Do you use the MPC's "Song" mode to arrange your songs?

I'm having trouble figuring out the best way to arrange my songs. I like to create short sequences (8 or 16 bars), then arrange them the way I want to fill out a song. But I find the 2500's Song Mode to be incredibly weak because it does not allow you to record track mutes in real time. This makes adding an occasional fill or snare roll at the very end of a verse nearly impossible without doing it externally.

I've tried recording my sequences into a software sequencer (such as Sonar), but I have problems with something called "zero point crossing", which creates a 'popping' sound every time the loops are repeated. I've been told this is common when using software, and it's a pain in the ass to try to correct.

So I was wondering what all of you MPCers use to arrange your songs. Are you using Song Mode? Or are you using an external sequencer?


Any suggestions on which method you think is best would be helpful.

NiBL wrote:But I find the 2500's Song Mode to be incredibly weak because it does not allow you to record track mutes in real time. This makes adding an occasional fill or snare roll at the very end of a verse nearly impossible without doing it externally.

Why don't you just create a modified sequence first and arrange those in Song mode?

_Stilo_ wrote:

NiBL wrote:But I find the 2500's Song Mode to be incredibly weak because it does not allow you to record track mutes in real time. This makes adding an occasional fill or snare roll at the very end of a verse nearly impossible without doing it externally.

Why don't you just create a modified sequence first and arrange those in Song mode?

Yeah, I know I can do that. But my songs change up alot, so doing that would require me to create 15-20 modified sequences. Just seems like alot of hastle to me. It's much easier to drag and drop sequence loops in a software sequencer, but unfortunately, the zero point crossing issue is preventing me from doing that.

Personally, I think 8-16 bar sequences are quite long. And I think you're underestimating SONG MODE. I love making 2-4 bar sequences and arranging them in SONG MODE. Cut and paste copies of your sequences, make small edits in them, add the kick, snare, hat rolls where you need them, and just arrange everything accordingly. It keeps everything fresh, and not so uniformly programmed and repetitive.

episode wrote:Personally, I think 8-16 bar sequences are quite long. And I think you're underestimating SONG MODE. I love making 2-4 bar sequences and arranging them in SONG MODE. Cut and paste copies of your sequences, make small edits in them, add the kick, snare, hat rolls where you need them, and just arrange everything accordingly. It keeps everything fresh, and not so uniformly programmed and repetitive.

exactly.. the bars are too long.. just stick with more sequences and then turn them into songs.. yea it might take longer but o well atleast it wil get it done

Why not try linear sequencing then (one sequence and like 200 bars) , i have tried that a few times and once you get the hang of "sequence edit" and remember a few numbers (like where all your 8 bar loops start) you can actually get quite fast.
And don't forget about the grid-edit mode for adding some variations and stuff , and the sequence loop function so you can loop any number of bars in a sequence , like bar 16 and 18 for example and only record on those bars.
And while your at it , you can sync (if you have a soft-sequencer) a sequencer to your mpc via mtc , so it follows your bars , and record all your synths and stuff in your pc and leave the mpc for drums.

Or you can set up the song the way you want it to basically flow in song mode. Then convert all of the seq's into one long seq and then add any track mutes or accents that you feel the track may need......this is what I do.

i used to do 200 bar sequences but the grid edit bug stoppped me doin it that way. the bar numbers at the top get all messed up.

luckily tho, i found that using less bars per sequence, then patch them together in song mode, far more useful. get used to making copies of copies sequences and tweaking them.... try changing the swing.

dablunt wrote:i used to do 200 bar sequences but the grid edit...

Wow. It would seem hard to keep track of a 200 bar sequence in grid edit. Did you have side notes to tell you where the verses and choruses were?

i usually do a long sequence, starting from short loops seqs and copyin/pastin all over the track til i got the 'right' lenght, so i do real time changes everytime i need em,
I also feel very unconfortable with the Song mode.

episode wrote:Personally, I think 8-16 bar sequences are quite long. And I think you're underestimating SONG MODE. I love making 2-4 bar sequences and arranging them in SONG MODE. Cut and paste copies of your sequences, make small edits in them, add the kick, snare, hat rolls where you need them, and just arrange everything accordingly. It keeps everything fresh, and not so uniformly programmed and repetitive.

I agree thats how I do it and it works out fine. After I song play it and it becomes one sequence I add some real time fininshing touches with record mixer changes and recording mutes its better that way.

I have a BOSS DR-880 and the step sequencer in song mode is great.I know if I had a MPC I would definiteley use it.I simply just pick patterns and order them.

Nobody even mentioned step editing.

Itz Incorperated into song mode ''its how you MAKE THE SONG !'' Who said anything about step editing ?