MPC-1000 Arranging Question

Hi guys,

actually I'm learning to use the MPC sequencer which seems to be based more on tracks instead of patterns (like most sequencers do). Therefore I'm interested in how you use the sequencer.

I own a Yamaha RM1x which is based on patterns. For each of my 16 channels I can choose a pattern. The length of the patterns doesn't matter, each can be different. When I change a pattern while playing then the next pattern will start when the actual pattern ends.

On the MPC this seems to be different. I have 64 channels and each one has a track containing events. I can't make this track playing a different pattern (like the RM1x can), I have to alter the existing track, right?

Furthermore when changing the length of a sequence it's very annoying that the tracks are filled up with silence (instead of looping the track).

But: maybe I do something wrong? Maybe I didn't understand enough yet? How do you use the sequencer? I'm open for all advices.

Marco Scherer

it sounds like you like the yamaha better.
why not just keep using the yamaha to sequence?

Because I may miss something. As I wrote I'm open for suggestions and I'm interested in how other people work with the MPC.

isnt the "section" on the yamaha the same thing as a sequence on the MPC? i have the RM1X too but havent used it that much.

Learn the sequence edit section. There u can copy and paste bars, move tracks, copy tracks or copy/move the track events to another track/sequence.
Once u get the hang of it this sequencer is peanuts.

I personally make one 4 or 8 bar sequence with anywhere from 4-16 tracks. i put different "patterns" on separate tracks, so i might have 4 tracks that all use the same drum break program, but they all have a different pattern.

along with the drum break i'll also have separate tracks for bass, synths, samples, etc. some will only have 1 pattern (and thus one track) while there will be multiple instances of others.

then when i'm ready to record my beat, i'll just loop the 8 bar sequence while muting/unmuting different tracks from the track mute screen. if break pattern A is on track 1 and break pattern B is on track 2, i can just hit pads 1 and 2 at the same time when i'm on the track mute screen and bam! pattern switch on the fly.

this is cool because it lets you handle pattern changes as well as track mutes all from the same screen. it also means you can switch patterns during any point in the sequence. the only drawback is if you want to use more than 16 tracks, you have to start switching pad banks.

djestouff wrote:I personally make one 4 or 8 bar pattern with anywhere from 4-16 tracks. i put different "patterns" on separate tracks, so i might have 4 tracks that all use the same drum break program, but they all have a different pattern.

along with the drum break i'll also have separate tracks for bass, synths, samples, etc. some will only have 1 pattern (and thus one track) while there will be multiple instances of others.

then when i'm ready to record my beat, i'll just loop the 8 bar sequence while muting/unmuting different tracks from the track mute screen. if break pattern A is on track 1 and break pattern B is on track 2, i can just hit pads 1 and 2 at the same time when i'm on the track mute screen and bam! pattern switch on the fly.

this is cool because it lets you handle pattern changes as well as track mutes all from the same screen. it also means you can switch patterns during any point in the sequence. the only drawback is if you want to use more than 16 tracks, you have to start switching pad banks.

That's pretty much how I work and I want JJ to include a kind of track grouping that would make so much easier, allowing you to have similar parts on different banks.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=113613

Yes, sounds like a good method for working with patterns. Thanks for these impressions!

What about the Song mode? Anyone using it?

Scherer wrote:
What about the Song mode? Anyone using it?

thats so you can string your sequences together to play out a whole song. you can also resample the main outs after you complete your song to output the song as a .wav file.

you can also resample the main outs after you complete your song to output the song as a .wav file.

Wow! Just found the "Song-To-Sequence" function but THAT sounds like a great feature!