devices/akai/mpc500.vendor.fw-unknown.jsonEdit on GitHubJSONAkai MPC500 MIDI CC chart, NRPN and OSC map
The Akai MPC500 MIDI implementation: 1 CC, 5 SysEx commands, each named, for Claude (MCP), SuperCollider or any OSC app.
- sourcemaker's documentation
- real unitnot yet checked
Not checked on a real Akai MPC500 yet. Own one? Load a sound or send a control, and tell us whether it worked.
- Maker
- Akai
- Version
- MPC500 Reference Manual rev C
- Source
- maker's documentation
- OSC prefix
/mpc500
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/mpc500.vendor.fw-unknown.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 mpc500: ask “what can the Akai MPC500 do?” and it reads this map with list_routes. See the MCP guide.
MIDI controls
6 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 | /mpc500/all_notes_off |
SysEx commands
| Command | Arguments | Name to send |
|---|---|---|
| Transport clock | /mpc500/transport/clock |
|
| Transport start | /mpc500/transport/start |
|
| Transport continue | /mpc500/transport/continue |
|
| Transport stop | /mpc500/transport/stop |
|
| Song position | beats: u14 | /mpc500/song/position |
Performance MIDI
Notes, pitch bend and any CC are also available: /mpc500/note/on <note> <velocity>, /mpc500/cc/<number> <value>, /mpc500/pitchbend <0-16383>, /mpc500/program_change <n>.
Limitations
Source: Akai MPC500 Reference Manual rev C: MIDI implementation charts (sampler and sequencer sections) and MIDI/SYNC chapter. 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. No sequence change by Program Change is documented. Untested on hardware.
Frequently asked questions
How many parameters of the Akai MPC500 can be controlled over MIDI?
SynthHub's map of the Akai MPC500 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 MPC500?
Yes: SynthHub's hosted MCP server knows the Akai MPC500's MIDI map, and its browser relay lets the agent send it parameter changes or load a sound, each sound change confirmed by you.