How to Create and Transfer Drum Kits to the MPC Sample (Step-by-Step Guide)

The Akai MPC Sample is a powerful standalone drum machine, but getting your existing MPC drum kits onto it requires a few specific steps. This guide walks you through how MPC Sample drum kits work, how to transfer kit presets from your computer, and how to load them on the device.

If you prefer a video guide , I have made a video of the process below!

How MPC Sample Drum Kits Work

The MPC Sample can only hold one kit at a time, but each kit preset can contain up to 8 banks, meaning a single kit file can actually hold 8 different drum kits. This is very useful since the device is limited to one kit preset per project.

Importantly, the MPC Sample does not load kit files directly. Instead, it loads MPC 3 project files that contain a single kit. Think of each project file as a container for one kit preset (with up to 8 banks of sounds).

What You Need Before You Start

  • MPC 3 desktop software ( from Akai — the older MPC 2 software will not work)
  • Your MPC drum kit files saved on your computer
  • A microSD card inserted into the left slot of your MPC Sample

Step 1: Save Your Kit as an MPC Project File

The MPC Sample loads project files, not raw kit files. Here’s how to package your kit correctly using MPC 3 software:

  1. Open MPC 3 on your computer and click New Project.
  2. Right-click to delete any existing kits or tracks so you have a clean, blank project.
  3. Use the file browser to navigate to your saved kit files. You can filter by the drum kit icon to show only kit files.
  4. Double-click your kit to load it into the project.
  5. Go to File → Save As, name the project, and save it to an organized folder on your computer.

Each saved project = one kit preset (with up to 8 banks). To save multiple kits, double-click the next kit to replace the loaded one, then use Shift + Command + S (Mac) to Save As and name it.

Want more MPC Sample Drum Kits?
Kit Maker converts your packs and expansions into MPC kits automatically, with all 8 banks filled and sounds placed in a consistent pad layout.
Click here to learn more 

Step 2: Transfer Project Files to the ‘MPC Sample’

  1. Make sure your microSD card is inserted into the left slot of the MPC Sample.
  2. Plug the MPC Sample into your computer via USB.
  3. On the device, hold Shift and tap Pad 16.
  4. Select SD Card Access — the device will appear as a drive on your computer.
  5. Open the drive and locate the Projects folder.
  6. Copy your MPC project files into that folder. You can organize them into subfolders.

Important: Each project file comes with a companion data folder. Always keep the project file and its folder together — don’t separate them.

If you don’t see the SD Card Access option, update your MPC Sample firmware first.

Step 3: Load a Kit on the MPC Sample

  1. Eject the SD card drive from your computer.
  2. On the MPC Sample, go to Load Project.
  3. Press the middle button to switch to External mode — this shows your microSD card contents.
  4. Navigate to your kit project and press the Load Kit button.

Note: Do not click down on the knob/dial button — that opens a full project. You want Load Kit, which loads the kit while preserving any sequences you’ve already recorded.

Your kit will load with all available banks.

Tips for Working with Kits on the MPC Sample

  • Loading a kit updates all 8 banks at once. You can’t swap out a single bank without replacing the entire kit preset. Keep this in mind when organizing your sounds across banks.
  • Sequences are preserved when loading a new kit. Pressing Load Kit will update the sounds but keep your recorded patterns intact.
  • Pad colors are currently limited to yellow and blue on the MPC Sample — this appears to be intentional by Akai, though this may change in future firmware updates.

Automatically Build MPC Kits from Sample Packs

If you have a large library of sample packs or Maschine expansions and want them organized into ready-to-use MPC kits, Kit Maker (Mac & PC) can automate that process. It converts your samples into properly formatted MPC kit presets with up to 8 banks, sounds placed in a consistent pad layout (kicks, snares, and hi-hats where you expect them), and the correct MPC file format.

Once the kits are generated, you still follow the same steps above — save each kit as an MPC 3 project file, copy to your SD card, and load on the device. Kit Maker just skips the manual work of building the kits themselves.

Summary

Here’s the quick version of the full workflow:

  1. Open MPC 3 software → load your kit → Save As a project file
  2. Connect MPC Sample via USB → hold Shift + Pad 16 → choose SD Card Access
  3. Copy project files (with their data folders) into the Projects folder on the SD card
  4. Eject, go to MPC Sample → Load Project → switch to External → Load Kit

Once you’re set up, the MPC Sample becomes a seriously capable device, especially with 8 banks of sounds loaded per kit. Happy beat-making!