How to create you own MPC expansions (2020)

How to create you own MPC expansions (2020)
More info: www.akaipro.com/mpc-x
My gear:
Samson power distributers
Blackmagic Multidock 10G
Novation 61SL MkIII
Focusrite Clarett 8PreX
Focusrite 18i8
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Focusrite 430 MkII
Focusrite LS56
Avid eleven rack
Akai 3000 XL sampler
Akai MPC X sampler
ART Pro VLA II
Native Instruments Maschine Studio
KOMPLETE KONTROL S61
Kurzweil PC3 LE8
Novation Launchpad Pro
Novation Peak
Arturia Keystep
Mackie MCU Pro
Tascam DA-30
TC electronics Clarity M stereo
Sure SM 7B
KRK Rokit 5
Yamaha HS8
Mac Pro 2012 40GB RAM (macOS High Sierra)
Mac monitors X2
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5MN Natural
Fender J Bass
Fender Strat
Gibson Les Paul Custom EB GH
Keyboard - Logitech Craft Mouse - Logitech MX Master 3
Elgato Stream Deck 32 (for workflow and shortcut keys)
Plus a few amps and some additional
outboard gear. Not going to list software as I simply have too much.
Videos production:
Screenflow for screen capture and edited using DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premier Pro and Final Cut Pro.
Backup and storage:
Qnap 10TB rack-mount server on Raid 5
DAW:
Apple apple logic pro x, Presonus Studio One 4.6, Pro Tools 11 and Ableton live 10
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Global Dance Tribe
Copyright © SoundKandy Records MMXIX
Published ℗ MMXIX
Recorded at SoundKandy Studio

[@OckwordProductions]

Has to be my favorite video 🦾

[@Alckemy]

Thanks for this! I make sample/preset packs and just got an mpc live so I really appreciate you showing the process

[@SoundkandyStudio]

My pleasure bro, glad it was helpfful ....

[@stuad70]

Thank you so much for this vid. Really helps me out ( and I am blooming English ;-) ) - Akai hire this guy ( he will work from home but pay him his worth )

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Stuart, thank you for your kind words bro, much appreciated. Glad you found the vid useful. I’m planning on doing much more on the MPC products, stay tuned. Thanks again 👍🏾

[@infosyst6272]

Bravo Bro great presentation

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Wow, thank you. Just trying this YT thing, still learning the ropes. Thanks again for your comments and for taking time to watch my videos.

[@jreid100]

Great video. Question, after creating a mpc expansion do I need to keep the samples I used to create the mpc expansion on my hard drive or are the individual samples contained inside the created expansion?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Great question. The simple answer is NO. One the transfer from desktop to hardware has been complete feel free to delete the file. However if you wish to add more samples later and create a “revision(s)” it maybe wise to save the file. If you watch my example you will see that I took a pre-existing sample pack, packaged it into a pack suitable for MPC. The MPC package I deleted after usage and the original sample folder is retained. Hope this makes some sense. Thanks for your comment & support bro. If you have any other questions feel free to shout me.

[@MelodeusForever]

Good Stuff! Thanks

[@SoundkandyStudio]

My pleasure, glad it was useful...

[@acethemcacethemc1491]

Love the videos man. Kit maker is incredible. Absolutely amazing. You have excellent taste in sample packs. I see all the boom bap stuff! Beat Butcha has some great packs as well. What are some of your favorite packs? I watched the kit maker video then here I am. Great videos! Thank you.

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Thanks for you comment bro… Wow, what are my favourite packs…? Wow, that a BIG question bro 😀, now you’re putting me on the spot…. I have soooooo 🤣 many lol. Old packs wise I really did like: Equipped music premier beats nstrumentals 1-3 Hip Hop Crate Diggers 1-2 Lowend Theory Vol 1-2 Raw Cuts, (all of them) Samplephonics Classic Hip Hop Cuts The Drum Broker International Breaks (all of them) Boom bap drum loops vol 1-2 Analogue Hip Hop Cuts Vol2 Bad Friend Breaks Vol 2 Dirty Arse Drum Breaks Vol 1 Origin Sound - Vintage Vinyl - Old School Hip Hop Rankin Audio - Jazz Hop Dreams Origin Sound - Low Key Hip Hop Origin.Sound.Lo-Fi.Cuts Bro, seriously there are so many that I love as for AKAI, I really do love Soul Provider 1-2 I haven’t even started on the lo-fi stuff or the house and garage packs. Don’t get me started on the Native Instruments expansion packs I have tons of them too…. Just call me the sample fiend lol What’s your favourite pack bro and what type of music are you making, would be great to hear some of your stuff. Thanks for your comment and feedback, please feel to sub bro. 😎

[@corinahernandez5590]

Great video, thanks. Can you take VST plugging (like native instruments ones) and turn them into instruments using the extension converter ? That would be amazing. Or is this only for samples and loops?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Sounds like a great idea, however I don’t think that would work due to the software’s structure. Having said that I’ve never tried and couldn’t or wouldn’t rule it out. Perhaps someone much smarter than me can shed some light on it. I like your thinking though 👍🏾😎

[@Madmohawkfilms]

You’d need to load the VST’s into Akai MPC Studio software and use the Autosampler to do it patch by patch. A long arduous process

[@Madmohawkfilms]

@Hématome Nations no clue buddy

[@Madmohawkfilms]

@Hématome Nations désolé mec, je devrais voir ce que vous faites pour PEUT-ÊTRE comprendre cela.

[@urieldeveaud]

hi mate, nice video... do you know how to manage tags in your expansion pack ? thanks

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Hi, in a word, no. I suspect that all metadata is treated the same way. You have either manual or batch data management/tags. Are you having a particular issue with tags?

[@GOASTWRITTER]

I would like to see how you do the logo. Please

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Oh, the logo was created using Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator, not sure if Akai really like the idea of people using their logo. If you do a Google search I’m sure you’ll find something usable. I’m equally sure that if I do a video I’ll get some silly notice telling me I’ve breached copyright rules..

[@teabagNBG]

lol i made one without this it is displayed and sorted but my programms and my sequences dont make a sound when i try too preview them...samples can be previewed though... need to try it with this again...

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Yep, I think I know what’s going on there. If you’re exporting from NI don’t forget to include the sample previews. Equally if you are exporting a sample pack that contains previews please remember to include the sample preview file…

[@Eczentrik]

How do you create Program and Project previews for your Expansions? So one can audition them briefly...

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Hi, if you’re converting over from NI sample packs I believe this is done automatically. However if you’re making a custom pack(s) you’ll have to make them manually I believe…

[@grrlinduluth]

im confused on this,i used expasion builder before from bought kits ...but i want to make my own .xpm drum kits from the save as program .xpms i know the wavs have to be in the folders too but i also want my premade kits in there not just wav files...so i just add my saved program xpms to the "bought kit"folder and process through expansion builder?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Mmmm, let me look into it, I’ve not made a kit in the past few months but I’ll see if I can replicate what you’re doing…

[@sureno2525]

hello, great video ,,,, very well explained, but I have a doubt, and that is, how do we create a template where all the samples are loaded on the pads ,,,,,, that nobody explains ,,, ,,

[@SoundkandyStudio]

The method explained here is simply designed for creating/loading sample packs onto your machine, not for creating templates. If you refer to the user manual you will be able to learn how to create templates. Perhaps I can do a video on this too. Thanks for your comment.

[@sureno2525]

@@SoundkandyStudio There is no manual in Spanish so it is very difficult to learn

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@sureno2525 sure, no probs. Like I said I may just do a video on how to create templates. Thanks for your comment.

[@MYKELSTEWART]

thanks bro,but how do you do the kits or whatever demos? cheerz

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Sorry, I don’t understand the question. The packs are either the ones you have already purchased or the ones you have created…

[@bdoesmusic]

What if you have a NI Maschine and you want to make kits out of the factory kits that came with maschine. Is there a possible way to do so and if so how?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

I would assume that would work. Essentially you can make kits out of everything, it’s not limited to any particular software…

[@MelodeusForever]

I have a few questions. One, do you have to put the underscore if you have multiple folders inside of one folder? Lets say I have Blake Kits but in Blakes folder there are 5 separate kits volume 1-5 and inside each one of those folders is kick folder, snare folder, claps folder etc. Do I need an underscore in all of those folders up to the folder that has the actual sounds? Two, is the library files going to be in the .xpm folder? and if not, then the files will be duplicated twice on that same drive? I have an internal SSD drive and the libraries already in folders in a sample folder. I just don't want to duplicate the files if they are not being packaged inside of the MPC expansion folder I am creating. And the last question, do I need to use the MPC software on my computer or can I do this in stand alone mode?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Hi, in response to your questions: Q1: No, simply organise your folders as normal the software will do the rest. For example, you’ll have Root folder (your samples), Drums, Keys, Vocals… Q2: Don’t worry about the format as the software will create this for you. Nevertheless you are correct, this process will create a duplicate, you’ll have one copy on the hardware and one on your computer. The reason for this is that you have the option to either work in standalone mode or via the software. Q3: Yes/No. As with the above statement. You have the option to work in both, standalone and or DAW/software mode. A method I often use is - some samples are only on my hardware and some on both. The reason for this is to avoid the duplication. When I work on RnB, Trap or Neo Soul I have both copies as there are normally soft synths in these packs. For House, Garage I simply place these on the hardware only as I’m normally only using drums. Perhaps I’ll do a video to explain this further… Let me know if this would be useful. Don't forget you can always create packs form NI samples too. Hope this helps, shout if you have more questions.

[@MelodeusForever]

@@SoundkandyStudio Thanks for the shout out. Definitely still working my way around it all. I actually like to have everything on an external drive. I find "less things on the HD the better for its performance"...The one big set back for me is when you pull up sounds (say, you're loading sounds from an exp pack to make a track) - once you go to save that project it saves all of the sounds again. I think the MPC3000 allowed you to save a song project without reserving the sounds. There should be a function to save the sequences or songs and when you load it pulls from wherever the original sounds are on the drive. It just creates a memory link I suppose that's what you can call it. elsewhere

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@MelodeusForever Yeah I guess there are a few workflow issues with the MPC packs. Personally I don’t have these issues as I’m normally working in my DAW so all the sounds are stored in DAW mode and or MPC. Additionally, I have an internal 2TB drive in the MPC and a 128GB card, this helps with load balancing with regards to HD space. Thanks for the feedback bro, much appreciated.

[@sureno2525]

Unfortunately for me, the user manual is in English, and it is very difficult for me to have to translate word by word, thanks for your videos they are of great help !!!

[@SoundkandyStudio]

No probs, perhaps I’ll do a walkthrough soon. Thanks.

[@TommyTrentonJr]

can you turn mpc projects into an expansion packs? Also, when you save mpc projects, does it save all content into its own folder or does the project read the samples from its original locations?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

As far as I know you can’t turn MPC projects in expansions. Expansions are simply a collection of samples, where as projects contain project data which wound be readable. However, the AKAI sample packs contain both data and samples, nevertheless I don’t think the “builder” app will allow this functionality, but it may warrant further investigation. No, samples remain in their folder and are accessed/referenced by their location via the project data. In short you’re correct samples remain in the original folder. Hope this helps, great question, now you’ve got me thinking…

[@TommyTrentonJr]

@@SoundkandyStudio thanks for the fast reply!! Yeah see, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to turn projects into expansions like boom its all organized pad for pad with all effects applied but switched off, sequences laid out for demo purposes, samples pre cut to pads, etc. I suppose we could save the projects in a separate folder and provide that for download with the expansion as well but only if the samples used save with the project files otherwise it would be a pain in the ars relocating samples like that. I had the mpc touch a while back and sold it because i couldn’t make the expansions the way i wanted and i didn’t have a work around at the time. I have a huge library and i noticed that its pretty much a wide open market to create awesome expansions for sale and for free but it dont make since if it cant be done like akai does it. I hope that made since lol im a creative business minded person and I’ve been wanting to do this for a hot minute.

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@TommyTrentonJr I totally agree with everything you said, I’m also very business minded. As you’ve said it would be great to produce such packs. I’m sure all isn’t lost, I’m certain it can be done, we simply just need to figure it out. As with most things it isn’t in their interest to make it easy for s to do, or we’d all be doing it and they’d loose money. Nevertheless I’m certain it is possible to do. There are so many possibilities with the MPC platform but AKAI have ring -fenced the architecture to prevent people like you and I from creating such software. Even if we could create commercial pack they’d probably insist on it being licensed, I think I applied for a licence about 8 years ago and their cut of the profits prevented me from pushing forward with the plan. If you’re still thinking about creating commercial sample packs you can apply for the licence, perhaps profit sharing may be more favourable now. Great points bro, if I find a way round the BS I’ll let you know, if you have any updates to can shout me via email, my details are in the “about” section of YT. Thanks

[@DralanceAsguard]

okay, i understand that this video is saying ot download a program that makes these kits. the web search has turned up nothing. is this program not there anymore?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Sorry if I didn’t make it clear. The expansion builder is included in the programme installer file. Simply run the installer and tick the expansion builder add-on. Thanks for the comment.

[@cdot803]

💯

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Thanks bro, much appreciated 👍🏾

[@BobbyWashingtonvlog]

MPC ONE Doesn’t have the expansion builder software inside, where can I get it?

[@Mrgoodnessproduction]

its in the c: drive program mpc folder

[@SoundkandyStudio]

On a Mac it can be found in the application folder, if you have elected to install it. If not simply run the installer and tick/select it to be installed.

[@Madmohawkfilms]

Did you create XPM and SQM files first or just bam a expansion from a folder and sub folders of samples????

[@SoundkandyStudio]

No, didn’t have to do any of that, just simply drag and drop and let the plugin do all the heavy lifting. Give it a go, if you haven’t already done so, let us know how you get on. It really is really straight forward.. Thanks bro.👍🏾

[@Madmohawkfilms]

@@SoundkandyStudio good to know hope they ditch the 16 pad limit tho I’ve got hundreds of SP1200 samples thanks for the info.

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@Madmohawkfilms No probs bro, looks like you’re going to be busy over the holiday season 😂 with all your samples. Good luck with that. 👍🏾

[@B-Nice]

Which pads do the sounds load onto once you load the expansion pack??

[@SoundkandyStudio]

The normal 16 pads…. Remember you can make your own kits or sample groups too.

[@B-Nice]

@@SoundkandyStudio that's interesting that loading the entire sample pack just randomly assigns the sounds to 16 pads. Seems like it would be nice to decide where the samples went so they were arranged in a way that made finger drumming possible.

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@B-Nice No, you’ve misunderstood, it’s not the entire sample pack, perhaps I wasn’t very clear. I can assign individual samples to pads in the normal way just as you can with any pack. I thought you were talking about patterns/groups. Sorry for the confusion.

[@Davidwesley6]

after you created the pack is there a way to preview the sound on your MPC without loading it into a program first?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

The quick answer is yes, but there is a caveat, you’ll need to create the preview files yourself. If you’re converting a sample library you’ve already downloaded, say something from Loopmasters or Splice they normally have some sort of preview folder. However if you’re creating something from scratch you’ll need to DIY.

[@Davidwesley6]

@@SoundkandyStudio do you know if there a video out showing these steps?

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@Davidwesley6 Not sure, I’ll take a look, see what I can find bro…

[@Davidwesley6]

@@SoundkandyStudio thank you cuz my hands are up😂

[@SoundkandyStudio]

@@Davidwesley6 thanks bro, glad you like the video... :-)

[@cresshead]

text is too small can\t read it on YT vid... had you use a magnifying glass!

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Sorry pal, I thought I explained it enough to not really use the text verbatim, hopefully you were still able to follow the vid. Thanks for pointing it out, will remember that next time…👍🏾

[@cresshead]

@@SoundkandyStudio it's okay i watched a few vids including yours and now i;ve got a good idea on how.. except no one has covered the making of the previews ( i got the mpc one last week btw.. loving it!)

[@SoundkandyStudio]

Great, I love my MPC X I really do, I have a few Akai’s and they are simply the best. I also have a NI studio which is also fab. Glad you got it sorted. Thanks for your comments and feedback, much appreciated.

[@myreviewdotcom]

So I can use any wav files of my liking to create expansion? Is there a need to prepare any special files? Can I create an expansion pack with keygroup that I created?