— Cheat sheet

Quick keys

All 202 key combinations in the guide, gathered from every chapter. Pick keys to see only the combos that use them — select SHIFT and LOAD | SAVE to find everything you can do with that pair — or type what you want to do.

202 of 202 combinations

Panel & controls

SHIFT + UNDO | REDO: Redoes the last action you undid.; Shift functions
SHIFT + BANK A | E: Selects Pad Bank E.; Shift functions
SHIFT + BANK B | F: Selects Pad Bank F.; Shift functions
SHIFT + BANK C | G: Selects Pad Bank G.; Shift functions
SHIFT + BANK D | H: Selects Pad Bank H.; Shift functions
SHIFT + COPY | DELETE: Deletes instead of copying.; Shift functions
SHIFT + Q-LINK | EDIT: Opens Q-Link Edit Mode, where you can assign other parameters to the Q-Links.; Shift functions
SHIFT + MENU | PREFS: Opens the Preferences page in the Menu.; Shift functions
Hold SHIFT: Shows the secondary buttons at the bottom of the screen.Left-most on-screen button shows an upward arrow; The touchscreen
BANK A | E: Selects Pad Bank A.; Pads and pad banks
BANK B | F: Selects Pad Bank B.; Pads and pad banks
BANK C | G: Selects Pad Bank C.; Pads and pad banks
BANK D | H: Selects Pad Bank D.; Pads and pad banks
Double-press BANK A | E: Selects Pad Bank E.; Pads and pad banks
Double-press BANK B | F: Selects Pad Bank F.; Pads and pad banks
Double-press BANK C | G: Selects Pad Bank G.; Pads and pad banks
Double-press BANK D | H: Selects Pad Bank H.; Pads and pad banks
COPY | DELETE: Opens the copy window, to copy one pad to others.; Pads and pad banks
Q-LINK | EDIT: Moves Q-LINKS to the next column. Each press selects the next one.; The Q-Link knobs
Hold Q-LINK | EDIT: Opens the Q-Links window over the current screen. Release the button to close it.; The Q-Link knobs
Turn DATA DIAL: Scrolls through menu options or changes the value of the selected field.; Data entry and undo
Press DATA DIAL: Works as an Enter button, the same as double-tapping the selected item.; Data entry and undo
SHIFT + DATA DIAL: Adjusts a value in smaller increments.; Data entry and undo
–: Decreases the value of the selected field.; Data entry and undo
+: Increases the value of the selected field.; Data entry and undo
UNDO | REDO: Undoes your last action.; Data entry and undo
MENU | PREFS: Opens the Menu. If it’s already open, returns to the previous mode.; The Menu
SHIFT + tap Automation: Turns global automation off.Pull-down menu; The pull-down menu

Main Mode

MAIN | TRACK VIEW: Opens Main Mode.; Main Mode overview
Hold SHIFT + tap TC: Turns global timing correct on or off.In the toolbar; Main Mode overview
Hold SHIFT + tap Metro: Turns the metronome on or off.In the toolbar; Main Mode overview
Hold MAIN | TRACK VIEW: Shows every track in a four-by-four window that mirrors the pads.; Track section
REC | RECALL, then PAD: Records a sample straight onto an empty pad.Drum track in Main Mode; Track section

Tracks

SHIFT + TRACK EDIT | TRACK SETTING: Opens the Track Settings window for the current track.; About tracks
SHIFT + MAIN | TRACK VIEW: Opens Track View.; Track View
Hold SHIFT + tap Arm: Arms more than one track at a time.In Track View; Track View
Hold SHIFT + tap Duplicate Track: Makes an identical copy on a new track straight away.In Track View; Track View
Hold SHIFT + tap TC: Opens the Timing Correct settings.In Track View; Track View
Hold SHIFT + tap Click: Opens the Metronome settings.In Track View; Track View
Hold SHIFT + tap Track Settings: Opens the Track Settings window for the current track.In Track View; Track View

Projects, files & sounds

SHIFT + LOAD | SAVE: Opens the Save window.; The Save window
LOAD | SAVE: Opens the Browser.; Browser
Hold SHIFT + tap Load All: Loads every file in the highlighted folder.In the Browser; Browser
Hold SHIFT + tap Delete File: Deletes the selected file or folder.In the Browser; Browser
Hold SHIFT + tap Drive Info: Shows information about the current storage device.In the Browser; Browser
Hold SHIFT + tap Format Drive: Starts formatting the selected storage device to exFAT, erasing it.In the Browser; Browser
Hold SHIFT + tap a folder button: Assigns the current location to that button.In the Browser; Browser
Press DATA DIAL: Assigns the selected sample to the selected pad.In Sample Assign; Sample Assign
Hold SHIFT + drag a sample: Puts the sample on a specific layer of the pad, marked by a red bar.In Sample Assign; Sample Assign
SHIFT + ARRANGE | SOUNDS: Opens Sounds Mode.; Sounds Mode

Playing & recording

REC | RECALL: Arms the sequence for recording. Recording starts when you press PLAY or PLAY START | METRONOME.; Recording sequences
OVERDUB: Enables Overdub, so you record without overwriting events already there. Works before or during recording.; Recording sequences
PLAY: Plays the sequence from the playhead’s current position.; Recording sequences
PLAY START | METRONOME: Plays the sequence from its start point.; Recording sequences
STOP | RETURN: Stops playback.; Recording sequences
Double-press STOP | RETURN: Silences audio that keeps sounding after a note has stopped playing.; Recording sequences
SHIFT + STOP | RETURN: Returns the playhead to 1:1:0.; Recording sequences
SHIFT + REC | RECALL: Recalls MIDI notes you played recently with recording off and inserts them into the current sequence.; Recording sequences
UNDO | REDO: Erases every event from the current take, back to when you pressed PLAY or PLAY START | METRONOME. The button flashes while recording.While recording; Recording sequences
UNDO | REDO: Undoes the last event or events you recorded.Playback stopped; Recording sequences
TAP TEMPO | GLOBAL: Sets a new tempo in BPM from the rate you tap the button.; Tempo
SHIFT + TAP TEMPO | GLOBAL: Switches the selected sequence between its own tempo (button lit amber) and the global tempo (button lit red).; Tempo
TC ON/OFF | CONFIG: Opens the Timing Correct window.; Timing Correct
SHIFT + TC ON/OFF | CONFIG: Turns global timing correct on or off.; Timing Correct
SHIFT + tap the TC icon: Turns global timing correct on or off.Main Mode toolbar; Timing Correct
SHIFT + PLAY START | METRONOME: Turns the metronome on or off.; Metronome
SHIFT + tap Metro: Turns the metronome on or off.Main Mode toolbar; Metronome
Hold NOTE REPEAT | LATCH + PAD: Triggers that pad’s sample repeatedly.; Note Repeat
SHIFT + NOTE REPEAT | LATCH: Latches Note Repeat, so you no longer have to hold the button.; Note Repeat
NOTE REPEAT | LATCH: Unlatches Note Repeat.While latched; Note Repeat
FULL LEVEL | USER LEVEL: Turns Full Level on or off. While on, pads always play at the maximum velocity of 127.; Full Level and User Level
SHIFT + FULL LEVEL | USER LEVEL: Turns User Level on or off. Its velocity starts at Half Level (64).; Full Level and User Level
Hold FULL LEVEL | USER LEVEL: Sets the custom velocity that User Level uses.; Full Level and User Level
16 LEVELS | NOTES: Turns 16 Level on or off and opens the 16 Levels screen.; 16 Level
Hold 16 LEVELS | NOTES + PAD: Selects the pad to spread across all 16.16 Levels window open; 16 Level
SHIFT + PAD: Chooses the pad that plays the original pitch of the sample.16 Levels, Type set to Tune; 16 Level
SHIFT + 16 LEVELS | NOTES: Opens the Pad Perform window.; Pad Perform
SHIFT + tap 1-3-5: Sets Type to Chords and Chord to 1-3-5 (major/minor).Pad Perform window; Pad Perform
SHIFT + tap 1-4-5: Sets Type to Chords and Chord to 1-4-5 (sus4).Pad Perform window; Pad Perform
SHIFT + tap 1-3-5-7: Sets Type to Chords and Chord to 1-3-5-7 (major7/minor7).Pad Perform window; Pad Perform
SHIFT + tap 1-3-5-7b: Sets Type to Chords and Chord to 1-3-5-7b (dominant).Pad Perform window; Pad Perform
SHIFT + tap Note –/+: Shifts the pad map down or up a semitone, moving Root Note by a half-step.Pad Perform window; Pad Perform
Hold NOTE REPEAT | LATCH + tap Arp: Opens the Arpeggiator window.Plugin, Keygroup, MIDI or CV track; Arpeggiator
Hold ERASE | CLEAR TRACK + PAD: Deletes that pad’s note event at the current playback position.During playback; Erase and Clear Track
ERASE | CLEAR TRACK: Opens the Erase window.Playback stopped; Erase and Clear Track
SHIFT + ERASE | CLEAR TRACK: Opens the Clear Track window. Tap Clear to go ahead or Cancel to back out.; Erase and Clear Track
SHIFT + tap the global automation button: Turns global automation off. Tap the button again to turn it back on.; Automation
SHIFT + tap the track automation button: Turns that track’s automation off.; Automation

Editing sequences

GRID EDIT | STEP SEQ: Opens Grid View.; Grid View
SHIFT + tap Copy: Copies the selected region. Turn DATA DIAL to move the highlighted region, then press the dial to paste it there.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap Cut: Cuts the selected region. Turn DATA DIAL to move the highlighted region, then press the dial to paste it there.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap Paste: Pastes the copied or cut region.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap TC: Opens the Timing Correct window. The clock icon next to the automation lane does the same.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap Clear Auto: Clears all automation from the track.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap Solo: Solos the track.Grid View, audio track; Grid View with audio tracks
SHIFT + tap Select All: Selects every note in the grid.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap Copy: Copies the selected notes.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap Cut: Cuts the selected notes.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap Paste: Pastes copied or cut notes at the playhead.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap Delete: Deletes the selected notes.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap Duplicate: Places a copy of the selected notes immediately after the originals.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + tap TC: Opens the Timing Correct window. The clock icon next to the automation lane does the same.Grid View, MIDI track; Grid View with MIDI tracks
SHIFT + GRID EDIT | STEP SEQ: Opens the Step Sequencer.; Step Sequencer
PAD: Enters a note on an unlit step, or deletes the note from a lit step.Step Sequencer; Step Sequencer
SHIFT + PAD: Selects that pad as the sound to sequence.Step Sequencer; Step Sequencer
SHIFT + tap Track –/+: Selects the track to sequence on.Step Sequencer; Step Sequencer
SHIFT + tap Clear: Clears all steps in the current sequence.Step Sequencer; Step Sequencer
SHIFT + tap Clear Page: Clears all steps in the current page view.Step Sequencer; Step Sequencer
Hold Q-LINK | EDIT + tap Screen: Sets the Q-Link knobs to Screen Mode, so they control each step’s automation value.Step Sequencer; Step automation
SHIFT + tap Clear: Wipes the selected parameter’s automation from the whole of the selected sequence.Step automation; Step automation
SHIFT + tap Clear Page: Wipes the selected parameter’s automation from the page on screen, in the selected sequence.Step automation; Step automation
SHIFT + tap the TC icon: Turns global timing correct on or off.List Edit Mode; List Edit Mode
SHIFT + tap an event: Adds it to the selection, so you can select several events.List Edit Mode; List Edit Mode
REC | RECALL, then PAD: Lights REC | RECALL and inserts a note event at the current location each time you press a pad, like a step sequencer. Press STOP | RETURN to exit.List Edit Mode; List Edit Mode
SHIFT + DATA DIAL: Changes the event’s length according to your Timing Correct settings. SHIFT with – or + does the same.List Edit Mode, Length selected; List Edit Mode
SHIFT + DATA DIAL: Shifts the event’s pad or note by pad bank. SHIFT with – or + does the same.List Edit Mode, Pad/Note selected; List Edit Mode
SHIFT + DATA DIAL: Moves the event according to your Timing Correct settings. SHIFT with – or + does the same.List Edit Mode, Time selected; List Edit Mode

Arranging & performing

ARRANGE | SOUNDS: Opens Arrange Mode.; Arrange Mode
Hold MAIN | TRACK VIEW: Opens a four-by-four window of all your tracks, laid out like the pads. Tap a track or press its pad to select it.Arrange Mode; Arrange Mode
Hold SHIFT: Shows the six Locator buttons at the bottom of the screen.Arrange Mode; Arrange Mode
DATA DIAL or – and +: Moves the loop region.Arrange Mode, loop brace selected; Arrange Mode
Hold SHIFT + DATA DIAL or – and +: Changes the length of the loop region.Arrange Mode, loop brace selected; Arrange Mode
PLAY START | METRONOME: Plays from 1:1:00, or from Loop Start if the loop is on.Arrange Mode; Recording arrangements
SHIFT + tap Select All: Selects all events.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
SHIFT + tap Cut: Cuts the selected events.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
SHIFT + tap Copy: Copies the selected events.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
SHIFT + tap Paste: Pastes the events at the playhead.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
SHIFT + tap Delete: Deletes the selected events.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
SHIFT + tap Duplicate: Duplicates the selected events, placing them after the last selected event.Arrangement track editor; Arrangement track editor
TRACK MUTE | PAD MUTE: Opens Track Mute Mode.; Track Mute Mode
SHIFT + TRACK MUTE | PAD MUTE: Opens Pad Mute Mode.; Pad Mute Mode
NEXT SEQ | XYFX: Opens Next Sequence Mode.; Next Sequence Mode
REC | RECALL: Record-arms the song, so pads enter steps.Song Mode; Song Mode
OVERDUB: Record-arms the song, so pads enter steps.Song Mode; Song Mode
PAD: Adds that pad’s sequence as a step. Press it again to add to the number of times it plays.Song Mode, record-armed; Song Mode
STOP | RETURN: Stops recording steps.Song Mode, record-armed; Song Mode

Track Edit: drums

TRACK EDIT | TRACK SETTING: Opens Track Edit Mode.; Track Edit Mode basics
PAD: Selects that pad and shows its parameters.Track Edit Mode, drum track; Track Edit Mode basics

Track Edit: keygroups & more

PAD: Selects that pad’s keygroup and shows its parameters.Track Edit Mode, keygroup track; Keygroup overview: Advanced and Legacy
DATA DIAL: Scrolls through the available MIDI assignments.MIDI track, with Edit on and a dropdown menu tapped; Track Edit for MIDI tracks
– or +: Scrolls through the available MIDI assignments.MIDI track, with Edit on and a dropdown menu tapped; Track Edit for MIDI tracks

Sampling & sample editing

SHIFT + SAMPLE EDIT | SAMPLER: Opens the Sampler.; The Sampler
PAD: Places a slice marker at the current point in the recording.Sampler, Slice tab, while recording; Slice tab
PAD: Starts recording to that pad, or stops recording to it if it is the pad flashing red.Sampler, Pad Tap tab; Pad Tap tab
Hold PAD: Records to that pad until you release it.Sampler, Pad Hold tab; Pad Hold tab
SAMPLE EDIT | SAMPLER: Opens Sample Edit Mode.; Sample Edit Mode
SHIFT + Loop: Switches the loop function between Forward and off.Trim Mode, Pad Mode; Trim Mode
SHIFT + 0 Snap: Turns 0 Snap on or off.Trim Mode, Chop Mode, Pad Mode; Trim Mode
PAD: Selects that pad as the destination.Assign Sample window; Assigning samples
PAD: Plays the slice that matches that pad.Chop Mode. Use the other pad banks for more than 16 slices; Chop Mode
Unlit PAD: Starts playback of the sample, then places a slice marker at the playhead with each further press.Chop Mode. Pad 1 is usually the one to start with; Chop Mode
SHIFT + One Shot: Turns One Shot on or off.Chop Mode; Chop Mode
SHIFT + Clear All: Removes all slices from the sample.Chop Mode; Chop Mode
SHIFT + Convert: Opens the Convert or Assign Slices window.Chop Mode; Converting or assigning slices
PAD: Selects that pad as the destination.Convert or Assign Slices window, with Assign Slice to Pad or New Sample to Pad; Converting or assigning slices
SHIFT + Process: Opens the Process window for the selected slice.Chop Mode; Processing slices in Chop Mode
PAD: Plays that pad’s sample or samples and shows the sample on its first layer in the waveform, ready to edit.Pad Mode; Pad Mode
SHIFT + To Pad: Changes the Slice field from All to Pad and keeps the start and end points where they are.Pad Mode, with Slice set to All; Pad Mode
PLAY: Starts transport playback, and Looper recording starts with it.Looper, with Record To on Overdub and Sync on; Looper
PLAY START | METRONOME: Starts transport playback, and Looper recording starts with it.Looper, with Record To on Overdub and Sync on; Looper
STOP | RETURN: Stops transport playback, which stops Looper playback and recording.Looper, with Record To on Overdub; Looper
SHIFT + Export to Pad: Opens the Keep or Discard Sample window to export the loop to a pad.Looper; Looper

Mixing & effects

MIXER | PAD MIXER: Opens the Track Mixer.; Track Mixer
SHIFT + MIXER | PAD MIXER: Opens the Pad Mixer.; Pad Mixer
Press DATA DIAL: Loads the selected effect.In the effect list; Effects overview
Q-LINKS: Adjusts the four corresponding parameters.In an effect’s edit window; Effects overview
SHIFT + NEXT SEQ | XYFX: Opens XYFX Mode.; XYFX Mode

Q-Links, pads & MIDI mapping

SHIFT + Q-LINK | EDIT: Opens Q-Link Edit Mode.With Shift + Q-Link Press set to open Q-Link Edit; Q-Link Edit
Hold Q-LINK | EDIT: Shows the Q-Links window until you let go.In any mode; Q-Links tab
SHIFT + Drum Split: Maps drum tracks to the keyboard’s first 16 notes, lining them up with pads 1–16.In Key Ranges Mode; Key Ranges Mode
SHIFT + tap a colour button: Gives that colour to every pad in the track.In Pad Color Mode; Pad Color Mode
SHIFT + PAD: Selects the colour button matching that pad’s colour. Tapping the pad on the screen works too.In Pad Color Mode; Pad Color Mode

Connecting other gear

Hold Q-LINK | EDIT: Shows the Q-Links Overview, where you can see assignments and pick another bank.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + PAD: Picks out a clip but does not launch it.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + Q-LINK | EDIT: Steps backward through Q-Link Banks 1–4.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + BANK A | E: Shifts the Session Matrix focus eight rows up.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + BANK B | F: Shifts the Session Matrix focus eight rows down.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + BANK C | G: Shifts the Session Matrix focus eight columns left.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + BANK D | H: Shifts the Session Matrix focus eight columns right.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + UNDO | REDO: Puts back what you just undid.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + TAP TEMPO | GLOBAL: Toggles the metronome.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode
SHIFT + STOP | RETURN: Stops and sends the song position back to 1:1:1.In Live Control Mode; Live Control Mode

Preferences & reference

SHIFT + Legal Info: Shows legal information about the MPC.In Preferences > Info; Preferences: Info and Activations
SHIFT + Version Info: Shows additional version information.In Preferences > Info; Preferences: Info and Activations
SHIFT + Info: Shows the Network Information window: network name, IPv4/IPv6 address with subnet mask and gateway, security type and signal strength as a percentage.In Preferences > Wi-Fi, with a network selected; Preferences: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
SHIFT + Reset: Resets all Wi-Fi settings.In Preferences > Wi-Fi; Preferences: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
SHIFT + tap solo buttons: Solos several tracks at once.With Solo Behavior set to Single; Preferences: Sequencer
SHIFT + tap record buttons: Arms several tracks at once.With Rec Arm Behavior set to Single; Preferences: Sequencer
SHIFT + Empty project: Creates an empty project even when an Auto Load project is set.In the New Project dialog; Preferences: Project Defaults and Project Load/Save

The Pro Pack

BANK A | E, BANK B | F, BANK C | G or BANK D | H: Moves the focus view by one row or column.Clip Matrix Mode, pads on Clip Launch; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold SHIFT + BANK A | E, BANK B | F, BANK C | G or BANK D | H: Moves the focus view by four rows or columns.Clip Matrix Mode, pads on Clip Launch; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold SHIFT + tap Move: Moves the focus view by four rows or columns.Clip Matrix Mode, pads on Clip Launch; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold SHIFT + tap Move 8: Moves the matrix display by eight rows or columns.Clip Matrix Mode; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold SHIFT + PAD: Picks the clip that has focus.Clip Launch pads, Tapping a clip selects it unticked; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold REC | RECALL + tap Settings: Opens the Record Configuration window.Clip Matrix Mode; Clip launching and Clip Matrix Mode
Hold SHIFT + tap << Loop or Loop >>: Shifts the whole loop area left or right.Clip Editor Mode; Clip Editor Mode
Hold SHIFT + tap /2 or 2X: Halves or doubles the loop size.Clip Editor Mode; Clip Editor Mode
Hold SHIFT + tap Back to Arr: Returns the selected track to arrangement playback.Main Mode with Clip Workflow on; Main Mode: the arrangement and clips section
Hold SHIFT + tap All Track to Arr: Returns all tracks to arrangement playback.Main Mode with Clip Workflow on; Main Mode: the arrangement and clips section
Hold SHIFT + tap Clip -/+: Switches to the previous or next clip.Main Mode with Clip Workflow on; Main Mode: the arrangement and clips section
Hold SHIFT + tap Clip Stop: Stops the current clip playing.Main Mode with Clip Workflow on; Main Mode: the arrangement and clips section
Hold SHIFT + tap Stop All: Stops all clips playing.Main Mode with Clip Workflow on; Main Mode: the arrangement and clips section