the MPC 500 (if you know anything about this please read)

okay, so ive just purchased an MPC500. ive figured out just from fiddling with it how to set the tempo and make a basic looped beat by overdubbing the different instruments in accordance with the metronome. im basically asking anyone who knows this machine well for the complete idiots guide to the mpc500. i can make the basic drumloop but how do i sequence the different loops i can make into an entire song? i want to basically start off with one loop. let it play 4 times then drop in sampls for the tune. then drop in hihats ect ect. i can figure the basic concept of making a loop but thats about it for the time being. could someone PLEASE tell me step by step how to get the mpc500, switch it on & compose my own beat.
im sure theres alot of people out there who probably think the mpc500 is simple to figure out cos it appears to be the most basic of mpc machines. but ive got alot on my hands at the moment and cant get my head around this device.
i know im asking a fair bit here. but anyone who knows the mpc500 well is there any chance u could videotape step by step what to do and post it on youtube.com or email it to me at [email protected] any help would be GREATLY appreciated cheers!

Ok, do the following:

1. program your beat on one sequencer track (sequence mode)
2. then copy all events from that track to several separate tracks in the sequence (seq edit mode)
3. delete events on separate tracks so that only one instrument plays on one track (you can do it in overdub mode by pressing undo/erase and the respective pads or in the seq edit mode)
4. after you created the sequence with all the instruments on separate tracks you can clone this sequence and erase tracks with instruments you want to drop during the song in each of the cloned sequences
5. enter the song mode and arrange sequences you made in order you want them to play.

That's it, man!

sorry but im still way confused? ill tell u how it happens. i switch on my mpc, on the screen it says "001.01 j: 93.0 A (next line) sq:01-top_gun" (this is the basic stuff that is already on the mpc when u purchase it. now i turn the DATA wheel through the four different songs that are already built into the machine to a sequence called "sq:05-(unused)" i use the tap tempo and set the tempo to 99bpm then hold record and press play, the metronome begins. i tap in 4 snare hits: now when i hit play start the basic sequence plays back to me. from here what exactly do i do to make this play then drop in some kicks then play that through then drop in some hats or samples ect? i know i probably sound like an idiot but its just confusing all this new terminology. im used to "loops and bars" not "sequences and tracks" ect. im guna try go over what you said again but im still having trouble. thanx

You don't sound like idiot at all, man, so cool down. It seems like you are not used to it, just that. So, let me explain first how it works in MPC. There are sequences (same as loops, because by defaul the sequence you record is looped; you switch it off in sequence parameters screen by hitting params button). Now, each sequence can contain up to 48 separate tracks (tracks are like midi-tracks in a DAW, you record midi events into them). So, when you program a beat, you can record your kick drum performance into one track, snare drum performance into another, hihats - into the third one and so on. Or you can just record everything into one track - it's up to you (I prefer it that way, then I can separate what's recorded in Seq Edit mode). You can choose tracks by hitting Track button (next to Sequence button) and then Params to configure it further. Ok. Then each sequence can have as many bars as you want it to be. But it is recommended to keep them short (up to 8 bars or so). That makes it easier to edit them. You can then build songs from a number of short sequences (or, if you prefer it that way, loops) once you program them.

So, basically you start recording by hitting Play and Rec buttons together. The MPC enters the Rec mode and then metronome starts and you can start recording. Once you recorded some basic sounds into a sequence you can: a) go on recording, as it will automatically switch into overdub mode (if the sequence is looped it will play back from the beg to end and then repeat playing until you press Stop, so you can add more sounds into your sequence on the fly); b) stop the sequence, listen to it, prepare for recording more and then press Play and Overdub at the same time - That's how you start an Overdub mode manually, so you can add more instruments to the sequence. Well, the cons of the first method is that if you don't like what you have just recorded, you can press Undo/Erase button and then Do It and the sequence will be erased instantly. When you use Overdub mode, you can only Undo events you recorded last. All right, more to the point of recording your sequence. I thought you knew how to record the beat and just wanted a technique to make a song out of separate sequences... Well, that's how you record the beat. Start with unused sequence. Set up its length in params screen (hit Params button to enter this screen; to return back to sequence screen hit Sequence button). I assume you will have all sounds ready for recording at that moment and mapped to the pads. Anyway you can choose a program with the samples to use in the Track screen (hit Track button and browse through options with the jog wheel, there should be a program choosing screen out there). Choose Track-01 for recording your performance, then return to the sequence screen. Hit Play and Rec simultaneously. The metronome will start and after a count-in you will be able to record your beat. As you say, you record the snare first. Ok, hit just the snare pad now. After the sequence reaches its end the MPC will switch into Overdub mode (see above). So, now you can add some kicks. After recording kicks you can record hihats and so on. Just like I have said above, you can record it all at once or you can stop, think what to do next, start an Overdub mode manually and continue recording.

Well, hope that is useful. If in doubt feel free to ask. You may send a PM to me as well. Good luck!