It is important to note that the MPC Studio MKII along with the rest of the MPC series hardware products require MPC 2 software (Desktop or VST version) to be launched for the correct mapping of the pads and other physical hardware functions.


Note: MPC 2 software is included free with your MPC hardware purchase:


Akai Pro | Is my MPC hardware eligible for a free copy of MPC 2.0? 

Akai Pro MPC 2 Software | How to Download, Install & Activate 


Attempting to use the MPC Studio MKII as a generic MIDI controller without launching MPC 2 software or the VST version in your DAW, will not give you the option to customize the pad mapping as this is not how the MPC's have been designed.

If you do require a MIDI drum pad controller for this purpose, please see the following alternatives below:

MPD218 MIDI Pad Controller | Akai Pro

MIDI Pad Controller With Sliders MPD226 | Akai Pro 

MPD232 Step Sequencer With MIDI Pads | Akai Pro 

LPD8 MKII Laptop Pad Controller | Akai Pro