One awesome feature would be recordable next sequence events. Just like track mutes can be recorded and saved as sequence data, it would be nice if next sequence events can be recorded and saved as song data as a new method of programming a song. That way, I can have different pattern variations programmed as separate sequences and have them play back using the next sequence screen to trigger different sequences (variations) at different, unpredictable times live and be able to record that as song data. To me, that would be a great way to program a song and also a great way to add a live feel to the beat and have the beat break down in different ways and add fill-in variations like the oldschool drum machines did back in the day (for example Roland TR808, Alesis SR16).
Then I can later I can convert that song into a sequence (a feature I currently use quite frequently when programming) and change it further by mixing it, recording track mutes into it, etc......!!!!!!
So basically with this added feature, there would be two ways of programming a song:
1. The traditional way where you select your sequences and number of times they repeat
2. The song is programmed based on next sequence events which are recorded live in realtime. There would probably need to be an additional page/window in the song mode screen in which the user would be allowed to manually edit the next sequence events later if desired (sort of like sequence edit).
Of course, recordable next sequence events would definitely allow the MPC musician to expand his/her creativity further. I think I'll add this comment to the feature request thread also.
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UPDATE: Prior to this posting, I failed to read Renegadebliss's following comment on adding a the new track mute group/ pad mute feature currently implemented in the MPC5000, which is very similar to the feature I proposed above.
renegadebliss wrote:
3) Track Mute Groups
MPC 5000 implemented something that I requested to Akai for the MPC 4000. Track Mute "groups". Similar to Mute Groups for Programs
but this would be Mute Groups for Track Mutes. So that when you are in the Track Mute Screen, and you hit to Mute on Track 1, all the Tracks (not pads in a program) that have the same Track Mute Group number get turned on or off, depending what your doing with that track. It's a great feature for live performances for grouping "sets" of tracks to mute or unmute. You can group your intro, chorus 1, chorus 2, ,etc... all together in 1 sequence, instead of having to seperate them into different sequences to get the same behavior
This particular feature would allow one to do more within each sequence and not have to use seperate sequences for each of these
sections of the songs, so that one would be able to utilize more sequences by adding this feature.
Also, it makes sure that if different let's say you have 2 bassdrum tracks in the same sequence, that you don't unmute them at the same
time and get phasing. Or 2 vocal phrases gooing at the same time...
4) Pad Mute's
The Beat Kangs Beat Thang's proposing (amongst many proposals) to provide pad mutes so besides hitting Track Mute and
being able to mute different tracks, you can also hit let's say shift f5 to get to "Pad Mute" which then allows you to mute or unmute a
track pad. So that instead of using track 1 for bd and track 2 for snare and track 3 for hi hat and track 4 for ride, so that you
can umute/mute in the track mute screen, this would allow one to use 1 track for all of those patterns, and when you go to the "pad mute" screen, when you hit a pad, it will either mute or unmute depending on it's current state. This feature would allow you to get more
out of the amount tracks.
I'll be on the MPC 1000 JJOS 2XL
Cheers,
Dave
I looked at both the track mute group and recordable next sequence events ideas and gave them some careful thought and consideration.
If the track mute group events and pad mute events are recordable, that would be also be great. I think with this feature I would still be able to accomplish most of what I mentioned above regarding beat breakdowns. Although the track mute groups would allow everything to stay in one sequence, I still think it would actually be better to have separate sequences and structure the song by grouping the sequences together. To me, it's easier to work that way and that's the way the MPC workflow was originally designed. The separate sequences would be viewed as individual patterns. That way, I could create an 8 bar loop pattern and several 8 bar loop variation patterns, a 2 bar breakdown, and a couple of 2 or 4 bar fill-ins each on separate sequences. When the next sequence screen is set to "Immediate Play," I can call any one of those sequences at any time regardless of what bar, beat, or measuref the current sequence is on and the next sequence I call will start at appropriate time without cutting off any notes, just like my TR808 drum machine in pattern play mode. I can currently do all of this right now with my MPC1000 except record the events. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to play these different patterns (sequences) live and record the events as song data??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would definitely like to see recordable next sequences events implemented in a future OS2XL update. I wouldn't think it should be be that difficult because the main foundation is already there. Just a few more lines of code and we could have recordable next sequence events.
