Your use of sequences and songs

Just wondering what all of you lot's use of the Sequence and Song elements are in your workflow. Now obviously there is no 'right' or 'wrong' method here, as they are just basic building blocks with which you can do what you like. However, there are clearly some defined paths to take. Some examples:

- Do you forego the Song element altogether and use one long sequence instead, by repeating a loop multiple times and then creating variety on the fly by recording track mutes live?

- Do you use multiple sequences which are basically mirrors of each other, save for a few varying factors such as track mutes? And then build a song in Song Mode?

Really interested to hear about other people's approach to building song structures the MPC platform. I'm new to the MPC but ave been working with DAWs for years. I am finding the MPC approach completely refreshing and will NEVER go back to Cubase.

all i use are sequences i avoid song mode at all costs you always look productive when your spinning a jog wheel instead of just sitting letting something play out

and i use maybe 4 sequences intro verse chorus hook(sometimes)

Winerz wrote:Just wondering what all of you lot's use of the Sequence and Song elements are in your workflow.

- Do you use multiple sequences which are basically mirrors of each other and augmented in different ways, save for a few varying factors such as track mutes? And then build a song in Song Mode?

Really interested to hear about other people's approach to building song structures the MPC platform. I'm new to the MPC but ave been working with DAWs for years. I am finding the MPC approach completely refreshing and will NEVER go back to Cubase.

You noticed I highlighted the part that refers to how I do it. I like to make my music tell a story in a sense so more than likely I'm going to structure it in equal parts. So with that said, the drums must accompany the melodic basis of the song so that everything is on one accord.

Plus if I were you, I wouldn't dis Cubase. That's like throwing away one of your vital tools that helps you complete a job.

Winerz wrote:- Do you forego the Song element altogether and use one long sequence instead, by repeating a loop multiple times and then creating variety on the fly by recording track mutes live?

this is my old method of recording beats, on the fly track mutes from one 'god' sequene. but i found that recreating that on the fly recoding is a pain in the azz! which i have had to do numerous times, say if somethings not right in the mix or you make a small mistake in the freestyling of mutes.. but it's crazy how on point i used to get it. you really have to be 'in the zone' to get this style right. but it's just a backwards/beginner process imo. but nothing beats that freestyle feel. downside is i do to many drops coz i'm too hyped at that moment...

- Do you use multiple sequences which are basically mirrors of each other, save for a few varying factors such as track mutes? And then build a song in Song Mode?

this is how i get by as of the last nine months or so. working with one 'god' sequence, then when the time comes to record, the song mode session starts. sometimes it can be as lengthy a process as making the beat depending on how difficult/technical the sequence is. but this is the way to go imo. i'm at the stage of mastering this process and i can't stress enough how important it is. if you want to make a change in the beat, it's as easy as just making that change and rerecording. i make quite complex music with lots of change ups so it's a no brainer for me.

song mode starts-> copy a bunch of of the same sequence-> make your intro deleting parts from the tracks that are active, maybe you only want the snare of the last beat in this one so you have to delete all the snares up untill that one you want etc.-> continue with verse, verse switch up, chorus, back to verse etc-> once you get to the basic flow of you song, how ever many verses/choruses, bridge etc, then go through it again and maybe add or minus some notes here or there.(adding stuff in the song mode process is the shlt, coz sometimes you don't know what you need untill you want to transform said sequence into a song format, and i'm talking chords/notes/bass/drums whatever)-> then work on your outro, and this maybe a sequence you start from scratch just using whatever programs/samples are needed to lead the song to an end-> then record-> add fades in daw-> then normalize to minus 2 or 3db.... finished....

this is just a basic guide, not what i do every time, but a format to go by none the less..

song mode is all about listening over and over constantly untill it just works and feels right in a song format. when i'm at this stage, i'm taking into account scratch breaks, the emcee and where i want them etc.

wow, a long post for me. but informative i hope..
peace!

I use alot of 1 and 2 bar sequences to build up a track. I like to program different changes and breaks and sequence a song from there and then lay it out. Sometimes I use my old method of building up the hook and using track mutes to sequence a song it really just depends on what sounds and samples I'm working with.

i use a combo of both i build my song with the sq=equences and then i convert them to a song and i do what ever over that song scratch add acapellas play my keyboard or mopho.

i uset he sh!t out of my sequ reps, when mixing down my song to sound right .

i dig that automation feature too. brings your track to life

i stat with one sequence, typically 4 - 8 bars.......

most of the time using reason as my sound module........(i got loads of third party sound banks)

stack that MFer up with my different tracks make sure everything meshes (sonically).....
from there its copy & paste and pop back into those sequence and do track mutes and subtle changes to rythmns and patterns.........

figure out a nice "final sequence" in song mode.........

rewire reason to logic..........hit record in logic, play on the mpc..........viola.........MPC cadience/ swing to my tracks......

final additions in Logic with instruments and or efx plug-ins, etc.. etc...

I always work in 4 bar loops to start


build build build

filter, mix etc


then copy copy copy the first sequence with like 12 tracks built.. more or less


then rename sequences (so the save properly)


track mutes


song mode


midi slave



then two track a rough copy


if a song works out, go back and do individual outputs and do the song for real each sound on a separate track


no sense in multitracking new songs, you don't know if they are good yet.


thats how I roll on all of the MPs

another important thing to remember:

song mode>

convert song to sequence.


that is a really dope way to join tracks quickly, or just have a whole song play thru while you play with additions... its more complicated because your dealing with 68 bars or whatever, but you use the seek buttons and its pretty cool what you can do...


also,

record mix changes. turn it on.


you can now play a song (that is playing as a sequence because you converted it) and record your mix changes thru the whole thing.


dizzope