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MPC4000 OS 1.81 Beta

My modified operating system for the Akai MPC4000. Version 1.81 brings CHOP, Non-Destructive Slice, faster program editing and Monitor DIRECT. It is a beta: not everything has been tested yet.

  • Akai MPC4000
  • Version 1.81 beta
  • Software modification
Download OS 1.81 beta User guide Changelog

mpcv181.bin · 4 MB · beta · read Before you update first

In 1.81

What's in this version

Step-by-step instructions for every feature are in the user guide.

Sample › Region

CHOP

Tap pads while the sample plays to cut it into Regions — up to 96, across banks A–F. Split and merge precisely with ADD and DEL, or let CHOP TO find the attacks automatically.

 Slice sample

Non-Destructive Slice

Make a program whose pads play Regions of the original sample — no separate audio slices. Move a Region's start or end later and the pad follows.

 Program

Edit: ONE / ALL / ADD

Hold SHIFT and press F6 on KG MIX, PITCH, EDIT 1, EDIT 2 or ZONE to switch the edit scope right where you are.

 Record

Monitor: DIRECT

Keep an external input audible after you leave RECORD — with the RECORD Q-FX processing — while you work in MAIN or any other menu.
Important

Before you update

You install this firmware entirely at your own risk. This is a beta version of an unofficial modification, not an Akai release. By downloading and flashing it you take full responsibility for the result — I can't be held liable for any damage, lost data or a non-working MPC4000.

Things can go wrong during an update, for example:

  • a poor-quality or damaged USB cable;
  • the connection being interrupted while flashing;
  • the MPC4000 or the computer losing power or going to sleep;
  • an incompletely downloaded or corrupted file.

Flashing erases the MPC4000's flash memory before writing, so keep it powered on and connected until it finishes. Before you start, check that the downloaded file is exactly 4,194,304 bytes.

Step 1

Back up your projects

Before flashing, copy all your projects, programs and samples to a separate drive or computer. Keep that copy untouched.

Step 2

Don't work on old projects in 1.81

Opening and re-saving projects made on another OS version can damage them. Start new projects in 1.81, and keep your old ones on the OS they were made with.

How to install

  • Back up your projects (see above) and download mpcv181.bin.
  • On a Mac, open MPC4000 Loader, click Choose… and select the downloaded file.
  • Click Check to confirm the MPC4000 is detected, then Flash OS.

From Terminal the same is done with:

./mpc4000-loader --firmware mpcv181.bin --yes
Beta version

Not fully tested yet

This is a beta version of the firmware. I can't check the full functionality of the OS myself — there simply isn't enough time.

My MPC4000 also has no expansion boards installed: neither the analog outputs board nor the ADAT board. Everything related to them is untested.

Feedback & ideas

Help shape the next version

I'll be grateful for any feedback: bugs, anything that behaves differently from the stock OS, results with the expansion boards.

And tell me what you'd like to see in the MPC4000 — your ideas for new features are very welcome.

Get in touch
History

Changelog

  1. 1.81 Beta Current

    Download
    • CHOP in SAMPLE › REGION: create Regions by tapping pads during playback, up to 96 Regions over banks A–F with automatic bank switching.
    • ADD / DEL: split a Region at an exact sample position or merge it with the previous one.
    • CHOP TO: Threshold: automatic marker placement by attack detection, with Threshold and Min time settings.
    • Non-Destructive Slice: SLICE SAMPLE can create a program that plays Regions of the original sample; later Region edits update the pads.
    • Edit: ONE / ALL / ADD on SHIFT + F6 on KG MIX, PITCH, EDIT 1, EDIT 2 and ZONE.
    • Monitor: DIRECT: the external input stays audible outside RECORD, keeps the RECORD Q-FX processing and follows GLOBAL › Master level.
    • Known limitation: while DIRECT is active, the normal program/project effect returns are not available.

    User guide for 1.81

  2. 1.8 Beta

    Download
    • Slice samples into up to 96 regions.
    • Direct monitoring of the audio inputs from the RECORD menu.
    • Audition audio files from the LOAD menu while a sequence is playing.

    Previous version, kept for reference.