By
NearTao
Thu May 25, 2023 10:28 pm
You can, in some ways, think about the two the same.
Song mode is made up sequences, each sequence is made of tracks, which contain programs that are the sounds that you are playing. Similarly, Arranger mode is made up of tracks, which contains multiple clips, and each track contains a program that are the sounds that you are playing.
So, in many ways you can consider the two very similar, as they both represent moments or snapshots of time. Song mode is stringing
The difference really though, is in how each one represents that moment in time.
For Song Mode, the driving energy of a song is the sequence, and you string sequences together to create a song. This works well, if you don't want anything too complicated, or don't mind editing each sequence, but it breaks down quickly when, if you've made multiple sequences, and then you want to make a change to say your drum pattern, you'll need to do it for each section in the sequence. A big note too, is that Song mode only takes the first program used on each track, so if you change the program in a later sequence it will be represented as a change in the sequence, but it won't be the proper program when you render out/play your song.
For Arranger Mode, the driving energy of a song is the clip, and you string clips together to arrange your song on a timeline. This works well, because you can change out clips, have them repeat, and they aren't... how shall I put this... hard set on your timeline like Song/Sequences are. Also, in Arranger mode, your track can only contain the program that you have on it. There is no option to switch it out, which makes it (at least for new users) far less confusing and far more straightforward.
To me, the key difference to understand is where the "emphasis" is on sequence structure versus clip structure. Neither is right or wrong per se, but this subtle change in process position/priority can make a world of difference for how you go about constructing a track.
Hope that helps, and happy to explain more if you've got other questions.