Recording audio parts live

Hello everyone,
I'm new to MPC and I'm trying to figure out how to use it in a specific way.

I want to use MPC to play live, adding tracks progressively: say first play bass, then keys, then guitar. Then have them all together for a vocal and solo performance with those tracks I just recorded. I'd want to do it in a single "song", that is always keeping something playing, with a constant beat, while I changed instruments or messed around in the MPC software. This seems like something MPC aught to be able to do, but I'm not understanding how to accomplish it.

I'm not sure I'm thinking about sequences probably. I'm thinking of them as say, intro, verse, chorus. I'd want to program in drums for each sequence, before performing. Then for the show, play the into sequence recording the bass part, play the verse sequence recording bass, then chorus recording bass. Repeat for keys, guitar, whatever. Then play the whole song (say intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus) using the next sequence mode.

But this doesn't work, because you can't continue recording as you change sequence. I'd have to pause, que the next recording, lay it down, pause, then do it again for each sequence and each. That's fine making music in my kitchen (in fact I did this very thing and was pleased with the results). But I'd like to do this on stage, in a (hopefully) entertaining way.

I'm sure there's a way to do this, but that I'm coming at this from the wrong angle. I'm hoping someone can clue me into a better way to come at this

Thanks

The MPC can certainly do a lot of things... but for the level of performance looping you're looking for I suspect you'd want to pair the MPC for drums and other note based performative components with a real looper like the RC-505, Blooper, or similar dedicated looping devices. I suspect that the MPC looper isn't deep enough for what you're looking for.

I'd *almost* suggest the Akai Force as something to investigate, but even that misses some of the core looping functionality I think you're going to want.

Good luck, keep asking questions... and definitely see how far you can go with the MPC.

You may consider a 2nd MPC with the same basic track/sample setup to always keep the audience entertained, while gaining some time to setup the next part.
Alternate usage isn‘t strictly required, and you get more options to perform anyway.

This might help you out. It's a way to do what you want in a roundabout way. You preemptively setup a drum program with several blank pads already triggered and then assign them live from the looper as you record new audio tracks pointing it to each pad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ChXlQ ... 6-H5YN-Iss

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

I've been tossing around a few ideas. What I'm currently thinking is something close to what @Delphinus is saying.

I'm thinking of having "take" sequences, where I record the parts, then go to a "hold" sequence while I grab samples from the take.

I can have the verse/chorus/etc sequences (and other take sequences) already set with a clip track to play samples from the takes.

Haven't got a chance to try it yet. I'm cautiously optimistic though.

I need to think about how to be efficient grabbing that samples. I'll need to use the punch in so the recording line up with the measures. Not 100% sure how that works. The sample edit also makes weird guesses about the bpm, rather than using the project global. I guess this makes sense if you're sampling from something in a different tempo (like most dj applications). I'd be glad to hear some suggestions on this.

@Telefunky & @NearTao, I'm trying to avoid throwing more money at the problem. At least for now. It may come to it though. Who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to end up throwing more money at it. I'm just trying to put that off for a while. Thanks for the suggestions.