How to Create Project Templates on the Akai MPC Key 37

How to Create Project Templates on the Akai MPC Key 37

If you didnt already know. The Akai MPC Key 37 is a powerful standalone music production tool, blending a three-octave keybed, responsive pads, and a vibrant 7” touchscreen into a compact desktop synthesizer. Whether you're crafting beats, sampling, or sequencing, setting up a project template can streamline your workflow, letting you dive straight into creativity without repetitive setup. In this guide, I’ll walk you through creating and saving project templates on the MPC Key 37, ensuring your preferred settings, sounds, and configurations are ready to go at startup.

Why Use Project Templates?

Templates are a game-changer for music production. They allow you to pre-configure tracks, tempos, effects, and sounds tailored to your style—whether you're into deep house, hip-hop, or experimental genres. Instead of starting from scratch each time, a template lets you jump into making music with your go-to setup. On the MPC Key 37, templates can include everything from track assignments to MIDI mappings, saving you valuable time.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Project Template

Step 1: Set Up Your Project

Start by creating a new project on your MPC Key 37. Power on the device and navigate to the Main screen using the 7” touchscreen. Here’s how to begin:

• Create a New Project: From the Main screen, tap the + icon to start a new project. By default, this will be an empty project with no preconfigured settings, which is perfect for building your template from scratch.

• Configure Tracks: Add tracks for your instruments. For example, set up a drum track for kicks and snares, a keygroup track for synths, and a MIDI track for external gear. To add a track, go to Main, select an unused track, and tap the appropriate icon (e.g., Drum or Keygroup) on the track row. The MPC Key 37 supports various program types like Drum, Keygroup, Plugin, MIDI, Clip, and CV, so choose what fits your workflow.

• Assign Sounds and Effects: Load your favorite samples, plugins, or instruments. For instance, assign a kick drum to Pad 1, a snare to Pad 2, and a hi-hat to Pad 3 on a Drum track. You can also add effects like reverb or delay to specific tracks. Use the Program Edit mode to fine-tune your settings—adjust filter types, envelopes, or insert effects as needed.

• Set Tempo and Sequence Length: Go to the Project Defaults tab in Preferences (tap the gear icon on the touchscreen). Set your default tempo (e.g., 120 BPM for house music) and sequence length (e.g., 4 bars). According to Akai’s documentation, these settings will apply to any new project unless overridden by a demo project.

• Map MIDI Controls: If you use external gear, create a MIDI program to map CC parameters. Go to Program Edit, where you can name and configure up to 8 pages of CC parameters for your synths or drum machines. This is especially useful for the MPC Key 37’s 4 TRS CV/Gate outputs if you’re controlling modular racks.

Step 2: Save Your Project as a Template

Once your project is set up, it’s time to save it as a template for future use.

• Save the Project: Tap the Menu button, then select Save. Choose Project As to save your project to a specific location, like a USB drive or SD card. Name it something recognizable, like “DeepHouseTemplate.xpj”. Saving to an external drive is recommended to avoid cluttering the MPC’s internal 32GB storage.

• Convert to a Template: Unfortunately, the MPC Key 37 doesn’t have a direct “Save as Template” option that automatically loads at startup, a common issue noted in MPC forums. However, you can manually set this project as your default. Go to Preferences (gear icon) > Project Load/Save tab, and select your saved project as the Template File. Then, in the Project Defaults tab, set the New Project Dialog to Demo/Template/Recent. This ensures your template appears as an option when starting a new project.

• Alternative Workaround: If the template doesn’t load automatically (a known bug since the MPC 2.2 update, as discussed on MPC forums), you can load it manually. Save your project in a dedicated folder on your drive, and at startup, double-tap the Menu button to access the Browser. Navigate to your project folder and load your template from there.

Step 3: Fine-Tune and Test Your Template

Load your template and test it to ensure everything works as expected.

• Check Track Assignments: Confirm that your tracks, sounds, and effects load correctly. Play a few notes on the keybed or pads to verify.

• Test MIDI and CV Outputs: If you’ve mapped MIDI or CV controls, test them with your external gear. The MPC Key 37’s aftertouch-enabled keys and 4 assignable Q-Link knobs should respond as configured.

• Adjust as Needed: If something’s off—like the tempo or a missing effect—make adjustments, resave the project, and update the template file in Preferences.

Step 4: Organize for Easy Access

To make your workflow even smoother, organize your templates:

• Create Genre-Based Templates: Build multiple templates for different styles, like “HipHopTemplate.xpj” or “AmbientTemplate.xpj”. Each can have its own tempo, sounds, and track setups.

• Use the Browser: Set up favorite folders in the Browser for quick access. For example, create a “Templates” folder on your USB drive and save all your project templates there. At startup, navigate to this folder to load your desired template.

• Backup Your Work: Since the MPC Key 37’s internal drive can fill up, regularly back up your templates to a computer or external drive. In controller mode, connect the MPC to your computer via USB and copy the files for safekeeping.

Tips for an Effective Template

• Keep It Simple: Don’t overload your template with too many tracks or effects, as this can slow down your workflow. Start with the essentials and build from there.

• Leverage MPC Stems: Use the MPC Key 37’s stem separation feature to pre-load isolated drum, vocal, or melodic stems in your template for quick remixing.

• Sync with Splice: Since the MPC Key 37 supports Wi-Fi and Splice integration, you can pre-load Splice samples into your template for instant access to fresh sounds.

• Save Regularly: Enable auto-save in Preferences to avoid losing changes due to crashes, a tip highlighted in MPC-Tutor’s project management guide.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Template Not Loading at Startup: If your template doesn’t appear, it might be due to a software bug. Contact Akai support for an autorun file to restore template functionality, as suggested on MPC forums. Alternatively, manually load your project via the Browser.

• Missing Samples: Ensure all samples are saved with the project. When saving, the MPC Key 37 should prompt you to include associated files—always say yes.

• Inconsistent Settings: Note that some settings, like Vintage Mode or monitor options, don’t save in templates, a limitation mentioned in MPC forums. You’ll need to adjust these manually each time.

Conclusion

Creating a project template on the Akai MPC Key 37 can transform your music production process, letting you focus on creativity rather than setup. By pre-configuring tracks, sounds, and MIDI mappings, you’ll have a personalized starting point for every session. While the MPC Key 37 has some quirks—like the lack of seamless template auto-loading—these workarounds ensure you can still harness its power effectively. Experiment with different templates for various genres, and soon you’ll be crafting beats in no time, whether you’re in a deep house nightclub or an underwater dystopian scene.

For more tips on MPC workflows, check out the official Akai support page or community forums like MPC-Forums.com, where users share practical solutions and insights. Happy producing!