Difference between the “REC GAIN” and “MAIN VOLUME”

AKAI MPC (2500) are including 2 control knobs like the following.

And, both control knob’s intended purpose is different. By the way, I mention about different between the ”REC GAIN” and ”MAIN VOLUME” in this article.

REC GAIN

First, let’s see about the “REC GAIN”.

“REC GAIN” is one of control knob. It’s use for the analog record or external sound source that are inputting to AKAI MPC. When analog record or some external sound source record to AKAI MPC or play those sound（with sequence that made on the AKAI MPC）,  there are cases when analog record or external sound source’s volume is low loudness compare with sound that assigned AKAI MPC’s each PADs. In such case, you can action of using like the “raise the REC GAIN and adjust to fitly rec level”. Also, you can use it like the “you dare to raise the REC GAIN level and distort the recording source’s sound”.

In case of the former, you can get similar result if you do NORMALIZE to recorded sound on  TRIM section. “MIN” means minimum value, “MAX” means maximum value.

MAIN  VOLUME

On other hand, “MAIN VOLUME” can control the volume as its name suggest. In a word, it can control the volume of AKAI MPC’s reproduced sound (Master Volume).

This setting is apply to all reproduced sound. So, it like a master fader of DAW software or MTR. Same as a while ago, “MIN” means minimum value, “MAX” means maximum value.