native instruments battery 4 to midi controller

Native Instruments' Battery 4 to MPC500: Unlocking Creative Possibilities with MIDI Control

When it comes to producing high-quality beats on-the-go, few options compare to Native Instruments' acclaimed drum sampler workstation – Battery 4. However, for those looking to take their productions into the realm of live performance and hands-on creativity, a dedicated controller becomes an essential tool in any producer's arsenal.

Enter Akai's MPC500: a compact powerhouse that perfectly complements Battery 4's studio-grade features with its rugged build, extensive feature set, and seamless integration via MIDI. In this article, we'll delve into the world of using Native Instruments' industry-standard software drum synthesizer alongside the legendary Akai MPC series – specifically focusing on how to hook up your MPC500 as a controller for Battery 4.

Before diving in, let's quickly cover some background information on both products:

Native Instruments' Battery 4:

Released in 2011 as an update to its popular predecessor, Native Instruments' flagship drum synthesizer has become the gold standard among producers seeking professional-grade sound quality and versatility. With a vast library of high-quality sample instruments at your fingertips – ranging from vintage analog classics to cutting-edge digital synth textures – Battery 4 is capable of delivering everything from warm, organic grooves to futuristic club anthems.

Akai's MPC500:

As part of Akpad's popular line-up of sequencers and samplers, the MPC series has long been synonymous with creativity in electronic music production. The latest iteration – the MPC500 – takes this legacy further by condensing industry-leading features into a compact yet feature-packed unit that weighs less than 3 pounds.

To begin using your MPC500 as an external controller for Battery 4, you'll need to ensure both products are connected via MIDI. This can be achieved through either a dedicated MIDI interface or directly between the two units if they support 'MIDI thru.' Once this connection is established, launch Native Instruments' Cubase LE (included with all versions of Ableton Live and Logic Pro) – which serves as our host DAW for this setup.

Within Cubalese, navigate to Preferences > Audio/MIDI > MIDI Input/Output. From here, select the appropriate input port corresponding to your MPC500's MIDI OUT jack (this may be labeled 'MPC' or something similar depending on your hardware configuration). Save these changes and restart both Battery 4 and Cubase LE.

With everything now properly set up, launch Native Instruments' flagship drum workstation within Ableton Live/Logic Pro. Within the main interface of Battery 4, locate the MIDI tab (located at the bottom left-hand side of the window) and click on 'External Controller.' From here, select your MPC500 from the drop-down menu – it should now appear as a new controller option in this section.

Next up, you'll need to map each parameter within Battery 4's main interface onto its corresponding equivalent on your MPC500. This process can be laborious if done manually but fear not! Native Instruments has kindly provided an exhaustive user manual that covers every aspect of MIDI mapping for their range of products – including step-by-step guides specific to using the Akai MPC series as external controllers.

To conclude, by following these simple steps you'll have unlocked a whole new world of creative possibilities with your Akai MPC500 acting as a perfect complement to Native Instruments' industry-standard Battery 4 drum synthesizer. Whether you're looking to add some old-school warmth and character to your productions or push the boundaries of what's possible with cutting-edge electronic sound design – this powerful combination is sure not disappoint!

Native instruments battery 4 to midi controller