Sequencing Exclusively on MPC?

Hi there,

I've recently bought an MPC 1000 with JJ OS2 after years of computer based sequencing (Cubase, Live, Logic). I love new methods of creating music and I've really learned the ins and outs of the MPC seq over the past few weeks. I have created some great stuff that I never would have done with a computer and I can knock out a beat probably faster than I ever did with a computer - awesome!

So here's my question: Although I'm extremely happy with the MPC and the results I've gotten on it, I found it useful mainly for rhythms and looped phrases rather than melodic parts and more complicated arranging. I've also hooked it up to external synths via the MIDI out and have sequenced stuff from those. I'm just wondering if anyone uses the MPC for entire songs that go beyond looped phrases and rhythms. I would love to use the MPC seq exclusively, but I'm feeling sort of limited in this respect.

Maybe I just need a few more weeks with the sequencer, but it seems that the best way for more complex, evolving sequences is to mix it up with both the MPC and a computer based sequencer.

^^^ Yeah I think you're right. Take advantage of both.

For sure you can do it all on the MPC, its just a little more tedious if ypu are doing more complex arrangements.

Myself I usually start it in the MPC and build a 'skeleton' structure then track it into the PC to flesh it out. I also sometimes use sync, doing mostly rhymthms in the MPC and more complex midi and live recorded tracks on the PC. Getting sync working well really opens up alot of creative possibilities.

M02 wrote:Getting sync working well really opens up alot of creative possibilities.

u mean syncing with sound modules thru midi? or simply recording into a daw?

i sequence exclusively on the mpc, i hold that it's easier to compose more complicated pieces on the MPC than it is on DAW

MIDI GRID EDIT, friends...

Nym wrote:MIDI GRID EDIT, friends...

with a max resolution of.... what? personally, i like the ability of most DAW's to treat MIDI events like elastic -- zoom in forever, alter length, etc. It may be that i am coming from a software world, but the MIDI editing on the MPC seems limited to step edits.

Arranging and editing is seriously limited on an mpc compared to a daw, although there is something to be said for pattern based sequencing on an mpc. It all depends on what you're producing.

If you use 50+ tracks of audio then I would say use software as it's easier to see what's going on.

i sequence 100% on the mpc. i usually track out audio and arrange on a daw.

Donlong wrote:

M02 wrote:Getting sync working well really opens up alot of creative possibilities.

u mean syncing with sound modules thru midi? or simply recording into a daw?

Yeah I meant syncing with a DAW. The audio tracks a very limited in the MPC, so syncing with a DAW opens up lots of possibilites for mixing recorded audio with sequences from the MPC. And ofcourse being able to use VSTs and VSTis creatively while you are composing, rather than just addidng them in after you've tracked it out.

maybe nym can come up with a mouse-input and a big ole screen for tha mpc.... JK

paula abdul wrote:Hi there,

Are you the real Paula Abdul?

If so, "how YOU doin?"