In an attempt to move more of my music workflow off of my Mac and onto real hardware, I recently bought a set of used Korg Volca synthesizers for experimenting with synthesis and drum programming. I also have an Akai MPK mini plus that I mainly used for controlling Logic Pro that I wanted to repurpose for controlling the Volca synths through the MIDI out on the Akai MPK mini.

Since I couldn’t find any existing documentation of the process, I thought I would write it down myself in hopes of helping the next person working through this setup. This set of steps should be easily adaptable to both the MPK mini IV controller and other MIDI controllable synths or devices.

What you’ll need

  • Akai MPK mini plus
  • Korg Volca
    • I used the FM 2 in this guide, but the same sequence of steps should work with all of the Volcas (or any MIDI controllable device)
  • MPK mini Plus Editor
    • You will need to download and install the editor to change the MIDI mapping of the mini plus to send the correct signals to the Volca unit
  • Volca FM MIDI Implementation Chart
    • The MIDI chart explains which MIDI codes are used to control what functions on the Volca unit
  • MIDI cable
    • To connect the MPK mini Plus to the Volca
  • USB-B to A (or C) cable
    • To connect the MPK mini Plus to your computer

The first thing you will need (linked above), is the MIDI implementation chart for the Volca unit you wish to control. This chart will show you the MIDI control code that corresponds to the function on the Volca that it controls. For example, looking at one row of the chart, we can see that MIDI control value 42 is used to control the Modulator Attack feature of the Volca.

MIDI control value for the Modulator Attack Feature

With this information in hand, you need the MPK mini plus editor software. This software allows you to change the control signal that the MPK mini plus sends over the MIDI output. We need to use the software to change the output to the values expected by the Korg Volca and listed in the Volca MIDI implementation chart.

Go ahead and connect your MPK mini plus to your computer using the USB output on the MPK, and start the editor software. Using the editor, update values for the knobs and controls on the MPK to match the values of the Korg Volca MIDI implementation. For example, in the following screenshot, I changed Knob 1 on the MPK to output MIDI signal 42, changed the name displayed on the MPK when this knob is changed to Modulator Attack, and changed the Program Name to be Korg FM.

Updating the MPK to send Volca compatible MIDI control values

Once you have updated the MIDI mappings in the editor, you can save the set of controls as a Program (or Preset) on the MPK. Use the File -> Save menu to send the mapping to your preset.

You can now disconnect the MPK from your computer, and connect it to the Volca using the MIDI cable. Now, to load your mappings and preset,

  • Hold down the PROGRAM SELECT button.
  • Press the drum to load the corresponding preset that you saved your edits to.

And that should be it!

Since the MPK mini is a generic MIDI controller, you can use this process to control any hardware or software that responds to MIDI as long as you have the corresponding implementation chart handy to know which values to emit from the MPK.

Enjoy making music!