How to create MPC kits from samples

Before you start

Kit Pro on an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 12 or newer; an activated license to generate kits.
A folder of WAV, AIFF or FLAC drum one-shots. Start with a small selection of kicks, snares and hats.
An MPC that loads XPM drum programs, or MPC 2 / MPC 3 desktop software. For hardware, a drive you can access from both your Mac and MPC.

Step 1

Scan a folder of drum one-shots

Put the sounds you want to use in a folder, then drop that folder into Kit Pro’s Scan screen. You can also click the drop target to choose a folder. Kit Pro reads WAV, AIFF and FLAC files, including files in subfolders.

Use recognizable file or folder names such as kick, snare, clap and closed hat. Kit Pro sorts sounds by names, rather than listening to the audio. Keep loops and unwanted samples outside the folder you scan.

Kit Pro Scan screen with a sample-folder drop target and recent folders — Drop your sample folder into the Scan screen. Subfolders are included. Click to enlarge.

Step 2

Choose a pad layout

On the Build screen, give the kit a name and choose a layout such as Classic or Boom Bap. Start with one kit. If One program per folder is enabled, turn it off for this first combined kit.

For specific pad positions, open Manage Layouts. Duplicate a built-in preset or create a new fixed layout, then choose a preferred sound type, alternatives and a mute group for each pad. Put open and closed hats in the same mute group if you want them to cut each other off.

Kit Pro layout editor with pad A01 selected and its preferred type set to Kick — Manage Layouts lets you choose sound types and mute groups for individual pads. Click to enlarge.

Step 3

Select XPM and check your sounds

Under Output → Format, choose .xpm for an MPC drum program. Click pads to audition the selected samples, drag to swap their positions, or use Shuffle picks for another selection. Check each populated bank before generating.

In Options, leave XPM template at built-in to start. A custom XPM template is useful when you want to inherit tuning, filter and envelope settings from your own MPC program. Leave trim and normalization off if you want to keep the samples’ original audio.

Kit Pro Build screen with a sample preview grid and output controls — Audition and arrange your pads on the Build screen. This capture shows DMC60 output; choose the format specified below for this guide. Click to enlarge.

Step 4

Generate the kit and transfer the complete folder

Choose an output Folder, then click Generate kit. If the app shows Unlock to generate, activate your license first. Wait for the completed export and check any reported warnings.

Copy the complete generated kit folder to your MPC drive, including the .xpm program and all exported samples. Keep their folder structure intact. Copying only the .xpm leaves the program without its audio; Kit Pro keeps your source library untouched.

Step 5

Load the program and play every pad

On your MPC, open the Browser, navigate to the copied kit folder and load the .xpm program. In MPC desktop software, browse to the same exported program and load it.

Play each pad and check that open and closed hats choke as intended. Save your MPC project once the program is working. To make variations, return to Kit Pro, change the seed or shuffle the picks and generate another kit.

Troubleshooting

The MPC reports missing samples

Copy the complete generated folder again, preserving the relative locations of the program and audio. Load the program from that copy. Avoid moving or renaming individual sample files after export.

The wrong sounds appear on pads

Check file and folder names, then scan again. Ambiguous names can be classified as unknown. Use a fixed layout to reserve pads for particular sound types, and audition the result before exporting.

The kit includes loops or other unwanted sounds

There is no exclude-by-name option. Scan a folder containing only the one-shots you want; files in subfolders are included too.

Should I use XPM or XTD?

Use XPM for this drum-program workflow. XTD is for MPC OS 3 tracks and is required for MPCe expression. Expression also needs compatible expressive-pad hardware; choosing XTD alone does not add that hardware capability.

Generate kit is unavailable

Choose an output Folder and wait for a valid pad preview. If the button says Unlock to generate, enter your license through Unlock. If generation reports an error, resolve it and generate again before transferring the kit.

Still stuck? Contact DorDSP support with your export format, app version and the error message.