3.6 Firmware - Sequences

Hi guys,
after hibernating my Force for a long time due to the many inconsistencies in older firmware versions I recently installed 3.6 to give it a new try.
I was surprised to find a new Main Mode (the one feature that made the MPCs finally usable and understandable) ported to the Force. This might be great in many respects as one has now a single point of administration (well, more or less:-).

The part that leaves me confused is the "Sequence" part in main mode.

I have a good understanding of the track/sequence/song concept in MPCs but fail to understand the meaning of sequences on the Force.
Before 3.5 everything seemed to be rather straightforward: Tracks (columns) define different plugins or Audio tracks and contain clips. Rows are time-related combinations of clips and can be started via Row launch. I therefore created songs structured in rows (e.g. intro, verse, bride, refrain etc... ) and dialed them up at my leisure.
So far, so good.

But where do the Sequences fit into this? I suspect this gives an additional layer of complexity but I am at a complete loss on how to use them. The manual, as usual is a waste of time. As were many YT videos that discussed many 3.5/6 bells and whistles in great length but failed to tell me about the possible power of Sequences. I searched this Forum but came up empty.

Therefore my humble request: Is there anybody out there who can share some insight into this? The thing with the Force that always gave me the creeps was and still is the way AKAI implements features without sharing a deeper insight on how to use them.
Or maybe I am just plain stupid.

Any help is much appreciated!
Regards!

The 3.5 release notes mentioned sequences.
They basically add 128 Arrangersa, but all share the same Clip-matrix. So you can use each Arranger to record a clip performance. Cool shit!

From the notes:

"MPC Sequence Support for Force
Force now supports MPC Sequences, unlocking new possibilities for arranging and
experimenting with your music. With this update, you can explore two powerful new modes:
• Next Sequence Mode
• Song Mode

Create different arrangement ideas
Record different clip matrix performances into separate sequences. For example:
• Record a performance into Sequence 001’s arrangement.
• Switch to Sequence 002 and record an alternative performance.
Use Next Sequence Mode to seamlessly switch between sequences, comparing and contrasting your arrangements. Your clip matrix remains consistent across all sequences, letting you experiment freely.
•You can also change sequence from the pull down menus Sequence field.
Use sequences to try out different song structures.
• Use sequences as modular building blocks for your songs (e.g., intro, verse, chorus).
• Chain sequences together in any order to create full arrangements.
• Experiment with chaining sequences in realtime using Next Sequence mode using
the TUI to trigger sequence changes.
• Use Song mode to chain together sequences in a list.
• Convert songs back into a single sequence using the Convert > Seq F-key, selecting an empty sequence for the conversion."

Thanks for the clarification, B-Wise!
This means that by using multiple sequences I could add a layer of variation to the music WITHIN A ROW. Another row will define and hold other sequences, right? Otherwise I would still have problems understanding the concept of sequence vs. row...

So the workflow would be something like this:
* Tracks (columns) define the overall instrumental setup. Plugs, Audio Tracks, Keygroups, MIDI etc...
* I break down my song into parts that are represented by individual rows (e.g. verse, bridge, refrain, intro, outro etc...)
* I record/set music for each "cell" in the Matrix View that I want to use.
* If need be I create alternative takes by inserting sequences within a row.
* To automatize changes I can use the Next Sequence function.

Since I do not know any other Force user personally, I would like to ask you guys if this is the way to go with the Force. I own the device for several years now but never got the gist of the workflow. Maybe the new firmware is my chance;-)

Regards, Bernhard

PS: Would there be a shortcut to switch the actively playing sequence from within the Matrix View?

PPS: Asked differently: Is anybody actually using the sequence feature on the Force productively?

Since the Force has the clip-matrix the scenes/rows were like a seq as each can have up to 128 tracks but all clips in a track share the same track type data like you mentioned.

On the Force, each seqs is just a separate 128 Arranger tracks for you to record to directly or from the clip(s) on the matrix. All seqs share the same matrix but can be used to create different songs sections like intros, verses, hooks... or completely different variations of the same song (that can be combine in the MPC Song mode & converted to 1 song) or different songs.

Akai has made some really great videos for the Clip-matrix on the MPC that still useful to Force users as with Force 3.5 the OS for the both platforms are pretty much the same.

Is there some kind of limitation in place or ram issue with how much data you could have in one sequence? Before the new workflow I got used to composing my entire song in the arranger. Now when I do that and review/export the arrangement clips are being launched/recorded in different bars than when performed. Granted I have some crazy compositions that’s are 14 plus tracks and total length over 400 bars. The midi standard has been 16 tracks forever so that can’t be it.

Essentially I compose entire music set for a performance in one project. I really don’t want to take the time to record each section to its own sequence then recompile in next sequence to export in song mode. Did akai really over look next scene/row functionality to port in this MPC bs.


I have both a mpc and force. I bought the force because I wanted a different workflow than a mpc. Don’t tell me I have a $1000 brick with colorful lights or have to record the audio live like a caveman to get my music out of this box.