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To use a MIDI keyboard as a drum pad in FL Studio, enable it in MIDI settings, load FPC, check the drum pads’ key assignments, then play or record the matching keys. The piano keys send MIDI notes; FPC turns those notes into drum sounds. You do not need a dedicated pad controller.
Connect and enable your MIDI keyboard
- Connect the keyboard. Plug it into your computer by USB, or connect its five-pin MIDI output to a compatible MIDI interface. MIDI carries control data, such as notes and knob movements—not audio. The sound comes from an instrument in FL Studio. Image-Line’s MIDI settings documentation explains the distinction.
- Enable the input. In FL Studio, open Options > MIDI settings, or press F10. Select your keyboard under Input and enable it. Play a key and check for MIDI activity.
- Choose a controller type if needed. If the keyboard is listed without a specific name, try the generic controller option. Install the manufacturer’s driver if the device requires one.
Load FPC and check its pad assignments
FPC is FL Studio’s multi-layer drum machine plugin. Add it to a Channel Rack channel, then select a pad and inspect its Play Key/Octave or MIDI key assignment. Assign the keys you want to use, repeating the process for each pad.
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The empty FPC preset starts with pads assigned to suitable General MIDI keys, but assignments can differ between presets. Check the selected kit rather than assuming a particular key always triggers the same drum. FPC has two banks of 16 pads per patch. See Image-Line’s FPC documentation for its pad controls.
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Play or record the drum parts
- Select the FPC channel in the Channel Rack.
- Play the keyboard keys that match the pad assignments. Test a few notes individually so you can confirm which sounds they trigger.
- To capture a performance, start recording into a pattern. FL Studio records the notes for the selected channel in the Piano roll.
- To enter notes without playing a real-time take, turn on Step Editing and enter notes one at a time. Step input works with a controller keyboard or the computer keyboard when Typing Keyboard to Piano is enabled. Make sure the Piano roll is the intended target. See Image-Line’s recording documentation.
Use FL Studio’s built-in drumpads instead
You can try a pad-style playing surface without connecting a keyboard or buying pad hardware. Open View > Touch controller or use the Touch Controller toolbar button, then choose its Drumpads view. The Touch Controller plays the selected channel and can be recorded to the Piano roll; you can customize the pads’ root notes. See Image-Line’s manual.
Quick Recap
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Akai Professional LPK25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller | Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys, Arpeggiator, Universal DAW Compatiblity, for Music Producers
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Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus 37-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller | Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys, 8 MPC Pads, 64 Step Sequencer, MIDI/CV/Gate I/O, Software Suite Included, for Beat Makers
- Full Creative Control - A dynamic 37-Key MPK Mini keybed for 3 full octaves of melodic and harmonic performance; Easily connect to your DAW or studio equipment with the USB-powered MIDI Controller
- Advanced Connectivity - Connect to different sound sources with CV/Gate and MIDI I/O; Control modular gear, sound modules, synthesizers, and more to bring new sound sources into your music production
- Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) Integration - Akai Professional and Native Instruments have partnered to bring NKS support to the MPK Controller series, get ready to Kontrol straight from your MPK
- Choose Your Exclusive Complimentary NKS Bundle - Browse and control Native Instruments presets and sound libraries; select one of three curated Komplete 15 Select bundles: Beats, Band, or Electronic
- Record and Compose Without a Computer - Connect to your production station and use the built-in 64-step sequencer featuring one track for drums and one for melodies or chords, with up to 8 notes each
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