PatternBridge
Convert MPC patterns to MIDI and MIDI to MPC patterns, and edit both formats. For MPC users and DAW producers.
More than a file converter
Convert, edit and organise MPC patterns and MIDI files, from individual patterns to large batches.
Batch processing
Load multiple files or entire folders, including subfolders. Export all loaded files or just your selection, and apply shared export settings across the batch. Process thousands of files without converting each one manually.*
Four workflows in one tool
Convert MPC patterns to MIDI, turn MIDI into MPC patterns, or edit either format directly.
Pad and note mapping
Review patterns visually, remap MPC pads or MIDI notes, and adjust sound names before exporting.
Flexible exports
Export separate files, split patterns by sound, or combine them into multitrack MIDI files where supported.
Sound-based mapping
Reuse target-pad assignments across matching sound names instead of remapping every pattern from scratch.
MPC firmware compatibility
Read MPC firmware 2.x and 3.x patterns. When editing MPC patterns, keep the original format or choose a target firmware version.
* Practical batch capacity depends on available memory and file complexity. Individual note and pad edits remain specific to each file or track.
MPC pattern to MIDI, and MIDI to MPC
PatternBridge is a Windows app that converts MPC patterns (.mpcpattern) to standard MIDI files and MIDI files to MPC patterns. It reads both formats, works out what kind of part each pattern is, and writes it out in the other format. Or it saves an edited copy in the same format.
It is built for the moment a beat started on the MPC needs to continue in the DAW, or a MIDI part from the DAW needs to go back onto the pads. Load single files or whole folders, check what PatternBridge detected, correct anything it got wrong, and export.
Who it is for
Producers on either side of the MPC and DAW divide, and everyone who works with both.
- DAW producers
- Open MPC patterns from kits, expansions or collaborators as standard MIDI in any DAW that imports MIDI files. No MPC is needed for the conversion.
- MPC users
- Turn MIDI parts and drum programming from a DAW into MPC patterns with the right pads, ready to load.
- Hybrid setups
- Move ideas back and forth between both worlds without programming them again.
Four modules
Each direction has its own module, so conversion and editing never get mixed up.
mpcpattern → MIDI
Convert MPC pattern files to standard MIDI files for any DAW that imports MIDI files.
MIDI → mpcpattern
Convert standard MIDI files to MPC pattern files, with editable target pads.
Edit MIDI
Change sound names and target notes in existing MIDI files and save edited copies.
Edit mpcpattern
Edit existing MPC patterns and choose firmware 2.x or 3.x as the target version.
Detection you can correct
PatternBridge estimates whether a pattern is a drum or a melodic part, and suggests sound names. These are estimates, not guarantees.
- Drum and melodic pattern estimation, with manual correction of the detected type
- Pad mapping for drum parts and note mapping for melodic parts
- Manual editing of sound names, target pads and target notes
- Target pads from A01 to F12, chosen from a pad picker or typed in directly
- Each mapping marked Automatic or Uncertain, so you know what to check
- A timeline view of every note per pad, with note length and velocity
Automatic detection is not 100% accurate. Check the detected pattern type and sound names before exporting. Every value can be changed by hand.
Export modes
Choose per file, or apply one mode to every loaded file.
- Separate
- One output file per pattern.
- Split by sound
- One file for each sound in the pattern.
- Multitrack
- Several patterns combined as separate tracks in one file.
With Split by sound, keep the original pitch of each sound or normalise every sound to note 60 (middle C). Multi-track MIDI files can be split into one folder per track.
Process all loaded files or only a selection, and choose an output folder or be asked each time.
MPC firmware
PatternBridge reads .mpcpattern files from MPC firmware 2.x and 3.x. What a pattern will load on depends on the version it is written in.
| Pattern written as | Loads on firmware 2.x | Loads on firmware 3.x |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware 2.x pattern | Yes | Yes |
| Firmware 3.x pattern | No | Yes |
- MIDI → mpcpattern always writes the more compatible firmware 2.x format.
- When editing an existing MPC pattern, you choose 2.x or 3.x as the target version.
A pattern saved as firmware 3.x cannot be loaded on an MPC running firmware 2.x. If you share patterns with 2.x users, save as 2.x.
Edit mpcpattern can keep the original firmware version or save as the other one. Keeping the original version retains non-note data, meaning control and automation events. A change between firmware 2.x and 3.x rebuilds only the supported note data. Automation and other non-note events are left out, including MIDI CC data that is otherwise recognised. Your original file stays unchanged. Review the result before you use it.
Compatibility is stated by firmware version. Specific MPC models are not listed until they have been tested.
Akai and MPC are trademarks of their respective owners. PatternBridge is not affiliated with or endorsed by Akai Professional.
MIDI support
Standard MIDI files in and out.
- File types
.midand.midi- Reads
- Standard MIDI File formats 0, 1 and 2
- Timing
- PPQ (ticks per beat). SMPTE timing is not supported.
- Writes
- Standard MIDI File format 1
System requirements
Provisional. Confirmed with the final release.
- Operating system
- Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
- Storage
- Allow about 500 MB of temporary free space for download, extraction and installation. This is a practical allowance for the current package, not a measured minimum. The installed application currently occupies approximately 72 MiB.
- Input
- Mouse or comparable pointing device recommended
- Internet
- Needed for activation and deactivation. After successful activation, the installation can be used offline without a time limit.
- MPC or DAW
- Not needed for conversion itself, but needed to use or check the files in a production workflow
PatternBridge runs on Windows only.
Licence
One payment, a perpetual licence.
- Price
- €49, one-time purchase
- Activations
- Up to two computers per licence
- Licence checks
- Automatic, when the licensing service is reachable
- Offline use
- No time limit after activation
- Updates
- Published 1.x updates included
Your licence allows activation on up to two computers. Internet access is required for activation and deactivation. After successful activation, that installation can be used offline without a time limit. PatternBridge checks the licence automatically when the licensing service is reachable. Connection failures and temporary service errors do not disable an activated installation. A confirmed online licence rejection still blocks access until successful online validation restores it. Reinstallation, loss of activation data or moving to another computer may require online activation again. Offline activation of a new installation is not provided.
Activation uses your licence key and the e-mail address used for the purchase. To move PatternBridge to another computer, deactivate the old computer in the app first; the activation is freed once the deactivation has been confirmed online. Uninstalling alone does not free the activation. If the old computer is no longer accessible, contact Support.
Published updates within version 1.x are included at no additional charge for PatternBridge 1.0 buyers. This does not promise future features, a release schedule or free future major versions. Statutory rights to necessary updates are unaffected.
Questions before buying? See the user guide (English · Deutsch) or Support.