devices/akai/mpc2500.vendor.fw-1.21.jsonEdit on GitHubJSONAkai MPC2500 MIDI CC chart, NRPN and OSC map
The Akai MPC2500 MIDI implementation: 1 CC, 11 SysEx commands, each named, for Claude (MCP), SuperCollider or any OSC app.
- sourcemaker's documentation
- firmware1.21
- real unitnot yet checked
Not checked on a real Akai MPC2500 yet. Own one? Load a sound or send a control, and tell us whether it worked.
- Maker
- Akai
- Version
- MPC2500 Operator's Manual rev 1.0 (June 2005) + Manual Addendum v1.21
- Source
- maker's documentation
- OSC prefix
/mpc2500
Use it
Find the MIDI ports, then start the bridge with this driver:
osc-bridge detect # prints the ready-to-run line for what is plugged in
osc-bridge run --device devices/akai/mpc2500.vendor.fw-1.21.json --out-port <N> --in-port <M>
Then send OSC to 127.0.0.1:7777, for example:
From Claude or any MCP client, the osc-bridge mcp server exposes this driver as mpc2500: ask “what can the Akai MPC2500 do?” and it reads this map with list_routes. See the MCP guide.
MIDI controls
12 controls, each with its number, its range and the name to send
Channel mode
| Control | CC | Range | Name to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| All notes off | 123 | trigger | /mpc2500/all_notes_off |
SysEx commands
| Command | Arguments | Name to send |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence select | sequence: u7 | /mpc2500/sequence/select |
| Transport clock | /mpc2500/transport/clock |
|
| Transport start | /mpc2500/transport/start |
|
| Transport continue | /mpc2500/transport/continue |
|
| Transport stop | /mpc2500/transport/stop |
|
| Song position | beats: u14 | /mpc2500/song/position |
| Mmc deferred play | /mpc2500/mmc/deferred_play |
|
| Mmc stop | /mpc2500/mmc/stop |
|
| Mmc pause | /mpc2500/mmc/pause |
|
| Mmc record strobe | /mpc2500/mmc/record_strobe |
|
| Mmc locate | hours: u7, minutes: u7, seconds: u7, frames: u7 | /mpc2500/mmc/locate |
Performance MIDI
Notes, pitch bend and any CC are also available: /mpc2500/note/on <note> <velocity>, /mpc2500/cc/<number> <value>, /mpc2500/pitchbend <0-16383>, /mpc2500/program_change <n>.
Limitations
Source: Akai MPC2500 Operator's Manual rev 1.0 (MIDI implementation charts dated June 2005, 'Changing sequence by Program Change') and MPC2500 Manual Addendum v1.21 ('MIDI Machine Control', http://akaipro.com/documents/MPC2500/MPC2500_manual_addendumV1.21.pdf). The MIDI charts list the sampler (sound generator) section: notes 35-98 play the program's pads on its MIDI channel, Program Change 0-127 selects the program, channel pressure drives Note Repeat; the sequencer records and plays any channel message, which the performance routes cover. System Exclusive: recognized by the sequencer for recording only, no format given; not mapped. The manual gives no default pad-to-note table, so pads are not listed as triggers: notes 35-98 play whatever the program assigns to them. The MMC byte values are the MIDI standard's for the commands the addendum names; it does not print them. Untested on hardware.
Frequently asked questions
How many parameters of the Akai MPC2500 can be controlled over MIDI?
SynthHub's map of the Akai MPC2500 lists 1 MIDI CC parameters, each with its number, range and a readable name; the full chart is on this page.
Can an AI agent like Claude control the Akai MPC2500?
Yes: SynthHub's hosted MCP server knows the Akai MPC2500's MIDI map, and its browser relay lets the agent send it parameter changes or load a sound, each sound change confirmed by you.