quick question about sequencing

Hey y'all,

I just recently purchased my MPC 2000XL so I'm experimenting with various things and I have a question regarding sequencing.

I recorded a one bar sequence with a basic kick and snare but when I loop it, there's a slight pause at the end before the loop. I understand that this is because I did not press "stop" recording right after my 4th measure in the bar, thus leaving a tiny blank spot.

I was wondering if there's a way to "trim" the sequence so that the loop flows more smooth.

Any help would be much appreciated.
I understand that this is a basic noobie question but I'd appreciate y'all suggestions.
Thanks.

it didn't loop right... because... you didn't program the drums right... maybe one of your kicks or snares were to early or late...

Actually, it wasn't because you forgot to stop recording when set to loop on on the main menu once you go reach your set measure it starts over automatically wether you push stop or not. Heres what you can do. one speed up the tempo or two do the track over. I'm sure theres a way you could do it in step editing but I don't use that function . Sorry. you say it's a simple one bar loop try turning your timing off. and do it freestyled. What happend before sounds like your timing is just off in relations to your note/timing selection. turning the timing off is a freehanded way off forcing things in. When you turn the note/timing off what you punch in is what you get , thus not being bound by the 1/8, 1/8(3), 1/16, etc: etc; note values.

Thanks for the responses, fellas. I'm starting to understand more now.

I have another question.

When I read the manual, it says that "sequences" are made of "tracks" which can be individually recorded. For example, Track 1 could be a piano loop...Track 2 could be a bass, etc.

What I don't understand is that when I'm on the "main screen" and drumming out my kicks and snares with the pads and also "over dubbing" samples during my "sequence" recordings, the "Tr:01-(Unused)
S:Drum1:OFF"
below the "Sq:" section never changes.
Is there a way to designate, for example, Tr: 01 as a piano sample and then Tr: 02 as a hi-hat, and so on.

I haven't been able to do much with the "Tr:01" section.
Any tips with this section would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

The current track can be changed by using the 'Tr+' and 'Tr-' buttons (F5 F6).

To renmae a track, just highlight it, press the Open button (orange) and name it to whatever you want.

It's best to place each sample type on it's own track. So, for example, track 1 = hi hat, track 2 = snare, track 3 = kick, etc otherwise you'll get into problems further down the line.

MPC-Tutor wrote:The current track can be changed by using the 'Tr+' and 'Tr-' buttons (F5 F6).

To renmae a track, just highlight it, press the Open button (orange) and name it to whatever you want.

It's best to place each sample type on it's own track. So, for example, track 1 = hi hat, track 2 = snare, track 3 = kick, etc otherwise you'll get into problems further down the line.

And just as important this is a habbit that will save you numerous headaches down the line. Though time consuming this is your greatest ally. Come mix down time everything is pre identified so adding and subtracting parts is a walk in the park. Not to mention it just makes editing too easy.

Thanks MPC-Tutor and Blaz4me. I was over dubbing my snares, samples and hi-hats over the same "Tr:01" which had my original kicks. I understand now that I have to click on "Tr:02" then over dub my snare then do the same with my samples and so on.

Good stuff.

No problem heres another tip you might find helpful. So that you don't have to replay notes over and over again pressing edit from the main screen , then the bars screen icon you can copy your bars. Example. You can turn a 2 bar track into 4, 5,6,7,8, etc; Say you do a 1 bar drum pattern you can know flip it to go as long as you like. Heres how the chart on the left is the sequence to be copied. The number up top is what bar you would like your copy to start with. The one on the bottom is the bar you are currently ending at. Now on the right you have two more numbers, the one on the top is the last bar before your copy begins the number at the botom is how many times to copy your selection. Example. original bar 1/2 begin after bar 2 and how many copies 1. 2x1 =2 so along with the 2bars you already have pressing do it you will now have 4bars.

Good lookin' out Blaz4me.... that's definitely a great way to increase bars. I like that.

I had a decent sequence going with like 4 individual tracks and I tried saving it but somehow ended up losing it.
If I'm happy with a sequence and the tracks, how should I save it in order to get the same settings when I turn on the MPC another time.
Thanks,
-L

I did a search and found some info on saving.

"one .aps file -all parameter info for sounds
one .all file ---all sequence info
and one of more .wav or .snd files <<your sounds...kick,snare,sample..etc"

....still learnin'.

Another way to save your settings is to save your beats in song mode. doing this you only need to program your tracks once. Holding shift 1 enters the song mode, once in song mode just move the cursor over to the right box. Here is where you set up your sequences play order. to the right of this is where you set how many times you want the selected sequence to repeat. Tempo, volume and all other settings are automatically in place. experiment with this for a momnent and let me know if I overlooked anything. One more thing also on this screen you can name the song. When you save save your songs under All songs and sequences. Important you must save the original sequences.

if you have silence at the end, your BPM is wrong, delete it and speed up the tempo some then record again, if the begining starts playing before you're finished hammering in the beat, the BPM is too fast.