2

resonance

filter resonance

sharper filter peak

K3

attack

envelope attack

pluck to swell

K4

release

envelope release

short to long tail

K5

track volume

mixer volume

quiet to loud

K6

pan

mixer pan

left to right

K7

echo/delay send

delay send

dry to echo

K8

reverb send

reverb send

close to spacious

8.1 GarageBand Knob Reality

GarageBand does not give the older MK3 the same deep control-script behavior that newer MPK mini IV guides describe. With a plain MK3, you usually use MIDI Learn or Smart Controls when available. The practical workflow is:

1. Select a software instrument track.

2. Open Smart Controls.

3. Choose the control you want to move.

4. Use MIDI Learn if GarageBand exposes it for that control.

5. Turn the MPK knob.

6. Test that the on-screen knob moves.

If the knob does not map, do not panic. Record the MIDI notes first, then use GarageBand’s on-screen automation for the sound change. The musical idea matters more than proving every knob works on day one.

8.2 Ableton Knob Reality

Ableton is friendlier for manual mapping:

1. Open Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI.

2. Enable Track and Remote for the MPK input.

3. Click MIDI Map Mode.

4. Click the Ableton parameter.

5. Turn the MPK knob.

6. Exit MIDI Map Mode.

Start with K1 mapped to Auto Filter frequency and K8 mapped to Reverb dry/wet. That gives you the two most obvious performance moves: open the sound and push it into space.

9 Arpeggiator

The arpeggiator belongs to the keys. Hold a chord and the MPK turns it into a pattern. It can run up, down, in order, randomly, or across multiple octaves depending on settings.

Beginner settings:

Parameter

Starting value

Why

Tempo/clock

DAW sync or 92 BPM internal

keeps loops in time

Division

1/8

clear enough to hear

Mode

Up

predictable

Octave

1

avoids chaos

Latch

Off at first

stops when you release

Swing

50%

straight grid

Exercise:

1. Choose a pluck or bell sound.

2. Turn ARP on.

3. Hold C minor: C, Eb, G.

4. Record two bars.

5. Change only the division to 1/16.

6. Record a second pass and compare.

Use ARP for texture. Do not let it become a substitute for learning the hook.

10 Joystick, Pitch, and Modulation

The MK3 joystick is usually pitch bend on one axis and modulation on another. Pitch bend changes note pitch temporarily. Modulation often adds vibrato, filter movement, or another instrument-specific effect.

Practice:

1. Load a lead synth.

2. Hold one note.

3. Move the joystick left/right slowly for pitch bend.

4. Move it up/down for modulation.

5. Record a short lead phrase with one bend at the end.

Use the joystick like punctuation. One bend can sound expressive. Constant bend movement often sounds accidental.

11 Programs and Presets

A program is a saved controller mapping: which MIDI notes pads send, what CC numbers knobs send, what channel the keys use, and how the performance controls behave. The Matthew Stratton setup video is useful because it emphasizes the registration/software-manager path: install the supporting software, download bundled instruments, and understand where the MPK editor or software manager fits.

For this book, use three beginner programs:

Program

Purpose

Program 1: Loop Lab

keys, pads, knobs all on one normal MIDI channel

Program 2: Drum Practice

pads mapped for a 16-pad drum rack

Program 3: Performance

pads for samples, keys for lead/bass, knobs for filter/effects

If you are unsure, stay on Program 1. Most beginner frustration comes from accidentally changing programs or modes and then wondering why the DAW no longer responds the same way.

12 GarageBand Loop Lab

GarageBand is the simplest place to start because it opens quickly and has friendly built-in sounds.

12.1 Setup

1. Connect the MPK by USB.

2. Open GarageBand.

3. Create an Empty Project.

4. Add a Software Instrument track.

5. Play the keys. You should hear the default instrument.

6. Open Musical Typing only if you need a comparison; the MPK should be the real input.

If GarageBand does not hear the MPK, open GarageBand > Settings > Audio/MIDI and reset MIDI drivers. On macOS you can also remove and reconnect the device in Audio MIDI Setup.

12.2 Four-Track Starter Loop

Set tempo to 92 BPM and make a four-bar cycle.

Track

GarageBand patch

MPK control

Part

1

Drum Kit or Beat Machine

Pads 1-4

kick, snare, hat

2

Synth Bass

lower keys

root/fifth bass

3

Classic Electric Piano

middle keys

two-note chords

4

Lead Synth or Organ

upper keys + joystick

short hook

12.2.1 Track 1: Drums

1. Select the drum track.

2. Turn Full Level on.

3. Record Pad 1 on beats 1 and 3.

4. Record Pad 2 on beats 2 and 4.

5. Add Pad 3 as eighth-note hats.

6. Quantize to 1/16 if needed.

12.2.2 Track 2: Bass

1. Select a bass patch.

2. Press Octave Down once.

3. Record C, G, C, rest.

4. Keep the bass shorter than the drum loop.

12.2.3 Track 3: Chords

1. Select an electric piano or pad.

2. Return octave to center.

3. Record C minor for two beats, Ab major for two beats.

4. Use only two or three notes per chord.

12.2.4 Track 4: Hook

1. Select a lead or organ sound.

2. Press Octave Up once.

3. Record a five-note hook.

4. Use the joystick on the last note only.

12.3 GarageBand Loops and Cycle

GarageBand’s cycle region lets you loop a section while recording. Turn cycle on, drag the yellow cycle bar over four bars, and record multiple passes until the take feels right.

Beginner loop rules:

1. Record only one job per track.

2. Fix timing with quantize after the take.

3. Duplicate good regions instead of replaying everything.

4. Use automation after the musical parts are stable.

13 Ableton Live Loop Lab

Ableton Live is built for clips, scenes, and looping. The MPK feels more like a performance controller here because Ableton can map pads and knobs directly.

13.1 Setup

1. Connect the MPK by USB. If you are using the APC40 MK2 too, connect it before opening Ableton.

2. Open Ableton Live or Live Lite.

3. Open Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI.

4. In MIDI Ports, enable Track for the MPK mini input. This lets pads and keys play instruments.

5. Enable Remote for the MPK mini input if you want knobs or pads to control Ableton parameters through MIDI mapping.

6. If Live offers MPK mini MK3 in Control Surface, select it, then choose the MPK mini input and output. If Live fills those in automatically, leave them.

7. On the controller, use Program Select to choose the Ableton Live program if your MPK already has one loaded.

8. Enable Sync on the MPK output if you want Ableton to send clock for arpeggiator or note repeat.

9. If Live does not auto-detect the APC40 MK2, choose it in Control Surface and set the APC input and output ports. Its clip grid, faders, and device controls should follow the selected Ableton session area.

If you are using a newer MPK mini IV, Akai’s Ableton guide describes selecting the MPK mini IV control surface and DAW port. For MK3, the reliable beginner path is simpler: Track on for notes, Remote on for mapping, Sync on only when you need tempo sync.

Matthew Stratton’s MK3 Ableton setup video is the most directly relevant Ableton reference for this book because it shows the exact MK3 checklist: confirm pads and keys first, map an encoder to a device parameter, open Link/MIDI preferences when something does not respond, turn on Track for notes, turn on Remote for encoder mapping, select the MPK mini MK3 control surface when available, and use Sync only when you want tempo-locked Note Repeat.

13.2 Four-Clip Starter Set

Create four MIDI tracks for MPK-only practice:

Track

Ableton device

MPK control

Clip length

Drums

Drum Rack

Pads

1 or 2 bars

Bass

Analog, Drift, or Wavetable bass

keys

2 bars

Chords

Electric, Piano, or Pad

keys

4 bars

Lead

synth lead

keys + joystick

4 bars

For APC-only or combined practice, keep those four tracks and add four more:

Track

Ableton device/audio

APC job

Clip role

Percussion

Drum Rack or audio loops

clip launch + fader

extra groove

Vocal Chop

Simpler or audio clips

clip launch

hook/stab

FX

risers, impacts, noise

scene transitions

build and release

Return/Master

delay, reverb, filter macros

knobs/crossfader

performance movement

13.3 Drum Rack Mapping

1. Load Drum Rack.

2. Drop Kick, Snare, Closed Hat, and Open Hat into the first four cells.

3. Tap Pad 1. If it does not hit the kick, move the sample to the pad’s incoming note or remap the pad with the MPK editor.

4. Record a one-bar clip.

5. Turn on overdub and add hats.

13.4 Knob Mapping

1. Put Auto Filter after the lead instrument.

2. Enter MIDI Map Mode.

3. Click Auto Filter Frequency.

4. Turn K1.

5. Click Auto Filter Resonance.

6. Turn K2.

7. Exit MIDI Map Mode.

8. Record automation while the clip plays.

If the encoders do not move anything, re-open Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI and check Remote on the MPK input. Track lets notes play instruments; Remote lets controls map to Ableton parameters.

13.5 Clip Launch With Pads

Older MK3 units do not automatically become an Ableton clip grid unless you use a script or manual mapping. You can still make a useful setup:

1. Enter MIDI Map Mode.

2. Click the first drum clip launch button.

3. Tap Pad 5.

4. Click the bass clip launch button.

5. Tap Pad 6.

6. Click the chord clip launch button.

7. Tap Pad 7.

8. Click Stop All Clips or a track stop button.

9. Tap Pad 8.

Now Pads 1-4 can stay drums, while Pads 5-8 launch or stop clips.

13.6 Sync Note Repeat to Live

To make Note Repeat follow Ableton’s tempo:

1. In Ableton Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI, turn Sync on for the MPK output.

2. On the MPK, open the Note Repeat or clock setting.

3. Set the clock source to external if your program exposes that option.

4. Start Live playback.

5. Hold a hat pad with Note Repeat on.

If repeat only works when Live is playing, that is expected with external sync. The MPK is waiting for Live’s clock.

14 Performance Studies

14.1 Clint Eastwood-Style Hook

The Smith’s Covers Short shows the MPK as a miniature performance station: simple lead phrase, low anchor notes, and a middle pad section.

Practice version:

1. Use an organ, melodica, or nasal synth lead.

2. Map drums to Pads 1-4.

3. Map a vocal/sample stab or effect to Pad 5.

4. Play the hook in one octave.

5. Move to the pads for a short fill.

6. Return to the hook.

Do not start with the full song. Start with one hook, one pad fill, and one ending.

14.2 In Da Club-Style Cover

The IxStage performance reference is useful because it treats the MPK as a cover instrument: keys carry the riff and pads can handle drums or samples.

Practice version:

1. Find the lowest note of the riff.

2. Put that note under your left hand.

3. Put the answer notes under your right hand.

4. Use Pad 1 for kick and Pad 2 for clap.

5. Record the riff first, then drums.

14.3 Beginner MK3 Control Study

The Dezavi Productions tutorial is the core beginner-control study: pads, pressure, bank switching, full level, note repeat, octave shifting, arpeggiator, and knobs.

Practice checklist:

1. Play all eight pads softly and loudly.

2. Turn Full Level on and repeat.

3. Switch Bank A/B and repeat.

4. Turn Note Repeat on and hold a hat pad.

5. Turn ARP on and hold a triad on the keys.

6. Move every knob while watching the DAW.

7. Move the joystick while holding a lead note.

15 Troubleshooting

Symptom

Likely cause

Fix

Keys play but pads do nothing

drum kit expects different MIDI notes

move samples, change pad notes, or use Drum Rack learn

Pads play but velocity is uneven

Full Level off

turn Full Level on while practicing

Note Repeat is not in time

internal clock differs from DAW tempo

use external sync or tap tempo carefully

Knobs do not move anything

not mapped

use MIDI Learn or Ableton MIDI Map Mode

GarageBand hears no MIDI

MIDI driver/session stale

reset MIDI drivers or reconnect in Audio MIDI Setup

Ableton records notes but mapping fails

Remote disabled

enable Remote for the MPK input

Arpeggiator keeps playing

latch on

turn latch off or stop the arpeggiator

Wrong octave

octave shifted

press both octave buttons or return to center

16 Thirty-Day Practice Plan

Days

Focus

Result

1-3

Keys and octaves

one bass loop

4-6

Pads and Full Level

one drum loop

7-9

Note Repeat

hats and rolls in time

10-12

Knobs

filter and reverb automation

13-15

Arpeggiator

one pluck pattern

16-18

GarageBand four-track loop

drums, bass, chords, hook

19-21

Ableton four-clip set

clips and Drum Rack

22-24

APC-only launching

scenes, clip grid, faders, and mutes

25-27

Combined MPK + APC performance

MPK records parts, APC launches and mixes

28-30

Film and revise

one shareable top-down MPK video

17 Final Project

Make a 60-second loop video in one of the three controller combinations.

APC-only version:

1. Start with an Ableton set that already has clips prepared.

2. Launch the intro scene.

3. Bring in drums, bass, chords, lead, and FX from the APC grid.

4. Use faders for the main volume moves.

5. Use device knobs or sends for one filter/reverb build.

6. End by launching an ending scene or stopping tracks cleanly.

MPK-only version:

1. Start with the controller visible.

2. Record drums with pads.

3. Add bass with lower keys.

4. Add chords with middle keys.

5. Add a hook with upper keys.

6. Turn K1 for a filter opening.

7. Use K8 for reverb on the final phrase.

8. End with Pad 8 as a crash, mute, or stop.

Combined version:

1. Start with both controllers visible.

2. Use the MPK to record or perform drums, bass, chords, and hook clips.

3. Use the APC to launch scenes and stop tracks.

4. Use APC faders for the big mix moves.

5. Use MPK note repeat or joystick for a visible performance moment.

6. Use APC device knobs or sends for the final transition.

7. End with the APC scene/stop controls, not a mouse click.

The finished video should prove that you know what every surface does. It does not need to be complicated. A clean four-track loop is better than a crowded arrangement where the controller work is hidden.